By John Johnston
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The folks living on boats full-time in Greater Cincinnati are a varied lot, from a bus company owner to construction worker, from college student to bill collector.

"For the most part, these are middle-class people," says Mark Hemsath, assistant marina manager at Four Seasons Marina, where about 18 boats are inhabited through the winter.

A few "live-aboards" also maintain a residence on land. "But in many instances, (the boat) is their (only) home. They don't have a house," Hemsath says.

That's true also at Watertown Yacht Club in Dayton, Ky., where about a dozen boats are occupied.

"They seem to be a closer-knit group of people," says Lisa Acor, Watertown's office manager. "Typically in suburban neighborhoods, you really don't know your neighbors these days. But in the boating community, they converse with one another and look out for one another."