liveaboard motor yacht

• Search Used Yachts For Sale
• Search Boats By Brand
• Search Boats By Type
• Search By Location
• Search By Price
• What's My Boat Worth?
• Search Boats Just Listed
• Small Yachts
• Custom Sport Fishing Boats
• Finance A Boat
• Amer Yachts
• Cabo Yachts
• French Yachts
• Gulfstream Yachts
• Hatteras Yachts
• Solaris Yachts
• Sunpower Yachts
• Sunreef Yachts
• Vela Boatworks
• Virtus Yachts
• Why List With United?
• Why Own A Boat Or Yacht?
• Custom Website For Your Yacht
• United Sold Boats
• Buy A Yacht With Crypto
• Find a Yacht Broker Near Me
• Search For Broker By Name
• Meet The United Support Team
• Our History
• Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
• Stuart Boat Show
• Miami Boat Show
• Palm Beach Boat Show
• Other Boat Shows
• Yachting News
• Yacht Closing Services
• River Forest Yachting Centers

Search All Yachts

7 Unique Liveaboard Boats For On-Water Living

By Rob Bowman | Posted On Nov 13, 2018 Updated On Jun 03, 2020

As coastal cities become more crowded every day and the cost of living continues to increase, the concept of buying a liveaboard boat as your home has grown in popularity. The idea of being able to wake up every day to the sound of the waves splashing against your boat or being able to move to a secluded cove for the night is romantic and intriguing. There are many kinds of liveaboard boats for sale and practically almost any yacht with a cabin, a galley, and a head can be considered for living on board. However, some yachts distinguish themselves by offering more space, amenities, and home-like designs for more practical on-water living.

Many houseboats for example are like "homes on a hull", are somewhat boxy in shape, but offer massive living spaces similar to a traditional house. These boats are generally meant to be kept in the protected waterways and not the open ocean. Trawler Yachts are a popular style of liveaboard boats for the owner that wants to travel extensively while living on it as well. They offer a hull design and sturdy construction that can keep your on-water home from rocking or swaying too much. Then there is the luxury motor yacht which is capable of doing it all, but comes with a hefty price tag.

With over 150 yacht brokers nationwide, United Yacht Sales lists some unbelievably interesting and unique boats with our wide network of clients. Sometimes these listings include liveaboard boats that were built strictly for on-water living and others are converted cruise ships for example. Below are 7 very unique liveaboard boats currently for sale on the market today from 40 to 220 feet! Don't see anything you like? Give our home office a call at (772) 463-3131 and we will connect you with a broker in your area that can find the right liveaboard boat for your budget and needs.

 "Global" - 2007 Shadow Marine 220' Allure - Asking $8,499,000

United Yacht Broker: Christopher Cooke (772) 631-7702

"Global" is a true combination of elegance, utility, and luxury incorporated to form an unprecedented, evolutionary step in a large, liveaboard pleasure craft. The designers of Global aimed to put safety and seaworthiness in the forefront. Built by Shadow Marine in 2007 this vessel coined the phrase “Sport Utility Vessel” of the sea. Global was built to be the lead ship of the evolutionary ALLURE Class and was built by her original owner to travel Any Ocean, Anywhere, Anytime!

Each of her 5 decks has been carefully laid out and demonstrates the ultimate in elegance with practicality, utility, and a comfort. Four upper levels provide spacious, well-appointed areas for lounging and entertaining along with 6 luxurious staterooms. Her lower deck combines serviceability with crew comfort, so crucial for morale and retention. Key features of M/Y Global’s interior include; 6 staterooms with private balconies, a sky lounge offering panoramic views, a fully equipped workout facility, and a movie theater featuring the latest in automated audio and video technologies. A dining area that lets you watch a helicopter land and take off from the deck are among the features making this converted vessel stand out. There’s also a 65" TV in the theater on the lower deck, just forward of the galley.

2015 Custom Canadian S&E 188' Superyacht - Asking $4,999,000

United Yacht broker: Daniel Voorhees , (206) 407-6411

This 188-foot Custom Canadian S&E super yacht is the ultimate liveaboard yacht with 34 staterooms and room for 22 crew+. This yacht can safely and comfortably transport, 70+ luxury passengers worldwide or cruise by yourself and sleep in a different room every night! The entire interior and exterior is in top condition. Most staterooms have not been slept in since the complete refit and remodel in 2015/2016. She has fresh paint and launched in 2017. She is truly turnkey ready for private yachting or charter service. Owners will love the multi-level layout with assorted socializing areas and room for activities. There are multiple bar and dining spaces with ample deck and lounge areas throughout. If you are looking for the ultimate liveaboard yacht and have money to burn, this could be your best option.

"Discovery" - 1962 Romsdal 100' Expedition Yacht - Asking $1,990,000

United Yacht broker: John Peterson (910) 546-5760

The name ROMSDAL has always been synonymous with North Sea trawlers, yachts built for research, and strong North Sea fishing boats. Originally built in 1962 as a research vessel, DISCOVERY underwent a complete rebuild and refit from 1998-2000 and has become one incredible liveaboard yacht. The refit was massive and reported costs exceeded 12 million dollars. DISCOVERY is an aesthetically pleasing yacht that shows outstanding workmanship and stunning craftsmanship throughout. The interior wood is exquisite and the layout is perfect for luxurious accommodations.

Refit to be a gentleman’s expedition yacht the hull was flared and painted with Sterling Flag Blue paint. During the refit a new rolled aluminum superstructure was built and installed using bimetal transition inserts. The superstructure is white. Teak trim was added producing the true yacht finish one would expect. The decks were covered with teak and show little wear. The interior design and layout was designed by an architect while the interior workmanship was overseen by an interior designer. The results are simply stunning. With the finest craftsmanship available, the interior has varnished mahogany wood work and trim, madronal burl woodwork and trim, granite, marble, jade, and exquisite fabrics. "Discovery" is an excellent option for the owner that wants a liveaboard yacht with the versatility and capability to cruise long distances.

"Elena Queen of Arts" - 1982 AC Mcleod 79' Custom Sternwheeler House Barge - Asking $599,000

United Yacht broker: Mordy Miltz (516) 606-1282

Unique opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind privately owned, self-propelled stern-wheeler, river boat replica house barge that can easily be used as a liveaboard boat. Timeless appealing classic meets function and luxury. “Elena Queen of Arts” boasts an open & airy layout throughout. Well-appointed with 3 staterooms, 2.5 heads & captains berth, large galley, salon, dinette, library, laundry room, bow seating areas, large upper deck with hot tub, custom woodwork throughout and so much more. Some features include, Young Chang grand piano, projector screen, custom carpentry, cast iron propane fireplaces, coffered ceilings, granite countertops, radiant heat, large sliding windows, 4 entryways, recessed lighting, and many other custom features. Her drivetrain is powered by a pair of 250hp Detroit Diesel 6-71 Naturals with PTO driven counter-rotating stern wheels, dual Detroit Diesel 4-71 40kW 3 phase generators, diesel fed boiler, hydraulic dual action cylinders operating a quad rudder system and pneumatic throttle controls.

“Elena Queen of Arts” was commissioned for the late owner of Aflac Insurance John Amos and built by AC McLeod with design cues to replicate the famous Delta Queen. She would make for an excellent waterfront home, floating hotel, B&B or crew vessel. She must be seen to appreciate, call today to schedule your showing.

"Banshee" - 1996 Custom North Sea 58' Trawler - Asking $340,000

United Yacht broker: Rick Hoffman , (425) 405-0132

This 58 Custom steel North Sea Trawler is truly the ultimate bluewater passagemaker perfect for living on the water. The Banshee was incredibly well-designed by her only owner and has been extremely well maintained. She has a single Cummins 300HP motor and is keel cooled with approx. 100 gallons OFM fluid in full length keel 50% anti-freeze, 50% water. The exhaust is water cooled and goes through an aqua lift and out stern. She has a state of the art bridge with full electronics, autopilot and radar.

Her full beam salon includes plenty of seating and great views through her many windows. She is warmly heated by her full-sized Dickerson furnace with oven for those colder NW nights. Her galley has full sized appliances with trash compactor that run directly off her generator or the large inverter system. It has oak floors and Corian countertops. She has a master stateroom with plenty of storage, a full island queen berth and a private master head with full bath. Her guest stateroom is also very roomy with full island queen berth, a single berth and its own private full-sized head. She has a huge engine room that also houses a complete shop area with spacious work area and a lot of storage. Her elegant spiral wood stair case leads up to the drive station with even more seating and the table converts to a double bed. Whether your dreams point you to the San Juans or San Carlos, this spectacular long-range trawler will get you there safely, in comfort and style, for all your liveaboard boat needs.

"Luxuria" - 2017 Global Boatworks 46' Luxury Liveaboard House Yacht - Asking $1,500,000

United Yacht broker: Ron Housman , (617) 549-4123

Extraordinary opportunity to own a state of the art waterfront home and yacht-like motor vessel at the same time! Luxuria is an exceptional liveaboard boat that offers style, luxury, and lots of on-water views. Built to a standard far exceeding most production yachts, Luxuria offers sophisticated interior design, mobility, high efficiency and durability all in one low maintenance luxurious package. Perhaps best of all - LUXURIA = INCOME! Already proven to fetch $1,100/ night without any aggressive marketing, Luxuria will provide her first owner the ability to offset between 70-90% of costs of ownership. 

2006 Skipperliner 40' Liveaboard Houseboat - Asking $169,900

United Yacht broker: Ted Gates (239) 849-5357

The Owner ordered and built this liveaboard vessel from Skipperliner in LaCrosse WI. This houseboat was designed and used for hosting dinners/social events. Lower level is all floor to ceiling patio door style windows with slide opening doors on each side and the bow. Large center island and a full galley, with full size appliances, to the aft is set up for food prep and serving. Multiple oversized marine AC units which are zoned to keep lower level very efficiently cooled. Westerbeke generator. Head on aft deck, circular staircase on bow, staircase on aft deck. The top deck is wide open for either banquet style seating or whatever you would desire. In addition there is a slide off the back for fun and entertainment!

Interesting Boating Links

Worldwide yacht sales.

• Azimut Yachts For Sale In Florida
• Yachts For Sale Mexico
• Cabo Fishing Boats For Sale
• Used Yachts
• Sea Ray Boats For Sale
• Bayliss Boats For Sale
• Mini Yacht For Sale
• Intrepid Boats For Sale Florida

Luxury Boats & Yachts

• Used Trawlers
• Yachts Under 500K
• 150000 Yacht
• Texas Yacht Brokers
• Yachts Under 500 Thousand
• 75 Foot Viking Yacht
• Rybovich Sport Fishing Boats
• Used Sabre Yachts
• Garlington Yachts

Popular Builders & Models

• Best Custom Sportfishing Boats
• 50 Ft Yacht
• Hatteras Sportfish For Sale
• Liveaboard Sailboats For Sale
• Used Edgewater Boats
• Used Downeast Boats For Sale
• Used Strike Boats For Sale
• Used Pilot House Boats

Trending Brands & Types

• Luxury Motor Yachts
• Used Hatteras Boats
• Where Are Kadey Krogen Yachts Built
• Used Contender Bay Boat
• Jarrett Bay 90 Price
• Used Yellowfin Boats
• Silverton Cruiser
• Sport Fishing Yachts

" placeholder ="Interlinking Sets" />

SEND UYS A MESSAGE

Recent posts.

Mar 05, 2024

Cloud Yachts Joins United Yacht Sales

Yachts For Sale Near The 2024 Palm Beach Boat Show

Mar 01, 2024

The Hot List - March 2024

Feb 14, 2024

Two Superyachts Added To United Yacht Sales Listings This Week

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions

Best liveaboard boats: 4 of the best options for long-term cruising

• Top stories

Our used boat expert Nick Burnham picks out four of the best liveaboard boats on the secondhand market right now.

One of the real joys of boating is the sheer diversity of it. Whatever you want to experience, whether it’s exhilaration, exploration, relaxation, escapism, social interaction or solitude, there’s a boating style and a boat type, specifically made for you.

And exactly the same is true for the ultimate boater’s fantasy – living aboard your floating home full time (it’s what we all dream of, right?).

So here to fulfil the fantasy are four great examples of vessels that could either take you and your family or friends around the world in a constant stream of adventures, or a more modest barge that would allow you to park up on a quiet stretch of the River Thames and enjoy a constant stream of G&Ts! Cheers!

Nordhavn 46

Built: 1997 Price: £350,000

Recommended videos for you

The Nordhavn 46 is Genesis for Nordhavn and set the tone for pretty much every model that followed. Pacific Asian Enterprises was formed by Jim Leishman and Dan Streech in 1974, originally importing and selling a line of boats from Taiwan called Transpac.

In 1978 Jeff Leishman, Jim’s younger brother, joined PAE as a part-time employee whilst still at school. Jeff completed his studies in 1987, and received his naval architecture diploma from the Yacht Design Institute.

As part of his graduation requirement, he was asked to design a vessel of his choosing. That actual design became the Nordhavn 46 and an entire new genre was born.

Saloon and galley are all on one level with stairs leading down to the owner’s cabin

Several layout options were tried in the early days, before settling down to the layout you see on this 1997 example, much of which echoes through to current models.

Designed for long-term living aboard, there’s a large saloon and galley on the main deck, with steps down to an owner’s cabin in the centre of the boat (reducing motion at sea to a minimum).

But another set of steps lead up to a proper separate wheelhouse , little-ship style. Steps forward from here drop you down to a separate guest cabin in the bow.

A wide side deck leads from the cockpit along the starboard side and up around the front of the wheelhouse in the form of a Portuguese bridge protected by a bulwark from the foredeck.

Follow it round and you’ll go back past the wheelhouse on the port side and up the stairs again to the boat deck above the saloon where the tender is stored.

The bridge deck is a few steps higher and further forward than the saloon

Performance

Nordhavns are all about range, which is why speeds are strictly limited to hull displacement speed rather than forcing more knots via a semi-displacement or planing hull.

Figure on about 8.5 knots flat out with 7.4 knots as the cruise speed, at which the 3,785 litre fuel tank should give about 2,500 miles of range.

There is a lot of boat under the water, with its full hull shape and long keel designed to help the boat plug on and on.

Nordhavn 46 specification

LOA: 45ft 9in (13.9m) Beam: 15ft 5in (4.7m) Draught: 5ft 0in (1.5m) Displacement: 20 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,785 litres Engine: Lugger L668D 134Kw 180hp diesel engines Location: Hamble Contact: Nordhavn Europe

Aqualine Canterbury 62×10 Widebeam

Built: 2019 Price: £182,950

Widebeam narrowboat sounds like the ultimate oxymoron, but it’s a term used to denote canal barges that are, well, wider of beam. A typical narrowboat is 6ft 10in wide, and it’s constructed to this dimension in order to access virtually all of the British canal system.

In short, there are places a wide beam just can’t go. But there are plenty of places that it can. There are four main UK ‘cruising grounds’ for the widebeam owner: London and the South; East Anglia; the Severn waterways; and the Trent and North. Indeed, many owners simply use them as floating homes and never go anywhere at all.

The saloon looks more like an apartment than a boat, with proper domestic furniture…

So what’s the point of a wide beam narrowboat that can’t go everywhere? In a word, space. At 10ft wide, it’s not far short of double the beam, meaning you get almost twice the internal volume for a given length.

But it also gives you rooms that feel far more like those in a house and less like railway carriages. Given that very little of the interior is structural, it’s easy for the manufacturer to customise the layout. This particular boat has a large bedroom at the bow, a generous bathroom and a huge lounge/diner large enough for domestic furniture plus a kitchen.

Narrowboats tend to major on internal space so there is little more than vestigial side decks. There is a decent cockpit at the aft end with a large crescent of seating around a table, and a helm station with wheel steering rather than the tiller of more traditional designs. There is also a ‘well deck’ forward, which is basically a small cockpit in the bow accessed from the forward cabin.

…and the fully equipped galley could be the kitchen in a stylish new build house

Performance is probably not a word you associate with 62ft of 10mm steel plating powered by a Barrus Yanmar Shire 50hp, 4 cylinder 2,190cc diesel engine.

It will move you sedately around the inland waterways, but the fact the water tank is almost double the size of the fuel tank encapsulates the priorities of these vessels.

A misnomer – if you’re planning to put to sea, this is not the boat for you.

Aqualine Canterbury specification

LOA: 62ft 0in (18.9m) Beam: 10ft 0in (3.1m) Draught: 1ft 9in (0.6m) Displacement: 33 tonnes Fuel capacity : 430 litres Engine: Barrus Yanmar Shire 50hp diesel engine Location: Bray Contact: TBS Boats

Built: 2002 Price: £399,950

Built in 2002 by Zijlmans Jachtbouw, a family owned yacht builder in Drimmelen on the Amer River, North Brabant in Holland, this Triqual 65 has had a rather colourful history. It ended up in the Caribbean before being shipped back to Amsterdam in June 2011.

Following a tip-off from the French authorities, the HMRC intercepted the boat in Southampton. After seven days of very thorough searching, they found no drugs inside the boat. There was, however, the small matter of 1.2 tonnes of cocaine worth £300,000,000 hidden in a secret compartment located underneath the bathing platform!

The result was rather a lot of work needed when the current owner bought the boat from an HM Revenue & Customs auction in 2013. A total interior strip and rebuild to a high standard followed.

The owner wanted a boat for exploring the coastlines of Ireland and Scotland before heading over to Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, so comfortable liveaboard boat was the name of the game and a full interior refit followed, creating a very contemporary and, above all, spacious displacement cruiser with three cabins (two doubles and a twin), a lower dinette and a large saloon area.

A total interior refit in 2013 means the saloon still feels fresh, bright and modern

A flybridge motor yacht, there is masses of space on the outside too. The large flybridge has been refitted with more seating, there’s an aft deck to enjoy and deeply bulwarked side decks encircle the boat.

A pair of Vetus Deutz DT67 231hp six cylinder diesel engines pushing over 40 tonnes of steel about (the hull is 6mm thick below the waterline, 5mm above) is never going to set any speed records, but a displacement maximum speed of 10 knots and an 8.5 knot cruise is not too shabby at all, nor is the fuel burn of 28 litres an hour, giving an impressive 1,000 nautical miles of range.

The flybridge is unusually large for a Dutch built steel displacement craft

That weight of the Triqual 65 is also going to do a pretty good job of flattening any chop offshore. Registered as an RCD Category B ‘Offshore’, it’s a boat designed for far more ambitious routes than just coastal cruising.

Triqual 65 specification

LOA: 63ft 3in (19.3m) Beam: 17ft 0in (5.2m) Draught: 5ft 7in (1.7m) Displacement: 40.6 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,768 litres Engines: Twin Vetus Deutz DT67 231hp diesel engines Location: Lymington Contact: Berthon International

Built: 1991 Price: £385,000

Tony Fleming was the technical director of American Marine in Hong Kong, builder of the Grand Banks line of trawler yachts , before leaving to set up his own company under the Fleming brand name. He and business partner Anton Emmerton worked with an American naval architect, Larry Drake of San Diego, California, to develop an all-new range of pilothouse boats.

The Tung Hwa facility, located near Kaohsiung in Taiwan, was selected to build them. The very first model was a 50-footer, with this 53ft version following from hull number 9 onward.  Intriguingly, the boat was originally designed as a 55-footer but a dam was inserted in the aft end of the mould to shorten the hull to 50ft.

Soon after the dam was pushed back to create the Fleming 53, then in 1990 it was finally removed altogether and the Fleming 55 proper was launched as it had been envisaged all along.

Available in two or three-cabin layouts, this boat is the two-cabin version which creates a much larger owner’s stateroom with vanity desk, large guest port cabin and storage room all on the lower deck forward.

A raised wheelhouse gives great visibility but also direct access to the flybridge for easier movement between decks. Further aft, a large saloon with the galley forward on the same level makes this a great social area. It’s ideal for extended cruising as a couple with a pair of guests, which is exactly what this boat was designed for.

Spacious saloon and galley are ideally set up for liveaboards and long distance cruising

One of the most noticeable things about the decks of the Fleming 53 is just how low the side decks are. Open a door in the high bulwarks and you can step straight aboard – try that with a contemporary Sunseeker or Princess !

Back aft, the cockpit is kept completely clear for freestanding furniture and there’s another stairway up to the flybridge where you’ll find fixed seating, the tender, complete with crane for launching, and the liferaft.

The original owner of this boat specified twin Caterpillar 3208 NA diesel engines that produce 210hp each, giving a cruising speed of 9 knots and maximum speed of approximately 12 knots.

Separate wheelhouse is well suited to night passages and has access up to the flybridge

Those low side decks help keep the centre of gravity low, aiding its legendary seakeeping and minimising rock and roll (of the non-musical variety).

Fleming 53 specification

LOA: 52ft 6in (16.0m) Beam: 16ft 0in (4.9m) Draught: 5ft 0in (1.5m) Displacement: 31 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,880 litres Engines: Twin twin Caterpillar 3208 NA 210hp diesels Location: Chichester Contact: Ancasta

First published in the September 2021 issue of MBY.

If you enjoyed this…

Be first to all the latest boats, gadgets, cruising ideas, buying advice and readers’ adventures with a subscription to Motor Boat & Yachting . Available in both print and digital formats, our monthly magazine will be sent directly to your home or device at a substantial discount to the usual cover price. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

New Fjord F480 first look: 40 knot capable 47 footer

Navan s30 & c30 tour: exceptional new axopar rival, axopar 29 yacht tour: exclusive tour by the man behind it, latest videos, galeon 440 fly sea trial: you won’t believe how much they’ve packed in, parker sorrento yacht tour: 50-knot cruiser with a killer aft cabin, yamarin 80 dc tour: a new direction for the nordic day cruiser.

5 Best Liveaboard Boats

Table of Contents

Want to live aboard a boat? Maybe you’re looking for more affordable waterfront living, or an alternative lifestyle – either way – living on a boat has many rewards. That said, choosing the right boat will make all the difference to your happiness. Before you commit, consider these five best liveaboard boats : 

• Motor yachts and cabin cruisers 
• Trawlers 
• Sailboats 
• Catamarans 
• Houseboats 

  Find Live Abroad Boats ready for rent here

Motor yachts and Cabin Cruisers

Motor yachts is a broad term that encompasses large(ish) motorboats with accommodations like a bed (sleeping cabin), a head (bathroom), and a galley (kitchen). These boats can be quite large such as an Absolute 50 with a flybridge that provides extra space for outdoor recreation/entertainment, like the backyard of a house. 

Models like these usually have three cabins and two heads to accommodate an entire family. Of course, big boats come with big price tags and lots of maintenance needs, so you may not save much over living in a condo. 

Consider how much space you need and check out some best liveaboard boats under 40 feet. Cabin cruisers like the Cutwater 32 are great choices. This boat has one cabin as well as a galley and lounge area (living room) with large windows that bring in lots of natural light and air. 

The twin outboard engines can transport your home to new surroundings in the blink of an eye. Best of all, boats under 40 feet may save you a million dollars (literally) over large motor yachts and provide many of the same amenities. 

2. Trawlers  

Trawlers are a great option because they are built with the liveaboard lifestyle in mind. They’re typically slower boats designed for long-distance cruising, and they come in many sizes from a large Nordhavn 60 built for tough ocean conditions to a more compact Beneteau Swift 35 that’s ideal for coastal cruising. 

Most trawlers have good liveaboard layouts and will travel at speeds 8-10 knots, where they offer good fuel consumption , which is important with high diesel prices. 

Pro Tip: Not all trawlers are slow – the French Swift series is designed to run at planning as well as trawling speeds, so you get the best of both. 

READ MORE: Don’t Ignore Your Bucket List: Great Loop  

3. Sailboats

Perhaps you’re contemplating living aboard in preparation for long-distance cruising under sail. Sailboats come in all sizes, just like motor yachts, but they’re usually narrower, and most of the living aboard happens lower down in the boat, so they’re not as airy and light. 

On the plus side, because space is more premium, sailboat design is very efficient, so you can pile a lot into a sailboat and still have room for sailing necessities. 

Looking for a compact sailboat? Consider the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 with two or three cabins in just 38 feet. For something a bit roomier, check out the new Hanse 510 . This massive model can be spec’d with up to five cabins and even has a tender garage. 

The great thing about sailboats is that you can travel long distances when you want to change your neighborhood entirely – and with little money spent on fuel. 

4. Catamarans

Catamarans are boats with twin hulls and they can be both power and sail models. They have many advantages including more room aboard than the same-length monohulls with better cabin privacy and more system redundancy for backup options. 

They’re more stable both in motion and at anchor (dock) so they produce less seasickness and are more comfortable in a rolly anchorage at night. They’re roomy platforms for kids as well as older folks but due to their beam (width), it’s harder to find a slip for them in a marina. 

Sailing cat models come in various sizes and prices. Production boats like the Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 and the Excess 11 are both around 40 feet but feel much bigger than a monohull sailboat of equal length. 

Many cats come in an “owners’ version” where one entire hull is dedicated to the master suite which is like a bedroom at home. Models like these start around $500,000 but upmarket, carbon fiber, semi-custom designs like the HH55 will set you back multiple millions.

Powercats are growing in popularity and offer the same amenities as their sailing counterparts, except they have bigger engines to travel at much greater speeds. Powers can be on the smaller side, like the 32-foot Aspen C100, or quite sizeable, like the Aquila 54. Cats tend to be more expensive to purchase and to own since there are two of just about everything to maintain. 

5. Houseboats

If you want to live aboard but have little interest in being mobile, you may consider a houseboat. These boats usually maximize living space and are shaped more like houses than boats. Household-sized amenities, including side-by-side refrigerators, massive sofas, and large TVs can be had.

Because they don’t require much technical gear like engines, electronics, and advanced power systems, houseboats can be quite affordable and can make the best liveaboard boats under $100k. 

A few companies build houseboats like Eco-Sea Cottages, but many will be one-off and home-built designs. Although these boats don’t move (much), they must still have a solid floating foundation to be safe, and only some marinas will allow them to dock there.

One more thing to consider

There are no hard rules as to what makes a great liveaboard boat! You just have to find one that suits you and your budget. Read our Living on a Boat post for more insight, and be sure to browse through Boatsetter to find the perfect liveaboard boat. 

About Boatsetter 

Boatsetter is a unique boat-sharing platform that gives everyone — whether you own a boat or yyou’rejust renting — the chance to experience life on the water. You can list a boat , book a boat , or make money as a captain .  

List. Rent. Earn— Only at Boatsetter

Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin. 

A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide. 

Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico. 

Browse by experience

Explore articles

6 Best Marine Navigation & GPS Apps for Boaters (Free & Paid)

How to Bait a Hook with Shrimp

Chesapeake Bay Boating Guide: Cruising America’s Largest Estuary

Chicago Regatta 2022: Boating for Children’s Charity

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

How to live aboard a yacht for years at a time

• Helen Fretter
• April 24, 2023

What if one or two years of adventure just isn’t enough? Meet the cruisers who’ve been on board for a decade or more, and find out how to make long-haul cruising work for you

“I probably wouldn’t even recognise the person that I was when I first started,” admits Brian Trautman, skipper of the Amel Super Maramu Delos (and eponymous YouTube channel ). In 2009 Trautman cast off his life in corporate America, hustling to make his own tech business a success, and set off on what he thought would be an 18-month-long cruising adventure. Fourteen years later he’s still sailing the world on Delos , now with his wife and young daughter. But if you have no idea where the future will take you, how can you plan to keep your cruising options open?

We spoke to cruisers who have spent between eight and 40-plus years cruising and living aboard. Some set out with a rough deadline, others had no stopping point in mind, but the common theme is that all were able to keep their plans flexible and had made the life changes necessary to stay afloat.

“When Jill and I moved aboard our 1984 Grand Soleil 39 Yahtzee in Seattle in 2012, we had no time frame,” explains Andy Cross. “It was, and still is, open ended with the caveat that if the lifestyle isn’t working for one of us we’d reassess and make changes. We always intended for the boat to be our home, not just for cruising, and it wasn’t a ‘one, two or three years and we’re done’ plan.

“We both had jobs, but we weren’t tied down to the trappings of a house and cars, so it was relatively straightforward moving aboard, beginning to learn the boat, and starting a family. Our goal was to take it slow, not sail to a schedule too often, and hopefully share the dream with our children. I’m happy to say, we’re still doing that over 10 years later.”

Brian Trautman’s 14-year sailing adventure aboard SV Delos has grown to include a family and a livelihood

Trautman initially thought his cruising adventure would be for less than two years, having sold all his possessions and taken out a mortgage to pay for the boat.

“When I left, the time frame was 18 months. The reason is when I ran my budget and my monthly expenditures, I only had enough money for 18 months. So my plan was to just go, get somewhere cool – my intention was to try and make it to New Zealand – and then figure something else out.

“I didn’t know if I was going to stop and work when I got there, or if I was going to leave the boat and fly home. Or if I was going to sell the boat and go back to work. All I knew was that I was going to go now and figure out the rest at some later point.

“I ended up stretching that 18-month budget to about two and a half years getting from Seattle to Australia. When I stopped in Australia, we hauled Delos out of the water for about a year. I actually did remote consulting while living in Melbourne to make money for the next cruising season because after having had that taste, I knew there was no way I could stop then.”

Like Trautman, Ginger and Peter Niemann dipped back into ‘real life’ after their first major adventure – a four-year, 50,000-mile circumnavigation west-about from Seattle aboard their 47ft sloop Marcy , including rounding both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn .

The SV Devos family onboard

“When we moved aboard we had the idea to live aboard ‘as long as it was fun’, to quote Lin and Larry Pardey,” explains Peter. “It was certainly fun for a circumnavigation , but when we returned to home port four years after departure we were out of cruising funds. We rejoined the working world while living aboard.

“I assumed that was the end of our life afloat, and asked Ginger if we should put the boat up for sale upon our autumn return or wait until spring when the market might be better? ‘Heck no, we are just getting good at this!’ she answered, ‘But maybe we should get a boat you can stand up in!’ And so we lived aboard, swapped boats and worked until the cruising budget was restored a couple of years later, and set off again.”

Ages and stages

Long-term cruising looks different at different life stages. The Cross family always planned to sail through their boys’ childhoods, but are flexible as to how long they spend afloat at any one time.

“Every year is different. Some years, we’ve been on Yahtzee almost exclusively, other years we’ve taken off a few months at a time. This has worked well for us because we’ve planned the time away around northern winters or hurricane seasons in the south – times when we might not be cruising much anyway.

“We want our boys to know and be a part of their grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends’ lives, which has meant taking breaks off the boat to spend time with everyone. Then, we return to Yahtzee excited, rejuvenated and ready to continue the adventure. Our ability to balance life ashore and cruising is one of the main reasons I think we’re still happy with the lifestyle of living on a boat.”

In the 14 years since he first sailed away with Delos , Trautman’s life has gone through huge changes. “I’ve found the love of my life, gotten married, sailed with my family, sailed with tons of friends, we’ve had a child on board,” he reflects.

SV Devos under sail

“When I first started cruising, I was absolutely in the frame of mind that I would spend 100% of my time on the boat. And as time has gone on, I’ve actually seen the value in taking time off the boat, because you don’t really understand how good something is until you take yourself away from it. So when we start to get a little edgy or a little like, ‘Oh man it’s another beach, but I don’t want to go to the beach today!’ then we know that it’s time to take a break.

“So at least once a year now, we’ll put the boat in a marina or yard, and we go back and visit our family for a few months. It’s even more important now that we have Sierra, because she’s three and a half, and I want her to know her Swedish heritage.

“But obviously, we fund our lifestyle through sailing and making YouTube videos. So if we’re not sailing and making videos, then we’re not making money.”

Some cruisers report that as they get older they find themselves spending more time ashore. After a second demanding circumnavigation, the Niemanns are shifting their sailing style. “We are just now entering a new phase of cruising plans,” says Peter, “We aren’t getting any younger, and recognise that at some point in time the stresses of voyaging will be more than we can easily handle. So for now we plan to enjoy exploring a smaller area in more detail.”

“The major life change was: cruising,” says Janneke Kuysters, who has been cruising with her husband Wietze on their steel-hulled Bruce Roberts design Anna Caroline for eight years. “After that, we haven’t had any major changes in our lives, apart from growing older and the repercussions of that re. strength and agility. In our minds we’re still 25, but the bones say different!”

Andy and Jill Cross try not to sail to a schedule but still spend a lot of time aboard Yahtzee 12 years after first setting out on their adventure

Both the Niemanns and Janneke and Wietze admit, however, that they don’t necessarily find being ashore more restful. “We have always needed to get back to the boat to regroup. Afloat is our comfort zone,” says Peter Niemann.

“We would typically fly to the Netherlands every two years for about three weeks, but the boat is our home, so that is where we feel happy and comfortable,” says Janneke.

For Janneke and Wietze, time ashore is instead spent exploring new countries. “For instance: we left the boat in Valdivia, Chile, for five months to go backpacking all over South America. In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa we have rented or bought a campervan to travel inland for weeks or months on end.”

Power of knowledge

‘To cruise is to learn,’ wrote Lin Pardey in The Self Sufficient Sailor , and with experience comes confidence. Many cruisers who have sustained their adventures for decades began their adventures relatively cautiously, building the skills that would then enable them to take on longer passages or explore more remote areas.

“When we were in our mid-30s, we sailed the Atlantic circuit with our 31-footer. This was a test year, meant to find out what it was all about and to gather information,” recalls Janneke. They then bought Anna Caroline “with all the knowledge we had gathered in mind”, and began an eight year circumnavigation – first sailing around Scotland, Ireland, Portugal and Spain before completing a transatlantic, then heading south to Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Antarctica and Patagonian Chile. They rounded Cape Horn, visited remote areas of the Pacific including Robinson Crusoe Island, Easter Island and French Polynesia, then headed north to Alaska and British Columbia.

The Cross family moored up

Cruisers often report that ocean crossings become progressively easier, and both faster and with less damage sustained, over the years. Much of that is down to the added knowledge they’ve gained, which feeds into making better decisions when it comes to sail selection, interpreting weather forecasts and predicting sea state, and knowing how their boat – and each other – fares in different conditions.

Also key is confidence in your own ability to handle any problems or fix any breakages when cruising more remote areas or for extended periods. Lin and Larry Pardey famously inspired many cruisers to cast off the lines with their advice to ‘Go small, go simple, go now’.

“I honestly feel that setting off cruising was a lot easier when we went because there was much less equipment that you added to your boat. So they were simpler machines, easier to take care of,” Lin Pardey says.

“I think that more people are put off cruising by the sheer hassle of fixing and having other people fix your boat, feeling like the budget is just being blown by mechanics and electricians.

“But it isn’t just keeping your boat simpler that matters, it’s being able to say, ‘Okay, I really don’t need that, so we’re not going to worry about fixing it right now’. It’s the ability to just do without it, if you can’t fix it. That’s a really important aspect of enjoying what you’re doing. I’ve seen people dream of sailing to the Tuamotus, but they get to the Marquesas with something broken and realise the only place they can fix it is Tahiti, so they just skip right through and miss the whole Tuamotus.

Ginger and Peter Niemann’s first circumnavigation was a four year trip aboard their 47ft sloop Marcy

“For example, the watermaker: if you make sure you have enough water tankage and learn to be quite happy with just limited water for a period, you can fix it later.”

Over years of living aboard, most cruisers we spoke to have made substantial upgrades or modifications to their boats to enable them to take on more adventurous cruising. “We try not to anthropomorphise, but we really have the feeling that ‘we take care of her, and she takes care of us,” says Peter Niemann.

“Our boats evolve continuously: equipment is upgraded, worn items replaced, dodgers added. Specialised Arctic (ice poles, redundant heaters) or tropical/desert (awnings, fans) items are acquired, stowed and put into service as needed. The essential major change we made to both our boats was the addition of cockpit shelter.”

“Pretty much every system has been upgraded over time. We have new instruments, a new chartplotter , a lot of solar and wind. One of the huge improvements was the lithium batteries because that allowed us to get rid of propane. And so we can really extend our range because it’s a lot easier to get diesel fuel in any part of the world,” explains Brian Trautman.

“We’ve also really upped our game with the dinghy. Our dinghy now is aluminium, it’s a little bit heavier, but we love it. It has a big engine, so it’s our SUV, our family car, and we need that.”

The Niemanns heading ashore

Pace yourself

When you have no fixed deadline, how do you plan? Most cruisers we spoke to sketch out ‘big picture’ plans determined by the seasons, but leave themselves the freedom to vary their route along the way.

“We typically plan about one season in advance, but we don’t plan in detail,” explains Trautman. “So right now, we’re planning our South Pacific season. And all we know is that we’re going to try and get to French Polynesia or the Marquesas from Mexico. We’re going to arrive sometime during April and then we have the next six or seven months to figure out what we’re going to do.

If it means we’re going to stay in French Polynesia for the cyclone season, or end up sailing west towards New Zealand for the cyclone season, we just don’t know.

“We just know we’re travelling generally westward best we can, and that’s often worked out for us. We pay attention to the big picture things: the hurricane season, cyclone season, when the good weather is, and we kind of make broad strokes to travel in that general direction.”

“Seasonally, we’ve set our plans to cruise more miles during summers in northern climates and then stopping or slowing down during the colder months of winter. It’s the exact opposite now in the tropics,” explains Andy Cross.

“Here we have hurricane seasons to contend with in the summer and fall, and insurance parameters dictate where the boat can be to continue coverage during named storms.”

The Cross family making great cruising memories

Maintaining momentum is a tricky balance, and will be different for everyone. “What made it work for us is we went without serious plans and kept ourselves highly flexible, we went cruising to just really enjoy sailing,” explains Lin Pardey. “But the thing that really kept us from getting tired of it or frustrated by it was taking advantage whenever we met somebody who said ‘Our family is on this little island, you should go visit them.’ So instead of heading south with other cruisers, we’d turn and head to some island or other, and ended up with wonderful friends who introduced us to other friends. So it was that real unscheduled-ness that kept letting us have new adventures and go in different directions.”

Lin and Larry Pardey broke up their cruising routine, which saw them voyaging for some 47 years, with periods spent working and also treating themselves to short ‘holidays’ on land.

“What people don’t quite expect is that if you set off on a voyage around the world, the seasons push you on and it can leave you feeling tired,” says Lin.

“I’ve watched people sail from England to New Zealand over a year and a half period, because that works nicely with the seasons. But when they get here, they’re just tired of moving on. The fact that we had to work meant we didn’t feel we always had to keep moving on. Every year we’d stop for at least three or four months, to let us catch up with ourselves.”

Equally, long-distance cruising can be exhausting, and without a broad-brush plan it can be tempting to linger, cautions Janneke. “It takes (a lot of) effort to keep yourself and your boat going. You are in a strange environment all the time, change is a constant in this lifestyle. It’s easy to arrive somewhere and make it your home. Especially when you have an open-ended plan, it can be attractive to stay somewhere a little longer.

“But that has an impact on everything that follows: you can manoeuvre yourself in a situation where you have to stay somewhere much longer than expected, because of the weather. Beaten paths are there for a reason, and often this reason is the weather. If you decide to leave the beaten path, you need to be independent in making your own plans and time schedule.”

And, sometimes, it’s about knowing when to stop. “When it came to planning our voyage, we sat with a lot of people that had returned from a long trip. We found that there is a tipping point after about 8-10 years. When people stay out for more than that, it becomes less of a voyage and more of a way of life. We are project-minded people, so we needed the voyage to have a beginning and an end. So we left with a plan to stay out somewhere between six and nine years. It worked out to eight years.”

Go slow, stay loose

So how do you know which pace is right for you? “My advice would be go slow and keep it loose,” says Trautman. “Write your plans in the sand at low tide, and be okay with changing them.

“And just take time. You’re not out there to check items off of a list, in my opinion. There are some places where you’ll be okay with leaving after a couple of days, and there are some places you’ll really want a few more weeks just to enjoy. That could be a factor of the place, or it could also be a factor of your frame of mind after moving for so long. That’s all part of the lifestyle.”

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

The PowerBoat Guide Blog

Tracking Today’s Fast-Paced Yacht Boating Market

• SAMPLE PAGES

March, 2018

For many senior boaters, packing it in and retiring on a boat for a few years has a lot of appeal. Fortunately, there are hundreds of older powerboats that possess the attributes boaters look for in a good liveaboard. It’s all about size and living space, that much is obvious, but after that comes storage space—the more the better. A large galley is important, and in boats over 40 feet it would be useful to look for a model with a built-in dinette. For those looking a something in the 50-foot range, a washer/dryer is a tremendous asset in a liveaboard boat. Further down the wish list are features like a master stateroom tub, galley freezer, good engine access, and lots of outdoor space for entertaining.

With so many great older models to choose from, here are eight  popular (and reasonably affordable) motoryacht choices that aspiring liveaboards might consider.

At a Glance: Last of the so-called “small” Hatteras motor yachts — great styling and a roomy layout made 40 DC a top-selling model. For the first few years of production the galley-down teak interior featured an L-shaped sofa to port in the salon with a serving counter to starboard overlooking the galley. The aft master stateroom includes a centerline queen bed, hanging locker, and en-suite head with shower. The interior was redesigned in 1990 with a salon dinette and wet bar, more open galley area, and enlarged bow stateroom with three bunks. Additional updates in 1990 included a new flybridge layout with a swept-back windscreen and forward helm station, and a full-height entry door to the salon. Also in the newer floorplan is space for a washer/dryer. A lower helm station was optional. No lightweight, standard gas engines cruise at just 13–14 knots. Optional Cat 425hp diesels cruise 18–20 knots. Over 125 of these yachts were built.

Price Range: From $50–60K to the low $100s.

Hatteras 56 Motor Yacht

Hatteras 40 Double Cabin

At a Glance: A classic twin-deck Hatteras motor yacht — the definition of 1980s yachting luxury. The galley and dinette are down in the Hatteras 56 resulting in an expansive main deck area with the salon completely open to the wheelhouse. There are three staterooms and three heads on the lower level including a full-beam master with walkaround queen berth (or twin berths in early models) and en-suite head with tub/shower. The amidships VIP stateroom has twin berths, and the second guest stateroom (or crew quarters) is forward with over/under berths and private head access. Split walk-in engine rooms flank the corridor leading aft to the master stateroom, and a washer/dryer is located at the base of the companionway steps. Double doors open from the spacious salon to the semi-enclosed aft deck with hardtop and enclosure panels. No lightweight,  cruise at 14–16 knots with Detroit 735hp diesels.

Price Range: From the low $200s to low/mid $300s.

At a Glance: A modified version of the classic Hatteras 53 Motor Yacht with an enormous full-beam salon.  A partition separates the wheelhouse from the salon, and centerline teak doors open to a small aft deck area. The mid-level galley—three steps down from the deckhouse level—features large counter spaces, abundant storage, and a booth-style dinette for four. Forward is a guest stateroom (or crew cabin) with over/under bunks and private head/shower. Aft of the split engine rooms, to port, is the guest stateroom with twin berths. A full head with stall shower is opposite. Further aft, the full-beam master stateroom has a walkaround queen berth, dressing table, and en-suite head with shower. The flybridge is greatly enlarged from that of her predecessor with an updated helm and additional lounge seating. Detroit 465hp 6V92TA diesels—or 450hp 8V71TI engines—cruise at 15–16 knots.

Silverton 402-422 Motor Yacht

Hatteras 53 Extended Deckhouse

At a Glance: Popular entry-level cruiser with the features and amenities of more expensive boats. Her two-stateroom cherry interior is a model of efficiency with a roomy main salon, two double staterooms, two full heads, booth dinette, and full-service galley. A serving counter overlooks the galley from the salon, and big wraparound salon windows provide panoramic views of the water. A convertible L-shaped sofa is to starboard in the salon and an entertainment center is to port. Down and aft three steps, the master stateroom features a centerline double berth and en-suite head with stall shower and mirrored vanity. The aft deck, with its standard hardtop, wing doors, and wet bar with refrigerator, is perfect for entertaining several guests. Molded steps from the transom make boarding easy. Most were sold with big-block gas engines for a cruising speed of 14–16 knots (about 20 knots top).

Price Range: From $75K to the mid/high $100s.

Carver 4207

At a Glance: One of the best selling motoryachts in her class throughout the late 1980s. Roomy two-stateroom interior of the 4207 delivers the comfort and amenities often associated with a larger boat. Two floorplans were offered, one with a U-shaped dinette opposite the galley, and the other with no dinette but an expanded head and a much-enlarged forward stateroom with island berth. The spacious, teak-trimmed salon features an entertainment center, wet bar, L-shaped sleeper-sofa, and salon chair. A full-service galley offers a combination microwave/convection oven and double-door refrigerator.  A lower helm was not available. The wide side decks are a plus. While diesels are generally preferred in a boat this size, the majority of 4207 Aft Cabins were delivered with standard 350hp gas engines (13–14 knots cruise/22 knots top). Cat 375hp diesels were optional (20 knots cruise/mid 20s top).

Price Range: From $50–60K to just under $100K.

At a Glance: The top-selling cockpit yacht in this class for several years. Basically a Carver 396 Aft Cabin with a good-sized cockpit. The 444’s huge full-beam interior — made possible by raising the side decks to eye level — comes as a surprise. With its panoramic views and nearly seven feet of headroom, the salon’s dimensions are those of a much larger boat. To save space, the forward head is split with the shower stall to port and toilet compartment to starboard. A sliding glass door in the (smallish) master stateroom opens directly into the cockpit. In 2004, an optional "Extended Salon" floorplan with a full-size dinette, enlarged galley and redesigned VIP stateroom became available. Topside, the helm is forward on the spacious flybridge with lounge seating and wet bar aft.Twin Volvo 370hp engines cruise at 18–19 knots. Carver sold a ton of these versatile boats.

Price Range: From the mid $100s to low/mid $200s.

Carver 500/504 Cockpit MY

At a Glance: A super-popular model for Carver, basically a condo on the water. This is a c ockpit version of the Carver 455/456 Aft Cabin model produced during the same years. Spacious two stateroom maple interior has a folding bulkhead in the forward VIP stateroom that conceals a small guest cabin/den to port with convertible bunks. (This feature was eliminated in 1999 when the interior was redesigned and the name changed to Carver 504.) The large U-shaped galley is aft in the salon rather than forward as it is in most motoryacht floorplans. In the master stateroom, the walkaround queen bed faces aft to permit the installation of cockpit access door. Washer/dryer is in forward stateroom. The huge interior is the result of moving the deckhouse well forward in the hull (note the relatively short foredeck). Twin 450hp Cummins diesels cruise at 18 knots.

Price Range: From about $150K to mid/high $200s.

Carver 444 Cockpit MY

Sea Ray 550 Sedan Bridge

At a Glance: Stylish 1990’s cruising yacht with three stateroom interior and extra-large cockpit. The salon is impressive, a wide-open (carpeted) living area with cut-down galley, long leather sofa, entertainment center and big wraparound cabin windows. The forward master stateroom is huge with an island queen bed, two hanging lockers, vanity, and private en-suite head. Roomy guest stateroom has a full-size berth, and the second guest cabin has over/under bunks. Both heads have stall showers, but guest head is tight. Lower helm was optional. Center transom door is flanked by built-in bench seats in the cockpit. In 1996, the flybridge ladder was replaced with molded steps and the helm was relocated aft. The 550’s drooping bow is distinctive enough, but the possibility of stuffing the bow in rough seas might be a concern. Detroit 625hp 6V-92 diesels cruise at 22–23 knots.

Price Range: From $125–150K to the mid $200s.

Back to Article Index Page

PowerBoat Guide Home Page

Eight Affordable Older Motoryachts that Make Great Liveaboards

Live-Aboard - Search Results

11 matching live-aboards found.

View Details...

Live-Aboard Finder

Boat Finder

Quick Links

Pleasure boats for sale, commercial fishing boats for sale, industrial boats for sale.

How to Choose the Right Liveaboard Boat

March 4, 2019 by Charles Giambalvo , SYS Yacht Sales Associate

Ready to make the move and purchase a boat to live aboard? There are many types of boats that make great liveaboard options, depending on your preferences regarding vessel size, interior layout, deck space, performance capabilities and level of creature comforts. Before starting your search, it’s important to narrow down your preferences. The best liveaboard boat is one where the resident(s) feel safe and comfortable, and includes all or most of the comforts of a land-based home.

Having lived aboard a 50’ Jefferson Motor Yacht for the past 4 years, I would like to share my advice on how to decide which type of boat will meet your liveaboard needs.

The most important consideration for any liveaboard buyer is: will the boat be used mainly for cruising or will it be used more as a floating condo that stays at the marina? From there, you can narrow down your search further: considering your priorities for living space versus performance and operating economy. If you are planning to share this relatively small space with someone else, it is best to include them in the boat selection process. In addition, there are some companies that will allow you to rent a boat for a week or more, so you can “try before you buy”.

Which boat types make the best liveaboard vessels?

Houseboats , Trawlers and Catamarans make the best liveaboards, although they each vary greatly in their design. Motor Yachts and Express Cruisers are also good options. Deciding between them all depends on the overall purpose of the boat. For example, for cruising purposes, Trawlers make great liveaboard boats because they are capable of making long passages with their large fuel and water tanks. However, unless it's a newly offered “fast trawler", they normally travel fairly slowly (10 knots or less). Trawlers also offer a good amount of living and storage space. My wife cherishes every square inch of her closet space.

If you plan to be a liveaboard cruiser, and travel most of the time, then considering your itinerary is also important. For example, the Intracoastal Waterway can be difficult to pilot in some areas, due to shallow spots. Therefore, choosing a boat with a shallow draft may be a better option. Trawlers and Motor Yachts are great options, especially for cruising the Great Loop, however, the boat’s draft should be considered depending on the route you are taking. Additionally, if you plan to cruise mostly “inside”, then speed is generally not important, as most of the ICW is a slow speed zone, due to the amount of boats, homes and manatees present.

For ocean cruising, larger freeboard and ocean-taming hull designs are required for safe and reliable travel. Also, most ocean-going captains prefer to have greater speed capabilities, particularly when needing to shoot through long ocean stretches with a limited weather window.

Catamarans are a popular choice, especially for cruising the Caribbean, because of their shallow draft and great fuel economy. Sailboats are also popular liveaboards boats. With their efficient cruising design, yet limited interior space and comfort, sailboats are more popular for cruising, than long-term living aboard (although there are exceptions).

What are the amenities to look for in a liveaboard boat?

Some of the most important amenities to look for when selecting a liveaboard boat is heating and air conditioning, adequate closet space, a fully-functional galley, comfortable master stateroom, and a practical salon with entertainment systems. In order to narrow down your search, it’s important to prioritize the amenities you’re looking for. Try to determine which are initial “deal breakers” and which can be easily modified or added after purchase.

What do you enjoy most about living aboard?

My wife and I enjoy the freedom of living aboard, as well as the opportunity to take charter guests out from time to time. We really enjoy being outdoors, more than we did living in houses. The ability to easily “change the scenery” without a moving van is a real benefit. At first, it is a strange feeling to travel without the need to pack, realizing that everything you need is already on the boat.

We prefer to spend our time “anchoring out”, rather than staying in marinas. However, we find marinas to be very enjoyable communities, where people are friendly and helpful to each other, more so than in the 16 different land neighborhoods we've lived in.

Not everyone can adapt to the smaller quarters, but through this experience we've realized how little we really need on a daily basis. Now, when my wife (the Admiral) and I, visit friends and family in larger living quarters, we think “what an inefficient use of space, why air condition all that, when you need so much less?”

Living aboard has really changed our lives for the better and expanded our community.

To learn more about choosing the right liveaboard boat, contact Charles Giambalvo. Charles combines his marine industry knowledge and sales know-how to provide his clients the highest level of professional service.

Charles Giambalvo

New and Brokerage Sales

Contact Charles

617-803-9662‬ | Email Charles and his wife have lived aboard for the past 4 years. He also holds a USCG Master 100 Ton license. When not working on a yacht purchase or sale, he applies his knowledge to training new members of boat rental clubs and captaining a charter yacht. Charles also has over 30 years of experience in high tech international sales. He now applies his experience to assisting clients with their boat buying and selling needs. | View Full Bio

• Event Details

Best Liveaboard Boats (Best Boats to Live On)

The thing about boating is that you don't take it up as a hobby unless you're 100% committed. Once you take that leap, you'll find that boating will quickly become the core of your being. For some people, it even becomes a way of life. And so we have live aboard boats.

Living on a boat might seem like a crazy idea. But liveaboard boat designs have made that lake-top lifestyle a convenient reality. So if you're ready to take your family to the water, here's a list of the best liveaboard boats money can buy.

1. Catamarans

The double hull catamaran makes living aboard a watercraft easy and effortless. Designed with two hulls, these boats tout two-bedroom style floorplans that provide enough room for most families.

And while conditions can get a little crowded under the deck, catamarans offer lots of deck space. Complete with a galley for all of your cooking needs, catamarans are often some of the best selling live aboard boats you'll find on the market today.

Best Picks in the Liveaboard Catamarans Category: 

• Nautitech 44

2. Triple Hull Catamarans

The trimaran is essentially a catamaran with three hulls, as its name so obviously suggests. Unlike the double hull catamaran, triple hull catamarans might not use the hull as actual living spaces. Although there are some models that try to make that stretch.

Nevertheless, the three hull designs come with much wider beam spans, allowing more space on the deck and aft. They're also impressively stable even in relatively choppy conditions. So you can enjoy a peaceful night's sleep even as the waves toss and tumble just outside.

Best Picks in the Liveaboard Trimarans Category:

• Dragonfly 1200

3. Sailboats

Although they might seem a little unstable, sailboats make the best liveaboard boats for usually tethered, moored conditions. The sailboat is great if you plan to live close to the dock and if you only need the boat part of its function when you need to get around to a neighboring marina or shore.

Lots of sailboats also come with an engine and motor so you can still cruise around even when the weather doesn't seem to want to cooperate. Sailboats also have a highly customizable layout, letting you replicate actual home interior designs to make your stay a little more comfortable.

Best Picks in the Liveaboard Sailboats Category:

• Catalina 25 Sailboat
• Aloha 28 Sailboat

When considering the best boats to live on, the yacht is often the first type of watercraft that comes to mind. Considered the ultimate luxury pleasure craft, the yacht offers a full range of features and amenities to guarantee comfortable living on its wide beam.

Sure, motor yacht and aft cabin designs are worth a ton of money and maintenance is going to cost just as much. But if you want plush, hotel-style living, then a yacht cruiser would be the way to go. The yacht can come equipped with media rooms, buffet facilities, and even built-in pools that can make any land lubber reconsider their choices.

Best Picks in the Liveaboard Yachts Category:

• Prestige M48 Yacht
• Maritimo M75 Sailboats

See some more of the best liveabord yachts in our guide.

5. Trawlers

Typically used as fishing boats, trawlers might tout a slow forward cruising speed, but they're exceptionally effective at long distance travel. So if you were hoping to mix some adventure with your brand new water-top lifestyle, then a trawler's cruising speed might be help you achieve just that.

These massive vessel comes with loads of deck room that you can customize to match your unique preferences. Complete with a galley, staterooms, lots of storage, and even shower and headroom, the spacious trawler cruiser makes an ideal choice for families with lots of members who plan to live on the high seas full time.

Best Picks in the Liveaboard Trawlers Category:

• Krogen 44AE

6. House Boats

As you might glean from the name, a house boat is essentially a house on water. They're not exactly designed to move so they don't have any sort of motor or even a cockpit. These boats sit on the water and remain moored for the duration of its usable lifespan. A houseboat will also often have a living space that closely replicates the interior layout of a typical house with a master stateroom, a complete headroom, and a kitchen.

You might think that living aboard a houseboat kind of defeats the purpose of lake-top lifestyle because the structure can't move you around. But because houseboats are often cheaper than conventional homes, they make a good choice for families who prefer living a stone's toss away from the fun and excitement on the lake.

Best Picks in the Houseboats Category:

• Stardust Cruisers Houseboat
• Gibson Cabin Yacht 5000

7. Sports Fishing Boats

Sports fishing boats can look like yachts, and may even have amenities that resemble that of the luxury boat. They're equipped with loads of deck space, an enclosed cabin, and comfortable interiors that make living on the water a dream.

Unlike trawlers that take their sweet time, sports fishing boats can travel much faster than other boats on this list. They're also fully equipped with all of the features you would need as an angler, so you could say that living aboard a sports fishing boat can have you sustaining yourself quite well.

Best Picks in the Liveaboard Sports Fishing Boats Category:

• Mikelson 75 SF
• Boston Whaler 280 Outrage

What to Look for When Buying the Best Liveaboard Boat

Moving from a conventional home to a liveaboard boat is a big change. So before you make any rash decisions, you have to consider all of the intricacies. Here's all of the nitty gritty you'll have to think about before you take the leap.

Type of Boat

Obviously, every different boat option listed here delivers a different experience. Think about your specific preferences. What would you want to be able to do while staying on a boat? Or what kind of activities were you hoping to enjoy on the water? These questions should lead you to the right boat model.

If you were hoping to travel, then a trawler, yacht, or sport fishing boat would be best for you. These liveaboards were designed either for speed or distance performance. For boaters who only want to get cruising within a relatively limited area or marina, the sailboat or catamaran makes a solid choice. If you have no plans of moving around at all, the stationary houseboat makes the perfect pick.

Space Considerations

A live aboard can feel pretty crowded. So it really pays to consider your family's space requirements. If you've lived in a conventional home up until this point, you might find yourself feeling a little claustrophobic with the kind of space available on a liveaboard boat, especially smaller models like the catamaran or sailboat.

While lots of families get by with a converted deck that changes depending on the time of day (like converting from a dining area in the morning to a bed or berth at night), some members of your family might prefer having their own stateroom all together. The cabin also plays a crucial role in providing a shared space for the whole family.

Some liveaboard boats feature spacious master stateroom and secondary stateroom areas that give every member of the group their own private space. Others use areas like the cockpit which they convert into staterooms at night by using temporary modifications.

Storage Availability

Another thing worth considering is storage space. A minimalist lifestyle often becomes the default way of life for people aboard a watercraft. But it's not necessarily by choice so much as is it because of circumstance.

Without a lot of room aboard for personal effects and other paraphernalia, a liveaboard might have you tossing out a bunch of things before making the move. Most often, it pays to have temporary or convertible furniture that you can move around depending on your needs.

Most owners use a dinette that they can fold away when it isn't meal time. Other models have a master stateroom with a berth and cabinets built into the area. And of course, dual-purpose benches that open into storage space is a must-have.

Amenities and Features

You'd be surprised just how much like a house some boats can look on the inside. Depending on the size and design of your boat, you could have a complete kitchen instead of just a galley and dinette, a bathroom, and even a media lounge on board. Yachts are particularly popular for their extensive features and amenities that can even include tennis courts, gym facilities, and a full-sized pool.

Even if you manage to buy a sailboat or catamaran on the cheap side however, there's hope for your hotel-style lake-top experience yet. Most boat owners customize their boats after market, allowing them to execute changes and designs that specifically match their own needs.

For a lot of boat owners, having a shower and toilet or head system on deck is a non-negotiable feature. But others get by with marina shower facilities that they can use by docking their vessel especially if their sailboat doesn't allow it.

Maintenance

If you're going to live aboard a watercraft full time, you have to consider maintenance. Remember that most boats get put into storage during the off seasons, so they're not always on water. This gives owners the opportunity to clean up and perform maintenance on a regular, routine basis.

Living aboard a boat however may significantly limit the opportunities for maintenance. That's because fixing an issue especially those concerning the motor, engine, or parts under the hull, would mean having to surrender your home for a few weeks or months.

Other boats cost a fortune to maintain. Yachts with leather upholstery and polished exteriors will need constant cleaning with specific products and formulations to maintain appearances. Unless you're willing to spend on those cleaning products and on people to do the job for you, the whole liveaboard lifestyle might feel a little expensive.

The Best Places to Liveaboard a Boat

Generally speaking, you're going to want to find a place that legally permits boat owners to live on their boat. Remember that marinas and docks have their own rules in place, and not all of them will gladly let you tether indefinitely. The same goes for lakes and other bodies of water.

Before you start sleeping on your boat moving forward, here are some of the best liveaboard locations you might want to consider calling home:

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean covers the entire west coast, providing you a range of options from Maine to Virginia to Florida. If you're hoping for a more relaxed environment, heading closer to the north for most of the year can help you experience a much less hectic atmosphere.

Of course, that's until winter settles in. When the cold months roll in, it would be best to cruise on down south to Florida where sunny skies and warm weather prevail most of the year.

Pacific Ocean

If you're more of a west coast kind of person, then the Pacific Ocean might be a better address. This location provides easy access to the excitement of California. Cruising through the Pacific also provides more opportunities for water sports and exciting water-top activities throughout the year.

Bordering Oregon, Washington, and California, the Pacific Ocean is home to loads of marinas and boating hot spots for avid boat owners who want a little more adventure during their day to day.

Gulf of Mexico

If you were hoping for a more retirement-like feel, then the Gulf of Mexico would be the place to be. This area boasts beautiful crystal clear turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and gorgeous sunny weather all year round. A mirror image of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico offers all of the tourist-magnetizing beauty minus the travel requirements.

Local Rivers, Lakes, and Bays

Throughout the country, you'll find rivers, lakes, and bays that make viable spots for living aboard your boat. Remember though that rules and laws change from place to place, so if you were hoping to head down to your local lake and call it home, you might want to check with the authorities first.

Other considerations include accessibility. How easy can you move in and out of the body of water? Access to marinas, shops, and even repair centers can make your liveaboard lifestyle just that much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good sized boat to live on.

Generally, a boat that's at least 30 feet should provide all of the necessary amenities and features for a family of two to three. You could probably squeeze in a fourth member if you don't mind sharing spaces. If you want more extensive features, you might have to consider getting a boat that's at least 50 feet.

Is it cheaper to live on a boat than a house?

In terms of utilities, you can expect to pay just a fraction of what you would while living in a conventional home. A great liveaboard can also come with solar panels that let you save on the cost of powering electronics on your vessel.

However just because it's cheaper, doesn't mean it's cheap. Sleeping and essentially living in a liveaboard boat means spending on maintenance. You'd be surprised just how expensive it can be to maintain liveaboards. Cleaning interior furnishings requires unique cleaning products. There's also the issue of moisture and humidity which can spell serious trouble for your boat.

How much does a liveaboard boat cost?

You'll spend between $10,000 to $30,000 for a suitable liveaboard boat. But prices can fluctuate widely. Depending on how you want your living space to be, you can find yourself spending upwards of $100,000 for a luxury boat.

Spacious stateroom units, a fully functional galley and dining room, and head systems and bathrooms can cost a lot to construct and customize. Not to mention the expense of interior design, which can exponentially increase the cost of your boat. 

Boat Sweet Boat

The best liveaboard boats provide all of the trappings you would expect from a hotel. But if your budget is limited, you can find a suitable water-top dwelling at just around $10,000.

Sure, moving your family into a boat might seem like a big and crazy change. But with the right planning and execution, you might find that life on liveaboards beats conventional housing in more ways than one.

Related Posts

Boat Mormonism: What Does It Mean Exactly? [Explained]

The 10 Best Sailing Movies of All Time

How Much Does a Tuna Boat Cost? (Including Maintenance)

25 Best Boat Snacks: Yummy Food to Bring on a Boat Trip

SELENE YACHTS

Power yachts, luxury yachts, ocean yachts, news & events.

Sailing into the Future: Celebrating Selene’s Latest Marvels

Another remarkable journey with the final touchup and completion of the Selene 7220 at the Jet-Tern Marine shipyard… Continue reading

Expanding Horizons: Jet-Tern Marine’s Revolutionary New Production Facility

Expanding Horizons: Jet-Tern Marine’s Revolutionary New Production Facility… Continue reading

The Ingenious Bulbous Bow: Enhancing Performance and Efficiency at Sea

At the recent Selene Rendezvous in Solomon Island, a technical session was led by Howard Chen, the founder and lead designer of Selene Yachts… Continue reading

Three New Selene yachts launched in the water

… Continue reading

SELENE 62 OCEAN EXPLORER

The new Selene 62 Ocean Explorer is the very latest iteration of Howard Chen’s talent… Designed for a Selene repeat customer in Europe who wanted a yacht as beautiful and safe as any Selene, but faster in order to explore the Mediterranean Sea…

Since 1998 - 420 Yachts

We have built 420 yachts over twenty years. We are experts at the inspiration and unique hard work that it takes to build these luxury yachts.

Captain & Crew-Friendly

Knowing that our customer has to be both the captain and the engineer of the vessel, we have invested a lot of time in the design of our engine rooms .

Luxury Interior

Creative layout, that makes it both livable for a cruising couple and family-friendly . I nteriors with high quality design, joinery, varnish and upholstery are also some of our hallmarks .

Selene Routes

SELENE 50 VOYAGER

The Selene 50 Voyager Sedan is a larger sibling of the 42 Voyager Sedan, with 3 cabins and the same European flair. The Selene Voyager series continues to build upon Selene Yachts’ tradition of combining the highest level of craftsmanship with superlative design.

SELENE 60 OCEAN EXPLORER

This brand new Selene 60 Ocean Explorer is the smallest vessel of the Selene Expedition line. A first look, the Selene 60 Ocean Explorer by Guido de Groot shows a number of the Selene family traits with her powerful raised pilothouse, Portuguese bridge…

SELENE 78 OCEAN EXPLORER

The Selene 78 Ocean Explorer, a cooperation between Selene Yachts and Guido De Groot, is a true and reliable explorer vessel with a stunning interior design, amazing outdoor entertainment space and the legendary Selene Yachts construction.

SELENE 128 OCEAN EXPLORER

Selene Yachts flagship of the Expedition line, the new Selene 128 will be soon in the production line for its European owner.

This brand new Selene 60 Ocean Explorer is the smallest vessel of the Selene Ocean Explorer line. A first look, the Selene 60 Expedition by Guido de Groot shows a number of the Selene family traits with her powerful raised pilothouse, Portuguese bridge…

Beyond the horizon

Choosing a boat, from the drawing board to the ocean, is always a major decision …

• Selene 38 Voyager Aft-cabin

• Selene 42 Voyager Aft-cabin

• Selene 42 Voyager Sedan

• Selene 50 Voyager Sedan

• Selene 92 Ocean Explorer

• Selene 98 Ocean Explorer

HOWARD CHEN

Read the Interview of Howard Chen, Founder of Selene Yachts

WHAT SELENE OWNERS SAY…

We wanted a compact yacht because we will load her on a cargo ship to explore new playing grounds like the Pacific Northwest or Northern European seas… It’s easily doable with a 42′ boat, and at a reasonable price. We want to see our new boat like a life enhancer and not as a financial or technical burden. This is why sizing the project, refining the specifications and a sound cooperation with the shipyard is essential, and Selene’s teams were ready to help from day one. We have found our perfect yacht…

I spent ten years as a full time vessel master and live-aboard owner. After obtaining my United States Coast Guard Master’s license, I spent countless hours cruising the waters of the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Gulf Islands.

Our constant, and the place we call “home” is M.V. Ellipsis, a Selene 60 Ocean Yacht delivered in 2007. We boat now without boundaries and enjoy navigating the rugged open waters off the west coast as much as we do the Inside Passage.

Summer and fall 2018, we will explore the Columbia and Snake Rivers, getting some experience with the locks on the river. 2019 should find us heading south in the Pacific, spending time cruising Mexico.

Even though my Selene 38 is the smallest in the range we’ve covered more than 20,000 miles in SE Asia; starting in Hong Kong, down to Vietnam and Borneo, then across to Thailand, later south to Malaysia and Singapore.

Everywhere I looked I was impressed with the quality. These are not production boats, but customized, handcrafted, solid vessels. Thank you for building us a beautiful and well founded boat! We look forward to many years of cruising in safety and comfort!

We want everyone in the yard to know just how happy we are with this wonderful boat you have made for us. Please convey our pleasure to everyone involved.

Our Selene « Adagio » has actually exceeded our expectations. Exceptional safety underway, comfortable for extended periods of live-aboard time, and excellence of workmanship are some of the reasons for our high level of satisfaction.

I went out on « Argo » today. The boat looks and performs fantastic. Convey my thanks to all the key people at the yard. The galley looks absolutely amazing. The new sound insulation you have done is really working with minimal vibrations!

We had a wonderful time in the San Juan Islands and Princess Louisa in British Columbia. The boat was perfect! We were in 25 knot winds with beam seas, some of which were well over 8 feet. « Mystic Moon » handled it perfectly!

FIND A DEALER

• The Selene Advantage
• Selene 60 Ocean Explorer
• Selene 72 Ocean Explorer
• Selene 78 Ocean Explorer
• Selene 128 Ocean Explorer
• Download Yacht brochures
• Howard Chen
• Interview with Howard Chen
• The Selene People
• News & Events
• Testimonials
• Construction details
• Press Articles
• Video Channel
• Selene Family Album
• Selene Rendezvous
• Selene Yachts Routes
• Meet John and Tracey
• Meet Captain Joël Marc
• Meet the Gulledges