Cruising on Your Own Boat, Part 2

When a boat is underway, someone has to be responsible for getting the boat safely to the next destination. When to depart, what route to take, and what sails to set. Must pay attention to the weather, the boat's location, and avoid danger. You have to be decisive, not demanding. Anyways, if you go cruising, go as an equal and make the most of the experience.

Everyone's rights onboard: You have the right to sail on a safe boat. You have the right to essential equipment in working order. You have the right to expect the captain to be competent and knowledgeable. You have the right to sail on only tranquil seas. And you have the right to be dry, rested, and well-fed.

Space onboard is limited, but it can still be quite comfortable. Ventilation is one key issue for true boat comfort. You must have two ventilators, one for taking dry air in, and the other for pushing moist air out. Good lighting and shades/covers are also something that must be taken into serious consideration. Light colours really make the small space look considerably larger, and busy patters are torturous on the eye when the boat is in motion. For fabrics themselves, though, your best options are preshrunk cotton, synthetic, or a mix of synthetic and natural fibers.

And then there's the issue of water, actual drinkable fresh water. You'd be surprised what you can do with saltwater instead of fresh, though, such as toilet water and dish water. Footpumps for sink water, and handheld spickets for shower water, are both great options to look into. For hot water, you can heat some on the stove, the old-fashioned way, or using a deck-mounted day tank painted black and plumbed into the galley. You just have to refill it every other day. You can also catch some rain via catchments or route all of the deck water into the tanks.

To learn more about cruising, on a massive cruise liner, go on over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com