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By Katherine Bellows
and Jim Mitchell — Spring 2005
“Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Hey, raise those paddles!
Lift ’em! Get a move on! Stroke!”
We sit up in our berth, wide-eyed. It’s 6 a.m.
There’s not a hint of daylight in our forepeak. Rain patters on deck.
Inches away is the sound of dozens of oars splashing, water rushing by
thin hulls, and the Voice of the Megaphone urging them on.
We look at each other in horror. I get up to make cappuccinos.
Jimmy cocks an eyebrow and mutters, “I guess those folks must really
miss life in the Marine Corps.”
Why would anyone want to get up in the dark to go splashing
around in utter misery, getting yelled at?
Then again, I imagine the rowers are thinking, “Good
grief, there are people living on that boat! Why would anyone want to
live in such a cold, wet environment?”
The answer is, we’ve learned how to stay warm,
dry, and snug, even as the freezing rain pelts down. The trick is to keep
water and moisture out by ruthlessly going after any leaks topside, by
making some subtle lifestyle changes, and by keeping a consistent flow
of fresh, warm air throughout the boat.
We’ve found, to our joy, that a warm boat is a
dry boat. A full set of synthetic canvas covers (complete with plastic
windows) takes care of the leaks inherent in our old classic cruiser.
But covers do more than keep the rain off and protect the varnish; they
help to insulate, reduce interior condensation, and cut down the drafts
that used to whistle through our bridge deck.
With the wind and rain kept out, two space heaters running
constantly on low keep Nonchalant
warm—and dispel the faint dampness that used to creep up our legs.
This year we’re experimenting with a tiny oil-filled electric heater,
made to warm executives’ feet. Is our forepeak any larger than the
underside of a CEO’s desk? Maybe just a little, but this heater has
a nice, narrow shape and is utterly quiet.
Space heaters are just the thing to keep you warm and
dry, but you need to be careful. Every winter we hear about overloaded
A.C. circuits causing tragic marina fires, many of which could have been
prevented if folks had used common sense and checked their wiring.
>> Next page >>
Part
2: “Jimmy! Leave that wet jacket outside! We can’t have anything
damp in here!” Page
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2
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