The Journey Begins: Upgrading Sand Dollar and Facing the Unexpected

In our first official episode, we take you behind the scenes of the biggest upgrades we’ve made to Sand Dollar so far. This week, we completely transformed our electrical system, swapping out our old lead-acid batteries for a powerful 1200 amp-hour lithium setup. We installed a Victron Energy Multiplus inverter/charger and added 1800 watts of solar power to keep us self-sufficient wherever the wind takes us.

But boat life is never without surprises. Just as we were making progress, we found ourselves forced to move marinas on short notice. What started as a routine departure turned into a heart-pounding moment when Sand Dollar ran aground overnight, teaching us a valuable lesson in tides and planning.

Through it all, we’re sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between as we prepare for our biggest adventure yet—sailing to Mexico. Watch as we push through challenges, celebrate small victories, and take one step closer to life under sail.

📍 In This Episode:
✅ Upgrading to lithium batteries & a Victron inverter
✅ Installing 1800 watts of solar power
✅ Stripping and rewiring the boat’s entire electrical system
✅ Navigating a stressful marina move
✅ Running aground and learning from the experience

If you love sailing, adventure, and the reality of boat life, this is just the beginning. Subscribe to follow our journey and be part of Fish Under Sail!