If you’ve been following along on Good Time Adventures, you know I’ve been getting a lot of questions about Good Times 2.0 — why I switched boats, how my solar system works, why I built a generator rack, and how I plan to finish the Great Loop.
Instead of answering those questions one at a time, I wanted to put everything in one place.
Why I Downsized from a 32ft Boat to a 24ft Bayliner
After nearly losing my life to severe pancreatitis in 2021, everything changed. Once I recovered and got the boating bug again, I knew I wanted to finish the Great Loop — but I needed to do it smarter.
A trailerable boat gives flexibility. Fuel economy matters. My original boat averaged about 0.9 MPG.
Good Times 2.0 gets 2–3 MPG, depending on speed — a massive difference over thousands of miles.
Smaller boats are also easier to manage in wind and tight docking situations, especially for newer Loopers.
Why I Chose a Project Boat
I don’t recommend starting the Great Loop on engines you don’t know. I’ve seen too many trips end early because of mechanical issues.
By rebuilding and setting everything up myself, I know:
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How it works
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How to fix it
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What to watch for
You don’t need to be a mechanic — I wasn’t. YouTube makes learning possible.
Solar Power, Lithium Batteries & DC-DC Charging
Good Times 2.0 runs 800W of solar with a growing lithium battery bank.
But solar alone isn’t always enough — especially in cloudy weather or northern climates. That’s why I’ll be adding a DC-DC charger, which safely charges lithium batteries from the engine alternator while underway.
This setup provides redundancy and peace of mind.
Why I Recommend Solar Kits
If you’re new to solar, buy a kit, not individual parts.
Kits:
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Match components correctly
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Eliminate missing pieces
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Save time and frustration
If you know solar well, piecing it together is fine — but for most people, kits are the way to go.
Generator Rack & Living Comfortably at Anchor
The generator rack:
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Keeps water off the generator
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Reduces noise
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Frees deck space
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Allows easy starting from the swim platform
I use the generator primarily to run AC at anchor, which lets me sleep comfortably for about a gallon of fuel per night — far cheaper than marinas.
Backup Propulsion & Safety
I’m moving away from a traditional kicker motor and toward an outdrive-mounted electric motor, powered by solar and batteries. That gives me emergency propulsion if the main engine ever fails.
The Goal: Finish the Great Loop
My plan is to restart the Loop around May 1st, continue north, and enter waters I’ve never traveled before once I pass New York City.
This boat, this setup, and this approach are all about finishing the Loop safely, affordably, and enjoyably.
