Simple Living

   In just over a year, we have learnt to live more environmentally friendly. Something we only did in earnest one day of the year, on Earth Day back in Canada. All our energy comes from the sun using solar panels, the wind using our trusted Airmaax wind vane.

All the houses here are equipped much like our home and run on batteries as well. When the hydro goes off, which it does almost everyday they automatically switch to their backup. When the power comes back on, the battery bank is recharged til the next time it is needed.

This very simple system can not run properly if the correct lights are not chosen. Our main cabin light is from a company called Alpenglow, it uses ultra-low amperage and changes to red to save night vision. These are the same lights they use on the space shuttle. Actually, all lights on Mistress are LED. Outside deck lights are garden variety solar lights, they are not marine grade but are inexpensive and easily replaced. Coming back to the boat at night, we can easily pick her out in the crowded anchorage from at least a quarter a mile away. With only the light from the moon, the nights are very dark.

 

We have two important areas that we installed battery operated motion detector lights. One comes on as we step out of bed, the second as we step into the bathroom. These we found at a regular hardware store, again very reasonably priced.

 

 

Our anchor light, which legally must be illuminated from sundown to sun-up is from Davis Instruments, plugged into the 12 volt system. Most boats have changed their masthead anchor lights to LED, which turn on automatically, something I wished I had done while the mast was down. It now requires a trip to the top in a Bosun’s chair, a secure harness, much like child’s swing.

The most important light we have, one I never thought about came as a gift, our useful headlamp. We use it all the time, for reading in the cockpit at night, to oil changes, and general boat maintenance. An extremely useful tool. Thanks, Bonnie and Rob.

All our small batteries, the C’s, D’s, AA’s, and AAA’s are recharged by solar charger that I found at a science store. The Ni-Cads don’t last as long as regular alkaline batteries, so we have a good supply of them.

 

One of the things we constantly watch, not only here but all around the world is the weather. We use the Internet, radio, and our Vantage Vue weather station as to whether we are going to the beach or sticking close, because there is a storm on the horizon. When a hurricane forms of the coast of Africa, and is predicted to pass over our area, we have around 4 days to prepare. The first thing is to find a secure location in the mangroves, then stripping everything off the deck, including sails and the dodger. We would then set up the anchoring system, using all lines on board tied to the roots along with the anchors, spread out in “spider web” fashion, to keep us safe during the blow.

 

Another thing that people on land take for granted is “Hot” water. Turn on the tap…..out it pours. Showers on board consist of , soaking down, lathering up, and rinsing off. Hot water is provided Sun shower bag hanging on deck, the hose runs below. We both use less than 2 ½ gallons together.

Some days we complain about , How hot it is, or How our boat looks like Beverly Hillbillies, but we really are ….”Having the time of our lives.

 

The Store Mason's Chandellery               thestoremasons.com    

Sawtech, solar panels                                 sawtechnology.com

Airmaax                                                          electromaax.com   

Alpenglow, low watt lights                          alpenglowlights.com

Davis, anchor light                                        davisnet.com