I’m sure many people like me have had the dream of sailing and especially living on a boat: waking up in the marina next to the neighbours with the same lifestyle, chatting with friends over drinks in your cockpit while cooking a fish, freshly cought in a creek while swimming, on a tiny stove in the underdeck. It can have some pros but also cons, because having your home on the water can be both extremely rewarding and more work than you ever thought.
People who live on boats are probably the top experts on how to live in a small space and how to conserve limited water and power.
While living on a boat, space is a major factor and every centimeter needs to be used effectively. While most boats are built with an eye on efficient storage, you will have to downsize your possessions quite a bit because it takes some adjustments to get things to pack neatly into the boat.
It is also different from living in a small house. Water and weather is a threat to the integrity of your home and your comfort all the time. While many newer boats have everything you need for comfort, some older, less expensive boats may need constant upkeep and maintenance. The ability to know your boat inside and out, and be able to make repairs yourself can save you big headaches and big amount of money too.