And that's what it's all about...

No, not the Hokey-Pokey.

This morning, while making breakfast, Joan said, "I'm running the coffee maker, the microwave, and the electric skillet - all at the same time!"

"So what?  I do that all the time," you are probably thinking.  With a 30 amp electrical system on the boat, we are pretty well limited to one big "power sucker" at a time.  Want to use a blow dryer?  Turn off the water heater.  Need to run the microwave and the coffee maker?  One at a time, thanks.

It's about "power management."  Oh, and comfort.  There is a thread on the C-Dory owners group (www.C-Brats.com) about "which boat to buy?"  It comes up frequently.  The smaller model doesn't have an enclosed head (bathroom), the bigger model does.  Porta-potty and sponge bathing vs a fixed toilet and a shower.  For most land-lubbers, the answer would be: neither, thank you.

But, boaters and RVers make these decisions.  It kinda comes down to: what is the minimum you can be comfortable with at a workable budget?  Most of us aren't independently wealthy, so we have to make choices.  OR, as in the case of a trailerable boat, there are practical size limitations.

So, while I was making the following post, Joan was having fun with appliances...

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(from the C-Brats)

I have to chuckle when the talk turns to "the little woman wanting an enclosed head" on the boat. We have had boats that had no shower, and we used a porta-potty... and showered in the cockpit (or on our trimaran: on the nets). You can make almost anything work. Heck, Pat and Patty have overnighted on their 16... ask 'em which is more comfortable: that or their 25?

No matter how minimalist you feel you can be, do you have a bathroom in your house? Does only the female part of the couple use the bathroom? Would you rent a motel room that didn't have a shower? "It's OK, there is a porta-potty under the bed that you can use." You might have second thoughts about paying good money for that room.

Oh, we get it. We tent camped for years. Did so on motorcycles, too. Built a van interior that we used to camp in. Had a couple VW campers. Had some sailboats that didn't have full enclosed heads. I'm only relating this as background... at some point, if you are going to spend time on the boat, you are going to want some amenities. The difference between making it work and being comfortable.

I also understand that the $$ difference is significant (the reason we tent camped in our younger years). Unless you live on an island, you probably don't need a boat. It's a matter of desire. So, you make your desires, budget, and circumstances mesh to get the boat that "fits."

For us, the 25 is the smallest, most affordable boat that is trailerable and allows us to spend extended time onboard. Even if it's just a weekend out, I still like a shower and (TMI ALERT!!) a place to go to the bathroom with reasonable privacy. Some folks can do with less and be happy; we've also met bigger boat owners who are horrified at the prospect of what we do (OK, a lot of landlubbers, as well).

What it really comes down to is finding the right fit for YOUR circumstances. Buy too big or too small, and you will find yourself having regrets. Have you ever heard someone say, "Ya know, we're just too darn comfortable on this boat." ??

If you haven't done it before, some things are a leap of faith. Dr. Bob and I have discussed having friends who "had the dream" and found out boating wasn't for them. Many people "start small" and work their way up with boats. Not sure about the sound economics of that... I've decided you should buy your third boat first... if only I knew then what I know now.