So, the first things I had to learn. How to stand up without falling or bumping into things when a wave comes along. My little boat is near the shore, so I believe the waves are a little stonger because they bump into each other when one is coming in and another is going out. But I could be wrong. One of the first things I noticed was that I loved how the boat would rock me to sleep. I had concerns about things spilling and falling but that doesn't seem to be a problem.
My boat is old and is wood framed covered with old-fashioned fiberglass (not that new-fangled hard molded stuff). This is the kind of fiberglass that's cloth laid down and coated with the resin stuff. Interesting. Floors, siding, roof, inside and out. Hmmm. Not my favorite. But durable. Inside is painted paneling which I like. Ceilings. The kind of stuff you see in really old mobile homes. Some kind of wallboard covered with vinyl cloth. Gotta go. There's a spot in a corner where the cloth is actually wrinkled.
Keeping the place warm. I moved on Halloween weekend. There's a really nice marine propane heater that looks unused. I know I'm not using it. Scares me. From what I read, it must scare other people too 'cause these things are mainly responsible for boat fires. So there are electric heaters. They do a great job!
Electricity. This boat was built long before everyone had computers. The number of outlets is very limited. I found out later that sometimes you have to unplug something to use something else. That really doesn't work for me. I added multi plugs and electric strips. After years of not having a toaster, the former owner left one for me and I decided to have toast. Bad idea. When the toast popped up, it blew the fuse. The side of the boat that I had my one and only light. No idea where the fuse box is. Called the former owner. No answer. It's Sunday evening. I had found someone to help me figure some stuff out about getting along on the boat. I called him and he didn't answer. I called his wife and he was out of town. She took pity on me and rushed over with her adult son. We pulled the boat apart (in the dark with a couple of flashlights). I had not even come close to getting anything organized so stuff was in boxes and it was untidy and everything had to be moved. Mind you three adults on this boat is crowded. The son went into every bilge hatch (I was trying to ignore them). We moved the refrigerator. We looked on the outside, on the top, in every very dark corner. Finally, huffing and puffing and just looking stupidly at each other, I said the only place I can think of that we didn't look was behind the stove. Ta-dah! Never used the toaster again.
Propane gas stove. The last gas stove I had was as a child. We turned on the burner and lit it with a match. Couldn't figure this one out. Fortunately, I have a friend who actually sold RV appliances at one time. She came over and gave me instructions. It was fun lying on the floor with her watching the flame in the broiler to make sure it was on and I wasn't gassing myself. Since then I've learned that I can see the reflection of the flame so I don't have to hit the floor each time. There's also a safety feature. Opposite the stove is a switch that has to be turned on before the ritual with the stove itself. Then, when I'm done cooking, it has to be switched off. Then there's the issue of the propane tank itself. It's on the roof. So, an empty tank has to be hauled off the roof, down the dock, up the stairs, across the parking lot and into the car. Drive to the propane place where I'm told that I'm not supposed to carry the tank in my trunk. First, who's going to know? Second, is it better to carry it in the car with me and the dogs if there's the chance that it can leak? When you get home, the now heavier tank has to be hauled back onto the roof. So far, it's been changed twice and someone had to help me each time. I'm relatively intelligent and fearless, but this apparently stumps me. The next time I'm on my own for sure! My crescent wrench is ready. Remember, the direction is counter-intuitive...
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