Welcome back to our blog! Today, we want to share with you the exciting (and slightly nerve-wracking) experience of leaving our boat in the tropics for an extended period of time. After sailing around the world, we made the difficult decision to leave our beloved vessel in the Caribbean for hurricane season. Now, after 2 and a half months away, we have returned to see what awaits us. In this YouTube video, aptly titled "We Left our Boat in the Tropics. Here’s what we Found!", we document the surprises and challenges that come with leaving a boat unattended for an extended period. From green mold to hidden treasures, join us as we explore the state of our boat after being away. So, grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive into the fascinating world of boat maintenance in the tropics!
– The Effects of Leaving a Boat in the Tropics for 2 and a Half Months
After leaving our boat in the tropics for 2 and a half months, we were quite anxious to see what we would find upon our return. As we approached our boat, we couldn’t help but notice the green and black mold that had begun to grow on its exterior. It was clear that the tropical environment had taken its toll. However, compared to our previous experiences leaving the boat, it was in much better condition. The decks were surprisingly clean, although there was still some dirt and grime that had accumulated in the undercover areas. We suspect that we may have left something out that had caused mold, possibly a forgotten bar of soap on the back deck. Despite this, the overall condition was not as bad as we had feared.
Upon entering the boat, we were relieved to find that the inside was in much better shape than the outside. It smelled faintly of boats and paint, but overall it was relatively clean and well-maintained. One positive aspect was that all the dehumidifier units that we had left running were full, indicating that they had been effective in preventing excessive moisture build-up. It seemed that over time, we had become less meticulous in our preparations before leaving the boat, but the results were still satisfactory. With only a few days left to prepare before setting sail again, we felt confident that we were ready for the next adventure in our journey.
– Recommendations for Boat Maintenance in Tropical Climates
After leaving our boat in the tropics for 2 and a half months, we were curious to see its condition upon our return. Unfortunately, we were greeted with the sight of green and black mold, as well as bird droppings. However, compared to our previous experiences leaving the boat in Thailand, this was not as disastrous. The deck was in better condition, although the undercover area had suffered more. We suspect that we may have left something out that then molded, possibly a bar of soap on the back deck. Nonetheless, the overall dirtiness was manageable, similar to a Boatyard.
Inside the boat, it smelled a bit musty, typical of a boat, with a slight hint of paint. Surprisingly, the interior fared much better than the exterior. Everything looked good, and all the dehumidifier containers were full, indicating that they had been doing their job. We had propped open all the lockers and cabinets to allow for proper air circulation, which seemed to have helped. It’s interesting how over time, we have become more relaxed about leaving things on the boat, knowing that a few overlooked items won’t cause significant harm. With only two days left to prepare the boat, we are confident that we can go sailing again soon.
– The Importance of Proper Ventilation and Dehumidifiers for Boat Storage in the Tropics
After leaving our boat in the tropics for 2 and a half months, we were apprehensive about what we would find upon our return. As we approached our boat, we noticed patches of green and black mold, signs of the damp and humid conditions it had been exposed to. However, we were relieved to see that it wasn’t as bad as previous experiences in Thailand. The decks were in decent shape, although there was dirt and grime accumulated, just like in a Boatyard.
One of the first issues we encountered was misplacing the boat keys, a classic case of being too smart for ourselves and hiding them in a "special" spot. After finally finding them, we decided to check the inside of the boat and were pleasantly surprised. It smelled a little like the sea and had a hint of paint, but overall, it was in good condition. This positive outlook was reinforced when we found that all the dehumidifiers we had set up were full, indicating that they had been effectively reducing the moisture inside the boat. We had left everything propped open, allowing for air circulation, which seemed to have made a significant difference. We have become more relaxed over time, leaving a few things out knowing that it will be fine, a result of our previous experiences and trust in the boat’s ventilation system.
With only two days to get the boat ready for launching, we eagerly prepared for our next sailing adventures. We had to ensure that the engines were running smoothly, the sail drive was properly changed, and the boat was thoroughly washed. Despite the rain and the lake-like puddles under our boat, we were glad we didn’t have much bottom paint left to do. Our excitement grew as we anticipated moving aboard in the coming weeks, ready to explore the beautiful Caribbean. Overall, our experience reinforced the importance of proper ventilation and dehumidifiers for boat storage in the tropics, as they played a crucial role in maintaining our boat’s condition during our absence.
– Preparing a Boat for Launch After Being Left in the Caribbean for Hurricane Season
After leaving our boat in the Caribbean for hurricane season, we returned to find that it had weathered the tropical conditions surprisingly well. Despite being away for 2 and a half months, the damage was minimal compared to previous experiences. Sure, there was some green and black mold, and a few bird droppings, but it was nothing compared to the mess we encountered in Thailand. The decks, although dirty, were in decent shape. It seems like we may have left something out that caused mold, possibly a bar of soap on the back deck. Fortunately, the inside of the boat looked good, with no noticeable smells or damage. We had left all the hatches and builders open to allow air circulation, and all the dehumidifier units were full. It seems that our strategy of leaving some items out and relying on experience has paid off. We are feeling more confident about leaving the boat unattended for extended periods.
Now that we are back, we only have a couple of days to prepare the boat for launch. The engines need to be running smoothly, the sail driver and zincs need to be changed, and the boat needs a thorough wash. We are looking forward to getting back on the water and plan to move aboard in about a week. We feel incredibly grateful to be in the beautiful Caribbean, even though it has been raining and we have a lake under our boat. Thankfully, we don’t have much bottom paint to do this time. With just a few more tasks on our to-do list, we are excited to start cruising again. In conclusion, our boat has weathered the tropical conditions fairly well after being left in the Caribbean for 2 and a half months. Although we did notice some green and black molds, as well as dirt and debris, overall it is in better shape compared to our previous experiences in Thailand. The decks are relatively clean, although the undercover area is a bit worse. We suspect that we may have left something out that caused the mold, possibly a bar of soap on the back deck. Thankfully, the interior of the boat looks good, with no major issues. We had left everything propped open to allow for air circulation, and it seems to have helped. We have learned from past experiences and have become more relaxed in our preparation before leaving the boat. We no longer vacuum bag everything or remove all the food, as we have found that leaving a few things out is usually fine. With just a couple of days to get the boat ready for launch, we are confident that we can get everything in order in time. We are grateful to be in the beautiful Caribbean and excited to move aboard and start our sailing adventures once again.
