Food
Food on board Otra Vida is vegan. We make most food from scratch – bread, granola, salsa, pancakes, hummus, tortillas/chapatis, salad dressings, arepas, flat pasta, pizza, most sauces and curries, etc. Pre-prepared foods are almost never used.
I enjoy cooking and am happy to cook most meals. I am also happy when others cook – bring your recipes, share the stories associated with them, and gift the experience of new dishes to others.
Occasionally, if something locally available is especially notable, we may eat vegetarian food (e.g. excellent artisanal cheese). Very rarely, for example if we are gifted something by a fishing boat and it would be offensive to refuse their generosity, we may cook non vegetarian food on board. Also, for clarity, our dog´s food does include animal products.
What each person eats ashore is their personal choice.
I’m personally interested in expanding my knowledge of vegan cooking and bread making, so if you have these skills please do share them.
Water
The boat has freshwater tanks containing 250 litres. Drinking and cooking typically consumes 2.5-4l water per person per day, meaning there is enough water for several weeks on board if we are all conscious of usage. Usually we refill by capturing rainwater using the hard bimini, and occasionally by bringing jerry cans of water back and forth in the dinghy.
Showering uses a relatively large amount of water. 20 litres is typical for one person showering. In a warm climate, we normally bathe by swimming in the sea or taking a saltwater shower on deck. Towelling off removes almost all the salt, and most people find this OK. For some a freshwater rinse is essential for skin or hair comfort, and if this is the case for you please limit your rinsing to the minimum.
In cold climates generally there is abundant water, and we can shower as often as we use the engine (which heats the water).
On ocean passages freshwater is used only for drinking and cooking, for obvious reasons.
Drugs
I am entirely relaxed about drugs and plant medicines, and philosophically consider the choice to explore consciousness using entheogens and psychedelics as one of our most fundamental rights. Unfortunately authorities in most countries do not share that view.
Penalties for boats with drugs on board are usually severe, often including jail time and confiscation of the boat. Understandably, I would prefer to avoid both of those.
I strongly prefer that you do not smoke tobacco on board, but if this is essential for you we will find a way to make it work.
You are welcome to drink alcohol on board, and there certainly are occasions where alcohol flows freely late into the night, but it would be incorrect to view Otra Vida as a boat where high alcohol consumption is a regular occurrence. If that is your preference please join another boat – you will have no difficulty finding one where high alcohol consumption is the norm.
Electricity
Otra Vida has adequate electricity for normal day to day needs, including charging personal electronic devices.
Available electricity is:
- 220V, European-style 2-pin plugs
- 12V cigar-lighter sockets (the type in cars)
- 5V USB sockets
Please note there is no 110V supply on board, and no US-style outlets. If you wish to use US-style plugs you will need to bring your own adapters.
We normally anchor and go ashore by dinghy. Although you are very unlikely to fall out of the dinghy, you are almost certainly going to get splashed by seawater at some point. Therefore, it is recommended that you bring a submersible dry bag for any electronics you will be taking ashore, e.g. laptop / tablet / phone.
Communications
When near to land we usually have internet access through the mobile phone network, sharing one or more local SIM cards with data packages.
Otra Vida has a satellite phone on board that we use to download weather forecasts when out of range of internet / phone signal. The satellite phone is also available for emergencies and for occasional essential personal communication. You are welcome to give the satellite phone number to people so they can contact you (receiving text messages on the boat is free of charge for all involved).
The boat has a fixed VHF radio, and three handheld VHF radios for shore trips. The following safety devices are on board: an EPIRB, two PLBs, two personal AISs, and a SART.
Medicines
I have a good selection of medicines on board for most unexpected situations we are likely to encounter, including first aid, antibiotics, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, pain medication, seasickness medication, etc.
Please bring along any medicine you require for personal use, including your personal supply of seasickness medication – the boat medicines are intended for unexpected / emergency use only.
Finally, please try out your seasickness medication on land and ensure that you do not have an adverse reaction to it, especially if you are using scopalmine patches.