Potted plants on boats?

Jan 27, 2008
3,086
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
is it appropriate to have potted plants in the cabin of your boat? Do the plants become missiles aimed at your head when the seas kick up? I see several boats with them but am just curious what the consensus will look like. Do the attract bugs and vermin?
 
Oct 1, 2007
1,865
Boston Whaler Super Sport Pt. Judith
We always have a flowering plant on the saloon table. Underway, we simply stow the plant in the sink. No problem, no missile.
 
Nov 30, 2015
1,343
Hunter 1978 H30 Cherubini, Treman Marina, Ithaca, NY
I'm pretty sure it's a misdemeanor having pot plants in your cabin? Perhaps even a felony in NC. We like interior accoutrements as well, but nothing that needs soil, water, and sunlight. If the potted plant does take a tumble, it's actually worse than hosing down coffee grounds into the bilge from a launched percolator on a steep heel. We use faux flowers in a styrofoam base and plastic pot. When launched, and they do sometimes, they simply bounce around the cabin until The Admiral's comfortable enough to stow it in the sink or salon cabinet. We compliment the floral arrangements with a variety of air wick solid room fresheners, placed in secure and secretive locations. Good luck with the pot plants.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,860
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Not sure about NC but here in Washington recreational pot plants are legal. Pretty sure they fly through the air or at least seem to when used and under sail by their owners. Mellow yellow takes on a whole new meaning when the cabin is tilted at 25 degrees.
As far as fresh herbs being grown aboard marina livaboards, I have seen several cockpits with greanery. A tomato here, a flower there. Guess it depends on your desire for fresh oregano. The sink is the catchall for reducing things flyimg about the cabin.
 
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Likes: Bob S
Aug 2, 2005
1,155
Pearson 33-2 & Typhoon 18 Seneca Lake
Sounds like some people are listing toward one of the following: (1) Trawler (2) Houseboat (3) Gardening Ashore or (4) Staging the boat for selling her!
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
If you put a pot of pole beans at the base of the mast, they will really grow.
 

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,909
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Not sure about NC but here in Washington recreational pot plants are legal. Pretty sure they fly through the air or at least seem to when used and under sail by their owners. Mellow yellow takes on a whole new meaning when the cabin is tilted at 25 degrees.
As far as fresh herbs being grown aboard marina livaboards, I have seen several cockpits with greanery. A tomato here, a flower there. Guess it depends on your desire for fresh oregano. The sink is the catchall for reducing things flyimg about the cabin.
If your boat is documented and the USCG boards you, I doubt that the Washington state pot laws will save you from some trouble and your boat from confiscation. I believe that "zero tolerance" is still in effect federally.
 
Jan 22, 2008
80
Gulf 29 Little Current, ON
We spend a month on our sailboat on Lake Huron's North Channel. Several summers, we've had herbs in pots for meals. You can see them on the port handrail on the cabin roof.
 

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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,860
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Capta, I believe you are correct. Doesn't seem to stop the smoke filled boats I see broiling past me on occasion. Not even sure why someone would choose to fog their head then venture out on to the water where you need your wits clear and focused if you want to return to the marina alive and in one piece. But then some folks go flying stoned. C'est La Vie....

Boat plants seem a lot like children. Need care, airing, and watching.
 

kito

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Sep 13, 2012
2,011
1979 Hunter Cherubini 30 Clemmons
I like plastic plants. No water, no dirt, no hassle, plus they don't die. I do like the herb plant idea...maybe a Chia herb garden ;)
edit: Yippee.....just noticed that this is my 2000th post! I'll drink to that :)
 

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,909
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I've killed every plant anybody has ever given me. Too much water, not enough water or whatever, my green thumb just never developed. Herbs, tomato plants and even Aloe (they said, "It'll take care of itself, just water it every so often"). It isn't like I meant to, or wanted to, but it seemed that if it was green and alive it was destined to be brown, dried up and dead on my boats.

dead-herb.jpg
 
Last edited:
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
I like plastic plants. No water, no dirt, no hassle, plus they don't die. I do like the herb plant idea...maybe a Chia herb garden ;)
edit: Yippee.....just noticed that this is my 2000th post! I'll drink to that :)
My mom used to water her plastic plants ( Alzheimer's.) You just pour off the water before it overflows and compliment her nice flowers.

Ken
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,860
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
No hacking intended. Bad reading and a bit of weak humor intended.
Do loose things, potted plants, in the cabin become missiles when a boat heels or you take a 3ft wave on the beam? Why, of course they do.
Is having fresh thyme, rosemary, or basil nice when cooking up that pot of something special? Of course.
It is boat owner compromise that is the issue.
And Pot or potted plants need air, water and sunlight.
 
Jan 27, 2008
3,086
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Just remember, there is a federal law against the use of pot, and if you are caught with drugs on your boat they can confiscate your boat and sell it and you will probably be in front of a judge on federal charges, possibly including smuggling. All these states legalizing the stuff are in violation of federal law.