Working to get the boat outfitted back in 2014. Connecting the solar panels and installing the bimini frame.
Some time ago I commented that there are 3 types of folks that we've found. There are live-aboards, cruisers and live-aboard cruisers. Most of the folks we meet fit the cruisers grouping meaning they are on the boat for some number of months a year and then have a place on terra-firma to which they return each year. We on the other hand have only our boat and leave it only to visit family and friends who reside on terra-firma.
This changes the dynamics of living significantly and especially this year as we will not be returning with our boat to the US for the foreseeable future. The past 2 years when we returned to the US we could do repairs, maintenance and acquire things (especially food items) from normal sources of supply that we have become accustomed to in the past 10, 20 or 50 years of our life. This year is different. When we provisioned before we left in the Fall we essentially bought as much of what we thought we needed as we could fit on the boat. In several different ports we stocked multiple car loads of items and amazingly it all got stowed. The challenge becomes as we use those items finding sources of resupply.
Where to find resupply?
Living in a home in an average US community it is never difficult to replace things used, broken, lost or damaged. However, offshore things used, broken, lost or damaged are just gone and replaced only by some repair, jerry-rig or locally procured replacement. Back in the US almost anything is available through Amazon. But, they have yet to use their drones to fly to offshore. Getting things from the US requires (in most cases) a convoluted supply chain of transportation resources such as airlines, couriers, etc.; a way to get them through local customs offices; and doing it all in a cost-effective way. When we replaced our water-heater over the holidays getting it onboard cost almost twice the price of the unit and because of the holiday I considered myself lucky to get it in a week. An earlier shipment of machts-nichts parts took 3 weeks. In some countries, deliveries never arrive.
Food is another interesting acquisition. Outside the US larger towns have supermarkets that are a shadow of what we know in the US and have a variety of goods but usually what 80% of the people buy. So if you're looking for a particular product you may not find it. For example, for health reasons we both opt for a low sodium diet and when we buy canned products we look for low or no-salt options. Good luck finding that in the land where a box of Ritz crackers is $9. On the smaller islands it's worse. The day after the supply boat arrives you might find some fresh produce that is already beginning to wilt or rot because it was shipped from the US, sat in Nassau and finally delivered to the merchant for sale. Fresh fruit and produce are expensive when you can find it. We are hoping when we go to Jamaica and Guatemala there will be good quality local produce for sale by local farmers.
One of the few examples in the Bahamas of local supply.
Offshore everything is finite. The resources we have when we leave port are the resources we have until the next port. That goes for fuel, water, food and beverages. When you're on an island that has nobody you can't send out for things. On an island, if you don't bring it there you won't find it there. Even if you have the internet through some marvel of technology you can't get the stuff here.
Having on board the amount and types of stores requires a careful inventory and space management which is a challenge given the dynamics of living and moving about. One of the key challenges is clearing out areas to work and then ensuring the restocking maintains the original configuration. Another key challenge is the very limited real estate in the refrigerator and freezer so to maintain control only Linda adds or removes food. I'm allowed to get ice and drinks (sometimes).
A typical view from our back porch.
This harsh reality keeps lots of people home, or close to home so they fail to explore the riches of the world that is out there. For all the hardships there are work-arounds and there are some compromises but in the end the experience is worth it. The beauty, the serenity and the wonderful people make it all worthwhile. Having a boat with lots of storage doesn't solve the issues with managing stores but it really helps. Our boat has nooks and crannies everywhere to put stuff. For all the stuff we bought before we left we had lots of room for more. Many boats do not have the storage we have. We have friends that bought a big Jeanneau and then realized there was nowhere to put anything so they have to convert a cabin into storage.
With what we stocked we should do fine all the way to Guatemala. Then the question is: How do we replace the stores we left with? We are still exploring those options although I'm leaning toward trying to ship items with us when we return from the States after our visit this summer. I believe we can also work with the local marine store at our marina in Guatemala to buy things we will need like oil, paint, etc.
Just another place to stop.
We're looking forward to our Caribbean adventure and realize that it is hard for folks sitting in their homes to fully rationalize the challenges we go through on an almost daily basis to make things comfortable. But in the end it is worth it. For someone that needs Starbucks every morning and a soaking tub at night this probably won't work. For anyone with a sense of adventure this is the best.
Another island in the sun.
Great post and insights into what's involved in cruising full-time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, appreciate the comment. It's very different when there is no option for a do-over.
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