A Snowstorm Hit our Sailboat! // Realities of Cold Winter Boat Life

[@t.a.ackerman4098]

Nobody said it would be easy right? The snowman made me smile. 😉

[@christip20]

You can always go to a Campground or a truck stop for showers... This is one of the few times that I’m glad I’m just watching! It’s really uncomfortable if you’re not expecting it or you aren’t happy to see it!

[@AdventuresofmrBosch]

Nice video's!!! When its winter , summer is comming. Only can get better! I agree, summer is mutch more fun to live on a boat.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you! Haha yes, we are counting down the days!!

[@DBroMusic]

Try a milkhouse heater for when you have shore power. They are made of metal, rugged and easy to disassemble and clean

[@freefallpilot]

This has been my first ever winter living on my first sailboat (Catalina 34) just south of you guys in Seattle. It has been sooo much fun watching you two go through a lot of the same challenges that I have too! So glad I’m not alone in learning how to live on a boat! 😂❤️

[@1959canoe]

Wow,,,,,, Jonan's Hair ever grow fast,,, Good old snow-fall on the Island,, you are lucky it wasn't 30c below,,, summertime is not that far away,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@scable-eq7bp]

That weather totally sucks, Gillian, why don't you and Jonas come to Florida for awhile and get out of that crappy weather. Our condo in Key Largo is 5 bedrooms and 3 baths and you kids can stay rent free. There are two jet skis there that need to ridden. We did make a special trip back to Florida last week to purchase another sailboat, it was just to good of a deal to pass up, it's a 1990 Dana 24 made by Pacific Seacraft and what a gorgeous boat that is very blue water capable. This boat is in pristine shape, it just needs to be sailed. Not sure what I'm going to do with Dana because we are very happy with our Corsair, might just give it to you guys. Were catching a private jet back to the Turks & Caicos Islands and start a slow sail back to Florida, its a 596 mile sail so probably take better part of a week.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey @sc1212able! Haha that is very kind and generous offer!! :D A big part of us definitely wishes we could do something like that...escape the end of the Canadian winter here! We just looked up the Dana 24, looks like a sweet little sturdy boat! You certainly make us a bit envious imagining the sunshine and light blue water, we hope you have a wonderful and safe trip! Thanks again for this message, you've been with us for a long time and it means the world to us!

[@scable-eq7bp]

@@BlueMoonLife We love your channel, you two have a very special place in our hearts. If you guys are interested in the Dana 24, it's yours, just mine and Julie's way of saying thank you for all the wonderful videos. It's a little shorter then your present boat but has a very spacious cabin, galley is a little smaller, but has a full head with "HOT SHOWERS". The previous owner took out the marine head and installed a composting toilet, It has 60 gallon fresh water tanks, a on demand propane hot water heater. It has a Yanmar 18 hp diesel engine that only has 42 hours on it and a fuel capacity of 18 gals/68L. This boat drafts 3.83 ft/1.17 m. It has 6 100 amp Battle Born marine batteries, 400 watts of solar panels, a 5000 watt Missouri Wind Turbine. It has a dual air conditioning & heating system that operates off propane or 110 volt. It has state of the art electronics onboard. Gillian, this a $75,000 boat all day long, so whether you guys keep it for yourself or resale it, it's a win, win situation. It also comes with a Zodiac Cadet 200 Ru Dingy with a Honda 10 hp on it. Also comes with a Honda 2000 watt inverter generator. I'm sure the cost to take ownership of this boat and having it shipped backed to Victoria can be quite costly but we our willing to cover that if it will help......

[@robertnixon3816]

This video brought back a lot of memories of winter on a sailboat! Brrrr! I've said it before but your music selection for your videos is just supurb! Spring is comming!

[@johndavidson6867]

Not what would be called typical Victoria weather, but your both tough and can survive a little hard ship. One thing you know it won't last long. I love your positive attitude when dealing with minor difficulties that you have no control over. Hope you are all doing well physically and mentally. Soon you will be listening to the waves slapping your haul, the wind whistling in the sails trying hard to remember what these days were really like. Have an awesome spring and an even better summer.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey John, thanks for the nice message as always! We hope you are having a good Sunday! We are REALLY looking forward to some spring sunshine. Gill and I were talking the past couple days about how much of a difference it makes. Even just being able to have the tarp off lets so much more air and light in! Take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend :)

[@saltysnoopy]

I live on a Spencer 42. When I re-built her I insulated everything above the waterline. She's warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I both cook and heat with a SigMarine diesel stove. I also heat water for the shower with the stove. ... or, you could just sail somewhere warmer :-)

[@BlueMoonLife]

Wow that insulation sounds amazing! we could definitely use a bit of that in our boat haha. Haha maybe someday we'll end up somewhere warm!

[@MegaTriumph1]

It did get cold. I had to turn the electric burners on the stove on med/hi to get that extra warmth and worked great.

[@stephenphelps9916]

Eating from the saucepan (in my case breakfast porridge), the companionway vent covered to prevent a cold draught (snap). It's been cold on the boat here in Greece as well, but not that cold. I've got a goose down duvet on my bed so nice and cozy. Roll on spring and warmer weather.

[@BlueMoonLife]

haha yes roll on spring is right!! Thanks for the nice message Stephen!

[@JCs-Music]

hope Jonas gets the job. it got to 28 degrees F last night outside but never got below 66 in the cabin, i was concerned but turned out ok. Some bubble wrap over the windows, just wet the window and it will stick, will help insulate while letting light in. Good to see you two hanging in there and toughing it out together. The saying about calm seas applies to more than just making sailors, facing adversity TOGETHER makes for stronger relationships. all the best ❤️👍🏼 did you ever start an Amazon wishlist?

[@theislandpackrat]

Try using barbecue bricketts! easy to add more as you use them and they last a long time. store them in three gallon buckets!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks for the tip!

[@gregfawcett5152]

Get a Dickinson (Newport) Diesel Heater...they are made in BC...makes all the difference...warm and more importantly dries out the boat so no mold issues...Best SV Aquila...Seattle.

[@dadejazzba402]

You guys are now ready for the Northwest Passage.😉

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha I don’t know about that...but maybe one day 😁 we would love to do that trip!!

[@btrent9244]

What doesn’t take you out will make you stronger. I put another layer on just watching you trying to stay warm. Keep up the good work. Warm vibes...👍🇺🇸😎...

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks a lot B!!

[@DaveHines1]

Definitely time to get the wood stove going 😃 that’s what winter is for 😃🍻

[@MrSerraangel]

I dock my sailboat on the Hudson River in upstate New York. Because I am so far north from the ocean, the water here is fresh water not salt water so it freezes quickly. She's on the hard for now, just hoping spring comes soon to melt the ice.

[@mickey1299]

You know , something you guys should be looking at , yet no one appears to have mentioned at all , is draughts . I learnt about this one the hard way . There was one year on my boat , when i was really cold . Actually it was really quite surprising , as i had a 3kw oil filled radiator on board , way more than was needed for a boat of its size , slightly smaller than yours at 25ft . I rarely had the heater much above a third it's total output . I never wore a jumper inside , however on this one occasion i was actually off work , sick , and on antibiotics . Now i won't go into any further detail , other than i hadn't eaten for pretty much 3 days , but was still drinking . So that was all i did , drink tea , and watch the tv . I'd be sat there , get cold , turn the heater up , then sit there , and so on . Until that was , the heater wouldn't go any higher , i was stunned . I couldn't believe the heater couldn't cope . Well it just so happened i had a thermometer on board , so i checked it . I couldn't believe when i read 90 degrees , fahrenheit . I was still cold , in fact wrapped in a duvet . Now the moral of this story is draughts . Any hole will do , for me it was the bulkhead behind the engine , it was missing . The boat had been re-engined prior to my buying her , and the bulkhead had been hacked about to make the engine fit . It left a huge hole , allowing air from under the cockpit to sweep straight into the cabin , and of course all my cockpit lockers all connected into this space . With the wind in the right direction , it was great for ventilation , not quite so for heating . I also found numerous holes in the rest of this bulkhead . Fittings that were no longer there , wiring , and even the sink waste pipe passed through it . All of these hole oversize as they should , but also a source for draughts . I would suggest you take a look , and not just at this bulkhead . Your heating does need addressing , but a draught will make things far worse .

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

I am so happy to see the weather warming up for you two.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes thank you, so are we!! 🌞

[@allynonderdonk7577]

I used to heat my bedroom with one of those cube type heaters. I went through one a year on low. On high I went through one every three months. Maybe I bought crappy models, but my suggestion is to buy an extra one as a replacement for when one inevitably quits.

[@jeffylubefishing]

Shoutout to jonas hope you and Eli and doing well man!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey Jeff, nice to hear from you!! Thanks for the message! Hope you are well too!

[@legend343]

I cannot believe you two don't use your woodburner more. I have a Cubic Mini and it's fantasic and warms the cabin of my boat to a toasty 20 degrees C when the temperature here in Sweden in well into the minuses. Clean the flue and make a cover for the chimney cap to stop the wind from blowing back down. Warren s/y Legend

[@dagfinnopsvik4180]

Thanks for another interesting vlog! Brings back memories from winters in my own boat. We have had people falling overboard in the marina, and not being able to get out without assistance. So, spend a few minutes planning what you will do if you end up in the water - it may save your life. Can you reach the ladder on your boat? Are you strong enough to climb out without a ladder? If you can not limb back into the boat, what is the shortest route to swim to shore?

[@BlueMoonLife]

Those are great things to think about! We have gotten so routine around the boat and the docks, but it is a good idea to think about how we might respond if there is an accident like that, especially when things are slippery in this kind of weather! Thanks for the message and take care! :)

[@dagfinnopsvik4180]

@@BlueMoonLife ; yes, I have a piece of rope hanging from the boat ladder, reachable from the water. I pull the rope to deploy the ladder. Nice to have both summer and winter. Stay safe and warm :-)

[@aquious953]

You can head up to one of the hotels and use their pool, hottub, sauna and showers. Also, you can buy a shorepower to regular extention cord hybrid from trotac marine to utilize another 30amp outlet for another heater or two. It has a regular shorepower fitting for the dock but has a regular extention cord outlet at the other end so you can plug heaters or whatever into it.

[@scott.wallace8625]

I am about 2 hundred miles south of you. I installed a cheap diesel heater about $105. I have a little buddy propane heater as backup. And a space heater. During that snow I was a bug in a rug. Last year a boat got loose and tore the electricity off our dock I went 2 weeks with no shore power at all, this time of year. I was a bug in a rug then too. Off grid is the way to go

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey Scott! Thanks for the message! Yeah we will definitely start thinking about a diesel heater for next winter...

[@scott.wallace8625]

@@BlueMoonLife kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqfanoiVeMigfas this guy has great 15 part series on do’s and don’ts on installing the system. the cheap Chinese one I have works great but if you want to go wabasto expensive but more efficient

[@daneulekowski929]

Too late for this season, but you guys should pick up a diesel heater for the boat. There not too hard to install and the heat is unbelievable. They also don't use much power so you can use it at sail too, and run on diesel which you already have. Have fun guys

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes we are really starting to think about that for next year!

[@HighPowerOptionsTrades]

Take it from me in Michigan just keep the piggies “ feet “ warm 💪🏿🔥🍾

[@terratrekker2]

Get a diesel heater! The Chinese diesel heater is reliable. I've had mine for 2 seasons and has not let me down while keeping me toasty warm. Sorry that you guys are having this problem but it can be permanently fixed. Love your vids..God Bless

[@BlueMoonLife]

We will look into getting one! This cold snap definitely made us realize that we need to upgrade our heating system haha. Thank you :D

[@karibakid]

use a broom to clear the snow electric blanket have you had it checked ?ventilate well for your fire

[@westcoaster01]

Spent 20 years cruising the West coast in all kinds of weather. Could not have done it without a diesel heater.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes we day-dream about getting a diesel heater one day for off-grid trips!!

[@ToddMoore1]

1 minute in, and Im hoping you guys head south to the Sea of Cortez for some warmth! 🇨🇦💪

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha we wish!! 🌞

[@ToddMoore1]

@@BlueMoonLife 👍 you can do it! Watch Sailing Bohemia for some inspiration

[@mikepatton1489]

I installed with closed cell foam.And put a Dickinson diesel heater in. I was very comfortable at -14.The Dickinson heater would use the same stove pipe I did the same swap.The wood stove needs to be fed constantly. I found it useless

[@mikepatton1489]

I think.it can be uncomfortable when at sea.So you have to be comfortable when your not.if your uncomfortable all the time.You will get sick of it. I want to be able to go barefoot and in a tee shirt.

[@herbescobar4548]

12k! Congratulations!! Keep it going.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks so much Herb, you’ve been here since the beginning!😁

[@CarlSmithAviationBroker]

I recommend implementing a plan (very soon) that includes leaving the tundra in your rear-view mirror, permanently…

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha now that would be nice!

[@sunline24]

Wish there was more video on the tiny wood stove. I have seen it in about every video you have posted and always wondered how it did on heating the boat.

[@TheMonkeyrock77]

You need a little wood stove. Space heaters suck. I started to build a Wood Stove but quit for some reason. Right now, I'm using a Wal-Mart electric heater. I'm warm. I have a blanket hanging in my hallway, so the cold air stays in the front of the trailer. I'm just heating the back bedroom and the bathroom. I guess I have 2 heaters running. It only works at a low setting, but it heats a little.

[@danratsnapnames]

guys, that space heater just uses a PC fan, that noise is the small bearing thats inside the fan, it will do that when "DUST" gets into the fan bearing... just take it apart, and pull the fan, see what size it is, width and length and height, and its voltage, it should have a label on it, then go on amazon and buy a new fan, you can get them for a couple of bucks, pretty cheap. may want to get an upgraded ball bearing fan to replace it, so it doesn't go to shit again, just make sure the size and voltage is the same. usually they are a (6v) volt fan, or a (12v) volt fan.

[@BlueMoonLife]

thanks for the info Dan!

[@bayanicustodio3998]

Find the nearest Tim’s? Or Starbucks? It almost looks like the first snowfall in Winnipeg when all the weak pipes start bursting. 😳

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha yes not a bad idea 😅

[@guy.h]

there might be a seal missing (around the door) of your wood stove that would cause the fumes inside & not burning properly as they are designed to draw air from underneath and through

[@BlueMoonLife]

Oh good thinking we will look into that!

[@Kathleensailorgirl]

Hopefully you have thawed out, maybe a mister buddy with propane would help . Stay safe ⛵️⛵️⛵️💕

[@grahamfielding]

Blue Moon Survival

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Sailing Uma set up a small solid fuel stove on their little electric boat... It really drys the boat out and theyve been as far North as Svarlbard Norway and Iceland ..you need a chimney top like theirs H shaped. Collect peelings of Birch and cherry bark as it will burn even when wet or damp. If the fan heater intake blocks even for a short time or it overheats due to dust it activates a thermal cut out switch.. You have to switch off let it cool and it will reset. You can tell you didnt grow up in Pre 1980sUK Edwardian or earlier age house 🥶 Dehumidifying the air will keep you warmer, as will wearing actual wool clothing like jumpers, sea boot socks.. Denim and anything cotton is useless. Wear long sleeved and legged under garments .. winter hiking trousers or Ski pants help .. you tend to loose most heat through arms hands wrists neck feet and ankles . Buy one of the heat reflecting picnic blankets with a silver foil layer, rig it like a headliner silver side down ... Get a car window cover again the type with a silver heat reflecting layer ... You can cut it to cover the inside of your ports ...larger than the frames silver side in again. As soon as you have to put lights on cover up..the ports. Use a large piece to cover over your entrance way boards and sliding hatch solid wood that thick doesnt insulate well.. the covering insulates, reflects heat back and covers the gaps if you do it right. Fit door brush type draft seals to the hatchway. Do they have an overlapping lip outside to keep drafts and heavy driven rain out? The brickets do burn easier longer and cleaner than most wood .. so use them . If you burn wood it needs to be the right kinds and well seasoned to stop smoke ...the taller the chimney once warm the better the draw 🔥🧙‍♂️🇬🇧 You can buy low V electrically heated clothes or cheaper you can get sets of five pads wires and control pack to put into your own clothing. 😉👍🏼

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks for the message Clive! Those are some interesting pieces of history and some good tips! I'd never thought about actually getting heated pieces of clothing before... hope you're having a good Sunday wherever you are! Take care :)

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@BlueMoonLife Cold and breezy near Birmingham 🇬🇧

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@BlueMoonLife Remember if and when it gets it gets too hot flip the the silver radiant reflecting layer the other way. Another trick to get the best out of deck mounted flexi solar panels ..and extend their life. Is to mount them on a sheet of white correx ... Corrugated plastic sheet single or twin wall at least 4 mm thick the flutes allow air to pass under them controlling the heat build up that reduces output and life span. ..if i said that before 🤷🏻‍♂️ Its one limit is its not for walking on.. but it will follow curves.

[@wallydavid3]

Is your electric blanket 12v? Or are you running it on shore power. We’re contemplating a couple of 12v ones or if our inverter would even run one not on shore power..

[@theveteran2138]

How many times have you fallen into the water? P.S. You guys are crazy.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Luckily we have never fallen in! We're super careful when getting on and off the boat because the water here is so cold!

[@claudeelliott3993]

Of all the different mishaps, accidents, general confusion that I have endured during my liveaboard days, I can truthfully say I've never been snowed in!! Hurricanes with breakers in the marina and 75 to 90 knots of wind, debris blowing around and idiots trying to secure their boats (power and sail) that the owners didn't either do right before the storm hit OR just didn't bother, saying "Oh, we've had some high winds before so- - --". Just ain't no cure for stupidity, is there?? Hoe you have at least partially thawed out by now! Love you guys, Claude.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey Claude, thanks so much for the message! 😊 hope you are well and take care! 🌞

[@tommycheshire5508]

Which model of GoPro do you use?

[@38below39]

You need a propane Mr Buddy heater

[@sailingeden9866]

Try organizing your life in such a way that you can sail to the Bahamas every winter.

[@BlueMoonLife]

haha that's a great idea!

[@tommycheshire5508]

Do you have a carbon monoxide warning on the boat? You need another heat source. Might be a good time to fix any leaks that you find with all the snow on the boat.

[@denisedaigle7006]

I traded my travel trailer for a boat . I'm living in it on land right now. And yes it gets cold in Florida. we're going through a cold snap right now. Even though I'm not on the water. the issue I am having is the condensation in the v-berth is so bad. I have to keep a towel and keep wiping it through the night. Is that an issue on your boat?

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey Denise, wow that is exciting news!! And yes we had that issue of condensation in the v-berth for a long time! We more or less solved it by adding some foam insulation and keeping a heater up there, as well as a big dehumidifier. The combination of those things has made a HUGE difference for us! Good luck with the new adventure and take care 😊

[@borderlineliving8465]

Get you one of those wood burners it will keep the whole inside of that boat dry as bone

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha yes the wood stove is great!!

[@fredliperson9171]

Good God I think I'm gonna relapse! ....

[@dougsomers7808]

Did she say "one degrees outside"? Plural

[@geraldfitzgut]

Get a new space heater! That’s such a fire hazard!

[@BlueMoonLife]

That might be a good idea!

[@macdaddy507]

Lifer stowaway Mac,saying great show. Your an inspiration to the opposite of privileged ✨ Chin up and stay safe..C.C.R Real wood boat 🏴‍☠️ 🚢 😎 Alastair (Mac) Souter

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks so much for your kindness Mac! 😁

[@underthetornado]

So buy a Mr. BUSDY HEATER OR?...... ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP way to get warm.

[@niknack666]

I don't think I would like that kind of cold. EEEsh sounds like your heater is having some wiring connection issues. I would suggest replacing it all together (probably a fire hazard). Would be worth buying a new one that works properly. I'm not sure about a wood stove on a boat just seems a bit on the dangerous side but seems that a lot of people do it. Not really entirely how sure on how well those types of stoves actually work. I would assume that there are ways of minimizing soot and what not from entering into the cabin from the stove itself. At least you guys aren't on the east coast they just got hit hard.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey Andrew, thanks for the message! We probably should replace that old thing...and yes we have been watching the storm out on the east coast, we are getting out easy in comparison! Happy Sunday! 😊

[@Escapetosea]

Chinese diesel heater

[@briandale8386]

Dude get a kerosene heater. Just put it next to the companionway and crack the slider

[@chris47374]

You guys on rocky terms or maybe haven't said anything type feelings wise to another? I can see it in the pair of each eyes, or let me know am I full of it. Either way I'm just curious.

[@chris47374]

Or could not be on rocky terms just having expressed 1's feeling to another about the boat life living.

[@chris47374]

And shout out to my guy you need to reinsure ur girl or back her up when she announces or suggests something. No hate just sayin 😊

[@Draconisrex1]

My wife lives in a blanket when it's 72F (22C for you). Women are always cold, it's your biology -- great at conserving heat, but it makes you feel cold even though you're not actually colder than a man.

[@dereckteegarden5482]

What do you guys do for work if you don't mind me asking? I've always wondered what jobs allowed this awesome lifestyle