It began when I started to go blind.

The laptop screen was not as bright, the cabin light seemed dim, and I figured that along with everything else I was now starting to go blind.
Then the microwave failed: it would take cook times but then revert to zero time when I pushed the cook button. The refrigerator shut off. But the computer and lights still worked.

I began trouble shooting by plugging the microwave into all the different sockets - no joy. So I figured maybe I had to replace a dead microwave. Then the space heater came on but gave no heat, Great, I have to replace that, too.

I decided to turn off all the power switches and abandon the boat and go to dinner and spend time reading at Barnes & Noble to escape my troubles. Returning to sleep in a cold, leaking boat cabin was not a cheery thought.

When I got back it was clear from lack of lights that several docks, including mine were without power. More fun for me!

Screw it. Flashlight-aided, I settled in to sleep.

About 0600 I wakened to notice light from outside. A peek outside suggested power was restored.

I turned on all the power switches. The cabin light was bright again. The heater worked! The refrigerator came on! The microwave began cooking last night's dinner! And the laptop screen was no longer dim!

So, I was not going blind after all. I guess the power failed gradually and a localized brownout was happening that later became a blackout.

I like being warm and eating hot food!

Edit: Deploying one of the many camp stoves was an option but a hassle.

Using electronics with not enough volts can cause problems; shutting down was a good move. Your laptop switched to battery and the display dimmed for power conservation.

I might suggest some of the following products:

Surge Guard
Surge Guard w/ Voltage Regulation

I have a UPS with surge and line filtering / voltage regulation on the laptop power line.

A wild night and morning as the sailboat shivered, bucked, and whined through the high winds and rain. Cabin leaks, especially though the forward hatch, as known. When the weather dries, I will reluctantly duct tape down a plastic garbage bag cover over the forward hatch for the rest of the winter. I may try a little silicon caulking here and there, as well.

At one point it sounded from inside like the boat was bumping with the dock and, after trying unsuccessfully to convice myself it was my imagination, I suited up and went out to check. Sure enough the stern boat bumper had collapsed and sunk below the dock-boat-meeting line. Waiting for a lull in the wind, I was able to push the boat just enough forward and away from the
dock to re-tie the bumper rope to raise the collapsed bumper so it could still do its job.

I think the boat is down at the stern a little and I need to pump the bilge. Somehow the idea of going out into the driving rain, digging out and using the manual lever is not too appealing!

Good news: free boat and car washes!

oh the joys of boat living. I did that for a several months. It has several positives and as your writing, some harsh negs.

Sounds like you had an exciting storm night/day too!
Any pics or video? I was hoping but didnt have time.

Tripp Lite voltage regulator $85 I believe on amazon for the 650w model. We put them on expensive appliances like the oven and hot water heater (gas but w/pilot and TONS of electronics), computers, TV, and I have one "floating" to use on generator separate. Coupled with a UPS it's great protection for computer.

No pics, but an anecdote.

At what may have been the height of the storm I went out to check something and put down a padlock on the cabin roof for a moment, and watched it blow off into the water!

For some reason the refrigerator stopped running for a few hours. I kept waiting to hear it go on but nothing. I unplugged it and re-plugged it, waited five minutes - nothing. I unplugged it and plugged it into the adjacent plug - it came on in a minute. Go figure.

Major realization: no good place in the sailboat cabin to hang or dry a soggy rain suit or hat. Hmmmmm?!