Lifestyle Shift While Underway

It had been a while since our last sail and so I had
forgotten about some of the lifestyle shifts that take place while underway.

Living space : where as we usually use the entire boat
to its fullest, while we sail we find ourselves all in the cockpit of the boat
where the wind hits your face and the waves don’t feel as aggressive. Even
those of us with stronger stomachs prefer to stay outdoors as a preventative
means to not ask for trouble and sickness. Being inside the boat really does mess
with your senses and you end up getting rocked around and bounced into
everything. The cockpit truly is the safest place for a queasy stomach and to
avoid bruises all over your body. This means our entertaining space for the
girls is a lot smaller and we must become a lot more creative to keep them
busy. We end up doing a lot of singing songs, littering the cockpit floor with
toys, and cuddling. Having the new cockpit cushions that Eben just sewed
together made all the difference in our comfort level and not having stuff
sliding around the seats.

Meals : usually I really enjoy cooking but while
sailing the meal plan goes from what do I feel like cooking tonight to
what can we make in the shortest amount of time that has some sort of
sustenance. Premade meals or something you can just throw into the oven real
quick are ideal, but when you fridge space is limited, like ours this isn’t
really an option. We have a lot of snack foods on hand for when we get munchie
and meals usually simple yet tasty.

Sleeping : Not only do we switch to sleeping shifts
when sailing the boat but I find that during those shifts you never really get
into a deep sleep anyways. On our boat, because of the babies, Eben pretty much
single hands the boat. However one of our rules to ourselves after a horrible
sailing experience was that we would never sail without a third person. Mainly
because with the girls I am in charge of them while Eben, and crew, and in
charge of sailing. On this trip Eben had Jaala to keep him company at night and
do shifts with. They would alternate sleeping on the cockpit floor while the
other maned the boat. As for me, I was below with the girls. I don’t do shifts
but I am there by their side for every bump in the night that shakes them
awake, which is many. Also while underway we stray from our normal sleeping
arrangements to me having both the girls in our bed with me. I find this to be
the easiest way to be close at hand if either of them wakes up frightened or
wanting mama. I never find that I get a good sleep during night passages, I am
too much of a ball of nerves during these times.

Tidiness : we usually try to
keep our boat tidy, since a boat is only so big. Everything needs to return to
its place or else the boat turns chaotic real fast. While sailing that rule
gets thrown out. This ties in with living in the cockpit, everything that is
fast and easy while inside the boat is easiest. So if you can save yourself a
minute or two down below by not putting away the diaper wipes, or the toys, or
some clothing, but rather leaving it on the settee until we stop somewhere
calmer and can put it away then, I say Do It. Save yourself some pain and clean
it up later, only if underway, of course. And dishes! Those never really get
done while underway but get stacked in the sink, no way anyone is staying below
to do those.

Kid watch : the girls are never left unattended, ever.
There is alway one adult close by to avoid tumbles when heeled over, or
rambunctious climbers trying to make their way closer to the fun waves
splashing on the side of the boat. When usually I feel comfortable stepping a
few steps away from the girls and knowing they will be ok, when we are rocking
all over the place they do not get to wander further than an arm’s reach away.
This can get tiring and frustrating with a child that just wants to wander, but
its necessary for sure.

Now that we are moored in
Luperon things can go back to normal and we can regain control of our boat and
our sanity.