Only RV on the boat ...

[ABBus]

Getting ready to stay 16 hours on this ship. This company allows people to stay/sleep into the vehicles, which is nice.
We were lucky to be on the side, nice view on the sea.

[rossvtaylor]

Nice! You've got the best room on the ship. To where are you headed?

[ABBus]

From La Paz to Mazatlan.

[peteg59]

That is some serious solar array right there!
Wonder why that much???

[ABBus]

Originally Posted by peteg59

That is some serious solar array right there!
Wonder why that much???

Because we run a lot of things from the batteries (fridge, washer, dryer, grill, water heater, computers, etc.). It is slightly oversized most of the time, but we will soon hit the rainy season and the solar array will be less efficient.

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by peteg59

That is some serious solar array right there!
Wonder why that much???

Ja, ja, ja.
My guess,
for riding sixteen hours, off-shore.
No shore power, no problemo. Dual a/c & web access is like a VIP room on a boat. Got a card table & chips? Sweet.

Just being silly.

[peteg59]

Makes sense, now.
If you want all of the "creature comforts" of home, you have to be able to support them somehow!
Assuming you have a backup generator as well...

[ABBus]

Originally Posted by peteg59

Makes sense, now.
If you want all of the "creature comforts" of home, you have to be able to support them somehow!
Assuming you have a backup generator as well...

Yes. We can't reasonably run the A/C from the batteries.

[o1marc]

I often wondered about whether using different size panels in the array was a good idea. Looks like it works in your case. Makes me consider more panels. I originally bought 10 big panels, but 9 of them melted in a fire here. I replaced them with 6 smaller one, but still have one large one I was going to sell. Now I'll use it.


I'd like to make a trip like that, but 3rd world countries kinda have me on edge lately with all the cartel action. Have you noticed anything on this trip?

[ABBus]

Originally Posted by o1marc

I often wondered about whether using different size panels in the array was a good idea. Looks like it works in your case. Makes me consider more panels. I originally bought 10 big panels, but 9 of them melted in a fire here. I replaced them with 6 smaller one, but still have one large one I was going to sell. Now I'll use it.


I'd like to make a trip like that, but 3rd world countries kinda have me on edge lately with all the cartel action. Have you noticed anything on this trip?

So far so good, but we are still in Mexico. Things could become more interesting from Guatemala (Salvador and Honduras are the most worriesom).

Edit: solar panels: you can mix. To be on the safe side, I put the 4 rear panels (from a different make) on the same string (I have 3 series of 4 panels on each MPPT charger).

[s2mikon]

You should be getting pretty good fuel milage on this leg of the trip.

[ABBus]

Originally Posted by s2mikon

You should be getting pretty good fuel milage on this leg of the trip.

Haha, yes, indeed

[o1marc]

Are you armed at all?

[musigenesis]

Kinda cool that you have your own personal lifeboats with you.

[BeNimble]

We love LaPaz, not been last two years, what's the covid situation down there now? School Bus isn't going to like the dirt roads in Mexico, just gets worse further south.
All those topes can be brutal.

[ABBus]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

We love LaPaz, not been last two years, what's the covid situation down there now? School Bus isn't going to like the dirt roads in Mexico, just gets worse further south.
All those topes can be brutal.

The school bus is way safer and handles the dirt roads way better than any other motorhome.

[ABBus]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Are you armed at all?

No. And we would not necessarily feel more secure if armed.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by ABBus

No. And we would not necessarily feel more secure if armed.

Wouldn't help against the cartels anyways.

[DoninTexas]

Dealing with gun laws in another country is scary.

[peteg59]

Mexico is a definite No-Go with a gun. They have plenty of bad guys with guns running amok, but no 2nd amendment for the general law abiding population or touristas passing through.

Apologies to OP for derailing his trip blog...