Our time here in Ocracoke is quickly drawing to an end. We continue to make the most of any nice weather by going out and fishing; however I thought something different might be in order for this post. Although many of our friends and family have had a visit to Southern Style to see the boat in person; I realize there are some who have never been aboard. Pengi suggested taking some pictures of the boat that we call home. This may help those who follow us but have not been aboard see better what our home is like. I also apologize for any clutter. Just like any home; we do live here and these are not staged pictures for a sales add. So here we go. I'll start with just a few shots of the exterior.
This is a view of the bow (front of the boat). Since we are docked, there are two power cables you can see coming from the left side of the boat. These connect us with shore power to run all the boats electrical needs. When we are anchored, power can be supplied by both battery power or by running a generator.
Pengi sitting on the roof of the pilot house next to our air horn. This is the view as I am standing on the bow shooting back and upwards. There are silver horns to the left of Pengi. These are helpful just as with a car to call attention to yourself if needed. We also sound the horns about every two minutes when traveling in fog. For the record, I hate fog. The two white, covered rectangular objects are speakers. The object above the horns is a forward looking infrared camera. This can be used to see objects better if traveling in the dark. We personally choose not to travel in the night time and have never been stuck having to do this.
As you come along each side of the boat (port amd starboard) there is a companionway leading to the rear of the boat. Looking from the bow (front) along the side toward the back (stern)
This is the stern of the boat. Normally a folding bike for each of us is our mode of transportation when on land. We don't typically have a car; however this past year we had purchase a used Jeep that has been great for us. This will be leaving us at the end of the summer as we plan to travel more and the Jeep will not be used. The area above where the bike is located is called the cockpit. This is like a porch for us. We will sit here and read, visit with friends, or have a cocktail and watch the world go by.
The very top of the boat is the fly bridge. From here we can drive the boat. It is enclosed by special clear, plastic panels that can be lifted up as desired to provide more circulation. These panels can also be kept closed and heat or air-conditioning can be used for climate control if desired. This area is somewhat like a sunroom in a traditional house. The roof is fiberglass referred to as a" hard top". There are some weather instruments, two radar units, and a satellite TV unit on this roof. At our highest point we are 23 feet above the water line. This means that we can not get under any fixed bridges that are less than 23 feet high. Many low bridges on the waters we travel have the ability to open; however, some do not and this limits us a little in where we can cruise.
Standing at the door of the fly bridge and looking back is where the dinghy sits. In this picture the dinghy was off and I have our hammock chair hanging from the crane arm. When we raise or lower the dinghy, it hooks onto this arm where the hammock is currently. The crane can then move out over the side the boat and lower or raise the dinghy and swing it into position on the two wooden chalks you see beneath the hammock. The crane is rated to be able to handle 1,000 lbs. You can see there is a grill in the foreground. This is a gas grill. There is also an electric grill just behind the crane on the left. We tend to use the electric grill most frequently as it is the easiest and quickest when preparing most grilled meals.
Now I will move into the interior. You enter the salon (living room) from a door at the stern of the boat in the cockpit. This is pretty much what you would see. There are chairs to the left, a table at the right in front of a fixed sofa. There is a TV of course and 3 stairs that take you up to the galley (kitchen) and pilot house area. To the left of the stairs is a small bar, counter and sink. Just above that you may be able to see the interior set of stairs going up to the fly bridge.
This brings us into the galley. I really love my galley. It is not like a big kitchen in a house, but for a boat it sure is nice. There is ample counter space and cabinets. It is also open to the area were we can drive the boat from inside (referred to as the pilot house). In this view the two cream colored chairs are where we would sit to drive. I am taking the picture shooting back toward the galley area. The area beneath the cabinets is open to the salon.
Now I am standing behind the counter in the galley (kitchen) and shooting toward the front of the boat. You can see the galley table with the folding leaf down. The two Stidd chairs to the right are where we sit to drive. Stidd is an egonomic marine chair designed specifically for boats. They are great when having to be in the same chair for hours on end as we move the boat during long days. There are dark covers on the windows. We keep these on when not moving the boat as it keeps the sun from baking through the glass windows across the front of this area. It helps keep the boat cooler. They easily snap off when we are planning to be underway.
There are two drawer refrigerators and two drawer freezers in the galley. Using these drawers is somewhat akin to working out of a cooler. Takes a little getting used to after an upright refrigerator, but now I don't even think about it anymore. There is also a small dishwasher that is also a drawer. The black appliance at the far end is a combination microwave and convection oven. It is small but does a nice job. Since a standard 9 by 11 inch pan will not fit and rotate in this oven I bake in a deep dish pizza pan. It does a great job. I can bake any meat such as chicken, porkchops etc. I use silicone cupcake forms for pastries as I can set them right on a pizza tray or pan for baking. Works like a charm.
Here Pengi shows off the dishwasher. My smoker racks are in there currently, just finished some more smoked blue fish.
From here we move down into the sleeping quarters. There is a stairway on the right side (starboard) of the boat just beside the Stidd chairs in the pilot house that goes down to the cabins (bedrooms). The master cabin or stateroom has a king sized bed. This was put in by the previous owner. They changed out the queen for a king. I am so glad they did. There are many cabinets and drawers for storage, but no walk in closet. This cabin (bedroom) is just in front of where the engines are located. A sound sheild wall keeps engine room noise to a minimum. Really the only time this is an issue is at anchor if we are running the generator.
To the port side of the master cabin is the master head (bathroom). There is a standard vacuflush toilet, sink, counter, and stand-up shower. Just as with a camper, we must use special toilet paper. We work off a water tank for all our tap water, dishwasher, shower, washing machine, etc. The water tank on board is 210 gallons of fresh water. When docked in most marinas, it is easy to refill the tank from dock water. At times however; such as in the Bahamas, dock water can be limited or expensive. Also when at anchor there is no spigot to plug your hose to. So we have a water maker. This can make fresh water from salt water. When running it can make about 30 gallons per hour. This is plenty for all of our needs.
Moving forward from the master cabin on the port side is the bunk room (3rd cabin) which contains an upper and lower bunk, as well as a work desk. This is my sewing/craft room. It is always a bit disheveled. Right now I am working on a very bright fish quilt.
In addition to the bunk cabin at mid ship there is also a washer and dryer. This has been wonderful. Having the ability to do laundry on board rather than using marina facilities or finding a laundry mat is a very big deal. Pengi once again showing off the appliances.
The final cabin is the VIP guest stateroom. It is all the way forward in the bow of the boat. There is a queen sized bed and it has its own on suite head (bathroom) with a sink, toilet, and full stand-up shower. The view from the hallway looking into the guest stateroom.
Looking from the bed toward to head (bathroom) door at left and hallway door to the right. TV also on the wall beside the hallway door.
This gives everyone an idea of what our living space is like. As you can see, Southern Style is a very traditional type of boat with ALOT of wood on the interior. Some people like the appearance of a wood interior. Others prefer a more modern look to their boat, but that is why they make chocolate and vanilla. I have a love/hate relationship with all the wood. I love the look. It is challenging however to live in the space and not scratch or ding things. The floor is a high gloss and keeping it shiny is next to impossible. As soon as I polish it, our bear feet leave a mark with the next step on it. Also all the slats that cover the cabinets are tedious to dust. But I wouldn't trade it for any other.
So there you have it. This is our floating home. It certainly is different from a traditional land based house, but what an adventure it has been. We consider ourselves so fortunate to be able to experience this. I hope those who follow our blog found this little aside something fresh from all the fishing posts.
