You know you're a cruiser when...





           You know you're a cruiser when...  
         

you've read 240 books in the past year and only bought one

Laundry day starts by lowering the dinghy … and checking the gas tank in the outboard.


When finding a West Marine, or a Costco, makes your day.


Watching sunups and sundowns over the water always capture your soul.


You get the urge to move if you've stayed in one place too long.


You write lists of lists


You go out to dinner and order a drink named "Hurricane" just hours before the hurricane hits! Hey, you know you have already done everything you can do until the real hurricane hits you...sitting in Norfolk, VA, awaiting Hurricane Sandy to arrive.


You have more spare engine parts than underwear.


You talk more about anchorages than your grandchildren!


You end up talking about anchors and toilets with people you just met.


I go right to "do you have a water maker ?"


speaking about anchors, with what should we replace our 200 lb Danforth that is lying at the top of Albemarle Sound. It goes into a hawse, so only certain types fit.


The first things you ask in each new location are directions to the supermarket and chandlery.


I can sniff out the supermarket, but, I need support in convincing Evan I need a washer and a water maker !

As to replacing your Danforth, I'd go for a scoop type anchor -- Rocna, Ultra, Spade. You'll sleep well at night. We'll be doing our Happy Hooking webinar with SSU again sometime this winter. We cover everything about anchoring there and in our book, Happy Hooking. The Art of Anchoring.


you talk about the inside rain (condensation) with other boaters waiting out the effects of the hurricane.


Let's not forget the proverbial "is there a free town dock"?


Everyone that does not have a watermaker and who traverses the oceans wishes they had one


That's what I say !! and.. if you have a water maker why not a washing machine ??


And if you are thinking about adding a watermaker, add the biggest one you can, it's well worth it, especially for using the washing machine I wanted, but didn't have!


We remade our watermaker and put a new 4.5 inch membrane in in Durban so now make about 200 Lph and the washing machine works a treat. Just need to look after the membranes and pumps and it runs well.


You know you are a cruiser when you do not get involved in multi/mono hull arguments or anchor techniques/equipment discussions...these are left for "experts" a/k/a armchair experts... after all, cruising requires entertainment ;>)


You cycle your clothes through stages... 'Clean, good for dinner'... 'Still pretty clean, good for daily wear'... 'Kinda dirty, but still good enough for onboard wear'... 'Oooh, that smells, time to wash'


your two favourite topics of discussion are laundry and weather.


You realize the people on shore have this questioning look.

        [from comments on a discussion thread of the Seven Seas Cruising Association.]