For my last birthday, I figured I would ask for something big,
something I've wanted for a long time, something that costs more than a
typical birthday gift in our family. It was a big birthday, so I
made my desires known. I wanted a solar panel.
One of my favorite things about living "on the hook" is that we don't generate enough power with our two solar panels and wind generator to keep the laptop plugged fully charged or use the tv. Our kids read more than anyone I know, and when I'm not working I could really use a break from staring at a screen. Still, I use the laptop to help earn our living writing, and it's a great way to stay in touch with friends and family via Skype, social networking, and good old email. Hence, the shortage of power is also one of my least favorite aspects of living on a boat off the grid. It's not like I'm trying to blow-dry my hair while microwaving popcorn and watching a movie. But some days the wind dies down and it even rains sometimes-- always when you have a deadline.
Today, I got my birthday present, though. After working the Annapolis Sailboat Show for five days, you would think I would have seen everything there, but I really didn't have a chance to walk around too much as I was on an awesome Hylas 70 that everyone wanted to see. So I was busy. As the show was quickly winding down today, my husband met up with me and we did a marathon race-through the tents while boats started their engines to leave. Luckily, he spotted "Solar Panels!" amidst the cardboard boxes and bins being packed in the tent closest to our exit. The guy just happened to have a 70-watt panel which should fit nicely next to the other one atop the bimini, and it was under $150. Not a bad price!
The show was over and it wasn't going anywhere but on the truck back to Florida, though, so we decided to take a breather for some muscles and a beer at Middleton's. As promised, John the solar guy was still packing up an hour later and gladly took our cash for the panel. I look forward to warm Caribbean nights filled with all the fans, phones, lights, and websites a girl could wish for. I promise to work less on projects I don't enjoy and focus more on what I love. And as a result, there ought to many more blog posts coming up...
One of my favorite things about living "on the hook" is that we don't generate enough power with our two solar panels and wind generator to keep the laptop plugged fully charged or use the tv. Our kids read more than anyone I know, and when I'm not working I could really use a break from staring at a screen. Still, I use the laptop to help earn our living writing, and it's a great way to stay in touch with friends and family via Skype, social networking, and good old email. Hence, the shortage of power is also one of my least favorite aspects of living on a boat off the grid. It's not like I'm trying to blow-dry my hair while microwaving popcorn and watching a movie. But some days the wind dies down and it even rains sometimes-- always when you have a deadline.
Today, I got my birthday present, though. After working the Annapolis Sailboat Show for five days, you would think I would have seen everything there, but I really didn't have a chance to walk around too much as I was on an awesome Hylas 70 that everyone wanted to see. So I was busy. As the show was quickly winding down today, my husband met up with me and we did a marathon race-through the tents while boats started their engines to leave. Luckily, he spotted "Solar Panels!" amidst the cardboard boxes and bins being packed in the tent closest to our exit. The guy just happened to have a 70-watt panel which should fit nicely next to the other one atop the bimini, and it was under $150. Not a bad price!
The show was over and it wasn't going anywhere but on the truck back to Florida, though, so we decided to take a breather for some muscles and a beer at Middleton's. As promised, John the solar guy was still packing up an hour later and gladly took our cash for the panel. I look forward to warm Caribbean nights filled with all the fans, phones, lights, and websites a girl could wish for. I promise to work less on projects I don't enjoy and focus more on what I love. And as a result, there ought to many more blog posts coming up...
