There was a time when even talking about smart working, or agile work, seemed a bit strange: somewhat futuristic, somewhat exotic. Then the world changed: the line between before and after was drawn by the 2020 health emergency, which among other things introduced remote work (not exactly smart working, but close) for thousands and thousands of Italian workers. From that moment something began to change, and for this reason nowadays even more specific and fascinating concepts no longer surprise anyone—or almost anyone—such as workation, meaning those periods when vacation and work are combined, so as to make the most of every day, without letting one’s profession curb the desire to travel. And no, in this “new normal” even the concept of workation on a boat—which some refer to directly as boatworking—and therefore the choice to work directly at sea, aboard one’s own vessel, no longer surprises anyone.
For the many workers who cannot afford excessively long vacations, or for those who simply want to maximize the time spent on a boat, the possibility of workation on a boat represents a decidedly interesting solution: there are in fact no real obstacles, neither technological nor regulatory. Everything obviously depends on organizing oneself in the right way! In this guide we provide some suggestions for managing a period of smart working on a boat, finally explaining how boatworking becomes particularly easy when one can be based in a modern marina such as our Genoa city center marina.
Workation on a Boat, Boatworking, Smart Working Among the Waves: How to Organize
Generally speaking, organizing a workation period on a boat is not so different from preparing for a few days of smart working from home, or why not, from a vacation home. On a technological level, what until a few years ago constituted a difficult obstacle to overcome now presents no problem: having a connection on board is absolutely simple and feasible (knowing moreover that those who want to work from their boat berth, provided they are in a good marina, can directly use the port’s Wi-Fi network).
Having a connection, smart working from the boat is effectively enabled: at this point it will be sufficient to have a smartphone and a laptop available, to which one can add other devices as needed (external hard drive, powerbank, USB and so on). Those planning a long period of workation on a boat would moreover do well to bring along a backup PC or smartphone (old but still functioning models are perfectly fine) knowing that in case of failure or temporary malfunction of the “originals” they could become invaluable. The equipment for boatworking will then be completed by everything one usually uses in a normal working day at the office or at home: a planner, a desk calendar, pens, earphones, and so on.
Having optimized management in terms of tools and accessories, one can dedicate oneself to the “abstract” aspect: as much as and even more than in the usual location, planning is fundamental for working remotely on a boat. It is in fact advisable to establish in advance when one will work, when one will rest and obviously when one will sail, always leaving some margin (for work emergencies or nautical needs, perhaps related to weather).
Workation on a Boat: What to Watch Out For
What should one watch out for when putting workation on a boat into practice? Obviously one cannot pretend to be in the office. The temptation might be to position oneself to work in a swimsuit directly on the sundeck; this solution may however work for making informal phone calls, perhaps for reading some emails, but nothing more: think of the glare from the sun, the distractions, the excessive heat, the risk that a splash of water might wet and “damage” the computer, and so on.
To work in a high-performing manner, so as to then have sufficient time to enjoy the vacation, most people will need greater comfort and protection: a shaded cockpit with a good table can certainly represent a good compromise, but to find the necessary concentration it might be advisable to go down to the dinette.
In general, it is advisable to ensure that the computer and any other electronic devices are protected from onboard threats: water splashes, but also sun rays, dangerously high temperatures, pervasive humidity. Depending on the type of boat, the workstation adopted and the period, it might therefore be useful to equip oneself with an additional cooling system for the laptop, with a microfiber cloth in which to wrap the laptop when turned off to keep it dry, and so on.
The Advantages of Boatworking at Genoa Marina
There is no doubt: workation on a boat becomes easier when one chooses to do boatworking in an excellent marina such as our Genoa marina. There are in fact many details that make our harbor an ideal location for smart working on vacation. Obviously in the forefront is the strategic position, excellent for visiting the city’s historic center, being moored in the heart of Porto Antico, and therefore just steps away from historic buildings, squares and alleyways; but also excellent for discovering the beauties of Liguria, toward the Levante Riviera as well as the Ponente Riviera.
Making the difference for quality boatworking are however other characteristics of our boat berths in Genoa. Think for example of the Wi-Fi network extended throughout the marina, but also of the tranquility of the waters of our harbor: protection from bad weather is ensured by the large breakwater of the Port of Genoa, while the elimination of wave action—to have boats on which it will be a pleasure to work and rest—is instead guaranteed by our pile-supported concrete docks. Electrical power is guaranteed by metered pedestals, while the marina management can become a great ally for “vacationing workers” thanks for example to the package reception and storage service.
Are you thinking about a workation period on a boat? Book a boat berth in Genoa: the perfect place to combine pleasure and duty!