Life on the Hardstand - Comfort Hacks

Living on the hard is unlike any other form of cruising. You’re still aboard your boat, but the usual comforts of life on the water are gone. No breeze. No swimming. No beautiful views to wash off a tough day. No working toilet... Instead, you’re surrounded by noise, dust, and a constant awareness that you’re up a ladder in a metal jungle.

After spending more than two years in yards across three countries, I’ve learned that comfort in the yard is more than a luxury - it has a direct impact on productivity and mental health. Reflecting on my experiences, here's some comfort hacks I think are worth considering if you're headed for a haul out.

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Why yard life feels so intense

One of the hardest parts of being on the hard is the abrupt loss of all the micro-comforts that make boat life enjoyable. The cool breeze that blows through the boat at anchor is now warmer, dustier and there's bugs. Chill out zones become work or storage spaces. Even basic things like going to the bathroom are a logistical pain.

You’re also doing more physical labor than usual, and not always in ideal weather. The surroundings are far from tranquil and if there's a deadline you can feel the pressure to get things done.

Must-have comfort items

Here's some things that can make being in the yard more comfortable.

Air Conditioning

If you're in the tropics or somewhere hot and you can rig up a window unit or portable A/C, do it. We went through an Italian summer on the hardstand with no air-conditioner, and the negative impact of the overbearing heat was clear. Having air-conditioning gives you a space to cool-down and reset your energy levels during the day, improves your sleep and allows you to seal up the boat to stop biting bugs getting in.

Shade Cloth

A large, UV-resistant tarp or shade cloth rigged over the deck can reduce cabin temperatures and make it possible to work on the deck during the day. Some yards can put plastic covers over the entire deck of your boat, but consider air-flow when deciding if it's the best option for you.

Fans

When you're working outside or without air-conditioning, fans can be a lifesaver. Also important for ventilation when working with chemical, you can use a mix of cabin fans, portable rechargeable fans, and box fans plugged into shore power when we have it. One of our best hardstand purchases was the Milwaukee 12 portable fan, and we also had great experiences with the Lasko Wind Machine, which was available in the Caribbean from Price Smart.

Mosquito Defenses

Boatyards = bugs, and if you're in a dengue-prone area like Trinidad or Grenada, you don’t want to mess around. Our arsenal includes mesh netting, mosquito coils, mosquito zappers, and bug spray with DEET. One of the best things we did this haul out was buy 40+ feet of mosquito netting and a magnetic mesh door in St Martin, and use it to enclose the entire rear cockpit. There's something satisfying about watching the mosquitos and flies bounce around the outside of it!

Workbench

Having a dedicated space to work that’s not your saloon table is key. For our last three hardstand stays one of the first jobs we've done is build a wooden workbench under the boat.

The workbench in Marina Monfalcone, Italy

Managing the Noise and Dust

We got lucky this year, but boat yards can be LOUD. There are grinders, sanders, forklifts, compressors, heavy machinery, music, and even jack-hammering, and it generally doesn't happen on your schedule.

During our previous haul out, we were near the local boat storage area. At 6am on Saturday and Sunday morning, we'd get woken to the sound of pumping Soca music or multiple outboards being started and instantly shut down one after the other, before the powerboat was trailered to the water. Having a pair of ear-plugs or some noise cancelling earbuds available can help.

Dust is also a constant battle, and boatyard dust in particular is nasty stuff. Over time you may see it start to build up on things outside, so keep that in mind when storing items. Keep windows closed to stop it coming inside, and expect to have to wash down more often than normal. Also, keep an eye on the work happening on surrounding boats, because grinding dust is more than likely going to effect you too if it's not contained appropriately.

Pee buckets vs Marina bathrooms

Let’s just go there.

If you’re living aboard in the yard, you’ll have to use land-based toilets. Not all marina bathrooms are created equal, and not all are close.

It's spoken about in hushed tones, but the truth is almost all cruisers who stay in the yard for more than a few weeks end up with a pee bottle or bucket, generally to use at night. There are fancier solutions like composting toilets or even camping toilets, but whatever works for you, works.

Surviving the hardstand

Yard life is tough, but you don’t have to suffer. With a little preparation and the right gear, you can turn a heat-trapping, mosquito-infested hull into some thing more livable. Focus on temperature control, bug defense, clean zones, and give yourself permission to invest in comfort - it makes all the difference.