Questionnaire: Are You a Natural Live-a-board?
If you are thinking about adopting a new life as a liveaboard but are not sure how well suited you are to a lifestyle afloat then try this simple questionnaire.
1. What appeals to you most about living on a boat?
- (A) With house prices so high, it’s the low cost that appeals to me most.
- (B) The simple and natural lifestyle away from the stresses of the modern age. What’s more I love boats and being on the water.
- (C) I’m really enthusiastic about boating and would like to spend more time aboard a vessel.
2. How much living space do you need to feel comfortable in?
- (A) I do like having quite a lot of space and would even consider myself quite claustrophobic.
- (B) In many ways I prefer compact spaces because I find it cosier and I like everything to be within easy reach. If I need open space then I just go outside.
- (C) I am very adaptable. I'm used to living in a small space but if I had the choice then I would choose a very roomy living space
3. Do own many possessions and how good are you at managing them?
- (A) I’m both an ardent shopper and a hoarder so I have quite a few possessions to manage.
- (B) I don’t need many possessions to keep me happy. I just have a few cherished personal items that I cling on to.
- (C) I don’t have that many possessions but I am rather chaotic with those that I do have.
4. Do you like to have your modern conveniences and home comforts?
- (A) I do like all my various gadgets and appliances and there’s even certain things I can’t get through the day without.
- (B) I’m happy just as long as my basic needs are catered for. My biggest luxury would be a good book.
- (C) I can do without most things but I am very attached to my internet and my telly.
5. How are you with living with other people?
- (A) Although I need to live with somebody else I can’t spend too long in their close company without them winding me up somehow.
- (B) I love living with someone else and being in their company most of the time.
- (C) I’m happy living with somebody else and being in their close company but I do like to have my own space every now and again.
6. What about friends, neighbours and acquaintances, do you value their company?
- (A) I’m a very social person and thrive on that social contact with other people, whether they’re friends, family or even people I meet in the street.
- (B) Although I’m certainly independent and happy to spent long periods without any contact with the outside world, I do enjoy socialising with friends and the camaraderie of being part of a community.
- (C) One of my reasons for wanting to live on a boat was to get away from people.
7. How practical a person are you?
- (A) I’m not practical at all. I’ve never needed to be as I always had someone cleaning up after me, and practical friends and tradesmen to do jobs for me.
- (B) I like being practical whenever and wherever I can. It’s very satisfying being able to complete any task your faced with.
- (C) I would love to be a practical person and am enthusiastic when something needs doing, but unfortunately it’s not something that comes naturally to me.
8. How good are you at coping in various weathers?
- (A) I am a sun person. I am happy when it’s warm and miserable when it’s cold and damp. In the winter I lock myself in and turn up the heating.
- (B) As long as it’s not catastrophic, I love to experience the full gamut of British weather. I’m as content in the frost as I am in the sunshine.
- (C) I would prefer it to be sunny most of the time, but I’m not adverse to a little rain and cold.
The Conclusion
If you answered with mainly ‘A’s then I’m afraid the liveaboard lifestyle is definitely not for you. You are much better suited to life ashore.If you answered with mainly ‘B’s then you are clearly a natural liveaboard and it is surprising that you’ve managed to put up with living on land for so long.
If you answered with mainly ‘C’s then you are not naturally suited to liveaboard life but if you are very keen then it may be something you could grow accustomed to. It’s recommended that you first try it out by going on a boating holiday.
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How things have changed since this questionnaire was written. We have all the gadgets on our boat that we had in the house, TV, coffee machine, washing machine, Internet, etc. Essential for sanity.
Also enjoy solitude and reading. No mention of the wildlife on and around water another reason many people value the canals doesn't get a mention. Also you meet some really nice people on the canals which can be very sociable if you want them to be. We also have lots of room for clothes, books and hobbies.
Agree about the practicality side of boat living.
Tilda - 21-Feb-21 @ 5:53 PM
Just done the questionnaire, its seems im a natural live-aboard there are a few questions i wasn’t spoton with. I admit not all were spot on. but looking at boats as i have and spec there are ways around tv i never watch. When my wife died it was in the room were the tv was and i didnt go in. then realised i don’t miss it i don’t even posses one now. The silly thing now is i go to a friends house after going out first thing they do when going through door is switch it on, then well all go into another room for coffee or something, why do they do that. otherfriends visited and say you haven’t got a tv well what you visiting for see me or watch my tv?My laptop and mobile phone are what are my real addictions but the difference between a laptop tablet and phone are very blurred now. im not that much of a socialite im a bit of a loner. just family i see most but im going for a boat that is maybe a little larger than needed as i can see me being more popular with one. and im not letting my sister and husband have my double and me sleep on the couch. Im very practical to think with the right stuff could do most things and i am a vehicle mechanic who was tought on engines before all the engine managment systems came in.i was in a country side garage where lister engines ect those makes were used in farm machinery stripping a engine wouldnt daunt me at all.
neil62 - 11-Oct-15 @ 2:48 AM
I made a comment earlier im going to get a boat after house sale. ive discovered its surprising what people buy on ebay. ive sold stuff on there for good money after i put things i wont need on there. discovered this when i listed something basically for a bit of fun and it made good money. i suppose 1 mans junk is anthers gold i looked at it ok 15 mins listing you only get £20 for it thats a packet of tobacco yes im a smoker but giving up now. but you get the idea
neil62 - 11-Oct-15 @ 2:45 AM
Just done the questionnaire, its seems im a natural live-aboard there are a few questions i wasn’t spoton with. I admit not all were spot on. but looking at boats as i have and spec there are ways around tv i never watch. When my wife died it was in the room were the tv was and i didnt go in. then realised i don’t miss it i don’t even posses one now. The silly thing now is i go to a friends house after going out first thing they do when going through door is switch it on, then well all go into another room for coffee or something, why do they do that. otherfriends visited and say you haven’t got a tv well what you visiting for see me or watch my tv?My laptop and mobile phone are what are my real addictions but the difference between a laptop tablet and phone are very blurred now. im not that much of a socialite im a bit of a loner. just family i see most but im going for a boat that is maybe a little larger than needed as i can see me being more popular with one. and im not letting my sister and husband have my double and me sleep on the couch. Im very practical to think with the right stuff could do most things and i am a vehicle mechanic who was tought on engines before all the engine managment systems came in.i was in a country side garage where lister engines ect those makes were used in farm machinery stripping a engine wouldnt daunt me at all.
neil62 - 11-Oct-15 @ 1:58 AM
