a sailor's WORST nightmare.. but best-case scenario [ep 122]

Leaving Boat in Marina Before Heading to the Bahamas

This week, Lauren Landers shares her recent experiences putting her boat into a marina for the first time in six months before flying out and heading to the beautiful Bahama Islands. As usual, she faced some challenges along the way that many boaters can relate to.

Single-Handed Docking

While in St Lua, Lauren had to handle single-handed docking for the mooring ball using the Med style technique, which is a bit of a challenge, especially when solo-handing. In this situation, it requires backing down while grabbing the mooring ball and tying off to the stern on the dock. It can be tricky when you’re trying to go forward or leave the helm since the boat might not stay where it’s supposed to. Lauren mentions that there are usually always two hands required for Med style ties, which makes things a bit easier.

Pickle The Watermaker

Before heading out and leaving her boat at the marina in St Lua, Lauren decided to pickle her water maker for the first time. She explains that this is done by releasing all pressure from the system, turning on the Boost pump and Fresh Water Rinse filling up while she adds pickling tablets to a 5-gallon bucket of water. The purpose of pickling is to keep bacteria from growing inside the membrane and avoid having to bring back a new one like she did last year.

Cleaning The Dinghy

Before hoisting her dinghy, Lauren noticed that it had grown quite a lot of barnacles on the outboard engine. She decided to clean as many off as she could before getting it on top-side for a good wash using some high water pressure. This helped keep the boat looking nice and tidy before leaving it in the marina.

Unexpected Visitor

One morning while staying at the marina, Lauren heard some strange sounds on her boat. Being cautious for her safety, she quickly locked her door and peeked out to see what was happening. A kind stranger had noticed a cat in the water near the mangroves and climbed onto her boat to save it by placing her paddle board into the water. While she didn’t appreciate someone boarding her boat without permission, she did understand their good intentions.

Final Thoughts

This was not only Lauren’s first time leaving her beloved boat in a marina after six months but also an unexpected event where someone boarded it while she was on board. Although this situation made her cry, she emphasized that such incidents are rare and do not discourage her from living her dream life aboard her sailboat.

Key Takeaways

• Single-handed docking using the Med style technique can be challenging but more manageable with assistance.
• Pickling the watermaker helps prevent bacteria growth and keeps everything in good working order.
• Cleaning the dinghy is essential before leaving it in a marina to maintain its appearance.
• Always remain vigilant while traveling alone on your boat, but don’t let this discourage you from living your dream lifestyle!