Just a cup of water

Water is a precious commodity on a sailboat. Bathing, dishwashing, clothes washing, and drinking are nearly impossible without a goodly supply of freshwater. In the old days, before Sovereign, we had a dishwasher, a refrigerator with a cold water and ice dispenser in the door and 2 mini-refrigerators, 2.5 bathrooms (2 full baths with showers), a huge double-sink in the laundry room, an inground pool, and a clothes washer. Presently, we have a 65 gallon water tank, no hot water, a Coleman plastic folding double-sink, a bucket and washboard for clothes, and an antique refrigerator about half the size of those used in a college dorm room. All of our water comes from a water hose at the marina dock. A recipe for bathing – First I boil 4 cups of water and pour into one of my two blue and white camping pots. Then, I add enough cold water from the garden hose to make it warm. I take the pot into the cramped water closet where everything is moved out of the way. I then pour the first ½ cup of water onto my head. I shampoo first and then scrub the rest of my body with soap. I normally use another ½ cup of water during this process. Then, a ½ cup at a time, I begin rinsing from head to foot. Finally, I tip the pot over my head and it almost feels like the fleeting memory of a full shower. Total water used equals approximately 6 cups. The final part is turning on the head bilge pump to whisk the grey water away. I sometimes dream of bubble baths. I’ll describe dishwashing, drinking water, and clothes washing in the next post.

Slack Tide, No Wind, A Miracle Occured

It was perfect. The sun was setting, the wind had died down to nothing, and we were at slack tide. Jim, our new friend who lives on the hook said, Let's try it. Tom, a seasoned sea captain who has been twice around the horn said, Now or never. Will, one of my adopted bachelors, answered my phone call.

Will, we are moving the boat. Mike really needs you now.

Will asked, How are you going to do this?

I told him that Jim was going to use the tender and we need people on the dock to grab the lines. I think he could here the urgency in my voice. He was over to the T-dock in a flash. Ross, a nice young man who lives aboard, came over to see the commotion.

Will shook his head and said that the little inflatable didn't have enough power.

Well, I said, we need to get to our slip. The marina office needs the T-dock for a catamaran that just came in. No more stalling. We either have to find a way to fix the engine tomorrow or get the boat to our slip.

Tom jumped onto Sovereign and the bystanders became the crew. Ropes were loosened, I was at the wheel, Jim's tender was tied to our port side. He started his engine and we left the dock. At that moment I realized that Mike was still on the dock. It's just Tom and me on the boat with Jim in his tender. A small panic attack on my part but I didn't show my fear to Tom or so I thought. Tom stepped up to the wheel and said, Why don't I take over here and you move those ropes out of the way. Get ready to throw ropes when we get to the dock.

We started puttering away from the dock. At that point, Jim said, I don't have enough power to do this. All I could think of was, I guess I will be calling Boats US again to tow us out of the harbor or we will hit the bridge or one of the nice million dollar yachts in the next marina.

Tom said to Jim, Just point it straight, we are going to head under the bridge, get room to maneuver, and then bring her back in. I'll steer from here - we just need momentum.

And that is what happened, Tom steered us under the bridge, we looped in the roomy part of the harbor, and smoothly slid into our slip on K dock. The guys were there to grab lines and keep us from hitting the dock and it was perfect. Thanks to Tom of the Slocum, Jim of the two masted boat that we don't know the name for, Ross, Will, and my husband.

We are now safely in our slip and all is right with the world. In fact, one of the dolphins came to make sure we were welcomed to our new home. For our celebration party, I made smoked sausage and kraut. We fed the awesome people who helped us and then I properly beat Tom, Will, and Mike in Texas Hold 'em.

Life is good. Now, Mike will be working on the 101 problems with the boat. The engine, the wiring for the lights, the water that pumps in spurts and soaks me when I wash dishes, and more.
Ah well, that's life on a boat.