Navigating Reddit Advice as a New Liveaboard

I've been spending a lot of time on Reddit, soaking up as much advice as I can as I embark on my liveaboard journey.

The advice on r/liveaboard and r/sailing ranges from "you need to be sailing for 20 years before you’re ready" to "live on a raft if you have to." Most advice is thoughtful, occasionally some are a bit unhinged, and all of it is valuable in its own way. 

The one thing that stands out is how people approach their answers. 

Whether it’s about choosing the right boat, securing funding, or managing the quirks of living aboard, it’s clear that advice-givers are influenced by their unique personalities.

How do we sift through all of the advice to understand what really aligns with our goals and values without having a limited perspective?

The Big Five personality traits came to mind. 

The Big Five are broad traits that help explain how we think, behave, and react in various situations:

• Openness (Closed-Minded to Open to New Experiences)
• Conscientiousness (Disorganized to Conscientious) 
• Extraversion (Introverted to Extroverted
• Agreeableness (Disagreeable to Agreeable)
• Neuroticism (Calm/Relaxed to Nervous/High-Strung)

You can take a short free test here. And here are my results just for fun:

These traits affect how we give and receive advice, especially in something as dynamic as living on a boat. If you can understand where you fall on these traits, you can make more informed decisions about your liveaboard life - and even how you engage with others in those forums too.

The Big Five Breakdown 

1. Openness to Experience

‍Openness to Experience reflects curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to embrace the new and unconventional.

On the water, this trait shapes whether you seek the thrill of uncharted routes or prefer the comfort of familiar, reliable paths. Both approaches bring unique advantages and challenges.

High Openness:
If you’re high in Openness, you’re the sailor always ready to chase adventure. Whether it’s suggesting a solo voyage across the Pacific or exploring a remote cove, you thrive on discovery and spontaneity. You’re willing to take risks and adapt to the unknown, seeing each squall or detour as part of the journey.

However, this adventurous mindset can sometimes lead to overlooking practical considerations or underestimating potential risks in pursuit of excitement.

Low Openness:
Sailors low in Openness value predictability and safety. You prefer tested routes, well-equipped marinas, and boats designed for reliability in known conditions. Your cautious nature ensures thorough preparation and minimizes surprises, making you a dependable navigator.

The downside is that your preference for the familiar may mean missing out on unique experiences or new opportunities that lie just beyond your comfort zone.

2. Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness reflects your ability to stay organized, detail-oriented, and reliable—essential traits for managing the complexities of liveaboard life.

Whether you thrive on meticulous planning or prefer a more free-spirited approach, this spectrum shapes how you navigate the logistics of life at sea.

High Conscientiousness:

If you’re high in Conscientiousness, you’re likely the sailor with a detailed checklist for everything like maintenance logs, route plans, and provisioning schedules. You double-check your safety equipment, have backup plans for every scenario, and ensure your boat is always in top condition.

Your meticulous nature keeps you prepared for anything, but it can also lead to overplanning or missing out on spontaneous adventures. Sometimes, the pressure to maintain control can overshadow the joy of the journey.

Low Conscientiousness:
Low Conscientiousness sailors approach life at sea with spontaneity and flexibility. You thrive on impromptu decisions, letting the wind dictate your plans. While you might forget minor details (like sunscreen or spare parts), you rarely let that dampen your enthusiasm.

However, the downside to this carefree approach is that a lack of preparation can leave you vulnerable to avoidable challenges, from mechanical breakdowns to supply shortages.

3. Extraversion

‍Extraversion reflects how much you thrive on interaction and energy from the outside world. Sailing can be both a solitary escape and a vibrant social activity, depending on your personality.

Whether you’re energized by community or find peace in solitude, there are strengths and challenges on either side of the spectrum.

High Extraversion:
High extraverts are the life of the marina, always eager to connect with others. You thrive in social settings, organizing potlucks, joining group sails, and sharing stories with fellow sailors. Your boat is often the go-to spot for spontaneous sunset gatherings or lively conversations.

However, your enthusiasm for socializing can sometimes lead to overextending yourself or neglecting personal downtime. Additionally, being overly focused on group activities might distract from critical solo tasks or self-reflection that sailing often demands.

Low Extraversion (Introversion):
Introverts, on the other hand, embrace the solitude that sailing offers. You find joy in quiet moments, whether journaling, reading on deck, or simply soaking in the vastness of the sea. While you may prefer limited interactions, you enjoy deep, meaningful conversations when the opportunity arises.

The downside of low extraversion is the potential for isolation, especially during long-term marina stays or group sails, where connection with others could provide support or new opportunities.

4. Agreeableness‍

Agreeableness reflects how cooperative, empathetic, and harmony-focused you are in your interactions with others.

On the water, this trait influences how sailors connect with their crew and liveaboard community, shaping whether you’re the social organizer or the independent problem-solver.

Both ends of the spectrum have their benefits and challenges.

High Agreeableness:
If you score high in Agreeableness, you’re likely the heart of your marina community. You readily offer help—fixing boats, organizing group activities, or providing emotional support when needed. Your focus on creating harmony and connection makes you a valuable presence on any crew.

However, being overly agreeable can lead to becoming a "yes" person, which can be risky in high-stakes situations. Agreeing to plans or decisions without voicing concerns may jeopardize safety or overlook critical issues. Striking a balance between cooperation and assertiveness is crucial to avoid unintended consequences while staying true to your collaborative nature.

Low Agreeableness:
Low Agreeableness often translates into a more independent and efficiency-driven approach. You prioritize getting things done and offer direct, unfiltered advice, even if it might ruffle feathers. This no-nonsense attitude can help cut through ambiguity and ensure progress, but it might also make you seem detached or unapproachable.

While you may not seek out social interactions, your ability to focus on tasks and operate independently is a valuable strength—especially in situations that require clear-headed decision-making.

5. Neuroticism

Neuroticism measures emotional stability and how well you handle stress, which plays a significant role in a sailor's ability to cope with the unpredictable nature of life on the water. Like all traits, it exists on a spectrum, and both high and low levels come with advantages and challenges.

High Neuroticism :
If you’re high in Neuroticism, you may feel overwhelmed by the uncertainties of sailing—unexpected weather, mechanical failures, or navigating tricky waters can weigh heavily on you. This heightened sensitivity can sometimes lead to stress or second-guessing your decisions.

However, there’s a silver lining: people with higher Neuroticism are often more cautious and detail-oriented. They’re attuned to potential risks, which can help avoid problems others might overlook. Your natural tendency to consider worst-case scenarios can serve as a valuable safety net—when balanced with action and problem-solving.

Low Neuroticism :
Low Neuroticism sailors tend to remain calm and composed, even when seas get rough. They excel in handling high-pressure situations, maintaining a clear head and steady morale when others may panic. This emotional stability makes them reliable in emergencies and a reassuring presence for the crew.

However, there’s a potential downside to being too low on the Neuroticism spectrum: an overly optimistic or dismissive attitude toward risks. This could lead to underestimating real dangers or ignoring early warning signs, putting the boat or crew in jeopardy.

Embrace Self-Awareness &Growth

We all live on a spectrum of the Big Five traits, with each of us exhibiting varying degrees of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. And it’s important to mention these traits aren’t fixed; they fluctuate based on the context we're in.

I consider the Big Five a great tool to help us understand how you approach challenges, handle interactions, and make decisions.

But it’s not about being locked into one set of behaviors. 

I don't think there's such a thing as an ideal Big 5 design in this case. I'd imagine the most successful liveaboard sailors typically develop self-awareness of their personality traits.

This allows them to leverage their strengths, mitigate their weaknesses, and adapt to the always changing demands of life on the water.

For example:

• A low-Conscientiousness sailor like me benefits from non-negotiable routines or systems to stay organized. And it doesn't hurt to have a husband who's higher on that spectrum.
• A high-Neuroticism sailor could practice stress management techniques to maintain composure.

The goal is to increase our capacity for growth and adaptability, especially when navigating the unpredictable lifestyle life aboard.

It’s about learning to stretch beyond your natural tendencies, and being open to advice from people who approach things differently.

In a way, the advice on Reddit has been a microcosm of this. From the hyper-organized sailors with their spreadsheets to the spontaneous, risk-taking adventurers, there’s a wealth of wisdom out there.