A daring family have taken the unusual step of fleeing the traditional house and transforming a former Armed Forces tug boat into their floating home - and are saving thousands.
Taryn Collins, 36, from Benicia, California, bought the boat at a government auction with husband Jason Loger, 37 in June 2019. They paid $35,000 for the 150-tonne, 65-foot former US Coast Guard boat which they live on with two-year-old son Russell in northern California.
For Jason, the decision was a no-brainer as he's a railroad engineer obsessed with maritime history and big engines. Taryn said she needed no convincing to "quite literally get on board with the idea".
Running the vessel costs around $1,300 per month, including the slip fee, liveaboard fee, and electricity.
Considering the average rent for a two-bedroom home in California sits around $2,405, the family are saving more than $1,000 per month.
Taryn, a stay at home mum, explained: "Our total costs for slip fee, liveaboard fee, and electricity run about $1,300. 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 former US Coast Guard boat was dubbed the 'USCGC Bitt', commissioned in 1962 it was later decommissioned 16 years later in 1982. After decommissioning, the boat was used in oceanographic research for the National Science Foundation until 2019.
Jason and Taryn bought the Bitt after it was put out of service, and haven't looked back since. They've travelled more than 2,000 nautical miles in the boat but renovation costs are not helping them stay afloat.
They've spent more than $50,000 (£40,170) so far on the renovation and upkeep of the boat, which is 57 years old.
"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," explained Taryn.
"We kept the lockers from military service until we replace them with custom woodwork in the next phase of renovation. 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 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 landfolk - 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.
"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 costs of upkeep and renovations, the family say they're reaping the benefits of the non-traditional home and "tug life".
"We have easy access to quick mobility," Taryn said. "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 liveaboard neighbourhood filled with drinks on the back deck and a ton of comradery."
