Although I'm virtually living aboard due to work commitments, we had our first opportunity to spend time aboard as a couple in "floating cottage" mode last week
In one way, it was a nuisance that I was far too busy to take much time off work while Jane was aboard but in another it was a good test of how our lifestyle will be from next year
All in all, it went very well indeed. We already know that apart from the cooking the domestic systems are lacking but that's on the "to do" list already.
Happily, we've both concluded that the galley is perfectly usable. We were a little concerned it would prove a bit small but it's just not a problem.
Another niggle we've found is that the foot end of the v-berth is rather narrow. We're used to the generous space for feet on Erbas and, slightly surprisingly, the berth on Pagan is nowhere near as wide.
However, I suspect the berth is narrower than it could be as there is an internal lining which I'm pretty sure is eating up several inches of width. That said, we may get used to it anyway
That aside, she's proving to be a very comfortable boat to be aboard. There's loads of space to move around and now that we're getting on top of the storage plenty of places to put stuff
The aft cabin is already fulfilling one of its intended functions as guest accommodation. It'll be some time, and probably not this year, before we get around to refitting the cabin but ideas are already being considered
All in all, a good start to our adventures with Pagan. Jane is back aboard for a long weekend in a fortnight then again the following weekend, albeit briefly, for the Fambridge River Festival.
Mid-June we have a whole twelve days aboard together and if the work schedule permits and I can get the leaky stern gland repacked in time we'll try and get out and about for at least a week of it. Nothing ambitious, just a potter around local waters.
"Floating Cottage", by the way, is how we refer to being aboard on our home berth with no plans to go anywhere. As opposed to "Cruising" mode.
In "floating cottage" mode it doesn't matter how much water we use, we're always on shore power and running out of something is easily sorted by a quick trip to the shop.
It's mainly a different mindset, rather than a significant difference in how the boat is setup (at least as things stand)
In one way, it was a nuisance that I was far too busy to take much time off work while Jane was aboard but in another it was a good test of how our lifestyle will be from next year
All in all, it went very well indeed. We already know that apart from the cooking the domestic systems are lacking but that's on the "to do" list already.
Happily, we've both concluded that the galley is perfectly usable. We were a little concerned it would prove a bit small but it's just not a problem.
Another niggle we've found is that the foot end of the v-berth is rather narrow. We're used to the generous space for feet on Erbas and, slightly surprisingly, the berth on Pagan is nowhere near as wide.
However, I suspect the berth is narrower than it could be as there is an internal lining which I'm pretty sure is eating up several inches of width. That said, we may get used to it anyway
That aside, she's proving to be a very comfortable boat to be aboard. There's loads of space to move around and now that we're getting on top of the storage plenty of places to put stuff
The aft cabin is already fulfilling one of its intended functions as guest accommodation. It'll be some time, and probably not this year, before we get around to refitting the cabin but ideas are already being considered
All in all, a good start to our adventures with Pagan. Jane is back aboard for a long weekend in a fortnight then again the following weekend, albeit briefly, for the Fambridge River Festival.
Mid-June we have a whole twelve days aboard together and if the work schedule permits and I can get the leaky stern gland repacked in time we'll try and get out and about for at least a week of it. Nothing ambitious, just a potter around local waters.
"Floating Cottage", by the way, is how we refer to being aboard on our home berth with no plans to go anywhere. As opposed to "Cruising" mode.
In "floating cottage" mode it doesn't matter how much water we use, we're always on shore power and running out of something is easily sorted by a quick trip to the shop.
It's mainly a different mindset, rather than a significant difference in how the boat is setup (at least as things stand)
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