Many people have asked me the question, “How do you decide on a boat to live aboard and sail around the world on?” This is a very complex decision as there are so many brands of boats to choose from and the possibilities are endless. But seeing as how Dan and I are not independently wealthy, and have to go the “used boat” route, this narrows our options considerably. Of course, we would love to commission a brand new boat with all our dream features, but starting at $500,000, this is well beyond our budget. To complicate matters more, Dan and I have very different areas of focus when it comes to features we feel are important. His are related to performance and outstanding sailing features, and mine are more… let’s say, related to creature comforts. After all, this boat will be my home for many years and I have to love where I live. This being said, here is how the typical boat shopping experience goes when Dan and I look at a prospective boat.
When we find a boat we would like to consider, we contact the boat broker and set up an appointment to see it. This search as taken us as far north as Rhode Island, as far south as Florida, and all the way across the country to San Diego and San Francisco. Dan will have done the initial research on the boat and will have selected the boat based on his approved list of potential brands. Once we arrive at the boat location, our brains are immediately pulled in two different directions as our focus is now, “what he sees” and “what she sees.”
The moment our eyes spot our potential home on the ocean, Dan stops and stares at the lines of the boat. He notices features like the freeboard, how much room there is between the water and cockpit which effects stability and whether the cockpit will stay dry in rough seas. He looks at the shape of the keel to determine how much water will be required to get into and out of harbors, how stable the boat will be in rough water. He quickly assesses the bottom of the boat; has it been well maintained, is there any algae buildup or paint blistering. Meanwhile, the first thing that draws my attention, is the color of boat. Is she pretty? Does she have a good name because I am not sailing around the world in a boat with a goofy name.
Next, we board the boat and walk around the deck. Dan is immediately looking at features such as the anchor. Is it a manual anchor system of does it have hydraulics that raise and lower it with a push of a button? He checks rigging, sails, how well organized the lines are and do they all lead to the cockpit so the boat can be managed in heavy weather without having to go out on the deck. I immediately look for wood. Modern boats are made with fiberglass and have reduced the amount of teak on the deck. If there is a lot of teak, that means hours of maintenance keeping the wood shining and bright-looking. And more importantly, deck space. Is there space for me and my many girlfriends to lie unimpeded on the deck in the sun to work on tans?
The progression then proceeds to the cockpit. Experienced live-aboard people say that 80% of your time on board a boat is spent in the cockpit. Dan immediately sits behind the helm and gets a feel for the comfort level knowing he will spend long hours crossing oceans seated behind this wheel. Are the seats comfortable and how is the view of the boat from behind the helm? I look for the folding cockpit table. Since many of our meals will be spent eating from this area, is the table sufficient, does it have drink holders for happy hour? Bench cushions are a must as I have to be able to lie across the benches comfortably to read, write, and take in the amazing views we will encounter. While I am pondering the comfort of my naps, Dan is checking that the cockpit enclosure has a hard dodger which will protect us from crashing rogue waves and allow him to stay dry in even the worst weather. My question to the boat broker is, “does this have removable screens for those buggy islands?” We could tarry in the cockpit for quite some time as Dan checks electronics, navigation systems and all the important systems aboard the boat, and I am usually the first to descend into the cabin of the boat, my element.
As I descend the steps into the cabin, my eyes first and foremost focus on the galley. As my feet hit the floor of the cabin, I dash directly to the galley area. How much cooking surface does the boat have, is there a fridge and a freezer, and what type of storage is there for all food needed for the 4-week crossings? I stand in the area, checking for secure handholds for when I need to cook when the boat is moving. Dan will arrive behind me a few minutes later, and the first place he ventures is the navigation station. All the important instruments like GPS, radios, gauges, autopilot, are located in this manly compartment. He parks himself in the chair behind the chart table and inspects each component with scrutiny.
When each of us have our fill of our gender related areas, Dan will head to his next destination, which would be the engine compartment. I have no idea what he looks for, but I imagine it is the cleanliness and maintenance of the engine, the make, model and how many hours of use it has seen. I travel directly to the salon, or area that contains the seats and table where we will be relaxing below and having some of our meals. I have to know that at least eight people can fit around the table as it has to accommodate a visit from my entire family. I notice the color of the cushions and what shape they are in and make a mental note if they are a hideous color that will need to be recovered. I look for cabinets to hold my books and photo albums as I never want to be anywhere I can’t take my family with me, at least in photos. Dan will eventually pass through, pausing to look for two items, the liquor cabinet and maybe a flat screen t.v., which is usually on a wall or tucked into a cabinet.
Amazingly, we almost always arrive at the master cabin at the same time. Sleeping is one area of great importance to both of us. The bed must be large and comfortable, but then our focus once again departs in different directions. Dan is looking for fans, hatches for ventilation, head room when he sits up in bed. I am looking for how many compartments there are to store things like my riding boots, dress up clothes for awesome evenings on shore, and shoe space. And please let there be a good size mirror of course, because, I have seen the way I look after spending a day in the sun and wind and it is not pretty. I need to be able to fix up that mess with a descent mirror and some makeup. .
Lastly, we venture to the other areas, like heads (bathrooms) and the guest sleeping areas. I immediately calculate how many places people can sleep on the boat so I know how many people we can have visit at once. Dan is more concerned with the “sea berth” the place he and I will nap when we are underway, between our shifts on watch.
After we have poked, prodded and inspected every element and satisfied our curiosity on what we deem is essential in a boat, we migrate back up to the cockpit and sit to talk. Somehow, we are drawn to sit close to one another in the spot we will be spending much time together. Mysteriously, the boat broker will make some brief comments and then leave us to reflect on what we have just seen. Having sold many boats, I am sure that the brokers instinctively realize the importance of the moment when a couple who will be living aboard a boat, contemplate the reality, “Is this the boat we have been searching for? Is this the one, our future home?” We sit reflectively imagining the two of us alone aboard this vessel, with nothing but the ocean and each other as our friend and companion. We look at one another. No words are necessary, just the comfort of the seats, the view of the deck before us, and the vibes the ship is sending. Is she safe, is she seaworthy, will she protect us at all costs? Is this the place we can both love and call home?
While both of us have loved features of the various boats we have looked at, there has not been the magical moment where we stare into one another’s eyes and feel, “This is it. This is the one.” When that moment does happen, we both will know and there will be no more searching. Until then, we are getting efficient at traveling and searching for our dream boat, and the process itself is exciting and fun. There is a dichotomy of feelings for both of us. We love the journey and the process of finding our shared love, and once we do find her, our lives will change dramatically. We will transition from lookers to owners and the reality of selling everything we own and leaving friends and family behind will be set in motion. Such a bittersweet transition, but one we are prepared for and we hope to share with those we know and love. Most of all, we hope to be joined often by family and friends so they many share in our journey and adventures and the boat we will call home.