Well, my 40 mile one way commute to work is eating me alive. Plus I have a big bridge toll. So my crazy idea, and I am past the point of no return on implementing it now, is that I will spend 3 to 4 nights a week on my boat. The marina costs for the 7 warm weather months are less than gas and bridge tolls. By my calculations, if gas stays at $3/gal, I save $350 per month in gas and tolls, practically the monthly tuition I pay for the kids' school. If gas goes up like they are saying, well then I save more. Litl Tug is getting bottom paint professionally done this week, and supplies are getting laid in. I have all the facilities I need at work (walking distance to the marina, 2.5 blocks), plus the marina also has the showers etc. I sure wish I had a 22 instead of a 16 cruiser, but hey, its only me and it is only a couple of nights a week. Bon Voyage!
Crazy idea due to high fuel costs
- Thread starter DoryLvr
- Start date
Tivo,
Not a "crazy idea" at all. If you can save $350/mo with fuel at $3/gal; standby my friend, you'll save more as it climbs to $4/gallon (and I won't even speculate beyond that...).
We have some friends in Arizona who drive 50 miles each way to jobs at Northern Arizona University. The gas costs were just killing them. They also have a small travel trailer, and decided to take the trailer to Flagstaff and set it up in a nearby Forest Service campground. They've been doing this for about 1.5 years, and spend three to four nights a week in their trailer, nearer their jobs. They can still "come home" whenever they choose, but the financial aspect of the commute is significantly reduced.
The coming fuel prices (and other escalating costs of living) will require that most of us will have to re-think our lifestyles, and how to best manage our "resources."
Good for you, for thinking out of the box and coming up with a possible solution. Your 'fix may take some tweaking here and there...but you may be on to something! Give it a try!
Best,
Casey
Not a "crazy idea" at all. If you can save $350/mo with fuel at $3/gal; standby my friend, you'll save more as it climbs to $4/gallon (and I won't even speculate beyond that...).
We have some friends in Arizona who drive 50 miles each way to jobs at Northern Arizona University. The gas costs were just killing them. They also have a small travel trailer, and decided to take the trailer to Flagstaff and set it up in a nearby Forest Service campground. They've been doing this for about 1.5 years, and spend three to four nights a week in their trailer, nearer their jobs. They can still "come home" whenever they choose, but the financial aspect of the commute is significantly reduced.
The coming fuel prices (and other escalating costs of living) will require that most of us will have to re-think our lifestyles, and how to best manage our "resources."
Good for you, for thinking out of the box and coming up with a possible solution. Your 'fix may take some tweaking here and there...but you may be on to something! Give it a try!
Best,
Casey
View it as an adventure, rather than a crazy idea. Being away from the family is the only downside I see. Most marinas have an interesting blend of characters and liveaboards who look out for each other; you will make a new circle of friends.
After a season living part-time on the 16, you will be able to tell us all about minimizing and simplifying. Many of us will be looking forward to hearing about how your plan works out. Have fun with it and keep us posted.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
After a season living part-time on the 16, you will be able to tell us all about minimizing and simplifying. Many of us will be looking forward to hearing about how your plan works out. Have fun with it and keep us posted.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Pat Anderson
New member
Yeah, at a marina with shore power, a little ceramic electric heater and a one burner electric hot plate from Wally World, good canvas including the privacy curtains (looks like you are set up in that department), why the heck not? This is do-able! Please post pix of how you have everything set up! This WILL be the ultimate in minimalism! Here is the boat:
Wayne McCown
New member
Very cute!
It sounds as if you are "going to do it". I hope you keep us abreast of the experience. I have "lived aboard" when not cruising for about 5 years, and 8 more years when full time cruising. But...the smallest boat was 29 feet long, compete with refrigration, a head, a dining table, good sized stove, and storage space.
One of the issues which I would wonder about is sleeping and lounging when it is hot and humid, as well as raining. Are you able to effectively air condition the boat. (I lived in your area for several years when in the Army, as well as on our boat for about 6 months).
Is there a club house where you can Hang out? What about fresh food--eating out, will cut into your budget. You still have the car expense including maintenance, insurance, taxes etc. How about work clothes storage?
One of the issues which I would wonder about is sleeping and lounging when it is hot and humid, as well as raining. Are you able to effectively air condition the boat. (I lived in your area for several years when in the Army, as well as on our boat for about 6 months).
Is there a club house where you can Hang out? What about fresh food--eating out, will cut into your budget. You still have the car expense including maintenance, insurance, taxes etc. How about work clothes storage?
I have a CD16 and use it for overnight trips about 3 or 4 times per year. Upon awakening in the morning after one of these overnight stays, I can't wait to go home for a shower and warm breakfast. Staying in the CD16 for protracted periods gets old fast, especially in hot, rainy or sticky weather. Also, when a person lays in the birth, any residual water -- even from a heavy dew -- will travel across the floor to under the birth. Even a trace of gasoline on top of that water will make it very unpleasant in the cabin.
Wow! Thanks for the encouraging words. I have a unique work environment that I can do this. Being a military installation, clothing storage, lockers, showers etc is not an issue. Plus I have a big fridge at work too. I travel about a week a month so that cuts down the time.
The plan is to be home on Friday night to Monday morning, pack up what I need, give hugs and kisses to everyone and be gone. I have a great little toaster oven/coffeepot/frypan combo that fits easily on the table. I hate A/C and can easily do with a fan in the summer. Plus the marina's floating pool is awesome. March is going to be interesting, but a little ceramic heater is no issue, it'll warm up fast. I will keep pics posted of life on a 16 and a log of sorts. It is an adventure. Oh, I forgot I get to cx my parking garage monthly payment of $40 too because I will keep the truck at the marina. More savings.
And I still plan on doing a cruise and gathering.
The plan is to be home on Friday night to Monday morning, pack up what I need, give hugs and kisses to everyone and be gone. I have a great little toaster oven/coffeepot/frypan combo that fits easily on the table. I hate A/C and can easily do with a fan in the summer. Plus the marina's floating pool is awesome. March is going to be interesting, but a little ceramic heater is no issue, it'll warm up fast. I will keep pics posted of life on a 16 and a log of sorts. It is an adventure. Oh, I forgot I get to cx my parking garage monthly payment of $40 too because I will keep the truck at the marina. More savings.
And I still plan on doing a cruise and gathering.
Good luck with your endeavor. One person can live with very limited means in terms of physical accomodations...adding a second person would require not double the space, but probably quadruple the living area, though.
I believe boredom will get to you each night...does the marina at least have WiFi or cable TV?
Also, the "Sara-C"? A homebuilt, perhaps. Yes, very cute.
I believe boredom will get to you each night...does the marina at least have WiFi or cable TV?
Also, the "Sara-C"? A homebuilt, perhaps. Yes, very cute.
I think it's a cool idea. Definitely some shades are needed. We spend a week a year on our 16 with 2 small people and 2 beagles. It's pretty crowded but, if only you, you should be fine. Keep the valuables with you at work. That's living out most of our dreams, only on a smaller scale. And that is a cute boat, just watch out for these cuties.
And of course this one.
And of course this one.
Well, the bottom is painted, the boat is packed and ready to go across the bay. The weather this Saturday will decide whether we float across or drive across. Thanks to some other C-Brat help, if I have to drive across and launch in Portsmouth, the logistics from the boat ramp to the marina are taken care of.
I tried my small heater tonight in the driveway. In 38 degree weather it brought the temp in the boat up to 60 in about 10 min. My toaster oven/coffee pot combo fits easily on the table. My storage is working well too. Pics will be posted this weekend as I get set up.
Gas hit $3.50/gal here today after being $3.19 on Monday! I can't do this soon enough.
I tried my small heater tonight in the driveway. In 38 degree weather it brought the temp in the boat up to 60 in about 10 min. My toaster oven/coffee pot combo fits easily on the table. My storage is working well too. Pics will be posted this weekend as I get set up.
Gas hit $3.50/gal here today after being $3.19 on Monday! I can't do this soon enough.
MilesandMiles
New member
This is very exciting, I for one am on the edge of my seat 
Reading back through the posts, one other topic came up, boredom :shock: . This was a minor concern of mine but, here is my thinking :idea .
The marina has WiFi and I have Net Flicks on demand :film . So I can watch movies. They have a floating, yes floating, pool too. That will be an attraction once the weather warms :rainbow . Bar, yep, got that too :cocktail , though that could eat up the gas savings :cry , so have to stay away from there most of the time. I have a gym at work a block away and I am a gym rat by nature, so that will be awesome. Arnold, look out! :wink
Not sure if people know what I do either for a living. I travel the world, yes the world, and evaluate the security in ports in other countries. Of course, that is the fun part. The other part is writing it up. That is the not so fun part but something I always take home anyway. So I will be writing a lot at night anyway. And oh yeah, sleeping. I like doing that too. I will actually be getting the 7+ hours that the CDC says we should be getting. Not a bad thing.
So between working out, swimming, travel, writing, sleeping, and drinking, I think it sounds like college again. :lol:
The marina has WiFi and I have Net Flicks on demand :film . So I can watch movies. They have a floating, yes floating, pool too. That will be an attraction once the weather warms :rainbow . Bar, yep, got that too :cocktail , though that could eat up the gas savings :cry , so have to stay away from there most of the time. I have a gym at work a block away and I am a gym rat by nature, so that will be awesome. Arnold, look out! :wink
Not sure if people know what I do either for a living. I travel the world, yes the world, and evaluate the security in ports in other countries. Of course, that is the fun part. The other part is writing it up. That is the not so fun part but something I always take home anyway. So I will be writing a lot at night anyway. And oh yeah, sleeping. I like doing that too. I will actually be getting the 7+ hours that the CDC says we should be getting. Not a bad thing.
So between working out, swimming, travel, writing, sleeping, and drinking, I think it sounds like college again. :lol: