Staying Warm in Winter
Here is a video response to a question posted in the comments by a blog reader. It was fun to make. Send some more questions, and I try to post a video response!
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About Teresa
Sailing, Simplicity, and the Pursuit of Happiness, began in 2008 when Teresa gave up a whole lot of stability for the unstable plan to chase her dreams by living aboard a boat and taking on odd jobs to support her lifestyle, and selling handcrafted items through her online Etsy shop. In the following two years she lived aboard a small 27 foot sailboat named Daphne with only her cat Dory for company. Its not a house, but it was home, its not a car, but she traveled a blue road. For two years she sailed, explored, and discovered what simple living meant to her and shared it all on this blog. Writing helped her. Blog readers inspired her. Now, she is planning for her next big voyage, a documentary film called One Simple Question. In the meantime, Sailing, Simplicity, and the Pursuit of Happiness must give back to the readers. Teresa's goal is to share meaningful thoughts on her exploration of simple living, to help sailors with life aboard, and to inspire others to chase their own creative dream through honest and uplifting writing by her and that of guest bloggers as well.
Do you guys live at anchor for the winter?
“Unfortunately, this video is not available in Germany, because it may contain music for which GEMA has not granted respective music rights.”
I hate Youtube. And GEMA.
Despair…
I’m so sorry about that. I’ll try not to post music that is copy-written next time. I’ve never known it to be a problem.
So sorry Alex!!
Teresa
Hey Teresa,
For the future, you might consider uploading the videos to Vimeo. YouTube is frequently blocked by corporate and government filtering software, but Vimeo usually isn’t.
Cheers!
Chris Troutner
Good stuff, sailors! Another alternative method for keeping the boat warm in the winter is to keep the compass needle on “S” for about 2,000 nm’s!
I get this too (Also in Germany).
I’m used to it.
PS: Love the blog!
A fellow sailor emailed me the following question:
“you did mention that it’s very wet in the cabin. by wet do you mean,
water-running-inside-sometimes-and-wetting-your-feet-wet or
damp-and-condensation-wet or humid-wet? Is it particular to the BCC that you guys
own now or the Norsea also has this problem.”
Its a great question and I assumed that others might have the same question, so I thought it would reply to it here instead of via email.
The wetness is from the condensation. It happens when it cold outside and warm inside, much like water condensing on the outside of a beer bottle. It does make my clothing feel damp, especially when its an article of clothing that is stored in a cubby right against the hull. Thats why we put bubble wrap against the hull; for insulation and to keep our belongings away from the hull, and to create an air space there.
The problem is not particular to any boat. The BCC and Nor’sea both are very well insulated (as far as boats go) so it can be toasty inside, which is nice. All boats will experience condensation in the right (or wrong!) climate. Many sailors have a variety of ways of managing it, and have given us tips that we have tried. However, its difficult to eliminate the condensation all together.
I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Teresa
What a timely post. My husband was just talking about what we could put on the floor of our boat, Moonrise, to make it a little more comfortable. We had tried carpeting, but after the floor was flooded with 40 gallons of water (from someone, who will remain nameless, leaving the faucet open in the head as we were filling the tank…) and we had to carry disgusting soggy carpeting out of the boat, we decided to forgo that option. This might be just the ticket. Plus, we already have some we can experiment with!! Woo hoo! If you want to see Moonrise, a Cal 34, give us a visit at http://www.LittleCunningPlan.com. Love your blog! We’ll be living vicariously through you for awhile. Hope you have room on your coat tails!
Fun to be reminded…. Lived aboard in Annapolis for a few winters and never thought of the foam idea. Fabulous. Would be nice to post your Lat/Lon or Port whenever you post.
Teresa, Think you should repost or write a story on the Titanic for PowerShips, the magazine of the Steamship Society of America, which has 4,654 members, good exposure. Check out their web site for this coming May’s Membership Meeting in Baltimore aboard the NS Savannah.
Teresa –
Just wanted to say thanks for the flooring idea. I went to Lowe’s and bought a couple packs of the tiles – ours were a little bigger, 2X2 each which made it a little harder to cut out for the table, etc, but less seams. It’s already made about a 6 degree difference in here. We really hate carpet in boats so I was happy to have this idea. The really nice thing is that come warmer weather they’ll be easy to store under the v-berth mattress.
Thanks again!
Deb
S/V Kintala
http://www.theretirementproject.blogspot.com
Good Idea! Can put that on my bucket list for mine. Cute cat.
Hi Theresa & Ben
) but I tend not to put too much of a positive spin on it as this is England after all and if it gets popular they’ll hike the prices and pile on the tax. Besides, whoever heard of an Englishman that was positive? So I don’t wan’t to end up being a lonely freak! Sorry I don’t have a website, I usually don’t want to see a computer unless I really have to. I’ll be back, bye!
Love your site. I live on a boat too in the UK. I was really interested in the condensation problems you have in winter. On of the biggest contributors to this is using a gas burner for heat. Do a bit of reading up on it. Burning gas gives of gallons of moisture compared to other forms of fuel (wood and electric are drier by miles) Ventilation is the main cure if you can’t change fuels. Sounds stupid, as though you’re heating your back yard, but letting some heat and a lot of moisture escape actually warms the boat up (heating up drier air can get you higher temps for the same fuel used). I use a Refleks diesel burner on my boat. It’s economical if you have income, costly when you don’t. I had a woodburner, but the diesel ticks along 24hrs a day no problem in the coldest part of winter. I have an Ecofan which I put on top of the heater (it’s powered by a peltier cell) & that circulates the warm air. Also, don’t underestimate the danger of mould or mildew growing in the damp. You can get some severe (ie deadly) infections in your lungs if that stuff takes hold. I’ve lived aboard for about 10 years now, only living ashore when I have to move away to get work. Hoping to cobble a bit of money together to be able to do some sailing one of these days. I love living aboard, totally different community of friends, always willing to help out (well, after the pointing and laughing are done first