Sailboat Interiors

When we bought S/V Galapagos, a 1975 Ted Brewer Olympic Adventure 47, she had good 'bones'. As soon as we saw her, we knew she was our boat but inside our heads was the vision of the boat she COULD be, not necessarily the boat she was. We saw her all bright and shiny, with crisp white sails, fresh and flexible lines, and comfy berths and settees. We viewed our new girl through the glasses of new love. It wasn't until the newness began to wear off that we saw what we really had: a 1975 boat that had aged gracefully in some areas, but that needed a lot of attention if she was going to be the comfortable home we wanted.

The settees were worn out; the upholstery ripped and shredded in some places.  The berths had that kind of foam that required a waterproof cover before you slept on it. The walls in the aft head were covered with some kind textured wallpaper that wafted a suspicious smelling perfum de mildew as I passed by.

Our boat kitty money was being spent on a new engine, prop, shaft, etc. etc. There would be precious little left to use on the interior right away. Fortunately, I have never let a lack of money stop me from pursuing the goal of making a place, whether boat or land home, attractive, comfortable, and functional. I picked up a lot of good tips from other bloggers.

If you are looking for good ideas for your boat interior, you've come to the right place. There are so many good links below that you may want to just go ahead and bookmark this entire page. Who knew there was so much talent out there?  Get yourself a hot beverage while you relax and browse the blogs of fellow cruisers, dreaming of a boat that looks a lot like home.

Sailing Life Hacks

Cruisers are hardy folks. We have to be, because we live in a space the size of a small garden shed, and it galumphs around like a mechanical bull. Let's just say, it's an environment that's not big on creature comforts. But we cruisers are also creative and crafty sorts, expert life hackers, who like to share our ideas.

This Monkey's Fist topic started when I blogged, as part of my Tammy's Top Ten Things series, about things that make my life onboard easier, things like a good, old-fashioned ice pack, creative use of hair bands and static cling window film. I posted my Top Ten on the Women Who Sail Facebook page, and others decided to play along. We've ended up with a brilliant sailing hacks starter kit for new cruisers and some fresh ideas that even the saltiest among us can adopt.

The New Normal

When you're a landlubber, living on land is "normal." But if you live on a boat, the old "normal" goes out the window porthole.  For example, boaters often note the drastic lifestyle changes required by space limitations.  Also, we know that we are much more energy/resource aware, living on a boat.  But on the other hand, there are definite benefits to the liveaboard lifestyle.  The bottom line: if you live aboard, you adjust to a "new normal," for better and for worse.

Sole-less shoes: one of the benefits of cruiser "normal," according to Holli (s/v Shiloh)

In this collection of links, bloggers explore the differences between shore-based normal and ship-based normal.

Warning! Cruising May Have Side Effects!

Whether you are a new Live-Aboard or a seasoned Cruiser with many miles beneath your keel, you've probably experienced changes or "Side Effects" brought on by the Lifestyle.  The obvious ones are changes in health, both physical and mental, reduced stress, previously undiscovered hobbies and interests, etc.  In the links we have collected here, bloggers have written about both the common and the unexpected side effects of cruising.

Living on the Hard - a Few Good, a Lot of Bad, and Mostly Ugly Tales

Kelley (topic coordinator) from SV Chance proves that yard work is a dirty job.

Ever since I was a little girl I have hated “yard work.” While the yard work of today may not involve pulling weeds, it is just as terrible. It's hot, you get dirty and everything takes at least 5x as long to complete as you think it will. Add to it that boats are designed to function properly on the water. When you take them out, systems cannot be used to their full extent and life gets a little more difficult. These bloggers recount their tales of what life has been like when their homes are on the hard.

Fitness Aboard

 Let's face it. Our cruising lifestyle is intense. We must be mentally prepared but we must maintain physical strength as well! We spend long days in the elements, we raise sails, lift over sized laundry bags, climb out of our tenders and lug provisions to and fro. BUT we are also blessed with some amazing locations to burn some calories!! We could go for a swim, a hike or a paddle even! Check out what the amazing variety of cruisers do to stay in "Ship Shape!!"

More Moving Aboard Transitions

Photo from The Life Nomadik 

Wow!  We got so many great responses to our first call for blog posts on moving aboard, that we decided to make a second post!  Here are more stories written by folks who are in that confusing, high-energy period as they became new liveaboards.

Living Aboard in Winter

Photo by Helen McAdory

Sure, the most comfortable way to live on your boat in wintertime is to sail it to the tropics in autumn, but not everyone has that luxury.  If instead you stay aboard as the snow flies and the water beneath your hull turns hard, tell us how you make it work!