Live Aboard Safety & Sage Advice Welcome

... easy accessibility to whatever I need or want to do without driving vast distances to do so. ...

I'm not going to jump into this STX vs STT back and forth. Just wanted to say that "vast distances" gave me a chuckle. Never before moving here would I have considered STX's length vast. But lately I have found myself not venturing out sometimes because I just don't feel like going "all that way" to get there. I guess everything is relative.

I guess it's all relative, indeed.

I think after living on STT, and staying on STX, off and on, over the decades here in the islands, for me the distances seem far.
I had a customer a few years back that wished to buy property but he wasn't finding exactly what he was looking for here so he decided to try STX. I found him a realtor and off he went. Stayed for a few months, called me up, said he was coming back as he didn't like how far everything was to get around compared to STT.
He came back and found him just what he was looking for.

I know it seems silly when stateside, one thinks nothing of driving a couple of hours to visit friends/family or commuting, daily.
Not my cuppa tea.

Just wanted to say that "vast distances" gave me a chuckle. Never before moving here would I have considered STX's length vast. But lately I have found myself not venturing out sometimes because I just don't feel like going "all that way" to get there. I guess everything is relative.

Chuckling here as well !! --- Before I moved to STT I had a daily commute of almost 100 miles R/T -- then here I had a 24 mile R/T daily commute for about 30 years -- i used to think that going to the Far East End to sail every day was fine -- now -- If and when I ever even get past TuTu, coming from the NW side of STT, I consider it a very long drive, and actually haven't even been to Red Hook in many months because ' it sounds like it is a long drive'.

I've caught myself chuckling many a time when planning to go somewhere on the East end and muttering to myself that I have to go "all that way"!!!!

Actually, STT population isn't twice that of STX.
It's almost the same but STX is twice as large.

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Never said STX was twice the population. Try re-reading my post.
I said twice the population density - which is exactly the same as what you are saying.

STT and STX are different. People are different and have different needs and tastes. This is why individuals need to check it out for themselves and make their own choices and not be subject to the whimsical musings of forum participants.

Yes, of course they should check out the options for themselves - and not be swayed by false perceptions of those who live on one island and have not a clue about the others.

OK - you win OT.

You know everything about everything and no one else's opinion is ever worthy of consideration.

Your attitude towards others just continues to run folks off this forum. Congrats - chalk up one more win on your board - it just isn't worth contributing any more just to contend with your bickering superiority complex.

STT and STX are different. People are different and have different needs and tastes. This is why individuals need to check it out for themselves and make their own choices and not be subject to the whimsical musings of forum participants.

Yes, of course they should check out the options for themselves - and not be swayed by false perceptions of those who live on one island and have not a clue about the others.

OK - you win OT.

You know everything about everything and no one else's opinion is ever worthy of consideration.

Your attitude towards others just continues to run folks off this forum. Congrats - chalk up one more win on your board - it just isn't worth contributing any more just to contend with your bickering superiority complex.

It's unfortunate that you not only have a misperception where STT is concerned but also one where I'm personally concerned. I've never once claimed or intimated that I know everything about everything - although if correcting misconceptions falls under that umbrella then you're correct. I've never had a problem in any arena listening to the opinions of others and the last thing I'm interested in is "winning". On the other hand, I find personal attacks paltry and mean-spirited. Questioning an opinion is one thing, heaping personal diatribes on someone simply because they disagree with you is base and childish.

Actually, STT population isn't twice that of STX.
It's almost the same but STX is twice as large.

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Never said STX was twice the population. Try re-reading my post.
I said twice the population density - which is exactly the same as what you are saying.

Misread it.
Sorry.

And I feel I have to dig out my passport and pack a bag to go to 13 for dinner....

That's how I feel about going to the east end!

And I feel I have to dig out my passport and pack a bag to go to 13 for dinner....

Now that is funny. You guys are so comfy in your back yard.
I am literary suffocating here and looking forward to 100 miles of straight open road somewhere in Nevada or Arizona.

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I am literary suffocating here .

We are all suffering since Dockside Bookstore closed -- the Humane Society sells books but not the same.

That is a good one! :@)

Trixie is right on the money.

My experience is similar. While I love being on the water and sailing after 2 weeks of living on board while on hook or on mooring all I can think about is if I can get a good night sleep without checking on my lines every 2 hours. When will the rolling seas subside? Will the wind suddenly pick up from diffrent direction? What weather is coming my way? It can be as taxing as crossing Atlantic.

I can't speak for STX, but I also lived aboard (and sailed around a bit) Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Australia, Pacific isles - having a home base in a marina is optimal for plain living. Bathrooms and showers on site, access to electricity, getting of the boat, socializing, laundry, victualling etc.

I remember being at one place at anchor (on a little island called Lord Howe Island off the coast of Australia if you're interested) when the wind shifted and the tides were high and having huge swells to deal with. It was literally nauseating for days. I took the tender ashore and slept on the floor of a public restroom for respite, the male crew shacked up with hotel staff. As a single woman, it's got to be pretty awful to sleep on the floor of a toilet.
I've had other nights where I've hovered 6 inches above the mattress in my bunk because of waves, and somewhere around is a picture of me asleep on the chart table bench with legs akimbo braced on the walls getting the best and most comfortable sleep I'd had for 4 days.

The fact is, it was some of the best years of my life 🙂 but don't jump into a full time live aboard without having an escape plan. A 40ft boat means you're only ever 40ft away from someone who's irritating you, unless you can bounce down the quayside, when you're tired and grumpy, and need your own space, but have to go to work.

Someone else here mentioned it...... rent for year, see what suits you before making the financial commitment. Certainly watch Chris Hanley's video of the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo - watch the full hour, the yacht club scenes broke my heart, never mind the devastation of the island.

If you are working regular jobs then being at a full-service marina is optimal. I lived aboard at Green Cay Marina for a few years. Having showers/toilets, water, electric, parking, all in a safe community was pretty nice. It does come at a price though. For storms - this was one of the best places to be. Easy enough to rig extra lines and fenders for those occasions.

That being said there are many folks who do it cheaper, either at Salt River Marina, or on a mooring. But that dingy ride in the rain, and a lack of safe parking, will weigh on you in the long run.

Yes STT does have many more options for close places to sail to, but it's tourist city in comparison to our laid back country lifestyle here on STX.

STT sailor you hit it on the head. I never sleep good on my boat. It's always "whats that noise" "did the wind shift" "was that boat that close before" "did my anchor drag". I like to live on it for a week or two, then back on shore, flushing a toilet. After a few months on shore back to the boat!

"Certainly watch Chris Hanley's video of the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo - watch the full hour, the yacht club scenes broke my heart, never mind the devastation of the island."

To put things into perspective, Hugo WAS 26 years ago and Marilyn hit 21 years ago. Nothing of their ferocity since then. There's been way more hurricane devastation in stateside locales since then.

It doesn't mean it'll never happen again, to put things in perspective.
We've just been very lucky after 2 major hurricanes hit 5 years apart.
Just like we were extremely lucky for decade before them.
Oftentimes people that move here have no idea of the possibilities of what can happen during and after a severe hurricane or how to prepare for one. Watching Chris's video may give them an idea of how seriously to take hurricane warnings and watches.

Just last week, a Pacific cyclone had winds of 240 mph.
There but for the grace of God....

Please know how much we appreciate your willingness to share all these pearls... This is a wonderful forum and we value your kindness and respect your wisdom. Thank you kindly!

Flagon, we will respond to your pm today.