How are those people who traded their houses for yachts doing now?

 There’s something bold—even reckless, to some—about selling your house and trading it for a yacht. It’s a decision that turns a stable, rooted life into one that’s floating, ever-changing, and full of unknowns. I’ve always wondered: how do those people fare? Do they regret it, or do they thrive? And, if things don’t work out, is there a boat for sale sign in their future? Let’s dive into what life looks like for them.

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A Life in Motion: From Settled to Sailing​

The biggest shock isn’t the boat itself—it’s the way daily life shifts from predictable to perpetually on the move. Imagine waking up not in the same neighborhood, but in a new cove or harbor every few days. Most of these folks sail 30-50 nautical miles a day, which means their routines get rewritten. No more stopping by the same coffee shop or chatting with the neighbors over the fence. Instead, their social circles turn over constantly—they might meet 20-30 new people a month, from fellow boaters to locals at each port. And possessions? They get ruthless. Most end up ditching 60% of their stuff, embracing a minimalist vibe out of necessity—there’s only so much storage on a yacht.​

Then there’s the weather. Tropical waters mean constant battles with rust and corrosion; they’re fixing or treating equipment once or twice a quarter. Up north, winter hits hard. Hauling the boat out of the water (dry docking) can eat up 15% of their annual budget, and that’s not counting the extra gear needed to survive the cold. It’s a lot of work, but for many, the trade-off—waking up to a new view every week—is worth it.​

Money Matters: When Your Home Becomes a Moving Expense​

Let’s talk numbers, because they tell a big part of the story. Selling a house in a city can net a pretty penny, but yachts aren’t just purchases—they’re ongoing expenses. A prime city home might earn 2-3% a year in rent if you’d kept it, but a 60-foot yacht? Its annual costs—moorings, insurance, fuel—can gobble up 8-12% of what you paid for it. That’s a huge shift from building equity to burning cash.​

But the smart ones find ways to balance it. Some rent out their yacht as a floating villa in hotspots like the Mediterranean, where a week’s stay can fetch 30,000 to 50,000 euros in peak season. Others become sailing influencers, sharing their journey online; the top ones make over 500,000 yuan a year from sponsorships and ads. It’s not easy, though. Many admit they underestimated how much “hidden” stuff costs—like sudden engine repairs or port fees in fancy marinas—and end up dipping into savings more than they planned.​

Body and Mind: The Unexpected Toll and Rewards​

Living on a boat isn’t just a lifestyle choice—it’s a physical one, too. The good news? All that sun means their vitamin D levels are 30-40% higher than when they lived on land, which boosts mood and energy. The bad? All that time at the helm, hunched over controls, leads to more back pain—doctors say lumbar strain is 25% more common among liveaboard sailors.​

Mentally, it’s a mixed bag. About 35% say they’ve never felt less anxious, thanks to the calm of the ocean and the simplicity of life without a mortgage. But 20% admit to constant stress—worrying about storms, broken equipment, or running out of money. There’s no 911 to call when you’re miles from shore; fixing a problem means figuring it out yourself, and that weight wears on some people.​

So, do they regret it? It depends. For every person who misses the stability of a house, there’s someone who can’t imagine going back to a life tied to one spot. They’ve learned to roll with the waves—both literal and financial—and found a freedom that’s hard to put a price on. And if it ever stops working? Well, there’s always a boat for sale sign waiting. But for now, most wouldn’t trade their floating home for a fixed address—not for all the square footage in the world.​