Do you live fulltime on a boat in Ontario, Canada?

Question

I am looking for any thoughts, info on living aboard fulltime in Ontario, Canada. Where can you dock for the winter?

Answer 1

Forget docking, how would you stay warm at night? You're going to spend upwards of $200k to get a boat with a heating system.

Answer 2

You can live aboard in Ontario on Lake Ontario.  Hamilton Harbour, Port Credit Harbour Marina, Port Credit Yacht Club, Lakeshore Yacht Club,  Queen's quay,  Bluffer's Park,  Pickering Yacht Club are some of the places on the west end of the lake that have live aboard communities.

There are just a few considerations to keep in mind.  First you have to have a fairly comfortable boat.  It doesn't have to be large but really shouldn't be any smaller that about 30 feet.  It should be tall enough inside so that you can stand up.  If the decks are cored, it's even better as that helps to keep heat in.

You really can't get by without having access to less than 60 amps of power.  While I know people who have done it on less, it really sucks the fun out of the experience;  too much power management to run heaters and bubblers at the same time

If you're the sort of person who "needs" all the comforts of home, you may want to reconsider.  Some have said that living aboard is nothing more than glorified camping... sometimes that's pretty close to the truth.  Many marinas shut off the water in the late fall so in order to have showers on board you have to "hump' water down the docks all the time or group together and hook up a bunch of hoses for a water detail on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

The "head" is a similar problem.  Most marinas don't have sewer facilities on the dock so the ships head either is winterized and not used or the dock gets together and arranges for a "Honey Wagon" to come by on a scheduled day for pump outs.

Other than that, most places have shower and laundry facilities available all year and in the case of Yacht Clubs,  club houses as well.

There are a number of other things that need to be learned about but let's not complicate the issue here.  It's a great lifestyle for the right person.  All you can do is give it a try and see if it works for you.

Answer 3

I don't think you will be able to, due to the fact that, most marinas pull in all their docks in the winter, and you would pro bally get the hull crushed from the ice,

Answer 4

Lived aboard in Michigan year around,  used a bubbler to bring warmer water to surface so ice did not damage boat.  Boat was well insulated, steel hull worked for us.  Be sure you insulate, sweating is a major problem otherwise.  Keep generator ready to go and fuel filled in case of power outage.  Engine room was heated to keep water from freezing in lines.  Fresh water was filled weekly with several hoses to inside spicket.  Be sure your design is one that can handle snow and ice without damaging window channels etc.  Some folks tent or tarp the dock and boat to keep weather off.  We liked the sun coming in so went without.

It was different but fun.  Portable pumpout is a must, or use shore heads.  We had a 43 foot steel trawler, built to commercial standards, no sliding windows to cause leaks.

Answer 5

I tip my hat to David B from Michigan! Good advice!

Don't listen to those landlubbers!! It's amazing how many people will tell you what YOU can't do!

Port Credit Marina in Mississauga Ontario has lots of people living on their boats all year around!

Unfortunately I have a really big doggy and he's getting older so I can't move on to my sailboat yet...YET!! See you in Port Credit in a few of years!

That is the only place I know of. If you find any others let me know!

Hey Larry...I'm up in Georgian Bay...for now!

Answer 6

You can't dock inthe winter here unless your houseboat comes out of the water!

You did not say lake superior, or a inland lake !

If you are planning to live on your house boat in the winter

;THINK AGAIN: