GTFOplan #85: Chafe Strikes Again! Save Energy using a Thermal Cooker!

IN THIS VIDEO: We left Mystic, CT and sailed south to Atlantic City, NJ, for a short trip as we've never been there before. During our passage, our main sail clew came loose, so Dennis got another opportunity to fix things while under sail. Fortunately it was a fairly simple fix, and within a short period of time we were back in business. Within an hour of arriving in Atlantic City, we met Steve and Desiree, two wonderful humans with whom we immediately bonded and had an incredible evening. Cooking at sea with a thermal cooker is a fantastic choice for its energy efficiency, safety, and ability to maintain heat while using minimal fuel. A thermal cooker, sometimes called a "wonder bag" or "haybox," uses insulated walls to trap heat after you've initially brought your ingredients to a boil. Top four reasons to use a thermal cooker: - Energy Conservation: Once you've brought the food to a boil, no more fuel is needed. This is ideal for conserving gas or limited electricity on a boat. - Safety: Since it doesn't require an open flame after the initial boiling, it reduces the risk of fire. - Stable Cooking: The cooker's insulated pot design minimizes splashes and spills, making it easier to handle in rough seas. - Portability: It's easy to store and doesn't rely on electricity, making it versatile and travel-friendly. Hoepfully this convinced you to get a thermal cooker as well! CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com