Its's a lifestyle

We're surprised by the reaction we get when people first learn about our plans. Understandably, people who have not had exposure to the live-aboard cruising lifestyle have no basis for forming a picture of what this really means. In fairness, like anything else, there is a wide range of options.

For us, this is our home, and we wanted the conveniences to which we have grown accustomed. Our last boat, by comparison, was more akin to camping, which was acceptable for weekends and the one- or two-week vacation cruises. We decided to outfit Ariel as comfortably as we could. We decided that if something was a minor irritant at the marina or at a weekend anchorage, it would become a major annoyance when living aboard full-time.

We have heat and air-conditioning that function exactly like those in any home. We set the thermostat or program it and forget about it. We have both hot and cold pressure water, with a double-bowl sink in the galley. Okay, the sinks are much smaller than those found in most homes. We do not have an automatic dishwasher. We do have a three-burner propane stove with a thermostat-controlled oven, which bakes very well. Rounding out the galley are a freezer and a refrigerator.

We have a single head (toilet) and a spacious shower. The head area includes a full-length mirror. Our berth is about queen-sized and extremely comfortable. The guest berth is full-sized.

We have comfortable dining in both the main cabin and the cockpit. We also have a gas grill we can use off the stern rail.

Yes, of course, there are trade-offs compared to living in a house. One is that while we have adequate storage, things are often not at our fingertips. It usually requires removing a cushion to gain access and may require some digging around. It is also important to put things away immediately. Our space is very limited, so it can become cluttered very quickly. If something is left out, it will invariably be in the way of accessing the next needed item. Everything must be secured before we get underway, so it is just easier to keep things that way as much as possible.

We do not have a clothes washer and dryer. Just think about how much space, water, and power these would consume. The other big adjustment from life on land is that we do not have a car. Shopping has to be well-planned, as everything needs to be schlepped back to the boat by whatever means are available.

Overall, we believe Ariel is very comfortable. We have spent enough time on boats that we know how to respect each other's space. It is not hard to find a quiet place to read, work on the computer, or just take in the natural surroundings. We split the workload pretty evenly, so we both have comparable amounts of leisure time. It helps that we have many common interests and have long enjoyed doing things together.

The real reward is that no matter where we travel, we have our home with us