Couple's Low-Cost Living on a Sailboat in the City
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
Last year, Gillian bought a 30ft. sailboat to live on, and as a project to keep busy when the lockdowns happened in Canada. Blue Moon is a 1978 Catalina 30 MK1 with a standard rig, and she bought it for $9,000 CAD. The price includes the boat, a tender, and a mooring ball in the Gulf Islands. Gillian is living full-time on her boat and in this video, she and her boyfriend Jonas share their experience spending their first winter as liveaboards.
You can follow Jonas and Gillian's boat life adventures aboard Blue Moon here:
/ @bluemoonlife
/ bluemoonlifeonyoutube
/ bluemoonlife
One of the advantages of living on a boat in a central urban location like theirs is that the cost can be much lower than renting or buying property in the same area. Marinas usually charge by the foot, so with Blue Moon being just 30 ft. long, the monthly cost for Gillian and Jonas was about $500 CAD. That said, it can be incredibly difficult to get a spot like theirs because there are often long waitlists, and many marinas open these spaces up in the summer to tourists, so it's not always available as a year-round solution.
One of the main challenges of living on a boat in Canada's cold climate is that there can be a lot of condensation on the interior of the hull when the air is warmer inside than outside. Jonas and Gillian say it was their main enemy over the winter, and they had water dripping down the walls making their couch and bedding damp. They've got a small dehumidifier, they've insulated their v-berth, and they do have a wood stove that can help burn off excess moisture, but it's an ongoing problem that a lot of boaters have to deal with.
What this couple loves about living on the boat is that it feels like a cozy tiny home, and they have exactly what they need on board. It also makes them feel more self-sufficient and more connected to their consumption when they have to monitor their electricity and water use.
You can follow and support Blue Moon Life here:
/ @bluemoonlife
/ bluemoonlifeonyoutube
/ bluemoonlife
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
Facebook: / exploringalternativesblog
Instagram: / exploringalternatives
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COMMENTS
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We want our channel and our comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and contribute. For this reason, comments that are inappropriate or hateful will be reported and/or deleted.
Please discuss and debate with respect, and report inappropriate or hateful comments directly to KZread.
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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives
Photo Credits:
Additional photos provided by Jonas and Gillian from Blue Moon Life
#boatlife #livingonaboat #liveaboard
Пікірлер: 302
Thanks for watching! You can follow Gillian and Jonas @ Blue Moon Life here: kzread.info/dron/l-3ZTHQ06IRwSaXJFuxxAQ.html facebook.com/BlueMoonLifeonKZread/ www.patreon.com/bluemoonlife
I moved onto a sailboat, in 1991. (So I've been doing it for 30 years) My advice, always tie your dinghy to the big boat with 2 separate and independent lines ALWAYS.
@Forever_Laura
3 жыл бұрын
@Airbus A380-800 Why?
@loumonte658
3 жыл бұрын
Great tip.
@douglasreeves9938
3 жыл бұрын
@Airbus A380-800 Two is one, one is none. Think about it. Same idea that bushcrafters and survivalists use.
@conornorris6815
3 жыл бұрын
must be a fun story behind that
@mvlazysusan
3 жыл бұрын
@@conornorris6815 On Sunday, 2 days ago, i got a call from a friend, some other friend of his had lost their dinghy. This was a new RIB that cost $2,000 and a Yamaha 4 stroke 15 horsepower that cost about $3,500 I found it on the rocks of the Fleming Key Navy base I brought it back to the owner, and he handed me a $100 bill
OMG i know this boat.. I lived aboard for almost 15 years and took care of this boat for a couple winters for the owner back in the 90s.
@diogenes1351
2 жыл бұрын
@Stinky Piece of Cheese wow thats awesome, i evolved on this boat
@bumblebee240.
2 жыл бұрын
@@diogenes1351 I built the boat.
@peternyc
2 жыл бұрын
How is it possible to buy a boat like this for only $9,000 CAD? It's unbelievably cheap.
@bballplaya90
2 жыл бұрын
@@bumblebee240. I chopped the wood
@user-ml4ps5cq3v
2 жыл бұрын
@@bballplaya90 I planted the trees for the wood used
We live in this marina too, amazing place to be and surprisingly inexpensive. We saw the crew filming this episode ;).. This couple sure has their shit together :)... wish we'd thought of being on a boat at that age. Great episode, thx team.
@ExploringAlternatives
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching! So funny that you saw us filming this video. I wish we'd seen you, we've been following your travels for awhile. It would be great to connect sometime :)
@HundredRabbits
3 жыл бұрын
@@ExploringAlternatives Haha yea, our boat was on the next dock, south of Blue Moon. You can see it in part in one of the shots. Sure, anytime. We'll be around a while.
@ExploringAlternatives
3 жыл бұрын
@@HundredRabbits that's crazy. I'll send you an email
The spirit of these two, is so refreshing. Thank you.
It is nice to see young people like yourselves support each other whilst trying to find your freedom and place in the world. I am in my 40s and I am only beginning to realise the freedom of what you guys have already done. God bless and look after each other :-)
What a nice couple and it seems they have their life together and priorities straight. Sending best wishes for a happy life.
I lived on a similar but wooden boat in England. Two tips. 1. Drape an a canvas awning over the boom to keep the frost off the cabin and cockpit. This makes a huge difference to heat retention and it greatly reduces condensation too. 2. You say you use woodchips in your stove but it only gives out a bit of heat. We had a 'Pansy' Stove which took small plastic bags of charcoal. Loads of heat and no dust. The Pansy dries the air real good to reduce condensation.☺
@TOMVUTHEPIMP
3 жыл бұрын
He did not say woodchips. He said "sawdust" = pellets.
So cool seeing alternative living in Victoria! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for posting and sharing. Wonderful to have this couples story about their lives on and off the boat.
What an inspiring couple! Thanks for sharing your amazing liveaboard lifestyle with us👍👍👍
They look so happy.Nice sailboat. Thanks Matt for sharing their story ❤
Thanks for sharing Matt & Daniel. I have binge watched all 25 of their videos and have to say, I'm impressed with Gillian & Jonas. A lovely young and authentic couple who know what they want, and how to get it. They are living the lifestyle that I had at one point wanted, but never took the opportunity. Subscribed and looking forward to more videos and adventures of their lifestyle on Blue Moon. Stay safe, and keep well.
I hope you two are enjoying the boat. It is an experience, that many miss out on and it is not to be dismissed. Yes, it requires to adapt to certain things, but it is well worth it.
Boomer here, I just wanted to say at age 60, I'm looking back when I was in my 30's and I did the same thing as you. I miss it, so just acquired a 60' wooden sloop built for offshore. You guys really have it together and I really like your attention to detail and respect you have for that little boat. Wish you many years of happiness, despite the condensation, and yes, down sizing is a great thing. Thank goodness for the internet... makes like easier.
Excellent smart young couple. Definitely best live alternative low cost life style.
Great couple, this woman is really smart and her companion very willing to share this adventure. They calculated the money investment and no fear to go ahead for the project. Plus they continue working. They will go far with that attitude. Very well organized boat! Bravo!
Thanks for all the amazing videos! We appreciate you ❤️
@ExploringAlternatives
3 жыл бұрын
Thank Phil!!
Beautiful sail boat! Perfect size. Nice young couple I wish the best, How wonderful your doing this.
Good luck both, something I have always hoped to do since leaving the Royal Nay, will be following your adventures
Great stuff! Love your attitudes to living.
This is a great alternative urban living solution. It also has the potential to be a stable and comfortable platform for exploring the world. Well Done
This young couple will really grow with this experience!
you guys are living the dream! I wish my wife and I were young enough to do the same.
Great video. We seriously pondered the idea of living aboard. We really like the idea but we decided it might not be the best fit with our 2 dogs. We would love to live on a boat maybe for a month as a extended vacation. Living with less is very inspiring.
You are so brave and wise, I love it
Much respect for you two. Cheers🍻
Thank you so much for sharing two very nice people and I wish you the best of luck keep living the way you want to live
Nice content..I love the sea its relaxing and a wonderful nature..
Always liked Catalinas,. They were all over Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence growing up in the 70s and 80s.
I don't think I could do a boat but recently my wife and I bought ~3 acres of land to become homesteaders. Trying to document everything here on KZread. Thanks for the inspiration of always documenting these journeys @Exploring Alternatives
Very resourceful people, I love this idea!
I knew this was a Catalina as I grew up sailing on a 27 ft Catalina! Awesome way to live and something I'm looking into💯thanks for the share💯🙏
Thank you so much for this!
I use to take all the cushions, carpet,blankets out of my boat and let the sun bake them dry. They absorb water and make everything feel damp if they are saturated, once dried out they absorb water and the air feels crisp. It rains so much out there too. So nice being all warm and comfy with the rain pattering on the decks.
This was fun and I wish I was on a boat so many times. I am in an RV with many similarities to boat life. Condensation is one of those. Great stuff!
@ccpederson1769
3 жыл бұрын
Go to Arizona, no condensation here.
@homesteadaquarius
3 жыл бұрын
@@ccpederson1769 Direct opposite there! Yall need some condensation. 😂
I enjoyed your video a lot. I have owned boats all of my life from a small row boat up to a 60 ton fishing boat but never a sail boat. My wife and I are exploring the idea of a live-aboard sail boat similar to yours. We live on North Vancouver Island and love it. The BC coast is amazing, I have been from The Washington USA border right up to the Alaska Border many times. You are in for an awesome journey, my advise is always watch your weather, always and take a good navigation course. Be safe and Happy boating.
Looks super cool for the spring and summer but Winter IDK looks and sounds super complicated but God Bless them aslong as they’re happy together 💯
Good for you, welcome to beautiful Victoria and the island life.
Greetings from Tasmania…What a great life style you have, very envious!
Your doing really good, amazing
Sometimes, less is more! Best wishes to both of you & your futures!
Gillian is beautiful and seems like a very self sufficient strong woman. Jonas is a lucky guy.
@sunmoonstars8471
2 жыл бұрын
No she is the lucky lady, hard to find real nice men. He seems to like peace.
good practical information. thanks a bunch for sharing.
Beautiful. Thank you
I had the catalina 27, a great boat!
well done guys looks comfortable
That's what youtube is good for. You can learn just about anything especially about living onboard. it's just about how much you are willing to learn
lucky guy... she is amazing!!
I live on a Catalina 30 here in Miami it's a great boat very comfortable the marinas here in Miami are very very expensive thank you for a good video guys keep up the good work
Great! I plan to do the same thing at Lago di Garda - Verona - Italy. Thanks for the video!
They shared the price with us in this one. Liked that!
When I was a child my family moved to the boat at the marina for a month every summer. It was great.
Nice couple and nice boat.
I have the same hatch and made a slide in screen for the summer, store the boards under cushions. Also made a velcro fixed screen in the v-berth that rolls up.
I’m sure you’ve already looked into this for heat, but the small diesel heaters are a very dry source of heat for the winter. May help with condensation. Also, love the set up! Hope to see you two go on some sailing adventures!
@jquest43
3 жыл бұрын
we dont need that shit,my son and I have propane- Gillian
@markallen3068
3 жыл бұрын
Buy a dehumidifier....
When I was in the USAF in 1975 age 19 I met an airline pilot and his wife on that same dock in VBC. They became fast friends and I was able to sail all over PS with them during my tour at McChord AFB, in Tacoma.
Fantastic.
Congratulations. Nice boat you guys doing very well 👍
Sleeping bags make a huge difference in the winter, a duvet is not enough.
Great story. I just subscribed to their channel.
I don't think I would ever be able to live on a boat for one simple reason. I would be at the helm all the time belting out Styx's Come Sail Away & get arrested the first night... And now I have to go watch that song...
@daniellemcnamee1565
3 жыл бұрын
Bahaha
I live off grid in a tiny cabin in northern Canada... I am originally from the coast though.. ;)
You guys can get a small fireplace for boats. It is an enclosed unit. Heat: ) Makes the winter more cozy.🙂 I'd check into a small pallet stove or coal cause it burn longer while controlling tempeture.
@alfredvander4199
3 жыл бұрын
I use a Cube mini stove on my 8 meter boat. Recommended.
@theslapchanel
2 жыл бұрын
They have one
Beautiful boat, l lived on 37 foot boat for 1 year, the only thing didn't like was no closet space.
Very nice!
It's a dream of mine; but, not at this time. Who knows what life will bring? Thanks to Gillian, Jonas and Exploring Alternatives - fantabulous!
Very cool setup awesome 👌🛠️🇨🇦
Hi guys hope the weather is improving on the west coast ,the Catalina 30 is far from being a tiny or small sailboat lol
Amazing! ❤️
If you two are real... POWER COUPLE. Good job, and good luck.
Yes the dry heat of the diesel heater would stop the condensation!
MAAAAMASIIITAAA!
30' boat, $9,000 and a free live in boyfriend. What a hell of a deal. LOL. It's the Love Boat. I am feeling the love.
I live on a 27ft in Toronto - it's heaven. Tip on condensation is no boiling water inside cabin, kettle should remain in cockpit. I see your furnace - I use a Chinese clone diesel furnace and next year I'll have two (one for hull heating/water heater)
What a great experience. It seems like you two are doing great.
Hello happy people! Nice to see two dedicated travelers! I love journey too. I have sailing experience on the Russian vessel Kruzenstern. In 2000 we had a tall ships regata. I have many friends in the world. And I also like a yachting. I wish you good luck in all seas!🐥🐥🐥
So refreshing, as a female 10yr liveaboard to see a lady sailor (marina life can be so sexist) who talks about the engine (usually this is the MANS role in these alternative living videos). Also being honest about the pros & cons (condensation!!!) Also big thumbs up to the guy who's secure enough to admit that he is new to marine life. Finally, thumbs up to their chosen careers & studies. Keep living the dream, & best of luck! (P.s you're going in the right direction with the insulation, insulation, insulation, space heaters & stoves- it gets easier😁.
I've been living on this 55ft Hatteras for almost a year now...not mine but I get paid for the maintenance...looking forward to a true schooner...free wind power!
Very Beautiful ☺👍
Nice Video enjoyed it
Fantastic toy to play on & live onboard 👍
nice boat !
Dehumidifier. I use one on my boat. It makes life so much better
Realy nice guys
Move the oil lantern away from the fire and buy at least three fire extinguishers.
I keep my guitars on hanging Y hooks so the action does not get destroyed by warping and it keeps them out of the way and from getting banged up.
Did you get the sea foam and did it fix the problem?as always Great Show Denny from Minnesota
One thing is for sure living togeather in a small place will either make or break a relationship. I wish you all the happiness you can handle. Fair winds and quiet seas.
You guy's are famous now ! ;)
"A lot of condensation in the V birth...." lol
@James-qp4cg
3 жыл бұрын
Hehe noice
@TOMVUTHEPIMP
3 жыл бұрын
"berth"
@yungelder3472
3 жыл бұрын
@@TOMVUTHEPIMP thanks sailor
I love your boat
@michaeldavies9533
3 жыл бұрын
Hi both hope you continue to realise your dreams ,look forward to seeing more of your videos ,hope you go from strength to strength you deserve it. Best wishes from Hereford UK
$9000? Wow! The outboard engine on you tender dinghy is worth that. You are blessed in so many ways. Looks like a $100,000 +
nice i will look at more videos ! hoping to see her under sail :)
Great video and great boat. Very cheap you pay for such roomy boat.
The couple from the 'Sailing Uma' youtube channel have been working though the same issues you have with living on a sail boat.
Nice place for the motor!
Canadians are cool.
Thanks for the new channel to watch, looks like it will be hours of interesting videos.
@ExploringAlternatives
3 жыл бұрын
Welcome to the channel Bob :)
Living on a boat's awesome, be sure to insulate the blighter, because the temperature can get down to about minus 38,000 degrees, apart from that, it's a dream life. Be sure to get yourself the woman of your dreams, and a nice whiskey cabinet too. Cheerio!