Living aboard is the core of what we are doing. The technical upgrades, the sailing passages and the systems all exist for one reason: to make a simpler, freer life possible while we still have the health and energy to enjoy it.
This page is about the daily reality of living on Maja — the practical side as well as the deeper reasons why we chose this life.
Why We Live Aboard
Too many people over 50 stay trapped in the hamster wheel, postponing the life they actually want. We decided that life can start earlier. A well-chosen boat can be one of the best tools for that shift.
On Maja we are not chasing a perfect Instagram life. We are building a practical, comfortable base that lets us move when we want, stay when we want, and keep the daily pressure of conventional life at a distance.
What Daily Life Actually Looks Like
Living on a Nauticat 38 means:
- A solid, protected pilothouse that works in almost any weather
- Enough space for two people to live full-time without feeling cramped
- Good tank capacity (fuel and water) that reduces the constant need for marinas
- Systems that are understandable and repairable
- The ability to motor when the wind is light or against us, and to sail when conditions are good
It is not a luxury yacht. It is a practical, sea-kindly motorsailer that can be both home and transport.
The Practical Side of Liveaboard Life
Some of the realities we deal with regularly:
- Water and electricity management
- Keeping the boat dry and free of mould in different climates
- Maintenance that never completely stops
- Finding a balance between comfort and simplicity
- Dealing with weather, marinas, and bureaucracy in different countries
We document both the good days and the frustrating ones. The goal is honesty, not marketing.
Useful related videos:
- Engine room and systems tours
- Teak deck project (big practical upgrade for comfort and longevity)
- Steering and safety improvements (because reliability is part of comfort)
Freedom and Limitations
Living aboard gives us:
- Mobility
- Lower fixed costs than a house + separate boat
- A stronger connection to weather, seasons and places
- The chance to slow down
It also demands:
- Continuous maintenance
- Acceptance that the boat is never “finished”
- Willingness to solve problems yourself or find people who can
- A certain mental flexibility when plans change
We believe the trade-off is worth it — especially for people over 50 who still have the energy to make the change.
The Bigger Picture
Everything we do on Maja — the technical videos, the upgrades, the passages — is part of documenting a real transition out of the conventional working life.
We are not experts at everything. We are two people in our fifties who decided that a freer life was more important than waiting for the perfect moment.
That is the core of “Beyond the Hamster Wheel”.