WE FINALLY GET OUT AND ABOUT

 January has proven to be just what we needed to get the boat in shape for getting out and about. The weather had been a bit blustery from time to time giving us the perfect opportunity to spend time at the dock taking care of all the minor and a few major issues. We got a "bottom job" a few weeks ago and she's now slick as glass under the water. It will be interesting to see how long bottom paint will last in these constantly warm waters. 

We've toyed with the idea of replacing our navigation electronics (original equipment) and after discovering that our radar was shot (along with our autopilot) we decided to pull the trigger and we've arranged for the installation of a new chart plotter (GPS), along with the synchronized auto-pilot (that allows you to set a course by compass direction or by inputting a waypoint and the boat will steer itself on that heading or in the direction to the waypoint) as well as our radar. This alleviates the tiresome effort of manual steering everywhere you want to go. I bought a reconditioned chart plotter on Ebay to replace a completely non-functioning one on the fly bridge. Paid $225 for what would ordinarily cost (new) around $1500. It works perfectly and will give us a reliable backup (redundancy) at the helm.

 With the functioning plotter we decided to, finally, head off shore and down the Keys to one of our favorite anchorages where we spent 2 nights on the hook. (Had to hand steer all the way out and back, against fairly choppy seas but the boat handled beautifully ) Here, at last, are some pictures of our new boat on the hook in Newfound Harbor, a very nice anchorage off and between Big Pine and Ramrod Keys:

                                                                         

It was really nice to get out on the water. We're looking forward to some more benign conditions that will allow us to get out to the reefs for some snorkeling. Tried while at Newfound Harbor, but conditions just too rough and choppy.

Now looking forward to getting our new navigation instruments installed  --probably next week---so we can feel comfortable about upcoming longer passages. In that regard--looks like we'll be leaving here around mid-March and heading up the West coast of Florida to the Charlotte Harbor area where we have some of our very favorite anchoring areas and very familiar waters. We'll leave the boat in that area when we return home in April and have a new fly bridge enclosure built while we're away. (We hope to use the same guy that did it for Opus V out of Ft. Myers---He did a great job although a bit on the expensive side.) As these craftsmen stay quite busy we'll arrange well ahead of time to book the job.

A few more pic's of the boat"

While posting these shots and this message we are quite cognizant and concerned about all our friends and family in Houston who are going through the unprecedented cold (freezing) spell throughout the State of Texas. We are checking with them every day and know that they are uncomfortable, but safe and looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel coming this week-end. Hurricane Harvey, Pandemic, freezing temps----what will be the next "plague"? These last few years have been quite trying for people in our area but we know that God has a plan--it is good--- and we will survive, only to come out stronger. God bless all.

JANUARY WEATHER IN THE KEYS

                                                              BUT FIRST;

                         WHAT'S THAT GUY DOING DIVING NEXT TO MY BOAT 

                                                                       

That's our new boat friend, Jay, who's a certified dive instructor and who has dived all over the world. What's he doing next to my boat?

A few days ago I was working on the flybridge--doing some waxing and polishing. I was out on the "shelf" that runs the length of the fly bridge on both sides--holding on with my left hand and polishing with my right. In the process of moving my left hand to a new hand-hold my wedding ring popped off, bounced off the shelf and fell into the water next to the boat---about 8 or so feet of water. (Fortunately it was not my original ring----Many years ago I bought one with a little more bling. The original is safely tucked away at home) (Unfortunately--that bling was worth a bit of money)

SO----knowing my good friend was a skilled diver I asked him if in any of his dives he had ever searched for treasure. HIs reply was negative so I asked him if he would like to dive for treasure. When he learned what it was he was enthusiastically helpful and agreed to search right away. (It didn't hurt that his wife, Laura, vehemently insisted that he suit up and head down.)

After about 30 minutes of searching we threw in the towel. The bottom here is just very loose mud and it probably was buried as soon as it hit bottom. Oh well!

Oh yeah---The title of this post is about the weather:

January, even in the Florida Keys, is pretty variable and cold fronts manage to work their way down here every several days. Right now--2/2/2021-- the temp is in the 60's and the wind is blowing a steady 20 to 25 and has been gusting to the 40's. We're tied up securely to a pier on the downwind side so the wind keeps us pretty well and firmly pressed up against the pier. It's fairly comfortable in the boat--not a lot of rock and rolling but we're on the north end of the marina and the wind is coming out of the northwest--right at our broadside--so when you venture outside it's a bit "blowey?" I guess you could say January in Florida can really blow.

So we take advantage of the good days and take dinghy rides, dinghy out to the sand bar about 1 mile out on the Atlantic side where we set up our lawn chairs on the bar and spend an afternoon enjoying the hot day and cool water and colder beer. A whole group of about 8 dinghys went out about a week ago.

There are also kayaks available for our use here at the marina and Diane and her sister, Nancy, enjoyed a pleasant afternoon on the water a couple days ago.

Nancy got down here a few days ago, unfortunately into this rather inclement weather. We've had a couple good days, however.

Yesterday we drove up to the Publix supermarket in Islamorada where we received our first of two inoculations for the virus. What an ordeal it was to get an appointment. First of all you have to go on-line and try to get an appointment. Diane got up at 5AM three different days in order to try to get in line by the 6AM opening of the web-site. Fortunately on her third attempt she was successful and was able to make appointments for us. There are relatively few doses being shipped into the Keys and we were quite fortunate. Additionally Florida requires that you show proof of state residence (responding to all the New Yorkers coming down here to get their shots.) Fortunately there is an exception for "seasonal residents" for which we qualified (after some intense scrutiny by the pharmacist) by showing some received mail labels, a copy of our marina lease and our Florida boat registration. The whole process took only about an hour and a half and everyone was quite helpful and cordial. Neither one of us suffered any side effects but we hear the 2nd shot will be a bit different.

Today we'll just chillax and spend some time catching up on projects, reading, playing Canasta and nap time and wait for this blow to blow itself out. Nan seems to be enjoying herself and the sisters will be having lunch together out somewhere while I remain on the boat laboring away.

We're looking forward to more extended spells of good weather soon so that we can finally get out of the marina and enjoy the beauty the area has to offer from the water. Despite my complaints, life remains good!!!

AFTER

So this is what she looks like after the "bottom job". We had her hauled out on a Tuesday morning and put her back in the water that Friday afternoon. After a thorough house cleaning we're back aboard and proud of our clean home. Now we're waiting for a fuel truck to deliver about 200 gallons of diesel. (Ordinarily, we would pull up to a marina fuel station to take on fuel but at this marina they bring in a fuel truck to the parking lot and deliver the fuel from there. It's significantly cheaper than marina prices.) I've assembled at least three other boats who need fuel--the more he sells the cheaper the price. 

Then we're ready to hit the high seas and do some cruising around the area. We want to visit some of the off-shore reefs for some snorkeling and spend a few nights "on the hook" as we visit some of the beautiful anchorages around here . Diane's sister is arriving Thursday for a week and we're looking forward to that visit and showing her around the area. Maybe we'll even get in some fishing.

                                                                                  

                                                                           

Here's a picture (below) of the dock gang waiting to help us tie up after resplashing her. The picture is taken from the boat yard where the work was done. As you can see it's right across the water from our berth at the marina ---only 100 yards away---very convenient.

                                                 

            (Every time I adjust one 0f the pictures the blog site moves it to a different location . That's why they seem to be out of order. I'll get it figured out eventually)       

BEFORE

 Back in October when I flew down to Florida for the survey (similar to a home inspection) of the boat it was hauled out of the water on a "Travel Lift" and all the below water parts were examined. At that time the bottom was quite clean and smooth and there was very little growth. In fact, it was so clean that I opted not to have the hull power washed. --------That was then------This is now.

                                                          Rear of boat. (Note the prop shaftand blade)           

Front as she comes out of the water

I think I was growing a garden down there

We did not knw how bad it was and had been thinking about just hiring a guy to do a bottom scrub (This is where a guy in scuba gear spends an hour or more under your boat in the water scrubbing and scraping to get the growth--grasses, barnacles, etc.---off the hull.) If the bottom paint on the hull is in good shape these things come off very easily and sometimes there's no growth at all. Obviously, our bottom paint was depleted  and the whole underwater part of the boat needs to be cleaned and repainted. The surveyor, back in October told me he thought the paint was nearing the end of its life but I didn't think it would happen this quickly. I've owned 5 boats that basically

stay in the water full time and this is the worst growth I've ever experienced. 

(Unfortunately, when I bought the boat the selling broker was unable to provide me with any maintenance history so I had no idea when the last bottom job had been done)

So, it was on to the travel lift again for a complete bottom job that should then last 2 to 3 years if care is taken to have it scrubbed by a diver on a regular basis---or we can do it when we're out somewhere at anchor with smooth water.

My next post will be entitled, "AFTER"

BUTTTTT!!!!

This will be the last of major work as we near the time when we can set out on some at-sea adventures. She is shaping up quite nicely and we're ready to go. We just have to get the boat onto the same page.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021

We made it through 2020 unscathed !!!!!! Our last post had us back in Kingwood to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with family------NOT!------- Although we were happy to be able to celebrate, in person, with Diane's sister, we were not able to get together with our daughter and family. The big mini-reunion scheduled for Thanksgiving didn't happen. Nor did Christmas with daughter and family.  They all had had way too much exposure to others and, while they all were fine (as far as we knew) still, we just couldn't chance exposing our aging bodies to the risk. (I am sure you all experienced similar disappointments. I'm not whining, just explaining). Still, Christmas was a very nice celebration; Our Christmas Eve church service was one of the most beautiful I've ever experienced and Christmas day dinner of my first prime rib effort was spectacular. Christmas day opening gifts was spent at Nan's where she had prepared a fabulous brunch. Even her Golden, Haley, got into the spirit by spending the whole morning lying in her new bed that we got her. All in all---the day was a beautiful time but we sure missed being around the kids. Zoomed later in the day and was at least able to see everyone, including Scott and Karina in the D.C. area.

Then it was back to Florida and the boat. (I know--you're questioning why we wouldn't expose ourselves to family but were willing to risk a plane flight. We did decide to take that risk--but at least we reduced our risk somewhat.)

So it's back on the boat which seemed to do OK in our absence. And the beginning of all those projects I listed in my earlier post. We began by getting our dinghy into the water and off the davits so we could get our new outboard mounted and start doing some dinghy exploring.

                                                     And get the new Home Port lettering on

I spent a day in the engine room changing out the zinc anodes--at least those that I could get to--5 per engine. Next I tightened the belt on one of the engines, then spent a couple hours checking the batteries---4 8D wet cell batteries--2 for the "house bank" (runs all the 12 volt devices) and 2 starter batteries for the engines. NO BUENO!! They're all shot and will have to be replaced before we head out of port and spend days and nights "on the hook" away from shore power. They'll take a charge but won't hold it very long. I'm guessing the previous owners never maintained them properly. Oh well---the hole in the water into which one throws money. Lot's more projects ahead of me but we picked the right month to stay in port and tackle them. While the weather has been very comfortable temp and humidity-wise the wind has been blowing hard non-stop, with small craft advisories almost every day--stuff we wouldn't want to encounter off shore or at anchor----so--- let's get the chores done.

New Year's Eve found us dining on Brats and hitting the sack by 9 0'clock. But New Year's Day  was a very different affair. At 3 0'clock we all (the entire marina) gathered at the Tiki Hut for the annual New Year's Day Pig Roast offered by marina management. All the boaters brought sides and quite a feast was had meanwhile watching the college play-off bowls on the 80 in. TV in the Tiki Hut. It was perfect opportunity to meet everybody--- a few people we had met here the last time we were here in Opus V in 2016 but mostly new faces---- a very nice crowd---many from Michigan (one guy was best friends with a fraternity brother of mine from Adrian College--"Moon" Mullins. A really great time and it's nice to be able to start to develop some relationships and experience "community" as Diane calls it. 

                                                       See pic's of the pig roast below:

                                                                The Pig----He was gooooood!

                              That's marina manager, 80 year old Annabella pointing at you

         

The end of the day found us back on the boat, exhausted but happy. Watched the Buckeye's prevail and to bed late.

I have not slept so well for many months. I don't know what it is but I sleep like a baby on this boat. Often with the hatches open and a nice breeze blowing in--just enough to need a light covering. 

WE are so looking forward to what's ahead for us and we both wish all of you a very Happy and healthy (and very different) 20121.  

                                                                   

                                                                   

THE 2020 HOLIDAYS

                                                          

                                                                This year's Christmas Tree  

So, we hopped on a plane (a risky maneuver) to head back to Houston for the Holidays expecting to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with the family. Kristin was planning a mini-family reunion at her home for Thanksgiving with us, Diane's brother John and his family (wife and 2 "kids") from Chicago and San Francisco, Scott and his significant other, Karina, from Alexandria, Virginia and Diane and John's sister Nancy who now lives in our neighborhood. BUT---as the date approached we became increasingly aware of the rapidly rising Covid infection rate. This, along with the fact that a number of us were traveling by air (more on that below) resulted in a decision to just cancel the whole thing and avoid the risk--particularly to us old folks. This decision was met with a great sadness but a recognition that we would all have greater peace of mind if we waited and planned on the get-together some time on down the road.

Needless to say---things have not improved much and, if anything, have gotten worse since Thanksgiving---so---we'll not be spending Christmas with our daughter and the family. We'll take a ride to their home some time in the next week or so and drop off our gifts and wave to each other through the windows. I cannot adequately express our sadness over these developments but know that many, many are experiencing the same feelings of loss and frustration. Who thought back in March and April that we'd still be in the throes of this  situation this far into the year. I'm just hopeful that the end is in sight and we can all get back to what will most likely be a new "normal".

For now---looking forward to getting back to Florida and on the boat. We've got a number of projects ahead of us. The kind of stuff that I truly enjoy:

                    1. We have our new dinghy on our stern davits but will need to get the new 9.9 hp outboard out of its box in the back of my truck and get it up and running so we can do a bit of exploring.

                     2. WE need to trouble shoot our electronics and get our chart plotters all working in sync and  reset our auto-pilot This will require taking the boat out and running it slowly around in circles, as it recalibrates the "fluxgate compass" that is the guiding device for auto-pilot to work. You need calm flat water for this maneuver and this might be hard to find on the ocean side so we may have to do an overnight and head over to the bay side to find flat water.

                     3. Change belts and oil and oil filters on both diesels.

                     4. Check and replace zinc anodes on the engines

                     5.Rig a halyard on the flybridge mast so we can fly various courtesy flags

                     6. I have devised a way to run Navionics (the navigation app) on my phone and transmit (cast) the image to a smart TV. So instead of replacing one of the non-functioning   chart plotters on the fly bridge I'm thinking of mounting a 24 in. smart TV in its place. This will give us a 24 in. screen to look at rather than having to squint, with 73 year old eyes, at a small plotter screen. We'll still use the plotter  as it provides other helpful information. Mounting the TV could prove problematic but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

                      7. Eventually I'd like to replace the aging stereo receiver on the flybridge with a new "radio", one that will accept Bluetooth so we can run our Pandora stations.

                      8. Change out the "hailing port" lettering on the transom.

                      9.  Eventually we want to replace the original carpet in the main salon with some hard-wood looking laminate flooring

                     10. Eventually we want to replace the existing flybridge bimini cover with a new full enclosure like we had on Opus V  

                     11. I need to get in the water and check the condition of the bottom of the boat in re barnacle and other growth . We'll need a new "bottom job" pretty soon. This requires hauling the boat out onto the "hard" for a few days while the old bottom paint is removed and new applied. Fortunately, there is a boat yard not more that a couple hundred yards from our berth and I've gotten good reports on the quality of their work. 

                      12. The metal tray that the generator sits in has some areas showing quite a bit of rust and it will have to be cleaned and painted.

                                                                 😁  

I now all of this sounds like a lot of trouble and work, but it's what has to be done and I truly enjoy these projects. Living on a boat in a beautiful place is not always glamorous. Like anything else it has its ups and downs--its joys and disappointments. We work together pretty well as a team and it is quite satisfying once you've completed a task, a repair, a maintenance item and are able to sit back, have a sundowner and stare off into a beautiful sunset.

Oh yeah-----I said I'd discuss more about air travel----------We flew home out of Ft. Lauderdale Int'l. Airport. When we arrived at the airport all was good--everyone practicing social distancing and wearing masks--not too crowded. But as we approached the carry-on belt and radar detector everyone started crowding together and jockeying for position to where everyone was bumping into everyone else---It was no different than before Covid. On the plane every seat was taken--no empty middle seat---and everyone wore a mask until it was time for them to eat or drink. Pretty soon the whole plane had their masks off. On arrival, it was even worse--everyone, again, jockeying for position in the traditional dance to see who could get off the plane first--bumping and elbowing (despite the staff efforts to create an orderly process--all efforts completely ignored.) Thus---air travel is a risk. Since we flew home, we'll be flying back to Florida and I'm not looking forward to it. Just hoping our luck holds out. 

I wish all that read this (and all that don't) a very Merry Christmas and a hopeful future as the new year approaches and we look forward to the new normal.

WHITE MARLIN MARINA, MARATHON, FLORIDA---VACA KEY

 Here's some pics of our new home for the winter. We arrived last Monday after an uneventful trip down the islands. Marathon is approximately 1/2 way down the Keys with Key Largo about 50 miles to the Northeast and Key West about 50 miles to the Southwest. We'll base here for the winter and spend as much time as possible exploring  the numerous islands.

                                          Entrance to our dock from the parking lot

                                                     The fire pit area

The Tiki Hut gathering area

                                                        M/V Endeavor in her new winter home

 We probably won't be posting again until we return in January after spending Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with the family. We hope you have a safe and happy holiday as well.

                                                  LIFE IS GOOD

A FEW PIC'S

 Here are a few pic's of the marina where we're "stuck"---and one of our new boat:

                                     The Tech. working on the engine controls in the engine room

                                                Our boat---M/V (motor vessel) Endeavor

😎

                                               Boatworks---- a boat dealer in the marina

                                                            Above----- The Marina

                  I promise I'll be posting some more interesting pic's in the future😁

Side note----The tech just left the boat after completing the installation and calibration of the controls. He says, "I know the controls are good". Still we want to do a sea trial this afternoon. 

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

 Let's begin with the UGLY-----The weather-----It's been raining and windy since we got here. We probably wouldn't have gone out even if all the boat systems were functioning. On Monday after we got here the previous Wednesday a strong gale started blowing with 30 to 40 mph winds. Fortunately this marina is pretty well protected and we didn't really feel the full brunt of the winds--but it was noisy and uncomfortable for the next 3 days. After that the wind continued for several days at around 20 mph. Still noisy and a bit uncomfortable. (We came here expecting perfect weather--perhaps our expectations were a bit optimistic?). Finally the weather has moderated and the breeze is gentle and conditions just right for a departure from this marina---but----

THEN came TROPICA STORM ETA--- This crazy storm went all the way into Panama and Nicaragua then did a 180 and headed for Cuba, then North into the Florida Keys and made landfall about 10 miles south of our boat. We had secured it and left to go to my cousin's in Ft. Lauderdale where we actually encountered worse weather than what hit our boat. Torrential rain for 2 straight days with winds gusting to 40. At the marina the marina remained inside the eye and received very little impact. One of the guys who stayed on his boat said the winds never got over 40 knots---the max sustained winds of the storm were 60 to 65. So this was no more than what we had encountered with the gales that blew through here earlier. My cousin lives on a canal--actually in Plantation, just west of Ft Lauderdale. THe canal, Sunday night, overflowed its banks and was about 1/2 way up her back yard--a bit concerning to say the least but by Monday morning the water was beginning to recede and we felt comfortable leaving her and returning to our boat. The boat suffered extensive damage consisting of one of the windshield wiper blades being blown off. Oh the misery!!!

The BAD------The other day, after installing the new controller at the upper helm (Glendinning Engine Controls) the technician discovered what he believed to be a problem at the control box down in the engine room. After discussion with the manufacturer and with Yachtworks it was decided to send the units to the manufacturer in S. Carolina. This was last Tuesday. So here we have sat since Tuesday with no engine controls and unable to move. (It has been our goal to move out of this marina and get a little farther down the Keys to White Marlin Marina. Our new dinghy is there waiting on us. The new Honda outboard for the dinghy is in the bed of the truck waiting on it's union with the dinghy. We want to get to White Marlin well in advance of Thanksgiving and, hopefully, in enough time to catch a flight back to Houston to celebrate Diane's and Anna's birthdays.). The technician is here as I write this installing the refurbished units and soon we'll test them here at the dock and then go out for a quick sea trial. The plan, if all goes well, is to leave here tomorrow and head west to White Marlin. The weather is supposed to be perfect for the trip of about 50 miles. We'll travel on the Gulf side of the Keys down about 20 miles and then pass under a bridge to head over to the Atlantic side (Either Snake Creek Bascule Bridge or the Channel Five Bridge). Once in the Atlantic we'll head west on down the islands to the north end of the town of Marathon. This is where the Atlantic-side entrance to White Marlin marina is. The marina is actually inland a bit, down a 1/4 mile channel to a little square shaped island which is the marina. We've stayed here on our previous boat (see prior posts from 2016 with description and pictures).

The GOOD---- All the other issues have been repaired and are, for now at least, working the way they're supposed to. (But this is a boat---stuff goes wrong all the time--you just wait for the next system to fail. I like projects so this doesn't bother me---I just don't care for the expense part of it).

As I sit here the new controllers are being adjusted---seems like there's a glitch or two but hope they can all be resolved. I'll let you know. They're very sensitive and if the adjustments are off just a smidgen they don't work right---so adjust away Mr. Technician!!!!! We want to get out of here.

"BOAT" SHOULD BE SPELLED--------F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-O-N

 First the good------We took off for FLA on Monday and had perfect weather and light traffic all day, 700 miles to Tallahassee where we spent the night after enjoying delicious fried chicken and broiled rainbow trout for dinner at the infamous Cracker Barrell. Next day, more good weather and light traffic and arrived in Ft. Myers around 3 PM on Tues. Our broker is located there and we needed to meet with him and sign off on a few more papers before we took possession of the boat (located in Tavernier on Key Largo. Diane arranged for us to stay at a beautiful new Marriot property right on the Caloosahatchee River at the City Marina. See below for the view out our window. Next day on to Tavernier.

(Sorry---for some reason couldn't download the picture---I'll figure it out)

Here's where the frustration begins. As we approached Tavernier we called ahead to the boat company that sold us the boat---Yacht Works. I was informed that there were still some issues with the repairs that we had required based on the boat survey tat we did a couple weeks earlier. Namely--they were waiting on delivery of a new raw water pump for the air conditioning system--thus, no staying aboard. And a new volt meter at the upper helm had not yet been installed. All the other systems, we were assured, had been addressed (including the toilet system and the sump pump that drains the shower ((had been draining directly into the bilge)). When we got to the boat we were met by Ryan who went over all the repairs with us to our (then) satisfaction. We booked a room at another Marriott for the night expecting to be able to move onto the boat the next day----NOT---. But, while we were sitting on our patio at the hotel a guy walked by and asked us how long we were planning on staying. Turns out he had his room booked for 3 days but had to head home right away for a family emergency. Marriott wouldn't refund his money and he offered us his room for $100 bucks for the next 2 days. Turns out he's a Circuit Court judge in Kentucky--nice honorable guy---so we took him up on the offer and moved into their room after arranging for new linens. This worked out perfectly as it gave us a couple days to clean the boat and move all our "stuff" in.

Here's where the really bad stuff begins. One of the items on our punch list was the malfunctioning engine control unit on the fly bridge. Ryan assured us it had been fixed--simply a loose wiring connection. We went up to check it out but it didn't work. Ryan called out for his fix-it guy who had "fixed" it previously. While he was messing around with it the boat (at the dock) suddenly went into gear and the engines roared in forward, straining all the dock lines. It took about 30 seconds for them to shut down the engines. Very Scary!!! The next morning a guy from a local diesel repair shop came and determined that the control unit was faulty and Ryan ordered a new unit---still has not been installed but expected to arrive tomorrow. We are cautiously hopeful that this will fix the problem---can't leave the dock until it's fixed.

Meanwhile we're moved onto the boat at the dock and then the following litany begins:

           1. The forward A/C unit quits working---fixed quickly by a boat mechanic that lives on his boat here at the marina.

           2. Yesterday, after using the head (fortunately just a #1) I smelled something fowl and discovered that the pipe from the pumping unit that carries the waste to the holding tank was cracked and the "contents" from the toilet were spewing into the bilge. Immediately shut down the system and called Ryan. Still have not heard back from him but I'm confident he will get it fixed. No toilet use right now so we have to walk to the marina facilities.

           3. After showering, Diane noticed that the carpet in the master stateroom was wet. On inspection, I found that the sump pump for the shower was working only intermittently and the reservoir was filling up and spilling over. On further inspection I found that the drain line from the reservoir was split allowing water to shoot up. Thought that's what was soaking the carpet. Still unsure. Will address this with Ryan when I hear from him.

          4. The anchor light doesn't work. Gotta have it for when we spend nights "on the hook". This was supposedly fixed by them.

          5. Before we got to the boat apparently the generator did not work, resulting in them replacing the charging unit with a new one. Haven't tested this yet but will today while Ryan is here.

          6. Turned on the instruments yesterday and depth at the dock was measuring 32 feet on our depth sounder (the depth at the dock is only about 6-8 feet). Gonna have to check that out. 

           7. That area of wet carpet continues to grow despite not having used the sump pump. I think it's the condensation from the forward A/C--(This is supposed to, also, drain into the sump reservoir and be pumped out overboard) I think the drain hose is either plugged up or not connected (They had to move the A/C unit to do some fiberglass repair in the area where it is located--maybe didn't reconnect the drain?)

Thus---FRUSTRATION---These guys seem honorable enough and I fully expect they will make everything good. It's just awfully frustrating when all of this was to have been taken care of before we even arrived.

I'm hopeful that my next post will be a bit more cheerful. Actually, we're doing just fine despite some inconveniences and we know eventually all these things will be behind us and we can move to our "home marina" by this week-end where we can settle in. More later

PREPARATIONS

 We're getting ready to hit the road to Florida. The picture below is of our "staging area"--our study. It's almost like moving into  another house. We'll need linens, utensils, pots and pans, pillows, tools, office supplies, recreation stuff (fishing poles, golf clubs, etc.), computer, printer, of course clothes, shoes and lastly--food incl. spices and condiments.  (Don't forget beer, wine and vodka) I've been making a list of stuff we need to take with us and so far I'm at number 36. Hope there's enough room in the truck.

 The plan is to drive as far as we can the first day, spend the night in a virus infested hotel and then drive to Ft. Myers where we will meet with the broker and "close" the deal; then on to Key Largo to take possession of the boat and start moving aboard. We hope the sellers have completed all the required repairs and have left the boat clean enough for us to move aboard and spend the night. Hopefully we'll be able to work a deal with the marina where the boat is presently to give us a couple of days to get settled before we move the boat to our "permanent" home at the White Marlin Marina on Fat Deer Key, in the town of Marathon. We spent a month or so at this marina back in 2016 (see prior posts for photos). It's a very nice marina--well located in the middle Keys, very well protected and very well run.

The boat is presently on the Florida Bay side (The Gulf side) and we have never really explored that side. Many cruisers stay on this side as it is protected from the Atlantic swells, but it is rather shallow and one has to pay close attention navigating . The marina we'll be moving to is on the Atlantic side (although a bit inland and protected) so we'll need to travel down the Gulf side Intercoastal waterway to a place where we can cross over through one of the passes--probably 5 Mile Bridge. We'd like to spend a few days in the current location just to get settled in and familiar with the boat before we take her out to transit to White Marlin.

This boat did not come with a tender/dinghy, so we had to buy one, plus outboard and will have to drive up to Ft. Lauderdale to pick them up. Made the deal over the phone so all we have to do is go get them.

Interesting fact---In shopping around for the boat, then the dinghy and outboard we learned that there has been a recent run on all things boating---just like motor homes and, apparently, second homes---all brought on by the pandemic and people's desires to get out of the house into some somewhat protected activity. Our boat broker tells us he has never been busier and good boats last only days on the market. We had a lot of trouble finding the boat we wanted. In shopping for the dinghy and outboard I had quite a bit of trouble finding any available---all the manufacturers are back-ordered and it is taking months to get new equipment. I just got lucky (I actually bought the outboard from a Honda motorcycle dealer as opposed to a marine supplier) and was able to get the last dinghy of my specification from the Avon dealer in FT. Lauderdale. His was the only one in town. The dinghy becomes your "car", enabling you to get from anchored boat to shore and also allows for shallow water exploring of coves and islands---it's a necessity. We're looking forward to a lot of fun dinghying around the islands.

We'll let you know how our "plan" goes in our next post---once we're in and settled. 

Looks Like It's Going To Happen

        Attended the survey of the boat a week or so ago and it went well. As in any 13 year old boat there were a number of items that need to be addressed and the sellers have agreed to make the repairs. Nothing major at all. The yacht surveyor that I hired indicated that the major systems (engines, transmissions, hull integrity, through-hulls, electronics, air conditioners, generator, appliances) all were in excellent working order. For being 13 years old this boat had surprisingly few hours on the engines and generator. That can be good---and that can be bad. If a boat just sits around and doesn't get some regular usage, gaskets, seals etc may "dry out'" All of the "moving parts" checked out just fine despite a rather vigorous sea trial and I learned that the brokerage people that were holding this boat had been using it fairly regularly while waiting on a buyer---that's a good thing. So, it looks like it's going to go through and we will close on the 28th of October, take off for Florida and take possession. We've already reserved a slip at one of our favorite marinas in Marathon--White Marlin Marina--(see earlier posts--early like in 2015) on a month-to-month basis and we will base out of there while we rediscover the Keys.

        But---before we can begin our exploring we need to acquire a new dinghy/yacht tender. Often yachts are sold with their tenders as part of the deal--this one was not, so we'll stop off in Naples or Ft. Lauderdale or Miami to look for a new tender. WOW! have those things gone up in price since we last ventured on the water--and there are very few, if any, used ones available. They have always been a very hot commodity.

        Needless to say, Diane and I are extremely excited and ready to renew our affinity for blue waters and white sand beaches. We pray (and ask for yours) that our health and vitality remain good and we can enjoy to the fullest this new stage in our lives. It was our realization, as we sat on that deck in Vail, that we only probably had a few years left to be able to do this, that led to a rather spontaneous (and surprising) decision to go forward. Wish us good luck.

BACK AT IT

                                                  WELL--------We're back at it. A few weeks ago we were sitting around after dinner enjoying a "sundowner" and after I got Diane goofy on a bottle of excellent Sauvignon Blanc I brought up the subject/topic/dream/possibility/ er ah ah ah, "What do you think about getting back on the water? "What do you mean, "back on the water?"" "I mean ---What do you think about buying another boat?" And she replied----"I LOVE THAT IDEA!!!!!!!"

WELL-------You could have kicked me in the head and I wouldn't have felt it. WOW! What a lady. Since then she's been even more excited about it than I am. (And I'm pretty damn excited We immediately started checking daily on YACHTWORLD.com to see what was out there in the Florida/East Coast area---essentially searching for another (or the same) Mainship 40 that we had sold back in January of 2017. There were a few--a very few--- on the market (As we found out later this particular model of boat has become extremely popular with people that want to do what we want to do). We even called our former boat broker to see if the people we sold Opus V to might be interested in returning her to its rightful owners---No dice. But we persisted and believe we have found a replacement. We've made an offer and it has been accepted---same boat but 3 years newer. This Thursday I will fly to Florida for the survey and sea trial and I really hope all will go well. If so---we negotiate a bit more and seal the deal. We hope to take possession around the middle to late October.

I owe you an explanation-----We kind of left you hanging on our last post, back in 2016. We sold Opus V because Diane was having some health issues and we couldn't see how we could continue away from Houston for any extended time. Since then and after several medical interventions (and a flooded house---Thanks Harvey) she has been in fantastic health and feels quite confident that we can do this. Yes, we're a few years older, but we figure we only have a few years (10 or 30) that we should be fit enough to do the boat thing. So---let's do it.

The plan currently is to take possession of the boat in Key Largo and hang around the Keys until the Holidays approach then park her at a marina until we return in January. Then--mess around in the Keys some more, Then--who knows---Up the Florida Coast----Bahamas---Up the East Coast to cooler climes as summer approaches????? We will not be bringing her back to the Houston area. Galveston Bay and environs is great for sailing but it's not good for destinations/pretty water,etc.

Sorry about not posting any photos on this post---It will take me a while to get back into it. I also hope to be able to post some videos of interesting places and activities.

SO---Wish us luck on this venture and for the survey and purchase going well and we'll start communicating more often.

Messin' Around in the Keys

                                                                           

  

Sunset in New Found Harbor

I mentioned in our last post about our aborted snorkel trip to Sombrero Key.

Well! We finally got our snorkels wet at Looe Key several days later. Our friends and we took our boats about 4 hours west to an anchorage at New Found Harbor (about half way from our marina down to Key West) and spent two nights on the hook. We took our boat about an hour out to Looe Key, a protected under water state park and snorkeled in perfect conditions around this huge, totally protected and unspoiled reef. The water was an amazing blue, the fish and coral were some of the best I've ever experienced, including our frequent snorkeling in the Bahamas.

      Bob and Amy aboard their trawler, "Sea Lark" on the way to New Found Hbr.

At anchor in the harbor

                            Bob and Amy Aboard Opus V getting ready for steak dinner

Diane and Amy showing their best sides as they release the mooring ball

We headed back to the marina after our overnights in time for me to catch the Masters tournament and, the spectacular folding of Jordan Speith on the final round.

A few days later, my cousin Jane from Ft. Lauderdale and my cousin Marsha, from Michigan and husband Jim arrived for a mini-cousin's reunion. After they checked into the nearby Holiday Inn we picked them up and brought them to the marina for cocktails aboard Opus V and then a communal lobster and fixin's party at the marina Tiki Hut.

                                    From left to right--Marsha, Jim and Jane

                                                              More Marina Folks

Mine's the big one on the left

 

The next day we all went to Key West and did the tourist thing for the afternoon, including the tour train, touring the "Truman White House", lunch, tee shirt shopping, cruising Duval Street, and then stopped at a very good restaurant for dinner on the way home--"The Square Grouper" (If you don't know what a square grouper is, I'll tell you---Back in the 60's and 70's --and I suppose continuing today--many of the area fishermen turned to a more profitable venture of picking up bales of marijuana from the drug smugglers offshore. They would then deliver the bales inland through the various channels, creeks and rivers---Thus, the name "square grouper", indicating the shape of the bales)

The upstairs portion of the restaurant named after this practice is "The Other Joint".

I don't know for sure, but suspect that the owner made the money to start the restaurant from the drug business--thus, the name. (Makes sense to me)

The next day, at the request of the cousins we took the boat out for a quick boat ride to Coffins Patch Reef, about 3 miles out, tied up to a mooring ball at the reef and enjoyed a relaxing hour or so of conversation and just marveling at the colour's of the water. Then back to the marina and farewells. (Because of our many trips to Florida over the last several years we have been able to spend more time with cousin Jane than we had over the last 40 years. Jim and Marsha have been coming to Siesta Key, outside of Sarasota for several years, so we have been able to see them as well--in fact took them and their daughter and her family sailing aboard Assisted Living in Charlotte Harbor several years ago. It's wonderful to be able to catch up with family that you've not been able to see much over all those busy years of living life and raising family.

Now, it's back to the real world. WE departed our marina and the fabulous Keys 2 days ago and are currently at a marina in Marco Island on the west coast headed for Legacy Harbor Marina in Ft Myers where we bought the boat a year and a half ago. We are sorry to leave this beautiful area but feel like we did a good job of seeing the sights and enjoying new friends and especially family in this fabulous area.

So we left the White Marlin Marina on Vaca Key (Marathon) and headed down a few miles and under the 7 Mile Bridge into the Gulf of Mexico, and north, northwest about 40 miles for our stop for the night at the Little Shark River in the Everglades. (I now know from what it gets its name---while in the dinghy messing around with a stuborn outboard a small shark showed its fin several times around the big boat) Diane refused to get in the dinghy, but I took it for a trip up the river several miles. A beautiful, remote, wide and deep river. I'm not sure where it goes to but it goes deep into the Glades.)

Knowing that bugs can be a big problem here (past experience) we buttoned up and ran the A/C off the generator for a couple of hours before retiring. Got up early the next morning to get an early start on our 70 mile trek to Marco Island and were met by hundreds (thousands?) of No-see-Ums. Here's a picture of one:

Can you see it?? (That's why they call them No-See-Ums)

They are smaller than a gnat and have a sharp, not painful sting--but the sting is annoying. I have no residual effect from the bites, but Diane gets small itchy bumps and right now she has hundreds of such bites all over her arms, chest and legs and neck. They itch her. It's like a small mosquito bite. They got into the flybridge overnight and wouldn't leave, and stayed with us the whole 7 hour trip to Marco--such that Diane spent most of the trip inside the salon. Still, whenever she did come out on deck they swarmed her. So far no one I know of has come up with a repellant that works although we've heard of numerous "home remedies"---(they don't work) We understand the Indians that lived here figured it out, but they're not sharing their wisdom with us---maybe getting even for stealing their land??

We arrived in Marco at the Factory Bay Marina at around 2 PM on Friday the 15th. As we rounded the corner headed toward the marina some guy up on the 6th floor of a condo looking over the marina started shouting and waving. It was Bob (ne Bobbie) one of my closest friends from high school whom I've not seen in many years. (Best Man in our wedding in Adrian, Michigan 47 years ago)(Actually, we knew he and his partner Jan were here. We had communicated by phone earlier. They have been staying in the condo for the last couple of months and we've been trying to figure out how to get together) So this worked out perfectly----we got together on the boat for cocktails and horses duvers and then went out to dinner--got reacquainted and had a great time. Tonight, Saturday, we go to see Bob's older sister and her husband. Marsha (Bob's sister) lives here in Marco. (Marsha was always a beauty and I had a crush on her in my younger years--can't wait to see her--it's only been about 50 years)

That's it for now---will post again with a bunch of photos in a few days.

Life is really good when you can do what we're doing and be able also to see relatives and old friends--and make new friends. This really is a very special time in our lives and we love it!!!