The Cruising Life
The Cruising Life
So, what's it like living aboard a sailboat and cruising full-time away from home?
It's gotta be fair weather sailing, idylic anchorages, swimming in warm waters, dinners aboard other boats, exploring ashore, friends, and margaritas at sunset. Somewhat a carefree and nomadic lifestye. Kinda like a fulltime vacation. Right???
As Paul Harvey would say.... "Here's the rest of the story...."
Sailing isn't always in smooth waters on ideal sunny afternoons. Often passages are longer than 24-hours.... non-stop, with the two of us standing 3-hour watches all day... and all night. Sleep is in a sea-berth and always close and available to help. Sorry, don't have pics (yet) of the times when water is coming over the bow or sides.... we are usually a bit 'busy' in those conditions and haven't yet taken time for pictures.
The boat needs constant maintenance and repair. Think about it. We're essentially our own self-contained world. We make our own electricity and water. We have an engine and sails to maintain. Plus the winches and lines. And all the plumbing and other systems. We're our own mechanic, electrician, plumber, seamstress, painter, fiberglasser, winch rebuilder, etc. The work is from the top of the mast to the bottom of the keel. And being a girl doesn't get you out of having to go up the mast or get greasy and do engine work.
'Normal' Life Aboard
Life on the boat involves the usual tasks of living ashore. Examples include paying bills, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. Not too romantic, huh??
The computer is important to us. We use it to pay bills, manage finances, as well as for communication. Here, Cindy talks to family via Skype
When at anchor, the dinghy is our 'car'. It gets loaded down with groceries, fuel, and other supplies.
We still manage to have our Sunday brunches and 'fancier' dinners. Underway, meals sometimes are served in bowls when in rough weather. Our food inventory has changed to include lots of local foods.
Grocery shopping usually involves a lot of walking, and sometimes... buses. The cities here in Mexico have 'supermercados' (large supermarkets that also usually sell clothing and other 'stuff'. Smaller towns have 'tiendas' which are kinda like a dark 7-11, with fresh fruits and veggies in boxes. Meat often comes from the meat market. Veggies are often purchased in street markets or from the back of a pick-up truck. Our backpacks definitely get a workout on shopping days
Friends often ask about medical care. First, we're fortunate to be lacking in 'pre-existing conditions' so we don't have ongoing treatments. When we left the US, we got our physical exams and shots... and loaded up on emergency prescription medications. Most cruising boats carry a stock of antibiotics and pain medications for emergencies that arise while underway or at anchor. Getting medical advice is easy (via radio), getting the meds can be more difficult. In Mexico, there are clinics all over. Many of our prescription medications are 'OTC' here. We just recently went to this clinic, which has an English speaking doctor, to obtain new prescriptions for medications that had expired.
There are times when we just want to go below, relax, and enjoy a movie or read a book.
Underway.....
This page is still under construction....
SV Victoria Rose
SV Victoria Rose
Tayana 37 # 384
