Things about cruising that you tend to forget

The cruising lifestyle sounds so appealing when you hear people talk.  Warm weather, sandy beaches, no work.    There is the other side as well though, and some things you don’t really think about.      Of course there is the boat work, constant maintenance living in a salt water environment, but there are a couple of things you forget to mention when talking about cruising – Like how to get on and off the boat !!!
	On our boat, currently tied up to the dock there is a 42” long step, which is a 12” step or step down depending if getting on or off.  (Hint: stepping down is easier)  Every morning we head off to the showers on land.  We wear flip flops as we shower in them to prevent any stray foot diseases.     Try it out, can you put on flip flops, and make a 42” “jump” up 12”?  Sure, you can, now do it over water that is cold and salty while fully dressed.
Knock on wood, so far, no mishaps.
If you choose not to exit from the stern steps, then there is always the option of the 40” step down off the side, and the step is only 12” away from the dock minimum.    Now if you are over 6’ tall, this seems easier.   For some of us short people, it is a bit intimidating.    It is a jump down that is over half our body length.     The way back on is even more difficult, as I can not do a standing jump vertically of 40 plus inches.  Can you?  If so – join the NBA.
The boat is not always that much higher than the dock, it just depends - is the dock is floating or fixed, and if floating, how high does it float.   Each marina is different.
	The other item not thought about is humidity.  Currently it is 60 and foggy with 90% plus humidity.  Imagine coming back from your nice shower.  Transiting the leap to the boat successfully and going in to get dressed.  (We wear sweats to the shower and back).    The boat is heated, but the clothes in the closet and drawers are cold and clammy.    Feels soooo good!!   The same is true going to bed and night.  Nothing says good sleep like crawling into cold and clammy sheets.
When we head into warmer weather, where we can open the hatches and get air flow the cold and clammy stops, and it becomes quite nice, but the next few months we will be in the colder climate as we finish boat work.   So as you shower, dress, and climb into bed think about how it could be – Yeah I know, it is still better on the boat. 😊