Life on a Boat
Many times we are asked what are you doing all day when you are on the boat, so we thought we would explain. There are travel days and then there are non-travel days.
On the travel days typically we start early to catch as much daylight as possible and since the days are getting shorter we want to take advantage of the light. So we usually start our travel around 6:30 am. Before that we have to check the main cabin to be sure that anything that could roll or tip in waves (usually created on the rivers by other boats) and we have to assemble all of the charts and take them up to the bridge of the boat to assist us in navigation. If we are at anchor then we run the generator for a half hour or more to charge up all of the electrical systems. The boat has an inverter that is used when the generator is not running and during the day we have solar panels so we capture the sun to produce the electricity needed. This runs the two small refrigerators and computers, etc. After we pull the anchor then we begin our navigation of the waters. Usually one of us will drive and the other will keep up with the charts.
We compare the green buoys, red nuns, and day markers to the charts. Usually whoever is navigating using the binoculars to check the numbers on these items and compare them to the paper charts. We also have a chart plotter which incorporates a GPS signal to pinpoint our location. If we are going any distance like 60 miles (which is a typical travel day), then we are driving and navigating for about 8 to 9 hours depending on the current. So that can tend to be a longer day which is tiring as you have sun and wind most of the day. After you get to the next anchorage there is an hour or so to set the anchor and watch to be sure it is holding well. In between of course you have a bite of lunch and then prepare dinner and clean up. After that the chart studying is done by both of us and we also check the weather.
On those non-travel days, typically those are the days that we go into a marina. We like to anchor out as it is more peaceful but there are definite advantages to going to a marina. Usually we have many chores to do as we have to replenish our water supply and fill the water tanks, add diesel fuel for the engines, wash the boat with the fresh water, clean the cabin (as we can run the vacuum cleaner), catch up the laundry at the Laundromat. This is also a great time to locate the nearest store to buy the groceries needed for the next week or so. The trip to the grocery store takes two of us. It is usually a two block to mile walk and we have carts on wheels to lug the provisions back to the boat. You need to remember the amount you purchase may be determined by how far back you have to walk to get it to the boat. Then of course all of the groceries are put away. All of this work is also dotted with those folks on the dock who stop to talk and want to know where you are from and where you are going. Sometimes you meet other boaters and learn where they are going or where they have been. This can be a big advantage if they have been where you are going. The local knowledge of the waters can be invaluable to us and it is fun just to get to talk to many different types of folks.
So as you can see by the two typical types of days, there is not a lot of down time. When we do have some time and most of the work stuff is caught up, the captain has a ham radio on the boat, or reads, or maybe even takes a nap. I will read, do sudoku, or counted cross stitch.
There are also many chores which we add to our list which include maintaining the diesel engine to power the boat, the generator, and all the operating systems. So we have to do the oil changes, check the fluid levels, etc. There is not much time for getting bored and of course the adventure of seeing the United States and all of scenery is worth it. There is a challenge to this type of travel, but a great satisfaction from doing it well.
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