We’re close, soooo close. So close to actually needing our passports. So close to learning how to clear in and out of foreign countries. So close to sailing on the ocean out of sight of land. And yet, we wait.
There was a weather window today for crossing to the Bahamas. Where are we? West Palm Beach. Still. Why? Because something is broken of course! Specifically, one of our lithium batteries.
We’ve been struggling with our power situation ever since we left Brunswick, Georgia. We have two ways we charge our batteries: our solar panels and the high-output alternators on our engine (we have two!). When we have the engine on, we should be charging our batteries. Imagine our confusion when our battery charge actually went DOWN while we were motoring! And solar is not enough to keep up with our daily power use, especially when we are this far north and when the days are so short. So, on Saturday, we had to painfully fork over an outrageous price for a slip at a marina so we could plug in to shore power. And it’s West Palm Beach. If you are not aware, it’s like the Beverly Hills of the East. The only marina with a slip was a super yacht marina. Not only was it financially painful, but Meraviglia looked like a dinghy lined up next to the neighbors.
However, we’ve been on the hook (at anchor) since then and making it work. Yesterday was actually a breakthrough! We discovered that our alternator regulator was not wired properly, which was limiting the alternator output. We also discovered that one of our (new) lithium batteries has a bad computer which was causing it to underperform. Problems solved! We have a new computer coming and we fixed the wiring on the regulator. When we fired up the engine, WHOA BABY-SO MUCH CHARGING!! We’re feeling much better now. We were suffering from severe range anxiety.
Today, we went out for a while and motored around. There were three main goals: 1) empty the holding tank (because, well, when you gotta go, you gotta go!), 2) charge the batteries (cha-ching!), and 3) make water. This was the first time we have used our watermaker and, surprise!, it worked. We made 34 gallons of fresh water from sea water in two hours! Score!
So now, we need two things: first, we need the computer to arrive. That should be on Saturday. Second, we need a weather window to cross to The Bahamas. That might be on Monday but too soon to tell. We’re disappointed we missed today’s window, but hopeful that we are teeing up for a successful crossing next week. Fingers crossed!