Moving Aboard: Transitions

People move onto boats for a surprising variety of reasons: to live close to nature, to go cruising and see the world, to save money, and more.  The practical aspects of the transition were, in many cases, easier to manage than the emotional.  (Contributions are listed in alphabetical order by blog name.)

Image from here.

Cats on Board

Charlie on s/v Ceilydh

For nearly as long as sailors have been going to sea, their cats have been going with them. Whether as miracle workers, mousers, or mates, nary a crew member has been more valued than the ship's cat. Certainly, why we live aboard has changed throughout the course of history, but who we bring along to keep us company appears to be timeless. (Friends of Fido: Standby, dogs on board is an upcoming topic!)

Divisions of Labor: Who Does What on Board?

The ladies, they fix the head while men are baking bread

and women deal with feds but guys are making beds

and everyone sews...

(with sincerest apologies to Cole Porter's, Anything Goes) 

Oh, these modren times we live in! On a boat, traditional gender roles get tossed right out the porthole...or do they?

Did We Leave That Behind?

On s/v More Joy Everywhere, CATS are the big space-wasters

"Wow, this boat is so much bigger than our house!" said no cruiser, ever. If there's one thing cruisers have in common, it's that we gave up a lot to do this: not just our relationships and our careers, but our stuff. Every thing that was culled fell victim to a sometimes painful decision-making process. In this post, our bloggers discuss how they decided what "made the cut." (Thanks to Steph of s/v Norna Biron for the title of this post.)

Is There Jif in Vanuatu?

From S/V Bella Vita: If ya gotta have Grey Poupon, better bring it with.

"Old Mother Hubbard went to her cupboard...And when she got there, the cupboard was bare..." Or maybe not.  When it comes to provisioning, our bloggers explain that there are a lot more options than the weevil-y hardtack and grog that sailors survived on in the olden days.

What Are You Afraid Of?

Tammy (plodding in paradise) describes fear as a many-headed beast

Mariners have always known it: life at sea has its dangers. Things can happen out here. We take every precaution to make sure they don't, but still.... In this collection of posts, our bloggers write candidly about their fears, great and small, and a few that might surprise you.

How Do You Do Laundry on a Boat? Clothes for Cruisers

s/v Ceilydh has a wringer on board, and laundry is an all-hands-on-deck job

No, we don't beat them against a rock. It's nearly impossible to secure a rock on a moving vessel. So how do cruisers do laundry on a boat? And what about those now dreaded events? You know, like going out in public. In this combined topic, cruisers discuss how they wash and what they wear.

Are We Sailors or Travelers?

This way?  or That way?  (Jaye, Life Afloat Archives)

"Sailors or travelers?"  Sailing is more about the journey - do you enjoy your time at sea?  Traveling is more about the destination - is it the ports that you look forward to?  Are the passages your passion, or are they just a way to get from point A to point B?  Cruisers mostly agree that they enjoy both the sailing and the traveling; but the question is: which way do you lean?  Are you a seafarer who travels, or a traveler who sails to get there?

What Do Cruisers DO All Day?

"what cruisers do" on s/v Totem

Contrary to popular belief, living aboard doesn't have to be all work and no play. Here are some of the ways cruisers spend their spare time. Spoiler Alert: reading is a biggie.  (Thanks to Behan, s/v Totem, for title of this post.)