Low-rent liveaboard life in high-rent San Francisco Bay

Fiver Brown is a musician and the kind of guy who has worked as a rodeo clown and a sushi photographer, so he couldn't really afford to buy a home in his current hometown of Sausalito with an average home price of 2.2 million dollars. So he bought a boat.
Technically, he bought a floating home. It's a former WWII lifeboat that had been converted into a small home and docked at one of the town's historic houseboat communities.
It's only 13 feet by 37 feet (481 square feet), but the views are unbeatable. He watches stingrays and birds from the galley/kitchen and from his lofted bed he can peer down at his floating neighbors and the hills of Sausalito above.
His home is paid off- though he still pays a monthly slip rental as part of the Galilee Harbor Coop- and he's living right where he wants to be, in a town known for its arts scene.
He and his band- Fiver Brown and the Good Sinners- perform regular gigs in both Sausalito and across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Fiver also uses his small home as a place to write music and as headquarters for his local label, Floating Records.
The docks here have always been a sanctuary: first for refugees of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and later for beatniks and hippies. In 1967 Otis Redding wrote the first verse of "Sitting on The Dock of the Bay" while staying on a floating home here. Stewart Brand of the Whole Earth Catalog still lives here on a former tugboat.
In this video, Fiver shows us his digs, including a walk-in closet and bathroom renovation in-progress, and performs one of his recent songs aboard his gently rocking maritime crib.
Fiver Brown's music: www.myspace.com/fiverbrownmusic
Original story here: faircompanies.com/videos/view/...

[@kirstendirksen]

@gdrewpowers They are hooked up to the city's sewer system (as well as power grid) so there is no discharge into the bay. One thing I wasn't able to edit into the video is the fact that the community Fiver lives in is a cooperative. So he did have to pay to buy into it, but the cooperative also has worked with the city over the years to negotiate their right to live there, as well as things like sewage and power. They also have community bathrooms and laundry (and even a clothesline).

[@BZIRKWORLD]

Nice video. Great information about a unique lifestyle.

[@DarlnDar]

I think this IS breath-taking!! WOW!! Thank you Kirsten for sharing this awesome boat & guys' life style m'friend!! Kudozzzzzzzzz!!

[@2xtream]

I lived aboard my ship for 10 years with wife & 3 kids. The best 10 years ever.

[@dwaynecrosby]

Aubrey? Its Dwayne from Christmas.

[@cherielee1090]

Your singing reminds me of Jerry Jeff Walker, like your home it has a real sense of comfort to it. Keep on keepin'on. Namaste ✌👣💜

[@VerticallyUp]

I actually liked this. Dude, you got a great voice.... Living the dream..!

[@robmcneel6296]

Very cool

[@BabyJesusSaidSo]

I like his music and life style. Seems like a great guy.

[@debbieboring3422]

Yes two very talented guys. Looks great. Kirsten one of the things I love about your videos is, you bring the history of the place around where the houses are. Not only the place but the people and a snap shot of the history. Thanks

[@bestfrogs247]

Thank you for posting the video!

[@graceaxisa4213]

Life is about surrounding yourself with things that you love and things that make you happy. So if this guy chooses to surround himself with 'junk', as some people have stated, then let him! As for me, I love this home. It is loved, full of character, reflects the owners' personalities and is full of life! Imagine if everyone's house looked the same...how boring life would be! Thank you for another brilliant video, Kirsten!

[@muktismom]

I lived on the Omphale in the Sausalito bay in '71. That was before they glammed it up. I used to pick up wood around the area for the fire burning stove. Funky, but really nice.

[@johnlowe8418]

very kool. I visited the house boats in San Fran when working in Salinas Vally and once lived a motor yacht in Northland, New Zealand (where I'm from )for awhile, but it was nothing like what you have, good on you for doing things that you enjoy, much like myself.

[@afanofyou]

He has an amazing singing voice.

[@LadyPenelope]

I have to say that the outside is definitely 60's funky, but the inside is magical..and Fiver is living the life...Love.

[@botbhr5614]

I never had an idea that we can live it tht ways. thnks for uploading these video. Its an eye opening for people like us. Hats off to u

[@travcat756]

O fthe hundreds of videos of yours that I've watched. This is my favorite. Now I need to make it come true for me. The thing of it is I have to be open to all possibilities. I can't just limit myself to what you've shown me.

[@demisemedia]

My step grandfather lives on his boat out in the delta, Stockton, Ca. Relaxed lifestyle!

[@emzirek]

...opinion...

[@DIYSolarandWind]

Now that's an awesome tiny house.

[@ithink7241]

I like his house. It may be a little cluttered and junky, but it's just his style. Not everyone likes contemporary and clean. And his singing is actually really good in a country singer way.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Living on the water spoils you. I miss it. Glad to see some of the 1960s are still floating around somewhere.

[@HunterMann]

Cool video Fiver! Makes me miss my years in Sausalito(1976-81, Gate 5 and Gate 3...Arquez Boatyard). Happy floating life for you and thanks for the great music!!

[@xcvsdxvsx]

California is not going to let this "loop hole" last forever. I hope he enjoys it while he can!

[@2xtream]

All marinas have already been cut way back on liveaboards. Most limited to under 10pr marina. Where is the past they could have whole areas of up to 50 or more spaces for liveaboards. Today it's just a few

[@xcvsdxvsx]

2xtream Hey thanks for commenting! i wanted to show this video to my wife but i wasnt sure what it was called. :) Also im sad to have been right on this one. I wish i wasnt.

[@zerofox7347]

@@xcvsdxvsx what's the loop hole?

[@Puppy_Puppington]

What’s happening now?

[@dabznslugg9492]

Damn fkn Hater

[@marig1972]

So beautiful...So smart..So lucky! So happy for you..Great way to live! God bless!!:))

[@jenijeji]

this is so cool! i love the sea!

[@joshuaespinoza2567]

Your very correct on leaving everything behind once you walk on to your boat.

[@Atlanticmoonsnail]

I spent all my weekends and summers at my grandparents "ark" on Corte Madera creek in 50's and 60's. This brings back some fond memories. But now when I leave my beach front condo that cost less than $200 K in Satellite Beach (no state income tax and afordable living) and go home to visit. I realize that I can never go back to overcrowded, overbuilt, Marin. The Marin I knew doesn't exist anymore...

[@adambredesen230]

This is really, really inspirational. Its such a beautiful living space.

[@nagaempress]

Oh Kristen, thank you for bringing these glimpses into the lives of others. They are inspirations:)

[@jeffhaines7900]

I really enjoyed your video. You inspire me, leaving me with a dream that I can make come true.

[@the10thleper]

Gezzz 13 foot beam and 37 foot length! Intresting, nice boat.

[@w4r7]

Whoaaa!!! This looks like the space my girflriend and I were thinking about renting years back when it was on Craigslist!!! Good for this guy. I look from time to time and house boats available for kicks just to see what's out there.

[@EvermontKing]

His hull is going to rot one of these days. Terrible way to wake up.

[@75Bird455]

Definitely needs a haul out yearly for new bottom paint.

[@johns78c]

Yeah it's funny how these people seem to neglect the costly process of maintenance...

[@kindnesscupcakesandcrazy4720]

Love the tall windows.

[@leverettb8]

Awesome stuff livaboards! You keep me wantin'

[@VF1Skullangel]

This is awesome!

[@careychen7275]

I've lived aboard boats for 18 years here on Lake Ontario. As a boater safety is always on your mind. A propane tank in the salon grabs my attention as a very dangerous thing. It should be outside of the cabin and not inside where a leaked propane gas will accumulate in the bilge and lead to a very big explosion. That dipped roof would be great for rain water run off,, but would suck if it had to deal with snow.

[@careychen7275]

@@F2D2C2 I live on a 36ft fiberglass sailboat in the Toronto Harbour.

[@catchagrip1322]

Funky boat bro ; } Love it!! Nice lifestyle.. trying to save myself for a Formosa 41ft.

[@mytinyretirement]

Love this.

[@benjaminjohnson4332]

Great boat. A lot of wasted space though.

[@ddonaldson1984]

His boat probably has a water tank that he fills up with a hose, and most marinas have pump stations for waste tanks.

[@dowrony]

I went and bought guitar! Btw. Awesome habitat :) My fingers already in pain and I'm still waiting for Californian sun ;)

[@janeysiegrist5061]

Stunning.

[@LovelyHerbanRenewal]

this is really cool. Ive seen a website where you can rent out houseboats while you are on vacation. Kristen you do such a great job of reminding us that there are many ways to live simply if we just think outside of the box.

[@selfwear]

Awesome boat the rooftop looks like the roof over the l.a courthouse stage 👍🏽

[@southengirl1]

So nice!

[@head4ever]

The docking cost must be high there too.

[@terryi8892]

Very nice idea

[@mikekelley5859]

That's an awesome lifestyle! Live in S.F. on a houseboat..your lucky man, u have what most people ( myself Included!) would love to have! Very Envious..

[@daydreamidealist]

Thanks!

[@brandonburrell8517]

Great. I love a boathouse.

[@ctown67]

well done. Good luck and thank you.

[@TinyHouseTalk]

Wow this is so unique and awesome

[@texasflashcoveinstaller4317]

i freakn love it , im on my way !

[@maferogers8591]

Awesome!

[@raaven01]

love your voice

[@semaJ455]

To many of us living in the over-crowded, expensive UK this guy's boat looks luxuriantly spacious.

[@timothyln12]

Cool looking boat.

[@memtp]

That is the coolest thing! I admire the space and the lifestyle....

[@cathyknight7981]

Cool house boat!

[@teresa5590]

I love it cozy💝

[@ladycharsw]

If I could swim I would live there and a lighthouse mailbox 😊Thanks for the vidro.

[@Keggsy567]

Your a really good singer.

[@xzqzq]

Lucky the City of Sausalito has not apparently be able to zone these moorages outta existence....likely because they are beyond the low-tide mark....SF Bay and San Diego Bay offer protected places to anchor long-term. Where I live on Maui, there are a handful of boats anchored off-shore at Lahaina, but reportedly in rough weather, getting to and from them via dinghy can be challenging....the small-boat harbor at Mailia only has @ 24 slips... Not having grass and bushes to cut endlessly has a certain appeal...

[@johnpalma7265]

Grass and bushes?What planet are you from?

[@anitaarchibald6138]

He said he lives on Maui where the vegetation can take over. What planet are YOU from?

[@Katzentatze]

Lovely home :)

[@captainKbobkeeshan]

i'm glad you report on these different living situations. I'm also glad that other posters add more info to the story about what the true expenses are and "grandfather" clauses, etc. you make sense in that it's "possible" to do this in a place where berth space is not a hot commodity. I wonder whether crime is a consideration.

[@robertobruno9908]

nice, very nice complimenti

[@vinnieagogo]

Shel Silverstien had a boat at gate 5.. Sausalitos had some Characters.. I still miss the Marin City Flea..

[@FalloutConspiracy]

Now that's how it's supposed to be done. Relaxing on the water in your houseboat. Question though: What does one do when a shower needs to be taken? He mentions that he had a plumbing system installed, which is obviously necessary for said feature, but I didn't see any bathtub or shower room on that boat; only a toilet.

[@postholedigger8726]

The roof of your boat looks like a hyperbolic paraboloid. If my memory serves me correctly the formula for your roof would be Z=((Y^2)/(B^2))-((X^2)/(A^2)): nice job. david

[@lindamon5101]

Im so jealous right now. Wa. Super cool.

[@susanmaguire4452]

Love it! Love the music love the boat. One question where is the black water going to go from the toilet?

[@scammerfckyou]

Susan Maguire it goes in the water the same place yours goes when yours goes in the sewer...

[@limpingoatfarm]

the new Harry Chapin? I like his music! Talented man.

[@lestariabadi]

Beautiful rooof!

[@cartmanrlsusall]

Declutter and a good cleaning and that would be an awesome home

[@WhatTheFlyinFudge]

With every video of these I see, it's actually starting to sink in.

[@darkveder100]

beautiful :)

[@marciobarbadojr.1007]

Pretty cool place to live.

[@Law19157]

Wow...that's cool, reminds me of the popeye movie. I think maybe the only person who like the sound of the wood creaking in the water lol

[@christophevilsivich8912]

What a bad ass boat

[@nagaempress]

I knew someone that lived there. She was a real cool lady. The people who can live like this are unique :)

[@daviddegraff5137]

Gord's Gold! Awesome!

[@rolandajones8311]

Nice space.

[@kirstendirksen]

@krl8814 You're right, he was lucky to get this spot. But I couldn't resist doing this story when I walked by and saw his small space. Most people aren't used to living in 480 sq ft and I like seeing how even something relatively small can look so desirable. And as a concept, this could be replicable at a lower cost in other locations where there isn't the demand for berth space.

[@flippityfloppity6213]

i read the tie up fees are pretty damn expensive. you could tie an inflatable life raft to the docks there in Saulsalito and still have to pay the minimum rate of six hundred a month for the privilage.

[@zenmetaldecor]

i cant poop after hearing him sing lol

[@R-Dan]

This small houses are very interesting. You really don't have to live without the normal things today either. You could still have your modern items while taking up minimum space.

[@randzopyr1038]

It is a generalization, but what I find most interesting in these videos, is that despite living in the same-sized spaces, you can tell who grew up with less vs more. Those that grew up with more or at one point had more than they knew what to do with, tend to really minimalize to enjoy the small space, it's about saving money and enjoying life. Those that grew up with or haven't had too much seem to still fall into the money trap of wanting more than they need, their spaces tend to need more tlc, tend to be cluttered, tend to be cheaply diy'd. The exception is the hippies, but they're a breed unto themselves

[@plattawabbe]

It looks a lot bigger than my bachelor apartment, and they have two people in it. The high ceiling really allowed them to practically double the space, very nice. I wouldn't like to see how it gets in a big storm though, isn't it the point of shelter to not shake along with the elements?

[@TheGodParticle]

I can see myself doing that one day. Cheers

[@geewiz8253]

He’s a great singer. 👏 Does he have an album or songs on iTunes? (Btw it’s like the 3rd time I’ve seen this vid over the last few years 😆)

[@sharlenebozeman8994]

I love your space. want to visit Sausalito soon! Are you still living there?

[@lappertma]

Nice home.

[@catherinehursh4295]

Does anyone know what happened to the Downwinder; the house boat I inhabited it in the late 70's? I recognize this Old WWII life boat, it is a little rough.and has seen better years.

[@EpicGracification]

I'll be in SF Bay Area next week and I am highly interested in learning all I can about living aboard, I may move there. Is there any way I can meet up with you and talk?

[@MrOscRib]

I wonder if they ever leave that spot with the boat, and what happens when the weather gets rough, how hard or easy is it to deal with. It would be neat to meet him and ask him questions

[@TheSunMoon]

How much I'd rather live in this than in an apartment. But that financial worry is always holding me back..

[@jimz508]

Cool .... Even if I had lots of money and could live anywhere I would prefer to live in a space like this ..... I have never liked the cookie cutter homes most of us live in where the only thing different is usually the paint color.

[@kirstendirksen]

@SpaceHeadMonkey Hm. It's less than a fifth the size of the average American home. Yeah, it does feel spacious inside. High ceilings and views help too.

[@kirstendirksen]

@daydreamidealist I added a link to Fiver's music in the text (to his myspace page). He's a singer/songerwriter with a band as well.

[@darrellbarron6901]

could never do that here can hit -100 windchill in the winter looks like fun though

[@evashell]

I love it.I would utilise the space better.If it was in my hands,it would look amazing.