NOTE:: The Marina office will be closed Christmas Day and New Years Day

Thank You All for attending our Holiday Party– We hope you enjoyed the fun! If anyone has pictures from the party and would like to share for our next newsletter please email to office@pier32marina.com!

Grill Holiday Hours:
Christmas Eve 9 am—2 pm
Christmas Day—Closed

New Winter Waterfront Grill Hours are:
Mon-Thurs 11am – 2 pm Lunch Only
Fri 11:00am – Sunset—Lunch & Dinner & Happy Hour
Sat/Sun 9:00am – Sunset—Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The Big Bay Balloon Ride

Wednesday, Dec. 28 10:00 a.m. along North Harbor Drive

The scenic, bayside streets of downtown San Diego will come alive with the 2011 Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade. As always, this exciting family event brings together world-class marching bands, magnificent floats, entertaining drill teams and a procession of enormous balloons — more than any other parade. More than 100,000 street-side spectators will enjoy the parade along with a nationwide television audience. Parade festivities will begin in the television area with the finals of the annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals and the Bumble Bee Foods 5K. After the parade, activity will continue on with games and entertainment at the free Amtrak Big Bay Family Festival on Broadway Pier.

Plans for New Year’s Eve? Check this out!

Saturday, December 31 8:00pm USS Midway New Year’s Eve Gala
When Sat, December 31, 8:00pm – Sun, January 1, 2012, 12:30pm

Enjoy views of San Diego bay and sip champagne while watching the city lights from the flight deck. Hosted open bar, including midnight champagne toast, an elegant dinner including an alluring display of charcuterie and cheese, jumbo shrimp cocktails, coastal baby lettuce salad, chicken champagne, bowtiee puttanesca, chef carving stuffed steak piedmont and an elaborate International Dessert Table. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the ongoing preservation and restoration of the USS Midway. Cost: Fee Information: 619.544.9600

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Summer and fall have come and gone. Days are short and cold and nights seem to last forever. If you are a boat owner and have not already done so, now is the time to winterize your boat and to get it into boat storage. This article will provide a few tips and tricks for ensuring a safe and sound slumber for your watercraft throughout winter while in boat storage. Please read on to learn more about what is required to safely put your boat into boat storage for the winter.

Before putting your expensive investment into boat storage for the season, you should always start with a good checklist of things to do prior to putting the boat “down for the winter”, so to speak. Such boat storage checklists exist all over the internet so a quick search should turn up loads of them. Although most of them are very complete, you should always modify the boat storage checklist that you choose with some of your own custom steps or information that is specific to your particular make and model of boat. Be sure to also take into consideration the weather where you live whenever you are planning to put your craft into boat storage for the season.

For example, your boat’s gas tank should always be topped of and oil should always be changed prior to putting it into storage for the year. Electronic devices and batteries should be removed to safe storage and not left out in the elements if you are opting for the “driveway” method of boat storage, meaning you simply plan on covering your boat and leaving it on the trailer in your driveway for the winter. Although this type of outdoor boat storage works for many boat owners, I prefer indoor boat storage or stacked storage myself. Indoor boat storage simply provides much more protection from the elements of nature than does outdoor trailer storage. However, this is a personal decision so feel free to use whatever type of boat storage that you prefer.

Be sure that you correct and repair any dings, cracks, etc on your boat before putting it into boat storage for the season. It just makes so much more sense to repair these types of issues prior to letting the boat sit in storage for months on end because small problems like this can become larger ones with time. Because of this fact, it is important that you perform repairs of such problems before storing the boat for the season.

Before putting your boat into boat storage for the season, you should always give it a good and thorough cleaning. Failure to give it a good wash before storing it away for several months is like to result in a few foul smelling surprises when it comes time to put it back out on the water a few months later. Going through your boat with a fine tooth comb and cleaning it up prior to putting it into storage is the best way to avoid such a mess when you get it out at the beginning of the following season.

How and where you will store your boat is an important decision. My personal preference is store my boat indoors in a climate controlled storage environment even though it is more expensive. I prefer this method of boat storage to the others because it affords the boat much more protection that simply covering it and leaving it outside in the elements. By keeping the boat indoors, it is totally protected from anything that nature can throw at it. Just be sure to properly support the hull whenever you decide to dry-store your boat. Failure to properly support he boat’s hull will certainly result in cracked bulkheads, engine misalignment, and other serious distortions that can very easily render your boat useless. This, of course, is never a good thing!

There you have it. This article, I hope, has given you a few very good tips for ensuring a safe and sound boat storage season. If you can combine the boat storage tips in this article with just a bit of good old fashioned common sense, you can have your boat out of storage and in the water in no time come next boating season. Just remember to always refer to the user guide that came with your boat and motor to fill in the details and to ensure they do not require anything special prior to putting them into boat storage for the season.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/boat-storage-tips-876281.html

About the Author

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Looking for an everyday exciting activity by living aboard a yacht could be right up your ally. The excitement of traveling in the blink of an eye anywhere you would like to go is very alluring to some. Depending on the kind of yacht you would like, it can be cheaper than owning a home. Be sure and compare the amount of money you would like to spend with the size of the yacht you would like.

Some of the benefits of living on a yacht and not owning an actual home do not have to maintain some of the items you would if you owned a home such as mowing the grass. At a marina, you can also avoid living near noisy neighbors that may be bothersome when you are trying to enjoy some quiet outside time.

There is however somewhat of a downside to owning a yacht as well, the maintenance on a boat can be very expensive but if you own a newer yacht, the maintenance could be cheaper than that of a older yacht. You will also have to take into consideration the cost of a dock slip.

When you buy a home you can pay for it over a thirty year span. When you purchase a large boat, you can only pay for it over a twenty year span. So say for example you purchase a one million dollar home compared to a one million dollar boat, the boat is going to cost more each month as far as a mortgage, but you will also not have to pay as much in insurance, and property tax. In most cases, the interior space of a boat is much smaller than a home.

If being near that water is something you crave, you could consider purchasing a home on or near the water. This too will increase the cost of a home. There are many pros and cons to either living on land, or choosing to live on water.

In general, do your research before making such a large decision and do what is best for you and your family.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-living-aboard-a-yacht-3872979.html

About the Author
Choosing the right marina is another important step in the process of deciding if living aboard is right for you. Find all California marinas and real-time fuel prices at MarineFuel.com.

Modern transportation means that boat owners are no longer restricted by what country they live in, and where their dream boat is located.

However, when you buy a boat from a remote destination, or another country, or you want to ship your boat overseas, this can seem like a very daunting prospect. Shipping your boat inland is relatively easy, but international transportation requires a specialised form of shipping.

Transporting your boat by ship – Transporting your boat through by way of a freight ship is the most straightforward way of moving your boat to a different location. These transport vessels are specifically designed for this purpose, ensuring your boat’s safety and arrival.

There is a wide choice of boat delivery companies that you can transport your boat by freight shipping. When selecting a boat transport company, there are a few things you should consider:

What experience do they have of transporting boats internationally? It’s always best to choose a company that specialises in boat transportation.

Does the boat delivery services company have sufficient insurance to cover the transportation, loading and unloading of your boat?

Does the freight company have the capacity to handle boats of all sizes?

Finally, can they provide services including boat preparation and booking a marina?

Transporting your boat by land – While it is most desirable to sail your boat to its new destination, there are times when this is not practical, and the boat must be taken from the water and transported by land. Size limits for boats being trucked are 100,000 pounds in weight, 18 feet high and 20 feet wide. These limits are set by the limits of the bridges and highways rather than the capacity of the trucks themselves. Most dry dock facilities have the equipment and expertise to transport the boat from the water to the trailer.

The boat trucking company will have a checklist to guide you in the preparation for the transportation of your boat. These preparations include: Removing all loose itemsRemoving all fuel and water, as well as leaving the drain plugs openDisconnect battery cablesRemove all devices that extend outside the hull, such as antennas

For the ultimate in safety and protection, many boat transportation companies use shrink wrapping. If done professionally, this will protect the boat during transportation. However, if carried out incorrectly this could cause more harm than good. Ask the company that you choose if they are likely to be using this method.

The cost of transporting your boat will vary depending on the size of your boat, the distance it will need to travel and type of transportation company you use. Top boat transport companies that ship via cargo or freight carrier include:

Able Boat

Transport Cavalier Logistics

Dockwise Yacht

Transport JTC Global Transport

Murphy Yacht Transpor

NTA Yacht Transport

Sevenstar

Yacht Exports

Yacht Path International

Your boat is your pride and joy, and one of your most valuable assets. Make sure you research and interrogate the boat transportation company you plan to choose.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/transporting-your-boat-4531274.html

About the Author
More guides to buying and selling boats are available from TheYachtMarket.com You can also sell your boat privately on TheYachtMarket, find a yacht broker or browse through thousands of boats for sale.

Hobbies and passions can have no end, as long as you have money to finance them. Many do not realize that money plays a major role in determining how far you can go with your personal hobbies; what you call a satisfying pastime can be extremely expensive especially when stretched over long periods of time. Many people get satisfaction from living life on their own terms. There are many water lovers in the world and being in private or close proximity to water means that you must try to go sailing, swimming, fishing or boating. In order to enjoy many of these pastimes having a boat of your own is either necessary or highly recommended. Owning a boat can make it easier to pursue your water related dreams but boat ownership can sometimes be a pain.

Buying a boat is very much possible for any family with nice standard of living. In the past only the extremely wealthy could afford boats but in the past years boat ownership has become a reasonable and realistic goal. The question that arises after buying a boat is where to keep the boat when not actually using it. Considering boat storage should occur long before the boat is owned. This is because the boat is very sensitive to the extreme climatic conditions and you naturally do not wish any harm to your boat for these reasons. Unfortunately, many people wait until after they have purchased a boat and the first big storm has blown in to decide where they should store it.

Thanks to today’s world, we have options available for just anything. There are many boat storage facilities available where ever the boat usage is in common or considered to be in fashion. Companies are always on the look out to make much so any major chain that has discovered the boat stratagem niche will be sure to get a foothold in any community that commonly utilizes boats. These boat storage facilities often charge a great deal of money which will remove the smile that came with boat ownership from your face and replace it with a frown. This expense is incurred because boat storage requires a lot of space and along with special care and cover to protect the boat from rust and other climatic harmful affects.

Boat storage should be first considered no where else but in your own house and this is because it saves you a lot in long run and your boat is always in front of your eyes under your surveillance making you feel good. The space used for boat storage in house is generally backyard and it should be large enough to accommodate and, if possible a construction of boat house is advised. This helps in keeping boat safely and all the worries regarding boat storage just woos away if a boat house is possible for construction. A boat cover is very essential while considering boat storage because it saves boat from unnecessary elements and keeps boat fresh as new.

Boat storage becomes a very complex process if the boat storage facilities are not in proximity to the house and that is why it is very important to consult with yellow pages before you consider buying a boat. Boat storage is possible also in many facilities available near the water bodies like dock, store houses, ware houses and even marinas. They charge an amount depending upon the size of the boat and other criteria they short list before checking in the boat.

Boat storage sometimes becomes too complex because there are many store houses which can accommodate the boat at nominal cost but do not meet the specifications required like the way marinas and dock does. So it very necessary that you do proper research and long term planning before taking the decision of buying a boat.

If you are having an extremely hard time locating boat storage then discuss storage with local boat owners. Most people are willing to discuss boating with a stranger that is obviously considering making the large investment. Find out if they belong to any boating clubs or communities which offer their members special privileges. Also, do not be afraid to think outside of the box. If you know anyone that owns a large warehouse that is not always in use ask them about renting the space for boat storage. Many people are happy to earn money on property that is doing nothing more than sitting around waiting for use. They will be happy to charge you a fee to let you store your boat during storms or the winter.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/boat-storage-start-planning-before-you-buy-758525.html

About the Author

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?

Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

You’re looking for that ideal boat – just where do you start? You don’t want to proverbially through your money into the water when you buy a boat; to do so the right preparation is needed! This guide will outline the main questions you will want to ask before you go about buying your boat and organising boat couriers.

What sort of boat?

Where will you be sailing – messing about on the river, inshore or sea fishing, cruising the inland waterways, sailing round the coast, towing water skiers, heading out to sea or even living on a boat. Do you prefer sailing or power? How many people will your be carrying and how long will they be staying on board? You should ask these questions before you look at any boat more closely.

Which brand?

Faced with a massive choice of manufacturers and models, how do you find out more about the boat that suits you best. The internet is clearly a great source of information. You can look at the specifications for different models, download brochures, compare prices and even take virtual tours on certain websites. Specialist magazines review boats and you may be able to get archive reviews from the publishers’ websites. Boat shows are a great way of seeing a new model in person and to grill the manufacturers over their selling points.

Second hand boat or Brand new?

Finance is the obvious deciding factor. New boats cost more, but you wouldn’t expect to have the maintenance and repair costs associated with an older boat. Bargains can be had from used boats in great condition with a full service history and warranty, equally a boat with a less than careful owner without a warranty could be damaging to your wallet and time after purchase.

You also need to consider the total cost. The price advertised might not contain all the eventual costs. Nearly all prices stated will cover the bare minimum, meaning you should always ask what is not included for the price point. You could be in for a few surprises. A used boat may come with a whole slew of additional items and gadgets that will save you money.

Private seller or dealer?

You would probably expect to pay less when you buy privately – dealers have to add a margin to cover their costs and run a profitable business. Like cars, the risks and rewards are largely the same. Dealers have their reputation to protect, so would be unlikely to try to offload a problem boat on an unsuspecting owner. A real bonus is the fact that they can offer a warranty that will protect you against unexpected repair costs in the initial stages of ownership. With a private owner, you are unlikely to get a warranty and you have to take the owner’s word on the condition of the boat.

Inspect carefully

You wouldn’t buy a house or car without a careful inspection, particularly if you are buying used, so treat your boat purchase the same way. A Professional surveyor will be able to provide a full and objective report on the boat. In fact, many finance houses and insurance companies will insist on this.

Whether you use a surveyor or not, make sure you check these essentials:

Check the condition of the hull, the paintwork and fittings.

Look out for damage and at the same time indications that damage has been covered up such as fresh paintwork.

Make sure the ropes, cables and controls are fully operational and that you feel comfortable using them.

Water marks are a good indication of leaks and you should keep your eyes open for any other tell tale signs.

Inspect the condition and operation of the engine for leaks and other signs of wear.

Financing your purchase

Don’t forget to include all likely costs in your budget – purchase price, additional equipment, transport to your preferred mooring place, insurance and estimated operating and maintenance costs.

Insuring your boat

You will need to insure your boat against theft, accidental damage and other risks. Don’t forget to include personal effects and cover against third party claims. A specialist marine insurance company can advise you on the most suitable cover.

Documentation

Even if you are buying privately, you should have a written sales agreement which sets out everything that is included in the price and gives the seller’s full details. You should also ask for registration documents and any available service records.

Boat moving

If you are buying a boat in another part of the country, you will need some form of boat transport unless you plan to sail the boat back to your local mooring place. An useful tip: make sure you find a specialised boat transport company and not just a man with a van. If you do not have a suitable trailer of your own, or you don’t wish to tow a boat, you can use the services of a specialist boat transport firm.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/buying-a-boat-top-things-to-consider-5294299.html

About the Author

Antonio Bruno is a freelance writer creating quality content for various websites of difference niches. 

Every owner must have a place to store their boat when not in use. There are many storage facilities and different storage options available. The cheapest and probably the best storage area for the boat is your own backyard. But some local laws do not allow storing huge items like boat in the yard.

Boat storage units should be clean, safe and affordable. Most of these are commonly found around big water areas. You have to check the units for durability. A good test is if it could hold up to extreme weather conditions as it will be most often exposed to it. There are spaces for lease where you could dock your boat safely in areas near the waters. And the boats are kept safer inside your storage.

There are things to consider in looking for a place to store your boat. Check for important features like climate controlled facility to protect your boat from harsh weather conditions. Choose the one with security guards and well lighted facility. Storage units with security cameras and facility that requires special code entry is a better option.

Some require a certain checklist prior to accepting your boat for storage. Remove all your valuable items before leaving your boat. Remove the spark plugs then spray its inside with fogging oil and then replace them but do not hook the wires up. Fill the gas tank but make sure there is a space for expansion. And add a stabilizer for the gas.

It is also important to do some safety precautions before storing your boat such as: Clean it thoroughly and remove the battery if you will leave it on the water during winter. Cover it with thick cloth or other materials even if kept inside a storage. If your boat is on the trailer make sure to put blocks underneath to support it. After winter, be sure to check everything before using the boat. Do not forget to check the fluids, bulbs, batteries, wires and plugs before its first use after a long storage to avoid troubles.   

Marinas offer wet docking services for very large boats. If you cannot pull your boat out of the water for storage, Marina is the place for you. They have been doing this for a long time. The boat owner can use the boat as a cabin or place to live in. Wet docking is only good for areas where the water never freezes.

A number of docking facilities now provide electricity, water hook ups, cable TV, telephone service, security and heated storage units. Staying on your boat can be an exciting experience. On the other hand, if you choose not to live on your boat, numerous marinas provide full winter protection for your boat. When your boat is wrapped up in storage be sure it can breathe to avoid mold and mildew formation.

Consider economy and practicality in looking for a good storage venue. Keeping your boat in a trailer on your driveway gives you a lot of benefits. You can sail or fish during one pleasant day in winter. You can navigate various bodies of water while saving on boat storage fees. But be sure to read safety guidelines and instructions on boat towing first.

Small boats can be stored in a stack rack. This is also known as dry stack rack storage. Rack storage keeps your boat in a covered shelter with trailer-like frames. This makes it convenient for the facility to lift and launched your boat when you need it. Lifting equipment also provides easy storing for your boat after using it.

The location of the storage facility should be near to your residence. The place must provide many opportunities for fishing or sightseeing. Find for a storage place where you can save. You do not want to pay a monthly charge when the length of your storage requirement is shorter than the storage use. Long boat storage tenure can be cheaper in the end.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/guidelines-in-looking-for-a-suitable-boat-storage-1337327.html

About the Author

For more information on Boat Storage and Boat Storage Instructionsplease visit our website.

Cruising is a lifestyle which hundreds of Individuals like.  Boating is fun for people who love being out on the open waters.  Yachting is entertaining but it requires more information and knowledge than simply grabbing the wheel and cranking the engine(s).  While cruising is fun, however, it is also a activity where you need to be extremelealy safety conscious.  However, there are some things to take into consideration before launching your boat.  Are you able to drive a boat in close quarters?  What about reading charts; these are just a few of the things you must understand prior to taking your boat out.

Boating is a leading hobby in Florida, just about 25% of the United States’  vessels are found here.  A good number of restaurants also have docks set aside for hungry boaters.  Yachting is such a big part of so many people’s existence and rightly so.  While many people enjoy boating, however, it is also a means where lots of people make their livelihood as charter boat captains or delivery skippers.  Pleasure boating is one of America’s chief pastimes, and therefore one can assume that it’s important to the economy nationwide. Florida’s marine economy produces in excess of 10 billion in sales annually. 

For many people, cruising is simply a wonderful brief method to break away from the every day routine.  And the fact is, boating is an activity just about anybody can enjoy and be thankful for.  Time out on the water is obviously vastly different from time in your office cubicle and these cruises have a tendency to stick in your memory.  When you experience arising in the morning on the water this is as good as it gets and you only live once.  With the Intracoastal Waterway situated immediately to the west, going to the water is as easy as moving out on our back deck.

Full-time cruising on a vessel is a very social way to take a trip and come into contact with the country’s rivers and waterways.  One of the interesting benefits about traveling on a vessel is that you come across an amazing number of pleasant individuals, become close acquaintances in a very short time, and then you may not see them again for a long time.  Then out of the blue you take notice of their vessel name on the VHF or pass them on the waterway and run into them at the next anchorage and renew that past friendship.  Living and traveling on a boat is not for the faint of heart or someone with a lack of perseverance or first-rate problem solving abilties; there is constantly something to fix on a vessel.  I am sure you have heard that traveling on a boat is similar to living the Jimmy Buffett way of life full time; that’s an extreme exaggeration.

There are those that live on their vessels full time.  A live aboard is a person who resides on a vessel but who otherwise lives a basic “normal” existence.  Living aboard gives us the feeling of being far removed from the hustle and bustle of living on land.  Life on board eases the stress in your life, it doesn’t add to it.  Living aboard a vessel is not consistently trouble-free but it has a lot of benefits.  Life on board a vessel does not come without a significant amount of challenge.

Maybe life on board is not appealing to everybody, but you are not stuck there forever, even if you just want to enjoy it for a short period.  Day-to-day living on a boat is similar to the life of “dirt dwellers” but there exists no better place on the earth to reside.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/boating-as-a-lifestyle-5379752.html

About the Author

Mike Dickens, the author, is a boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts. Paradise Yachts is a Yacht Brokerage offering used yachts to customers worldwide. Visit our website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats .

Interact with us at our Paradise Yachts Blog

National and international sales. We ship Used Yachts and Used Boats worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

You may already own a boat and enjoy the relaxing lifestyle that boating allows. If this is the case you probably know a number of boaters who either live-aboard or spend their summers cruising for extended periods, sometimes months on end. When you see other people enjoying the long term boating life it’s normal to feel a little jealous and to think ‘what if…’

In many ways living on a boat full time is very similar to extended cruising. The big differences include the fact that most extended cruisers will choose any season but winter to go on their travels. For live-aboards, winter is a fact of life. It has to be dealt with and prepared for. Another big difference that affects full time live-aboards is that when they move away from a house and onto a boat, so much ‘stuff’ has to go. You have to make decisions regarding what you can take with you. Much will have to be left behind.

Something that should be considered before making the transition from house to boat, is your relationship with anyone that you are intending to move with. On a boat of a typical size, say around 40 feet and less, there is very little space for privacy. If your relationship with your partner is a little rocky in a house, it’s unlikely to be improved in the confines of a boat. If you are strong together before the move you stand a much better chance, and so does your relationship.

I mentioned the dreaded word ‘winter’ earlier. It doesn’t have to be bad news. Most modern steel and glass fibre boats are insulated from new. Living aboard an older steel or glass fibre that may be uninsulated could well be uncomfortable, or very expensive to keep warm. Older wooden boats are less of a problem in this regard. Wood doesn’t transmit heat or cold as much as these other two materials and so is much easier to keep warm. My own boat, Cygnus Vedrae, is sixty years old, wood, uninsulated and very easy to keep warm in winter.

The main heating types.

Standard gas fire. Some modern gas fires for boats are outside vented. The older ones, of which there are still many, are not vented. This is the worst form of heating you could possibly have on a boat. Not only do they use a lot of gas, they also produce gallons of water which condenses everywhere, very uncomfortable when you’re living on a boat.

Blown hot air. Many boats use this form of heating, and burn either gas or diesel. The heat from the fuel passes through a heat exchanger, the fumes are exhausted outside the boat leaving dry hot air inside. Another benefit of this type of heating is that it can also heat your on board calorifier, giving you plenty of hot water. Although this is a clean and comfortable heat, it is also quite expensive. Over recent years the cost of these fossil fuels has rocketed.

Solid and multi-fuel stoves. Without a doubt these are the most economical to run because it’s never difficult to pick up free wood when you’re afloat. They also produce dry heat and can also used to provide hot water for central heating and masses of hot water for the galley and shower etc. Since there are no moving or electrical parts they are also extremely reliable.The downside of this type of stove is that they do need to be cleaned out regularly and emptied. They are not as convenient as hot air heating but over the course of a winter you will save a small fortune in heating cost. They also provide a focal point in the cabin.

One last thing. Anything with the word ‘marine’ attached is generally more expensive. In many cases it’s quite easy to safely adapt none marine products for use aboard.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/living-and-cooking-on-a-boat-2442505.html

About the Author

Typical of items that do not necessarily need to be ‘marine’ include many electrical parts. In addition there is quite a lot of camping equipment that can be easily adapted. One of these items is the Cobb cooker. If you’re living on a boat you’re aware, for the most part, that the galley area is usually quite small. The Cobb cooker is very compact and is a multifunction fryer, oven, grill, BBQ and much more. It is easily and safely handled, even when lit, by one person. You may like to take a look at the link for more information.

Cooking on a Boat

Having always been a bit of a people watcher I find it extremely interesting the differing reactions that people have when you tell them that you actually live on board your boat in a marina. The responses range from the shock/horror type. “Oh no, how could you possibly do that?” or plain cold disdain, “Hmm, well I could never bear to live on a boat, I couldn’t be squashed up like sardines in a can!” There’s even a muttered inference that because you don’t sleep four steps away from a gold tapped, pink tiled bathroom that you must be a bit of a grub or worse, a member of the awful species that frequent marina bars…. “The grotty yachtie!” May Allah save us from such horrors!

Admittedly, it does rather seem a fact of life that the further you live from the actual marina club house on your boat, the greater the proportion of wrinkles in your shirts and jeans, but at the end of the day, it is not exactly a hanging offence, is it? All boaties are a bit like that, aren’t we? I have seen some very posh yachtie types that belong to my club that appear to have barely escaped from a wind tunnel with hairstyles to match, but then again a lot of them seem to own open top Mercedes sports cars.

Living on board, in a marina is a bit of a double-edged sword I know. Like everything else in life, there are pluses and minuses, in many differing ways. The minuses can, on certain days, outweigh the pluses by far, but hey, life goes on. What are the minuses? Well, these can vary in horror content depending on whether you are on a swing mooring or marina berth. Let’s get the swing mooring type out of the way first. In fine weather, nothing (they assure me) beats the quiet and solitude and sense of freedom far away from the rowing neighbours and barking dogs. It must be idyllic, I am sure, except for the endless row of power boats that skim past your porthole every two minutes at weekends. However, (I shudder as I write, actually) when the barometer plunges and a southerly buster swings in towards our little spot of heaven on Earth promising black rain clouds and howling gales, my heart truly goes out to them. I have often stood by the porthole, snug in the cabin, on a filthy day watching small flooded dinghies sail past out of the gloom filled with cowering forms and sopping dogs whose eyes are fixed intently on the nearest land borne lamppost. I feel like applauding out loud at their true grit and amazing tenacity. It’s a hell of a lot cheaper out there and I really feel the club should award those solid members with bravery medals and give them free dinners, as most of them are the truest yachties amongst us all. I must admit I’m curious to know how some bosses react when one of their staff walks into work on rainy days looking as if they had been over Niagara Falls whilst being washed down with a fire hose. Saying, “I live on a boat” only seems to make it worse somehow.

But let’s move on to the next hardy species, the ‘marine berth’ dweller. Once again, distance from the shower and toilet come into play but the further away you are the less able you are to hear the warbles and crashes of the resident band whose repetitious refrains of bloody ‘Mustang Sally’ for twelve weeks on end during the summer season are almost too much to bear. Additional nuisances are the giant washes of Riviera owners who roar out of the marina at 15 knots tipping your dinner into your lap, and when the wind is southerly the sound of crashing waves against the stern drowns out all speech. Unless you’ve actually tried to sleep in a washing machine you’ll realise why boaties normally walk around glassy eyed. It’s not just the rum I can assure you. Money too, or the distinct lack of it, dictates your life’s comforts. There’s truly no comparison to the wealthy live aboards on an eighty foot Dyna towering above us mere mortals who live somewhat like hermit crabs in wooden shells under the shadows of their giant exhausts.

However, on a sunny Sunday we all become as one. Out on deck, clustering around the barby (the great aussie leveler twixt rich and poor) with visitors and friends gurgling cheerily into their chardonnay, banging on about how lucky we are to be here, etc etc. and as the greasy scraps go over the side into the boiling gangs of frenzied bream, they croon on about how great it must be to eat fresh fish every day, free of charge. Naturally, we daren’t burst their bubble of fantasy by telling them exactly why they hang around under the boat awaiting the clarion call of the toilet pump, it just wouldn’t be fair. Eat one of them little suckers and you’ll wake up with a crowd around you with tubes out of the places you didn’t know you had! As for the bream, they are remarkably piranha like and will eat anything when their blood is up. I have often wondered what would happen if a small child grasping a sausage plunged off the deck in amongst that lot of snapping jawed cutthroats. I dare not think.

There have been some amusing incidents at the marina and I can remember with horror the first time I arrived blissfully unaware for my first shower. Humming cheerfully, I stopped dead in my tracks after walking in to the showers, only to see through the clouds of steam, a gang of nude men, all cheerily foaming up. Communal showers…oh no! Being a Pom I suppose I must be naturally bashful, never having been to Public school, of course. This was a shock. Desperately, I looked around to see if there were separate cubicles and there was…just one. Trouble was some black hearted fiend had scrawled in big letters above the door, ‘Wooses Corner’. I was sunk. Bugger. I had no choice. Ok fast and foamy it was to be. I threw off all my gear, acting casually and slunk to the furthest vacant tap. Modestly facing the wall, I lathered up, however, there was more to come.

One of the misty figures was a plump, jolly old salt, round of belly and white of beard. He was happily laughing and larking around with all the others. I happened to notice that he was sadly, one of natures unfortunates, having been badly placed at the end of the queue when nature bestowed her gifts to man. The thought actually crossed my mind he had an unfortunate and terrible accident, but no, there were signs of residence, albeit mini button mushroom size, to say the least. Suddenly, through the steam strode another figure, Adonis in the flesh. Six foot plus, brown, handsome and long of hair…long of something else he was too, by God and to a man, we all fell silent as he strode proudly to the shower, bearing his handsome (and enviable) share of natures riches. Before he could reach to turn on his tap, the bandy old white haired salt had strode up to him, hands on hips and surveyed him wondrously up and down…finally he laughed out loud and said, “Jesus mate, you’re bloody beautiful, aren’t youze!” I have never heard so much laughter in a man’s shower and much later that night in the bar, I noticed Adonis and the crusty old salt having a drink. It crossed my mind that I had shared a shower and a beer with probably the biggest and the smallest members of the yacht club! Happily, for my dented pride I can announce the showers have been rebuilt and cubicles abound!

Another funny thing happened one day as I sat on the stern of my boat. I heard a splash and turned around to see some large ripples pooling around the stern of a deserted boat. I had seen the parents and the kids leaving earlier so no one on board had heard anything. As I watched, I saw a black stick surface and start to head outwards away from the boat. I believed that it must have been a fishing rod, the handle full of air. Jumping in to my dinghy, I determined to rescue the rod and put it back on the yacht. As I got nearer, sure enough I saw it was a rod and so I grabbed it and hauled it aboard. It hadn’t occurred to me that something had pulled it in, I just assumed that it had fallen in. Suddenly the rod clattered and to my shock the line tautened like a guitar string and pulled the head of the dinghy right around. Astounded, I sat there wondering what the hell it was that could be towing my dinghy but whatever it was, it must be huge. (It didn’t help that my partner, Nicky, who was nice and safe on the deck of our boat, was loudly humming the theme tune to Jaws) I nervously grabbed the rod and reeling like mad, the rod bent double and I finally saw a large shadow rise up from the depths. Horrified, I saw it was a huge ray, probably about four feet long…the wings were huge and it looked really peed off. Luckily for me, it gave a wrench and dived back down, the line breaking off. Shaken, I quickly rowed back and left the hookless rod back on the boat. I didn’t tell the kids later when they returned but I bet they wondered what had chomped their hook and sinker. As for me, I have still got visions of those huge eyes and that damn great spike rising up out of the water. I am not so sure about fishing now, after all is said and done and I really don’t like to walk on the pontoons after dark at all!

Certain forfeits have to be made on board also. Many boats boast cabins so small that if you turn round quickly you will meet yourself coming in but one gets used to that, except, god forbid, if you happen to be over 5′ 3″ tall. You then develop a sort of crunched up and peculiar crab like walk that immediately announces you as a nautical type. TV too, can be taxing. One must be patient if, as like me, you like F1 racing for example. After sitting up until 2.30 in the morning, the race is near to an end with the leaders neck and neck. Suddenly a gust of wind blows the head off by about 2 degrees and your already snowy picture disintegrates into a full blown arctic blizzard with sound effects to match. Who won? Who cares? Yes, TV addicts need not apply.

But overall, positives and negatives aside, I must consider myself lucky to be one of the few fortunates who can’t afford a four hundred grand shack on a block of precious Gold Coast scrub and therefore have to put up with all the delights and limitations of life in a long wooden cave that floats. However, the actual realisation that one day when my ship comes in (and I will probably be waiting at the station waiting for the train) and I finally become rich, I will have the enviable ability to cast myself adrift upon the tide and let the gentle currents float me Northwards to the Mecca of all boaties, the Whitsundays, where I can drink twelve dollar rum and cokes, squashed amongst the thousands of chundering backpackers lazily brushing aside the hordes of mozzies eager to share my alcohol laced blood…heaven on earth will finally be mine.

Till then, dear reader, take heart in the fact that up until that distant dot in time, I will have to trudge daily to the showers (and back) in all weathers, queue endlessly for one of the ancient cold water washing machines (we are privileged to use) and gratefully receive a few coppers discount off my beer, bravely bearing the scorn of members so rich they don’t even own a boat, dreaming of the day I can fling off the ropes that bind me to the present and sail off into a pink tinged future complete with my damp bed and an eager crew of cockies. Life on board?….wouldn’t be dead for quids, shipmates…head due North, me hearties.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/life-on-board-237909.html

About the Author

Terry Buddell is a freelance writer, boat builder and marine surveyor who lives a board his yacht the “Nicky J Miller” in , Queensland Australia. Terry has designed a series of boats that he sells from his website on the net and also built his own 42′ yacht which he refers to as “his filthy old lugger’. Terry writes for several boating magazines and he is is only too happy to help people who wish to build their own boat from a dinghy to a yacht and his contact details can be found on his website http://www.dolphinboatplans.com