TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL HYBRID SAILING
• CHARGING POWER
Off-grid living depends on lots of power without running noisy generators when on calls. That means huge batteries, and plenty of charging options. We upgraded to 800Ah of battery storage, plus a fast smart charger. We recharge using shore power; engine; generator, wind; propeller in water when sailing, and are thinking of installing solar.
• TWO RECTIFIERS + 12V CHARGERS
We are totally dependent on mains for charging computers. We have two rectifiers (always backups for everything), which I rerigged so mains power comes out of all power sockets.
• INSULATE YOUR FREEZER
Our boat was fitted already with a huge fridge and freezer but both rapidly drained our batteries – so I insulated by spraying over 200lt of closed-cell foam into cavities all around them with dramatic results. Closed-cell foam means no condensation, but needs mixing onsite and is messy to apply.
• WATERMAKER TRUMPS AIR CON
Few things feel more luxurious than hot showers when living aboard. That means large water tanks, and ideally a watermaker. Two people can easily use 70lt a day (25% of our usual consumption back home), so we are grateful for 600lt tanks. Our watermaker runs when we are motoring in clear water, and makes 105lt an hour, which means full tanks can last for weeks.
We have (noisy) air conditioning but that requires the generator running. Far more effective is to throw a tent over the boat. We made one ourselves from a large sheet of canvas, cut to shape. Pull it over the boom, around the mast and secure to guard rails and bow – it provides instant shade, a wind tunnel to drive air below, and reduces cabin temperature by around 10°.
• BACKUPS FOR ALL TECH
Things can and do go wrong afloat – salt corrosion, phones dropped into the sea, coffee spilt over a keyboard. Even replacing a mobile phone can take a very long time in an unfamiliar country. So we have backups for all the important things – enough to allow both of us to work at the same time, even if two devices are broken. Don’t forget a printer, as well as paper. You will need it in for official documents, and other reasons in faraway places. Many times we still need a printout, or a physically signed contract.
• BOOST STOWAGE
Using a boat for business as well as leisure, for serious offshore sailing as well as living at anchor, requires a lot of stowage. When there are no guests aboard, both our spare cabins are used for spare sails, folding bikes etc etc.
• KEEP YOUR BODY CLOCK ON OFFICE TIME
The Caribbean has a four-hour time difference to the UK, so we usually aim to be working by 0600, and finish by 1600 latest, enjoying a late swim before dinner.