More Than Money: Why Our Liveaboard Dream Still Matters

These days, it’s hard to ignore the news about the economy. When we hear about the stock market being unpredictable and the future of Social Security feeling uncertain, it can make anyone think twice about their long-term plans, especially big ones like our dream of retiring onto a sailboat. Living here in Iowa, Kent and I have been paying attention, knowing that our goal of trading our landlocked life for the freedom of the ocean has financial implications.

The recent economic ups and downs have us thinking carefully about our budget and how long it might take to reach our goal. Buying a boat and setting up a liveaboard life is a significant expense, and we’re being extra thoughtful about our savings.

Even as we keep a close eye on our finances, our dream remains strong. While we are planning and budgeting to buy a boat when the time comes, for us, it’s not really about owning a lot of things. What we’re after is to live life on our terms, according to our values. That means following the wind and our curiosity, and having interesting experiences. 

A Word to the Wise (from a Seasoned Sailor):

When we were in the BVI last October, we connected with a stranger sitting across the bar. We were all enjoying the jerk chicken and when we discovered we had sailing in common, this experienced sailor gave us some invaluable advice: when budgeting for a boat, plan to spend only about half of what you can realistically afford on the purchase itself. The reason? The ongoing costs of maintenance, repairs, and unforeseen issues can quickly add up. This resonated with us and reinforced our belief that the true reward of boat ownership lies in the experiences it facilitates. Incredible experiences aren’t necessarily tied to owning the newest or most expensive vessel. 

Interestingly, over the years, what constitutes our “dream boat” has matured. We once thought it had to be the latest model with all the bells and whistles, captivated by the sleek lines of plumb bow designs that were so different from the traditional boats we knew. But through experience on the water and countless hours spent learning from the sailing community, we now realize that a well-maintained, older boat can provide just as many incredible experiences. Now, our dream boat is simply a sail-ready vessel that we will be able to make our own.

When I think back to our first time learning to sail, I remember feeling overwhelmed with all the new information, but we were incredibly excited. And that feeling of wanting to explore and learn something new is still with us. Or our first time chartering a sailboat in Grand Traverse Bay – being out on the water, just the two of us, navigating and figuring things out – those moments, both the easy ones and the challenging ones, are what stick with us. They’ve become part of our story.

Focusing on experiences offers a different kind of richness. The memories we make, the skills we learn, and the bond we share by pursuing our sailing dream are worth more than any amount of money.

I wonder, what experiences are important to you? How do you balance your financial concerns with your long-term dreams? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And please continue to follow our journey as we work towards our liveaboard adventure!