Living on board

[Rhys]

I believe the sailor's heart in us will always feel the call of the sea...    however if you want to WWW it..  do the Delos... they are a pretty group to watch... repairs, sailing, relationships, going different ports, and the views from the deck...

 

The best, in my day was to crew on Cat 36, shoot the gate, then tie up at Fisherman's wharf, hit the food shops and sleep topside.

 

However, I was 25 then... there was a time I had the opportunity of funds for my own boat... but bought the house instead....5555 , but always wished for the boat.

 

The sailing community is close nit.... and some .... my buds had the boats birthed at the back of their homes...

 

I recall those days with fondness...  even landlocked  down south and close to the sea..

 

Cheers mates...

[grollies]

48 minutes ago, abab said:

What if I do not stay in marinas full time but mostly 100 meters from coast and just use marina facilities when needed ?

 

My main problem is humidity as some said, would it be possible to have solar panels on boat to allow and air conditioning when working inside ?

 

 

No but you could have a nice big genny.

[grollies]

1 minute ago, Rhys said:

I believe the sailor's heart in us will always feel the call of the sea...    however if you want to WWW it..  do the Delos... they are a pretty group to watch... repairs, sailing, relationships, going different ports, and the views from the deck...

 

The best, in my day was to crew on Cat 36, shoot the gate, then tie up at Fisherman's wharf, hit the food shops and sleep topside.

 

However, I was 25 then... there was a time I had the opportunity of funds for my own boat... but bought the house instead....5555 , but always wished for the boat.

 

The sailing community is close nit.... and some .... my buds had the boats birthed at the back of their homes...

 

I recall those days with fondness...  even landlocked  down south and close to the sea..

 

Cheers mates...

Never leaves you does it. Merchant Navy 2nd Mate me, still hanker after it.

 

51 now, retired here but getting itchy feet for a boat again after reading this.

 

My Dad was a river pilot all his life. Funniest moment was taking our boat downriver and getting caught out by the falling tide. Had to get the deckchairs out and wait for the tide to come back in. Mind you it wasn't his usual river 5555

 

Cheers merch

[Dan5]

4 hours ago, mcfish said:

Agreed. And what really put me off was the the relentless humidity. OK above deck during the day if your moving but at night below deck is an oven.

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Unless things are a lot different than in the USA, it doesn't have to cost a lot. Many people who don't have a lot of money live on boats in the USA, but of course it depends on the boat and how much space you want.

[captnhoy]

2 minutes ago, Dan5 said:

Unless things are a lot different than in the USA, it doesn't have to cost a lot. Many people who don't have a lot of money live on boats in the USA, but of course it depends on the boat and how much space you want.

This is a good comment. I know of one westerner who made a crude catamaran by marrying 2 old long tail boats and then put a house on it. It certainly is not pretty but he lives on it with several other people and they cruise in local waters in the high season. No way they have more than 200,000 baht in it. It kinda depends on what you want to do. If you want to make long voyages this boat might not be up to it.

[grollies]

If you've got a boat you've all the space you could ever want 

[cliveshep]

4 hours ago, captnhoy said:

I forgot to address this. There is no testing. They take you at your word. So go ahead, buy a "Captain's License" for 500 baht. You'll need an "Engineer". Not a locomotive engineer - they mean a mechanic. That too has zero requirement. It is simply a fee for a license that has no real meaning. On my boat my wife was the "engineer". What a laugh. I know a little bit and from what I've seen I am and advanced engineer compared to the average Thai engineer. To be fair, the topic of Captain and Engineer is within the context of a commercial endeavor. Living aboard for pleasure is a very foreign concept to officials of the Marine Dept.  

Can you enlarge on this please? We moved her for good 18 months ago and I paid a lot of money to bring in my container along with tools and household goods a very quick 8-man inflatable, a small grp outboard dinghy and a couple of outboards. On another thread I asked about using one of the outboard dinghies on either the Chao Praya, the local canals, or off the beach somewhere quiet. I was told I would need to get a captain's licence and also an engineer's licence and the upshot was we still have the boats unused in the store because they made it sound so difficult or even impossible to obtain these licences even when all we want is to use a rubber boat.

 

There is no way I'm going to "wing it" and break the law, I am a guest here because of my Thai wife, trouble can come easily in this country I think and I am not risking run-ins with the Authorities but if it is as easy as you say to get these papers that is good. I have been around boats all me life, I built boats, in the UK I had pleasure cruisers that were inland/off-shore so not in your bracket but many many years experience owning 6 and 7 berth boats and building/repair of all sorts plus working on engines.

 

What do you think and where should I go?

[captnhoy]

40 minutes ago, cliveshep said:

Can you enlarge on this please? We moved her for good 18 months ago and I paid a lot of money to bring in my container along with tools and household goods a very quick 8-man inflatable, a small grp outboard dinghy and a couple of outboards. On another thread I asked about using one of the outboard dinghies on either the Chao Praya, the local canals, or off the beach somewhere quiet. I was told I would need to get a captain's licence and also an engineer's licence and the upshot was we still have the boats unused in the store because they made it sound so difficult or even impossible to obtain these licences even when all we want is to use a rubber boat.

 

There is no way I'm going to "wing it" and break the law, I am a guest here because of my Thai wife, trouble can come easily in this country I think and I am not risking run-ins with the Authorities but if it is as easy as you say to get these papers that is good. I have been around boats all me life, I built boats, in the UK I had pleasure cruisers that were inland/off-shore so not in your bracket but many many years experience owning 6 and 7 berth boats and building/repair of all sorts plus working on engines.

 

What do you think and where should I go?

My experience with the Thai Marine Office and with the Thai Marine Police has zero correlation with understanding and abiding by marine registration and regulations in the US. I lived on board full time for 5 years. In that time I was checked for papers one time. While at anchor in Phuket's Ao Chalong. I showed them 3 documents. My Captain's License, the title for the boat, and my wife's Engineer's License, which made all 4 of the officers laugh out loud. But we had it. They wished us a good day and left.  There was never, not ever, a safety check of my boat and how it was equipped. Had there been it would have passed. What should you do? Find out where your Marine Office is, go there with your import documents and tell them what you want to do. They might look at you like you are from Mars but never mind. I'm sure that especially in BKK they have close to zero exposure to the idea of pleasure boating.  Boating here is all about commerce and they have a hard time understanding the concept of pleasure boating. Before you can operate your boat they are going to want you to title it in this country. That will involve an "inspection" where the Marine Officer comes to see your boat. It is a shadow of a real inspection. They are interested in the motor and the S/N of the motor for reasons I'll let you decide.  Then they will issue you numbers - you  have to put the numbers and the name on the boat in English and in Thai. (I recommend you name her AE just to keep it simple ). So that's what a guy should do if he is not willing to wing it. What I would do is launch my boat and go have a good time making sure I got no where near the fast tour boats on the river. When finished, take her home and no one hardly even noticed you. I would have my papers with me in the highly unlikely chance that someone stopped me. I remember your post and I bit my tongue at the time. What? 2 or 3 years ago wasn't it? The trouble that you are imagining is unlikely and can go away with small consequences. Just stay safe and use your knowledge on the water.

 

BTW, I just titled my 5.5 meter day boat and there was no mention of a license. Mine expired some time ago. So, that may be reserved for commercial applications or much bigger boats.

 

Here's an EDIT - you wrote "canals". be very careful with that and be sure there is no regular water taxi traffic in any canal that you might be interested in. No way I'd go there.

[happy Joe]

I lived 12 years on my boat in Europe (Mediterranean sea)
Advantages:
  - Unobstructed permanent sea view
  - Generally happy and sympathetic neighbors... Hum! 
  - Real trap to babes... 
  - Going out when you want.
 - The incomparable charm of  arrivals and departures in a new port.

Disadvantages:
  - Exorbitant maintenance costs (Ports of Europe)
  - Risk of sinking requiring extreme vigilance at sea.
  - The boat costs very expensive to buy, but it resells very poorly
  - People (girls) like coming but not staying.
 - Often some drunkards want to get on board to finish night.

That said I would probably have continued in this way of life in Thailand but I preferred to get married and therefore change my lifestyle.

[grollies]

1 hour ago, cliveshep said:

Can you enlarge on this please? We moved her for good 18 months ago and I paid a lot of money to bring in my container along with tools and household goods a very quick 8-man inflatable, a small grp outboard dinghy and a couple of outboards. On another thread I asked about using one of the outboard dinghies on either the Chao Praya, the local canals, or off the beach somewhere quiet. I was told I would need to get a captain's licence and also an engineer's licence and the upshot was we still have the boats unused in the store because they made it sound so difficult or even impossible to obtain these licences even when all we want is to use a rubber boat.

 

There is no way I'm going to "wing it" and break the law, I am a guest here because of my Thai wife, trouble can come easily in this country I think and I am not risking run-ins with the Authorities but if it is as easy as you say to get these papers that is good. I have been around boats all me life, I built boats, in the UK I had pleasure cruisers that were inland/off-shore so not in your bracket but many many years experience owning 6 and 7 berth boats and building/repair of all sorts plus working on engines.

 

What do you think and where should I go?

You've done the hard but getting it through customs.

 

Stop listening to scare stories on TVF. If you'd have asked about bringing it here in the first place on TVF you'd never have done it.

 

Was the same importing my old Lanny. Customs was a bit hairy but ok eventually. Just got it inspected and registered and received my number plates a few weeks back.

 

I'm same as you and like to 'keep it legal'.

 

Go to the nearest marine office and sort it out. If you don't want to man-up and do it give me a shout and I'll buy it off you 

[SiSePuede419]

1. The ocean isn't that interesting.  Once your boat gets far enough away from land where all you can see is water, it's boring.  Doesn't matter where in the world, it will look identical.

 

2. The only interesting place to be on a boat is next to land.  With people.  And restaurants, bars, shopping.

 

Conclusion: A boat is a tool to travel to places on land.  Why not just stay on land and visit these SAME EXACT PLACES. Cheaper, easier and more convenient. ?

[abab]

11 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

1. The ocean isn't that interesting.  Once your boat gets far enough away from land where all you can see is water, it's boring.  Doesn't matter where in the world, it will look identical.

 

2. The only interesting place to be on a boat is next to land.  With people.  And restaurants, bars, shopping.

 

Conclusion: A boat is a tool to travel to places on land.  Why not just stay on land and visit these SAME EXACT PLACES. Cheaper, easier and more convenient. ?

 

 

Wrong.

 

A boat is a place where you can REALLY be alone or with only your family.

 

Nowhere on land you will have this feel.

 

And also. I like to see nothing but the sea. but maybe you prefer cars, noise and pollution of the mainland ? Enjoy !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mcfish]

1. The ocean isn't that interesting.  Once your boat gets far enough away from land where all you can see is water, it's boring.  Doesn't matter where in the world, it will look identical.
 
2. The only interesting place to be on a boat is next to land.  With people.  And restaurants, bars, shopping.
 
Conclusion: A boat is a tool to travel to places on land.  Why not just stay on land and visit these SAME EXACT PLACES. Cheaper, easier and more convenient. [emoji3]

Your post cracked me up lol. In a sense it's true but you make it sound like catching a train.

Taking on the world's oceans and.. Well catching a train..

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[Bulldozer Dawn]

5 hours ago, al007 said:

From age 21 when I owned a 21ft mystic sloop to age 65 when I owned a 60ft twin engine trawler, 50 tns ( LAST one had it all water maker, air con, two generators, deep freezes, ice makers , vacuum heads etc etc if you are that way inclined a wonderful life, i have cruised the Atlantic Pacific Caribbean, Aust , Nz in fact been most places, and both canals!

 

I spent 15 years cruising the world from age 50 to 65

 

And today I still miss it but live happily ashore, at least I have been there and done it, and all without any professional crew

 

Remember we only live once, well thats what I believe, not for the feint hearted but go for it

Lovely and wise post.  Especially if one is aware of al007's current health problems.

[superal]

6 hours ago, Bulldozer Dawn said:

Lovely and wise post.  Especially if one is aware of al007's current health problems.

Not aware of Al007s health problems but thanks for that , it makes his post very meaningful 

[superal]

11 hours ago, happy Joe said:

I lived 12 years on my boat in Europe (Mediterranean sea)
Advantages:
  - Unobstructed permanent sea view
  - Generally happy and sympathetic neighbors... Hum! 
  - Real trap to babes... 
  - Going out when you want.
 - The incomparable charm of  arrivals and departures in a new port.

Disadvantages:
  - Exorbitant maintenance costs (Ports of Europe)
  - Risk of sinking requiring extreme vigilance at sea.
  - The boat costs very expensive to buy, but it resells very poorly
  - People (girls) like coming but not staying.
 - Often some drunkards want to get on board to finish night.

That said I would probably have continued in this way of life in Thailand but I preferred to get married and therefore change my lifestyle.

Its like my dad once said to me " When are you going to get married ? you cannot continue to enjoy yourself all of your life "  and boy was he right but now I am out of it and back to the good times  

[al007]

11 hours ago, Bulldozer Dawn said:

Lovely and wise post.  Especially if one is aware of al007's current health problems.

Kind words, thank you, means a great deal to me, and gives me strength 

 

Pick and choose advice advice on TV as anywhere in the world, and you can find kindness love and good advice

 

Next week I am back in Bangkok for more investigations, but so far so good

 

Some of my memories from my boating times are magical, the night running through the skinny (8/9ft) blue waters of the Bahamas, and dolphins jumping when I clapped, also watching the shadow of the boat from the full moon on the sand below, many said it is too dangerous to run those waters at night, but with care and diligence we did and survived

 

Then there was the night anchored just north of the Panama Canal, close to the shore, with the wind coming off shore, a settled barometer, and fair forecast, we had about 300 ft of chain down, and all of a sudden it went from calm to tropical storm, and the wind clocked 180 degrees

 

I only had a wife with me with very little experience, she had many other good attributes, so could not raise the anchor and get out as if there had been one slip we would have been wrecked on a desolate shore miles from anywhere, the rain and storm was so strong the shore was lost from sight, and could only be seen on the radar, we sat it out and prayed the anchor would hold, we lived to tell the tale

 

Many said I always put down too much chain, but I followed my instinct, and that night it may well have saved our lives

 

And I still drive in Thailand despite its risks

 

Boating is not for the weak hearted, but it can also give experiences you may never find elsewhere

[Rhys]

8 hours ago, al007 said:

Kind words, thank you, means a great deal to me, and gives me strength 

 

Pick and choose advice advice on TV as anywhere in the world, and you can find kindness love and good advice

 

Next week I am back in Bangkok for more investigations, but so far so good

 

Some of my memories from my boating times are magical, the night running through the skinny (8/9ft) blue waters of the Bahamas, and dolphins jumping when I clapped, also watching the shadow of the boat from the full moon on the sand below, many said it is too dangerous to run those waters at night, but with care and diligence we did and survived

 

Then there was the night anchored just north of the Panama Canal, close to the shore, with the wind coming off shore, a settled barometer, and fair forecast, we had about 300 ft of chain down, and all of a sudden it went from calm to tropical storm, and the wind clocked 180 degrees

 

I only had a wife with me with very little experience, she had many other good attributes, so could not raise the anchor and get out as if there had been one slip we would have been wrecked on a desolate shore miles from anywhere, the rain and storm was so strong the shore was lost from sight, and could only be seen on the radar, we sat it out and prayed the anchor would hold, we lived to tell the tale

 

Many said I always put down too much chain, but I followed my instinct, and that night it may well have saved our lives

 

And I still drive in Thailand despite its risks

 

Boating is not for the weak hearted, but it can also give experiences you may never find elsewhere

 

 

al007... the sailor's heart...all the best... trust it is wing on wing...