I’ve never really written about health onboard because I’ve always been quite healthy for the most part.
I did have a battle with malaria in Colombia a few years back but aside from the occasional flu, and dealing with my asthma in a moldy environment (rain forest humidity on a boat) life has been pretty good to me.
I am turning 50 next year and think its a good time to start addressing health aboard a full time sailing yacht.
The first thing I want to say is prevention and healthy-living is the best form of health care.
Its often hard for me to find ways to exercise aside from spear-fishing. I haven’t been able to find time for it lately given the plethora of boat projects 
facing me at the moment, real bummer!
I am planning to start surfing on a regular basis next season which is a fantastic and fun way to get a good work out. However the best thing I’ve done for my health lately is to retire, for the most part, my inflatable dinghy and outboard motor.
I’m rowing my dyer midget full time these days and by just going to shore or visiting a friends boat I get a great workout. Not to mention the fact I have a much more versatile dinghy. I can sail it to shore on windy days, however rowing is my preference. I could also put a small outboard on it but it is something I choose not to do, truthfully I just don’t need the headache or expense.
Just FYI, we painted our dinghy black, this is our baby in both pictures.
living a green life is important to Carla and I so natural methods of propulsion are what we prefer. A proper ships tender is vital for extended voyaging. Our sailing dinghy never deflates and numerous methods of propulsion (sail, row, motor) are always available to us.
Rowing an inflatable is an awful experience. I am a big fan of having a proper rowing and sailing dinghy, however I do keep an Achilles RIB and Yamaha 9.9 outboard onboard for charter guests who often don’t have the agility for a hard dinghy.
Unfortunately health has been an issue for me lately.
About 6 weeks ago I was bitten by something on my leg. I gather it was a _2.jpg "photo-(7)")
brown recluse spider that was hiding in the bilge of a boat I was installing an autopilot on. As you can see from the photo the bite really went awry and the infection/necrosis was quite bad.
I spent the better part of a month on antibiotics and saw 6 different doctors during that time. I don’t feel myself yet and think I’m still battling some infection in my body. I went to see another doctor (#7 within two months) and he did some specialized blood work.
My blood test revealed a very low DHEA level. This provides a good explanation why my energy has been in the toilet lately. He gave me a hormone injection but after doing some reading I don’t think i will go back for boosters. There are natural ways to stimulate adrenal activity that I’m much more interested in and comfortable with.
We are what we eat, and onboard Splendid Carla and I eat very well. We make our own foods from scratch and hardly ever eat anything from a tin or box. Home made hummus and whole grain flat bread is a staple aboard our floating home.
I also consume mass amounts of oats, nuts, dried & fresh fruit, garlic, fish, and veggies. I love red meat and foul but its impossible to find meat that are not contaminated by antibiotics and hormones here in Panama.
Antibiotics and hormones in meat and dairy products are most likely the cause of my adrenal gland taking a break from producing the proper balance of DHEA in my body. I’ve done my homework.
I take my health quite seriously. My mother passed at age 42 from lung cancer (she didn’t smoke), and my father had prostate or colon cancer however he did survive.
It really does amaze me how poorly most western people eat. Sugar, sugar, 
sugar, coffee, coffee, energy drinks, copious amounts of fat & chemicals, starch, soda, and carbs.
I used to love coca cola but have given it up entirely along with a sugar and alcohol laden diet. These things should all be considered poison, or at the very least occasional treats. I read on Facebook once that one of my friends actually said he didn’t like the taste of water and preferred Gatorade G2, WTF, really? Did you ever see the film Idiocracy ?
Good food consists of hormone and antibiotic free meat (not
consumed daily or with every meal), fish, whole grains (not genetically modified), nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables.
If you don’t have access to fresh foods, like living on a sailboat in remote locations, dried is the next best thing. I’m in the process of building a large stainless solar drier for the back deck with a 12v backup for nighttime and rainy day production. Food driers onboard are a great way to preserve fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables.
One should also have the equipment onboard for home canning. Canned lobster, fish, home made pate, low sugar jams and chutney are all welcome friends aboard Splendid.
Onboard splendid we make wine, bread, cheese, 
pasta, tofu, yoghurt, and lots of other goodies. I also make my own flour from rice, oat, almonds, and other beans and grains.
last year we installed a new Dickenson Mediterranean 3 burned stove and oven. As far as I’m concerned this is the Rolls Royce of ships cookers and one of the most important pieces of voyaging gear. A vitamix (blender on steroids) is also an essential part of our galley for milling grains to flour and making hummus, not to mention the occasional margarita.
As soon as I can afford one I will buy a soymilk machine on eBay. This will make tofu production very easy, as well as provide us with very inexpensive almond, soy, and other nut and bean milks.
As far as drinks go a clean source of water is imperative. last year I built a water maker (18 GPH) and it is my sole source of hydration. Carla loves to make tea and fruit infused sweet waters and I enjoy them without the sugar. My favorite thing to drink however is room temperature water, and consume a few liters a day.
I’ve also replaced my coffee intake with green tea, and only enjoy coffee as an occasional luxury or midnight pickup before a sailing shift.
Many of you have been with me for the last decade on my travels and I’m sure your ageing along with me. Now that I’m about to turn 50 my intention is to enter the second half of my life a healthy and fit sailor!
Love, health, and happiness are the most important things in life and we must cherish, respect, and nurture them. Nothing should take precedence, and living a healthy life aboard a sailing yacht is the most magical way I could ever imagine living.
Health insurance is something I’ve never had. However as I’m getting older something id like to consider, but given my financial situation it isn’t really a reality. If I ever become really sick I can fly to Argentina (my wife’s nationality) to receive free health care.
In Argentina the hospitals are teamed with highly educated and talented doctors, however the lines are long and care is given on a priority basis. The civilized thing about health care in Argentina is they do not ask for identification in order to administer care, you just need to be a human being.
For those of you who can afford healthcare and are traveling by boat go to one of the many international travel health insurance companies and choose the countries you wish to have health coverage in. If you deselect the United States you will be amazed at the drop in price. Truthfully I would rater be covered for health-care in Europe or Cuba anyway as I prefer the philosophy of “care” to that of the one in the United States.
Well that’s it for today guys.
Carla is visiting her father in Miami for his 80th birthday and sailing down the ICW today on her brothers new boat. I’m chilling and trying to get my strength back.
Peace.
Sail far and live slowly.
– Alex
Published in Alex Dorsey
Hello Alex,
I know that with the new Affordable care act in the United States you are entitled to health care. As an Indigent person ( I hate that word as you are the wealthiest person I know) you are entitled to free coverage. It has been a nightmare for most Americans but for low income Americans it has been a blessing. You are actually forced by law now to have it or you will be fined. Crazy I know. That being said if you ever needed serious surgery or long term medical treatments then it would be an option. I am not sure if Argentina would offer the same level of medical care as the states if you needed complex medical treatment.
Brother, I’m right there with ya. Ok not living on a boat, but as far as eating and living better. Right now driving cross country in a big rig for employment. Stopped at a rest area to take a break a few weeks ago. Walked the 100 yds to the rest room. Few flights of stairs and a small hill to get to it. By the time I got there I was having to catch my breath. Not good. Definitely need to get back in shape. Yes round is a shape, but not one that I want or the ladies like..
Be well!
Man that sore looked gnarly! I hope you’re on the mend.
A few years ago, I went to the doctor as I was feeling really lethargic and wasn’t sleeping well. After some blood tests, the doc determined I was a stone’s throw away from being diabetic. I was 26 years old.
I immediately changed my diet. I dropped sugar, refined starches, and dairy. I ate “Paleo” for about six months and lost a bunch of weight. My metabolism and blood sugar stabilized. Two years ago, I took up bodybuilding and powerlifting and am now in the best physical and mental shape of my life. It never ceases to amaze me how poorly Americans eat and view food. People see it as a “treat” rather than nutrition and fuel for our bodies.
We truly are what we eat. Garbage in – garbage out. Good write up ‘sir.
– Ryan B.
I was tested for diabeties buy it wasn’t an issue, sugar however really seems to bring me down.
Curtis, I don’t know much about the affordable health care act. I haven’t lived in the country for many years and don’t know that it applies to me. I certainly hope I’m not being fined for anything?
Ryan, it is REALLY amazing to me how bad Americans eat. When I was in the states last, many years ago there seemed to be some sort of fast food (poison) shop on every corner. I had a Taco Bell burrito here in panama a few years back and couldn’t believe they actually call it a burrito, what shit. Liquified chemicle cheese and guacamole, a sprinkle of veggies and some meatish stuff. I do like a burrito, that sure as hell wasn’t a burrito.
I’m hoping to install my new (used) windlass in the next few days. I have new chain for it too. Them I need to take the back end of my engine off to replace my rear leaky oil seal.
Peace guys
Beginning in January, all Americans are required under the law to have health insurance or face a fine. Next year, that penalty will be $95 per uninsured adult or 1 percent of taxable household income, whichever is greater. But the penalties climb every year. By 2016, fines for not having coverage would be $695 per adult, or 2.5 percent of income (again, whichever is greater and capped at $2,085 per household).
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Good Morning Alex & Carla…
Nice post. Pat and I are foodies and we enjoy spending time in the galley. I have a friend that does charters and he says, “Make it easy and microwave Hot Pockets. No fuss and no mess.”
I’m sorry, but when I take people out and want to show them life on the water, It’s fresh food and cooking with love. We use 80% organic and everything is hand made.
Sure it takes a while and that’s the beauty of it. The smells from the galley of fresh garlic and herbs are amazing as they float across the anchorage. Nothing better.
Clean up is meditation and we settle in for the evening with the guitar and ukulele as we laugh and tell pirate jokes. It’s a simple process. An organic process and I’m proud of you and Carla for hitting on this topic. I look forward to more.
Anyway, we are in MN selling garlic for the next month as hurricane season moves along. Panacea is getting touched in all the right places to keep her in shape. Seems like rainy season is the time to find all the ‘ol leaks and maybe a new one here or there. Leaks are my big thing this year. I fix one and all is well for a bit and then… Well you know. She’s 34 years old now.
So we send our best. Hey, how’s the leg? AND be sure and get some good probiotics in that system after your antibiotics. Get that good flora back in your gut after everything has been killed off.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Curtis,
I don’t know if that applies to Americans living outside the country? Some people tell me AHCA is fantastic and their insurance is super low, others preach it as the devil itself. It seems to be a partisan soft spot and some people consider having socialized medicine a violation of the American way, I just don’t know much about it. I’m also a few years behind on my taxes and having some problems with the IRS.
Paul, I always squirm when my other charter captain friends surve shit to their guests. When we cook, everything is from scratch and our guests really enjoy it. I do love garlic, do you sell your products online? If so send me a link.
Peace guys
-Alex
Try Tea tree oil on the bite.
Therea: Tea Tree Oil is part of my first aid kit. It truly is amazing for all sorts of stuff. Too much to mention here. Just Google it my friends and you’ll see what Therea means.
Alex: Pat’s got a site running that has a link to her family’s page for ordering. You can check it out at: http://www.PatTheGarlicLady.com. She’s got some great QUICK recipes up there too. We’ve got a bunch more to add but… Well you know what I mean.
We cook from scratch too. Mostly organic and fresh. It’s part of the experience. They “coldie hour” on deck and I’m cooking and getting things ready and the smells are wafting out of the hatches. Up way before them in the morning chopping fresh fruit and such so their “buffet” is ready when they rise. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Why you should not rush when getting your boat under a bridge! Makes me cringe every time I watch it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwDm6Aw9bAI
Love reading the blogs Alex, this site is always part of my daily surf even after 5 years!
Mike
Read up on Leaky Gut Syndrome. Living in high mold environment plus antibiotics will offset normal flora and grow fungals. Serotonin precursor is manufactured in the colon, and will decrease with fungal overgrowth. Use colon cleaners then probiotics to balance. Classic brown recluse bite, usually get MRSA infected, take sulfa based antibitics, like bactrim, Silva Dene ceeam
That being said, not good medicine to just take multiple or any antibiotics without a culture of the wound prior and a sensitivity test to know which antibiotic will work. I see shotgun approach antibiotics way over utilized in the US. Once the necrosis has demarcated, it may need debrided, especially if infected, then good wound care keeping covered and cleaned several times per day to allow healing from the inside out. Inflammation redness to necrosis and spider poison is normal and not necessarily infection, both being red, so another reason culture is important.
Capt Ron,
Thanks for the advice. My gut hS not been the same since the bite and I am taking pro biotics every day. It is really amazing the damage to my body from this thing :(