This Wasn't In the Cruising Brochure!!! Realities of Boat Ownership

The cruising lifestyle has highs and lows - like any lifestyle choice. We share a lot about the awesome adventures and gorgeous sunsets.
And as much as we researched and tried to prepare for the realities of boat ownership - there are some things that took us by surprise. In this video, we'll try to share some of things we weren't expecting.
From bottom jobs to sea strainers to pump outs to driving the ditch.
(We did a version of this style of post for RVing a couple years back that covers much of the nomadic lifestyle stuff, which you can find at: www.technomadia... )
Want advanced notice of our live chats? Join us on Patreon - www.patreon.com/Technomadia
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Cherie & Chris have been full time technomads since 2006. In the winter we explore land in our 1961 GM 4106 bus conversion. In the spring/summer we move aboard our 1999 Bayliner 4788 slowly exploring America's waterways along the Great Loop.
We share for fun in our spare time and our travelogue content is supported by our Patrons at / technomadia .
We love sharing a slice of our life with others at www.technomadia..., Facebook and Instagram. Want to come share more behind the scenes, you can also join us on Patreon. We use the name 'Technomadia' in all those places. Come join the adventure however you choose!
We have full time jobs that fund our adventures (this channel is our fun after-hours hobby space). Our career is running www.MobileInter... - where we track mobile internet options for RVers and cruisers. We have a dedicated KZbin channel for that content at / mobileinternetresource... you can subscribe to.
© Technomadia 2018
For entertainment purposes only. See our website for a full disclaimer.

[@richardcampbell1101]

I'm sitting on my 32foot 1987 Marinette Sedan bridge, listening to the rain falling out side my galley window. The boat is gently rocking at my slip, my girlfriend is sleeping in the master state room and my two black labs are at my feet in front of the sofa. I'm watching the video's of the great loop, which is a trip I plan to start in about two and a half years as a "honeymoon" trip.. I'm 59 and a half years old, grew up around boats all my life. I retired from the U.S. Coast Guard after 22 years service, at the toughest job I ever loved... And I really like this youtube channel..! The information is spot on, and sometimes funny..! Yes, I've been there and done that.! Please... keep up the great video's and good information.. Even those of us who have been there and done that, enjoy hearing it from someone else..! And believe me, we feel your pain when things go wrong, and share the joy when it all works out..!!

[@jmp.t28b99]

Entertaining video. I sold my home and now enjoy living aboard my 44' trawler too. After two years of research, I made a decision and a choice to live this life style. No regrets thus far. As far as costs go, one has to pay to live somewhere. A house has costs, a RV has costs, so to me , it is a wash. I have an unobstructed view from my sun deck of our bay and the downtown skyline. I am in a gated marina slip , pump outs are done at my slip, I pay no property taxes, and the marina staff walk the docks day and night. The marina facilities are cleaned constantly, and are key protected from the general public. Try and find a water front apartment with all amenities for less than $ 500.00 a month. What is not to like ?

[@Technomadia]

We so agree... in the places we visit we look around at what waterfront property in that area goes for. And then smile.. we're paying far less, and we're THEIR view :)

[@minnehonk1]

Where are you?

[@PatriccoMalta]

Anyone who says that boats are just a money-eating hole only says so because they cannot afford one. You just have to find the right boat which fits your pocket. Don't go buying a 40 footer if you can only afford a 28. All the expenses are well worth it if you have enough time to make the most out of summer and good weather. The best memories I have are all out on the water. And it also makes you grow closer and fonder of your loved ones and family when you spend time together at sea. I've experienced this since childhood and owning a boat was always my top priority, cause it simply makes you HAPPY!

[@Technomadia]

Indeed... do what makes you happy. If owning a boat doesn't bring you joy, don't do it :).

[@dennisevans2677]

In 1972/73 cruised a 26 ft.Westerly Centaur. Sloop rigged sail boat. Cruising up the Seine in France...Mast down...my Volvo Md-1B would quit after about 4 hours running. We past under a rather narrow bridge and suddenly steam from exhaust and engine quits. I go ah-ah and drop anchor, go below,open engine compartment turn off cooling intake, open inline strainer and pull the screen out. It was packed with French Rubbers. I cleaned it put it back together, started engine pulled the anchor and was on my way. From then on when anybody asked what we were doing, the reply was we were screwing our way through France. I did it all in less then 5 minutes.

[@brio2323]

You guys rock! Thanks for all the information you share with us.

[@brodieben1]

sorry guys. ive been watching youre videos for almost 2 hours. i have been wanting to liveaboard badly for awhile. so i have been glued to my seat. I FORGOT TO GIVE A THUMB UP, SORRY. Love you guys.Thumbs up.

[@endeavouringit]

I love watching your travels, I have no intension to become a nomad but so enjoy following you guys and living my dreams through you, to an extent, what lovely and smart people you are also. Wishing you both continued safe and happy travels.

[@Technomadia]

Awww... thank you :). *glow*. Thanks for coming along.

[@endeavouringit]

It's absolutely my pleasure ! I'm a 55 year old female, on my own living in Queensland Australia, and watching you guys is wonderful and interesting!!

[@rabukan5842]

You two are great! I am a 61 year old almost retired professor, own a 1992 Riva 50 Superamerica HP that I am restoring. It does cost a lot more than a land vehicle, but I can't dive off a land vehicle. I'm also a technical dive instructor, which I do on the side, so the boat will hopefully pay for fuel, maintenance, slip fees, etc. in overnight charters, which should be enjoyable. The main point is, there is nothing like being on and in the ocean. There is no price that you can attach to it. I have been around boats and the ocean all of my life, and though it is expensive, it is no more expensive than home ownership. I didn't realize how expensive it is to own a home until I bought my first one. I've now owned 4. I still prefer owning a home to renting, and know that there are costs associated with ownership, and yet, there is nothing like having your own place. It is yours. And my boat, is mine. And she is an investment. Even if I don't earn back what I've spent, the experiences are priceless, and worth the investment. My sister just went on another cruise in Europe. Cost her $10,000 for 2 weeks. She does around 2 cruises/year. That's $20,000. Everything in life has costs. I prefer enjoying my boat to a 2 week cruise...

[@RobFomenko]

Having had 2 sailboats and now a 40 foot Class A, I appreciate what your saying. Boats like yours are different than a offshore sailboat but still, the reason boats don't have awnings on their windows, unless you have a large crew to take them down in a hurry is ..... weather. Storms can come up fast, and unless properly secured like a bimini or dodger, they will get ripped to shreds. Most boats don't have big windows like yours for obvious reasons. But the constant sun can be difficult to impossible to deal with sometimes. Everything heats up, including any thing you touch. The inside can get very hot and take hours after to cool down. Myu last sailboat sank at it dock due to electrolysis from some source not identified. While not a total loss, in the end is was for me and I am out of boating now. RV's to me are more expensive than a sailboat can be, but then I am new to that so I maybe off base on that. But there are so many moving parts, solenoids, relays, etc on a class A that most smaller boats don't have. Of course I would never have a power boat, as sail was what I was into, so perhaps a dual engine gas power boat is different than a small 50 hp diesel engine... lol. I'm sure it is. Both selling and buying were great days for me. And most inbetween. It was great while it lasted. But it truly is a hole in the water you ... well you know. But so is most things like this.

[@TravelswithYoly]

We've owned 4 boats and my job in the marine industry had me on the water around 200 days a year for many years .... mostly in trailerable boats. I was happy to say goodby to boating and shift passions to RVing after 31 years. I loved your description of the yoga positions required to make some required repairs (been there). I also had a boat sink due to a cracked thru-hull fitting ... that was fun :-) I was also boarded by the CG one day and endured the searching and BWD testing. As they were leaving my boat I asked the guy in charge if he would tell me the reason they chose to board my boat in the first place (there were dozens of boats around me). He gave me an annoyed look, glanced around my boat looking for something and said " your green light isn't green enough" :-)

[@Technomadia]

I'm sure there will come a day when we'll be ready for something else.. that's the job of life, there's no set agenda :)

[@TravelswithYoly]

Technomadia Amem to that :-) You guys have a long way to go on this road and plenty of time to discover new passions.

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍⭐️Great discussion and info. 💝 😲😳🤭@18:41-19:25 $9K repair!! Oooh hell nooo!! Imma need to sue the water, the marker repair people, somebody! Imma need to talk to somebody!!! 😂

[@chrisdonline]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this information. I had no idea of some of the things that you mentioned. This makes retirement decisions easier.

[@JeepBoiFL]

Live at 3:50 . Thank goodness for another post from our favorite nomad couple. I spent the past hour flipping around Netflix/KZbin/and Amazon to no avail. Was looking to be a long night of trying to settle in for bed. Not anymore. Package of Oreos at my side and a nice cup of decaf and Technomadia queued up ;-)

[@Technomadia]

Thanks for tuning in... I think Oreos are a great complement ! Enjoy

[@chokedup53]

bottom cleaning is not too bad, but DON'T forget to inspect and replace sacrificial zincs. i was amazed how often we were replacing worn out zincs. i absolutely despised replacing impellers on the macerator. a real shitty job. but i was not too successful with the pump out stations. we got to the point where we would use the on-shore potty, and have a cardboard box by the head (like mexico) for toilet paper. but when we tally up all the many negatives, we still found the positives of boating far exceeded them. i would do it again when the opportunity presents itself, and we're planning on it.

[@jaysuper8255]

Following both you two and the Wynn's, both coming from the RV life, it's been a eye opener of just how many systems and the amount of things that fail. Then the cost to fix them. I'm glad it's your money and not mine. I'll stick with my RV trailer and my two inflatable kayaks. Very good topic....

[@audiecarter8886]

Love your channel. Just discovered it and already a addict. Audie and Judi Carter Melbourne Fl

[@tednmolly]

I like that the thru-hulls are labeled.

[@Technomadia]

We liked that too!

[@AboardAeon]

Lots of great perspectives! There are some sweet covered slips at Doctor's Lake Marina right down the river from you. We just moved to one, and love the shade. Also has a cool little Tiki Bar with live music and food trucks.

[@10bbremer]

When my 25 foot express cruiser was in the water full time, I had a crew of three- diver to clean the bottom every three weeks. A guy to clean the decks every other week. A mechanic on call.

[@love2tri70]

Great video! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to be able to do what your doing, we are actually looking to purchase the 4788 as well! Nothing deterred me from wanting to do this, until you mentioned rats/mice! How do they get on the boat and how do you keep them off?

[@Technomadia]

Haven't figured out how to keep them off.. but having a cat helps :)

[@Bostonclassics1]

Excellent and helpful video, as always.

[@goutvols103]

Great video and quite informative. On your boat, are your windows tinted and double insulated in order to reduce the UV penetration?

[@texassews535]

Love you all -- I learn so much from listening to you. Hey Cherie, what is the story of your beautiful necklace. You have probably been asked that question many times, but I haven't seen the answer. It is beautiful.

[@Technomadia]

Thanks... I picked it up while in Canada a couple years back from a local artist. No real story to go along with it other than I liked it :)

[@rickvuk]

Now that you put solar panels up on the top deck, how do you get your radar arch down? Is has to be a whole lot more work Because solar panels weigh a little bit more than the canvas.

[@Technomadia]

We only intend to need to take down the arch for future cruises on the western Eire Canal. When we do that, we will spend the time to take the panels down.

[@mellowman247]

Loving the drone shots before and after the video.

[@paulahayes6321]

Mel Lowman aa

[@Technomadia]

Thanks... I'm thinking Chris needs to do a collection of drone video from our boating so far...

[@kxrv6629]

Fulltime RVing for a couple months. Interesting for few minutes. Not ready for a floating home anytime soon. See you back in the RV.

[@hcying9728]

Excellent information

[@derickslatford5449]

Hi great content I was watching a program about a tear a go there is a paint that big buildings use that repels everything not having a boat we used to have a 33 foot princess may be we will again keep it up thank you.

[@hubertmichael1595]

Are the people you meet in your travels in general, friendly ? Do you have insurance to cover your boat going down, and polluting the water?

[@Technomadia]

Yes and yes.

[@galenjohnston2458]

Anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1988 in the state of Florida, while in control of a vessel of 10 hp or more must have a safe boating Card from any state that comply with NASBLA standards. Review these standards via MYFWC.COM to comply. Everyone else SHOULD have this card. By far YOU SHOULD HAVE A TWELVE WEEK BOATING COURSE (instructor lead in classroom course) TO GET STARTED BOATING. "You must be able to talk BOAT to be a safe boater!! Thank You TECHNOMEDIA for presenting these very helpful video(s)

[@billdomb]

Another question when you're this mobile: what do you do about medical/dental professionals? Do you travel back to some home base or take your chances on the road?

[@Technomadia]

www.technomadia.com/healthcare

[@bradcoley2895]

is Cherie, "always" the deckhand? or do yall trade off?, I was a deckhand, on "USN Special Services" deepsea fishing boat at Pearl Harbor, HI, for a couple months in 1977, that can be some(hard) work.....great stuff yall, you folks rawkkkkk

[@Technomadia]

We consider ourselves co-Captains and trade-off duties regularly.

[@johnkenney4359]

Was your boat outfitted well or did you have to buy ropes bumpers and so on? Cost?

[@Technomadia]

Our boat came with lines (they're not called 'ropes' once on a boat) and fenders. And we have replaced them too.

[@joesinnott6695]

Did you shop around for prices on that repair 10 grand that’s very costly just saying I should follow the boating world on the ga & fla coast for your major repairs mechanical .welding & fab work blasting & painting etc almost completed restoration on 50 ft house boat. Then complete restoration on a 30 ft house boat Only 3hours from Panama City beach area Happy boating

[@Technomadia]

You don't always have much choice when you're cruising :). In the case of the prop - there was only one shop in towable distance that could haul us out that week. And the pricing was in line with the research we did on similar repairs.

[@only1pinuchi]

Hahaha butt heads. Been watching for quite a while (RV Life). .and enjoy living vicariously through you tube until we are ready to go again. Lived on our ol Tuna boat for a year back in 2005/06. Let us know if your ever up in Newport RI area....Power on...

[@OldOne1050]

Does your generator run out of the same tank as the motor?

[@Technomadia]

We can choose which tank the generator runs off of.

[@nancywolfe1983]

OH my goodness. So much information..

[@Don-xs5tk]

Pan Pan is the intermediate emergency call

[@minnehonk1]

Cheers I love the wine…😎

[@LisaMarli]

Savannah is lovely. My mother's family is there. Glad Kiki is enjoying herself. I have an escape artist as well. Hope she mostly stays near the boat. Ok money giggle. I typed in boat, and the emoji system gave me 4 boats 🚤🚣🏽⛵🚢 and a credit card 💳. Enjoy your lovely boat.

[@Technomadia]

Hahaha... even emoji's know the meaning of BOAT :D.

[@babyboy6179]

what do you think about you forward sonar after couples months using it. thx

[@Technomadia]

We are overdue for a marine electronics tour...

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍🍷What kind of red wine did you say that was?🍷 👍Did you aerate that wine?😔

[@monicamooney3546]

What about humidity? Do your clothes start to smell musty?

[@Technomadia]

Hasn't been an issue

[@monicamooney3546]

Thanks so much for your response and for all your wonderful videos. We are in the planning stage and the information you've been providing has been gratefully received. Let me know if you get to Kent Island, Maryland. We owe you a dinner or two. ([e-mail]) @@Technomadia

[@stevehurst7526]

Hi Guys! Watched you two forever and own 2 rv's AND 2 boats The what does boat stand for saying is so yesterday. I like.......BOAT, a large depression in the surface of the water in which I throw money into. Makes me laugh just saying it AND who cares its worth it!! Enjoy

[@Technomadia]

Indeed.. so so so worth it! (At least for now).

[@richardm4804]

I love rvs and boats. I wish i could afford them. Broke living check to check. No savings.

[@gardenlifelove9815]

I come from a long line of dunphy's and I wonder if you and I are related somehow..

[@juans3728]

Sun is good for solar equipped boats.

[@spencewike5562]

Pan Pan

[@chokedup53]

please list your top 5 things you enjoy on the boat...

[@Technomadia]

Pretty much every other video on boating we've shared :)