We Have to Get Off the Boat | When Boat Projects Wear You Down
Two years of refit work finally caught up with us, so we went looking for a hike. What we found wasn't rugged, but it was exactly the break we needed.
anchor
We Replaced Our Rusty Anchor Chain With Stainless Steel—Here's Why
We swapped our old galvanized anchor chain for Cromox stainless steel. Here's why we chose it, what went wrong with the markers, and how we maintain it.
Cruising
Everything You Need to Know About Cruising Annapolis
Anchoring rules, dinghy docks, provisioning, and getting around without a car — here's everything we learned cruising into Annapolis.
Refit
We Bought $150,000 of Boat Gear for $50,000
We spent about $50,000 importing major equipment directly from China instead of $150,000 through U.S. suppliers. Here's exactly what we bought and saved.
Annapolis
The Realities of Living at Anchor | Solving Everyday Boat Problems
Muddy anchor chain, no dock water, and mosquitoes at dusk. Here's how we solved three everyday problems at anchor in Annapolis.
shakedown
Everything Started Breaking... Welcome to Our Shakedown Cruise
A month after leaving the boatyard, we're anchored in Cambridge working through a failed oil cooler, a dead bilge pump, and a broken washing machine.
lessons
We Finally Left the Boatyard… Here's What 2 Years Taught Us
Two years after hauling out, ROAM finally left the boatyard. Here are the biggest lessons from rebuilding a 54-foot catamaran from the keel up.
Refit
2 Years Later... ROAM Is Finally Back in the Water
Two years after haulout, ROAM is finally back in the water. A missing rudder bearing, a rushed launch, and one nerve-wracking lift later, she's floating.
battery
We Built Our Own Lithium Battery Bank (And It Was Way Harder Than Expected)
We built our own lithium battery bank from individual cells, saving about $40,000. Here's everything that went into making it safe and functional.
Electrical
3450W of Solar Power on Our Off-Grid Catamaran
After three failed welders and two years of work, the new solar arch is finally up. 3,450 watts and the batteries are full by noon.
Refit
Moving Back on Board
After two years, the drawers went back in. Then we made the call: move back aboard even though the boat wasn't finished. No water, no power, no comfort. Just progress.
Refit
Mast Stepped, Boom Installed | We're So Close to Launch
The turnbuckles arrived. They fit. The crane lifted. The mast went up. After two years and a two-month delay, the rig is back together.