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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Day 18 of our Christmas calendar is all about navigation! ? With our 20-year-old system in need of a major upgrade, we pulled out every single wire and installed a state-of-the-art B&G network. Here's how it works: ?? The Backbone: Our NMEA2000 network runs the length of the boat, connecting all key components: ?? Wind sensor: Real-time wind speed and direction. ? Speed & depth transducer: Critical for safe navigation. ?? Chartplotters: Zeus S 7" at the nav station & Zeus S 12" in the cockpit. ? VHF & AIS: Keeping us connected and safe. ? Victron Ekrano integration: Displays electrical monitoring on our nav instruments. ? Ethernet Network: Some advanced systems connect via Ethernet for seamless updates and integration: ?? HALO Radar & Forward Looking Sonar: For precise situational awareness. ? Internet-connected chartplotters for real-time updates. ? Smart Navigation: From the Precision 9 gyro compass and autopilot computer to the rudder feedback unit, every single component works together for smooth sailing. This setup gives us full control and visibility, ensuring we're ready for any adventure. What's the most exciting feature of this system to you? Let us know in the comments! ? ? Tomorrow, we explore even more of Vela's features-stay tuned! ? Music by Sergio Prosvirini from Pixabay #YouTubeShorts #Explore #TravelVlog #Vloggers #DailyLife #ChristmasCalendar #Vlogmas #ChristmasOnBoard #Beneteau44cc #Sailing #Liveaboard #LifeAtSea

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Even though we love our salon, we see so much potential to make it even better! Here's what's on our list: ?? Port Side: We've torn down the old cabinets and will build one big, optimized storage cabinet to make better use of the space. ? Dinner Table Upgrade: We're changing the table base so it can be lowered and turned into a cozy bed for Sunday lounging and movie nights. ?? Starboard Side: The lounge chairs will be replaced with a comfy daybed-perfect for relaxing after a long day at sea. ? Washer/Dryer: A washer/dryer is in the works, with plans to install it under the nav station for maximum space efficiency. We're still brainstorming and love hearing your ideas! What would you do to optimize the space? Drop your suggestions in the comments! ?? ? Music by Sergio Prosvirini from Pixabay #YouTubeShorts #Explore #TravelVlog #Vloggers #DailyLife #ChristmasCalendar #Vlogmas #ChristmasOnBoard #Beneteau44cc #Sailing #Liveaboard #LifeAtSea #TinyLiving

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