Live aboard vista 268

zeberifo1 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 24, 2014 8:54 pm

So, we have an idea here for next summer...

Me, my wife, and two toddlers might try to live aboard our 268 next summer at the slip.
We'll save tons of money on housing (we are currently renters) and if it doesn't work, we'll just wait for a nice house to rent. We figure we can get out a lot to the beach and local state parks.

Are we crazy? What's the longest you've lasted living in your 268?

acguy · **Posted:** Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:21 pm

Umm I go nuts after 2 weeks on board on our 328 with a 5&7 yr old
Your nuts

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:28 pm

268 was cramped for my wife, one kid and myself for a weekend.

318 is cramped after a week with the all of us (also have a toddler now).

Yep....I'd say your nuts!

Bliss36 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 24, 2014 10:14 pm

zeberifo1 wrote:

if it doesn't work, we'll just wait for a nice house to rent.

Sounds like you've got nothing to lose. Could be the best family experience or the worst, but there are tons of people out there who live in tiny spaces like those tumble weed homes,crossing the county in an RV, or traveling the world in a sailboat. I don't know how you live now but you would need to become overnight minimalists to have a chance of success.

zeberifo1 wrote:

Are we crazy? What's the longest you've lasted living in your 268?

Maybe a little but I think it's a cool kind of crazy. We spend 16 straight days on our 268 every summer and when we get home we actually miss the confined spaces of our boat and will return to sleep on it the following night, BUT we also don't have 2 kids on board. Do you have good bathroom facilities nearby at your marina,a boaters lounge, and massive dock boxes because all these things will also influence your results. Either way I wish you success and applaud your thoughts of living outside the box

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:16 am

Family of 4 living on a 268, one word, Crazy. Especially in Sausage-Tuck, as there is little privacy along the docks there with the summer tourist business in that town. The novelty of living on your boat would pass in a short time. 2 weeks on board would be max time with a family on that boat.

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

Sounds like fun and crazy at the same time.
I think the key will be to get into a routine since having a family you will need to setup the bow bedding EVERY night or leave it setup which takes a lot of room away. I am sure you will get creative after a while on where to store things. I think the hardest part will be the food. The fridge is pretty small but not as small as the freezer. You will probably need to go to the store for provisions very often.
Also, keep the dinghy ready at all times for the escape when the kids are crazy...

Instead of vacationing on the boat you can vacation in a hotel once and a while to stretch the legs. Keep us updated on your decision I am really interested how it works out.

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:04 am

I think the marina you are at probably makes a big difference. How much useable dock space you have, clubhouse facilities and how well protected from the weather you are. On a rainy day where would the family hang out?

Saugatuck is a neat town and all in a neat location but I can't think of a marina that is "liveaboard" friendly especially with 2 young kids.

rpengr · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:11 am

I like Bliss36 and Babbot1's answers.

I assume you would need to rent some storage space for your household "stuff" that would be in the way on the boat. The less stuff on the boat, the better.

Laundry is often a hassle when living on a boat, especially if your moving around to state parks / beaches.

You said you have an escape plan (you said you can rent a house when you get tired of this arrangement). Is your wife is up for giving this a try (I wouldn't push anyone into this)? Are you working during this time period, and your wife is stuck on the boat? You will need to learn new ways to communicate and give each other space and recreation, while still taking care of two toddlers. You will need baby sitters that can safely deal with boat life...might need to train them, and/or baby sitters that can take the kids somewhere else.

Sounds like an "adventure" you would never forget. Just make sure your marriage and family can survive it.

...and start a new post to chronicle your adventure if you do it.

ric · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:38 am

As a single man, living aboard a 268 would be fine at my marina. My marina has nice bathrooms, showers, laundry room, two restaurants, a bar, nice pool, hair salon, and a convenience store. They will even deliver you breakfast in the morning if you tip them nicely. I've spent the night at the dock quite a few times it's not bad even in my cuddy.

Family of 4?

hahahahahahahaha no way man.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:52 am

6 of us spent most of my summers on my grandparents 65' 3 state room private baths boat in the bahamas island hopping each summer for 6 years and we would go for 3 months. and i tell you after about 2 months we wanted to kill each other at least once a day. but it is vastly larger than a 268. i mean hell the salon was 12x18 the couches and comfie reclined arm chair. Full pilot house and full top side with loungers and deck recliners and a couch. Along with a huge bow couch sun pad. Tons of space to spread out and still we were TIGHT..

I think a 268 is fine for a full time batchelor. a week or so with a woman. and a weekend with kids.. but 3-4 months of a hot ass summer with kids i personally would need more room. I would do it on the 65 if just my wife and kids. but a 268 will get small with the QUICKNESS.

AS a kid i enjoyed my play space and well a 26 does not yield much separation of parents and kids. i am especially thinking of those storm days..

Paul I. · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:21 am

I find a 1 week vaction with just the wife & I gets a little nuts on a 29'.

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

I personally would love to spend that much time on the boat (by myself or just one kid with me). It would not work with the whole family. I have 3 kids and we frequently spend 3 days out on the hook. We always wish we didnt have to leave, but we know that it wouldnt be a good idea to stay in that small of a space for much longer than 3 days with all 5 of us.

fi.na.tine · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 4:56 pm

Two toddlers? I'm not saying you are nuts - I am saying you are certifiable.

Those kids are going to want to run and play - no room to do that on a boat for that long a time.

LVChris · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 5:30 pm

The poster didn't say they would be anchored out, he said they would be in a slip, so really it's just sleeping and some meals, and hygiene. If Op has the wealth to just take it easy and not have to go to work everyday I think you could find plenty of destinations to leave the marina everyday and simply come back to sleep for the night.

Perhaps?

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 5:38 pm

Four of us live on our boat full-time each summer (wife stays at home with one child). However, there is no way I would do it if we didn't have a set up like this. We cook out on a park grill at the shore for most dinners or eat at the club mess on the weekends. Your kids will have fond memories if you decide to do this.

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