Three Things That'll Make You HATE Living On A Boat - EP 259 - Lady K Sailing 

In the many years of sailing and boating, I only had 1 anchor related issue where I actually hit another boat hard. I was approaching a crowded anchorage under power. I was making my way at a reasonably slow speed between 2 boats who were anchored a normal distance apart with plenty of room between them for me to maneuver. Suddenly I was spinning out of control in a circle and heading straight for the downwind sailboat. My rudder was not responding, I threw the motor into reverse, and I smacked my bow into his side. The owner of the boat comes out of the cabin naked as the day he was born, mad as hell at the fool who nailed his new boat. I was trying hard to figure it out myself, confused by the tangle of what appeared to be a good 100' of polypropylene rope floating on the water surface, wrapped several times around my boat, prop shaft, rudder and keel. It was his newly purchased "anchor" rope he bought for his new boat. It floated straight up from his anchor and then along the surface several boat lengths to his bow. I had sailed over it, wrapping my boat neatly until it wrapped me into his side. He screamed a few times at me until I pointed out to him his lack of proper anchor rope with a floating rope and no chain which had caused the problem. No damage to either boat, but I always kept a lookout for other anchored boats with that floating rope.

Gee 50 years ago living on an Alden schooner, we had three anchors (a Danforth, a CQR and a 50lb Herishoff), kerosene running lights, no electronic NAVAIDS (we navigated by the stars and WWV), 75 gal. of water , four golf cart batteries and we were happy. Maine in the summer and the Caribbean in the winter for 15 years.

Thanks,I like the fixed iPad AnchorMate! On picking. I sent up a pickle tank with on & off valves. The tank is full of pickling water. It’s less than 10mins to pickle and un pickle the membrane the pickling mix is pumped back into the tank ready for the next time I need to use it. Also l use the tank to clean the pre filters-l open the tanks lid and let the filter soak for a week and wash. The pickle mix can be reused a number of times before it needs to be changed. SV Skoiern IV

For the ones that are thinking " I want to learn how to sail" Go find a small day sailor 18 foot is good to learn on. No motor just sails, find a lake, trailer it and read how to books. You will get hooked and start to dream of bigger boats to fit your pirot in you. Then watch Lady K sailing for the big boys on water videos, I learned so much for his start North to south and back again... Getting off the land is more rewarding than apple pie~

A good anchor and chain…that’s the big thing. Having a set of hammer-in bungs and a basic fiberglass repair kit and scissors. Zip tape is worth it’s weight in gold…it’s glue isn’t water soluble and it’s so strong it’ll take skin off…seriously, I patched a kayak with it, and it’s still there a year later. A robust fishing system with lures for Mahi. There’s a reason Mahi is always “the catch of the day” at every restaurant on the Keys…it’s so good and so plentiful there’s no sense aiming for anything else in the heavyweight category. A good brush on a short stick the scrub your bottom paint in anchorage…this means a mask and snorkel, maybe a Spare Air…for a basic dive compressor, look for one designed for PCP air rifles. Much cheaper, smaller, quieter than one made for filling larger dive bottles faster. Some have a 12 v power supply. Clean bottom paint is critical to making any sort of headway, it already takes more wind than we wish it did to move a sailboat, there’s no sense it adding friction to the hull. If you think maneuvering a sailboat in a tight marina is tough, try doing it with a filthy bottom. 🥶

Electricity- sailors should be able to solve this issue without a lot of $s if they have space to deploy PV panels. Hard panels are now selling in the 30-35 cent/watt range some as low as 25 cents/watt. We're talking $93-$130 for a 370 watt panel. You can get 60a output solar charge controllers (not the blue kind) in the $150-$200 range that can handle 720-900 watts PV input with 12v bat bank. MC4 wire ($40 for 2 30' wires ), dc circuit breakers/fuses ($20) and connectors and tools ($30) are inexpensive. And reasonable quality LiFePo4 100ah bats can be had for as low as $190 delivered. So, in this example. with 2 panels, 2 bats, 1 MPPT, 2 circuit breakers, two 30' mc4 cables, tool kit with connectors, and reusing your current bat cables... you are looking at $825-$900 for pv system that could put out 740 watts on a bright sunny day. Anchor- completely agree on going large. Fresh water- there are many co's producing reverse osmosis systems from manual budget systems to more sophisticated. 12v systems are somewhat limited in their output volume. 120 v ones usually require use of generator due to electric motor start up amps. Recently saw a video with system that used a 1.5 hp 3 phase electric motor and VFD that was able to work from a 2000 watt inverter putting out 120v. The VFD allowed motor to begin turning without the locked rotor surge amps typical of 120v motors. I may have missed some specifics in video. Interesting approach.

...I think I might add an onboard fuel polishing system to this "sleep" list.

The dedicated USB port tablet anchor watch is great advice. I don't remember what happened the last time I anchored but my iPhone reset itself or something in the middle of the night, so I woke up with no anchor alarm information at all. I could've been on the beach or out to sea. And if you don't have the wiring for a dedicated USB port, get an Anker battery. A 22000 one can recharge an iPhone about 5 times, that'll last through the night. When I was in Mexico getting my ASA Catamaran rating I woke up in the middle of the night because I clearly heard the anchor chain being hoisted in. We must be dragging. I knew the other guys on the boat weren't nerdy enough to always have a flashlight, so I grabbed an extra one and ran out of my cabin and up the stairs, where I saw our captain sound asleep. Dreaming about anchoring? It was absolutely real. Yeah, that USB port/dedicated tablet set up sounds better than Xanax. What I do like to do is just sleep in the cockpit, then I just have to raise my head a bit to look around. I like sleeping there so I'd probably do anyway. & Happy new year.

You didn’t mention backup anchors, and their sizing. I had to cut an anchor and chain lose one day in the San Juan Islands after we couldn’t break it free on a rocky bottom. Had we been on other than a weekend sail, we would have been without any anchor. Always have at least one backup anchor and chain on your spares list because it will almost always be impossible to purchase a new one while away from a big city marine store. Don’t forget the chain too!

We went several times with our Hunter 33.5 to the north channel for 5 weeks typically and rarely stay at a marina due to cost and we prefered anchorages (a good bruce anchor). Once a week we would head to a marina for water, food, pumpout and very important 4 blocks if ice. We only powered up the fridge if underway by motor. As a result we would never had to worry about power, even if we stayed at an anchorage for several days. Freedom from engine noise. We had no need for solar panels. We had 2 batteries, one for engine start and one for everything else. Hope you find it of use.

I have some coastal cruising experience and this checks out. Crewed on a 40 foot and the owner had a power windlass. If anything is lacking in this video it is this - a windlass and a coupe hundred feet of chain along with a big plow anchor is the lazy captain's way to get some sleep.

We'd moved up and down the ''ditch'' on many occasion... started in 1985, with an old ''bone yard'' wood boat basket case that we purchased on the cheap to take us to Naples, Fl, and a new start in La La land. We loaded the boat with all kinds of back up gear--all but certain there'd be a crisis. We also had several cruising guides for the InterCoastal Waterway. (only charts and Loran in those days, no gps)... the one we used every day was entitled, ''Great Restaurants to Dine at on the Way.'' We always received a discount on a slip since we were dining at the restaurant, and we always felt safe and secure , and we never were without power and dockside water. Oh, and by the way, we lived ''aboard' and our cruising on the Gulf coast of FLorida was our vacations. Yes, there's a huge difference between living aboard and cruising--- we did the living aboard for 18 years in Florida, and we summer cruise now in Maine.

The weight of the chain is more important than having a super long length of it assuming you have enough to provide the scope for the water depth you will be anchoring in the anchor doesn't hold your boat unless the wind is so strong that it lifts and stretches your chain and rode tight the anchor just lays on the bottom doing nothing but keeping the end of the chain in one location until this point is reached so buy heavier chain and as far as the anchor goes the bottom conditions you are anchoring in are more important that just having a heavy anchor also up sizing and anchor and leaving it on your bow the whole time you are sailing is a bad idea and it can disrupt the proper pitch trim stability of your boat a light bow can ride over waves easier than one slinging a 50lb anchor when being beating up wind in a heavy swell unless you are removing your anchor and stowing it below I don't recommend up sizing to a really heavy anchor without at least considering this your boats sea stability shouldn't be compromised for its anchoring stability

Considering living aboard one day and this is helpful.

Transplanting from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest, a 60' anchorage isn't uncommon. As you said, 'Chain is king". I'm carrying 350' chain with a 50' rode. Living aboard a cruise-focused sailboat, the tankage allows the elimination of a watermaker; although strictly a subjective opinion, simplicity adds peace. Great video!

I bought a used (1999 ) simple pick up truck. I had a first class survey done on the boat in question. It comes with solar, extra large water tanks. I use it every weekend almost and have it hauled out for winter and polished for summer. Twice a year I took a 90nm trip with the 2 kids; that's it. I'm berthed at the lonely far end of the marina away from the alcoholics. I'm just under 40ft and it's my vacation condo. No plans to do the islands etc. Had an apartment size fridge/freez installed. Barbeque in the fantail. I have some religious tracks from a church everybody hates when they knock on their door all dressed up and I leave one every Sunday at the coffee bar. This keeps everyone away from me as I enjoy my weekend's. Thx 4 asking.

Great video, thanks I have been sailing for 50 years but only for 2-3 days max, so I do not have to worry about sleeping poorly (anchor dragging), power or water. In June 2024 I will be retiring and looking forward to 5-7 day solo sailing trips on Lake Erie. Sleeping poorly (Anchor dragging) I will use my iPhone but I will also play with using a 2nd anchor attached to some pots and pans. If the main anchor drags the 2nd anchor line will become tight knocking over some pots and pans. For Power I have a small solar system but I will need to manage my usage and kerosene lamps. Water will not be a problem I budget 1 gallon per day per person. 7 days solo is just 7 gallons.

Pickling an RO doesn't have to be that hard. I use one only each spring for a few weeks to remove water from the maple sap, it reduces boiling times by up to 70%. I only flush it with well water, then rinse/fill with distilled water that I saved from the RO process, then seal all air/openings, and store it in a cool dry place until the next year. Just give it a good rinse, and good to go for another season. Keeping all that extra water under the bed is a great idea, everyone should do that, even in their own homes. Great content as always Tim!

Old tablet dedicated to the anchor alarm is brilliant

I think you’re underselling rain catchment as a good source of drinking water. We have a large hardtop that catches lots of rain and countertop pitcher filter that works great. Carry 1/2 dozen replacement filters and your done. Funnel hose and a few fittings that stores away when not in use. Less than $100 total, almost no maintenance and no expensive water maker.

I’ll be installing a water maker this fall. Looking forward to unlimited water. One of those Jerry cans should cover one persons daily needs. I figure 5 gallons for shower, 1 gallon for drinking, 1 gallon for cooking/dishes, running the water maker for 21 gallons every 3 days seems reasonable. Do it on a sunny day. Did you know you can use flexible or portable solar panels on high demand days to boost your energy generation? Keep them below when not needed and put them out when you need them. Of course you’ll need an appropriate not charge controller for them.

Those are all great suggestions. I need to get the iPad. We did put USB ports on the steering pedisal for out iPhones and navigation apps. But in general we do it a little different here in Thailand. Our routine is, sail to a nice anchorage. Sleep on the boat one night. Then sail to another anchorage and/or island. Dinghy in to a beautiful resort. Eat, shower, sleep, etc. Stay 2 nights. Pick up ice, water, and beer. Go back to the boat. Repeat.

Another great episode, and I love the permanent anchor monitor idea. Another important thing to always have on board, is a snorkeling style swim mask. The greatest danger we face when at anchor... Is idiot power boaters crossing over our line, thus getting it tangled up in their props. This happens a lot off of popular beaches and the like. And the offending power boater will often have some age or health problem that forces you to dive in and unravel it yourself. Tell them not to try to run in reverse, and insist the turn off the engines. Unfortunately this often kinks up the line so much it is no longer fit to be the number one. I've tried, and its nearly impossible to get it back to normal "weave".

About water; I installed a reverse osmosis system. It’s running for 2 years now with the first set of filters. I regularly test the water and it’s still very fine. Total cost so far is under €200,- A new set of filters is only €60,- Works great without electricity. Only for fresh drinking water of course because the pressure of that system is pretty low.

Here's a quick point about those anchor apps. The reason Tim said you should put a USB point near your bed to run the app is that running them just on your phone or an unplugged tablet will chew through their batteries so quickly they might not make it through the night. As always, though, Tim hit the nail on the head about anchoring being the bane of every sailor's existence, Even when you pick what looks like a perfectly positioned spot and settle back, it often seems that someone (usually a big launch) will come in very close, place their anchor so their boat sits right over your anchor, and worst of all just drop their anchor, rather than set it properly. I've never been "kissed" by another boat, though, which is what I tell myself to calm my fears.

Great cruising advice Tim! A new topic I would like you to cover is the relative merits of Carbon Fiber vs Aluminum masts. The carbon fiber has advantages of less weight aloft and hence increased stability but probably at increased cost. Susceptibility & survivability to lightning strikes is of particular interest in high lightning areas. Skip Novak’s Vinson of Antarctica Exploration yacht utilizes carbon masts in extreme High Latitude sailing so carbon can be robust. Another topic I would be interested in is “In Boom Furling” such as the Schafer system or its competitors in lieu of “ In Mast Furling”. The advantages are less weight aloft and hence increased stability and accessibility to the entire rig from the deck or cabin top. The batons are more compatible with in-boom systems, but one loses the advantages of the “ loose footed main”. These would be interesting topics for LKS or Practical Sailer. Thanks, Tim 👍

I made sure there was another capable sailor along on my trips. That way I can sit and enjoy, knowing the boat was in good hands.

Haha we bought a 70lb anchor and our boat calls for 45lb unit 😂 plus 300ft of chain and 250 of nylon 🤣🤣🤣 we are newbies but guess how we sleep 😂 Oh and if anyone thinks newbie inspired articles, from a guy who works 11 months of the year in northern BC and then gets one month off that he spends on the boat could be fun.. ill submit them.. and see how it goes.. but i'm not great at sunshine.. we have tracked expenses well and could discuss things like that.

I lived on my rig for 25 years there’s nothing that I hate about it , I’m flipping land sick . 🤢

Anchor chain. Best advice I’ve heard. Thanks.

I lived aboard for 25 years, on five different boats. Loved it and hated it.

I recently saw a center cockpit boat on YachtWorld with a B&G chart plotter repeater mounted on the wall of the owners stateroom, next to the head of the bed. I thought what a great idea, not just for confidence that you aren't dragging anchor, but also while off watch on a passage. A quick and easy way to get a snapshot of what the boat is doing and conditions.

Have you wondered how smaller boats make multiple-week passages and manage to have sufficient water? The answer is usually not large tanks (no room) nor a watermaker (neither $$$ nor power). It's about water management, something not mentioned here because Tim has always been near a water supply. Example: Salt water spigot at the galley sink, heat salt water for a sudsy wash, rinse thoroughly with salt, then spritz the clean dish with fresh water squirter.

Problem with a Berkey is that you have to refill it every day to keep those filters wet. And when your boat is heeled over ten degrees or the bow is rocking, are you going to be spilling water in the galley? The top portion also just sits on the bottom so it may come apart unless you tape it together. Having a Berkey, I don't want to bring it onto a boat.

Nice presentation: Love big anchors with you on that, the idea of a tablet at the bunk, truly fantastic, water just had bacteria poisoning from my water tank, really bad, lessons learned, tap water should not be stored longer than 6 month, boiling does not kill all bad bacteria neither does freezing it, never heard of the Berkley but a quick look on line I have doubts about its 100% performance same as UV light killing all bacteria so adding chemicals is the go, argh.

55LBS Anchor that would be the backup stern anchor for the 60ft boat I crewed on. We had a 65KG Mantus with 100m of 10mm chain as the main.

Berkey's fucking rock. I've been living exclusively on rainwater for the past 10 years and if I ever do get a boat I will most definitely use it onboard.

When you address electrical power, you must consider long periods of overcast skies. Last year, we experienced 5 days of constant storms in the Pacific. By the end of that, we were hand steering without instruments due to the lack of solar power. An exhaust manifold leak had overheated the alternator. I'm installing wind generator and solar panels on my boat. Even with large batteries, they have to be charged. And both wind and solar can disappear for a while.

Also, Dehumidifier, { catch, don`t drain } , small distiller = pure water, if no rain is an issue.

Hope your wishes come true in 2024 Tim!! I life on a 38ft steel ketch since july..realising my childhood wishdream 40 years later..suddenly by chance..and took the big step..well prepared..but for me the most worrisome reason I 'hate' living on a boat now is..not having enough money on my bank account anymore (as not everybody appreciates you to life on a boat here and cuts your income) to deal with the unexpected things happening (unexpected leaking teakdeck.."the boat was major maintenance-free for 2 years" nice same age formed owner assured me..stopping of diesel heater in winter by effects storm..not been able to close that thru-hull last summer that hunts you in your dreams etc etc). So..maybe when in your 20's or 30's and/or being very adventurous low on income and budget can be a nice challenge while living the boat life..but having enough steady income for sure makes you sleep much better on your (still) beloved❤ boat is my experience until now😊..not even got to deal with anchoring, off-gridd electricity needs and water (making) still here in the marina.😅

Great idea with the tablet over the bed for anchor watch, cheers.

I see that you don’t look at other sailing channels on RU-vid ! I sail small boats but I am sure I could DYI an old sailing Yacht with the amount of info on RU-vid!

Easiest way to get rid of all the things that make living life difficult on a boat is unsurprisingly to sell the boat.🤣😁

So much good advice, your knowledge is priceless, thank you.

Tim, why doesn't anyone talk about chain size when talking about anchoring? Heavier chain is better, keeps you stuck even when the wind blows. I traded my 3/8 chain for 5/16, lighter and stronger than the old bbb i had before. Big mistake. I actually drug my anchor for the first time in ten years because of it, and i had a rocna anchor. I know there is a bit of a penalty in speed, but if you aren't a racer it doesn't matter. Buy heavier chain when you replace your chain, buy only good chain made in the USA. And don't forget to end-to-end your chain every year, it will last longer.

For me the worst things are going through a period of week/two weeks something breaks everyday and you can fix it but it's the fact you have to , then you find out your new girlfriend who has been sailing since year 1 thinks sailing means living in a casino in a penthouse room , then you run out of booze 😭 , if your a sailer use the atlantic forget icw an get a good windvane steering system sleep when you can , a small wind turbine seems to work pretty good in places like the bahamas and just don't carry so much water you don't have room for the rum an you be good 🙂

Happy New year captain! Thanks for all the info and insight. Means a lot

Love your episodes very informative

I use to sail on the Great Lakes (at the time on a smaller old boat) and I hated swimming and bathing in the lake if it wasn't at least 90F (never happens). I spent two years hating the mandatory wash at 5:00pm to get the sweat and sunscreen off. One day I was at a Costco and I was like, yeah I'll buy a wet suit for $35. Turns out the cold water misery now only last 60 seconds and its porous enough to get the sweat and sticky sunscreen off. Buy a wet suit if you don't have a hot shower aboard.

Awesome info Captain Tim!

I learned of these three things the hard way in my first two years! I never imagined the stress of staying afloat😅. Electricity solved with a solar installation last year, I will set up an anchor app in view of my bed, great suggestion.

Great info for someone looking to sail someday!

Great, thank you!

Thanks again Tim!

Happy New Year Tim and thankyou for the great advice!

Very useful information! Thank you!

Tim, Have you thought about following a new model, where instead of hiring 3 or 4 people to pump out an article a day, go with dozens or hundreds of people writing, and select the best articles for the day and pay for the individual article. I would love to write articles on boat projects, but most of mine take a lot longer than a day. I could write fantastic, experience based articles, but not one a day or even one a week. In a year or two when I retire, I would like to tell people about my experiences sailing to distant lands and far away places, but as you know, you don't get there in a day and you don't experience it in one day either. You already grabbed on to a new business model with your RU-vid channel, why not expand that model into the magazine world?

Very good advice and content, as always.

I found this video very informative. Thanks for the information and food for thought.

Not sailing but this guy is really interesting and has great ideas.

I lived on a boat anchored out for ten years back in the 1980s. Quiet and peaceful. Showers ashore and dealing with sewage were the only problems. Finally the rich people putting pressure on the local govt and state ended the anchoring part.

Thanks for posting and sharing your knowledge with us

Great information!

Great summary!

This was a great video!

Excellent information Thanks

Great advice!😊

Great information thank you for sharing this information with us

Thanks. Really good info

Brilliant truth about anchors and anchor apps.

Very good advice. When I bought my boat, it's anchor would drag in 20kts or more, it really sucked when someone would anchor behind me, I'd have to move, right away if I didn't want to wake in middle of the night to do it. I haven't dragged yet with my Rocna 33, but I wish I would have gotten the bigger one. I have 225 feet of 3/8 chain, I'm planning on the South Pacific, I've heard that 300' is what is ideal. Water makers, that's a problem I keep hearing about, if you are in murky water, plan on cleaning your pre filters regularly. When around marinas and even small towns, water makers Don't filter bacteria, so how do you feel thinking about that. Ewe... Batteries, I'm working on that one. I have 800 watts solar, 570 amp hours lead acid, like I said, I've got to work on that one...

Great video! Thank you for your effort. Not sure about the berkey though. It’s not nsf certified. And gravity feed filters can not compete with pressurized filters, for removing contaminates. Never mind the counter or storage space. Just my opinion 😅

Thanks for your channell very helpful and informative. I've recently purchased a bulwagga anchor ( my Christmas present ) not used it yet. They are being produced in Turkey very good company to seal with. I've also modified a CQR by bolting a modified plate to the bottom and coping the geometry from a new generation anchor . That modification works really well. My boat is an Endurance 40 (18 ton) So ground tackle is important for me. Cheers and happy new year !

Hi Tim, thanks for another excellent video .... tablet with swing arc monitor .... wow! . I live on Vancouver Island, worked as a beach comber on a converted seiner in my youth. You failed to mention the noise an anchor chain makes while you swing overnight on the tide change. "rocky bottom" . Swing monitor to know it is the chain dragging and not the anchor; now that is a big deal. Many sleepless nights in the rack.

Wow so cool, i live in cape may where he was looking on the map. Great place for boating and fishing

I lived 5 years on my boat. I never ever had anchor problems ( i got 3 anchors) .I never had a wilar panel yet but i yad a wind generator , wich is enough for me. Re water i had a sufficient tank + a handheld water maker. In about 2 months i will go out sailing again for a 5-6 months tour. Hopefully all will work as usual.

Love the channel, excellent tips 👌

Dig your style dude!! Love your Channel as well your historsea channel🤙🏼 I hope to be on the water one day🤞🏼🏝️🫶🏼 thank you

That was a great video mate

Love the Cuban capitol shirt

Great video. ⛵⛵⛵

Awesome advice!! ❤

Good one today

Good video...

Good simple commen sence tips!

I've seen the Berkey but I've not given it that much thought yet. good plan for drinking water and cooking as nobody likes drinking tank water. Thank you for the suggestion. I have two PUR35 manual. Water makers, They are converted. Run on a 12v windshield wiper motor and produce 6 gallons an hour so. I'll be. Running. Both for a couple hours most every. Day to keep the tanks topped off. I removed. One of the 3 tanks for the install leaving me with. 60+ gallons of tankage directly on top of the keel. This seems like a good setup. And I'll just. Add the Berkey to it thank you again.

4) Cold showers for life - quicker than lighting your water heater and waiting for the hot water to run through 5) Oppressive humidity for weeks on end in hot climates (I installed an aircon + insulation in my 25 footer) 6) Weirdos in canoes who suddenly appear 3 feet away from your boat at 5am when you're....ing your girlfriend in the cockpit, even though you're anchored 500 feet from shore. WTF? It's a dream life, with the occasional downside...

I would have thought sewerage as well (black water tanks etc) especially if in some confined area on a mooring (dont want to lose your spot, dont want to need to use the black water tank???)

Wow Sailor great episode

buenas, que digo buenas, excelentes recomendaciones, como siempre

Cumberland Island, we past that a few days ago heading south :-)

Just a comment to say thanks for the video and to help your algorithm 🤙🏻 Cheers headhuntersailing

Do you have videos for solo beginner sail? monohull or catamaran pros and cons for solo and such? How to make life easy on a sailboat if you have the money to spend on accessories/QoL improvement?

WaterCube: World’s first home atmosphere-to-water generator makes 120 gallons a day

Happy New Year Tim, Do you have any plans on going back to the islands with Lady K?

Water not free at that Bimini marina pictured. Also the town people get water bottles filled there at the reverse osmosis station.

Honestly the most annoying thing is the pirates on land waiting to rob each sailor like their all rich

Just a heads up… Berkey water filter is closing up for good

Ditch the magazine idea, too old school. Keep making these amazing videos, make a quaility video series, your reach will be greater.

Hi!