I am moving out to Portland from the East Coast and am very seriously considering looking for a boat and living aboard.
I know that some of you have--Loren, I'm pretty sure, has mentioned it--and I had a couple of questions. If you think you should mention something I haven't asked, please do.
Mainly I'm curious/worried about the inner environment of the boat. In a colder, wetter climate, I know that it behooves you to cook less pasta, take fewer and shorter and colder showers onboard, run a dehumidifier, and such things to avoid condensation on the inside. I know about buying Damp-rid and keeping clothes out of contact with the hull and little stuff like that.
But can you keep a boat warm in this climate without breaking the bank or burning it down? I like the idea of a small wood stove, but I have the impression they're impractical and that what you need is a diesel one that's on a thermostat. But how expensive is that? And does it really work? And does it stink? And once you've got a hole punched through the deck, does it rot and turn the balsa coring to "black slime," as someone mentioned in the Maintenance section?
Also, if anyone in the Portland area has any hot tips on marinas, I'm open to ideas. I looked at the . . . McCuddy's? at Jantzen Beach or thereabouts last month when I was out. I plan to look at their marina over near Sauvie Island. I know that's a long way from the river, but that doesn't bother me that much. I've got a dog and it sounds like Sauvie Island is a better place for her to run.
Anyway, your input welcome here.
Thanks,
John
I know that some of you have--Loren, I'm pretty sure, has mentioned it--and I had a couple of questions. If you think you should mention something I haven't asked, please do.
Mainly I'm curious/worried about the inner environment of the boat. In a colder, wetter climate, I know that it behooves you to cook less pasta, take fewer and shorter and colder showers onboard, run a dehumidifier, and such things to avoid condensation on the inside. I know about buying Damp-rid and keeping clothes out of contact with the hull and little stuff like that.
But can you keep a boat warm in this climate without breaking the bank or burning it down? I like the idea of a small wood stove, but I have the impression they're impractical and that what you need is a diesel one that's on a thermostat. But how expensive is that? And does it really work? And does it stink? And once you've got a hole punched through the deck, does it rot and turn the balsa coring to "black slime," as someone mentioned in the Maintenance section?
Also, if anyone in the Portland area has any hot tips on marinas, I'm open to ideas. I looked at the . . . McCuddy's? at Jantzen Beach or thereabouts last month when I was out. I plan to look at their marina over near Sauvie Island. I know that's a long way from the river, but that doesn't bother me that much. I've got a dog and it sounds like Sauvie Island is a better place for her to run.
Anyway, your input welcome here.
Thanks,
John