The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat

by Mark Nicholas

Expanded and Revised. The Essentials of Living Aboard educates both dreamers and explorers with information about this wonderful and rewarding lifestyle. Mark Nicholas has combined his experience of life aboard with the advice of other liveaboards, marina owners, technicians, boat manufacturers and advocates in order to detail the challenges and offer real advice for success. This lifestyle, typically thought to be out of reach or "for other people," is now available to all who dream.Read this book if you've ever been gripped by the romantic idea of living on water. Mark Nicholas presents a rich mine of information for potential liveaboards, information he gleaned the hard way as a self-confessed "expert at what can go wrong."

Genres: Reference, Travel, Boating

328 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2004

Reviews

[Gregj · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any romantic notions about living on a boat, this book will probably cure you. The author gives a realistic and comprehensive view of all the costs, as well as the practical day to day problems associated with this lifestyle. If you really think you would like to do this, (really!) this is a very good first book that will either weed you out, or get you prepared financially and mentally to adopt this lifestyle.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great if you are thinking about making the plunge. Its a good overall introduction and overview of what to expect. It does not however go into ANY technical details - which makes it a quick easy read, but doesnt so much add to the practical nature of things.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of what is found in this book, sadly, I found to be very basic information that, if you know anything about boating, is something you should already know or can easily access online. Also, this is truly about living aboard a boat at a dock, as if it were an apartment, and does not contain much useful information for cruisers. This came highly recommended on Amazon and given that, it makes me think that there is a gaping need out there for detailed information for cruisers on what to use when outfitting a boat, say, for the tropics. Hmmm, might be a future writing project in the works...

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well i think this is a good book as a jumping off point but it is far to vague, not nearly comprehensive enough, nor insightful or filled with a variety of circumstances be anything near the "Definitive guide to living aboard." A closer approximation would be "One mans guide to living aboard based solely on his experiences in a particular set up" and even then comprehensive does not enter into the equation.

His writing style, funny anecdotes of his failures and successes and good solid general advice is where this books succeeds. Past that, it is informative and a good jumping off point. However it is completely nontechnical and lists almost no solutions, even proposed ones, to the problems he espouses.

If you want definitive... look elsewhere. If you want a fantastic quick read that is a great jumping off point for those thinking about this lifestyle or have just begun it... then this indeed might be the book for you.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are at the very beginning of looking into boat life, this is a great resource. A lot of this book contains basic information, including a large amount of common sense. Great if you have no idea where to start, less great if you already have experience and some knowledge.

Also, dude needs to decide how to spell it: "liveaboard" or "livaboard." Honestly, it should just be two words, "live aboard."

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love adventure so I am trying to learn all I can about this lifestyle and I think Mark Nicholas did a wonderful job introducing a 'newby' to this lifestyle change. He explained everything I was wondering about including cost, deciding what type of boater you'll be, whether you'll want a sailboat or motor yacht, safety, pros and cons and more. If you are wondering if you could withstand this drastic change in your routine life - definitely read this. My husband and I have liked the idea for decades but haven't had the freedom. Possibly in retirement this will be something we once again explore and have no regrets!

[Ken Didion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the live aboard lifestyle

The book gave a lot of high level information on the live aboard lifestyle. I would have liked to have gotten more detailed information but understand the scope of the book.

It is a good read and for new people with little sailing experience wanting to live the dream of living on a boat it gives a sense of the effort it takes.

[Charlie Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it's not as useful as the Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual, if this is a thing you're considering doing, buy this because the 10$ will save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars.

That said, those dollars were well spent.

[George Rawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative

Contains a lot of information on living aboard. I would say that you should re-read this a second time as there's something that you have missed the first time through.

[David Eber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight on what I need to do & obstacles to overcome. Big thing I got from my reading this ...IT IS POSSIBLE!

[Andy White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, we are considering it. This is a super thorough and honest look at boat life. Sometimes he states the obvious, but this book gives one much to think about.

[Anthony Vaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good for someone who has no experience living on a boat. Not an ideal book for people who have in the past. Even if only for a month.

[Rae-l · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I never ended up living on a boat, this book has quite a bit of useful information.

[Mahmoud ElMarakshy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book to read and impressively kept me engaged to finish in a week. I normally struggle staying engaged and focused when reading books.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat” speaks to dreamers and explorers alike, presenting information about this wonderful and rewarding lifestyle. Mark Nicholas has combined his experience of life aboard with the advice of other livaboards, marina owners, technicians, boat manufacturers, and advocates in order to detail the challenges and offer real advice for success. This lifestyle, typically thought to be out of reach or “for other people,” is now available to all who dream. Essentials include figuring out your needs, choosing the right boat, buying your boat, choosing the right marina, forecasting your costs, preparing for the lifestyle, and numerous other important topics. Well organized, well written, chock full of good advice. A worthy 5-star read for those who plan to live aboard or head for the Great Loop.

[Jeff McCombs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro book for living aboard

as I've just begun to finally take the plunge and move aboard, a childhood dream, this book serves as a great introduction. Mark did a great job providing information in easily chewable chunks. there is quite a bit too consider here too. I found the style engaging, enough so that I wound up staying up all night and read the book from cover to cover. I know that I'll be back to refer to the text again as I digest it all.

be aware, that the latter sections seem to suffer from "editor/author fatigue" as information is repeated, and some passages don't quite parse right. I suspect this is a...feature of the kindle edition only, and not the print one, as I skimmed this in the store and didn't notice this. I've seen this with kindle books before. overall however, I didn't find this to detract from the information provided.

I'd recommend this as a good intro to friends or family who were interested and just getting started with researching living aboard.

[Bartholomew Timm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Nicholas pulls no punches - he tells you the good, the bad, and the ugly about living aboard a boat. I have toyed with the idea for years, and all the good things he writes about reinforced what a great life choice it is. However, all the problems and expenses make me seriously question whether this is a good choice. I love being on the water and sailing, but his consistent discussions about the problems with heads (toilets), the smells, and the mold and the difficulties of dealing with others at marinas, make it sound as romantic as going on a date and being stuck in a toilet with your date and a bunch of obnoxious drunks and having to pay through the nose. I may still move back to the East Coast and buy a sailboat - just don't know if I would be a live aboard. This is an outstanding book if you are considering it, because, again, while he does point out the wonderful aspects of it, he also heightens your awareness of the costs, financial and otherwise, that go with it.

[Jaroslav Tuček · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly comprehensive - this should be required reading for every first-time liveaboard and perhaps also for the land-living dreamer, although the latter risks seeing his dream disappear in the not-so-romantic realities of living aboard a vessel.

At times, it is hard not to suspect the author of making up, or at least exaggerating, his stories - for there is only so much misfortune one man can be expected to encounter in life. Otherwise, one would have to suspect him of clumsiness. Still, overall the book reads like an honest effort to present things as they are. Definitely recommended.

[Temporary Residents · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think lots of people have the romantic idea of sailing away at some point. This is a very real look at what it's like to live on a sailboat. It's also full of tips for what you can expect through the process of buying a boat and getting it ready to sail. I liked that he doesn't try to discourage you from this idea but he paints a very real picture of what it's like. He makes you carefully consider what it will be like instead of you having to find things out the hard way. I would consider this a must read for anyone thinking of selling everything and living on a boat.

[Don Follett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read by the author who lives full time on a large sailboat in Boston. He starts with how to select your boat and continues with a variety of chapters on how to maintain, live in and sensibly manage a boat as your full-time home. This is not a book on operating/sailing a boat. It is a guide for those contemplating living on a boat full-time. The author does not "sugarcoat" the topic. He tells it like it is with all the downfalls he personally experienced. I enjoyed the book and learned a lot I had never considered.

[Michael]

OK, I admit I read this one well after I'd learned most things the difficult way. I'm a surly sailor myself now, and allowed to break this guy's balls! Shrink-wrapping? You crazy? How do you get in and out? Oh yeah, he's in Boston Harbor. hah hah. Man, that would be rough. I love living on my sailboat, but there've been a few minor problems. And I SUPPOSE it might have helped if I'd seen this before. Maybe :)

[Jamie Garofalo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent advice, personal stories, and general information for people thinking about moving onto a boat. I think every person has different experiences, but this book contains a wealth of information and is a good read for anyone thinking about getting into it. Are you made to be a live aboard??

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a newbie to boating and a newlywed moving aboard, this was very helpful. Contains info about making the decision, buying a boat, etc, in addition to addressing some of the practicalities of day-to-day life.

[Chris]

Perfect and useful summary of everything to cover when thinking of live aboard lifestyle - from boat types to maintenance to financing to finding a marina. A necessary primer for anyone looking to start on a realistic course to move towards this goal.

[Alex Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great mash of knowledge. I knew when i started that i would surely learn things that i hadn't yet considered, and i was right. he covered topics that had not crossed my mind. Hope that I can read more of his work soon.

[Jeff Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introductory book. I found it to be a worthwhile read. Like anything, living aboard a boat is a very personal decision. What works for some won't work for others.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're thinking about living aboard, you MUST read this book, because it'll help you decide what to look for in a boat, and how to get it, and how to live on it.

[John Edward]

If I ever buy or live aboard a sail boat, I will be glad I read this book.

[Rodney S. Fitzpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and influential. If you’re on the fence as to whether to make the leap to onboard living, read this book before taking the plunge.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest. Not as easy as you may think.