My question, as we start to stock our boat, is:

I always thought ...Read more]]> We recently purchased a Com-Pac 23 (an upgrade from a Com-Pac 19). We take many extended stays on the water throughout the summer, hoping to someday take off for the big blue waters.

My question, as we start to stock our boat, is:

What organizing tips and tricks do your contributors have for us rookies?

I always thought it was Ben Franklin who coined the phrase, “A place for everything and everything in its place.“

But not surprisingly, according to Phrase Finder, several early citations are from nautical contexts. Here’s an example from Frederick Marryat’s Masterman Ready or the Wreck of the Pacific, 1842: “In a well conducted man-o-war, every thing is in its place and there is a place for every thing.”

Unorganized organization

I have my own version of this: “There is a pile for every thing and every thing is in its pile.”

I am a “pilot”. I pile it here and I pile it there.

However, on the boat that is not an option. We have to be able to put our hands on what we need quickly. So it is imperative that everything on the boat has a designated spot and is returned to that spot when not in use.

Anybody remember what we put in there?

We even tell each other where we are putting something new so that, hopefully, one of us will remember where it is.

Over the last several days we have been stocking Wrinkles. Storage on this boat is completely different from our previous boat. There is significantly more storage but in different configurations from the CP-19.

We have shelves with doors along the port and starboard sides of the cabin that we didn’t have before. There are also two long compartments under the side berths that provide room for the larger items. However, we lost the galley that Mike made for the CP 19 that had two pull-put drawers.  Now we get to find the perfect places for all the things we carry.  We need to remember that just because there is more room doesn’t mean we need to carry more stuff. Well maybe one more ……

Storage behind doors by side berths

I’m sure there will be a trip to the local discount store to find containers that will fit the various shaped cubbies.

The compartment under the side berths is long and narrow with only an 18″ square opening for access.  The previous owners used a system we had heard other sailors mention – rectangular plastic tubs hooked together by a rope in a train-like fashion.  The tubs can be slid back and forth so that the needed item is positioned under the opening.  I think this might be the perfect spot for canned goods, coffee press, pitcher, etc. on one side and water cannon, slushie mobile, flashlights, etc. on the other.

I’ve had to retrain myself for life on a boat.  I try very hard to not just set something down – I take the extra couple of seconds needed to make sure the item is returned to its correct spot.  Now if I could only accomplish this on my desk! (and my bathroom counter, and…)

Brenda

About Brenda Greene

Brenda is new to sailing. She and her husband Mike (high school sweethearts) began sailing five or six years ago. They started out on a Sunfish and were instantly hooked. They bought a Com-Pac 16 to learn more about sailing and then moved up to the Com-Pac 19 for more room. Last summer they spent 30 nights at anchor.

Brenda is definitely not just along for the ride when it comes to sailing. She splits time at the tiller, hanks on sails and handles the anchoring duties. Sailing as a team ranks high on her list. Recently they upgraded again to the Com-Pac 23 (Wrinkles). The goal, now that they are empty nesters, is to get as much sailing experience as possible in the next two years and then sell the house, buy a seaworthy boat, and sail to ports unknown. “We don’t have very deep pockets. We do all the work on the boat ourselves. (OK, Mike does most of the work). We aren’t minimalists, but rather prefer to keep things simple.”

Brenda is a middle school special education and reading teacher. Mike, no matter what his job, would prefer to be retired! When not sailing, Brenda is a keeper of memories – scrapbooking and blogging about their experiences to help their friends and family understand and share in the pursuit of their dream.

Here is their blog: Wrinkles in Our Sails

Read also on this website

• Ask your question – Women & Cruising contributors and readers answer your questions about cruising: Read all entries

What organizing tips and tricks have you discovered?

Let us know.

Email kathy@forcruisers.com (with pictures if you have them!) or leave a comment below.