There is one difference between buying new and buying used, and it’s not just about price. I hadn’t banked on the amount of work involved in cleaning a used boat. Such is the case with our St Francis 50 catamaran, SV Aphrodite.
Today, Betty and I spent the day cleaning our boat.
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Cleaning Out the Previous Owner’s Stuff
What I haven’t told you previously is that our boat was full of stuff when we took ownership. So far, my husband and I have removed roughly 30 garbage bags of stuff from our boat.
In fairness, the close date for our boat was moved up and the previous owner didn’t have an opportunity to unload their personal effects.
Turns out, cleaning a used boat is a pretty common experience. People think they are buying a boat but they are actually buying a boat full of things.
I enjoy the fact that our boat has been lived in and enjoyed. It has good vibes and we really like the boat and the space it affords us. I even appreciate some of the books that were left behind. I will enjoy reading Sport Fish of the Gulf of Mexico, for example.
Why Cleaning a Used Boat Is Different
But, cleaning a used boat is an experience. It’s not like cleaning a house because there is so much surface area. Open a locker and another one appears beneath it. Ceilings and walls are all fair game.
I came to Florida to clean our boat this weekend and I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. We’ve washed every dish, removed dust and exoskeletons from drawers and shelves, but I haven’t even started on the bathrooms.
In truth, I don’t enjoy housework or even pairing knick-knacks and patterns. I prefer being outside. And, to an extent, my house reflects that. But, when the mess originates from someone else then it seems more tolerable. The mess is not about me. I just clean. Wait till the mess starts to originate from me — and it will be a different story.
How I Got a Handle on Boat Mess
I was overrun by dishes, sweeping and laundry. My brainchild is the Job Jar, which allows my children to contribute in small ways, which made a big difference to my happiness and keeping a tidy and well-maintained boat.