Haul Out Surprises & Challenges - Zincs, Saildrives & Solar Arch Work - Chasing Serenity Episode 24

Our haul out revealed a classic Chesapeake and ICW problem for a sailing family living aboard a catamaran. In this sailing vlog, we uncover a series of haul out surprises and challenges after discovering mismatched zinc and aluminum anodes combined with frequent sailing through brackish water. Some anodes were badly fouled while others were disappearing far too quickly — a clear sign something wasn’t right. With the boat out of the water, I clean up the props, inspect the running gear, and replace the saildrive seals as part of essential maintenance on our Royal Cape catamaran. We also talk through how different water types — salt, brackish, and fresh — affect anode choice and corrosion rates for liveaboard sailors cruising places like the Chesapeake Bay and ICW. In addition to underwater work, I start modifying a used tower-in-a-box solar arch to fit our boat. It’s not a drop-in solution, so I walk through the challenges of adapting it as part of our ongoing solar and electrical upgrades. ⚓ This episode focuses on the realities of liveaboard catamaran life, preventative maintenance, and solving unexpected problems while cruising as a family sailing full-time. Topics covered: • Catamaran haul out inspection • Zinc vs aluminum anodes in brackish water • Chesapeake Bay & ICW corrosion issues • Saildrive seal replacement • Prop cleaning and maintenance • Solar arch modification 📍 Cape Canaveral, FL | Royal Cape 500 Catamaran