Kudu is cramped, with just 4 foot 6 inches of headroom. This makes washing quite difficult, but I manage. I can spend a week or so away from a shower, and still be clean and inoffensive to the nose, but there’s nothing like getting to a marina and inserting myself under a warm shower. My ultimate aim is to be completely self sufficient on Kudu, but on a 21ft boat, this may prove difficult over extended periods, especially after a bit of a blow when everything is saturated in salt water.

I’m still experimenting with washing onboard, but it usually involves heating water in the kettle, then filling the sink and having an all over wash with a sponge and shower gel. For a temporary hand or face wash, I use baby wipes. They do the job as a temporary measure, although do have the effect of making one feel a bit broody :p

I have LOTS of kitchen roll onboard. This is essential for any sailing boat in my opinion, since you can usually get crockery and cutlery nice and clean just by wiping it straight after use. Remember that fresh water is in very short supply, so something as taken for granted as opening a tap and giving a plates a rinse, is not possible, and using my supply of fresh water to rinse something is unthinkable. Is the sea is clean enough, I can use saltwater to clean most things, followed by a wipe with the kitchen roll.

I’m considering making or buying a solar shower. I’ll keep you posted.