Only showering at marinas?

[Cheery sailor]

Hi everyone, new to the forum and the sailing world. We recently purchased a 1984 Freedom 39 and our shower is broken. We would like to stop at Marinas to shower only. Does anyone know if this is possible? If so, what kind of pricing would we be charged? Do we just call up Marinas to ask if they would accept this? We are currently anchored in Connecticut, but getting closer towards New York. Moving slowly down the coast to eventually be in Mexico. Currently been staying on mooring fields on days when we need supplies and showers. (Too chilly right now to "shower" in the ocean).

[SailingHarmonie]

There might be exceptions, but every marina I have dealt with would be happy to let you use a shower, you just have to pay for a transient berth for the night.

At that rate it would be way cheaper to just fix the shower on the boat, about which I am wondering... Why not??? Kind of a critical quality of life issue.

[S/V Illusion]

What’s wrong with the shower? Seems like a very inconvenient and expensive way to avoid fixing it.

[Ixium]

Hey I have a freedom 39 too!

I’m with the rest of them in just fixing it. Mines probably been modified from factory long ago, but the setup can’t be that complicated on yours.

Any marina around me would likely charge transient fees for the day, so if you’re going to stop for the night anyways… make it a Marina night

[thomm225]

I have a Bristol 27. It doesn’t have a shower.

I take baths in the cockpit.

[CSY Man]

My shower was broken too. We jumped in the ocean, climbed back up and used Joy soap to clean, then back in the drink to get the soap off and back on deck with a gallon jug of water to rinse the salt off, then dry and uniform on and row to shore for another day of work.
After a few months we could afford a dock and a marina with showers included, like going to heaven, ��
Salt River Marina, St. Croix 1987.

[hugosalt]

Long way to Mexico...maybe rig a temporary fix or a solar shower set up.
However have taken advantage of some clean showers at various town docks, mostly NE of where you are. Several that come to mind ... Marthas Vineyard, Vin haven, Cuttyhunk,
Newport St Annes Pier (few dollars for timed shower) and in Long Island sound Mattituck.
You a member of a Yacht club? may be able to p.u. a mooring for a few hours n/c.??
Thinking not available as you get closer to NYC and points south.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

What’s wrong with the shower? Seems like a very inconvenient and expensive way to avoid fixing it.

If you have a 39 foot boat, you should either be qualified to fix it or be rich enough to have it fixed.

[Foswick]

Our previous boat had no shower. Instead, we kept a couple of rolls of quarters. Laundry and showers are pretty widely available to visitors, but almost always take quarters.

[ChrisJHC]

One approach is to go a week without showering and then pull into a marina overnight.
While there, do your laundry, shower, go shopping, refuel, fill water tanks, recharge batteries, etc, etc
Wet wipes work fine as a shower-substitute (although my wife would disagree ).
Just don’t put them down the head!

[Toccata]

Re Post 1.
I know I'm sticking my "head out of my rabbit hole" and will probably get it bitten off....but here goes.
I just can't imagine why you would bother posting this question
Identify the problem and fix it, without talking about it.
Manage the situation without talking about. Bucket, washer, soap either in your shower space or in the cockpit (if it's the drain that's problematic.)
It's just a minor problem (one of many many many you will have), not worthy of the time spent at the keyboard.
I do understand that your question is: will you be charged to just use the shower.? I suppose it's simple really, someone is providing you a service, expect to pay for it.
At the risk of a thread drift, why did you bother posting the question?
Perhaps your answer will help old farts like me understand new comers to the cruising world. Afterall, "you" will be the buyers of the boats we oldies will put up for sale one day.

[Foswick]

Originally Posted by Toccata

I just can't imagine why you would bother posting this question

It's pretty simple. They don't know about the availability of shower facilities along their route. When you don't know something, but would like to know, a good strategy is to ask people who might know. What is confusing about that?

[Toccata]

you missed the real point of my post, never mind.

[bgallinger]

Cheery Sailor, the answer is really simple....fix the shower! If you think fixing the shower yourself is problematic, may I suggest an alternative to boating?

[Kettlewell]

I have used a sunshower before by heating a kettle on the stove to add to make the water hot, then running the shower hose from on deck into the head through a port or ventilator. Works great. But, as to the OP's question, marinas vary greatly in how friendly and accommodating they are to folks, especially if you are not staying in the marina. I would rate using marina showers on a regular basis as an iffy proposal. OTOH, there are places along your route with public showers for the cruising public. For example, Annapolis has a nice waterfront facility with showers and laundry for those on moorings or at anchor. Not many towns with setups like that, but there are a few. If it were me I would either fix the shower, or go the sunshower route which we did for many years onboard. Heck, I've taken "showers" by dumping a cup of water over my head before.