Installing Solar Panels on a Sailboat

One of our many projects: Installing Solar Panels

We do all of the boat maintenance ourselves even electrical and solar installations!

See some pics below

Sweet Potato Hash

 From the Galley......

I tried a new recipe this evening for dinner.
Remember those huge sweet potatoes I purchased at the farmer's market just a few days ago??
Well this only required one of them! I also added some different spices than the recipe called for such as a touch of cinnamon, curry powder and sea salt.  Along with the sweet potatoes I browned some country sausage in patties with some scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese.
The results were amazing! Plus there were no leftovers.

Read below how to make Sweet Potato Hash

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch cubes

6 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup green onions

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/sweet-potato-hash-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Directions

Add the potatoes to a large saucepan of salted boiling water and simmer until tender. Drain and dry completely with paper towels.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red onions, bell peppers, green onions, and garlic, and saute until tender and lightly golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove to a bowl.

Add the remaining 4 tablespoons oil to the skillet, and then add the drained and dried sweet potatoes. Cook in a single layer, stirring occasionally, on medium heat until they are tender, about 6 minutes. Increase the heat to high and cook, without stirring, until the potatoes are golden and crisp, about 2 more minutes. Sprinkle with the smoked paprika and gently stir in the onion mixture and parsley.

Recipe courtesy of The Neelys

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/sweet-potato-hash-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Sweet Picks at the Daytona Beach Farmers Market!

Hello all! Today, I spent my Saturday morning at 

the Daytona Beach Farmer's Market at City Island.

The farmer's market is open every Saturday from 7a-1p sometimes they close early so beat the rush and get there early!!

I love visiting the local farmer's market! Great finds for liveaboards and cruisers. Healthy foods, fruits and veggies plus toiletries and even local art, and it is close to the marina, within walking distance!

I went today with only $20 bucks in my pocket.

I gotta stay within my budget these days!

This is my LOT I came home with!

Sweet Pickins' today!

I found many things that are unique such as the biggest sweet potatoes I have ever seen!

A local artist that does some incredible wood carvings into tikis

 "We Scare Off Bad Mojo"

David, a local Daytona Beach artist 

The "sweetest peaches in Florida" says the bbq master himself

And last but not least, the sweet aroma was killing me all the way down the row until I reached

the Herbert's Bakery (located in Port Orange). I snatched up 3 of the most delish cinnamon rolls!

I took all of them! :)

It sure was a sweet morning! 

Thanks to everyone for taking their time in sharing some of their items  with me!

Come on by and support our local artisans and vendors!

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This post is brought to you by:
Love with Food - Get Healthier Snacks for just $6. Yummy, All-Natural Snacks at LoveWithFood.com! For every box you receive, a meal is donated to food banks all across US. Subscribe Now!

Sea Dragon is 1 Yr Old!

Well, that time finally came! We have owned SV SeaDragon for one year. We actually moved aboard in September 2014 but signed the paperwork and took over ownership in July 2014. This is an exciting time! I have never been more happy to own a boat and call it home. I imagine us cruising for years to come making passages to islands and exploring many places I could only once dream about before. I feel so tied down, forgive the pun but it is true, we are still tied up here at the dock. It is a struggle right now with our finances trying to catch up on previous debts and  new ones that keep growing. I do want to  have a goal of cruising within 1 year. At least make it down to the Florida Keys by next Spring. There are lots of things we want to do but money is the issue right now. I know we can do this and we will continue trying! We made it thus far without killing each other! :)


We both are trying to find steady work here locally but it  has been taking some time to find something. I enjoy blogging and writing about our lives but that is not enough until the traffic to the sites increase. Our advertisers will only hold out for so long before they will suspend the relationship. Please let me know what you would like to see on this blog. Would you like to see more posts on saving money, cooking, nature, or maintenance on the boat? I try to include a little bit of everything each week!


I am going to start a meal and budget planning guide soon and will post it here on the blog when it is completed. Also the boys are finishing up on their classes and will have more free time to go out on some more adventures and field trips.

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Helping my Mate Sell her 30' S2 9.2C Sailboat

Hi everyone!  
My dock mate and good friend Gladys is selling her sailboat.

Description: 30' S2 9.2C Sailboat (Daytona Beach)
http://daytona.craigslist.org/boa/5127706790.html

It is a very sturdy and smooth sailboat and perfect for someone who wants to learn to sail, restore a classic, and easy to single hand and navigate around the coastal waters. 

She has been well maintained and deserves a someone who will take care of her as much as her current owner has, is that you?
This is perfect for a beginner sailor or a couple that want a live aboard and or day/weekend sail.

 If you would kindly share this with your friends someone may be interested. 

She is move in ready and priced to sell!  
All reasonable offers will be considered.

Please click the link for more info. 

Thank you!

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This post is brought to you by: Ebooks.com
Fix It and Sail - Find a small cruising sailboat and restore it to pristine condition on a budget that won't sink your budget Small, trailererable cruising sailboats are more popular than ever as mooring spaces dwindle and marina dockage and winter storage costs soar. Fix It and Sail helps you discover boatloads of fun far less than a single ski weekend or golf club membership. Veteran sailor and journalist Brian Gilbert shows you how to select and inspect a boat, then restore it from keel to rigging. Gilbert's clear, step-by-step instructions guide you through every phase of the restoration process from repairing keels, hulls, ports, and cabins to painting, wiring, and sealing. You'll learn how to evaluate, repair and replace hardware, upholstery, canvaswork, and more. Profusely illustrated appendices give you a vivid picture of the costs, tasks, and labor involved in an actual restoration project.

Doing Research on our Boat.

I love design and architecture, and anyone that knows me personally knows I can not sit around and not know the history of anything I own. I am always researching facts and information about things.

I came upon this awesome website that covers information all about our boat and other models design by C&C.
Check it out here > CnCphotoalbum.com

C&C 38 (1975)

Introduced in 1975, the 38 stood out for not standing out at all. It can best be categorized as "wholesome." A true racer-cruiser, the design performed well around the cans, had good middle-of-the-road stability, and came with a nice interior. It was the perfect size for the cruiser who wanted room below but not too much to handle up on the deck. The market loved it. At 98 units, it was C&C's best-seller of 1976.

I figured out from our hull number (HIN) that we are number 62 out of 98 manufactured. 

Nautical Knowledge, How to read a HIN

more.....

From the original  C&C Yachts 38 1976 Sales Brochure 

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Vote! : Who Wore it better?!?

Alright ladies, I have been seeing this picture of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson going around the internet and I dared the Capt. to do a similar pose. hehehe

 He took the challenge!

Now it is Time to VOTE!!

Who wore the lava-lava better??

1. Capt. Kim

2. The Rock

Post your vote in the comment section below.

Don't forget to share with all your friends! 

What is a Lava-lava you ask?

Answer from Wiki :

A lava-lava is an article of daily clothing traditionally worn by Polynesians and other Oceanic peoples. It consists of a single rectangular cloth worn as askirt.^[1] The term lava-lava is both singular and plural in the Samoan language.

Ebooks while Cruising: Win a $100 Gift Coupon!

There are hundreds of great ebooks by ebooks.com to enjoy while cruising. Ebooks are a great way to save space, and less chance of the book getting water damage! eBooks.com has tons of genres of books to choose from. 

Look below for details on the contest and search on the homepage for ebooks you might enjoy reading.

Share, RT, Like to pass this on to your friends a chance to win too! 

LovewithFood Delivers | Healthy Snacks for Liveaboards

 I just found a great company that is US based and delivers healthy snacks!  LoveWithFood.com!  They are a monthly snack box subscription service that helps you discover the best organic or all-natural snacks delivered to your door for only $10/month. 
For every box sent, a meal is donated to feed hungry children in America. To date, they've donated more than 400,000 meals.
This is a great idea for live-aboards! I am always searching for quick and easy ways to feed my family healthy snacks. 
   
  With two growing teenage boys,  our galley constantly needs replenishing but we are on a  very small budget and cannot stock up for many weeks at a time yet.  We are constantly making runs off the dock the night before or early in the morning and grabbing drinks and snacks off of some local convenient store shelf. It gets frustrating with so little choices in healthy items and also expensive! I usually grab some quick protein such as trail mix or beef jerky but that really gets old too.
   
Sometimes you are too tired from working on the boat or sailing all day to make something. It is nice to get this delivered right to our mailbox and we are also making a difference in other lives as well! No one should go hungry in this country!

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Love with Food - Get 40% off on Healthier Snacks. Find a fun and convenient way to discover all-natural or organic surprise snacks delivered to your home(or Boat!) or office for FREE. Subscribe Now at LoveWithFood.com! 
For every box you receive, a meal is donated to food banks all across US. 

Click the link below for more information and get a special discount by using our link ( +SV SeaDragon will get a portion of the sale for every sign up) 
Get 40% off on Healthier Snacks. Find a fun and convenient way to discover all-natural or organic surprise snacks delivered to your home or office for FREE. Subscribe Now at LoveWithFood.com!

What a great way to keep healthy snacks on board for those spur of the moment trips!

Going nowhere fast. Wind Less

"It doesn't seem like we are going anywhere.."  #windLess #sailorlife

-When life puts the brakes on your wind, start your engine and keep on going!!

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West Marine eGift Cards

One fish, Two fish, Yellow Fish

Saw this interesting fish  in the marina today.
It was on top of the water line near the bank very still. Kim and I both assumed it had been washed in with the tide. I looked pretty close and it wasn't swimming but it's gills were flapping about. The water in the basin is very dirty especially after a rain mixing up all the debris so I figured it was sick and dying. I walked down the dock to our slip to fetch a pail and fish net. As I got back to the site where the fish was it had moved. I saw it about ten meters away and put the tip of the net in the water to retrieve it. It flexed and shot down under the water and swam away. I'm glad it was OK, but I still would like to know the type and species of fish it is. If you happen to know please comment or share with someone who might be of some help.

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*Sponsor Ad, please be kind and click through to help us out, each purchase helps us get one step closer to our goal of sailing the world*

Learn to Sail | A list of my favorite ebooks

As a new sailor I try to learn everything I can hands on, reading, asking lots of questions on the sailing groups/forums and learning from others with experience.
It wasn't that long ago that I didn't know a thing about sailing except that it moves when the wind blows. Now I know a little more each and every day thanks to some great advice, getting out there and trying something I have never done before, reading and learning the basics! At 40, I believe we are never too old to stop learning and start a new chapter in our lives. I say..... If you have ever thought about it, don't stop, just go for it!

I have put together a list of books that I found pretty helpful.

This first one is a an official text book for ASA!

American Sailing Association Sailing Made Easy Sailing Made Easy is a highly visual, easy-to-read teaching tool for would-be sailors with little or no prior exposure to the sport. Sailing Made Easy is the new official textbook for the ASAs Basic Keelboat Sailing Standard course, ASA 101.Setting a new standard for sailing education materials, Sailing Made Easy was written by a team of expert sailing instructors with more than 150 years of combined sailing experience. It was co-edited by Peter Isler, world famous Americas Cup winning navigator and commentator, and Jeremy McGreary, a 30-year veteran sailing writer and editor. The text closely mirrors the customary sequence in which beginning students are introduced to the theory of sailing, the boat in which they will learn, and the skills they will acquire.With its high-quality, detailed illustrations and easy-to-understand sailing lexicon, we expect Sailing Made Easy to help more people discover the joys of sailing, said Charlie Nobles, executive director of the ASA. As the leading authority on U.S. sailing instruction, we believe that this is the source book for anyone who is serious about this exciting sport and lifestyle American Sailing Association Sailing Made Easy

One Head Four People...

 What has 8 legs, 8 eyes, needs lots cleaning, smells a lot, holds four tooth brushes and has only one head? OUR SeaDragon head! It is tiny yet fierce!

 Many people ask us what it is like living in such a small space.
 I think for the most part it is a totally positive experience. 

It is a little rough sharing a head (bathroom) with three other people especially males! 

I love the fact that living aboard our small space helps us simplify life. 

The head itself is small but also has a lot of features that you would not expect.  If you look at the top left corner  of the door you will see a hook/ eye latch, we use this on a regular basis for two reasons. 

1. To help with air circulation and
2. When out on the water and the boat is moving back and forth it keeps the door from swinging open.

  I have been adding about a cup of vinegar and sprinkle in some baking soda to keep the smells away and keep the water stains clean in the bowl.

All in all it makes for an easy to use and clean space!

Thrifty Find!!

    As you may or may not know I am an avid thrift shop hound. I love getting a good deal when I can. I like to think of myself as a "land pirate". My motto is one person's trash is another person's treasure!

Hey If it was worth buying the first time it must be even better the second time around! :) I seem to find some pretty good stuff lately too. Just recently We found a Trivia Pursuit 20th Century Game for only .50 plus an additional 75% discount! It was at the Animal Rescue Thrift Shop in Port Orange, Fl so I kinda felt bad and donated an extra dollar. I am an animal lover after all!

Today I did out did myself and got a big haul of clothes including a top and skirt set ,dress,and halter   top.

Plus the biggest score was this....

A Garmin Map Source CD-Rom for US waterways.

 It was marked $1.50 and they just so happened to be having a 75% off store wide sale! Whohoo.
I'm going to attempt to install it now and see how well it works. I'll be sure to report my findings as soon as I can!

SeaBags

How cool is this??!
There is a company that recycles  old sails and turns them into fashionable tote bags!

They have a nice variety of styles and colors to choose from including custom designs! The one thing that I loved about this was the fact they offer a chance for sailors to recycle their own sails and get a free bag from it. What a great way to preserve some memories and keep the environment in good shape at the same time! Kudos to seabags! I just may take you up on your offer one day. I have a few more days in the wind with mine still left.

Take a look at their featured article in the June 2015 Family Circle magazine.

Seabags.com

Boat Kids!

Our boys have adapted so well in the ten (Yes I said TEN can you believe it??) months we have been living here. 

I love the fact they can be close to each other but still give each other room for privacy if they need it.

 I'm truly thankful for such mature and well adjusted boys that have grown into young men while living aboard.