Can You Live On A Boat On Land And What's It Really Like?

Ever wondered what it’s like to live on a boat on land?

Living on a boat on land might seem like an attractive option if you get seasick, or simply hate the idea of being surrounded by water. And it’s definitely possible, but what is it really like?

Many people find that boats are not the ideal place for living, but if you need to and can afford it, then there are many options out there.

Boats can actually make the ideal ready-made tiny home but there is some careful planning and modifications that need to be made if you’re seriously considering living on a boat on the land long term.

Let’s take a look at some of your options.

Living On A Boat Connected To Land

One of the easiest ways to live on a boat that’s almost on land is to find a liveaboard marina mooring.

There are many marinas in a variety of locations that have accommodations for live-aboard boats. The benefit of doing this is that you are constantly connected to the land, so going about your daily routines is really easy.

You might be surrounded by water, but you can simply step off your boat and you’re instantly on land.

Marina’s have electricity and water, so you won’t need to worry about making this for yourself. You will also have access to toilets and a shower block.

Some of the downsides to living in a marina are that they can be very expensive and may not be as private as what you would find on land, but there is still something beautiful about waking up and connecting with nature each morning.

Another issue you might find with living in a marina is the fact that the boat will still need regular maintenance to keep it afloat.

You will still have to worry about things like thru hulls and you’ll still have to keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for storms, swell or tides in your area.

If you want to keep things as simple as possible then finding a mooring on a river might be better than a coastal one. While rivers still experience bad weather and tides, the effects tend to be less severe.

The other option you have, depending on where you live, is to find a free town quay or mooring. Most countries will at least frown upon this, if not actively prevent it, but there are some countries that still have places you can moor up for free. Greece is one of them.

We know people who use free town quays as permanent moorings. A big downside to doing this is that you could be moved on at any time, and you have no right to stay there.

If you’re happy to take the risk then this is a good way to avoid paying marina fees. Bear in mind though that you will still need to pay taxes and any other fees the country charges for being afloat in their waters.

Putting Your Boat In A Boat Yard

If you don’t live close to a marina, then another option may be to rent out a slip in a boatyard. This is where boats that are not being used by the owners stay while they wait for their next use, or where people put their boats to work on them.

Boatyards tend to be a lot cheaper than marinas but come with a unique set of compromises.

First, you will need to check that your boatyard will allow you to live aboard your boat while it is on the hard. Some boatyards have strict rules against it, others may charge you a nightly fee for staying aboard and others won’t mind at all.

Most boatyards will have free water and electricity, though some use meters. You will be able to use the yard facilities, though often these are very basic with limited toilets and showers and perhaps not hot water.

Once the boat is in a boatyard you will have to climb a ladder to get in and out of your boat. You won’t be able to shower or use the toilet onboard, and some yards frown at you washing up onboard too.

Yards tend to be pretty dirty, with gravel or dirt roads, so when it rains you can expect to get pretty grubby! Plus you will be surrounded by people sanding the bottom of their hulls or doing other dust-creating jobs, so it is noisy and dusty too.

As you can probably tell, living on a boat on land in a boatyard would not be our preference! But it is a handy thing to be able to do if you have a lot of work to do on your boat or you’re looking for a cheap place to store it over the winter months.

Turning A Boat Into A House On Land

Lastly, there is the option to turn your boat into a house on land. This has become more popular in recent years with things like Air BnB growing in popularity, and vacationers seeking out interesting homes for weekend getaways.

This isn’t the easiest route, but if you manage it you will be able to live on a boat on land permanently and under your own terms (mostly!)

There will be quite a few hoops you have to jump through to make your mission successful!

First, you will need to research the country you intend to live in and find out what the laws are surrounding living on a boat on dry land. You may or may not be allowed to put your boat down on land you own and live in it.

If it’s legal to do so, you will need to find a trailer to transport your boat to the site you want to make home and find a way of stabilising it to make it safe in all weather. You will need to consider things like hull integrity if you bury it underground.

You will also need to set up a way to get power, water, and sewage to the boat, or have the land to build something like a composting toilet. You will also need a safe way to get onto your boat home now that it’s not in the water.

Another thing to consider is just how much maintenance all this will involve. Boats aren’t built in the same way as houses, and the elements will take their toll. Be prepared to work on the upkeep of your boat in a similar way to when it’s in the water.

All this aside, if you’re prepared to do the hard work in preparing, you will have a tiny original home that should be a comfortable home on land.

Build A Houseboat On Land

Perhaps the easiest option (though it might not seem like it at the time) is to build a house that looks like a boat.

This is the best of all worlds, because the final product will be a boat on land that won’t deteriorate as quickly as a standard boat, and has all the creature comforts of a home. You can even make the footprint slightly bigger than a standard boat for more rooms or bigger rooms and added comfort.

You can use plumbing and electricity as you would in a normal house, and build it to be insulated well so you won’t have to deal with the inevitable leaks and dampness that come with living in a boat.

If you have your heart set on a houseboat on land then this would almost certainly be the most comfortable option.