After 2 months of boat ownership and living on board (in marinas):

I've done some good work (painting, fixing deck leaks, cleaning, etc)
but haven't yet accomplished some basic tasks (oil change, hose and
fan belt and impeller replacements, etc).  I've worked up large and growing lists
of things to do.  The engine compartment still intimidates me a bit.

There are some recurring and stubborn problems (deck leaks, pressure
water system air-lock) and some known bigger problems (stuck gate-valves,
rust on the rigging wire), but on the whole the boat is in reasonable shape.

Since the work-list is large, and also because I'm single-handed, I've tended to
stay in the slip instead of going out day-sailing.  Going out just
takes a little too much effort to be worth it right now.

I've developed a bit of a rhythm to each day:
- wake up, breakfast, see what the weather is, how I feel, what's at the top of the to-do list.
- do some outside boat work, usually before it gets too hot.
- shower, lunch, watch some TV while enjoying the air conditioning.
- sit outside in the common area, see who's around, talk or read something.
- maybe do some easy boat work.
- take car to stores (boat stuff, groceries) and library (email).
- dinner.
- maybe do some boat work in cool of evening.

I need a break from the boat and the Florida weather; time to
visit my girlfriend and friends in California.  I miss
my girlfriend very much.

I'm about to put the boat in a boatyard to have stuck gate-valves
replaced: they're preventing me from cleaning strainers and
replacing impellers, and they're a hazard if a hose breaks.
This work is beyond my capabilities now.
Paying $3500+ for the
work (including bottom painting and a month on the hard)
gives me pause, but is not too awful.

Everyone I've met has been nice, and many have interesting
histories and personalities.  Some seem to spend much
more money on alcohol and cigarettes
than they do on their boat, and spend a lot of time inebriated.
Some have lived for a VERY long time
in the same spot, doing very little.  Some have well-kept boats and
know a lot about boating; others don't.

I seem to spend a lot of time in stores.  There's always some
tool or supply needed for the next day's work, and the small galley
space (and my unwillingness to stock up) means I'm grocery
shopping at least three times per week.

To keep cool, and avoid mildew in the boat, I've been running
air-conditioning a lot.  It feels unnatural to sit in a closed-up boat.
But the heat is tough to take all day, and closing up keeps out
insects too.

I think I'm starting to get used to this lifestyle.  It's not all fun,
but certainly it is interesting and rewarding and challenging.