Couple's Low-Cost Living on a Sailboat in the City

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:

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:

Thanks for watching!

Mat & Danielle

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COMMENTS
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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

[ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for watching! You can follow Gillian and Jonas @ Blue Moon Life here:

[oneminutewhoop]

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.

[mvlazysusan]

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.

[jbrinkley-tr]

The spirit of these two, is so refreshing. Thank you.

[mohammadmalik]

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 :-)

[DavGreg]

What a nice couple and it seems they have their life together and priorities straight. Sending best wishes for a happy life.

[reality]

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.☺

[glenng.]

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.

[HundredRabbits]

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.

[jocelynelangis]

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!

[Marlow]

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.

[cathylynnpietranton]

They look so happy.Nice sailboat. Thanks Matt for sharing their story ❤

[alexlarson]

What an inspiring couple! Thanks for sharing your amazing liveaboard lifestyle with us👍👍👍

[MissCarlyita]

So cool seeing alternative living in Victoria! Thanks for sharing!

[zarhun]

Excellent smart young couple. Definitely best live alternative low cost life style.

[TheBearDenPhotography]

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.

[JessanDunnOtis]

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!

[winstongeorgemusic]

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 💯

[lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing. Wonderful to have this couples story about their lives on and off the boat.

[michaelbrownlee]

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.