Atlantic crossing

[DownWest]

Well, that was an 'interesting' off course comment....

 

[zoidberg]

(but I’ll maintain until I die that the uncertainty made us better navigators.)

"If not duffers, won't drown. If duffers - better drowned!"

 

[BobnLesley]

...However billfish like marlin and sailfish also like lures that are skipping along, and if you hook one of these then you certainly have a fight on your hands!

We snagged a marlin close to the Florida shore, it was clearly not pleased and fortunately broke free while I was still laughing at a concern Lesley had voiced: "Will we be able to get that aboard with our little gaff-hook?"
Inside our cockpit was that last place i wanted that damned thing!

 

[Daydream believer]

I’d explained to some of my first time ocean crosses in our recent passage that after days and days at sea you can smell the land when you make landfall. They didn’t believe me until they did!

That is good because last time I cruised with 2 others, after 3 days they reckoned that all they could smell was me

 

[dunedin]

That is good because last time I cruised with 2 others, after 3 days they reckoned that all they could smell was me

Ah but most boats doing the Atlantic these days have watermakers so daily hot shower is the norm (thankfully)

 

[capnsensible]

Ah but most boats doing the Atlantic these days have watermakers so daily hot shower is the norm (thankfully)

I would question that. In the nicest way.

 

[Kelpie]

Ah but most boats doing the Atlantic these days have watermakers so daily hot shower is the norm (thankfully)

So is my 2l/pp/d water ration a little harsh? I felt a bit bad having been so tight about it, when we arrived with the tanks still half full.
If you need a shower, just go on deck during a squall. Simple.

 

[Bajansailor]

I crossed years ago on a boat with no water maker - we had 2 x 60 gallon tanks and 4 people on board. I think we used about 80 gallons in total for the crossing.
I had salt water showers on deck, but my fellow crew member didn't - he had his first shower after we got to Antigua 18 days later.

 

[Wansworth]

How dirty a you get crossing an ocean?

 

[Kelpie]

It can be pretty hot at times. Especially when you've decided to don oilies and then realise you need to reef pronto.

I took a tip from the Skylab astronauts who threw their shower overboard and resorted to using baby wipes. Much more practical and uses no water. Admittedly it's not great for washing your hair though.

 

[mattonthesea]

I had a 20l black bag; four hot showers in 24 days.

 

[john_morris_uk]

That is good because last time I cruised with 2 others, after 3 days they reckoned that all they could smell was me

Last ocean passage I made without a watermaker, I washed regularly in salt water. Just brush the salt off when it dries and use baby wipes for bits you need to.
Wash in squalls when you can.
There’s no reason to smell.

 

[Zing]

Last ocean passage I made without a watermaker, I washed regularly in salt water. Just brush the salt off when it dries and use baby wipes for bits you need to.
Wash in squalls when you can.
There’s no reason to smell.

Yuk. Salt is not permitted inside my boat. If it’s on your skin and it will be in large amounts even if brushed off then it gets onto clothes and seats and cushions and mattresses. It gets ingrained and then works as a sponge soaking up atmospheric humidity resulting in permanently clammy and mouldy cushions and beds. Worse still, an unwanted source of salt to spread onto anything metal to accelerate corrosion and destroy electronics and electrical contacts.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Yuk. Salt is not permitted inside my boat. If it’s on your skin and it will be in large amounts even if brushed off then it gets onto clothes and seats and cushions and mattresses. It gets ingrained and then works as a sponge soaking up atmospheric humidity resulting in permanently clammy and mouldy cushions and beds. Worse still, an unwanted source of salt to spread onto anything metal to accelerate corrosion

I appreciate your concern and logic, but you’re rather optimistic if you think you can avoid salt getting into your boat. It’s exuded naturally in your perspiration, let alone the bits of spray and general saltiness in the air that gets carried below as crew move from on deck to below.

The solution is to launder everything whenever you can. Ocean passages are only a few weeks….

All our cabin cushions are about to be laundered and all surfaces washed down with a mild vinegar solution before we lay our boat up for the hurricane season.

 

[capnsensible]

Yuk. Salt is not permitted inside my boat. If it’s on your skin and it will be in large amounts even if brushed off then it gets onto clothes and seats and cushions and mattresses. It gets ingrained and then works as a sponge soaking up atmospheric humidity resulting in permanently clammy and mouldy cushions and beds. Worse still, an unwanted source of salt to spread onto anything metal to accelerate corrosion

Do people call you 'smelly zing'? Perhaps you missed out on a career in diesel submarines? how did you cope on your transatlantics?

It really isn't the problem you imagine it to be. Especially if you clean your boat. Your sweat in hot climates is salty too, how do you deal with that?

 

[Wansworth]

Do people call you 'smelly zing'? Perhaps you missed out on a career in diesel submarines? how did you cope on your transatlantics?

It really isn't the problem you imagine it to be. Especially if you clean your boat. Your sweat in hot climates is salty too, how do you deal with that?

Stay in an hotel

 

[Zing]

Do people call you 'smelly zing'? Perhaps you missed out on a career in diesel submarines? how did you cope on your transatlantics?

It really isn't the problem you imagine it to be. Especially if you clean your boat. Your sweat in hot climates is salty too, how do you deal with that?

Of course, it’s a question of degree. I know zero is not possible. Less is better and close to none is best. I change clothes and shower every day and shower at the transom if swimming, so never smell badly. I do have a watermaker though (2 actually) - for me a necessity.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Of course, it’s a question of degree. I know zero is not possible. Less is better and close to none is best. I change clothes and shower every day and shower at the transom if swimming, so never smell badly. I do have a watermaker though (2 actually) - for me a necessity.

I’m wondering how many ocean passages you’ve done? Presumably only in larger boats with lots of mod cons. Showering and changing every day involves lots of fresh water and presumably a washing machine on board?

Good luck to you but it’s not the sort of sailing and ocean passages that the vast majority of sailors enjoy.

 

[Zing]

I’m wondering how many ocean passages you’ve done? Presumably only in larger boats with lots of mod cons. Showering and changing every day involves lots of fresh water and presumably a washing machine on board?

Good luck to you but it’s not the sort of sailing and ocean passages that the vast majority of sailors enjoy.

Yes, but size has nothing to do with it. You can’t run the washing machine at sea regardless of boat, so a little hand washing will be necessary on long passages and watermakers are easily and commonly fitted into small live-aboard cruising boats and use very little power. I have a Zen 30. Check it out, you will probably find it would be good for you and I disagree about what the vast majority enjoy. Here amongst cruisers in the Caribbean boats without a watermaker are in the minority.

 

[KevinV]

So is my 2l/pp/d water ration a little harsh? I felt a bit bad having been so tight about it, when we arrived with the tanks still half full.
If you need a shower, just go on deck during a squall. Simple.

Yep, and two wet wipes for a shower, three for a bath