Living Aboard

Living aboard a boat may not be for everybody, but for those who do, it can unlock a waterborne lifestyle full of exciting new adventures and a unique set of circumstances. From waking up every morning with a beautiful waterfront view to realizing that your “home” is wherever you roam, trading in the landlubber life for one on the water can be freeing.

Ben Zartman

Of course, the liveaboard lifestyle doesn’t come without its challenges. While your world becomes bigger, moving from a four-bedroom house to a 40-foot boat means everything else becomes smaller, from storage to sleeping quarters, and while it’s easy to fantasize about the idea of living on a boat, actually doing it requires significant preparation, technical savvy and a willingness to learn and adapt.

Here, you’ll find helpful stories and tips for anyone living (or considering embarking on) the liveaboard lifestyle, to make your home on the water as manageable as it is rewarding.

Food & Entertainment

Trout

A Superior Fish

As I prepared to saute the fish, I had a moment of panic: I was out of cooking oil. Then, I thought of mayonnaise.

Chili

A Perfect Cold-Weather Meal

This one-pot meal warms the bones when the weather won’t cooperate, and is a great make-ahead dish for offshore passages.

Bananas

Going Bananas

What do you do when all the bananas onboard inevitably ripen at the same time?

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Long-term Boat Care

main cabin

Sailing Totem: The 40-Year Refit

In the midst of our massive 40-year refit of our Stevens 47, Totem, we’re still dreaming: Do we want to make the changes needed to fly a Code Zero?

Gannet

Upgrades for a Circumnavigation

Halfway through his latest circumnavigation, Webb Chiles made several upgrades to Gannet, his Moore 24, to make the rest of the journey safer and more comfortable.

Original teak slats

Forward Cabin Makeover

Eager to get rid of dark wood and old vinyl, this do-it-yourselfer found a cleaner and brighter way to finish the v-berth.

refits and upgrades

Deck Upgrades

The latest chapter in our ongoing series about the complete overhaul of a classic-plastic Pearson 36.

Sailing Totem

Removing the rudder

Fiberglassing 101

With the right safety precautions and a bit of practice, sailors can tackle small projects and repairs themselves.

Liveaboard Lifestyle

Fatty Goodlander

The Apple and the Tree

My father always told the truth but held no allegiance to the rules of others – except the sea, whose harsh but fair rules were enticing.

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Do It Yourself

Woman in bikini tanning and relaxing on a summer sailin cruise, sitting on a luxury catamaran near picture perfect white sandy beach on Spargi island in Maddalena Archipelago, Sardinia, Italy.

Code Red

How to avoid painful, cancer-causing sunburns on a charter- and how to treat them if the rays get the best of you.

ARC 2022 preparations in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Rally Time

Rallies are a good way to expand your horizons. Here are a few cruising favorites.

Kaufman 47 cutter

Reefing Off the Wind

Every sailor should have a sound strategy for reefing in adverse conditions. Here’s what works for us aboard Quetzal.

Family Cruising

Ben Zartman

Simple Systems Aboard

This sailing family decided to forgo many of the common systems aboard modern cruising boats to keep things easy and affordable.