It's Not Always Hard Work, It's Also Social

Steve and Dave in Penang

It seems like we are always working on boat projects.  Boats require an incredible amount of maintenance and if you avoid doing it, you end up paying for your procrastination 3 times over.  Doing a boatyard refit is another thing completely.  It is just so much easier to do some things when the boat is on land.  Besides the obvious underwater work which would be impossible on a dock, the boat does not move when sitting on land and you can't drop your tools in the water.

Onion Biscut Tandoori

Living and working in a boatyard (on the hard) doesn't have to be so hard.  In our earlier days we stayed on the boat.  These days, especially in such a low cost country like Malaysia, we are happy to look at the boatyard as a day job, live like locals, and learn the local cultures.

Sundowners

Others in the yard are of a similar mind and we usually end up planning where to eat dinners together, group shopping, or just socializing somewhere.  There are usually 'Sundowner' get togethers, a monthly marina cookout and usually some other such excuse to have a party comes up.

The Family Size Dosai at our favorite Indian Restaurant

When someone discovers a new place to get materials or food or anything, word spreads quickly.  Our new favorite Tamil Indian restaurant quickly became the Cruiser Diner.  On any night of the week, cruisers could be found gathered around their Chapatis, Dosas, Masalas, and Kothu Parottas.

Coffee Hour after Yoga

We also spend alot of time helping, planning, and talking about each other's projects.  There is an incredible wealth of knowledge around a boatyard. 

Booker Getting Coiffed by Brian

If someone has a skill or trade from their before boating life, it can be very helpful in areas like this.  Brian was a hairdresser in Australia and did quite a few cuts and colors on the girls.

This area is now officially named the 'Yoga Park'

When someone has an interest, sometimes it becomes contagious.  Our Aussie friend Julie, was doing Yoga in the mornings.  All of a sudden, there were 15 of us laying on mats on the grass.  Even Akina from the office came in early to stretch and breathe.  

 

Riggers for the day

When a boat is stored in the large shed, it has to be dismasted.  This requires a knowledgeable crew which is usually made up of other cruisers.  When coming out of the shed, the mast must be re-stepped.  This is all good practice for everyone involved and lets us all be riggers for the day.

Barbeque in the 'Shed'

It's definitely more of a 9 to 5 work atmosphere here.  Most everyone rents a condo and has a car.  The great thing about Malaysia is a condo and rental car will cost $400/month.

One other thing, everybody is from far away.  The Australians, who are the closest to SE Asia, have an 8 hour flight.   Americans, Canadians, and Europeans have all traveled huge distances to get here. There really are no local Malaysian Cruisers.  No pun intended but this kind of "Puts us all in the same boat" living far away from home.