Living on a yacht can be an incredibly unique and rewarding experience, but it certainly isn't without its challenges. One of those challenges is adapting to living on the hard standing, which is essentially living on the yacht while it is on land, as opposed to in the water.
At first, this can require some major adjustments. For one, living on a yacht - whether in the water or on land - requires a significant reduction in living space compared to a traditional onshore dwelling. When on the hard, this can be especially challenging as space becomes even more limited, access to the boat is up a 3 metre ladder and the on board toliet is out of bounds!
Furthermore, living on the hard means having to handle all the responsibilities of maintaining a yacht without the ease of being able to hop on and sail away. This time the list seems to have grown arms and legs, not our usual yearly task of simply performing regular maintenance on the hull but one of fitting a new engine, crafting a bespoke fuel tank and stripping back the keel to bare metal and refair it back into a slick and perfectly shaped racing keel.
However, over time, these challenges can become less daunting and the hard standing can become a way of life in its own right. After a while, we have acclimatised to the slightly chaotic living conditions and developed routines that make daily life manageable. We have learned how to make the most of our limited space, got comfortable with the work required to keep the boat in good shape, and even come to appreciate the sense of adventure that comes with living on a yacht with a bed high in the sky. Bed out, tools everywhere, smell of epoxy, bed back in situ routine, boat yoga and some mild swearing and head scratching is pretty much how it goes.
Overall, while living on the hard standing may not be for everyone, for those who are passionate about the sailing lifestyle needs must. However, I do have to say on this occasion patience is a virtue and I seem to have it in abundance. Looking forward to launch day!
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