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

Loaf of bread on table

Good Bread for Good Health

After a medically mandated gluten-free diet left these sailors pining for good bread, they came up with their own winning recipe.

Bowl of congee rice porridge

Miracle in a Bowl

This creamy rice porridge is guaranteed to sate your hunger and banish rainy-day or rough-passage blahs.

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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

Baja sunset

Welcome Aboard, Starlink

Here’s what the Sailing Totem crew has learned about how the plans work, how the terms of service are enforced, and more.

Cat perch

Cruising with a Pet

Here’s what we’ve learned about cruising with Panchita, a street cat who adopted us in Mexico.

Liveaboard Lifestyle

Home-schooling aboard

Home-Schooling Aboard

When it comes to educating the kids while cruising, these parents learned that flexibility, and sometimes changing course, is key.

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Do It Yourself

Virgin Anchorages guidebook

Sailors’ Helpers

These books and apps are my go-to favorites whenever I’m trying to find my way through the Caribbean.

Person inspecting boat rig

The Bricolage of Boating

DIY projects are about more than keeping the boat seaworthy. They’re also a way to feel part of the cruising community.

Rudder inspection

Lost Rudder Blues

On an offshore race from Florida to Mexico, something did not go bump in the morning, but the rudder was gone nonetheless.

Fender protection using a tee-shirt

Fender Protection on a Budget

There’s an old adage that everything on a boat should serve multiple purposes. As it turns out, this applies to clothing, too.

Family Cruising

Home-schooling aboard

Home-Schooling Aboard

When it comes to educating the kids while cruising, these parents learned that flexibility, and sometimes changing course, is key.

Family aboard during Christmas

Finding Your People

Having the right buddy boat can make the cruising experience even more fun, educational and memorable.