There are so many choices of ways to go. You go through many considerations in every boat purchase and the dynamics of every couple is different. We love to day sail but with someone else doing the work. We don't like all the work sailing entails. So we charter when we're in various places. And, yes, we did charter and sail in San Francisco. There are just places it seems so right.
I think as we look at boats too, we find out more things about ourselves. I looked at the cabin on one catamaran and I could feel anxiety building just from the thought. My wife shared my feelings. We even tried to analyze later why it felt like that to us and we're not sure, but think it's something we went through together before we were married, but already knew we were a forever couple. We know as kids we wouldn't been bothered.
We've been talking dishwashers. Certainly any of us could live without one, but some of us sure wouldn't want to. I grew up in a house with one. My wife didn't. But either way that's long ago.
Ultimately, we want to feel as comfortable on our boat as we are at home, if not more so. That doesn't mean the same. Doesn't mean as big or all the amenities, but means a good many of them. We do have the essentials to help us feel that way and then one that honestly surprises us. Remember your first time ever sleeping on a boat? I do mine. I was thinking maybe we should be up in the salon where we're above deck. But I knew I had to get through the discomfort of feeling so much in the water and all the "what if" thoughts. I'm not sure I could have done it without her. There was and always is just something that if we're laying there together, we're safe. Now for the change. I've grown use to sleeping on a floating thing...called a boat. We get home to a huge bed in a huge bedroom and that first night you just feel like it should be moving a little.
Our first longer cruise together on the water was a great experiment as we had no idea how long we'd enjoy cruising without a trip home. I don't see how you know before you do it. With me, I believe in the theory of pain, often used it in business. It's when you hit a level that is painful or uncomfortable. Well, for us it turned out to be six weeks and occasionally for certain trips, two months. After doing a very long trip this year, we're actually doing some one month segments now. Then we go home and face the question of how long before we'll be anxious to get back to the boat. Well, it seems to be three weeks to a month, but during that time we're often out on the water. Even when we were in NC on a lake, we haven't been more than two weeks without getting in a boat since we married in 2001.
One thing I really learned from my wife was being comfortable in your own skin. That applies in this, just whatever you want in your boat is fine. It doesn't matter if everyone else in the world think you're crazy. We know we're so far from conforming with the world and we don't try, don't care, just live life our way. People ask "what's the best boat?" There is no such thing. Just find the one that makes you happy. Find the way of using it that makes you happy. And you is plural for those who have a partner. And you may change over time. I've gone from being a shy, loner who is very uncomfortable in a private setting around strangers (business setting I'm fine, it's like acting). Inhibited. Yes, I was once long ago before my wife. But now, we always have people around our home and on our boat and I love it. This trip we have three 19 and 20 year old girls along among others. I love seeing how they enjoy new places. I'll even give in a night every once in a while and go for dinner in this great pizza joint they found or go to a game room they found. I'm not how I was 20 years ago and so much happier for it. I remember the first time my wife said sweetly to me, "just go with the flow." Well, it works.
Don't let anyone else though tell you what boat is right or what you should have on your boat. Oh, and I may even know why I don't do dishes by hand. I do remember occasionally as a child doing so, but even loading a dishwasher was unpleasant. If my mother was around I wasn't going to be doing it right. Effort didn't count. Perfection only. So, I'd avoid doing any hand washing. Same reason I'd never make my bed. Why do it if you're only going to be told what you did wrong. We are influenced through life in ways we often don't know. Just go with the flow.
I'm sure I've gotten way off topic but I do think it's relevant. My boat is a home to us even if not our primary one. But if what we might consider roughing it, sounds great to you, then that's the way to go. I've still never camped out. Not a single night in a tent out on the ground. It's on the list for one day. Guess knowing that though, it's not surprising I like the comforts.