As my wife and I are planning our liveaboard, cruising plans, many questions continue to arise. When we think of them, we write them down and add them to our list. Sometimes the questions are more serious than others and some seem trite (at least by the person not asking or thinking of the question).
I’ll let you decide the importance of this question. Can You Shower on A Catamaran While Sailing? The answer is yes, in most cases you can shower on a catamaran while sailing as longs as you have enough water and power or if you have a manual shower contraption on deck that many sailors have. Read on and I will explain in more detail. If you are an experienced sailor, please add if and how you shower while sailing in the comments below. We welcome and want to learn from your experiences.
Why Would You Need to Shower on a Catamaran While Sailing?
This is the first and very good question. For many people to read this, they might conclude that it is easier and more sensible just to wait until the end of the day to take a shower. This does make sense under a lot of sailing conditions, but often cruisers will need to sail across a large area (like an ocean crossing) for several days straight before stopping and dropping anchor or tying up in a marina.
Can You Take a Shower in the Bathroom on A Catamaran While Sailing?
Large, sailing catamarans (and motor catamarans) are like floating apartments. They are popular because of their comfort both while sailing and while at anchor. With few exceptions, catamarans will sail without any heel or with very little heel. Performance catamarans which are lighter than the chartering cats and catamarans with dagger boards may have slightly more movement, but under most moderate conditions at sea, it is possible to take a shower while sailing.
Do You Need Fresh Water?
The next questions about taking a shower while sailing has to do with water conservation. How much water do you have in the tanks? When will you be able to fill up again and how long of a shower are you going to take? These are all very important considerations. On a one, or two-night crossing, assuming you have started with full water tanks, you should have very little issues with enjoying a moderately comfortable shower. If you are one of those people that like to drain the tanks, on the other hand, then you will need to limit your shower to a few minutes.
How to Take a Boat Shower?
When showering on a catamaran, it is very similar to taking a shower in an RV. The shower is there for convenience, but unless the RV has full hook-ups, you need to conserve water. So, like an RV, the best way to take a boat shower is to turn on the water long enough to get wet. Once wet, you need to turn off the water for the soaping stage. Once you have lathered up your body, it is time to wash your hair. I recommend washing your hair last as it is too easy to get soap in your eyes, the longer the shampoo is in your hair. Turn the water on for a good rinse, starting at your head and working your way down. The water should only be on for a minuet or two at best.
Saltwater Shower
If fresh water is scarce, like when you are at anchor for extended periods of time or when you are on a crossing, then using fresh water for a shower may not be an option. So, the other option is to take a saltwater shower. What is a saltwater shower? Well, a saltwater shower is simply using saltwater instead of fresh water for your wash. Some boats have handheld showers near the aft (rear) of the boat. Others may require throwing a 5-gallon bucket attached to rope overboard, pulling in saltwater from the ocean as you sail and dumping it over your head. The saltwater shower is similar to a freshwater shower. You get wet (with saltwater), wash, then rinse. The first rinse is with saltwater, then you can use a small amount of fresh water for the final rinse. This is a tactic that many cruisers use to conserve freshwater.
Hot Water or Cold Water
On a hot day in the tropics, it may be fine to take a cold shower, but what about a cool day on a crossing? Can you take a hot shower when sailing? The answer is yes with a couple of different options. The classic shower in the designated shower on the boat will need power to heat the water. Depending on the boat, you may need to run a generator or use the heat from the motors to heat the water. On a good sail day, using the motor or generator may be a luxury and burning fuel for showers may not be an option the captain will want to take.
Hot Water from the Sun (Solar Water Heater)
One option for heating the water is a solar shower. There are few different types of solar showers, but they generally work by filling a bladder full or water, which is heated by the sun. Once again, it must be a relatively warm and sunny day for this type of water heater to work well and for you take a shower on deck.
Running the Engines
Running the engines may be required when there is a lack of wind and/or many cruisers will run the engines for a short time each day so they can make water and charge the batteries. Be ready to take a shower when the engines are running so that you can enjoy a hot shower. If your catamaran is equipped with a water maker, then perhaps a little longer shower may be possible as well.
Showering on the Boat at the Marina
We covered showering while under sail, but how about showering in the marina? After a crossing or after being out on anchor for several days, it may be time to return to a marina for a couple of days. This is the time to fill the freshwater tanks and connect to shore power. It’s also a time to catch up on a long, hot, relaxing shower. You still have to think about filling up your gray water tanks and understanding the rules about dumping in the marinas.
Using the Marina Facilities
The other option is a nice long, hot shower in the marina facilities. Most marinas have nice shower facilities. Not only does this provide hot water and plenty of it, there is typically good water pressure and a spacious shower. Showers on catamarans can be tight quarters, depending on the size of catamaran so enjoying the marina showers are a much, appreciated luxury after being on the hook or away from civilization for a while.
So, there you have it. Yes you can shower on a catamaran while sailing utilizing different methods for doing it depending on your boat and circumstances. When you are on a catamaran, you can be clean while at the marina, on the hook or out sailing. See you sailing! ;\lsdsemihid