A family has made waves online after purchasing a former US Coast Guard tug boat and transforming the vessel into their home to forgo the soaring cost of living.
Taryn Collins, 36, and her husband Jason Loger, 37, from Benicia, California, bought the boat at a government auction for $35,000 in June 2019. They’ve been sharing the glories of boat-living on their social media accounts ever since.
The couple spent over $50,000 to refurbish the 150-ton and 65-foot-long vessel into their home and make it the perfect place for their family, including their two-year-old son Russell.
Although the boat once featured fish tanks, now, it boasts a full-size couch, bed, nursery area, and bathroom, all of which help the family watch the sun shimmer onto the water from the comfort of their own bed, and help them save $12,000 each year.
Taryn Collins, 36, and her husband Jason Loger, 37, have made waves online after purchasing a former US Coast Guard tug boat and transforming the vessel into their home
They bought the boat at a government auction for $35,000 in June 2019, and have been sharing the glories of boat-living on their social media accounts ever since.
The couple fitted the research room of the tugboat with sofas and carpet and can lounge as well as a play chair for their son Russell
Before the renovations, pictured, the master bedroom consisted of a sleeping quarter with several hanging camp beds for the boat’s staff.
Jason, a railroad engineer, is obsessed with maritime history and big engines so the combination of both was a no-brainer for him.
Taryn, a stay-at-home mom, said she needed no convincing to ‘quite literally get on board with the idea.’
The former US Coast Guard boat was dubbed the ‘USCGC Bitt’ and was commissioned in 1962 and then decommissioned 16 years later in 1982.
From 1982 to 2019 the vessel was used in oceanographic research for the National Science Foundation.
The couple bought the Bitt following it being put out of service and haven’t looked back since.
With the average rent for two-bedroom homes in California being $2,500, the family is saving over $1,000 a month.
Their costs to run the ship total $1,300, which includes the slip fee, liveaboard fee, and electricity.
Taryn said: ‘Our total costs for slip fee, liveaboard fee, and electricity run about $1,300.
Taryn, a stay-at-home mom, said she needed no convincing to ‘quite literally get on board with the idea’ (their bedroom pictured)
With the average rent for two-bedroom homes in California being $2,500, the family is saving over $1,000 a month (their renovated bathroom shown).
Their costs to run the ship total $1,300, which includes the slip fee, liveaboard fee, and electricity (their living room pictured).
They have spent over $50,000 on the renovation and upkeep of the 57-year-old boat.
‘The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Northern California is $2,500 factoring in utilities.
‘Of course, we are careful to make sure we put away money each month for annual maintenance which is mandatory to preserve the integrity and reliability of living aboard, but this is still much of a cost savings in this area.
‘Not to mention, waterfront views!’
The family has traveled over 2,000 nautical miles in the boat but renovation costs are not helping keep them afloat.
They have spent over $50,000 on the renovation and upkeep of the 57-year-old boat.
Taryn said: ‘We have removed the sleeping arrangements in the crew’s quarters and replaced them with a queen-size bed frame, stairs, and sleeping area for our dogs, including storage under the bed frame.
‘We kept the lockers from military service until we replace them with custom woodwork in the next phase of renovation.
The boat came with a research lab that overlooked the deck before the renovations, which the couple have turned into their living-room
The couple’s two dogs, Bella and Skipper, live on the boat with the family-of-three. Russell has his own playing pen under a bunk bed in one of the rooms.
All aboard! Adorable sailor Russell has his very own life jacket, but his parents are sure that the boat is safe for him. Jason and Taryn already lived on the boat when they welcomed Russell
‘We have renovated the other side of the crew’s quarters, which originally slept six, into a nursery area for our baby. Putting in a changing table, a rocking chair, and creating additional storage.’
The mom-of-one also shared that she and her husband had used the former officer’s room for their office and toddler’s room.
She explained: ‘The Officer-in-Charge’s room is our current office and the now toddler’s room, with a crib replacing the bunk and the shelves riddled with children’s books.
‘The head – aka the bathroom to land folk – was sanded and repainted a more neutral tone, a shower door was installed and a teak flooring was placed inside the shower.
‘The galley and wheelhouse remain intact with no renovations needed as it had a home-like feel for all that lived and worked aboard already.
‘The largest renovation was our back room-turned-salon.
‘It once boasted fish tanks and marine research equipment. It is now home to a full-size sectional couch, large television, carpet, and rugs for comfort as well as a mini refrigerator and air conditioning unit.
Taryn with Russell and the couple’s two dogs, proudly posing in front of the refurbished tugboat, which she spent three years refurbishing with Jason
Mother-of-one Taryn, pictured in the tugboat’s engine room, said the coronavirus pandemic made her realize sedentary life is not for her
Before the renovation, the boat’s (left) floors were red and did not make for a very homely setting. The couple fitted it with white and blue linoleum (right)
‘The boat received a full haul out the first year she was purchased which included painting her from top to bottom and restoring her to the original coast guard name ‘Bitt’.’
Despite the renovation costs, the family is reaping the benefits of the non-traditional home and the ‘tug life.’
Taryn said: ‘We have easy access to quick mobility. We can throw off our lines and go watch the sunset without so much as packing or finishing dinner.
‘There is a cost-benefit when your husband is also the captain, the engineer and is very handy with maintenance that would otherwise need very costly repairs.
‘We also have an incredible life aboard, a neighborhood filled with drinks on the back deck and a ton of comradery.’