5 things You'll Learn About Yourself living on A Boat

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by SailingJeeper

I like it .... I like the idea of "roughing it".
I've gone months without a shower before, and you just get used to it ..... only a few will know how precious a new shipment of baby wipes can be in the desert after no one has showered in a month or two.

Amen I carry a case on my lil boat as well. One wipe takes the place of lots of bumwad. Makes me feel better and cleaner to. But showers only in the rain in arm weather. Otherwise a quick swim to check the waterline for growth does the job for me.

[zboss]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Amen I carry a case on my lil boat as well. One wipe takes the place of lots of bumwad. Makes me feel better and cleaner to. But showers only in the rain in arm weather. Otherwise a quick swim to check the waterline for growth does the job for me.

Us too! Costco baby!

I think this was a fun tongue-in-cheek look at the cruising life. We don't poo ovr the side but I have seen cruisers that do!

[thomm225]

I think it just goes to show you how many different types of "cruisers" are out there.

Some view it as a permanent vacation and are touring the world. They stop at every marina etc

Others enjoy making their boat totally beautiful and "cruising" the local waters.

Then there are others that want the best money can buy.

Then there's the group that is sort of the "Into The Wild" type on older style boat that can afford better but refuse go that route. Plus we may like history and appreciate the way they did it back in the day.

Those of us that are still working enjoy disconnecting and feeling free for a few days. Even skipping a shower and not eating all organic from Whole Foods for a while........

I saw a couple one time I stayed at a marina on my boat sitting in the cockpit on their laptops. I'm guessing they were waiting for dinner at the nearby restaurant. They looked very bored as if they were at home. I knew then I was in the wrong place. I didn't get this old "go anywhere " monohull to sit at a marina and wait for dinner.


http://www.christophermccandless.inf...wildmovie.html

[Ballenxj]

A humorous read.

[Badsanta]

Great read. To bad some felt it was a call for advice when none was needed or asked for.

Sent from my SM-G860P using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Hudson Force]

Well, it is funny, but totally unrealistic. Maybe these things can happen to those that have not adapted to cruising or those that are unsuccessful with life aboard a boat. Successful cruisers have no problems with personal hygiene or managing their time and activities aboard.

[frozenhawaiian]

I liked this a lot. not because any of it was a revelation but the tone was that of someone just discovering the joys and the subtle nuances of life aboard a boat. it takes me back to when I was young a taken under the wing of experienced sailors who were willing to share the joys of cruising with me. and it reminds me of the great joy I get when I take a someone new to sailing a living on boats and show them what this life is all about. which to me is a big deal because I am most often a singlehander, my solitude on the water nd with my boat is of great importance for me so a person has to be very special to me for me to be willing to share this part of my life with them.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by frozenhawaiian

I liked this a lot. not because any of it was a revelation but the tone was that of someone just discovering the joys and the subtle nuances of life aboard a boat. it takes me back to when I was young a taken under the wing of experienced sailors who were willing to share the joys of cruising with me. and it reminds me of the great joy I get when I take a someone new to sailing a living on boats and show them what this life is all about. which to me is a big deal because I am most often a singlehander, my solitude on the water nd with my boat is of great importance for me so a person has to be very special to me for me to be willing to share this part of my life with them.

When I was younger, I once took a bunch of friends out sailing on my crappy Cal25 (which I bought, sight unseen on the internet, which had just been invented). A few years later, I ran into one of those guys, and he had bought his own crappy boat. He told me that one sailing experience with me was all it took...he was hooked, and thats why he bought a boat.

[charliehows]

Originally Posted by hamburking

When I was younger, I once took a bunch of friends out sailing on my crappy Cal25 (which I bought, sight unseen on the internet, which had just been invented). A few years later, I ran into one of those guys, and he had bought his own crappy boat. He told me that one sailing experience with me was all it took...he was hooked, and thats why he bought a boat.

hee hee, its true, thats all it takes...I never stood a chance cos my dad was already an addict. He was a WW2 vet., that generation weren't scared of the ocean after what they'd seen. He thought it was a bit of fun to pile into a 32 footer with some mates and sail from NZ up to Fiji for a bit of a race.

[alansmith]

Ever been to a rest home for the elderly? It is a smell that will be etched forever into your senses. But I agree with u that we need less showers as we age.

One of my sailing buddies told me about a big Taiwan boat they took down to Mexico from San Francisco. The captain brought his new romance with him and told her about boat life and water usage. After three warnings of emptying the tanks just for her shower ... He bought a ticket home for her. Smile

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by alansmith

After three warnings of emptying the tanks just for her shower ... He bought a ticket home for her. Smile

After draining the fresh water tanks, they poured all the bottled water into the tanks for more showers. They saw no need for bottled water, since they only drank beer, wine or hard liquor. When I suggested they simply pour the water from the bottles over their heads, they thought I was crazy.

I snatched the water bottles from the ditch bag, and kept them hidden in my bunk, since I don't "drink".

[frozenhawaiian]

Originally Posted by hamburking

When I was younger, I once took a bunch of friends out sailing on my crappy Cal25 (which I bought, sight unseen on the internet, which had just been invented). A few years later, I ran into one of those guys, and he had bought his own crappy boat. He told me that one sailing experience with me was all it took...he was hooked, and thats why he bought a boat.

and thats just it, getting other people hooked on it is so much fun. you'll never find me with that many people on my boat for anything more than a daysail or possibly an overnight.

[Jim Cate]

On many boats there is a very effective way to limit shower length: the breaker for the pressure pump is usually not in the shower area, but on the main switch panel... so, after whatever the skipper reckons to be "enough" time and water, the switch is thrown to OFF and the shower is over.

After a few repetitions, most bathers can learn!

Jim

[George DuBose]

Skylark doesn't have an accumulation tank, so the fresh waterpump "grunts" as it cycles on and off. At first, it annoyed me, but then I considered it as an alarm.

I carefully explain to anyone wishing to shower in the head, the principles of a Navy shower. I tell 'em, they get 10 grunts to get wet and 15 grunts to rinse.

Any abusers have to schlepp the freshwater hose and fill the water tanks at the end of the weekend.

[NV OldNavy]

My father told me the same thing- that you stink less when you get older. I think he didn't realize that he was losing his ability to smell. He reeked!!