Sundown Sailing Adventures

Contortionist Clay

The dirty work has begun. For the past two weekends, my husband and I have rolled up our sleeves and started deep cleaning Sundown from stem to stern. Actually, that’s not quite true. We decided to first focus on the stern–the back half of the boat: the dining area, aft cabin, galley, engine compartment, rear water tank and storage areas under the cockpit. To combat feeling overwhelmed, I’m concentrating on one small space at a time. My mantra for this job is: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

So far it’s been a very hot, sweaty affair. With outside temperatures in the 90s, it has to be another five to 10 degrees hotter in the cabin…and hotter still down in the bilges and storage areas. (Who needs a sauna when you own a boat?)

In my short time as a boat owner, I’ve learned there are two things every boat must have: an ample supply of used toothbrushes and contortionists.

At this point it’s probably appropriate to share another little tidbit about me. In addition to being an endorphin junkie (see “How to Find Your Dreamboat – Part Two”), I’m also a clean freak. How bad is it? Well, that depends on who you ask. I’ll just say that my obsession with cleanliness and organization began when I was quite young. For example, when I went to slumber parties, after all the other girls were finally asleep, I would get up  to tidy up. At work, my colleagues no longer think it strange to find me raiding the janitor’s closet for supplies to clean my office or washing my disassembled keyboard in the kitchen sink. Before I leave home each morning, our bed is made with all the covers pulled taut, the countertops are de-cluttered and disinfected, and the accent pillows on the couch are fluffed. (Did I hear someone whisper, “OCD?” I prefer OCO or Obsessive Compulsive ORDER, thank you.)

I believe my OCO’ness is perfect for “ship-shape” living aboard Sundown and for all the work required to get her habitable. I also believe that toothbrushes are quite possibly some of the most ingenious tools ever invented.

As I mentioned in my first blog, “We Own a Boat,” Sundown has been neglected for several years. There’s varying amounts grease, grime and mildew everywhere; we’re using bleach to kill it and wash every surface. I’m delighted at how well I can clean out even the smallest nook or cranny using a toothbrush. Our supply of used ones already is dwindling, though, so if you have any to spare, please send them our way!

Another thing I believe is that boats were built by contortionists and if you want a clean one, you have to learn their body-twisting tricks.

At one point this weekend, I found myself sitting inside the aft cabin’s hanging locker so I could clean around the backside of the doorframe (with a toothbrush, of course). My not so graceful exit gave a whole new meaning to “coming out of the closet.”

At another point, my husband asked me to stand by and lend him a hand as he applied a coat of epoxy to the inside of the rear water tank which he’d already sanitized. He had to lie on the floor, bend down into a bilge and stick his head, neck, and one arm and shoulder into the tank. I was dutifully standing right by his lower end when I heard a strange, high-pitched garbled voice. I couldn’t figure out if someone had stopped by to visit and was outside, down below the boat or if it was the radio. Then I realized it was my husband yelling for help because he was a bit stuck. Thankfully, his leather belt is a strong one, I’ve done my share of weight lifting and we have a good chiropractor.

Next up? Demolition derby.