Bathrooms

Bathrooms we have met

This may be a girly thing, but all marina bathrooms are not equal. Over the last four months – (yes, we have been on the boat for FOUR FULL MONTHS and are still speaking – mostly – and few war wounds are apparent. No plans to abandon ship anytime soon – you who doubted!)   Back to the bathrooms we have seen. I began my day with a 6AM dink ride to the dock for a shower. Some of you who have seen the boat, may be wondering why I am even discussing bathrooms on shore. We have a perfectly nice head with roomy shower on Erben Renewal.  However, if we have been at anchor, we have to heat the water which takes power and time. Showering on board means showering while underway or immediately afterward while the water the engine heated is still available.  More importantly, I just cannot take a long shower knowing that Steve will have to add water – a slow process – if I run that hot shower the whole time.  So, when there are facilities on shore, I try to use them. But, since all “facilities” are not equal, I have learned to check them out before packing my shore shower bag.

The showers we have seen range from rare commodious private bath/shower rooms to private shower stalls with dressing area to the locker room free-for-all. Even the private rooms vary. The Marathon/Boot Key Harbor rooms were basic showers but included a sink and toilette. We learned at the Mega dock in Charleston that not all shower rooms include the sink and toilette. They had a separate facility for those services. Then, there is Zahniser in Solomons with sinks, toilettes and a full size bathtub! These bones have not seen a tub in many moons!

From time to time we have been treated to rain showers which almost make up for limited privacy. We have never been cold since even with temps in the 40s the bathhouses have been warm and toasty. We will have to wait and see if air conditioning is included in the hotter months.

The décor also varies from pealing linoleum to sparkling granite accented with travertine and fresh flowers. Marathon was a very typical cinderblock freshly painted marine blue with walls that did not reach to the ceiling. This large 15+ room bathhouse echoed like a cave where even whispered conversations could be heard by everyone. (A few overheard cellphone conversations added entertainment to the shower experience.) Most bathhouses are on the rustic side conjuring memories of summer camps where doors squeaked on rusty hinges and covered only the essentials. Crunchy, clammy shower curtains are high on my list of things to avoid. Occasionally, however, we have been treated to luxury like the Cocoa marina which sported granite counters, teak benches, river rock floors and travertine tile in the shower. On the other hand, the stalls were very narrow and lighting non-existent. Showering in the dark is awkward at best. Beauty is not everything as it turns out even with fresh flowers. Zahniser’s lovely tub rooms were basic buff tile and nothing fancy or even matching for accessories.

 While privacy and décor are nice, cleanliness is more important.  Even a clean locker room is better than a moldy stall or musty private room with a bath. Zahniser rated very high on the cleanliness scale – not a speck of black stuff or a dust ball to be seen. It is nice to use these facilities, but only when they are clean and bright with working outlets and plentiful of hot water. Thankfully, I do have the on board spa when shore baths are substandard. Happy showers!

Thankfully not like mine!