From Battery Blues to Bahamas Dreams

Going Stir-Crazy in Merritt, NC

Ever wonder what happens when you park a boat in the middle of nowhere and then have nothing to do but wait? Welcome to my life in Merritt, North Carolina—where entertainment consists of… walking. And walking. And more walking. I pop in my earbuds, cue up some tunes, and pound the pavement like Forrest Gump on a mission, just with fewer life-changing epiphanies.

The electrician is working magic on Ohana, but everything he’s doing is highly specialized and tucked into tight spaces where I can’t exactly lend a hand. It’s one of those “one step depends on the previous step” situations, and unfortunately, some of those steps are waiting on delayed supplies. Weekends are even worse because I don’t even get the satisfaction of watching someone work. Just me, sitting on the boat, staring at the rain, contemplating life. And trust me—too much time alone with my thoughts is dangerous. I end up overthinking everything—my ex, the potential new first mates, the solar arch that still needs to be fabricated, and counting down the days until I can get back to Annapolis.

The Not-So-Simple Battery Upgrade

What was supposed to be a straightforward battery upgrade has turned into a full-blown boat makeover. They’ve practically disassembled and rewired Ohana from scratch! It’s like I sent her back to the factory for a total rebuild after a six-year break-in period. They’re even fiberglassing and reinforcing the battery locker, which has gone from a humble storage space to what I now call the heart and brains of Ohana. Seriously, I might need to install a stethoscope and a thermometer to keep tabs on her vitals!

Winter 2025: Bahamas or Bust!

Since my brain is bouncing around like a pinball during all this downtime, I’ve decided to channel that restless energy into planning my winter escape. This fall, I’m heading south to the Bahamas! But getting there isn’t just a matter of raising the sails and pointing the bow toward paradise. There’s a long checklist of “startup paperwork” I need to organize:

✅ Boat Documentation

✅ USCG Documents

✅ Passport

✅ COVID vaccine records (because who knows what random forms they’ll ask for?) 

I need to put everything in one grab-and-go folder for check-ins at new ports. Honestly, this would be way more fun if I had a first mate handling the paperwork so I could focus on plotting cool anchorages, figuring out the best dive spots, and scouting out where to grab a cold Kalik beer once I get there.

First Mate Wanted: Apply Within!

Yes, I can single-hand the boat—most of the time. But let’s be real, having a companion makes everything better. I’m hoping to find someone who’s into boating, adventurous, hot (because I’m honest), and younger (because why not?). Bonus points if she’s financially secure and doesn’t mind spending a few months cruising the Caribbean. Is that too much to ask before the end of summer?

Ghosting and New Horizons

I joked that by the time I get back to Annapolis, the two women I’ve been chatting with will have ghosted me. Well, looks like I’m already down to one. “Ohana Lisa” has gone radio silent despite my friendly “just checking in” texts. But Lei—the cute, younger one—is still chatting with me daily. She’s got potential! I even saw some pics of her on a catamaran and flying a plane, so she’s clearly adventurous.

To top it off, she speaks Mandarin, which adds a whole new layer of fun and personal development for me. I’ve always wanted to learn a new language, and let’s be real… with her inevitably getting pissed at me for something I say or do, I’ll probably be fluent in Mandarin real fast! Nothing like a few heated conversations to speed up language acquisition, right? 😅😂

Bonus: Learning to Talk Slow

Here’s the kicker—because English isn’t her first language, I’ve had to slow down my rapid-fire talking. If my ex were around, she’d be laughing her head off because I used to drive her crazy by talking too fast. Now, with Lei, I’m learning patience and actually slowing down so she can follow along. Who knew personal growth could come from flirting with someone ten years younger?

So, here I sit in Merritt, pacing like a caged animal, waiting for Ohana to be reborn. But if all goes according to plan, I’ll be sipping rum in the Bahamas with a young sexy first mate by my side before long. A guy can dream, right?