For Those Who Were Already Living On Their Boats, Staying At Home Has Perks That Outweigh The Challenges

When was the last time you laid on your back and looked up at the sky watching puffy clouds float by? Just the other day, after a masked and gloved power walk, I snapped my yoga mat out on the finger pier and got in position for sit ups and back exercises. But the blue sky and wispy clouds overhead, masts and rigging reaching skyward, and the warmth of the dock under my back, kept me prone for a while. “This is way better than the gym,” I thought. And it struck me that this crazy time we are living through has some definite upsides. 

Liveaboards are keenly aware of the advantages of life on the dock during the best of times. Water and mountains surround us daily. We feel connected to nature and our neighbors. But how are people faring during this pandemic? I set out to talk to people—from a safe, six-plus foot distance—and find out.

Sharing the Love

Amanda Matthews, mom to six-month-old, Mya, lives on S/V Defiant with her husband, Kenny. “During this time of quarantine, besides sailing, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than our marina,” said Amanda. “We get to watch the sunset and go for paddleboard or dinghy rides. The calming water and fresh, salty air are healing, and we are so thankful!” On a recent venture out on the boat, Mya woke up crying when the engine started. “I brought her on deck, and she looked out at the water and smiled the biggest smile. I felt a flood of oxytocin (the “love hormone”), seeing her love the same thing that Kenny and I do.” 

Project Time

Walking down the dock, I noted the sparklingly clean boats, and people actually getting those long-delayed projects done. David Kobernuss and his wife, Lese, on S/V Pangea are in the midst of several daunting projects, including some soft-spot repair on the bow, re-installing the bowsprit, putting in new davits, and some hefty rewiring projects.

Sitting at the water-end of his finger pier, boat parts in hand, David smiled when I stopped to see how they were doing. “It’s like living in a dorm again!” he laughed. “People stop by on their way up and down the dock, and with the additional time most of us have now, chat for longer than usual.” 

Good Neighbors in a Strong Community

As boaters, we are intuitively aware of the wind direction and make sure not to stand downwind of one another when we meet on the dock. We even have the occasional happy hour from the safe distance of our bows. The built-in community feel is even stronger than it usually is. Or maybe it’s just that we have the time to notice something we’ve always been aware of, but that stands out more noticeably against the backdrop of this pandemic. 

Portia and Jeff Stanton aboard S/V Arya are expecting their first grandchild, as am I. Frustrated by our inability to see our daughters, both of whom live right here in Seattle, we commiserate and bolster one another up. Prior to this, we’ve said hello in passing, but we now share a deeper connection. “Normally I just see people on my way to and from work,” said Portia. “But now that I’m at home, I am really getting to know my neighbors.”

Activity Helps

Lange Clancy and Tom Hammond are avid climbers and hit the gym on a regular basis. Now that it’s closed, they have rigged up a dockside gym and are working hard to keep in shape for their next climb.

What about the younger folks on the dock? How are they doing?

Kai is 6 ½ years old. “Almost 7!” he quickly pointed out. I asked what he knows about the Coronavirus. “Well,” he said, “a lot of people are getting sick and dying, more than the flu, and my teacher wants me to stay home and not get sick.” An only child, Kai doesn’t have anyone to play with. “But sometimes we have virtual meetings and I get to see my friends,” he said. Any good news for Kai? “I get to hang out with my dog, Nya, all day long!” And he’s not exactly sad about not going to school every day!

Finn Malone, 18, lives with his parents on S/V Morningstar. “I like living on the dock during this time,” he said, “because when I go anywhere, I have to walk all the way down the dock. In a house, there may be more room inside, but here we get to see our neighbors as we walk the dock.” Finn misses his friends and his girlfriend. He gets along well with his parents, but when he occasionally needs to get away (and what 18-year-old hasn’t experienced that?), he can walk safely around the marina and get fresh air.

Nate, 13, on M/V Black Jack, talked to me while cleaning his boat with his parents. Having school online helps. “It would be hard 75 years ago with the technology back then,” he said. “I’d never see or talk to anyone.” As for living on a boat, “I can go kayaking or paddleboarding,” he said. “And I see people everywhere and can talk to people from a safe distance.” Nate and his family have taken the boat out a few times. “We can take our house with us, anchor and hike in places where it is safe to do so. In a house, we’d be stuck there.” 

Not Without Its Challenges

One decidedly stressful situation for liveaboards without showers on their boat is having to use the public facilities. These were already hopelessly outdated and deteriorating enough that the port is presently in the midst of building replacements. They never feel quite clean, despite the Port’s assurance that they are cleaning twice a day. That effort provides little comfort when we don’t know who may have used the shower before us.

Some people are doing “sink baths” or “sponge baths” on their boats. One guy brings a bottle of eco-friendly sanitizer and sprays down the shower before use. Others say they just hope for the best, wash their hands when they get back from the shower, and are mindful of the clothing and supplies they brought in with them. We are as careful as we can be, but it is undeniably worrisome.

Amidst Devastation for Some, Dock Life is A Good Thing

It is important to acknowledge those for whom this is a devastating time. There are those grieving a loved one lost to this virus. Some own businesses that are in danger of failing. Others are struggling to put food on the table or pay rent because of lost wages. The general positivity around the marina community does not negate the many tragic stories. Yet, I am grateful every day that my experience, despite certain inconveniences and frustrations, has not devastated me or my family. And it seems that most others feel the same. 

For all its challenges, dock life during our time of quarantine is a good thing. Fresh air, sunshine, neighbors, sunsets, and nature are welcome diversions and a healthy dose of medicine for the spirit.