What's Necessary to Liveaboard in the PNW in Comfort?

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by alctel

Crab traps for sure!

Have you thought about replacing the fridge you have with an Engel? I have one and it draws a ridiculously low amount of power, and I have the fridge/freezer combo unit!

They use low amp when running however the ah is high due to how often and long the compressor actually runs in a 24 hour period

[NewMoon]

OK, I'll take a whack at the crab thing:




Assuming you catch some, keep only the males ( the ones with the skinny flap) at least the minimum size per the regs for the area (you need a crab measure to measure accurately). Here's a nice crab:



Some folks clean them before cooking, but here's how we do it:

Boil clean salt water in a good-sized pot. After putting crab in pot, wait until water is back to a boil, then boil for at least 8 minutes, maybe 10. Don't over-cook!



Grab crab securely with a sizable pair of tongs, and (to stop cooking, and to make handle-able for cleaning) rinse all over until cool enough to handle, with salt water washdown hose. Don't drop it!

To clean, flip outward the little flap at the rear of the shell on the underside, and with thumb holding the crab's back (top) at that point, pull the back up and off the body, and discard. Rinse away the "crab butter" (soft yellowish stuff), pull off the lungs (several 2" long soft pointed appendages) and break off the mouth parts. Make sure it's rinsed well. Here's the result:



Cracking and pulling out the succulent meat is an acquired skill, especially for the body (maybe half of the meat) - don't be discouraged if at first it takes a while.

Some like it dipped in melted butter. We generally use mayo, with some pepper sauce.

[Steadman Uhlich]

To Richard (New Moon):

Thanks for posting that very good post with the photos illustrating your crab prep methods. Helpful and good illustrations (photos) always help.

I grew up in the Southeast (USA), and lived on an island off South Carolina for a while, and there crab is usually prepared with some kind of "crab boil" to flavor the water the crab is boiling in (cooking in). One of the most popular is "Old Bay" (brand) seasoning (which also tastes good on other things like boiled corn or potatoes or even scrambled eggs). Old Bay is known as a "Chesapeake" style seasoning.

Recipes found here:
OLD BAY® SEASONING

I expect there may be some other regional favorites for spicing the water, depending on where one is sailing or cooking. But, I would probably include a can of Old Bay seasoning on my boat, just for the taste of nostalgia.
__________________

Alternatively, I also have enjoyed Pacific Stone Crab with a melted butter with fresh garlic side for dipping. The more garlic the better, for a very robust flavor. Delicious!

[exMaggieDrum]

When we sold our boat we came back to the PNW for two reasons: Dungeness crab and the cruising waters up here, especially the Broughtons (in case we got another boat - which we have). Dungeness crab is one of the delicacies of the planet. But rules are strict and strictly enforced so get your copy of the Washington, Alaska, and BC fishing regs and pay attention.

A great newish cruising guide to the San Juans: http://threesheetsnw.com/blog/2013/04/boaters-behind-popular-mexico-books-to-release-san-juan-islands-guide/

Excellent guide. They are working on the rest of the Inland Waters farther north.

[alctel]

Originally Posted by newhaul

They use low amp when running however the ah is high due to how often and long the compressor actually runs in a 24 hour period

Mine draws around 3-5 amps when it runs, which is about 15mins per hour (and thats with the freezer section at -16c). Take those numbers with a grain of salt, that's just my 'off the cuff' recollection. I'll actually have to sit down and do a proper test one day.

They are pretty amazing units, maybe the thing on my boat I'm happiest with!

Re: crabs

The legal size changes from Washington to BC, so make sure you have the measurements for the area!

They sell cheap plastic crab callipers that are easy to use and have the markings for the different areas on them (they also have the legal size for red rock crabs on, which are also tasty (lovely big claws) but a bit more fiddly. They also seem to be more aggressive)

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by alctel

Mine draws around 3-5 amps when it runs, which is about 15mins per hour (and thats with the freezer section at -16c). Take those numbers with a grain of salt, that's just my 'off the cuff' recollection. I'll actually have to sit down and do a proper test one day.

They are pretty amazing units, maybe the thing on my boat I'm happiest with!

OK let's see then 15 min per hour is 1 hour per 4 or 6 hours per day at at let's split it and say 4 amps that's good at 24 ah my holding plate system uses 3.5 amps and runs for about 90 min at a time x2 times per 24 hour period so about 10.5 to 11 ah per day and even at 4 amps it still would only use 12 ah I'm expecting the numbers to double in the tropics

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by newhaul

OK let's see then 15 min per hour is 1 hour per 4 or 6 hours per day at at let's split it and say 4 amps that's good at 24 ah my holding plate system uses 3.5 amps and runs for about 90 min at a time x2 times per 24 hour period so about 10.5 to 11 ah per day and even at 4 amps it still would only use 12 ah I'm expecting the numbers to double in the tropics

Wow, that's pretty good. My Nova Kool uses about 20-30 Ah in the summer, but my icebox isn't very well insulated. It's on the long list of things I should do.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by cwyckham

Wow, that's pretty good. My Nova Kool uses about 20-30 Ah in the summer, but my icebox isn't very well insulated. It's on the long list of things I should do.

I know its actually awesome and at the same time if I didn't actually see the meters myself I would not believe those numbers. Its a front load freezer on top spill down 2.5 cf freezer at 15° f and 7+ cf of refer at 38° f.
Love my holding plate system

[Moonsnaildiver]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

What's Necessary to Liveaboard in the PNW in Comfort?

1. Hand Knit Wool Sweater

2. Woolen knit cap

3. "Nor'wester" Hat (AKA a "Sou'wester" on the other coast.

4. Green Rain Slicker

5. Tall rubber boots (deck boots)

6. Pipe (to smoke your choice of combustibles)

7. Canadian Whisky

8. Wood stove

9. Pendleton Wool Blanket

10. Bed & Breakfast or Hotel room ashore each night.

Based on the people in my marina, this list is about right.

[Macblaze]

Hmmmm, let me see...

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

What's Necessary to Liveaboard in the PNW in Comfort?

1. Hand Knit Wool Sweater Check

2. Woolen knit cap Check

3. "Nor'wester" Hat (AKA a "Sou'wester" on the other coast. Check

4. Green Rain Slicker Check, although it's orange

5. Tall rubber boots (deck boots) nope, just barefeet so far

6. Pipe (to smoke your choice of combustibles) Gave that up for Lent

7. Canadian Whisky Check, although armagnac is also is stock

8. Wood stove

9. Pendleton Wool Blanket Hudson's Bay but Check

10. Bed & Breakfast or Hotel room ashore each night. And there goes the budget

[Stu Jackson]

If you're having trouble with maths, then Beth's page is good as are the WM Advisors:

West Advisor Articles | West Marine

scroll down to electrical, it ain't rocket science. None of us were born electricians, we learned, even if we failed high school math (I didn't but I'm an engineer!)

[wooden head]

Cleaning crab before cooking is much better ,easier to clean better flavor however it is not for the squeamish. Two methods I know of one is to cut through the back plate with a sharp knife this is common in restaurant prep. The other is to peal the back off and break and clean, my prefered method. I have a nail in deck at home that sticks out for stripping the shell with haven't found a good spot on boat for a protruding nail head. Should be able to YouTube both.

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