Ah, "minimalist" and "utilitarian". Two highly subjective words.
Utilitarian is the name of a quilt I made while at anchor one winter... The wind generator powered the batteries and an inverter created AC that allowed me to use my 1937 Singer 221. It's not fancy but it does work. And I like it.
However one does not have to provide electric 24/7 , repair complex electronics , carry spare parts , listen to the noise like a vacuum cleaner (air models) and still provide space for a range and fuel to cook with .
Well, my 12-volt Oreck XL vacuum didn't work today. It's easier to use the small hand-held vacuum. And this life, at least for me, means having the tools necessary to increase my happiness quotient.
So tomorrow or the next day I'll take apart the Oreck and see if I can figure out what's wrong. At this point it doesn't work so there's nothing I can do to make things worse. And I just might be able to make it go again.
I hope everyone realizes that a "minimalist" wouldn't have a connection to the Internet.
I was there for my first four years afloat... and it was lonely. I missed my imaginary friends (that'd be you!) and the feeling of being cut-off from the world was disconcerting. Plus, I like to learn things and that means having a connection.
For me, that's a $50 per month expense for five gigs from Verizon. I'm much happier with dependable wifi than always seeking an open source. The five gigs means I never view videos.
And I still use nearly the entire 5 each month. But Pinterest is a weakness. A serious sickness -- sort of like Yachtworld before I found my Seaweed!
Dimmer,
If you need a microwave and a TV on your boat to be "comfortable" you're not a minimalist. And probably a bit addicted to modern conveniences.
I've seriously considered a microwave for Seaweed -- but not for the speedy heating. Mainly to cut down on dish washing. It's faster and easier to reheat in a nuke than in the pan.
As for television, I do have a 12-volt DVD player and enjoy an afternoon movie with popcorn a few days a week.
Electric is aboard my boat -- for the Christmas tree lights, two (seldom used) lamps and a crock pot. Oh, and the small cube refrigerator. It's a Haier and totally inadequate, but it's paid for and works.
In the summertime having cold beverages is HEALTHY. Dehydration does all sorts of bad things to a body and for me, I don't drink enough unless the beverage is cold.
Wintertime is different -- this time of the year I want the drinks hot. And that's where a nuke would come in handy: to reheat my coffee.
Life is not about minimal, not for me. I'm too old for that nonsense. I want my goodies and am working toward having it all. Next up (if not an autopilot) will be two more solar panels and four more batts. With that I should be totally energy independent.
Afloat or tied to a pier, life will not be at all altered. And that's my goal.
Of course what I will tolerate after the half-century mark is far different than when in my youth. Our boat didn't have power until the late 60's. We were strictly oil and even after I left home the cabin light was still an old oil lantern. I still have the same lantern on Seaweed!
Here's mine:
I've rambled. I'll stop now. (nothing minimalist about this post!!!)
I'll also have a Bialetti stovetop espresso maker (my favorite type) for the galley.
