Everything You Need to Know to Be A Successful Live Aboard Boater

Welcome to the Reef Dreamer, and thank you for

choosing her for your home away from home. Please let
us know if anything is not as it should be. We want your
stay to be perfect.

SHOES: Please leave your shoes on the porch. It keeps

the inside cleaner for you. We love the fishermen, but
usually they leave yucky, fishy water on the dock that
you don’t want to track in and smell.

WIFI and PASSWORDS

SIMV Internet will work for your phone, etc. Password for SIMV is 3052942288.
The password that opens the bathrooms, fitness center, and laundry changes monthly. Trish will tell
you when you arrive.
Apple TV will handle all your movie/tv needs. There’s also a VCR with some of our favorite movies
to fall asleep to.

AMENITIES;
Please fill out the “Marina Guest Allowance” sheets. That allows you to have access to all the
amenities. There are pool passes on the table. Nobody has ever asked for one, but there they are if
anyone does. Lol

SHUTTLE: The shuttle leaves the Perry Hotel on the hour starting at 9:00 AM. It’s a great way to get
into Key West and skip the parking hassles. Highly recommended. Key West was not built for
automobiles. The streets are narrow and parking is impossible and expensive.
COOKING

The stove is a marine gas stove. It has no pilot light, so you will have to
light it with a lighter. Push in the knob and hold it and light with the
lighter. You will have to hold it in for 30 seconds or so to allow the safety
valve to warm up sufficiently to allow the gas to flow when you release it.
It’s a safety thing so that gas cannot escape if the knobs are accidentally
turned. There are plenty of pots, pans, dishes, etc. for you to make some
nice meals.
COFFEE: You’ll notice a coffee maker and coffee. There are several kinds
of coffee in the freezer, some Cuban, some Maxwell House , and
everything in between. There’s also tea in the cabinet.
AIR CONDITIONER: The air conditioner works great, but
if you want to enjoy the ocean breeze, feel free to turn off
the a/c and open some windows. If you do open windows,
please close and lock them when you leave. If the windows
are left unlocked and it rains, water will leak in.

There’s a nifty little adjustable vent directly under the

thermostat. There’s a dial in the middle that allows you to
control the airflow to both the front and back vents. I
always put plenty of cold air toward the bedroom at night
and adjust it forward while I’m cooking.

POTTY: A boat bathroom is pretty much like a

camper bathroom. Everything is stored onboard
and pumped out by marina staff several times a
week.
When you are ready to flush the toilet, push the
lever to the right and pump about 5 times for
urine and as many times as necessary for solid
waste to disappear. Then flip the lever to the left
and pump a few times to rinse the bowl. Last, and
this is important, FLIP THE LEVER BACK TO
THE RIGHT, TWIST THE HANDLE TO THE
RIGHT TO LOCK IT, AND CLOSE THE LID.
The urine and waste are stored in a holding tank
until pumped out on Tuesdays, and Fridays just
like in a camper. When the boat moves around, it
causes the waste to release a little gas, and these
measures keep the boat smelling good. When I
stay onboard for a few days, I use the marina
restroom for big jobs, if you get my drift, to
minimize smell. We supply special toilet paper
that can be flushed if there’s not too much of it.
Please don’t put anything else in the toilet.
There’s a little garbage can for other stuff like
paper towels, other tissue, etc. Use it, and you’ll
be glad you did. :) Your deposit won’t cover the
cost of a plumber.
Shore side bathrooms are just steps away and are cleaned daily. The hairdryer will flip the breakers on
the boat every time. The shore side bathrooms have plugs, and we recommend them for hairdryers and
curling irons. (Your hairdo won’t last long here anyway. lol)

THE SOFA BED

The bed is all made up with clean sheets and pillow cases. First, raise the wooden part on the bottom.
Next secure the hasp at the forward end. It fits into a little hole on the bulkhead. There’s a 2x4 leg that
slips under the aft end. Next, slide the mattress/cushions down futon-style and you’re ready to go. I’ve
made it up to have pillows at the forward end.
LAUNDRY; There is a card that you load $$ on to do laundry. The machine is in the laundry room,
and $4 will wash and dry a load of clothes. Let me know if you need more towels or a change of bed
linens.
KAYAKS AND BIKES: The kayak is there for you, as are the bikes to use as much as you like.
PFD’s are in the closet and must be with you on the kayak to make the authorities happy. You don’t
want to get a ticket. There’s also a map in the black binder. Keys for the locks and lights for the bike
are hanging near the door. The only thing I’ve ever had stolen in Key West is a multitude of bikes.
Please use the locks.
SMOKING: Please, no smoking anywhere on the boat, inside or out. There are benches with great
views all around the property.
SHIP STORE: It’s located at the end of Fuel Dock Road and has beer, wine, ice, etc. and is open from
9:00 AM-6:00 PM. CVS and Dions are both within biking distance and have lots more supplies. The
shuttle will drop you at Publix and pick you up about 30 minutes later.
FINDING STUFF; There’s a map in the black binder on which I’ve marked the bikes, restrooms,
laundry, etc. Staff and guests are all friendly if you need help finding anything.
RATINGS AND REVIEWS; We’ve observed that VRBO and AirBnb’s rating/review system is
somewhat confusing to new users. A five-star rating does not indicate that the Airbnb property is a
five-star hotel. (You didn’t want to stay in a five-star hotel, remember?) A five star rating does
indicate that the EXPERIENCE is a five-star experience. If you’ve found your accommodation clean
and comfortable and as advertised, please take a minute to give us an honest 5 star rating. We’ll do the
same for you.
REPORTING PROBLEMS: If there’s anything lacking, anything that’s not consistent with a five- star
rating, please let us know immediately so we can correct the problem. Then we know we’ve earned *
* * * * We’re working hard to make your stay really perfect, and to earn the Super Host designation.
It’s never too late, too early, or too small a problem.
+ Airbnb email or VRBO email is a good way to get in touch with us. It documents your request, and
we monitor it more closely than regular text.+ If you need us really quickly call (850)525-9624 or
(305)766-3518. We live on the property
and can be there in minutes.
I think everything else is covered in the online information about the property, but don’t hesitate to
call or message if you have any questions or concerns. Airbnb or VRBO messaging is the best way to
contact us. Have a great time, and call me if there’s anything I can do to make your stay better. Really.