I decided to attend the Seattle Boat Show, and thank goodness I did!

The Seattle Boat Show is the largest boating event in the Northwest, continuing a tradition of over 75 years. This annual show features a wide range of boats, marine equipment, and the latest technology for boating enthusiasts. Attendees can explore hundreds of exhibitors, attend educational seminars, and participate in onsite training sessions. It’s also a great networking opportunity to find like-minded boaters in the region.

Before heading to the Boat Show, I decided to take advantage of the chilly morning and do some chores. Something I learned from other boaters was to include little, easy projects on my to-do list so that I’m guaranteed a win every so often. The first little project was to clean out the ice box. It’s so cold I can use this space as a veggie fridge without ice. The next big project will be finishing the ice box insulation and installing a compressor and evaporator so it can function as a normal fridge. At the moment, I’m using my van fridge in the boat, and I would love to move that back into Ariel as soon as possible.

I finished this project by hand washing my rags, but I ultimately had to resign myself to using the dryer. Line-drying wet laundry just doesn’t work in the PNW right now. I don’t really know why I even tried.

I spent the evening explaining my boat layout plans in a Patreon video. It helps me get organized when I visualize the space available (even if I’m working with a terrible drawing). I’m taking all the knowledge from different people in the industry to help arrange the order of operations. I still need to map out a timeline for the complicated projects, but little by little, I’m gaining clarity. If you want to see my plans and be more involved in this boat rebuild project, check out the different membership tiers on Patreon.

The final day was a course on diesel engines, and by the end, I felt a deeper level of understanding and motivation to do the work on my boat. As someone who has never been handy, some projects on my list seem impossible, but I keep reminding myself that I don’t have to know how to do everything right now. I must fall in love with my boat and ensure she’s sea-worthy before ripping her apart and setting things up for a grand adventure down the Pacific Coast. I need to have fun with her and enjoy the process of learning while completing projects along the way. I’m building a foundation of deep joy for living on the water, even in my little marina with my neighbors. Boat life is truly a trip, and I’m more prepared than ever to face the challenges ahead.

See what trips are coming up. I always give my community first dibs on spots, so you can sign up for Patreon (and get trip discounts) or my email list to be the first to know about new expeditions in the future.