Author: markperil@gmail.com

The joys of working underwater

by  on  in Boat Projects, Boat Work, Florida, OpTrop, Sitting at anchor • 4 Comments

Now that the water is a bit clearer (and warmer) it was time to break out the snorkel gear and check out the boat beneath the waterline!  Fun stuff, eh?

We discovered:

The good – The coat of antifouling paint we applied before we left is holding up great!  No barnacles to be seen – woo hoo!

The bad – Our zincs (sacrificial metal that is supposed to corrode before your propeller does) have mostly corroded away…and by mostly, I mean MOSTLY.  For sailors, it’s hard not to cringe at the sight of the photo below…

Crumbling away…

 

So today, was zinc replacement day :)  We didn’t want to go for a haul out, so this meant gearing up and getting in the water.

I learned a couple cool tricks via the interwebs:

– Tie string to all tools you plan on using underwater (lanyards around the wrist) – this was a no-brainer.

– Duct tape the anodes together (across one side of the split) to keep the halves from falling apart when trying to get it on the shaft – this one was actually really helpful because it would have been hard to tighten both screws in one breath of air

– Wear one glove on your left hand (assuming you’re right handed) to wedge bolts into when you’re diving…(no, not just because you’re trying to do your best underwater moonwalk)

– Paint nail polish in key areas to avoid corrosion around bolts

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Tools of the trade

 

Impossible to look cool in a snorkel mask. Believe me, I tried.

It’s impossible to look cool in a snorkel mask. Believe me, I tried.

Victory!

Victory!

 

It was a major success getting the (2) new anodes on.  I got to use my shorty wetsuit (though I probably didn’t need to), the snorkel gear, and tools…underwater!  It felt good getting this one done.  Officially crossed off the list, with more projects to come.

No Name Harbour (Part 1)

by  on  in Boat Projects, Boat Work, Florida, Sitting at anchor, Sunny days • 0 Comments

We are now sitting in No Name Harbour in Key Biscayne!

We’d heard about this anchorage as the “go-to place to wait for a weather window” for a crossing to the Bahamas, and we weren’t sure what to expect…I’d envisioned a packed/busy place with lots of amenities (like most of Florida), and Caitie envisioned the opposite.  Honestly, it’s kind of nestled perfectly in between.  We have enough room to anchor (though it is a little tight amongst the 20 other boats here), and there are washrooms. pump out facilities, and a restaurant/bar that makes a great grilled snapper ;).  On the other hand there is no fuel, no water, and no access to provisions.  The anchorage is in the middle of a natural park, so there are walking trails and beaches, etc. etc. etc., (though honestly we haven’t had much chance to explore – we hope to take some photos tomorrow/this weekend to do a proper update later…see part 2).

Frankly, we are in GO mode.  This is our last chance to get our shit together in the US and we want to make sure we have enough food, spares, and supplies to make it in the Bahamas (and potentially beyond).  First thing we did when we arrived was to rent a car.  We spent an entire 8 hour day (yesterday) hitting major marine stores and filling our CNG tanks.  We even managed to hit the Westerbeke distribution center just outside of Miami to stock up on all the necessary engine-related parts (and manuals) at rock-bottom prices.  We felt great, despite now having worn out our credit cards :S

And yes, I treated myself to some fishing supplies – including a hawaiian sling for spear fishing 😉

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Honestly, this isn’t even 1/4 of the stuff we have purchased as spares/provisions/toys…

When we got back to the boat today, we re-did our TO-DO list.  Every boater knows this is never ending, and for us it’s the same way.  It was a good opportunity to re-prioritize what we need to work on, and to appreciate the fact that we have actually done a lot…

Here’s a snapshot.  DONE:

  • Put top batten in main
  • Re-rig lazy jacks
  • Tighten reefing lines
  • Install lower slug/hank for main
  • Replace toilet seat hinges
  • Fix coolant leak
  • Tighten throttle cable
  • Check rigging and tighten shrouds
  • Tighten ignition key/instrument panel
  • Build solar panel stainless steel frame
  • Install solar panels
  • Drill weep hole in mast step
  • Install filter for foot pump in galley
  • Replace all batteries, and add 100ah to house bank
  • Install battery monitor
  • Install LED lights
  • Fix wiring for high output alternator

TO-DO starting tomorrow (and hard to read):

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Honestly, thus far on the trip, we haven’t let ourselves settle into a place, so it’s really nice to just have some time to relax and work on things at our own pace (in nice weather!)

Lastly, here are some random self-indulgent shots, for the sake of completeness.

SUNRISE! Leaving Lake worth. First day on the ocean in a loooong time.

SUNRISE! Leaving Lake worth. First day on the ocean in a loooong time.

Ft. Lauderdale Mc. Mansions

Ft. Lauderdale Mc. Mansions

Cutie

Cutie

My boat is bigger than your boat.

My boat is bigger than your boat.

Tall buildings looking tall

Tall buildings looking tall

Like Vancouver, but with palm trees :)

Like Vancouver, but with palm trees :)

Miami Skyline at night

Miami Skyline at night

Merry Xmas! It’s almost 2015…

by  on  in Boat Projects, Boat Work, Florida, ICW, South Carolina • 0 Comments

Soooooooo….We stashed the boat at Titusville Municipal Marina (Florida), and went back to South Carolina for Christmas.  It was a quick jaunt back, and honestly we didn’t really shoot any photos while we were there.  Oh well.  We were too focused on kickin’ it old school with my brother and cousins Annie and Mickey…Been way too long…

On our last day, we decided to make a sign representing all the places that people had traveled from/called home.  It was fun!  Everyone took their own creative liberties.  Here’s to adding more signs to the list in the future 😉

Xmas SIgn

Now we’re back on the boat and tackling projects (12v fans, solar panels, toilet seat hinges, mast boots, jerrican holders, etc. etc.).  We’re slowly checking them off the list.

p.s. I received a GoPro for Christmas (thanks Grandpa!), and this is the first video/test.  Caitie says I need to up the “wow factor”.  I suppose that’s reasonable feedback.

Caitie’s BIRTHDAY!

by  on  in Florida, ICW, OpTrop, Passage, Sunny days • 3 Comments

Caitie said one of her “bucket list” items was to celebrate a birthday in a warm place (those poor December babies!) and I think we’ve finally checked it off.  We’re anchored in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Caitie turned the big 3-0 today (which apparently is the new 20).

We hit it hard with coffee n’ cinnamon buns in the morning, had a gorgeous sunny day on the water, followed by a champagne crab leg feast once we’d anchored.

Happy birthday Caitie!!!

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Fan Friday

by  on  in Boat Projects, Boat Work, Florida, ICW • 0 Comments

We crossed into Florida today!  In eager anticipation of the Florida HEAT, we started installing our 12V fans.

I’m actually kind of blown away (har har) by how much of a breeze they put out…they don’t use too much power either.

We have a long list of projects to do before we go to the Bahamas in the new year, and we are happy to start crossing the easy ones off the list.

Happy Holiday party Friday tout le monde!