Jim K. wrote:
Man is the corporate filled with people lacking integrity, or what?

Yes.

.... I'm
fed up. After working in the corp world for over a decade, I'm working
on getting out.


What were you working on for the previous decade? Just
curious. I have been sucked into the "corporate world" twice
in my working career, both times by having a small company
that I was working for, and perfectly happy with, bought up.
Both times I said "You have to pay me a LOT more money to
both do the work and put up with your BS." They paid, up
until somebody who could do it (sort of) cheaper came along,
and I left with no regrets. The funny thing is that I have
gotten called back in many times for more money yet, to fix
what the cheap replacement did.



So question(s) #1:
- Will your overall expenses decrease by livingaboard, especially if
you don't tie up at a dock? Obviously rent/mortgage is decreased
drastically.

In general, dockage is cheaper than rent. Utlities are lower
too. But it can be a higher stress life style than you
imagine. Boats take more maintenance than houses, more work
goes into everyday living arrangements... for example, you
don't have to pump out your house's holding tank and you
don't have to dinghy your laundry ashore.

Lots of people try it and hate it.


- Car, insurance, gas, repair, & inspection costs are gone. I have a
mountain bike and canoe if I need to hit the food market. Is it stupid
to have a small motocycle or scooter?

Insurance, licenses? Theft? Can you take it with you on board?

- Utilities? They should decrease, right? I love camping so luxuries
won't be missed.

Camping is fun as a change of pace... day after day after
day, as a way of life, it gets kinda old.

- Are there charges for docking up and re-charging battteries and
getting water? How much?

Yes. Varies very very widely, and all the cheapest places
are getting co-opted and prices raised.


- How many meals do you eat with fish you caught?

None.

.... So do food costs also decrease?


Not measurably, unless you have some gift for hydroponic
gardening.


But new costs - boat maintenance? Others? How much?

Ho much ya got? What are your standards? Boat stuff is very
expensive. If you are a skilled mechanic, electrician,
carpenter (and/or fiberglasser), canvas-worker, etc etc, you
can get by pretty cheap. These skills can also be learned on
the fly, and other cruisers are generally very helpful. But
if you are the type to want to hire work to be done for you,
you will not thrive.


So the main
questions is if overall expenses do decrease - by how much percentage
wise?

There is no way to tell without a lot more info.

I know of some people who live aboard, and basically make
ends meet either with tiny pensions, investment income,
and/or doing odd jobs... probably in the neighborhood of
$15k per year. They also don't live very high on the hog.
But they enjoy a wonderful live afloat... and cruising...

Cruising is very different from living aboard, tied to a job
(even a temp job). A cruising vessel is 90 different kinds
of machine rolled into one. It has to fulfill many
functions, all smoothly. No room for the clutter & useless
bric-a-brac most people fill their houses with. Conveniences
are costly in money, space, & power. You can't take the
basics for granted.

A live-aboard, rooted to one spot, is basically a tiny
apartment stuck in an inconvenient & potentially dangerous
environment.


My experience: none.

I'll be going to the local sailing club - The Philadelphia Sailing Club

Philly?!? I thought you said you were in a WARM climate!


- and will inquire about membership. I know they also instruct.

This is a great idea, joining a club and learning from the
members as well as taking lessons.


If it
takes 2 years - it takes 2 years. If it takes 4 years - then 4.
Whatever it takes, I'll wait but I feel I need to start now -

Good! Do it now! Unfortunately you seem to have missed the
summer, but you can still get in some sailing (try frostbite
racing!) and also take some classes in boat handling,
safety, navigation, etc etc.




4-5 years ago I slimmed down my possessions. I feel I need to slim them
down again. But what size boat would be a good size. Any
recommendations? Though I read 25-35 with 30' recommended. Correct?


The smallest boat that can safely be used for your purposes
is the right size. Nobody knows but you, and you are just
beginning to learn! But don't get carried away "slimming
down" possessions for the moment, is my advice.


My sailing needs/uses: I don't care about speed or racing - I'm a "stop
and smell the flowers" kind of guy.

A boat that sails well is safer than a slow tub.



I might also sail around for contract work. I contacted well over 200
magazine publications and found ~ 50 that would be interested in my
photos and some of them hire you for a particular job - e.g. pics of
Sping hikers on the Applachian Trail in Virginia - whatever. That's it
- cruising around for fun and photos.


The Appalachian Trail is a lng long way from navigable
water! A heck of a scooter ride! But it's good that you have
already found a potential market for your photos.


Sorry for the looooong post - I'm normally not that gabby.
Jim


S'OK this group has room for all types.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King