SV Panta Rhei Retirement Trip

We are back aboard SV Panta Rhei but it is not a nice place to be. There is a storm blowing maximum 28 knots from an unprotected direction with at least 30 nm of fetch. We have about 5 foot seas. The motion of the boat is uncomfortable, but it is not a time to leave the boat. We have neighbors that called the water taxi. We watched them try to board the taxi for about 5 long minutes. They eventually did make it but for a while it wasn't clear that it could be done. The water taxi drivers are very very good, but it is a very tough task Now our neighbors are ashore and we are rocking and pitching and watching and wishing we were ashore! We've put out more chain and checked all components of the anchoring system. I wonder what the water taxi ride would have been like today? Not good, I'm sure. I'm not even sure that the water taxis made the trip.

We are making water using energy from the solar panels. In the rain the output was nil, but the worst of the storm may have passed and with it the solar output increased. 36 aHtr so far today. 120 Ahr is a good day. Of course, today is not a good day. But here is the good news: While we were away the solar panels came pretty close to keeping up with our power needs in spite of the overcast conditions that prevailed while we were away. This data point recommends the installation of all possible solar power on the boat, not just what is sufficient on a sunny day.

This evening we hope that we can go ashore for dinner out, but the weather will determine that. Not only do we need to get off the boat, we would have to get back on it in pitch black night. It's something that makes you think before you leave.