Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

When we left Duluth in June, we were sailors.

But something about crossings of 50 to 70 miles, where we had to make shelter before dark – that is, make it to the next inlet or harbor where we could safely get off the lake.  We had to make 5 knots, all day. So we became powerboaters.

Or, if there was some favorable wind, we motorsailed. We adapted to the lifestyle of cruisers.

Gradually we got used to living on a 30 foot boat. Emphasis on gradually. It was a slow change from feeling like extended daysailors to full time cruisers. 

Life aboard was different than back at home --

• Power – batteries; recharging with shore power when (and if) we were at a dock in a marina. Otherwise, running the engine to recharge – at least ½ hour daily when we were not motoring. The power-sucking refrigerator. The power-sucking inverter (to recharge the computers).
• Water – 40 gallon tank, plus 10 gallons in carboys for emergencies. This lasted us longer than the food or fuel or holding tank.  But we took showers ashore, or did without …
• Fuel – 24 gallons in the diesel tank, plus 10 gallons in carboys in the cockpit.  Over 2 hours motoring per gallon – at 5 knots, that would give us well over 200 miles of cruising range, unless we used the sails (which we rarely could, or did).
• Waste – 24 gallon holding tank, which needed pumping out in marinas every 6 days. Unless we were 3 miles or more out in the ocean where we could use the Y-valve.  
• Food – we carried fresh food for a couple of days (starting with full refrigerator capacity), replenishing ashore when we could. We carried several days of canned and dried food for emergencies, like for when we couldn't get to supplies for several days. Ate as well as we did at home (or better).
• Transportation – no car. We used our folding bicycles, or walked, or used public transportation (trolleys, buses), or taxis, or rented cars, or had friends who had cars. We actually got used to living without a car – but it took a lot of planning, and restocking any time we could. Commuted ashore with our dinghy.
• Storage and Living Space – much smaller than our house!  It took some serious organizing and packing, and digging out whatever we needed (it was usually under or behind something else).
• Communications – cell phones, computers with an aircard for Internet access (unless we could pick up WiFi at a marina – these were always available and rarely worked).  VHF radio.  AIS. EPIRB (never needed it, fortunately). 
• Mail - Ben sent us the important stuff, sometimes by snailmail, usually by taking a picture and attaching it to an e-mail.
• Bills and Income - almost all of this was done through autodeposits and autopayments. Rarely had to touch the stuff.
• Laundry – when in marinas with machines. We needed MUCH less clothing than we thought we would (finally brought a lot home with us).  We were sometimes dressed like for a Minnesota winter; sometimes in shorts and T-shirts. Almost never in slacks and dress shirt (synagogues, seder).
• Expenses – we spent a lot more than we thought we would. Many more marinas and restaurants (necessary, with the weather and our ability to cope).

So, we became liveaboarders. Remembered that we had a big house back up north somewhere, full of lots of stuff (including the garage). I often wondered what all that stuff was, why we had it, and did we really need it …

Many others became fulltimers (e.g. our buddy boaters) – sold their houses and cars, bought bigger boats.  Not yet for us.

The drive home took 6 days. I'm still in shock, living in a big house and getting used to those things again - cars, dishwasher, laundry machines, big refrigerator and stove, and all the power, water, heat, cooling, and everything else that we needed (well, wanted anyway).  But it sure is convenient having room to sort out things and put them away.

I hope to get used to living in a house again. Looking forward to moving back onto Ihana sometime around late October.  Next – the Bahamas? Probably.