For Women - How To Shave Your Legs (and other things) On Your Sailboat

Alright ladies, let’s be real, trying to shave your legs on your sailboat isn’t the easiest thing to do and it certainly isn’t convenient.

Let’s face it, women have more sacrifices from living on a boat, then men do…in the beauty section of life anyways.

Boat showers tend to be super compact and very awkward when bending over to shave those prickly hairs that seem to never stop growing.

Not to mention, your hair goes down your boat shower drain and ends up clogging your bilge pump or littering your bilge with that unwanted hair of yours, which after some time will definitely start to stink.

If you have a shower box on your boat, it’s a little more doable, but even then, your hair WILL clog up your shower box bilge pump eventually.

Side note: if you don’t have a shower box for your boat, you’re doing it wrong and need to get one installed immediately.

Here is the shower box we use on our boat. It’s a cheap one, but it works really well and if it breaks, sure I can just replace the pump it comes with, but I’ll just buy a whole new one. $40 every year or two on a shower box is fine by me.

After spending 4 years without one, combating the stench coming from your bilge etc., I will never have a boat without one again. Yes, it’s that serious.

Ok, that being said, back to shaving your legs on your boat. Forget bending over in a boat shower, I mean unless you have a normal shower on your boat then you know what I’m talking about. It’s just plain awkward. The things we do for beauty.

Also, not a super big deal, but the amount of water you use just to shave your legs in the shower is far more than the way I like to do it. So if you’re super into water consumption on your boat, then you’ll definitely like shaving this way.

But that’s why I’m here, to explain how to avoid all of the above problems when it comes to shaving on your boat. So let’s jump in.

Ladies your cockpit is usually where you hang out when there’s a cool breeze or when you are entertaining guests, but I bet you didn’t realize your cockpit is also the best place to shave your legs.

Let me explain.

Whilst most women aren’t too fond of the idea of shaving in front of their neighbors, I get it, me either. That’s why the cockpit is the best place on your boat. Most cockpits have enough coverage to where people can’t see “in” your boat. If you are blessed with a full enclosure then there shouldn’t be any problems at all for you.

The cockpit offers you plenty of room to stretch out so you can shave on your boat in comfort.

First, grab everything you use to shave your legs. I personally have found that the Bull Dog Razor is the best razor on the market.

The first kit comes with a really cool bamboo handle that has lasted me at least 4 years so far and 2 disposable razor heads. The razor heads are amazing. Each one has lasted me months. Each one. That never happens. As long as you keep them dry and cleaned out good you can even squeeze 3-4 months out of one razor head.

You can find the 4-pack replacement razor heads here. The best part is you’ll never spend $25+ on razors again. The kit and the razor refills are a whopping $10 each. I usually only need to buy 2 refills per year! I only spend $20 per year on razors.

STEP 1:

Alright, so what you want to do is grab a solo cup, preferably, so you can throw it away after you’re done. You can use a normal cup if you don’t have any toss always, but only if you have to. You’re going to fill your cup half way with water. This will be your rinse cup for your razor.

Side note: you might want to get two cups of water, one to rinse your razor and one to rinse your hands. I personally don’t use two different cups, but do whatever makes you comfortable.

I personally use Yardley’s Almond Oatmeal bar soap to lather my legs when I shave, but any bar soap will do. If you try to use creams or conditioner it can get a little messy. The bar soap means little to no clean up after you’ve shaved.

STEP 2:

I sit normal in my cockpit and use the other side to rest my leg on. Then I get my hands wet in the cup and lather my hands with the soap and usually it’s enough to get one part of your leg lathered, but if not just add more water to your hand.

STEP 3:

I then start shaving the first quadrant of my legs. Using the rinse cup after a few strokes to clean the razor. Literally you just have to rinse and repeat until there no mo hair.

Side note: I do like to change my rinse water when it starts getting too much hair in it. You can make up your mind on how often you want to change your water. But I just pour the hairy water in the water instead of down my drains. Easy peasy.

Now if you’re in a remote location or anchored out you can also use this method to shave down under.

Yes ladies, I shave my pouswa, outside, in my cockpit. The first time I ever did this, I literally laughed the whole time. It was so comical I couldn’t resist giggling.

Now obviously, I certainly don’t do this if I’m in a marina or actually have access to a normal shower, but you damn straight I do it when I’m anchored out where I don’t have access to a normal shower. I don’t have any shame in admitting this and hopefully the coast guard helicopter doesn’t roll by while I’m underway.

It’s actually not too shabby. Honestly, I wouldn’t suggest it if it wasn’t so doable. I don’t sit on the lazerette for this one. I have a step going into the companion way that I choose to sit on. That way the only thing people can see is the top of my head.

The secret is wearing a short dress, I like to call mine my sexy moo moo. It’s my favorite comfy at home cotton dress. Or you can wear a robe too. Or anything that allows you to still be covered on top with access down there.

I then lather up, rinse and repeat and voila! You’re all cleaned up. Easy peasy, you’ll be done before you know it.

I then wipe down with my towel and feel fresh to death.

It’s a little nerve racking the first time, but once you get the hang of it, it’s certainly easier than any other option on a boat.

Side note: please use your own discretion of where your boat is located before you shave down under. I think you’ll know if you’re comfortable or not. This way is good if you don’t have access to normal showers.

The way I do it, I don’t ever have to clean up after myself because all of my hair ends up in my rinse cup and I have no worries. The most I ever have to do is wipe the area I was sitting and all is well in the world.

This way to shave your legs or your pouswa is comical, but it’s super beneficial for your bilge pump. That’s really the main thing I’m worried about and why I shave in the cockpit. I can’t have my bilge pump clogging up from my hair.

It also prevents the inevitable stench that will come from shaving in your shower. The mix of hair, soap scum, and dead skin pooling together never smells good. If you don’t have a shower box, I highly suggest you get one.

Anyways I hope all of you boat ladies enjoyed this girl hack, because we all know how difficult this lifestyle can be. So hopefully this can make it a bit easier on you in your boating future.

Come get lost with us,

✌️❤️⛵️

Nikki