Carol and Mom picked us up and we had a great 2 week visit with them. Now Carol and Mom can get some rest!
When we returned to the mooring field, we were able to get some projects done. I got all 3 alternator belts changed, changed the impeller on the raw water pump, and stripped and varnished the exterior teak. We have lots of teak inside, but thankfully not too much outside. Old Chinese proverb--- "teak inside good, teak outside bad". When we got the boat it came with Cetol on the outside teak. Some people like Cetol, but we don't. It looks so so right after it is put on, but eventually it looks like brown paint. Since I'm basically lazy, we decided to live with it until it needed to be redone, then we would strip it and varnish it. The day arrived when it needed to be redone, so now it is varnished.
After a year and a half sans radio, we decided it was time to install a stereo, so we were able to get that done as well. This of course involved long bike rides to West Marine for overpriced screws and Home Depot for wood to reinforce where the speakers are hung.
Just to make things interesting, we got a tear in the hypalon on our dinghy. The marina has a great dinghy dock, but you have maneuver between some sharp rocks and the end of the dinghy dock to get to where you tie up. It was dark and there was a dinghy tied up on the end that I had to get around. It was low tide which made it narrower and I slid on top of a submerged rock and then heard the dreaded hiss. It was one of those how could I be so stupid moments. We had been in and out of there a hundred times. But no do overs. An expensive mistake. We limped back to the mother ship (the dinghy has 3 separate air chambers, so we still had 2 full of air). We were able to get it fixed by a dinghy shop--they put a patch on the inside and on the outside and it looks great.
While at the marina, we met Rusty Hightower who works for Massey selling Hunters and Island Packets. In 2001 he sold us a Catalina 36 when we were on Lake Texoma. Small world. Yep, he tried to sell us a Hunter.
When we returned to the mooring field, we were able to get some projects done. I got all 3 alternator belts changed, changed the impeller on the raw water pump, and stripped and varnished the exterior teak. We have lots of teak inside, but thankfully not too much outside. Old Chinese proverb--- "teak inside good, teak outside bad". When we got the boat it came with Cetol on the outside teak. Some people like Cetol, but we don't. It looks so so right after it is put on, but eventually it looks like brown paint. Since I'm basically lazy, we decided to live with it until it needed to be redone, then we would strip it and varnish it. The day arrived when it needed to be redone, so now it is varnished.
After a year and a half sans radio, we decided it was time to install a stereo, so we were able to get that done as well. This of course involved long bike rides to West Marine for overpriced screws and Home Depot for wood to reinforce where the speakers are hung.
Just to make things interesting, we got a tear in the hypalon on our dinghy. The marina has a great dinghy dock, but you have maneuver between some sharp rocks and the end of the dinghy dock to get to where you tie up. It was dark and there was a dinghy tied up on the end that I had to get around. It was low tide which made it narrower and I slid on top of a submerged rock and then heard the dreaded hiss. It was one of those how could I be so stupid moments. We had been in and out of there a hundred times. But no do overs. An expensive mistake. We limped back to the mother ship (the dinghy has 3 separate air chambers, so we still had 2 full of air). We were able to get it fixed by a dinghy shop--they put a patch on the inside and on the outside and it looks great.
While at the marina, we met Rusty Hightower who works for Massey selling Hunters and Island Packets. In 2001 he sold us a Catalina 36 when we were on Lake Texoma. Small world. Yep, he tried to sell us a Hunter.
It was time to head north so that our insurance would remain valid. The first day we did 83 miles from Stuart to a bit past Melbourne. After leaving Stuart we took the St. Lucie River through Hookers Cove and then directly through Hell Gate. I did not make up the names nor put them in that order.
We were up early again the following morning, and made good another 83 miles to Daytona. Along the way we saw a very large dead turtle. On behalf of the Kinder and Gentler One, I would like to apologize to France for this uniquely American transgression.
The following day took us 53 miles to St. Augustine. This time through, we stayed in the main anchorage. There is a strong current here and the boats do funny things at anchor. Most of the boats were behaving, but the full keeled boats were running around putting their ground tackle to the test.
6:15 am in the St. Augustine anchorage. A young teenage couple with a dog appeared to be living on this boat.
We were up early again the following morning, and made good another 83 miles to Daytona. Along the way we saw a very large dead turtle. On behalf of the Kinder and Gentler One, I would like to apologize to France for this uniquely American transgression.
The following day took us 53 miles to St. Augustine. This time through, we stayed in the main anchorage. There is a strong current here and the boats do funny things at anchor. Most of the boats were behaving, but the full keeled boats were running around putting their ground tackle to the test.
6:15 am in the St. Augustine anchorage. A young teenage couple with a dog appeared to be living on this boat.
It was 63 miles to Fernandina. At some point we were attacked by horse flies. This kept Lisa entertained for a while.
This is the result of about 45 minutes of Lisa's day. I'm so proud. When she reached her limit, we threw the rest overboard so we wouldn't get fined. Horse fly stir fry anyone?
As we neared the St. Johns River, the military's presence became pronounced.
This is the result of about 45 minutes of Lisa's day. I'm so proud. When she reached her limit, we threw the rest overboard so we wouldn't get fined. Horse fly stir fry anyone?
As we neared the St. Johns River, the military's presence became pronounced.
Other than the fly hunt, the day was uneventful until we passed the St. Johns River. From there on it got hairy. We arrived an hour or so before low tide (7 foot range) one day before the new moon. This water is not like the Keys or Bahamas. You read the chart and the rest is Braille, because you certainly can't see through it. We bumped the bottom as we left the St. Johns River to rejoin the ICW on the other side, but made it through OK. After that we had several close calls but were able to find the deeper water. About 2 and 1/2 miles before arriving a Fernandina we finally ran aground. In trying to get free, I expertly maneuvered us harder aground. It was almost dead low tide, so we decided to wait for the tide to come in and float us off. It wasn't 2 minutes later when Tow Boat Us showed up. He had a spy watching that section for potential business (we were his 3rd of the afternoon at that same spot). We have tow boat insurance with Boat US, so we let him pull us to deeper water. If we had to pay for it we would have read a book and waited for the tide to fill in. After we were free, we barely made it through the next 100 yards, but then it was deep water the rest of the way.
Now we are fueled up and on a mooring. I hope to change oil, transmission fluid and the primary fuel filter tomorrow. We also need to get propane. Then the plan is to leave Saturday to go offshore to Charleston, South Carolina.
Now we are fueled up and on a mooring. I hope to change oil, transmission fluid and the primary fuel filter tomorrow. We also need to get propane. Then the plan is to leave Saturday to go offshore to Charleston, South Carolina.
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