Adventures on the Water

Living on a sailboat is a unique experience filled with both challenges and joys. Recently, our day of fun turned into a bit of a challenge when we discovered a water leak on our boat. Today, I want to share not just the technical aspects of fixing our hot water system, but also the adventures we had in between the repairs, exploring the beautiful waters and enjoying life on the sea.

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Fixing the Hot Water Leak

After a lovely day spent enjoying the sun and sea, we returned to our boat only to find ourselves dealing with a water leak. It was coming from the hot water side of our fresh water system. I quickly got to work, disconnecting the hot water side of our system to isolate the issue. At this point, we only had cold water on the boat, which was manageable since the Bahamasis quiet warm.

As I began the troubleshooting process, I disconnected the hot water tank dumping ten gallons of fresh water, that kinda sucked. I showed my wife the hot water tank, pointing out the hot water side where I had disconnected everything. The setup was straightforward, with only one pressure line coming from our pump. I was able to pressurize the freshwater side, which would supply water to the boat.

Despite the inconvenience of having no hot water, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I knew the leak could be due to several factors, including the hot water tank itself or various fittings throughout the hot water system. I also noticed that our outdoor shower had a leak, but at least we had cold water for now. After all, we were in the tropics, and the cold water can be refreshing.

Life on the Boat, The Quest For Hot Water

As I worked on the plumbing, my wife was busy doing bills, which oftengo up because of projects. I often joke that every time I start a project, the house (or in this case, the boat) gets torn up. But it’s all part of the adventure. I realized that having no hot water would make cleaning greasy dishes a bit more challenging, but we could manage.

After spending hours trying to narrow down the leak, I concluded that I would have to eventually replace the tank. I began to consider switching to a small tankless hot water heater. This would allow us to have hot water on demand without the extra weight of a tank. Plus, it wouldn’t consume too much power, which is always a concern on a sailboat. The down side would be no hot water when motoring.

Snorkeling and Fishing Adventures

After the plumbing work, it was time to take a break and head out for our first day of fishing and snorkeling. Armed with a spear and a lionfish-catching device, I was ready for whatever the sea had to offer. My wife, however, was a bit hesitant about snorkeling. It was a cool day, and she was worried about the temperature of the water.

We set off, and although we didn’t catch any lionfish, we enjoyed the adventure of exploring the beautiful marine life. We paddled through clear waters, encountering various fish and even a few sharks. It was a bit surreal to see them swimming below us.

Exploring the Beach

After our snorkeling adventure, we decided to head to the beach. It was a fantastic place to unwind, and we were joined by friends who were also exploring the area. We played some cornhole, though it seemed we were both a bit rusty, as we hadn’t made a single shot for a while. Meanwhile, the girls entertained themselves with the dogs.

As we enjoyed our time at the beach, we discovered a cave nearby. While it wasn’t exactly what you’d call a cave, it had some interesting crevices to explore. We joked about it being the Batcave, wondering if any sea creatures were hiding inside. This led to some light-hearted discussions about the possibility of finding lobsters or lionfish in the area.

Generator Troubles

Back at the boat, I faced another challenge: our power smart generator decided it wouldn’t work. It was high revving and seemed to be malfunctioning. After some troubleshooting, I discovered that the throttle was stuck open. This was something I realized would need more frequent lubrication to keep it functioning properly.

After fixing the generator, I was able to crank it up again and ensure everything was working smoothly. It’s always a relief when you can fix something without having to call in a professional, especially when living on a boat where everything can be a bit more complicated.

Getting Back to Hot Water

As I delved deeper into fixing our hot water system, I discovered that the leak was concentrated at the front of the boat. I decided to bypass that section for now, allowing us to at least have hot water in the sink and shower towards the back of the boat. I had to admit, it felt good to make some progress.

In the meantime, my wife was busy making French bread in our little oven. We hadn’t had homemade bread in a while, and the smell wafting through the boat was heavenly. It was a reminder of the little joys in life, especially when living on the water.

Final Touches and Future Plans

With the plumbing issues sorted out for the time being, it was time to check on the sink in the front bathroom. The cold water side had been trickling, and I knew I had to fix it. Using basic tools, I was able to access the faucet and discovered that the seals had gotten stuck. After some cleaning and reassembly, we finally had water flowing again.

With the plumbing issues mostly resolved, it was time to take a break and enjoy the surroundings. We made plans to explore the nearby Gacho caves, known for their connection to James Bond movies. It was exciting to think about what we would find, even if it meant dealing with cold water again.

Conclusion

Living on a sailboat is a constant adventure, filled with unexpected challenges and delightful surprises. From fixing the plumbing to exploring the beautiful waters, every day offers something new. As we continue our journey, we’re reminded of the importance of adaptability and the joy of sharing these experiences with each other.

Whether you’re an experienced sailor or just someone dreaming of life on the water, I hope our adventures inspire you to embrace the challenges and joys that come your way. Life is too short not to explore, laugh, and enjoy every moment!

For more adventures, join us as we continue our journey on Chris Does What With Danielle Sailing Agua Azul.

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Sailing Life Adventures: Fixing Leaks, Snorkeling, and Generator Troubles | Ep 68