Whether you’re a seasoned boater or simply love being by the water, most of us have at least considered what a life aboard might be like, even if we quickly dismiss the daydream due to reality checks like families, careers, and budgets. However, taking the leap to become a liveaboard doesn’t always need to be as scary as you might expect, and there are plenty of boats to suit any lifestyle, budget, and dreams.
To get you started on your journey towards the water, we’ve picked out five of the best yachts to live aboard. Averaging 50 - 70 feet, these yachts offer a perfect combination of space, comfort, home luxuries, and room for guests. These boats are relatively easy to manoeuvre, so you won’t need a crew in your home if you don’t want one, and they should be affordable in terms of mooring fees (which are usually charged on the length of your vessel).
What’s more, these yachts are all readily available on the UK brokerage market, and you can find plenty for sale right here at YachtWorld!
So, are you ready to sell that brick-and-mortar house and begin your life as a liveaboard? The adventure of a lifetime awaits…
Sitting just over the £500K mark for a stunning, UK-built, luxury, solid sailing yacht, you’d be crazy not to start your search for the best liveaboard yachts here. Oyster Yachts are famed for their luxury and smooth sailing, and utilise modern technology with high-end finishes and appliances to help you feel right at home. For the price of a, let’s face it, family home in the UK, Oyster lets you swap bricks for sunsets and adventure, whilst knowing you’re in safe hands in a yacht that’s favoured by cruisers and frequently taken all around the world with ease (if you're planning a round-the-world trip, be sure to also check out our cruising tips from an expert circumnavigator).
The Oyster 56 is an especially great liveaboard yacht, with a favourable 4-cabin layout, including a stunning owner's cabin with a queen bed and en-suite, offering privacy from your guests when you need it! A spacious saloon and cockpit offer plenty of room for entertaining, and impressive galley, with a four-burner gimbaled cooker, front opening fridge, a freezer, ice-maker, dishwasher and ample worktop and stowage space, ensures you’ll be comfortable and well-fed, whether you’re staying at the marina or heading off on a long passage.
A piece of elegance from Sweden: simple, unassuming, clean, and timeless. Halllberg-Rassy has built up a reputation with sailors worldwide as a trustworthy yacht with everything you need for a comfortable life afloat, on passage, at anchor, or alongside. She’s a big vessel, but with top-of-the-line winches and sails that can be operated with the press of a button, don’t let the size overwhelm you - this is a yacht that’s designed to be sailed with ease, with usability, safety, practicality, and craftsmanship made to last in every tiny detail!
It’s worth noting that Hallberg Rassy’s are meant to be sailed, not to sit in the marina waiting for an outing a couple of weekends a year. So, if you’re looking for a more permanent base or a floating alternative to a brick-and-mortar home, this might not be the yacht for you. However, if you’re a “big dream” couple or family looking for a yacht that will take you on unparalleled adventures with safe, comfortable, predictable sea motion, impressive passage-making, and plenty of luxuries, this should definitely be on your shortlist for liveaboard yachts!
Want more help picking out the best liveaboard boat for your needs? Our guide to Choosing a Boat will help you make the best choice.
If sailing isn’t your thing, then a power boat could be your dream liveaboard. You will have more living space in a vessel like this over a sailboat due to the beam carrying from midship right through to the aft, so if you like extra interior space, this is a massive plus.
The Portofino class combines performance, grandeur, and natural light throughout. The forward windows offer a fantastic view of the horizon for the captain and crew, and a split-level interior really gives you a feel of space around the vessel. If you're one who likes the sun, there are ample sun spots outside and forward lounging on deck, and for those wanting to have a splash, there’s a swim platform for easy access to the water to cool off! Sunseeker are a prime example of a yacht builder who has thought of everything you could need for a pleasant life living aboard.
Princess offers class, modern touches, sleek interiors, textured upholstery, and superior performance. The V50 Class screams luxury, but this is not just a looker; it’s a serious yacht, too! The deep V hull is sturdy, kind at sea, and responsive. Allowing you to reach your destination in comfort and style, even when travelling at speed.
If you like your tech and home comforts (as well as plenty of buttons), Princess offers plenty to keep you entertained! From airconditioning and ice makers to a BBQ and even a dishwasher, the Princess V50 is very much a floating house - you won’t be missing anything aboard this yacht! And, if you're short-handed, the captain has docking aids to help in close-quarter manoeuvres and joystick controls, all in a neat user-friendly layout.
Last, but certainly not least, comes the beautiful Squadron 68! If you have a large family or love hosting till the early hours, you can certainly accommodate everyone with a three- or four-good-sized cabin layout, outside space to dance the night away, and a large galley/saloon for dining!
Sized at nearly 70 foot, the Fairline Squadron offers a lot of boat for your money, so you’re not likely to get home-sick aboard this liveaboard yacht! The Fairline build quality is evident throughout, with clever design features like storage underneath the flybridge steps and a one-level layout to avoid trip hazards; this is a yacht built for yachties.
The best bit? Even if you’re a taller aspiring boater, you’ll be able to enjoy this yacht comfortably, with 6ft of headroom throught the boat - even in the lower level master cabin and ensuite! Plus, with a washing machine, dishwasher, and even a wine cooler as standard, you really can step off-grid and enjoy an incredibly pleasant life aboard this vessel.
Oyster 56
Listings - Oyster 56The Oyster 56 offers space and luxury in a sailing yacht you can rely on, making it a fantastic and popular liveaboard yacht. | Image: Ancasta Plymouth
Hallberg-Rassy 62
Listing - Hallberg Rassy 62Hallberg-Rassy’s are meant to be sailed, offering the perfect liveaboard yacht for the aspiring world cruiser or adventuring family. | Image: Transworld Yachts Sailing Ltd
Sunseeker - Portofino 53
Listing - Sunseeker Portofino 48The Sunseeker Portofino offers plenty of space and luxury, making it a perfect liveaboard motor yacht. Get ready for cocktail cruises and being the envy of the anchorage/marina on this power yacht. | Image: Solent Motor Yachts - Hamble River Office
Princess V50
Listings - Princess V50The Princess V50 isn’t the cheapest boat on the market, so you may want to look at older models if you’re sticking to a budget. However, even Princesses built in the 2020s offer all the mod-cons you could want and would make a fantastic liveaboard motor yacht. | Image: Princess Brokerage - UK
Fairline - Squadron 68
Listing - Squadron 68The Fairline Squadron 68 offers plenty of space for parties or family time with a spacious layout and plenty of mod-cons that really will allow you to feel like you’re in a floating home - no home-sickness here! | Image: Ancasta Chichester
