An old girlfriend just called.....

[Frank]

Tired from the flights and boat yard work. Picked up a bit of a cold so with some wind starting this weekend, I grabbed a mooring in Black Sound.
Nice to be lazy and poke around

[Frank]

Figured I should share my observations on switching to lithium last year.
As I mentioned last year, my golf carts batteries were no longer keeping up at year 3 and as I looked at replacements, a boat friend convinced me of the benefits of lithium.

-The 200 amp hour lithium I purchased cost about the same as 2 new 235 amp hour golf cart 6 volts.
The lithium weighs slightly less than just one of those so there's a significant weight savings on a small boat.
The 235 amp hour achieved by the 2- 6 volts gave about 100 amp hours usable without damage.
The lithium gives a full 200 as they are not harmed by deep discharges.
As it turned out, my solar controller was programmable for lithium.

Last year I reported that my 165 watt panel easily kept the lithium charged and I no longer worried about having multiple cabin lights on or charging iPads etc after dark. Even after 3 mostly overcast days the lowest I saw was 87% and I run an Engel type fridge/freezer combo 24/7.

Standard worries cruising:
How much water is left?
wind speed-direction forecast?
Is my anchor well set?
How are the batteries?
This has literally taken one item off the list
A true game changer!

One issue with extended storage is lead acid batteries don't like to be left alone for 8-9 months
Tends to go like this with 6 volts...
First year is awesome
2nd is not too bad
3rd year is more of a struggle to keep up
4th year isn't good... if they made it that far (I know they're better when not stored as long, but this is my reality sailing winters here)

When I left them at around 70% last April for storage.
Was late returning this year and they were at 45% 10 months later.
They quickly charged right back up and have been great since.
Every bit as good as the first year.
I'm extremely pleased and already feel ahead of the game as I know had I purchased the 2 new golf cart batteries, after sitting for 10 months they wouldn't be the same... Apparently the lithium can keep doing this for at least 5 years and possibly up to 10,

All I can say right now is it was and is a game changer on Deja vu

[wolverine]

Thanks Frank. I purchased a 100 ah lithium battery for my Compac 19 to replace the 2-125ah lead acid batteries. I've been experimenting with the 1 and a new 50 watt solar panel and controller. I'm only powering interior & exterior lights (all LEDs), a vhf, chartplotter, depthmeter, and 2 fans. I left everything on for the entire month of January and the panel had no problem keeping the battery charged. I'm looking at a portable 12 volt fridge which would mean a second battery.
The weight, as you mentioned,is also something to factor. My battery compartment is just fire of the compression post and the lead acid batteries were getting heavy moving them in and out. The lithium is less than half the weight.

[Frank]

I should note that lithium is not just a dimple "drop in and go" exchange...
Charge controllers for solar must be suitable for lithium.
Diesel powered boats with alternators must be set up properly.
The end result is worth the trouble but if switching, please research what needs to be done for your situation.

[Frank]

Took some friends up to Anchor by Rat Cay with the intention of taking them for a dinghy ride in hopes of seeing sea turtles. We were not 100 yards from the boat when we came upon three majestic Eagle rays and slowed down to follow them for about five minutes. What a treat!
On the way there I came upon this Cape Dory 22. When I was just aft of him, I yelled over "I am mad at you"
He looked back at me, puzzled.
I yelled back at him, that I am supposed to have the smallest boat here!
Then I complemented him on his vessel.
He laughed.
Pretty boat. Had a diesel.
Can't imagine cruising without a dodger tho.....

[CapnK]

The Mini King has been deposed! ;D By a pretty young lass, to boot... :)

Great seeing the pics again. Noted that you dropped the LiFePO batts to 70% before leaving them, from what I've read that is the proper thing to do for long term non-use, so - good on ya, Frankie! :D

[Frank]

It's been kinda busy in town and yesterday I broke free of the mooring to go cruising a bit with friends.
Sailed to Manjack yesterday.
Today sailed southward across the whale and into Treasure Cay harbour.
It's going to blow tomorrow night so we will settle in here for a few days on the hook.
Naturally it starts yo blow after dark so the typical "is the anchor holding" stress will be there for a while.
My mega yacht up front at Manjack
John and Lise on the aft cabin North Sea Hess 27
John and Rob an the PSC 27

[Frank]

Sailed down to Treasure Cay harbour for a blow.
Why does the wind always come up after dark?
Makes for a fitful night in the gusts...
Anchor held, all ended well.
Beautiful beach here, even when overcast.
Off to a wood fired pizza place last night.
Good food and company

[Frank]

Treasure Cay has a simply beautiful beach that's several miles long.
We had good holding in the blow and enjoyed our time there.
Off to Man if War Cay...

[Frank]

Nice, rather open anchorage at Man of War.
The island is quite narrow where we are and they put up a gazebo for the public to use.. You can look a few yards to the east, and the Atlantic ocean and a few yards to the west to The Sea of Abaco. A beautiful spot to do potluck meals.
Sunrise cover the gazebo
Sunset over the sea
Lots of fun on a 24 and 2-27s

[wolverine]

Frank, I love your posts and try to follow your voyages on Google Earth. Any chance you could post your coordinates when at anchor?

[Frank]

Last few days we anchored at Man of War. Notice how narrow the island is there.
Nice gazebo with ocean to east, sea to west.

Sailed to Marsh Harbour today. Fast, downwind run.
Supply run. Food, booze and a few hardware store items.

Will head out again in a few days.

[wolverine]

Thanks Frank!

[CapnK]

Agree, the charts are a nice addition. :)

My God, the blue in post #348. And the sunsets in #349. AMAZING.

Photog Frank. ;D

[Frank]

Capt K
Secret to good photos now that digital are free, is to take lots!
Surely 1 or 2 turn out ok, then delete the rest 😄

[Frank]

Have to say it was nice to see a multitude of boats in marsh Harbor.
After the financial crisis of 2008 things really slowed down here.
Gradually built up to where it was doing well again and then Dorian hit
The harbour was nearly empty
I'm sure the locals appreciate seeing so many cruisers back.
Too commercialized aspot for us, after provisioning, we sailed back up To Treasure Cay to prepare for another blow.
The last time there we dinghy around to a canal that is never used and thought it would be a good protected spot to Anchor.
So this time that is where we went. Very secure and private too.
The 2-27s and myself tucked in very nicely.
Too windy to travel today I tackled installing my new depth sounder
I had put the transducer in before lunch, but never wired it, or mounted the head.
Once all the wires were pulled up to the mount area, I had to remove the old non-functioning depth sounder and knot metre before putting this on.
It worked! It will be a treat to finally have a functioning depth sounder!

[Frank]

The 2-27s tucked in with me

[wolverine]

Frank, how often do you need to clean the boat's bottom? Do you do it yourself or is there a diver for hire?

[Frank]

It's usually pretty good for 2+ months.
The water here is warm and clear, so a mask/snorkel/fins and a plastic scraper for the bad spots typically will let you finish a season.
I'm usually here 3 to 4+ months. On the longer stays I'll dive it twice.
What bottom paint you use makes a difference as well.
That's kinda like the dreaded "anchor talk" as folks have their own favourite.
Some are crazy $$ now!

[Frank]

Sailed back up the Green Turtle today. I pulled in here as some old friends arrived.
The two 27's carried on to Manjack.
Beautiful day on the water!

Love the colour!
That's "Don't Rock"
The PSC beating