14 Inexpensive Improvements for Life Aboard Our Catamaran

[@twotfreigh4946]

You guys should do a sewing series... it is so cool to find someone that seems to like to sew... I wanna learn!

[@stephanemswiler3842]

I can feel the stress leaving my body watching you two relax on your beanbags!

[@dmorgan28]

My wife really liked that sewing machine. Lots of other great ideas and foods👍👍👍❤️

[@gefginn3699]

I love your casual down home sense of humor. Much love and care to you two.

[@collegepros]

How wonderful to have a professional seamstress on board!

[@eerotarik2567]

Haha, I LOVED the disco light! Good on you. And we now "need" an accordion light. Loved that. Thanks.

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

Had me giggling!! Love the lights, “fresh” sheets and pronunciation of “hummus”. ❤️🇨🇦

[@josea.periagoroggeveen6037]

You guys are so humble and down to earth. Love your videos...keep it up, saludos

[@dadthegrappler4125]

Always informative and fun. Love it.

[@lionelfournier]

And with cool sound!

[@thewedword]

The Disco lights are the best! 💃🕺...dancing and..."whooo moos" nice touches.

[@brianmock551]

Enjoyable! And memories of my beanbag chair from late 70’s college days ... all the positions;.... one can sit.

[@tymeryder7264]

A delight to see two people who genuinely like each other working together, with humor. Stay safe O'Kelly's.

[@TheOKellys]

Thank you my friend. We are a couple very lucky ducks!

[@rfdinesen4027]

I’m with you on the Sailrite. I had done hardly any sewing and between the machine and the videos I have made custom covers for dingys and things I never would have believed. Hey Nick, while you are organizing all those cords, use that new label maker and label what they are for. I label all the camera equipment, phones, portable VHF radios, etc. as soon as I get them because at some point they will be in a pile of other cords or just solo in a drawer and I know right away what they are for. Also useful when I’m recycling or passing older equipment along. FYI when you next buy any LED replacements try and find a color temperature of 2700 or less. Most of them are higher and really harsh and blue.

[@ByTheLake213]

Pro tip (not mine) on the “hoomoos”: shake or stir the tahini strongly before adding so that the oil is mixed consistently throughout. Oil/tahini liquid mix balance is crucial.

[@shainester]

Love your videos. Never miss an episode. Megan’s sewing skills are impressive and seem like a lifesaver with all the things she makes and repairs. Also, your videos are getting better and even more informative. Keep rolling with the awesome, creative content. 5 stars you two. We’ll done.

[@TheOKellys]

Wow, thank you! Appreciate it. We are trying!

[@gwfried1]

Great edisode you guys are magic together!

[@craigkirby9202]

You can turn your pressure cooker down quite a bit from that heat setting. Set the heat so it vents steam once, then turn it down so it vents a tiny bit every few minutes or so, just so you know it's up to pressure. Saves energy, and dumps less moisture into the air. Pressure cookers are great! Rice in 3 minutes!

[@desclark4276]

Another great and interesting video. Thank you. If no one has already mentioned this to you you may like to try it. Once the pressure cooker has reached pressure and is hissing, reducing the energy input until the hiss changes from loud and continuous to quieter intermittent hisses, a bit like hiss, hiss, hiss about every second or so reduces both the noise and energy consumption and also reduces water loss from in the cooker. Beware of releasing manually quickly as steam can force the contents to come out through the pressure release opening. An option is: after cooking is complete, slowly lower the cooker into cool water to reduce the temperature and pressure more quickly and quietly. Pressure cookers are great. I've used them for 60 years and would be using the original still but my parents wouldn't part with it.

[@bryangunter3821]

Really love this one! So warm, fun and few new tips! Thanks, guys!

[@dianegriffith3006]

Thank you!👍

[@holodeckdragon8876]

I love your videos. so chill. feels like u r having fun with every little thing u do!

[@julietaylor4375]

Another fun episode! Love when you add a recipe, Megan!! I'm going to try this! Safety and hugs from Texas!

[@TheOKellys]

Thank you Julie, hugs to you in Texas!

[@hunsadersrockinranch]

That's two videos I've watched today! Love it!

[@TheOKellys]

A repeat customer! Thanks Peter!

[@BreakingWavesNews]

Annette says “Megan I love your no see em hatch covers. Great idea!”. I have a label maker for my cords. It’s insane to keep up with cords. The fake candle is AWESOME!!👏🏼 😮Who moose?

[@danielwaters2132]

Great episode guys! Very informative and fun to watch.

[@WillN2Go1]

Great bug screen hatch covers. Something else that works is Pyrethrin. It makes the bugs sick and they just want to go someplace else. I buy the concentrate and dilute it. Use the recommended concentration no more (it goes from ' you only notice it for a day' to 'overwhelming' fairly quickly - but then you can just hose it off.) I spay it on my tent around the openings, on my jacket, hat, long shirts, bug nets, shoes, pants. (The last time I used Deet, I used the higher concentrate. I then barfed for the next fifteen minutes. I also can't handle most sunblocks, so if Pyrethrin doesn't affect me - it's pretty safe.) The best bug hat-net is DIY with the finer mesh, wide enough to go over a large brim hat, and loops that go under your armpits. There is a commercially made version of this but like most commercial products the holes are too big. (I known because I looked and bought a lot of stuff. They should be honest and put on the package an endorsement from the Midges and Noseeum Support Society. ) Great pockets, nice bathroom hanger. That's another item I've looked for. There are many okay ones, no terrific ones. (I got scabies I think from dropping my stuff in campground shower rooms. You know the story, one small hook for hanger, towel, clean clothes, dirty clothes - every other surface is wet. No travel bathroom hanger yet made has clips, loops or hangers hanging from it. I intended to sew large button hole slits on the corners of all my bath towels, but only did the slitting part. Works great. At home my towels hang away from the wall, so they dry out. The hummus looks delicious. With all those beans it's really great that sailing is mostly outdoors and involves wind. Hope to say hello in Annapolis.

[@petenaylor1353]

I have a hard time getting past the music to watch the content of the video......it's insanely good!

[@GeorgiaSlayrz]

You need to splurge for an Instant pot. You can find them for $60-$80 but they will change the way you cook. It's like having a smoker, slow cooker, rice maker, convection oven and anything else you cook but it will only take a fraction of the time and power. It also doesn't heat your kitchen like a conventional oven does. Best feature is that it has so many setting and with the silent operation there is no hissing like a conventional pressure cooker. Give it a try, Good luck.

[@michaelhellem]

You guys are awesome!

[@secdetau]

Megan talks about her sewing machine like Nick talks about his offgrid power system 😂😂😂 I like the blender I have my grandma's on Essie 2 can't live without it, visitors think it's a new retro.

[@chassmith8779]

You Folks do a nice job and come across as very nice people.

[@Double2KK]

Not only these improvements are great for the cruising lifestyle, they can be great for the landlubbers as well.

[@dions.2518]

Great ideas!

[@MK-gr9qz]

Great movie, fun one too, love it👌🏻

[@N0body247]

Awesome list.. I agree on the pressure cooker way easier to cook using that.

[@kaywarren6788]

Blendtec is AWESOME!

[@rickdaniel8478]

Bravo to Megan ! Sewing champion You guys Rock Sail On 😀

[@rickdaniel8478]

Have you tried Tenara brand UV protected thread ? Great stuff 😉

[@andrewjames7616]

Thankyou👍

[@obieandlaurie]

Please teach me how to sew! What a skill you have!

[@Lacroix999]

I actually have one of those lap pads at home and I can vouch for how useful they are! I use mine ALL the time for my iPad, drawing and writing on. My daughter actually just asked for one so she could use it for her drawing and reading on as well. Also, they DO make laptop fans that draw out the heat and blow it away from the bottom of your laptop to keep them cool. This can also save on the battery life long term as well! So something to look into! Label makers are AWESOME!! You can also use those to label power cords on both ends especially if you have them wrapped like you showed in this video so you can still identify what’s being plugged in! If you run some of the extra label out at the end when you’re done printing then before you tear it off, you can use that to tape around the cord and stick it to itself and still be able to read the label like a little tag!

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks for the tips!

[@dasasso1]

Thx guys… great video!!!

[@SailingChannels]

I never knew anyone had to re-thread their bobbin until today. Appreciate the learnin’

[@jeremykramer7021]

Hey guys #1 I want to say it’s refreshing to not have a husband showing off his wife’s body while making a sailing show. Respect! I want to turn you on to a great product, no affiliation just love this company…. Olight they make the best flashlights. Want 14000 lumen with option of flood or spot - marauder2 , want something similar to your fan lights they make an obulb, magnetic and can mount anywhere, cheap and bright. Also almost all there lights have magnet charger on the bottom so super easy charging. The seeker 2 and the perun headlamp are my favorites. Hope this helps and keep up the amazing videos!

[@cgeorge6250]

Love the new stuff ideas, DISCO LIGHT!!😆😅😄😃🤣🤣😂😁😉

[@twotfreigh4946]

Water bottle lantern, brilliant

[@donmcneal233]

Hey kids...! It's always a pleasure being aboard w/ you guys. A very nice home & surprising headroom. Nice run down on some ancillary, practicable comforts. Meg, that machine is awesome & sure you'll put it through its paces huh...? Where are you guys now...? Fair winds...

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks Don! We are in Annapolis, departing soon. Vids about a week behind…..

[@geraldanderson7576]

I learn so much from your channel and your a great couple to watch. Stay safe and looking forward to more videos from y'all. Blessings from San Antonio, TX P.S. I love tacos too!

[@tazziboy7]

That was huummorous about the hummus LOL

[@estebandiaz8688]

Always loved your videos!

[@maus0292]

Okay will say blend tech is great but get the one with noise canceling housing. Vast improvement in noise from the blender. Got it when our children were babies big improvement in noise works the same. Worth the money if you want a quiet and amazing blender. Instapot with the new air fry lid is great. Corsair survivor usb storage stick is a must for my backups i like to put a labeled keychain on mine to denote what they are for. Personal or business or photos. They have a water proof gasket. I like to use them with a usb dongle port extender on laptops.

[@TheOKellys]

Killer tips Maus! Thank you!

[@maus0292]

@@TheOKellys Hey do y’all use not use instapot due the power requirements. I worry about gas on a boat. I would prefer to have all electric with gas bbq on back of boat. And did you ever see the video interview of the folks that took a power wall apart and put it into their boat? Can’t remember who did the video? Granted I think it was a monohull. I keep wondering if that is something that could be done on a monohull.

[@TheOKellys]

No, no instapot….yet. And we like to have gas for the redundancy. But that could change.

[@AndrewSmith-cd5zf]

With the pressure cooker, you don’t need to have it screaming, due to , PV= nRT . Basically when the steam is venting it’s reducing the pressure ( just getting it up to pressure is sufficient- excess energy is just vented) 😀 Hope this helps.

[@Boody523]

“I’ll eat anything made of food” haha. So many great little ideas in there. See you guys in Annapolis:)

[@bearparts]

Many of those "upgrades" can be used in your on-land home too. Great info as usual!

[@noeleo9299]

Of course HOOMOOSS!!!! Well done!

[@Peter_Herrman]

I've always gone by, powerboats have salons, and sailboats have saloons. Also, 19th century western towns have saloons.

[@alimitchell5346]

Happy place!.. Great watch 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@charlie262]

“Let’s talk about the bobbin!” 🙂❤️

[@tabbycowley5825]

Thank you for being my backing for my label maker :-)

[@TheMrMikeo]

Brilliant video

[@simonjbur]

You guys make me smile every time I watch. Loved this video, it’s like 20 minutes of two people just high on life. Hewmousse…is it French?

[@kidonaboat]

Love your videos. I'm hoping to be on the water within the year. It is so time consuming to close up a business and sell everything but I have started the process and it is going to happen. Thanks for inspiring me along with many others. Cheers.

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks for this note! We needed to hear that just now! What you are doing right now is the hardest part. It’s amazing how much untangling there is to do. I wish we had better documented that process back in the day! Good luck with everything and I hope we see you out there!

[@ashleywynn4923]

Awesome ty for the tips!

[@antoinegruner2327]

that was fun and refreshing (houmous). enjoy the moment.

[@davidking1501]

Thanks for the video as always very enjoyable. Also please watch that pressure cooker does not blow the lid during cooking due to above 54 years ago my mother was using a similar device on a stove and their was tomato boneens stuck to the ceiling, Funny thing i have ever seen Hope their have improved the safety design when it gets to hot. by the way at home i have brought my wife a different type pressure cooker which works very well and has a safety valve at the back to reduce the pressure if needed

[@TheOKellys]

This one locks up pretty good. But yeh they need to be respected!

[@briandhuff]

very handy info

[@GabrielDiaz-bq6rr]

Hey Mr. Decaf Humus... this 2021-2022 Season the cruises for the Antartica are leaving from Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams ... just in case you want to promote your Decaf to the penguins...Best Wishes from the Island of Chiloe, Chile

[@TheOKellys]

Ah, that sounds really cool! My uncle used to captain out of Punts Arenas! Someday, someday! I want to go!

[@GabrielDiaz-bq6rr]

Wooow, I also had an uncle working in Punta Arenas. Once of these days the Universe will bring you to this latitudes, most welcome to try my Atlantic 47-6 Mastfoil TM

[@Zura_Lanch]

very nice those pockets. you can also make some decorations on those white ones as well if you find this idea interesting.

[@TheOKellys]

That's an excellent idea Zura thank you! My mind is already spinning!

[@robertmcmahon1221]

Oh so good to see you folks. Patently awaiting my coffee so I can join you in a cup. (may have to wait a day or two for my new mechanical grinder to get here. Oh, and happy Boat Show. Best regards, bobbymac.

[@TheOKellys]

The wait is almost over. Labels are in! Roasting this week! Whoop whoop!

[@out2launch]

Ha Ha Ha, I was cracking up at all of your cool light fixtures and all the while thinking, "where is the lava lamp?" and you did not disappoint with the multipurpose water/lava-lamp/bottle:-) I have now started a library where I save all of the tips from your channel, SV Delos, The Wynns (although theirs (adorable as they are) are mostly "what to avoid" :-) and Odd Life (mostly because he is so meticulous on his restoration). BTW, thanks a lot, I have now had to add that sewing machine to my list of "must" have items.

[@TheOKellys]

Glad to be of some help! Sewing machine is awesome on a boat. It is fabric welding.

[@bslovensky]

Hi! So hoping that you find your "new home" soon. I have watched this video so many times making plans for our new to us boat. I have to make some hatch cover screens like you did here with similar set up. Can you say if you used a pattern or a video? and link it? Or did you just wing it? I can do that but prefer instructions and have not been able to find them for how you did it. Good luck to you and Fair Winds and Following Seas.

[@TheOKellys]

Hello! I winged it which worked pretty well because you can be generous with the fabric because of the draw string at the bottom. It does help to have 2 people install once they’re done. Good luck let me know how it goes!

[@bslovensky]

@@TheOKellys Thank you! I did not see that the bottom was draw string! I thought it was elastic. Very good to know. I think I will use shock cord and one of those springy fastener / tightener things.

[@rebelliousraven]

Love these things! Great video as always. Do you have links to any of them please?

[@Monodon77]

Thank you so much for the content and knowledge! 26 and dream of this lifestyle in the future. Learning a boat load from your book Live on the Margin cant say thank you enough too Patrick and you!

[@TheOKellys]

That’s great to hear David! Thank you. Wishing you continued success in the markets and in getting that boat and getting out!

[@jfkalim]

Great ideas. Three comments: a. For the label maker try the heat shrink for cables, life shaver for electrics, b. you pronounce the houmous correctly and c. Stevia? STEVIA? burn it with fire! (along with cilantro :)

[@TaraTraeger]

Great ideas, thanks! I'm curious where you keep your manuals and other paperwork. You mentioned you keep them in Trapper Keepers but where do you store those? Thanks! We just moved on board our catamaran and organizing is definitely a challenge!

[@RiverWoods111]

Love you guys, and what great ideas for even a home some of them. I am curious how fast that Sailrite sews. I have a degree in fashion design and learned to sew on commercial machines that can sew down an entire yard of material in about a second and if you are not careful sew your finger into it. We had to learn to sew with no pins because these things would break them and send them flying through the room. LMAO! I miss having one, but my feeling is that your Sew rite is one of those that is just with a bit more control. I have been curious since I first saw the sailrite if that was the case. What I learned was not a safe machine for someone who was not trained in safety practices. That said, even with a slow machine one should never sew over the pins.

[@kaywarren6788]

Most commercial machines have available step down pullies, for better control. Or you can get an easier-to-control servo motor, with a smoother ramp up, and a settable top speed. The old style 220v clutch motor goes 0-100 in half a second, where full speed is roughly 3000 stitches/min. I've sewn on them, and I too had to learn not to use pins. Saw my first servo motor, and switched that thing out fast. Sailrite is fab and walking feet rule!

[@ThoughtfulWander]

Linus is on the Clarity? what??!! :) hehe love the new episode! Keep sailing safe!

[@twmcmahan]

Curious why you didn't go with an electric pressure cooker? Power usage?

[@GrantGrove]

It's all about options, don't even sweat the water line. Your speed won't change significantly and you'll get a better ride.

[@Theclaimjumper]

For energy savings checkout the Tayama thermal cooker We love ours.

[@lindathomson5386]

how do you find replacing cartridges for the soda stream when you are travelling around?

[@TheOKellys]

I have 12 onboard and that has worked for me since we've ended up coming back to the states for hurricane season. Not sure what we'll do when we head to Panama...we have friends who have a scuba tank adapter and re-fill their own.

[@gillianhatko]

Did you know you are supposed to put the lemon in the squeezer the other way around? Apparently you get more juice that way. Great tips!

[@TheOKellys]

No way thank you, that actually makes way more sense!

[@cliffbenford]

great video as always :) so yeah, your bedroom is small & it set me wondering; in Japan when you finish dinner you clear up & bring the tatami mats into the dining room & hey presto, it becomes your bedroom; I'm wondering if it's in any way possible that you could sleep upstairs? tons more room, air, sense of space?

[@TheOKellys]

Hmmm, interesting. Seems like a lot of work tho

[@themadatheist1976]

Good old no-see-ums, went on a camping trip with my father in a weekend and my school thought I had chicken pox til I lifted up my shirt.

[@TheOKellys]

Omg they can be so bad. And they never give up. Ever seen one in a microscope? Scary!

[@themadatheist1976]

@@TheOKellys no, just as smears on my hand. Lol

[@TheOKellys]

Lol

[@duanerees]

Good day, I hope this finds you both well. I have enjoyed your episodes and was hoping you would be able to spend a bit of time with regards to your electrical system. Show the layout a bit more, type of inverter. cables etc... Is it suffice? Did you use the empty space that housed the generator for more batteries or storage for your peanut butter? (After you fixed it of course). Safe sailing, Duane

[@ruukee]

What is the fabric for building pouches and rope bags? Pfiefertex?

[@TheOKellys]

Yes, love that stuff!

[@Scottoh23]

Where did you find the accordion lamps? I looked on Amazon but couldn’t find them.

[@TheOKellys]

Search woodventure, they are not on Amazon I don’t think.

[@sarahgallagher867]

Megan the sailrite machine you have now do you do much clothes sewing on it? Just curious how the machine handles lighter/medium weight fabrics

[@TheOKellys]

I haven't tried it on clothing yet, but it worked great on some interior upholstery fabric. Sailrite.com has a great section about thread weight and how to choose needle size and thread depending on your project.

[@bobhaze5324]

Have you tried Mio Water Enhancer in your fizzy water? The tangerine orange is my favorite and it really zhuszhes-up plain water.

[@TheOKellys]

Hmmm….thanks for the tip!

[@loriruhge3502]

I checked, did not find the special water bottles with lights! Doubles as a flashlight? Please send link...

[@TheOKellys]

Workin on it!

[@BikesnBalls]

HUmUs for sUre :-) Nick you made me crack up, with your pronunciation, laugh.

[@paulw2583]

I wish i had links to the products

[@lincolngrayson1013]

Speaking of fresh sheets, where are your big Maytags (washer & dryer)? Ok too heavy how about just a all-in-one from Harbor Freight?

[@rickcreel3657]

You guys can make ozone gas with a neon sign transformer. I made one with two old spark plugs and a 10,000volt transformer. It plugs into 110volts ac,and draws low energy. It will kill mould in your boat and fresh up the air. When you bubble it up through fresh water it makes ozone water. Don't drink it just swish it like mouth wash. It taste like peroxide,and will clean, and disinfect your gums and mouth. Keep it bottled up tight, because all the extra oxygen will leave over night. Like h. peroxide it is perfect to clean wounds for free. Fair Winds.

[@familyupgrade]

I've just watched 1.29 and 1) LOVE the slippers, look very swedish. (Yey team Sweden!) and 2) Have yoy guys tryed a Presso-brewer? It saves paper and time. And you can have either the "one cup" (from for ex IKEA) or the 4 cups (exists both in glass and steel) that makes coffie like nobodys bussiness if you have company. AND it tastes SOOOOO much better. Just a tip from Sweden. /Catta

[@TheOKellys]

Always a shock the first time we need them! Sounds like we need to try this Presso Brewer! Thank you for the tip! Looks cool!

[@christopherledesma8435]

Nick, you mentioned that you guys will be on this years boat show… are you talking about the FLBS (Fort Lauderdale Boat Show)? We are going and would to see you guys! Safe travels and keep up the good informative and fun videos!

[@TheOKellys]

Thank you! No, we are talking Annapolis in three weeks or so. Sorry to miss ya! Hope we cross paths out there.

[@jayp.1455]

Yessss, Hoo Moos! LOL

[@manologarcia1929]

Great vids about your great (mostly) chosen lifestyle which teaches us many small things that make up at the end as a whole lot! Small question.... Music that belongs to patreon bit of the vid??? Regards from the Med side of Spain... and as we say here, "buena proa"

[@TheOKellys]

Thank you!!!! I’ll look, forgot what I named that track. Stand by….

[@dalienhart]

Curious about the worker bee power pack. Can you still crank it by hand if you need to? (We live off grid and don't always have electricity.)

[@TheOKellys]

Yes it has a monster balance wheel for hand cranking.

[@kellyobrien9865]

what kind of bean bag chair is it?

[@joeldelamirande5792]

Do u have the patterns for the hatch screen or do sell them

[@TheOKellys]

Sorry no, just winged it.

[@joeldelamirande5792]

Then a make video