The mast is what transforms Vela into a true sailing vessel, harnessing the power of the wind to carry us around the world. ? Standing tall at 18 meters above the waterline, it's more than just a sail holder-it's a hub of essential gear: ? Wind instruments tell us the direction and speed of the wind. ? VHF antenna keeps us in communication with other vessels. ? Navigation lights guide us safely in the dark. ?? Radar and reflector detect other ships, weather squalls, and make sure we're seen. And let's not forget the sails that make it all happen: ? Genoa (head sail): Easily rolled in and out from the cockpit. ?? Main sail: Adds stability and power, with reefing controlled from the safety of the cockpit. ? Asymmetrical spinnaker: A colorful, lightweight sail for catching light winds downwind. Whether it's cruising calm waters or bracing for strong winds, everything is managed safely from the cockpit. Our mast is not just a symbol of freedom-it's a feat of engineering that keeps us moving forward. Do you have a favorite sail to work with? Drop a ?? in the comments if you'd love to try handling a spinnaker! ? Music by Sergio Prosvirini from Pixabay #YouTubeShorts #Explore #TravelVlog #Vloggers #DailyLife #ChristmasCalendar #Vlogmas #ChristmasOnBoard #Beneteau44cc #Sailing #Liveaboard #LifeAtSea

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While Vela is on land, we get the perfect opportunity to show you everything beneath the waterline! Let's take a closer look: ? The Rudder: A spade rudder gives us excellent steering capabilities, but its design makes it more sensitive to impacts compared to a skeg rudder. ?? The Propeller: Our Max Prop automatic feathering propeller adjusts itself when we sail, reducing drag and letting us glide faster through the water. ? The Keel: Weighing 3100 kg, it is a fin keel with a bulb at the bottom. The keel ensures we stay upright by counteracting the wind in the sails. It also minimizes sideways drift while sailing.' ? The Bow Thruster: This little helper makes docking and maneuvering in tight spots easier by pushing the bow to either side - but it's not much help in strong winds! ? Thru hulls and Drains: Did you know we have 18 holes below the waterline? 16 are thru hulls for water intakes, discharges, and transducers, while 2 are for cockpit drainage. Since the old fittings were 20 years old, we replaced them all to ensure Vela stays leak-free. Every detail below the surface has been carefully designed and maintained to keep us safe and efficient on the water. Could you imagine replacing 18 fittings under your boat? Let us know in the comments! ? Music by Sergio Prosvirini from Pixabay #YouTubeShorts #Explore #TravelVlog #Vloggers #DailyLife #ChristmasCalendar #Vlogmas #ChristmasOnBoard #Beneteau44cc #Sailing #Liveaboard #LifeAtSea

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Day 17 of our Christmas calendar dives into something BIG: our new electrical system! ?? This year, we upgraded to a setup that lets us live off-grid for months at a time. Here's what powers Vela: ? 800Ah lithium batteries feeding our Lynx distribution panel. ?? Powers essentials like the 12V DC system, electric winch, anchor windlass, and oil heater. ? MPPT solar charger harnessing energy from the sun. ? 3kW inverter/charger providing AC power wherever we are. ? Future-ready: Plans to add a new engine generator for even more charging efficiency. ?? Fischer Panda genset (8kW) for backup AC power when needed. This system gives us the freedom to run big gadgets like a watermaker, induction cooktop, and maybe even a washing machine (coming soon in the new year!). Check out our animation to see how everything works together! ? Got questions about living off-grid or boat electrical systems? Drop them in the comments! ? ? Join us tomorrow for another peek into life aboard Vela! ? Music by Sergio Prosvirini from Pixabay #YouTubeShorts #Explore #TravelVlog #Vloggers #DailyLife #ChristmasCalendar #Vlogmas #ChristmasOnBoard #Beneteau44cc #Sailing #Liveaboard #LifeAtSea

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