ON THE WATER

Even the least nautical of people have likely noticed the boats and the people who live aboard them.

They are everywhere in Southwest Florida, from Punta Gorda to downtown Fort Myers to Naples and beyond and on just about every body of water larger than a bathtub.

What is it like living on boats? Why do it? Do folks known as live-aboards miss anything about living on land — say in condos, houses or apartments?

Over the winter Florida Weekly spoke with a few live-aboards about their lifestyle. They all revel in the freedom and the atmosphere and camaraderie.

Miss owning a house? We asked Russ Pouliot that question at the downtown Fort Myers Yacht Basin on a sunny winter morning. He lives on the “Dream Chaser” with his wife, Janice. They don’t miss owning a house.

“We’re not homeless,” Mr. Pouliot said. “Just houseless.”

But what homes they have. Live-aboards enjoy mobility not available to people with homes, condos and apartments.

Just ask Bob Wise. Mr. Wise lives with his wife Kathy on a 55-foot Novatec Islander named the “Sea Wise.” When Mr. Wise spoke with Florida Weekly the boat was moored in Punta Gorda.

That could change any day.

“If you’d like a change of scenery untie your lines,” Mr. Wise said.

Try doing that with an eighth-floor condo or two-story, four- bedroom house.

Florida live-aboards also enjoy benefits over their counterparts in the North. Especially in the winter.

Russ and Janice Pouliot used to own a home in New Hampshire. Do they miss it?

“No!” Ms. Pouliot said quite emphatically. “And worry about snow load?”

That’s never a problem in Southwest Florida. Even the occasional winter morning when the temperature dips into the 30s doesn’t bother these transplants from the Granite State.

“You don’t shovel that,” Mr. Pouliot said of temperatures dipping close to freezing.

The Florida boating lifestyle suits Russ and Janice, despite the occasional chilly morning.

“Your winters last three days,” Mr. Pouliot said of Floridians.

That’s quite a contrast to what they were used to in New Hampshire.

“Our summer lasts three days,” Ms. Pouliot said.

Several miles away from where Russ and Janice keep their boat in downtown Fort Myers the Kalisik family was living the live-aboard lifestyle at Salty Sam’s Marina on Fort Myers Beach. Kim and Randy and their 13-year-old son, Corey, reside on a 40-foot DeFever Passage Maker named “Blue Turtle.”

Ms. Kalisik has encountered misconceptions about their life. She sets them straight on a blog that can be found at blueturtletrawler.com.

“Many folks think we are moored out in the middle of nowhere, however, that is not the case,” Ms. Kalisik said.

Far from it. They often take a dingy to nearby restaurants for meals.

The Kalisik family and other live-aboards have all the conveniences common to 21st century Americans. As Ms. Kalisik noted on her blog, “Our electric is metered through the marina and we have water, cable and WIFI access as part of the slip package.”

That’s true at other marinas throughout the region.

Joe Moran resides with his wife, Connie, on a 36-footer named “Chesapeake” that is moored only steps away from the Pouliots. He knows that the reality of living aboard can be markedly different from a perception many non-boaters may, er, harbor.

“Sometimes people think living on a boat is all martinis and drinks,” Mr. Moran said. “It’s very much like owning a home. There’s something to be done on it every day.”

But then, when the work is done, live-aboards are on the water and if they want to, as Bob Wise said, can enjoy a change of scenery simply by untying their lines and motoring or sailing away to a new port-of-call. ¦