Rainy Days Living Off Grid on a Sailboat

Living on a sailboat means that our lives are tied to the weather! When it rains, we tend to hunker down in the boat and have quieter days. We often try to get some work done online, or find things to do around the boat that keep us indoors. When it rains for several days in a row...sometimes we just have to get out there and do our normal boat-life chores in the wet weather.
One of the things we show in this video is how we get water into the boat when anchored off grid. We are lucky to be able to fill up our water jugs on land, and we use our wagon to bring them down to the docks, into the dinghy, and then onto the boat! It certainly makes us appreciate having access to dockside water and power over the winter!
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If you are new to the channel, Blue Moon is a 1978 Catalina 30 sailing vessel which we acquired in 2020. One year later we decided it was time for a road trip and built out a 1998 Delica to drive across the country. Now we live aboard the boat full-time, take weekend trips in the van, and explore this beautiful world.
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[@2giddi]

GUITAR!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Mike-bb1li]

They say make lemonade. Fish!

[@bayanicustodio3998]

Thanks! Reminds me of younger days. Rainy days meant innumerable cups of coffee, card games and cooking meals with loved ones and friends. Song Rainy Days and sundays by Karen Carpenter…

[@BlueMoonLife]

You’re so right, they are an amazing way to slow down and enjoy. Some of the best memories are made on a rainy day! Beautiful song :D

[@peterdodge6563]

Cozy rain day--great feeling , once in awhile,on a boat that is your traveling safe haven. Enjoyed the video.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes, so nice to sit back and enjoy a rainy day!

[@keithridlen7122]

Have you guys considered a DIY watermaker? Relatively inexpensive and would save you the trips back and forth to shore... May not be a huge deal now but when you stretch the boats legs down the road it will be a must have.

[@olumjumi]

we loved the video, you guys always make us smile, honest living and a passion for taking care of each other. we wish we could send you a kettle. We're in pirates cove and heading south..

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey!! Awe thank you, we're so happy you guys enjoyed it :D Haha yes, life without a kettle... but it's amazing how quickly we've gotten used to not having one! We've been thinking about how you guys are doing. That sounds incredible, enjoy!

[@olumjumi]

We're actually hanging out near your boat for the long weekend, wonderful spot. getting ready to start our new adventure and go south.

[@geraldgotts5936]

I really love you guys. I don't mean to be so obvious but you might want to consider catching some of that rain. It can be very simply done.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Great idea :) to be honest it never crossed our minds since it is usually quite dry in the summer... but we'll keep that in mind for next rain!

[@smokingkippers1173]

Slowly but surely your camera work and editing is getting good, you're a "go to channel now, and I love the boating hints, like using the matron sized she wee for a water funnel. ;) Brilliant.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you :) Haha yes our water funnel is smaller than we would like, but it's what we have and it works so far so we're sticking with it for now :D

[@scable-eq7bp]

The trials & tribulations of living on the hook. Really good content and the video and editing is really, really good.........

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you!

[@herbescobar4548]

Great episode! Nothing but real. And with a guitar bonus! I’ve said it before - more guitar Jonás - it does wonders for Gillian’s cinematography. Super teamwork guys!!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks!!! We're glad you liked the little bit of guitar :D

[@greglight3745]

One observation I have is a proper galley !

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes more of a galley would be amazing!

[@dagfinnopsvik4180]

Thanks for another glimse into your summer! A few rainy days onboard a sailboat can be a nice experience.

[@michaelmerrithew578]

fyi, when using that battery pack, do not attach it to the battery. Hook the black clamp (negative) to some metal under the hood, and the red (positive) directly to the starter. Otherwise the results you got, is what you will always get. The charge in the battery pack will simply be absorbed by the dead battery, it's meant for a hot shot directly to the starter. Lots of folks make that same mistake. Fair winds

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes we realized that! Thanks for the tip :D unfortunately we were using the pack to charge our phones as well which ran it low... but we learned our lesson!

[@CarlSmithAviationBroker]

You may already know this… when you've got a bit of water in the dink, you can easily drain it out by just getting underway and pulling the drainplug. Your movement will pull the water out for you!

[@mp6756]

You guys live in a beautiful spot on the planet. Have you given any thought to a rain collision system of some sort? Thanks for sharing

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes we really do :) We haven't considered it but think it is a fantastic idea!!

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

Again another wonderful video. Thanks guys

[@johndavidson6867]

Even the weather can;t bring a frown to your faces. Just love your oh well attitude. find away around the rain and do other things. Need to put a battery disconnect in the van and eliminate the dead battery problem, you have one on "Blue Moon". hope you have an enjoyable summer.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks John :) that's a great idea! That would certainly be handy :D You as well! enjoy the sunshine!

[@bryanbsa8094]

Do you guys catch and eat fish? Last episode I suggested putting a few drops of (cooking oil, a few Frito's work too, and smells good!) on your "tinder paper". Again, you will be totally surprised at how long the flame lasts. I say start with 10 or 15 drops on your twisted up paper/cardboard. Refine as you see fit. Maybe keep a small container (with aq lid of course) with 2/3 centemeters of cooking oil in it so all you have to do is twist up your paper and dip it in the oil, light it and start your twigs. 23:20 You looks like a JOEY coming out of her Mama's pouch to light your stove. 👀😎😁

[@BlueMoonLife]

As of now we don't, but may be open to the possibility in the future :) It would definitely be a really cool way of catching our own food! Yes we saw that comment and will try it out! (sometimes we think of these things after the fact haha, but will try to remember for next time. I can imagine it will help us start the tricky fires!). Haha :D

[@bryanbsa8094]

@@BlueMoonLife Bonus: The Frito's smell really good☺😏

[@seancrumby3241]

Lov how the two of you roll with the punches Good or bad you both work it out

[@hobimizyelken8725]

When you transfer liquids from a jug into your internal tanks, use a 2 meters hose. Put one end into tank and the other end into the jug. Then strongly blow into jug while you close its “”mouth” with your hand. Water (or diesel) will drain into tank without any other effort.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks for the tip! That will make filling the tanks much easier :D

[@charlesalcott7885]

Thank you for another great video!🙂

[@jarrodkurash8077]

As always I just love the calm presentation. I enjoy your videos very much.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you very much! We're so happy you enjoy them :D

[@matthewmartin9313]

Good episode. Excellent editing

[@MCallsen]

Next batch of replacement cam clearly arrived and good you found some old ones on the way :D Very relaxing video and so glad you were able to find a good balance in your spot there.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha thanks :D We're happy to hear that!!

[@whotknots]

Guys I am not an accredited auto electrician so this is just a suggestion rather than expert advice. Have you considered placing a small solar panel with a built in charge controller behind the windscreen on the dash of your van with the output connected to the battery? We live in a country village and have the same setup permanently connected to the starter battery for a three cylinder Kubota diesel which powers an auxiliary power generator for our household. We added solar charging because although I start the generator now and then to keep deterioration at bay the unit does not get frequent prolonged use. It is inadvisable to run diesel engines under no-load conditions for very long because the bores can get glazed over which is bad news for several reasons including excessive consumption of engine oil so for that reason the diesel does not often get run long enough for the alternator to recharge the battery. The solar charge setup was not expensive and since we added it we have not had any issues with the starter battery for the generator going flat just from sitting unused for months at a time. Also it is my understanding that keeping the charge level at max for lead acid batteries helps them last longer.

[@jamieminton172]

I lived in SE AK for a few years and we were never short of fresh water. Something as simple as a garbage bag and a bucket. If you wanted to be fancy U could rig a small tarp with a hose attachment and direct the rainwater into your water tank.

[@BlueMoonLife]

We will definitely try that out next time it rains!

[@danielpearson6306]

I sure enjoy your videos especially when you are able to in areas as you are now. Living in North Central Washington state in the okanogan Valley, the dry side of the state, this week to be in the 100s think that is about 42c.then 44c most of the week. Setting at home with torn leg tend and crutches. Can't drive as the left leg and clutch on both vehicles and adventure motorcycles. Your videos are great as most bloggers go to the Caribbean, A true tourist trap and very expensive. Thank you.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Awe we're so happy you enjoy the videos :) Wow that is HOT! Hopefully you're staying cool. And we're sorry to hear about your leg... wishing you a speedy recovery!

[@tommycheshire5508]

It rains almost the same amount in Seattle and Charlotte, about 43 inches. It rain an average of 109 days in Charlotte and 170 days in Seattle. That means that there is a lot of drizzle in your neck of the woods. It is almost August and you guys are luckily wearing sweatshirts. We on the other hand have been using our AC since May. It was 93 degrees all week and most of July. Looks like a fair trade to me. Hot as the doorknob of hell.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Wow that is a lot of rain... and that is HOT! Hopefully you're staying cool :D things are warming up here as well!

[@sunline24]

I found that using a LP torch got the wood going the fastest in my wood stove what winter camping. A 1 pound tank will start a lot of fires.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks for the tip! We'll have to pick one up :D

[@aquious953]

Some Dickenson stoves will take coal. You can use the self lighting BBQ brickets that come in bags. Will burn all night.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Oh interesting, thanks for the tip! We'll look into that :D

[@michaelconway4316]

I imagine you go through a lot of those one pound propane tanks. I refill mine with an adapter I bought off Amazon, it would save you a lot of money.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Great to know! They last us longer than we originally thought, but we'll look into the option of refilling!

[@bobbates7343]

You have such a pretty face. Nice to watch and listen to you . A temp. fix is called Jury rigged .

[@philipfisher5168]

Someone with forty years experience playing electric and acoustic guitar in a variety of styles, playing through a battery amp, experienced in busking in the UK. If he got a little boat n learned to sail, do you think it feasible he might be able to busk his way around the world? I mean using busking to finance passage? Thank you for your lovely videos. Your Catalina 30 is really beautiful

[@thegoodwood.71]

Why don't you collect rain water to fill your tanks ? Love watching your videos . Thanks for showing

[@BlueMoonLife]

Great idea! We never thought of it before but will be trying it out next time it rains!!

[@johnnymoore943]

I love your content.. I am in Vancouver and it's melting... Some rainwater collection. Peace of mind... 200 litres?

[@johncolley6225]

Hello, are you at Cooper's Cove, out of Sooke? Nice little anchorage! Hope to get back there some day. John

[@dadejazzba402]

Make a rain collection system

[@dreams..forlove1402]

Hi guys

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hi!

[@aquious953]

Could try a rain capture tarp to collect water when it rains. Just need a tarp with a hole and a bucket.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Great idea, we will definitely try something like that out next time we get rain!

[@Stephan_01]

♥️♥️🥰🥰

[@shreksswamp9001]

Umm, a little bit more of that guitar would be nice. Thanks! Great video guys.

[@BlueMoonLife]

We'll keep that in mind and hopefully share more in future videos!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Collect birch and cherry bark peelings... They will burn even if quite wet because of the resins in the bark.. makes natural fire starters. The compressed fire logs burn longer and easier than most wood types.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you for this tip!!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@BlueMoonLife You can also make feather sticks ..a piece of wood that you peel back thin slices of but dont cut them off... The curls dry out and catch light easy burning down to the still solid part of the stick. These are hiker and out doors person methods.

[@scable-eq7bp]

With all that rain, you guys should have a rain water collector system, just another tarp put at the right angle to drain into 5 gallon buckets or make it so it would drain right into your fresh water holding tank......

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes it's funny we never thought about that since it's usually quite dry in the summer, but we'll be thinking about catching rain water next time we get some rain!!

[@jascasf]

should have a system to collect rain water.

[@rgbent4359]

Maybe consider changing to a diesel heater since you have the fuel storage onboard already. Might be able to convert the stove you have. Good luck!

[@BlueMoonLife]

We've thought about that actually! We still go back and forth, but it may just be a future project :D

[@jimbobhootenanny4440]

I mean you can just go to the store and get one it but if I were you I would pick a store that sells the kill switch you need. 😜

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes we can! But we aren't close to a store that would sell a kill switch so we have to either order one or travel to get one :)

[@reloadncharge9907]

What island are you moored by? Am a Brentwood Bay guy on my cat in Florida…Bahama bound…but enjoying watching your videos, a touch of home! Thx, Andrew

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey Andrew, wow that sounds incredible! That Bahamas sound amazing :D We're so happy we can bring a bit of home to you, wherever you are!

[@rssea814]

Hey Jonas, what were you playing at 20:50? It sounded really familiar and I can't recall what it is. It's been such an unusual spring this year, but I hope ya'll are enjoying the beautiful weather we're getting now!

[@vinnyconneiiy7864]

👍🌊⛵🎣💯

[@steveanacorteswa3979]

It's raining like crazy and won't stop, how can we go get water :) get a tarp and catch the rain to the boat tanks, for the non-potable stuff.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes we will definitely be getting a system for the future!

[@DaveHines1]

I’m sure you should sort out something to collect rainwater, it’s probably the best way to stop it raining 🤪🤣😃🥂🍻

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha yes it probably is! And that is a great idea :D

[@pavt2192]

whats the episode you were making kombucha? thx

[@CadillacCherryBlack]

This lady I'm sure makes it happen.! ...

[@JohnBraman413]

where did you get the fold up cart? have a link?

[@BlueMoonLife]

We got it from Costco! We don't have a link yet but will definitely try to get one set up :D

[@Pauly__D]

Wait a minute , something just dawned on me . Where the heck did the Tahoe go ? Looks like your sub count is unstuck , seems like it was sitting at 10k forever . Have a great Sunday !

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha thanks Pauly D!! and yes slowly we are growing!

[@MrSerraangel]

Where did you find the pump on your water jug? I need one of those. :}

[@BlueMoonLife]

We got ours from Canadian tire! They are very handy :D

[@joerivanlooy5165]

omg!!!!!!!!this amateur boy pullstart the boat no way nice day dude

[@niknack666]

ooooooooooof water runs when is the water tank clean out going to happen?

[@BlueMoonLife]

We've thought about cleaning out the tanks, so hopefully in the near future!

[@kirbygaspard8886]

Where on earth is it so cold in the summer? Looks like the perfect environment for a sailboat

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha yes it has been a cold summer so far! But it's getting much warmer now :)

[@marklapierre5629]

Why are you not collecting some of that beautiful rain water?

[@BlueMoonLife]

We never thought about it until now! But we will definitely be doing that in the future :D

[@terrypatterson8547]

Why don't you set up a tarp to catch rain water & put it in you'r tank.

[@greglight3745]

What are your top 3 or 4 priorities for the next boat ? You must dream of what you now know is really important.

[@BlueMoonLife]

We have certainly given that consideration and have a bit of a wish list! Perhaps that can be a future video, because we often discuss that!

[@d.e.7467]

Honey loses its nutritional values above 48 C (120 F). I only just found out last night from my sister, who buys her honey directly from a beekeeper. All these years.... :-(

[@BlueMoonLife]

Oh good to know, thank you! We will definitely keep that in mind when buying honey and also a great conversation to have with the person we get it from!

[@d.e.7467]

@@BlueMoonLife Honey will also last forever if stored under the right conditions. For details, search Egyptian tombs and honey. I interpret that to be replacing a lid as soon as possible because of oxygen. And of water and other foreign liquids, etc.

[@brettdurrans15]

Why not set a tarp up as a rain catcher... use your own ingenuity... and then you have easy fresh water .... delivered to your boat!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Great idea! To be honest the summers are usually so dry that we didn't even consider rain water!

[@jasoningram1988]

💫😇 Who's 1st BMoon Lvn or BMoon Sailing? 😇💫 ThiSinAsenseyeseatoukunfusingetsubsMisDirected

[@brucecampbell2171]

Where are you anchored?

[@keithrowell2951]

How are you 2 doing. Have new cell phone with new Email