[EDITOR'S NOTE: I've asked Dave Bernheisel to fill us in on some of the basic stuff about life onboard Going There. Here's what he has to report. ]

Posted 07.08.02
On the Great American Loop

DAVE BERNHEISEL

Back to basics aboard the Going There

Hi John,

Going There is a 1980 Mainship 34-I (whatever that means). Living quarters are two V-berths up forward, coming back on the port side is the galley, and starboard side is the head. Aft of that is the salon, which has a convertible sofa, table, and a couple of chairs.

Aft of that is the cockpit, which has enough room for four people to sit around. Above the salon is the bridge from where you control the boat.

The engine is a single 160 HP Perkins diesel and we have a 3KW Onan diesel generator. For cooking we have a two-burner electric stove with oven and a microwave. We have a small 12/120V fridge, also a water-tank so we have hot & cold water under pressure.

Breakfast is always aboard. Lunch is usually aboard -- generally we are underway. We are always stopped no later than late afternoon and dinner is aboard about half of the time (it is almost always aboard when Mary is gone).

The trip will be about 6000 miles and we will just sit in Florida for at least two months to wait for warmer weather. That us gives ten months to go 6000 miles.

To date our longest day was about 85 miles and we have had many lazy days -- 25-30 is about an average day. When we are going through locks, figure about 30 minutes per lock.

Space is tight, privacy is non-existent. Laundry is laundromats; pump-outs are at marinas and are expensive, in the $5-10 range.

It is really a back-to-basics lifestyle. Obviously, there is much more comfort at home. To do this, you have to want to very much.

Hope that fills in a few holes.

Dave