Anchoring Out - Fulltime

[hummingway]

I'm moving my studio to Gabriola Island and therefore also my boat. I live aboard and currently have a slip in N. Saanich. I've talked to a marina at Silva Bay but a I'm thinking I'll anchor fulltime. I tend to feel hemmed in at dock and think I would prefer to move around a bit. There are a few likely anchorages around Gabriola. I figure I can use my tender and bicycle to the studio when I want to be there. I have my on board electrical mostly worked and heat for the winter.

I'm still working on the water question. I've been looking at watermakers but was wondering if there are public places where a boat can pull up and fill with water?

Here at the marina many boaters seem to feel it's risky anchoring through the winter storms. How are the people doing it finding the experience?

[MarkJ]

Can't you go into the marina every so often and pay an hourly rate to pick up water?
Often fuel docks (where we have been) give/sell water, often its fine at the end of the day to pick up water etc. And some let us stay overnight till they opened next day.

And winter storms... just a few more meters of chain

[hummingway]

I wasn't sure about the fuel docks. I haven't done it yet but I could probably get the answer with a phone call.

I've got lots of chain and I think I know how to use it ... I've only anchored through one storm so far the rest have come when I've been tied up. It's been a stormy winter and spring.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by hummingway

I wasn't sure about the fuel docks. I haven't done it yet but I could probably get the answer with a phone call.

.

The phone call can start: "I usually fuel at your dock..... " LOL

Even if you don't

[stevensc]

Tip the fuel dock attendant nicely, he'll be glad to see you back.
Steve

[eyschulman]

I live in the northwest and am certain during 6- 8 months of the year you can collect enough rain water with good old fashioned water canvas traps on your boat-if you then use chlorine and a seagull water filter you solve the problem for most of the year- durring the dry months sun generated electricy and small water maker.

[hummingway]

You know, it didn't occur to me to collect rain water but looking outside at the moment it makes a lot of sense. How much chlorine do you use? Do you put it in the tank or treat the water first?

[tager]

The most elegant solution I have heard was to plug the scuppers and open the deck fills. You could save a lot of hauling water that way! Even a 1 gallon HDPE bottle under each scupper may prove worthwhile.

[hummingway]

One mans elegant is another mans gross ... I have a pronounced tendancy toward cleaning fish and crabs on my deck. It isn't the most sanitary of places, me thinks.

[tager]

It is possible to live at anchor, I know a few people that do it. Sponge baths. Rowing trash to shore. Finding a place to poop. Charging phones and laptops and things. Needing a cup of sugar. These are things to consider when planning to anchor out.

Its entirely possible, and free. I will probably do it for a while at some point.

You will start doing things that other people think are ridiculous. Like grocery shopping with an insulated waterproof bag, and tearing all of the packaging off of your goods before putting them in the bag, leaving a can full of trash at the grocery, and bicycling off to the beach.

Washing clothes in a bucket and hanging them on your rigging.

Realizing that you can't leave your anchor because if the boat heeled everything would fall off of the counter.

Its weird. I suggest you do it. The housing complex is just great for bankers, but its a system of oppression for just about everyone else.

[Brent Swain]

Ben living that way for most of the last 30 years . You'll have no problems. A tarp can catch all the water you need in winter.

[eyschulman]

I put chlorine in water tank and the amt. depends on sorce of water and size of tank-if you use a seagull filter for drinking and potable water it takes chlorine and almost everything else out. I would think your head situation will be more of an issue than water.

[tager]

I would be inclined to try kitty litter and a bucket. Works for cats!

[hummingway]

I'm already using a composter. It doesn't need to be emptied often. I will still have a place on shore where I'll work so will have some shore services although the studio isn't very close to the water.

[cntrycuz]

dude! put your beer down