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.
Refit
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.
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.
Electrical
Installing New LED Lights on Our Sailboat | Wiring & Hole Cutting
New LED lights required enlarged holes, custom wire harnesses, and a lot of fishing wires through tight spaces. Then the real test: polarity.
Freshwater
We Replumbed Our Entire Boat… And It Leaked Everywhere
We rebuilt the entire fresh water system with PEX. Then we pressure tested it. Seven days and ten hardware store trips later, here's what we learned.
Refit
Sub-Freezing Refit Life | Boat Work When Winter Hits Hard Ep. 65 #refit
Sub-zero temperatures hit the refit. Shawn heated small spaces to keep working. Geri stayed warm and recharged. Different strategies, same goal.
Repair
EP64: Anchor Chain Prep Turns Into a Full Windlass Refit
A simple plan to prep the anchor chain uncovers corrosion, rot, and a windlass that needs replacing. Real refit work aboard Roam.
Mast
EP63: Ready to Re-Step Our Mast… Then It All Fell Apart
After over a year of mast work, we’re finally ready to re-step — only to have it all derail at the last moment when the wrong turnbuckles arrive.
Electrical
EP62: Rebuilding the Electrical System on Roam Begins
After months of planning, we begin building the core of Roam’s electrical system—relocating equipment, building a power wall, and mounting major Victron components.