Spring Cleaning

It is difficult to keep any sort of living area clean when you have two kids.  OR - in my case, it is difficult to keep my personal space clean because cleaning is not something I enjoy.  One of the things I like about living aboard is that I do not have a large area that I need to keep clean.

We have a responsibility to keep our boat clean.  I think having a clean boat is a boat thing.  We don't want people to walk by our boat and KNOW that we liveaboard just by the way Ma'alahi looks.  We don't leave stuff lying around the cockpit or decks.  We want to be able to leave without too much preparation and securing of things down bellow. 

Stuff is always accumulating on our desk.  I spent sometime cleaning it up today.  Here is the finished product:  

Before

 

After... lets see how long this lasts!?

After

 

Ma'alahi Tour - Guest Stateroom -

K's stateroom is a work in progress.  My experience (via online research) has been that the guest stateroom in the 42' Catalina is often referred to as "the garage".  We will be unable to have that mentality seeing that our plan is for M and K to share this room sometime in the future.

This room is tucked away in the aft starboard side of Ma'alahi (difficult to photograph).  It is equipped with a full size bed and has (relatively) generous clothing storage.  The guest stateroom has direct access to the guest bathroom.

This room was FULL of boat equipment when we took delivery of the boat.  There is still a lot of stuff (sails, cushions, etc) on the bed.   Please excuse the mess!

Entrance - looking starboard

Clothing Storage - three functional drawers (bottom "drawer" drops down for access to through holes)

Hanging Locker - lined with cedar and modified with cedar shelving

Looking directly stern - K's tent, miscellaneous equipment, and escape hatch (into cockpit)

K's Tent - see Sleeping Arrangements

Ma'alahi Tour - Galley/Kitchen -

Adjusting to a marine galley has been difficult.  Ma'alahi has one of the better and more spacious galley designs out of all the boats we were considering.  

The Galley - located on the stern port side

Ma'alahi's galley is equipped with a 700 watt microwave.  The microwave theoretically can be used while at anchor, however, as general practice, we only use it when hooked up to shore power.

Dishes, bowls and cups are stored on the fixture above the sink.

There is an additional ice box (without refrigeration unit) just bellow the dehumidifier (next to the sink).  Tupperware and dry food goods (flour, sugar, etc) are stored inside.

The countertops are made of corian.

Double Sink, Brita Water Filter, Cabinet w/ Cleaning Supplies

Three Burner Gimballed Princess Propane Stove (Bakeware is stored inside the oven)

Storage behind stove/refrigerator

Top and Side Access Refrigerator/Freezer

"The Cave"/Pantry

Folding Counter-top & Garbage Can

We keep a large garbage can aboard.  We fill the can (mostly with diapers) about every other day.  We remove garbage from the boat so frequently that we have not had to deal with icky diaper smell.

Silverware Storage (container is on pivot)

Cupboard forward of Microwave (storage for cooking utensils and oils)

Cupboard aft of Microwave (storage for snacks, mugs, and toaster)

Swinging Spice Rack (just to stern of refrigerator)

Pantry - Top (Cookware, Pressure Cooker, and Measuring Cups)

Pantry - Center (Food Storage)

Pantry - Bottom (TBD... a lot of space though!)

Ma'alahi Tour - Cockpit -

One of the most invaluable features of our boat is its walk through stern.  We moor stern-in which allows us to load and unload the dog, kids, stroller, and groceries without having to climb up on deck and then step down into the cockpit.  

Swim step is un installed while at dock and stored to starboard.

Buddy, our yellow labrador retriever, lives in the cockpit.  He will not go down the companionway and we are OK with that (think of all the hair I don't have to clean up!).

Steering wheel is stored to starboard when not in use.

The cockpit is rather large and can easily seat six to eight people (four people can comfortably dine using the folding table).  Weather permitting, we prefer to eat dinner here (since we don't have a table in the galley).  The cockpit is set up to be fully enclosed, with canvas, so it can get pretty warm even on a mild/cloudy day. 

Seat Cushions are Bottom Siders - Buddy's bed is under folding table.

An additional feature that Catalina MKII's (and other models) have is the raised stern seats pictured to the port and starboard.  We have enjoyed these while at anchor when the kids are asleep and I imagine we would really enjoy using them while underway ... if we didn't have to constantly worry and watch the kids. 

Ma'alahi Tour - Living Room -

This is our living room, dining room, media room, etc.  The best decision that we made with this space is to remove the large table (see round table mounts in floor).  This allows for adequate playing/lounging space for our family.  We have also found the "marine leather" upholstery to be invaluable - it is easy to clean (think spit up).  

We have discussed purchasing a rug for this area to increase comfort.  We are holding off on that investment for a while because the floor is so easy to clean.

Facing Forward:

Note:  M's Clothing is stored inside the forward cabinet.  The children's books are stored in the cabinet just aft of M's cabinet.

Toy Storage & Baby Gate: 

Note - Baby gate blocks access to kitchen and companion way.  Toys are rotated out to provide K with variety. 

Port Settee:

TV, M's Bassinet, & K's high chair storage

Facing Starboard: 

This is where the table can be installed.  The table can drop down and convert to a double bed (the insert is stored under the master stateroom bed).

Ma'alahi Tour -Master Head-

The master head is accessed through a stern facing door in the master stateroom.  There is no teak/wood in the interior (YAY!!).  There is semi-separate area to shower (neither of us has taken a shower aboard as of yet).

Entrance:

Full length mirror installed on inside of head door:

Vanity:

Note: There is a water tight cubby next to sink intended for garbage - this is where my hair dryer, iron, and straightener are stored.  

Interior of vanity:

Bottom of Vanity:

Note - small cubby next to toilet is a water tight place to stow toilet paper.

Solar Ventilation & Garbage:

Soap Dispensers for Showering: 

Note - you can see that there is a heavy duty vinyl shower curtain that extends around the area to keep the door and vanity dry when showering.

Ma'alahi Tour - Master Stateroom -

The Master Stateroom is located in the bow of the boat.  There are three different floor plans for the Catalina 42' MKII.  We have the two stateroom centerline design meaning that the master birth is centered in the boat with a little bit of room to "walk around" the bed. 

Facing bow:

Facing forward starboard:

Facing stern toward port side:  

Note: hanging locker for storage, door on left leads to living room, door on right goes to master head.

Storage: Hanging locker in bow of boat (behind our pillows)
Note: used for storage of diapers, wipes, and other paper products purchased in bulk. 

 

Chart Storage: (on ceiling)

Clothing Storage:  large drawers under bed

 

Hatch Blinds: (Ocean Air)