After Ouest and I finished a couple small boat projects this afternoon we were free to head ashore for some R&R. We stayed inside the lagoon and went to a little restaurant with a tiny slice of beach and a view of the boat. Perfect for the kids to get wet, the adults to have a drink, and everybody to have tacos.

We sort of set this cruising season aside as our trial run to decide what things we’re going to need on this boat if we want to live happily onboard long term. Mexico is the perfect place to do this since the sailing isn’t all that difficult. Distances aren’t too far, marinas are plentiful if needed, labor is relatively inexpensive, and if we really really need something it’s only a quick flight to the States, or better yet, we have family bring it with them on one of their many trips.

So far we’re coming to the conclusion that this engine driven fridge just isn’t going to cut it. A twelve volt system is in our future. Which of course will mean more power consumption which will mean solar panels. Those will need a place to be mounted which is fine since we’re also going to need a new dinghy davit system. Then there is the watermaker. Life aboard just isn’t the same without a watermaker. Let’s see, let me just do some calculations here… Ouch.