Charter know-how · Aboard
Living aboard: water, power, the heads and gas
6 min read
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A yacht is a small, self-contained home. Water and power are limited between marinas, the toilets work differently from home, and the gas needs a little care. Ten minutes understanding the systems saves a lot of trouble.
Water
- Charter yachts carry a few hundred litres of water (catamarans more than monohulls). With a full crew that can run out in two or three days.
- Short showers, the tap off while soaping, washing up in a bowl, and a rinse with the deck shower after swimming rather than a full shower.
- Fill up at every marina or town quay that has a hose. Some boats have a watermaker: ask how to run it.
- Ask at check-in whether the tank water is drinkable. Many crews drink bottled water and use the tanks for everything else.
Power
- Everything aboard runs from 12V batteries. In a marina you plug into shore power; at anchor the batteries are charged by the engine, solar panels or a generator.
- The fridge, the anchor windlass and the autopilot use the most. Running the engine for about an hour a day at anchor is common if there is no solar or generator.
- 230V sockets usually work only on shore power, from the generator or through an inverter. Charge phones from 12V USB sockets.
- Never let the batteries run flat: the engine may need them to start.
The heads (toilets)
- Nothing goes in a marine toilet except what you have eaten and a little thin toilet paper. Everything else, including wipes and sanitary products, goes in the bin. A blocked toilet is the most common call to the base.
- Pump until the bowl is clear, then a few more strokes so the pipe is clear too.
- In harbours, marinas, bays and near swimmers, use the holding tank. Empty it well offshore where the local rules allow, or at a pump-out station.
- Learn the holding-tank valve at check-in and agree who opens and closes it.
Gas
- The cooker runs on bottled gas. Open the valve at the bottle (or the switch on the panel) only while cooking and close it straight after.
- Gas is heavier than air and collects low in the boat. If you ever smell gas: no flames, no switches, close the bottle, open every hatch and ventilate.
- Know where the spare bottle is and how to change it.
Under way
General guidance for charter crews. Your charter company's briefing, the boat's own manuals and local rules always come first.