What makes livaboard in a good marina more comfortable?

jimmynoboat

jimmynoboat

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 Nov 2005
Messages
918
Visit site
What little things make life better in a small sloop in a good marina? .... in England!

I thought maybe a de-humidifyer would be good? and a battery charger, and lots of tupperware and a cockpit tent. An umbrella and some kind of heating may be a good thing?

Any suggestions? What have you found makes your livaboard life better?
 
If I didn't have much headroom down below, I would consider having a 'tent' with good windows made up to go over the cockpit and the hatch. Giving shelter and light, and a front room.

Certainly a dehumidifier/heater as well.
 
Been living aboard for a couple of weeks now and loving it. Jeanneau Sun-Dream 28. Just bought a decent charger (ctek, much better than cheapo Halfords job) as Rutland 913 not keeping up with my usage, would like to expand my domestic batteries (only 1 at the moment). Have an Eberspacher which is great and don't need a dehumdifier with it. Bought a fan heater (£7.99 Poundstretcher) as back-up. Will try making a boom tent. Being organised, neat, even a bit OCD helps due to small space. Have neat storage solutions where you can, e.g. a set of jars for pasta, rice, dried peas, lentils, beans, etc. and for tools and bits and pieces. I have one of the all seasons duvets where you have both thick one and thin one and can tailor it to the weather. Might get a pontoon fender just in case I'm a bit over enthusiastic coming into my berth. Mobile broadband internet with good data allowance, mobile with lots of minutes. Don't get TV but have a small one on on board with built in DVD player for films. Radio. I have a good quality pressure cooker and a boaties fry pan. Haven't thought about refridgeration beyond a point, the built-in coolbox is cold enough to keep butter, milk etc. for now, may consider getting something for when the weather warms up though, would like a small Waeco compressor fridge. More than one 240v plug socket is handy. Bought a few books and will do a one day diesel engine course...

These forums have been an invaluable source of info...
 
Last edited:
I wholeheartedly agree with sarabande about the boom tent, make it a real good one which keeps out the weather, think about it lots before getting one made/make it yourself. We have one and it transforms the space aboard.
 
So you've done the deed!

De humidifier - cert, we take ours cruising with us now. When it rains and we have a boat full it really keeps the condensation under control.
Electric kettle, toaster - small, mini ironing board and travelling iron - must have at least one ironed shirt and I'm told chinos with a crease look better. Still not got around to the pressure cooker, similar uncertainty on slow cooker - not too much use as the weather improves [ Oh yes?]

Really warm track suit and thermal socks, for slobbing about, can get really cold in the mornings.

Insulated cafetiere, insulated mugs - from the Pound shop or similar.

Another battery and a really good [ Sterling] battery charger.

Good wi-fi aerial, then hopefully you can find nice people to allow free access

Do not get too comfortable or putting everything away to actually go sailing will put you off and mean you become welded to the pontoon.

We made a boom tent out of some pretty blue and white striped stuff from IKEA - originally intended to go around verandahs or similar. Anyway, the C in C sewed some together to make a useful, versatile and visually attractive cockpit tent. She did not like the tarpaulin from the Pound Shop that I had installed. I thought it was a nice industrial green colour. Oh and lots of bungees.

Never more clothes than you might be able to wash by hand in one go.

Umbrella and crocs for schlepping back and forth to the facilities

Standards on eating well, washing up and a strict internet, TV, video and alcohol policy!

Apply the 'Snowdon rule' to everything else. This is, if I had to carry this up Snowdon would I still take it? Or KISG - keep it simple G.

Look forward to calling in for a cup of tea. Long time since that interesting entrance to Holyhead!
 
Thanks everyone, lots of good info there. Even though, being a short**se I have good standing headroom throughout the saloon, I think a boom / cockpit tent is a must but I need to learn a lot more before getting out the sewing machine (like, are they the same thing?). Also the de-humidifier / heater and good battery charger are a must. Unfortunately I only have a grill & stove not an oven so that's going to need some thought. The clothes thing is my biggest concern strangely, only because I work in an office with sweet smelling peeps and I'm expected to look half decent for customers. I think the marina has irons and ironing boards (probably at an extra charge though).

djbreeze, you sound pretty well set up after just a few weeks and it's good to hear that you are enjoying it. You're in the UK I'm guessing?

I love the Snowden rule Gwylan! Except in my case it would leave me with a mobile phone and a small bag of toffees! ... isn't there a train running up Snowden? :)

I also have the advantage of a car parked nearby. Can store some coats, boots, tools and maybe even my bike in that.

.... the adventure begins about a week after Easter.
 
jimmynoboat said:
djbreeze, you sound pretty well set up after just a few weeks and it's good to hear that you are enjoying it. You're in the UK I'm guessing?
Click to expand...

I'm in Brighton. I got a small travel iron from Amazon and ironing can be done on the saloon table with a large towel on top. I don't have an oven either, in fact sounds like we're similarly set-up. I'd recommend a WMF pressure cooker, expensive but worth it. You can whack in a small whole chicken or a joint of meat plus your veggies, I went for a 4.5 litre one, that's good for 4. Got brother and 2 nieces coming over this afternoon and doing a beef & mixed bean stew for them.

What boat do you have? Good luck with it all...:)

Oh and a book on pressure cooking, and definitely agree with Gwylan about being ready to go needing to be not much trouble, at the moment I just have to stow TV in its box and laptop in its case and I can go and would like to leave it that way...
 
Last edited:
Here's the things we get the best from after 13 years on board....a lot, I think, confirming whats already been said.

Cockpit tent, total enclosed (we got a centre cockpit). Known as the conservatory, it gives us an extra cabin, effectively. Also good to put wet foulies in when you get home rainsoaked.

Dehumidifier is great, don't know how we lived without it.

Use a cheapo fan heater.

Got a 12v caravan style fridge, just big enough and economic. Lots of caravan gear is robust and mostly cheaper than chandlers.

Gas cooker toaster. Looks like a wire frame. The business.

You will be forever fixing things so good quality tools help.

Torches everywhere! You never can trust shore supply, wherever you are. A 12v DVD player can while away a few dark hours!

Hope this helps.
 
The electric blanket is clever.

Dehumidifier as well as heat, for the boats ends where the heat don't reach but condensation does.

ASDA's finest polycotton duvets/covers make great bedding/insulators under and over you and are cheap enough to be considered expendable (£8 quid innit for a biggun). The cold comes UP through the seating and berths.

Oil filled radiator better than blower imo.

Maybe one of those fold up boaty trolleys for carting stuff back and forth, big shopping, water jugs etc..

I have a huge pump Thermos which lasts tea and coffee making/visitors all day and will be useful when sailing as well.

Rest has been said.

Enjoy!
 
Marina showers? Flip-flops or crocs are essential for avoiding actually standing in/on whatever's underfoot. Similarly, a plastic bag big enough to keep clothes in whilst water sprays everywhere. Something to keep that button pressed in so one can shower under a steady flow, rather than one that fluctuates wildly in both volume and temperature.
 
Oh dear... I was going to post but I think I might be in the wrong league even though I liveaboard - but...

The Sky+, shower, internet, networked films and music, private ensuite cabin :) Seriously though I would say hot water, fresh water, fridge, decent cooking facilties and if you are living with someone then some way of getting your own space occasionally.

For a marina? Good bars, food, easy access to grocery stores and other essentials unless you are permantly based there and have a car. Good chandlery, access to yard facilities, local transport links, close by to facilties you don't have on board like showers or laundry.

W.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top