Different Slants

Here are more answers to questions from late June.

Q. Is it difficult to adjust to far less space?

A.  Do you mean Netherlands?

Oh, the boat!  I miss the counter space in the kitchen.  It is hard to find space to set things down and impossible for two people to work.  Other than that, no, not really.  We spend a lot of time off the boat, wandering around wherever we happen to be.  When there is nothing new left to see, we can easily go somewhere new.

Orca's galley

We still have a cubic meter of “stuff” slowly working its way through customs in Rotterdam.  When we get that, things will become more crowded. Stowage can be an issue if you think you need too many things.  We tossed the waffle iron, the microwave, the TV, and all the kitsch.  We will likely find we still have too much stuff when our shipment arrives.  I am sure we will fill the boat and jettison the rest.  Some people have told me they would like to go cruising but they have too much stuff.  At least they realize who (or what) is in charge of their lives.

too much stuff

I definitly do not miss the yard work.  If I weeded the lawn I would have allergy problems – if I didn’t, I would have weeds.  Boats eventually have weed problems too.  When they come, you have the choice of working on them underwater or, hauling the boat out.  I guess it depends a lot on the local water temperature.

On a boat, you have to use the space you have as efficiently as you can.  Sailboats are not rectangular so there are many odd shaped compartments and cubby-holes.  Some of these will be easy to get to, others, more difficult.  Everything must be stowed based on where it will fit and how often (and under what circumstances) you will need it.

Provioning is another issue.  Every boat must carry food and water for the types of passages being made.  We are cruising the inland waters of Europe so we need to carry only two days of food and water.  There are plenty of grocery stores and supermarkets here.  When we were in the Caribbean, we tried to always have enough on board to last a month.

For me, having a computer is important.  I am not retired and I use a computer to earn a living.  I purchased some special computer equipment so that I would have what I need to work without taking up too much space or using too much power.  Right now, it takes up about half of our dinning area but, when I get my tools, I will intall it in a more space efficient manner.

computer on board

Books are the other thing can could be a problem.  I used to accumulate books.  Books contained information I might need someday.  They were, to me, a form of power.  Now they occupy too much space and weigh too much.  Most of the information I need I can find in PDF files I can read on the computer.  I can store a vast reference library without adding any weight or volume at all.  Its amazing.  Usually, I can acquire these electronic books without even going ashore.  I still prefer physical books and magazines for reading in bed.  But even that may change over the next year or two.