Just a cup of coffee

Morning arrives in Charleston and the boat is gently rocking. The sound of traffic from the bridge overhead is a constant thrum and the air conditioner blocking the hatch is on full cool. The sound of water trickling into the cockpit from the unit is a worrisome sound. Anytime you hear water trickling on a boat, you have to check where it is coming from and to where it is going. Mike has been awake for a while and has already boiled the water and made coffee using the French press. The Senseo coffee maker died a year ago and while missed, was totally impractical for our use. The pods were expensive, the maker itself took up quite a bit of room, and most importantly, it ran on AC. This means that when we are not on shore power, we would have to run the generator in order to make coffee. So, boiling water and the French press are the best solution for the start of the day. While we are in port, we can venture to the Harris Teeters grocery store to buy their excellent store brand ground coffee. However, we have a cache of Community Brand coffee beans and a hand-crank coffee grinder for emergencies that we will use when we finally set off on our cruising adventures. Mike hands me a steaming cup of coffee as I power up my laptop and get ready for work. As I start reviewing my documents for the day, I realize how much I appreciate my husband. The act of making coffee for me in the morning is one of the many kindnesses he blesses me with throughout the day.

Wind Turbine added!

We added another piece of handy gear to the boat: a big wind turbine. Wattage will depend on the wind, of course, but it's a solid unit rated for 300W peak. I had the option to wire it directly to the batteries and ground but that would waste a lot of the power, plus it might interfere with the solar charge controller. I decided to treat it as a clean power source and get the most out of it. A bit of research led me to a nice 50-amp bridge rectifier for 3-phase input which would smooth the turbine output to ripple DC. The DC then goes to a second charge controller to regulate the voltage further, and then finally to the batteries. I've been testing it without an ammeter so far by watching the change in the primary solar controller output, but I am definitely going to add a meter to the system.

We Could Use A Break

Three nights ago, one of the overhead lights went out. We thought it was a bulb and we replaced it. It still didn't work. The next night, the second overhead light went out and minutes later, the fan in the V-berth went out. Ten minutes later the fan in the AirHead toilet and the light went out in the bathroom. The only DC power available is going to the masthead light outside and the fresh water pump.

We knew that we had to redo the entire DC wiring system but it couldn't have come at a worse time. It will cost $460 for the DC panel and about $200 for the wiring. Mike can do the rewiring but we absolutely don't have the money to do it right now. Slip rent is $625 and due on the 5th. We won't even talk about the boat and car insurance, cell phone service, and the car payment.

Mike has been doing side work to make as much cash as possible while he waits to see if the company that is interested in hiring him actually gets the defense contract. I'm going to try to pick up side work interior cleaning luxury yachts.

I've been looking at Guru.com to try and pick up technical writing work but I'm up against Bangalore, India pricing. I'm thinking of advertising on Craig's List. How about, technical writer will work for food and wiring.

It's been a rough week. Last night I looked up through the screened hatch in the V-berth. I'd just finished giving Mike a back massage because he is sore from detailing yachts. I could see a star and I made a wish. Let the wind be strong and steady. Then I asked God to bless and keep us.

I know this will pass, it just seems overwhelming right now.