We spent January through July in the Bahamas. You are allowed 8 months before they ask you to leave, but you can come back 24 hours later. After much debate we decided in lieu of flying over to Florida for a few days and returning that we would bring Boto back instead. We were only 60 miles away so it wasn’t a big deal. However, we did feel a bit like we were back-tracking! So, off to Stuart, FL!
We decided to go 20 miles to the West End of the Grand Bahama Island, anchor out and then head to FL on July 29th. We had a calm night and got up at the crack of dawn to make our way. It was a fairly calm day so we motor-sailed, by design, since we couldn’t use our main sail. We blew out the clew on a day sail in the Bahamas.
The only excitement was when we were boarded by the Coast Guard for a routine inspection. The Cutter stayed behind us while a run-about brought the two officials to our boat. They climbed aboard while we were underway and we continued our course through the whole inspection. The male officer was possibly in training as they had their manual and checklist. Boto passed with flying colors! The female officer even said she couldn’t remember boarding a boat and not at least finding one item to address. They were impressed that we all had on our PFDs (Mija and Chula too!).
We made the St. Lucie inlet by 5pm and made the long trek up the river to our new ‘home’ at Sunset Bay Marina. Our friends Peggy and John live here and have their 32’ Island Packet in the marina as well. They were even at the dock to greet us and immediately whisked us away to the Sailor’s Return restaurant, at the marina, for a fantastic meal. Ah…and it was our 6th anniversary so a nice way to celebrate…on the water with good friends!We settled in and immediately started our ‘chores’. Boats need periodic attention and we can vouch that it is much easier to take care of while in a slip!
Project #1: Get a new evaporator for the refrigerator. We had some periodic issues which appeared to come from a small particle that would block the flow of coolant partially. While cold…it was cold enough! By the way, we could have had it repaired but the labor cost for the repair cost more than a new part! Plus, we upgraded to a slightly larger evaporator and WOW are the beers cold now!
Project #2: Get the clew on the main sail repaired. We called Mack Sails (what luck that such an outstanding group was right in our ‘backyard’!) They picked up the sail, repaired the clew, put a new UV cover over it and delivered it back to us all for under $200! We can’t say enough good things about this company.
Project #3: Order and install 2 additional 85 watt Kyocera solar panels. We already had 2 but we weren’t quite keeping our batteries topped off without running the engine or generator. We did the math and the fuel for one year to keep the batteries full would cost more than the panels!
Project #4: Of course, when you start one project you somehow end up with another! We decided to get a 5th 105 Amp hour AGM battery. We also wanted to take the batteries in to check their health. West Marine said they had degraded below normal so replaced all 4 for FREE! We are now really cookin’. Love that solar power!
Project #5: Repair the inflatable dingy floor…for the umpteenth time! Next time…a hard bottom! Also, we added a D-ring at the back of the dingy so we can secure it a bit better while underway.
Project #6: Replace the small gasoline can that we carry in the dingy (the sun had taken its’ toll). We also made some white vinyl covers for the can and the main tank to keep the sun off of them. Oh, we also finally attached the anchor bag at the front that we had sewn.Project #7: Clean the boat! Yep, lots of salt buildup along the rails and stainless to polish! In the heat and humidity of south Florida the wash, wax and polish took three days. The Jerrycans and covers needed a good cleaning as well. All the shade screens came down and were scrubbed.
Project #8: Repair the generator. This is still ongoing so keep your fingers crossed. Basically, we don’t have the budget for a new one and we refuse to put another dime into the thing so $100/hour technicians are out of the question. To date we (mainly Ed with some help from Bob!)have pulled apart the whole thing (in the cockpit!) and Ed found the teeny problem. The flywheel key (think sheer pin) had broken so the drive shaft couldn’t turn. Awaiting the part and we will see if we can manage to get it back together the same way it came apart! NOTE: There were several trips to the store for the right tools for the job of course!Project #9: Repair the dog clippers and give the girls a haircut. And, Clyde (another cruiser’s cocker) got a birthday haircut as well.
Project #10: Make a screen for the companion way door. We haven’t had bugs yet but if we do….we are ready for them now!
Project #11: Provision, provision, provision. This seems to be an ongoing process as only so much fits in the handy-dandy dog carrier PLUS we seem to be eating and drinking our provisioning. Go figure! The dogs now have their 150 pounds of dog food in the v-berth so they are good to go! Yes, that is normally our bed but you wouldn't believe what will fit under there!
Project #12: Some may not classify this as a project but Ed needed new boat shoes. The others simply needed to go! He had repaired them several times and there was something about the aroma?! Well, finding a size 15 boat shoe…it is a project!
Project #13: Get our teeth cleaned and inspected.
Project #14: Get the dogs their annual shots and their Health Certificate.
Project #15: Take apart the aft head to unclog hoses (now that's FUN!)
Project #16: routine maintenance on the outboard motors for the dinghy
Project #17: Ditto for the Yanmar 57Hp diesel
Project #18: with John's assistance locate a suitable piece of stainless plate to be installed on the deck in front of the anchor locker to protect the deck from the anchors and chain. There are several divots already in the fiberglass. Sounds like a simple task, unless of course your knee starts to swell while you're squatting in the chain locker and you keep dropping washers and nuts into the locker.
Project #19: this one takes precedent, let Ed's knee heal, tis now swollen and tender. Getting old!
Project #20: We also had the VHF overhauled by the folks at Standard Horizon. After some running around to have it tested locally we shipped the radio to California where they replaced its guts, all for $65, beats the price of a new VHF.
Project #21: Repair two minor window leaks and repaint the paint around the windows that protect the gasket from UV rays.
Project #22: Make bug screens for the hatches. We did this project with Eclipse who also needed them. They bent the metal edges and cut the screen to fit. Vicky did the sewing. Ah, cruisers will like love the cost savings. We did 20 hatches and 2 companionway doors all for the cost of two bug screens if you were to purchase them!
Someone still needs to go up the mast to replace the deck light; then there are the new tracks for the whisker pole. Oh, then there is #8A, replace a head bolt on generator that was sheared off while reattaching the head. Honest, the torque wrench was at the appropriate setting. Then there was the cleaning of the bikes as well as the gutters......
If you work hard you need to play hard! Along with all of these projects we have a lot of fun as well! We have a standing date for dinner and drinks with Peggy and John on Friday nights. There is coffee every morning up on the deck where stories and advice are shared with fellow boaters.
Stuart had its third annual Pirates Fest…and ‘Boto’ dug into the v-berth for the pirate attire for the event!
Clyde (the dog) just celebrated his 9th birthday by throwing a pot-luck dog party. Yes, there was even a cake for the dogs!
Vicky was able to go back to Minnesota for a visit with her family and friends. Yes, she even got to go water-skiing!Chores done, fun had…now it is time to start watching the weather for our next window to head back to the Bahamas. We will be doing the Abacos and then south through the parts already seen on our way to the Dominican Republic. Boto is as ready as she will ever be but there will be something to be repaired along the way…she is a BOAT after all.
