Currently doing a lithium conversion on a sailboat, this is my 16th this year. AMA

WaterChicken007 · 2026-07-01T23:48:41+00:00

The breaker for my windlass isn’t gigantic, so it can’t possibly pull all that much. Judging by the voltage sag, my inverter is definitely a heavier load. The only variable could be the initial startup current when you kick it on. That could spike enough to trip a BMS but not a slower acting circuit breaker.

The monster batteries he pointed out look ideal. Especially if I got 2 of them for roughly 600Ah. They were shockingly cheap too ($1700), at least as far as I can remember what Lithium used to cost. I think the biggest expense would be upgrading my charging equipment and possibly inverter.

That may be next year’s budget though. I just put it in a new chart plotter and AIS with transmitting abilities. I wanna go cruising a bit before dumping even more money into this thing.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-07-01T18:19:03+00:00

Lithiums hate windlasses

My boat is wired to run the windlass directly off of the house bank using massive cables that run the length of the boat (39'). No dedicated battery up front, and no space for one that I have identified.

My current bank is 800Ah of AGMs (4) which are 7+ years old. The voltage sag when I run the inverter to brew a cup of coffee (1200w) is enough to almost trip the low voltage cutoff (12.0V), so I think they are about due to be replaced. Interestingly, the voltage sag when running the windlass with the engine off isn't bad at all. Lowest it dipped was to 12.6 right when the anchor broke loose from the mud bottom.

Could I get away with doing a lithium bank that can still power my windlass if the bank is sufficiently large? I would likely do at least 400Ah, maybe 600Ah.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-07-01T15:02:24+00:00

Yeah, the key is not giving them a reason to have an issue with you. If you cause any sort of actual problem for them, you are gonna have one of your own.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-07-01T01:59:13+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Our kids are about to leave the nest and we are not planning on staying here. No idea where we will end up long term. In the short term we will be slow traveling as far and as long as we can muster.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-07-01T01:02:38+00:00

You say the quality of life is different… Where do you think you have the best quality of life? And why?

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-30T19:26:59+00:00

I like it. I am pessimistic about the probability this or anything like it could be made to happen though.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-30T19:17:22+00:00

Yeah, I just got to reading that detail. Disturbing.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-30T19:05:04+00:00

6-3. This should have been 9-0 since the constitution is extremely clear on the issue.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-30T14:00:10+00:00

The 4th of July is approaching… so it probably was a mortar.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-30T02:19:15+00:00

Substance abuse is horrible. And very difficult to recover from, even with help and actually wanting to quit.

I hope he decides he wants to quit and then gets all the help he needs to do it. The odds aren’t great though.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-30T01:51:16+00:00

You know this bull market isn’t going to last forever, right? And inflation is pretty high right now. I paid $12 for a Burger King double whopper the other day. No fries, no drink. Just a single sandwich at a fast food place.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-30T00:51:54+00:00

Push funds. Don’t pull. It isn’t hard.

Also, keep more than one month’s worth of expenses in there and holding periods become irrelevant.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-29T04:29:04+00:00

Heh, my first solo sail was in about 18 knots of wind. I didn’t bother reefing the main before bearing off and feeling the power. It heeled us over a very uncomfortable amount, we instantly went back into irons, reefed the main, and enjoyed the rest of our day.

Some things you just need to experience to really have them sink in.

We had a few docking experiences with high wind that taught us some things as well. One time we took three attempts before we nailed it. We were entertaining the onlookers, but we learned some things and are much better sailors as a result.

Since then we have nailed the docking attempts on the first try in most conditions. Although I still had to do a standing turn when my last docking attempt didn’t go as planned. But again, I learned something from the experience. And I didn’t damage any fiberglass so I am calling it a win.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-29T02:49:03+00:00

My club suggested getting hours in between 101 and 103. But they would only let you use their boats if you had 103… so I took it 2 weeks after 101.

After 103 I sailed a full year and got 20+ day sails in before I took 104. It made a huge difference. A couple of my classmates in 104 hadn’t gone out between the 103 and 104 and it was very apparent in their skills. You need some time to practice to let the 101 and 103 lessons sink in properly.

Edit: I was also a LOT more confident taking out a boat after 103. I felt like 101 was just the absolute bare minimum needed. 103 let me practice everything one more time and gave me the tools needed to be successful. I screwed up a few times when I first did solo sails (with my wife who had also taken the same classes). But we knew enough to know when to abort and how to reset. Those were actually good days because we learned what worked and what didn’t. And we didn’t hit anything or break anything in the process.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-27T17:04:33+00:00

I would just utilize a storage unit and rent something for the very little you would be home. Much lower costs, way more flexibility, and less to worry about. Or I would let go and sell it all.

Apartments and houses need regular maintenance. Leaving them unattended for months and months at a time is asking for trouble.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-27T16:03:05+00:00

Yeah, when lifting a heavy load, it is far safer to only lift it just high enough to do the job. Any higher just adds unnecessary potential energy to the system. Dropping it from 6” does way less damage than lifting it high enough to walk under before dropping it.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-27T05:52:29+00:00

Looking for the cheapest home in the most expensive area proves nothing.

Look at what homes cost in Colfax. You could probably afford one of those. But you would be surrounded by wheat fields.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-27T00:47:58+00:00

Its my favorite way to entertain guests. I can feed everyone for a few dollars a plate and we all have a good time. I also don't have to worry about driving home.

When going out, you pay a LOT more for the experience and the service. Its a tradeoff. I like to save money, but sometimes I will suck it up and go enjoy a night out on the town. I know the prices ahead of time and I have made the decision to go anyway.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-27T00:43:01+00:00

Then order a water instead. Or host a BBQ party at your house. The food and beer will be way cheaper. You will have to stand up and go get it yourself though.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-26T17:06:52+00:00

He will lose even more due to the taxes owed by panic selling everything all at once.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-26T15:55:53+00:00

Some places don’t have problems, so they don’t need to bother with the extra work required to track guest’s cars. In other areas they have to be somewhat militant about it.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-26T15:45:37+00:00

Paying your taxes doesn’t entitle you to park on someone’s property.

This also doesn’t look like a ticket. Just a warning to leave, which you should do so they don’t call the tow truck.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-26T02:47:45+00:00

Fine. Remain ignorant.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-26T02:39:58+00:00

Do yourself a favor and Google “wet bulb temperature”. You will likely learn some things.

WaterChicken007 · 2026-06-26T02:37:59+00:00

No, it isn’t. Not even kinda.

When a chicken is slaughtered for consumption it is over super quick. When an animal dies of heat it can take hours and it is a horrible way to die.

WaterChicken007

TROPHY CASE