I knew nothing about boats before buying one on a whim. I've now spent 4 years living on it while traveling the world.

I bought a boat a few years ago despite having no experience with them.

Stephen J. Payne

• In 2020, I decided to buy a boat and live on it despite not having sailing experience.
• I taught myself a lot and have gotten to explore France, Italy, and parts of the Mediterranean.
• I've mostly been spending my savings, though living on a boat has been pretty affordable for me.

In 2020, I was lying in bed in Torquay, England, trying to figure out what to do with my life.

My mother had just died, and I'd decided living in the UK post-Brexit was not for me.

Before I came back to the UK to take care of her, I had lived in California for 27 years working as a photographer and filmmaker. But given the developing political situation over that side of the pond, I hesitated to return there, too.

Feeling no ties to any particular country, I turned to the sea and decided to buy a motorboat even though I had zero experience sailing.

For my first trip, I wanted to head all the way through France to the Mediterranean — it seemed like it'd be scenic. I consulted with a few professionals who told me I needed a boat low enough to fit under the bridges of France but powerful enough to cope with the Mediterranean Sea.

At last, I dipped into my savings to buy a 1987 Birchwood TS37.

I've spent the past 4 years taking my boat through France and Italy

Sailing in the open sea is easier than navigating channels in some ways.

Stephen J. Payne

Three weeks after purchasing my magnificent vessel, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and my travel plans were put on hold. During this time, I got to know my boat a little better and practiced sailing, going up and down the Thames.

By June 2021, I was ready to face the open sea and cross the English Channel to France. I topped up with fuel, left Ramsgate, and headed to Calais.

It was challenging but driving through open water was easier than navigating narrow canals and rivers.

In open water, I was able to set the autopilot to keep the boat going in the right direction, which is not possible on the French waterways where I'd probably bump into other boats or docks.

Some channels and waterways were quite narrow.

Stephen J. Payne

After a few weeks, I arrived in Paris at a beautiful marina right next to the Bastille, where I spent only about 40 euros a night to dock alongside some great neighbors.

I'd planned to stay here one week, but it was so beautiful I ended up staying six.

I've spent a lot of time on my boat.

Stephen J. Payne

Then, I worked my way slowly around the Côte d'Azur.

Sailing through France was somewhat affordable, and the people I encountered were so friendly that I stayed in the country for a year.

I had access to the splendid French waterways for only 126 euros a month, paid to VNF, the navigation authority that manages them.

I spent almost 90% of my time avoiding marinas, as there were plenty of apps that helped me find free places to drop my anchor. Some villages throughout France had nice places for me to tie my boat up for free — a few included access to power and water.

If the weather looked a bit grim, I'd pop into a nearby marina since most local ones only cost me about 25 euros a night.

At one point, I stopped at Saint-Omer, France.

Stephen J. Payne

Eventually, I started working my way around the Amalfi Coast of Italy, stopping in Livorno, Fiumicino, Capri, and Tropea.

Then, I continued on to Malta, where I've now been for the past 18 months.

I don't know what's next, but I'm still enjoying living on a boat

I've taken my boat through many waterways.

Stephen J. Payne

Throughout my trip, I've made money doing small jobs as a photographer, but I've mostly been spending my savings.

Fortunately, I've found a lot of cheap marinas, and living on the boat hasn't cost me as much as I thought it would.

Occasionally, I'll look at an old video I made for YouTube and wonder how I went from working as a photographer in Los Angeles to living on a boat, bobbing around the Mediterranean.

But then I remember that I need to dish out over a thousand dollars to replace one of my boat's bilge pumps, and it all seems very real.

I'm still not sure why I decided to buy a boat and sail around the world — and I don't know what's next for me. For now, though, I'm in the Mediterranean with as little stress as is humanly possible.

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