Life on our 1989 Catalina 36 begins.
Moving onto a sailboat is equal parts romance and logistics. The bags and boxes arrive, the excitement spikes, and then reality sets in: space is a premium and everything needs a ship shaped spot. On a 36 foot boat, there is no “leave it on the counter.” Every item needs a home, a fastening method, and a plan for where it lives underway.
We started with the bare minimum and discovered quickly that organization is not optional. The first task was systematic: inventory every locker from bow to stern. What felt tedious right away paid off fast. When something breaks, you want to know where the spare parts are, not spend hours guessing.
Why inventorying lockers matters
⚓ Know what you have so you do not buy duplicate parts or miss a critical spare.
⚓ Save time in an emergency by having labeled spots and an inventory list for essential items like fuel filters, spare hose clamps, and bilge pump parts.
⚓ Uncover hidden problems — stale tools, corroded clamps, and mystery fluids all turn up when you empty out long-forgotten spaces.
A gift from the previous previous owner (aka Dad)
One huge advantage we had was finding my Dad’s handwritten notebooks left on board. They contained a locker-by-locker inventory and notes about parts. That sort of documentation is gold. If the previous owners left any notes, read them carefully and use them as a baseline for your own system.
Mystery liquids and the coolant trail
Deep in a nearly inaccessible locker we found a pool of yellowish engine coolant. It was not obvious where it had come from, and the seal on the coolant bottle was still on. The fluid had migrated and pooled far from its source. That discovery led to tracing hoses, checking clamps, and replacing a cracked coolant reservoir.
Lessons from chasing mystery fluids:
- ⚓ Follow where the liquid leads, not just where it pools. Fluids can seep along bilges and under stringers.
- ⚓ Inspect bottles and reservoirs for cracks even when they appear sealed.
- ⚓ Check hose clamps for corrosion and proper placement; a loose clamp is a common leak source.
The bilge pump scare and a rapid temporary fix
A bigger concern surfaced when a cracked hose was found on the manual bilge pump. The crack was right at the frame, which meant in an emergency the pump might not be able to move water out of the boat. That is the sort of problem you cannot ignore.
We performed a temporary repair so the pump could function while we sourced a full replacement. Temporary fixes are sometimes necessary, but they must be honest bandages that buy time without giving false security. The plan was clear: replace the hose and likely the pump diaphragm as soon as possible. But being a sailboat, specially in areas with not much marine supplies, sometimes we just have to do the best we can in the meantime!
Quick bilge pump checklist
⚓ Inspect all bilge hoses for cracks, abrasions, and chafe points.
⚓ Test manual and electric pumps under load to ensure they actually move water.
⚓ Carry a spare length of hose, extra clamps, and a pump diaphragm for emergency repairs.
⚓ Label pump locations and write simple pump operation notes for crew members.
Finding problems early is a superpower
Onboard life rewards curiosity and thoroughness. Petra has an uncanny knack for spotting small failures before they became big ones. That attention to detail is invaluable. I’d encourage everyone living on the boat to check lockers, lines, and through-hulls regularly. Two pairs of eyes are better than one!
Taking a break: sailing in Banderas Bay
After days of hot, sweaty work, a sail with dock neighbors provided the reset we needed. Banderas Bay is one of the largest and deepest bays, an ideal playground for learning, practicing sail trim, and simply enjoying the water. Time off the boat doing what we moved aboard to do is not just a morale booster, it’s a key ingredient for living this life! It recharges motivation and gives perspective on priorities.