Looking for Nooks and Crannies
When Seabear was finally cleaned, updated, provisioned, and tested, we moved out of the small furnished house we ‘d been renting in Fort Morgan Beach. We hauled boxes of books, clothes, extra cookware, and spare parts to the boat. Fortunately, there was a place for everything…NOT.
I remember lifting up the cover of one of the three hollow steps leading up from galley to steering station to put away a bottle of wine, but there was already a box of tools in there.
“Mark? This is where the wine lives.” His response: “I need to keep my marlinspike tools there.”
Fortunately the storage area under the L-shaped settee in the main salon still had plenty of room, so that’s where glass consumables went. They were placed inside plastic containers stuffed with dishtowels so they could ride safely when rough water tossed the boat around. Any open boxes, like cereal, were also stored in the plastic bins. Critters are cagey. The plastic bins had firm lids to discourage them.
I couldn’t believe it, but all my clothes fit in the drawers assigned to me in the forepeak. Mark had too many. He had to put some of his clothes in an extra bin in a space under the double bunk next to more boxes of spare parts. Aren’t women supposed to have all the extra clothes?
It’s surprising how few clothes we needed when cruising. I lived in shorts, jeans, tee shirts, and sunscreen. Sweatshirts and jackets were for when the weather cooled. Boat shoes served well in all seasons.
The cupboards in the galley were adequate for what they were supposed to have, and on my one custom book shelf I was able to keep two draft-manuscripts, assorted books, my laptop and tablet. The latter two items were in plain sight to remind me to USE them. And yes, we had a printer, stored in a cupboard under the bookshelf.
Dishes and other kitchenware had remained on the boat while not in use, along with placemats, cloth napkins, and new battery-operated candles. Must preserve the illusion of a civilized dining environment, even if there’s a life preserver occupying the seat next to you.
By the third week of March we were ready to go. Cruising guides were in place. The weather looked good. The new radio worked. The only thing that could hold us back would be the captain, discovering something else he has to have on board that had to be ordered.
Hopefully, it wasn’t a new first mate as the old one was beginning to get nervous.
Next week: Cruising Through Skinny Ditches