Can a J/24 be a realistic first step toward living aboard?
I’ve been thinking about getting into liveaboard life, but instead of jumping straight into a bigger cruiser, I’m considering starting small with a J/24.
On paper, it seems like a cheap and simple entry point: solid boat, widely available, and relatively easy to maintain. But I’m aware it’s primarily a racing sailboat, not designed for comfort or long-term living.
From what I understand, the main challenges would be:
Very limited interior space (no standing headroom)
Minimal cooking setup
Basic sleeping arrangements
Little storage and autonomy (water, power, etc.)
At the same time, I wonder if that’s actually a good thing for a “trial phase”—kind of forcing a minimalist lifestyle and helping me understand what I really need before upgrading to a larger boat.
So my question is:
Has anyone here actually tried living aboard (even short-term) on a J/24 or something similar? Was it manageable, or did it become frustrating very quickly?
Would love to hear real experiences, pros/cons, and whether you think it’s a smart stepping stone or just a bad idea.