Showering on passage using seawater drawn up by a bucket on a line.

[capnsensible]

Prompted by a conversation this morning regarding water conservation, it occurs to me that a dull watch could be enlivened by saying to the crew fresh from bathing 'oh, the blue one....we use that bucket when the heads are broken'.

 

[neil_s]

Couldn't happen on our boat - we have a garden watering can - unless you don't tell them, of course!

 

[MisterBaxter]

I got the worst lower back sprain of my life from pulling up a bucket of water on a rope. I chucked it in and casually yanked at it, not quite registering that five gallons of water is twenty-five kilos...

 

[38mess]

I moored alongside an old schooner a while back and the old skipper invited me onboard for a cuppa, while we were drinking it he proceeded to have a pee in a plastic bucket in the galley which he later ditched the contents over the side, he then filled it with seawater and washed the cups up in it?

 

[LadyInBed]

I'm not keen on saltwater bathing, I had my fill of saltwater sores when diving in the Caribbean.
I prefer a pint or so of warm fresh and a sponge

 

[Alan S]

Reminds me of Tillman's multi use single bucket on Mischief.
Bailing, toilet, washing, and his favourite recipe Duff in a Bucket.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I'm not keen on saltwater bathing, I had my fill of saltwater sores when diving in the Caribbean.
I prefer a pint or so of warm fresh and a sponge

The OP’s conversation was with me and the suggestion is that you have a bottle of fresh water to rinse off with once you’re washed down. Personally I’ve never bothered with the fresh water and having dried off in the tropical sun, I brush the salt off me. I’m fortunate inasmuch as I’ve never suffered with salt water sores but I appreciate skin is different on other people. The bottle of fresh water for a final rinse works.

Fortunately we are blessed with a watermaker and onboard showers nowadays which was a luxury unheard of when I started ocean sailing in small boats.

Now the new crew arrive after Christmas so perhaps the OP’s suggestion has legs for a gentle wind up….

 

[dansaskip]

I regularly used to tip a bucket of sea water over my head whilst cruising in the tropics and like John never bothered with fresh water afterwards. One day whilst becalmed mid Pacific I took to the dinghy to scrap off goose barnacles of the hull and got badly stung on my arm by jellyfish, of course the immediate reaction is to rub the area - only makes it worse spreading the sting around. I later learned that vinegar should be used. But I digress, I had never bothered before to check the contents of the bucket before upending it over me. You can be sure after that I always had a careful look in the bucket. first.

 

[Praxinoscope]

We have a ‘camping shower’ on board, just fill with cold water, leave hanging in the sun (assuming there is some, and not too long unless you want to be boiled alive) and then just stand underneath it and open the tap, a nice warm shower. It rolls up small when not in use,
It will work with either salt or fresh water.

 

[capnsensible]

On our Moody 33 we did a few ocean passages. To save water, we used seawater to wash the pans and dishes. The teaspoon attrition rate was high.

 

[Poignard]

And you can use seawater to boil vegetables in.

 

[capnsensible]

We have a ‘camping shower’ on board, just fill with cold water, leave hanging in the sun (assuming there is some, and not too long unless you want to be boiled alive) and then just stand underneath it and open the tap, a nice warm shower. It rolls up small when not in use,
It will work with either salt or fresh water.

We had one of those. The running gag on board was about the instructions saying 'hang from a convenient tree'. Trouble was, when filled they are quite heavy and the eyelet to string them up with soon ripped out.

 

[capnsensible]

And you can use seawater to boil vegetables in.

Have you tried that? Personally, we went for fifty fifty, sea and fresh.

 

[Poignard]

Have you tried that? Personally, we went for fifty fifty, sea and fresh.

Yes but well clear of the coast. I wouldn't do it now as i have drastically reduced my consumption of salt.

 

[WoodyP]

I got the worst lower back sprain of my life from pulling up a bucket of water on a rope. I chucked it in and casually yanked at it, not quite registering that five gallons of water is twenty-five kilos...

Plus the effect of the speed of the boat. Washing down the deck after fishing my friend suddenly gunned the motor just as I chucked the bucket in. Nearly went over the transom before I let go.

 

[WoodyP]

And you can use seawater to boil vegetables in.

But not rice and potatoes.

 

[Poignard]

But not rice and potatoes.

I used it for potatoes but not rice.

I suppose it would work with boil-in-the-bag rice.

 

[Little Dorrit]

I used it for potatoes but not rice.

I suppose it would work with boil-in-the-bag rice.

Patras Arrugadas is a Canarian dish of new potatoes traditionally boiled in sea water until all the water has evaporated; the potatoes become wrinkled (hence Arrugadas) and take on a light salt crust. Delicious with mojo rojo sauce, and very easy to make...but not a good idea if you're trying to reduce salt though.

 

[GHA]

And you can use seawater to boil vegetables in.

pressure cooker and it's not a big deal using little bit of fresh. very little gas used as well.
Must have on a cruising boat imho.
Take some kilner jars & can the fresh fish you catch as well.

 

[Blueboatman]

If the OP ever gets the chance to sail on an old meter boat, the heads is traditionally installed under the forehatch. To get a bit of headroom and or ventilation . ( they have very long overhangs and very low freeboard and are fast wunnerful but wet to windward .

You won’t need no bucket to get a salt water shower !