I am getting ready to take off for a nice cruise in my Compac. About 10 days to be exact.
Last year when I took a longer trip I found it irritating to constantly move stuff around in the boat. I was constantly moving my clothes bag and my folding bike. They were moving from the v-berth to the cabin when I would sleep, etc.
There is no avoiding the bike issue. As long as it is with me I have to move it around. The usefulness of it when I am in port, especially going to grocery stores, means that it is a necessary evil to move it around.
The idea of not having to move my clothes around is starting to intrigue me. I thought about getting three or more medium sized dry bags and packing my clothes into them. I would then place them in the storage under the V-berth and other areas. I know that I have open room in those areas and they should fit. Maybe it would help me keep packing size down too (yes, I tend to overpack).
Anyone else have any experience with this or any suggestions?
I found 20 Liter dry bags in Walmart for $6 a piece and a 40 liter bag for $12. I bought 3 of the 20 liter and 1 of the 40 liter. I plan to pack all of my clothes into those and put them into storage. It will organize things, keep them safe, and keep them out of the way.
I find lifting cushions to get to storage areas the biggest pia. I tend to live out of two bags that I tuck somewhere easy to reach. Under cushion storage of for stuff I don't have to get to that often. I pack so that I work my way down the bag and dirty clothes go into a separate plastic bag. (one empties, one fills). I find that I can pack a lot lighter than I originally think. At the end of the trip, it all gets smushed into the carry on and off I go. On a 7 day bareboat I have one waterproof duffle bag and a computer laptop case so that I don't have to check luggage. I use the computer case for passport/papers/certificate, liquids, meds, toiletries, gps, camera, and two days of clothes-(2 boardshorts and 3 tees) I wear a warm top, jeans, and boat shoes on the plane. The duffle holds the sailing gear- board shorts, tees, foulies, hat, sunglasses, gloves, batteries, plastic bags, flipflops, and wetsuit. I tend to buy a few things when I arrive-sunscreen and rum come to mind. It is just easier than getting pulled out during the tsa check. I use the same setup on my 16 when cruising. That way I am hardwired for where my stuff is. I find sleeping on the settee way better than a v berth given I am up several times a night to check on things. You may consider trying the v for storage only. As for the bike maybe off the stern rail instead...??? best of luck.
Not much experience but a few suggestions. Why not have a dry bag of sorts made for the bike so you can store it on deck? I have an older (1982) Dahon that folds up pretty small but no matter where you put it down below, it's in the way. Let's face it: The 23's are a bit confined below so every square inch must be used efficiently.
I'll be watching this thread because I too need to learn from those more experienced than me.
Bob23
I don't keep anything on the shelves above the main cabin settee/cabinets and I found two longish somewhat small diameter duffel bags that fit in that space. My wife gets one, I get the other. When we cruise she and I can take whatever will fit in the bags and that's all. I also have cargo nets on either side of the v berth and we keep towels and bed coverings in those, plus whatever incidentals we might need to get to quickly at night. I don't put anything that needs constant access under any berth or cushion, too much hassle to get it out.
It is the hard part of the downsize. I am use to the space in a Catalina 30 and the Compac 23 is much smaller. Moving things around sucks.
I agree with moving cushions....somewhat. I wonder if I can get the dry bags of clothes under the starboard inside Setti (the seating area). I don't mind going into there but the V-berth can be a pain. I keep an egg crate mattress there, bedding, and also the bike. Getting to the cloths under the V berth may be hard.
I will try some things and update here as the cruise goes a long.
I've owned and cruised aboard several sailboats from 21' to 35' and lived aboard the 35 footer for quite a while.
Storage aboard the smaller boats, especially easily accessible storage was always a problem. On the smaller boats the most practical area for additional storage was in the "V" berth, consisting of either shelves on both hull sides under the hull to deck joint or small net hammocks hung in the same location. There are even large zippered Storage Bags made that can be snapped or quick fastened in place. There is usually otherwise wasted space available for such storage additions. If of reasonable size, and positioned correctly, they provided excellent accessible storage and were not in the way when sleeping. On my large sailboat there was even enough space under the shelves in the "V" berth to store (hang, with strong bungee cord) the 2 mast sections and boom for my sailing dinghy!
Look for other areas aboard your boat that can be multi-purposed without creating other problems.
I designed and built the Starboard Storage Module and Step-Two Drawer Storage Module (under Bridgedeck) shown below to add additional "organized" storage on my Sun Cat.
capt_nemo
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/Com-Pac%20Sun%20Cat%20Mods/IMG_0224.jpg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/Com-Pac%20Sun%20Cat%20Mods/IMG_0224.jpg.html)
i've used clear plastic storage containers similar to ones that fit under beds.
they have small wheels and when placed on the quarter berths, can easily be rolled aft and out of the way.
also, try rolling your clothes instead of folding them.
they'll compact better, and wrinkle less.
CC
A big improvement I made to Koinonia quite a while ago was to replace the lift off panels on either side with sliding opague fiberglass panels which I had left over from a construction project. They ride on some hardwood tracks that I made.
(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt260/Bob23_photo/Koinonia%20interior/slidingdoor1.jpg)
Packing for a flight or a cruise is always a challenge for me: I just bring too much stuff! It's an exercise in planning and storing. When I first got my 23, I was moving up from a Seapearl 21 so to me that new cabin seemed cavernous. I soon learned that I can fill it up with all sorts of needless junk so I had to distinguish between what I'll actually use and what I would normally bring along. It's kind of fun but a challenge considering I'm somewhat a hopeless pack-a-holic.
Bob23
When I first started wilderness canoe camping with my wife, we made a practice of after every trip noting all the stuff that we carried and never used. That really helped us pare down the amount of gear we had to hump over portages on our backs. We also made up a checklist of all the things we would need so that we didn't forget anything, which also helped us visualize the pile of junk that we may or may not need depending on the circumstances of the trip. Checking off that list made us think carefully about what we were taking, and more than once helped us think about something that we would need that wasn't on the list. Also on the list is a place for writing out a menu for the entire trip. This is invaluable. We were always able to buy everything we would need for the trip and it forced us to consider how to pack it best.
In the end we were able to pare down our packs to only two so that we could make one pass on the portages no matter how long the trip was. I think that this technique could work wonders for packing a small sailboat for longer cruises even if it might take some time to let it do its work.
Al
I have an older CP 23, with no shelves, other than two triangular ones in the V-berth. I have tried to figure out what really needs to ALWAYS be aboard, and what I should just bring for a given trip. I'm still working on the always list, but paring it down, since I can leave things in a shore box or my car also. The weirdest part of this is the seasonal stuff. I really need tow work on a spreadsheet and have it by season.
I have some hanging netting I can put things in, and hang from the hooks on the bulkhead. Beyond that, it's using bunks for storage. Bleah. I don't enjoy the lifting of the cushions, but if stuff wasn't on them....
So, dry bags, etc.
Has anyone put drawers in to the sides of the bunks, vs lifting cushions and going in and out from above? I bet I'd like that, but I bet I won't do it. I like that rolling box idea from above to roll them sternward in the quarter berths.
This thread is great; I need to keep working on the whole storage and empty the boat ideas.
This has been a great thread with a lot of information.
The cruise I am taking is a 10 day Chesapeake Bay cruise. I leave a week from today.
Last year's cruise I had a lot of good things that I found. I have really done a lot to fix the small details to make it more livable.
1. Power issue solved. I went to the GC2 batteries and 100 watt solar panel.
2. Small Water tank. I went to a 13 gallon water tank
3. Showering. I didn't have the budget to add the pressurized water and cockpit shower so I am still using a solar shower. This works okay.
4. Dishes: I did okay with this last year but the sink and faucet is a pain. I want to replace the faucet to the pressurized faucet. I haven't done this yet. I wish I had a deeper sink too. I may do that in the future.
5. Clothing bag. This was a pain because I was constantly moving it around. I hope that the dry bags fix this.
6. Cooler. I have a good cooler for the trip. I am a slave to the ice man but that is nothing new. I put a guide in the storage area under the stairway to keep the cooler from moving around. This now gives me more space to put water bottles and drinks as well. It opened up a lot of storage.
7. Bike. This is something unavoidable. I have a Dahon Folding Bike. During the day I push it to the front of the V berth. At night it sits in the main cabin area on a seat. This is something that will have to work because I can't see any other method. On deck storage is not an option.
8. Food Storage. I cleaned more areas out in the side shelves to put food and personal stuff. I keep my body wash, shampoo, tooth brush, tooth paste, razor, and those kinds of things there as well.
9. General storage. I have hammocks on each side of the V berth. I sleep to one side of the V berth so the other side I do put some stuff into. The one on the side I sleep I put things like my Carpal wrist brace and a flashlight there. I am constantly examining things that I have aboard the boat to evaluate the need for it. I have taken a lot of stuff off of the boat that the P/O had on there. This is a constant process and I am sure that I will figure out more adjustments on this trip.
10. Bedding. On the last trip I used a sleeping bag because it is cool. It will be warmer on this trip. I am thinking that I will be using a fitted sheet and a regular sheet this year with a blanket. During the day I will push the bedding up to the very front of the V berth to get it out of the way and make the head and other things accessible. I think that I need to find my old comforter from my old boat for the V-berth as well. Also, in the future, I will customize the sheets for the v berth.
http://www.verywellsalted.com/2014/08/making-v-berth-sheets.html
Here is a tiny sailboat built by OLD TOWN Canoe for a very, very, long trip. Great book to read.
If one Goggles it, you can look~see how packed she was.
Tinkerbelle Revised With New Improved Design
Anyone remember 1965 and the epic voyage of Robert Manry in his TINKERBELLE, a 13-foot centerboard sailboat? The 48-year-old Manry, a newspaperman from Cleveland, Ohio, made a trans-Atlantic, 3,200-mile trip in 78 days. He wrote a book called Tinkerbelle, which is long out of print.
His trip was not intended to set a record, but did come on the heels of such trips as that of William Andrews in his 14'-6" SAPOLIO and John Riding in his 12-ft. SEA EGG. The record for the smallest boat across the Atlantic was the APRIL FOOL, at a hair under 6 ft. This was in 1968 and was sailed by airline pilot Hugo Vihien. But then in 1983, Eric Peters sailed TONIKY NOU, at 5'-10 1/2" across.
And so we will doubtless see even smaller boats try it. But Manry's boat was a "real boat," not some pot designed more as a "container. TINKERBELLE was a modified Whitecap class sloop built by the Old Town Canoe Co. Manry added a cabin to this otherwise open boat.
But to the present - the new TINKERBELLE 2 is an adaptation in some respects, an improvement on the original. The dimensions of the hull are the same, but some minor changes have been made in order to make it a faster boat. In addition, the centers are more properly located and the sail area has been increased. While the original boat was clinker-built, the new version is double-chine plywood in order to make it more suitable for amateur building. She will sleep two below and carry a fair amount of gear and there is an added large locker aft of the cockpit.
TINKERBELLE loaded with supplies/or the Trans-Atlantic trip. Space does not allow for a complete list, but the important ones are: (8) 40 bottles of drinking water; (6, 17, 27) flotation foam planks: (1,3) bags of food, (4,5) bags of clothes, blankets, etc. There are also extra sails, more food, navigation books, instruments, spare parts, a solar still, oars, bilge pump and much more.
Foam flotation blocks may be carried in the stowage areas or glued to the underside of the deck. The mast is easily lowered. TINKERBELLE 2 is designed to be easily trailered and can be built in a one-car garage.
Specifications:
•LOA l3'-6" (4.1m)
•Beam 5~6'' (1.68m)
•Displacement 500 Ibs. (14.15 kg)
•Sail area III sq. ft. (10.3 sq.m)
Plans consist of table of offsets, construction details of stations, centerboard trunk details, profile and sail plan, detailed plan views and mast cross section. Price $20 plus $5.50 shipping and handling in the U.S. (International shipping is $15.) Midwest Engineering & Design, PO box 4706, Overland Park, KS 66204-0706. Web site:
http://www.angelfire.com/ks/diyplans/tinkerbelle2.html
E-mail: howtoplans@yahoo.com
Sidebar: So this guy is in the middle of the ocean in a 13-1/2 foot boat and a periscope pops up a few yards from TINKERBELLE.
I'd die of fright !
skip.
we used the old type solar shower bags that hang and sprinkle water, but after some years of use, i was under it when it gave way and crashed to the cockpit sole.
if not for my spidey senses, cat like reflexes, and ninja moves, 5 gallons (about 42 lbs.) would have landed on my head.
i purchased this device which works great'
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/gear/shower/ (http://www.duckworksbbs.com/gear/shower/)
CC
CrazyCarl...That is exactly what I have on my boat. It works pretty good for a shower. It also uses very little water since it is pressurized.
I wonder if I could strap it between the shrouds on the rail for storage. That would carry a little more weight forward, which is favorable.
Where do you keep yours?
Another idea I had would be to fabricate some kind of shower curtain that hangs from the bimini. That way you wouldn't have to wear a bathing suit while showering. Any thoughts on that one?
Another idea I had would be to fabricate some kind of shower curtain that hangs from the bimini. That way you wouldn't have to wear a bathing suit while showering. Any thoughts on that one?
Yeah, cruise where I do. There is rarely anyone at our anchorages. Skinny dipping and showering Au Natural is the rule of the day.:) Seriously though, when we did our bareboat charter in the Virgin Islands, it was only the Americans who were always clothed. The Europeans seemed to strip down at a moments notice.
On the deeper sink, when I installed pressure water I intended to replace the sink with a deeper, larger model. Problem is it drains out a thru hull fitting above the waterline but as low as it can go. A deeper sink would not drain unless you chose to drain it in the bilge then pump it out which I do not want to do.
When I installed my sliding drawer for the cooler it worked out that here is about three inches on either side of the Yeti and most dry food boxes, bags and jars will fit along there just fine. Really makes it easy to keep all the food in one place and very easily accessible.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af200/brackish_photos/P1000695_zpsqv2m0lm1.jpg)
Nice link on the fitted sheet. I'm in the process right now, just cut it out have to sew the corner French seams and sew in the elastic.
The biggest help in not cluttering up the boat is to not take what you don't need. When my wife and I walked the Camino De Santiago across Northern Spain a couple of years ago, we really learned what is necessary and what is not. In that case carrying everything on your back for 500 miles weight is the issue, but stuff also needs space.
I also have this shower and it's great. I was wondering if a large fender holder would fit around it but because I know they're pricey, I haven't checked it out.
Bob
i attach it to the stern rail.
now here's a trick that ALWAYS works for me.
make plenty of noise while showering. this will attention.
once others see you, they'll give plenty leeway and those once crowded coves will become your secluded paradise!
CC
I hear you Brackish, but it is me who wants the privacy. I don't want to put the poor fellow cruisers through that sight!!!!!!!
I am trying to avoid weight in the stern. I have plenty of weight back there so I am attempting to move some forward. Oh heck...If I get enough weight back there and enough breeze maybe I can make my Compac 23 plane with the spinnaker up! LOL
Interesting point that you make about a deeper sink. Maybe the addition of a folding tap will help since the tap will have a lot more clearance when up.
You can also use a plain garden sprayer - jump in slat water/wash off with" joy", rinse w/sprayer - suit or not
Had been in a sailboat once and read Manry's book and was hooked on small boat sailing, purchased a Luger 16' kit boat and have never looked back........................nies
If one Goggles it, you can look~see how packed she was.
Tinkerbelle Revised With New Improved Design
Anyone remember 1965 and the epic voyage of Robert Manry in his TINKERBELLE, a 13-foot centerboard sailboat? The 48-year-old Manry, a newspaperman from Cleveland, Ohio, made a trans-Atlantic, 3,200-mile trip in 78 days. He wrote a book called Tinkerbelle, which is long out of print.
His trip was not intended to set a record, but did come on the heels of such trips as that of William Andrews in his 14'-6" SAPOLIO and John Riding in his 12-ft. SEA EGG. The record for the smallest boat across the Atlantic was the APRIL FOOL, at a hair under 6 ft. This was in 1968 and was sailed by airline pilot Hugo Vihien. But then in 1983, Eric Peters sailed TONIKY NOU, at 5'-10 1/2" across.
And so we will doubtless see even smaller boats try it. But Manry's boat was a "real boat," not some pot designed more as a "container. TINKERBELLE was a modified Whitecap class sloop built by the Old Town Canoe Co. Manry added a cabin to this otherwise open boat.
But to the present - the new TINKERBELLE 2 is an adaptation in some respects, an improvement on the original. The dimensions of the hull are the same, but some minor changes have been made in order to make it a faster boat. In addition, the centers are more properly located and the sail area has been increased. While the original boat was clinker-built, the new version is double-chine plywood in order to make it more suitable for amateur building. She will sleep two below and carry a fair amount of gear and there is an added large locker aft of the cockpit.
TINKERBELLE loaded with supplies/or the Trans-Atlantic trip. Space does not allow for a complete list, but the important ones are: (8) 40 bottles of drinking water; (6, 17, 27) flotation foam planks: (1,3) bags of food, (4,5) bags of clothes, blankets, etc. There are also extra sails, more food, navigation books, instruments, spare parts, a solar still, oars, bilge pump and much more.
Foam flotation blocks may be carried in the stowage areas or glued to the underside of the deck. The mast is easily lowered. TINKERBELLE 2 is designed to be easily trailered and can be built in a one-car garage.
Specifications:
•LOA l3'-6" (4.1m)
•Beam 5~6'' (1.68m)
•Displacement 500 Ibs. (14.15 kg)
•Sail area III sq. ft. (10.3 sq.m)
Plans consist of table of offsets, construction details of stations, centerboard trunk details, profile and sail plan, detailed plan views and mast cross section. Price $20 plus $5.50 shipping and handling in the U.S. (International shipping is $15.) Midwest Engineering & Design, PO box 4706, Overland Park, KS 66204-0706. Web site:
http://www.angelfire.com/ks/diyplans/tinkerbelle2.html
E-mail: howtoplans@yahoo.com
Sidebar: So this guy is in the middle of the ocean in a 13-1/2 foot boat and a periscope pops up a few yards from TINKERBELLE.
I'd die of fright !
skip.[/color]
[/quote]
I try to be in the water as much as possible in terms of hygiene plus I just like to swim. I use a combined shampoo and conditioner which tends to greatly lessen the issue of salt. Others add a bit of fabric softener to the salt water and they say it is no different than a fresh water rinse plus a nice smell! Also anytime there is decent rain, out comes the shampoo and loofah.
Interesting point that you make about a deeper sink. Maybe the addition of a folding tap will help since the tap will have a lot more clearance when up.
I have a folding tap and it would let you raise the sink to achieve a deeper sink and still get it to drain, but it would make it difficult to use sitting down and as you know, these boats don't have standing headroom. What would work I can't find. A deep, flat bottom, rectangular or square sink that has a horizontal side outlet similar to what ice coolers have. that would let you use the space that the tailpiece and hose attachment take up in the vertical dimension. That's about three inches. You would have to sponge it out to get the last drop, but that would be OK. Can't find one, thinking about having one made, or modifying a standard sink.
You could always use the cockpit shower to clean the bigger stuff. Rinse to the side of the boat, scrub, and rinse again.
If you just had a flat bottom wider and slightly longer sink it could help. The bowl shaped sink makes it a pain because you loose a lot of space.
brackish, & others looking for deeper sinks,
Go to your nearest restaurant supply source and look at the thin Stainless Steel steam table inserts of various size.
You can cut a drain in the sidewall to satisfy your plumbing needs and gain space below.
I made a sink from a deep rectangular SS steam table insert with nice bottom drain for my Sun Cat but have never installed it. Chose to use the simple method shpwn in the photo below. I'm quite satisfied with my "no plumbing" keep it simple solution.
capt_nemo
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/Com%20-%20Pac%20Sun%20Cat%20Storage/IMG_0272.jpg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/Com%20-%20Pac%20Sun%20Cat%20Storage/IMG_0272.jpg.html)
Quote from: HeaveToo on May 16, 2015, 02:29:53 PM
You could always use the cockpit shower to clean the bigger stuff. Rinse to the side of the boat, scrub, and rinse again.
If you just had a flat bottom wider and slightly longer sink it could help. The bowl shaped sink makes it a pain because you loose a lot of space.
True enough.
What I do now is just use the sink for a final clean. After scraping pots, pans, dishes go in a mesh bag, vigorous juking of said bag over the side to remove all the organic matter, then final clean in the sink.
Brackish, that is a really good idea of an original scrub over the side. Then again, where I sail some of the anchorages have those lovely jelly fish. Those get their tentacles on the mesh bag and it would be a pain in the ass.
This also brings up the subject of trash....what do you do with trash storage? I hate putting trash in lockers, etc. I will wash out anything that could stink and I am careful with the trash...still, I hate putting it in a locker. I hate having a bag in the cockpit.
This also brings up the subject of trash....what do you do with trash storage?
One of my next projects. I bought a Gamma Seal lid which will fit a standard 3.5 to 5 gallon bucket. It is air and liquid tight. I hope it will fit in a cockpit locker, if so, I'll build out a flat surface and put it there, if not I'll lash it someplace out of the way. I hang plastic grocery bags, one in the cabin, one in the cockpit and when full, they will go in the gamma seal bucket. Additionally it will be the place for used Wag Bag storage.
Go to your nearest restaurant supply source and look at the thin Stainless Steel steam table inserts of various size.
Great idea Capt_Nemo, those are inexpensive and look like they can be easily modified with a side drain.
Trash has always been an issue. The good part is that I stop for ice at least every other day. I usually off load trash then, fill up water tanks, and pump out the head (or dump the porta potty).
I was thinking for particularly bad things keeping a bottle of bleach and water and spraying it down, rinse off, and then trash. That would be like things that held meat.
It does help to pre-plan and pre-pack foot. I always take the meat out of the original container. I store them in ziplock bags and if I marinade it I will put the marinade with it in the sealed bag. I then freeze it, if it will be eaten after the first day. This has worked well for me but containers that have had raw fish or chicken tend to be the biggest issue. If I shot them with a little bleach and let them dry before trashing them it probably help.
The sealed bucket is a good idea, especially with the wag bags. I still can't imagine using them. I still think I want a MSD Porta Potty eventually. Hook it up to a macerator and also have deck pumpout and I would be a happy camper.
Hook it up to a macerator and also have deck pumpout and I would be a happy camper.
LOL, you would be until you got back from your cruise after Marina open hours with a full holding tank, have to drive 40 miles home then drive back the next day and pay the marina to do the pump out during office hours.
Don't knock what you haven't tried. Believe me I've had deck pump out holding tanks, portable potties with removable holding tanks, and Wag Bags. The Wag Bags win by such a margin that I don't even bother to compare any more. And you said you dump your trash every day when you get ice or provisions. Perfect for Wag Bags.
Oh and it is such a pleasure when you have to rebuild those permanent toilets when the seals start to bypass and they don't work quite right. I've done that a couple of times and you will have to do it.
Been there and done that with marine holding tank systems. Where I cruise it is very easy to get a pump out. I have done the permanent head and the porta potty and found either one to be an okay option. They hybrid, an MSD porta potty, seems like a nice compromise for the space.
Cruising a sailboat is all about what works for you. What works for you may not work for me and vice versa. Regions have different facilities also. Everywhere I cruise there is a marina and 95% have pump out stations. Of those, 90% of the pumpout stations are free, especially if you are getting fuel, etc.
My current marina has a pumpout that is available 24/7 during the season. You have to turn it on and use it, but it is there when you need it.
When your wife wants nothing but a true marine head, you get a true marine head!
"When your wife wants nothing but a true marine head, you get a true marine head!"
Never have truer words been spoken!
Or a different wife. Better stick with the true marine head. Cheaper than a new wife! My wife, on the other hand wouldn't care if I used a Herreshoff cedar bucket- she just doesn't sail!
"6. Cooler. I have a good cooler for the trip. I am a slave to the ice man but that is nothing new. I put a guide in the storage area under the stairway to keep the cooler from moving around. This now gives me more space to put water bottles and drinks as well. It opened up a lot of storage."
With your 100w solar panel you could go with a Dometic portable fridge and get rid of the ice man.
Shawn
"If you just had a flat bottom wider and slightly longer sink it could help. The bowl shaped sink makes it a pain because you loose a lot of space."
That makes a huge difference in usability.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3166/5822362075_10a20fe98e_z.jpg)
That sink still drained out the thruhull OK. With the pressurized water I tended to flush the tank using the sink and it drained at least as fast as the pump could fill it.
Shawn
My concern with the domestic fridge is power consumption. If I ever did that I would want to add a second solar panel.
Getting ice is just part of the chores. It really isn't that bad and I have to get gas every so often. I also have to dump the porta potty from time to time so that helps as well. I also use ice in some drinks.
I like that set-up with the stove and sink on the same side. What stove do you have there?
Oh well, it is sailing season and not modification season. I do most of my work and blow my maintenance budget when the boat is out of the water. When I am in the water it is time to sail!
I am leaving in a few days for a 12 day trip. We will see where the wind takes me!
Everywhere I cruise there is a marina and 95% have pump out stations.
You are fortunate with that. In my case, Bay Springs Marina has a monopoly being the only marina on the lake or in the region. To get to one to the north, it is a 10 hour, very boring, motor up divide cut to Pickwick Lake. To get to one to the South requires a lock through at Jamie Whitten Lock and then a 5 hour motor to Fulton.
On the other hand, because the lake is largely undeveloped, for nine months after Labor Day and before Memorial Day, during the week I pretty much have the entire lake to myself. You have to take the good with the bad. And since the Wag Bags are soooooooo much easier there is no sacrifice for me using them instead of an installed head or a Porta-Potty.
I think pump out is free for boats in the covered slips at the Marina and for major fuel buying transients. But the covered slip boats pay a much higher monthly fee and have metered power they pay for separately. And filling up my three gallon gas tank does not impress the Marina owner. It is often considered a hassle if he has to pull off a tech he is billing out at $50/hour to go unlock the pump and fill my tank.:) He prefers that I buy my gas on the way at the ethanol free station a mile from my house.
When your cruise is over I hope you write up a synopsis. I've never done a cruise that long on my 23, generally 3-4 days max.
I will work on a synopsis. I will try to make a few updates along the way.
The advantage of being in a well traveled area is that there are more pumpouts. The Chesapeake is part of the ICW and I think that there are regulations in place about pump-outs.
Lake sailing has to be hard. The lakes in my area of subject to a lot of powerboat waves and light and flukey winds. There is also something about the fact that the Chesapeake Bay flows into the ocean. For some reason knowing that I could literately access the world from my home port always seemed pretty cool.
Lake sailing has to be hard.
All of my early sailing career was on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida Panhandle. It was so much easier down there sailing with steady predictable winds. Much of this lake sailing is dealing with winds that change in velocity and direction every time you pass a finger. My sailing season is almost over, I don't even try to sail in the summer when the winds are light to nonexistent and the lake is chopped up with power boats and jet skis. Trying to get back to the gulf permanently.
I know the Chesapeake. I lived in Bainbridge, Eastport and Severna Park MD, at various times.
I think the Dometic fridge is about 20 amps per day with higher consumption on initial cool down. A 100w panel should support that with amps to spare. I will be testing that this summer. I have a 100w panel and a dometic cf25. If needed I could add another 100w panel but would likely need to expand my house bank first to prevent to quickly recharging the battery.
Shawn
If you are messing with your house bank I highly recommend going to 2 GC2 batteries in 6V. They are supposed to be the best bang for the buck because they last longer. They have heavier plates, etc. I researched this a lot before buying mine.
"I like that set-up with the stove and sink on the same side. What stove do you have there?"
That is an Origo 2000 non-pressurized alcohol stove. Putting both the sink and stove on the same side was a very handy modification. It made it easier to use both (you sit on the other side). If you leave the port side empty it also gave a bunch more storage in the port settee. I kept extra sails down there very easily and it also opened up more height for the feet/legs of someone sleeping in that settee. My feet would hit the enclosure of the factory setup on the port side.
Another option for the port side would be to build a slide out table. That would be a lot more convenient than the factory setup.
I'll look into the GC2 batteries. I kinda don't think they would fit in my factory location though as I think they are taller than the space I have available. Right now I just have 2 group 24 batteries. One as house, one as reserve.
Shawn
The GC 2 batteries take a slight modification. I bought two plastic battery boxes, cheap, and then added a bigger platform. I made one out of plywood and 2x4. The platform screws to the factory platform.
They are taller. They fit well though.
I don't have a Compac anymore, I'm sailing a Sabre 28. The batterys are under the quarterberth and are fairly restricted in height.
Shawn
ah....that is right. You may have to move the battery location if you want to upgrade your house bank. You could always move to Group 27 batteries and wire them in parallel.
Are there guidelines for how much water per person per day to pack for a multi-day cruise? I'm liking the Coast Guard app which lists both required and recommended equipment, although it can be very general, e.g. in the recommended equipment it lists "Food and Water" without any details. It did help me list items I likely would have overlooked, like binoculars.
Quote from: tmw on March 29, 2016, 01:53:30 PM
Are there guidelines for how much water per person per day to pack for a multi-day cruise? I'm liking the Coast Guard app which lists both required and recommended equipment, although it can be very general, e.g. in the recommended equipment it lists "Food and Water" without any details. It did help me list items I likely would have overlooked, like binoculars.
Rule-of-thumb I've seen is 1 gallon per person per day for consumption and cooking. Personally I think my consumption runs closer to 0.5 gallons/day or less with a couple cans of pop/beer thrown in. If you have the room and can handle the weight, 1 gallon/day per person is a generally safe bet. Also, I generally cruise during cooler months, so not sweating much.
I cruise in an area where I can get water. Usually every few days I need fuel so I get water then too.
I carry bottled water, lots of it. My water tank is for cleaning dishes and cleaning me. I also carry a few gallons in jugs for cooking so that it doesn't have that lovely water tank taste, smell, or funk.
That rule of thumb wouldn't work for me in the NJ summer heat. I easily drink 4 to 5 quarts of water daily by myself. Not to mention cooking and cleaning.
Bob23... the hydrated.
Isn't that a constellation?
Which one is Bob23?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4b/440px-HydraOrganization_Head.jpg)
With a little more research, I found Bob, Agent of Hydra (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob,_Agent_of_Hydra):
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e9/BobAgentofHydra.jpg)