Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Done for now

We are writing this from a hotel near the Orlando airport - waiting for our plane home.

We left Amelia Island on Monday debating whether we should go outside or continue up the ICW. The last person we talked to was Patty from "Knot Dreaming," who said they always go outside. Just clear the North Jetty Buoy at the end of the inlet and head north. So we did. Pam had a "sell the boat" moment as we crashed through the huge waves in the inlet. We think they are caused when the big ocean waves "wash up" in the inlet and they are made worse if the tide is going against the wind. Anyway - we stuck the nose in the troughs for about 20 minutes before we finally got the sails up and things smoothed out.







We had a good sail all the way - but the depths were a little disconcerting. A couple of times we only had a foot or two below the keel and once we had to change course to avoid some obvious shoals. Made it into the Brunswick cut and under the bridge (our 53rd) in about 8 hours. Tied up with help from the marina staff at Dock 15 at Brunswick Landing Marina and started to get the Blue Pearl ready to leave.

Pam remarks that this isn't like trips on our little boat where we could hardly wait to get home to shower and get comfortable. The "Blue Pearl" is very comfortable and has become our second home... our summer cottage. The heat has been oppressive but when we come back in January we think it will be incredible.



Wrapping the Main
Wrapping the Main



Checking the lines
Checking the lines


Cleaning up "Murphy"
Cleaning up "Murphy


Rehydrating
Rehydrating


The Rack
The Rack

Wine anyone?
The Wine Rack

Friday, August 14, 2009

New plan

OK... still coming home on August 20th but things are a bit different.

We rented a car and drove to St. Mary's. Very do-it-yourself. Rocky and his Aunt Mabel run the show and it is very rustic. We have to do a ton of work - maybe more than we are willing. We need to remove the backstay to get the travel lift around the boat. Also, all sails off, canvas off, cover the boat with netting. We are also a little worried about getting there - with all the twists and turns in the river! All this in 92 degree, humid heat!

So, friends had suggested Brunswick, 40 miles to the north. A bit discouraged, we drove the extra 40 miles. Took us less than an hour. We're not used to those kinds of speeds. Pam wanted to make lunch on the way - just like on the boat.

At Brunswick we could see why our friends had recommended the place. There are hundreds of boats at the docks. The salty old bird that runs the place made our adventure sound very mundane. People leave their boats there all the time. Getting ready for their winter in the Bahamas. You mean we aren't the first? Very normal. Bring the boat in, put it to bed like we do with Miss Pearl every year in the Pacific Northwest. Get all the bumpers out, lots of lines, don't leave any sandwiches in the fridge and ... leave!

So, one more adventure coming up. We will leave here on Monday early and exit the Saint Mary's River entrance. Sail north to the Brunswick entrance - and tie up at Brunswick landing. Plan B would have us go up the ICW in the event of bad weather.

We've been toting this canvas bag around with us... supposed to be a spinnaker so we pulled it out the other day. Wow... we've got big sails. Looking forward to trying that.

So we are doing lots of little chores, changing pumps, building a wifi antenna, installing a wine glass rack (very important), installing speakers (for Jimmy Buffet music for Charlotte), cleaning the raw water strainer, getting the who's who organized so we can get some maintenance done while we are gone. Also a little sight-seeing.

Leaving on Monday for Brunswick.

St. Marys
St. Marys closer

St. Marys up close  - hmmmmmm

Brunswick
Brunswick - closer
Spinnaker

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

We are done... almost

We are in Amelia Island Yacht Basin, just 12 miles from where the boat will be hauled.  There are no services at that boat yard so we are staying here and enjoying the surroundings.

We left New Smyrna on August 8 after hitting the farmers market near the dock in the morning.  Pam loaded us up with fresh fruit and vegetables.  We found a bakery there too so we are eating well!

Got a newspaper?
Got a newspaper?

Did 10 bridges on the ICW and stopped in the planned community of Palm Coast.  Huge apartment complexes and neighbourhoods on the canals.  I wonder what the prices are like given all the commotion about Florida real estate.

All along the ICW - thousands of boat lifts.
All along the ICW - thousands of boat lifts.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

the ICW

August 5, 2009

We’ve come a long way! After our rush with the Gulf Stream we stopped in Fort Pierce at the Pelican Yacht Club. Pool, bar, groceries across the street – a virtual oasis! We have realized that our destination isn’t that far away but we have many days. We flirted with the notion of heading over to the Bahamas, but the days are so hot it does not appeal. We are on a mission to deliver this boat, learn how she works and get her ready for the post retirement launch.

So, we stayed 4 days at the Pelican Yacht Club and enjoyed the amenities – and the AC in our boat.

On Wednesday, we set off at 6:30 for Melbourne. We motored up the ICW, thinking about putting up some sails. We don’t know if there are rules. Are you allowed to sail on the ICW with all its constrictions?

We are mapping out our final stops… Titusville, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Jacksonville Beach and finally Fernandina Beach before our haul-out in St. Marys, Georgia.

We need to “burn” a few days so anything close enough with charm becomes home. We feel slightly guilty staying at marinas – but it is over 90 everyday and our AC can get it down to 75 if we get it going soon enough. In the winter and spring, the temperature will be in the 70s at night. That will be much more do-able.

August 8, 2009

Stopped on Thursday at Titusville. Cool seeing the NASA buildings from the ICW. Got up early to leave and were at the “Always Open” NASA railway bridge by 7:30. It was closed. Asked the maintenance workers when they would be done and they said, “About 11!” So for 3 and a half hours we waited. On the good side, we befriended a manatee. After he got comfortable with us, Pam squirted him in the face with fresh water – which ended that relationship. Travel on the ICW is calm but we see lots of dolphins, people in boats, interesting homes and docks. Moved on to New Smyrna Beach (not sure if there is an old one.) Going through Daytona for Palm Coast tonight, St. Augustine tomorrow.

NASA train bridge

Friendly manatee
Gator waiting for lunch

[gallery]

Friday, July 31, 2009

A map!

We've added a new page with a map of our progress moving the boat.  There's a link on the right side, or you can click here to see it!

Halfway!

Brad left us on Tuesday. We will really miss him. He was great to have around fixing things and good company.

Wednesday we got up early and took off. We were underway by 6:30 and sailed the 50 nautical miles to Key Largo. Too bad Brad missed this part. We had all the sails up and were going 6 to 7 knots most of the time.

At Key Largo, Glen put on an amazing display of boat handling trying to back into a slip. In the end, we tied up alongside a seawall in the Key Largo Marine Boatyard. Not many people witnessed the attempt or they were too polite to say anything. Gary made the mistake of coming down from the canvas for a walk and Pam and Glen ushered him off the boat. He stared at us from the dock for a couple of hours but the next day - no Gary. We miss him... but just like we got over Brad, we'll get over Gary.

Sailed (and motor sailed) another 50 nm to Miami. All along the way we listened to the Coast Guard helping people who lost lobster divers in the water. How can you lose a diver? After a time they all seemed to get found. The Coast Guard must love lobster season! Spent Thursday in a so-so marina in Miami. Could have been terrific but was a bit run down and lots of seedy characters around. Glen fit right in!

Leaving Miami
Leaving Miami

We've done 100 nm in the past 2 days and used the motor less than 20% of that time.

It is 20 nm to Fort Lauderdale and 50 from there to Palm Beach. We thought about doing the 70 and then decided to take it easy so we slept in a bit and didn't get going until 10:30. Too bad. We caught the edge of the Gulf Stream and at one point we were doing over 10 knots. We could easily have done the 70 had we left earlier.

Our preferred route is outside but we could choose to take the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) The problem is that there are only a few places where you can cut between the two. If we get weather when we are out on the ocean we are stuck with it.

Fort Lauderdale is halfway from Bradenton to St. Mary's, Georgia - our destination. Champagne tonight?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

To Marathon

We are in Marathon in the Florida Keys. Arrived just in time, too. Tremendous thunder and lightning - including a couple of water spouts. We are going to google water spouts to see what they might do to a 22,000 pound boat.

Water spout
Water spout

The trip from Naples was interesting. If you draw a line from Naples from Marathon you can see it goes completely over Florida Bay - about 100 nautical miles (about 200KM.) Our boat does 5 knots, the wind was in our face - so we motored for 20+ hours. At 11 PM on Thursday night we stopped and put out the anchor in the middle of the bay.  In the middle of Florida Bay without a speck of land in sight, we slept under the stars until dawn.
Floridays
Florida Bay
Overnight on Florida Bay
Overnight on Florida Bay

It is only 30 feet deep at the deepest. Started up again on Friday and came under the 7 Mile Bridge at Marathon around noon. About a mile from the marina the engine temperature alarm went off so that's when Glen learned to shut off the raw water strainer seacock, remove the strainer and take out all the crap that was choking the engine.

7 Mile Bridge at Marathon
7 Mile Bridge at Marathon

We are here for a couple of days before heading north to Georgia. We are going to have a diesel mechanic show us how to change the raw water impeller pump, change the engine coolant and check out a few other things.

We noticed our friend Gary the Gecko during our Florida Bay crossing.  He doesn't seem to want to leave.

Gary the Gecko on the canvas
Gary the Gecko on the canvas

We were met by Captain Jim Stengel who is a VERY knowlegable IP owner... and a colourful character.  He was helpful as we looked to purchase our boat and is proving to be a valuable resource as we get repairs done.  He is our Marathon ambassador.  We will spend a few days getting some work done (supervised by Captain Jim) and then head to Largo, Miami and points north.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Little Jumps...

Sunday:

We left Longboat Pass (Jewfish Key) and motored to Marina Jack  in Sarasota where Brad first decided that his throat was sore enough that he needed to get to a clinic.  Looks like strep – although he wasn’t that sick… he tore apart the autohelm, determined to get it working.  The autohelm won.  It still isn’t working.  The doctor sent Brad to Publix for free antibiotics.

At the dock...
Marina Jack
Monday:

From Sarasota we travelled along the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) to Venice and tied up at a free dock called Higel Park.  That’s better than the $96 for one night at Marina Jack.  We are torn, though.  The electrical at the dock provides delicious air conditioning.  You can sleep at night… unlike last night.
Tuesday:

We are headed to Pelican Bay in Charlotte Harbor to jump off the boat and swim.  First time!

Swimming off the boat
Swimming off the boat

Washdown
Washdown

We travelled through 5 bridges enroute, some opening on a schedule and others that we had to radio for an opening.   Later in the day, Brad completely dismantled the autohelm.  Late into the evening we heard him muttering as he tore the boat apart again. When he leaves we'll have to get all the King's horses and all the kings men to put Autohelm together again.

Autopilot technician
Autopilot technician

Wednesday:

Up early for a long day.  Pam got this photo...

In a couple of hours the rest of us got up
In a couple of hours the rest of us got up

Glen has been calling Brad, "MacGruber!"  We have the autohelm that came with the boat and the broken one that Paul and Mary gave us for spare parts - all bits and pieces in the cockpit.  But joy... he got it working.  Unbelievable.  We are impressed!  All those years at UBC paid off.  He actually seems to know how it works... something about an "H" bridge of power transistors and getting rid of some corrosion.  So all day today we've had our new crewmember, "Otto," steering the boat.  Look at the lunch Pam made while Otto steered.

Lunch
Lunch

Dolphins everywhere!

Flipper!
Flipper!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

We're off!!!

Captain Chaos here!

We did it! We left Bradenton. We took our time in the morning and packed away all our loose “stuff.” We have no idea where to stow an anchor, 100 feet of chain and 150 feet of rope. The big, starboard lazarette locker looks like a tornado hit it. Almost every good locker - with lots of space, is filled with a compressor, a waste tank or a motor of some kind. So we worry about putting an anchor into a locker with a compressor... God knows what will happen in rough seas when things go crashing around.

We motored way out around Anna Maria Island, between Passage and Egmont Keys. Many disagreements about the correct passage.

Checking our course.
Checking our course.


Once we got near the Gulf all heck broke loose. It was like a roller coaster looking straight up at heaven and then plunging down, sticking the bow in the water. Not part of the dream!!! Finally, with a grim look from Pam, we put up a sail and things actually calmed down considerably. We sailed in no more than 25 feet of water for 2 hours.

Headed towards Longboat Pass bridge - only a couple of hours south. Saw dolphins - which we mistakenly believed would bring us good luck. Guess the good luck was seeing the dolphins.

Getting close to the bridge we looked back and saw black, black skies. Really black.

Sky not looking great!
Sky not looking great!

Our timing was close and all we needed to do was to radio to the bridge tender to raise the bridge so we could get into our anchorage. Tried the handheld radio twice and it didn't work. Brad tried the main VHF radio in the cabin and it didn't work. Finally figured it out and the bridge operator opened the drawbridge just in time.

Thanks Mr. Longboat Pass Bridgetender!
Thanks Mr. Longboat Pass Bridgetender!

Now this crazy storm was on us - Brad was sandblasted with hail and when we looked back at the bridge we couldn't see it through the rain. Did an emergency anchor right inside the bridge - realized it was our first time anchoring the Blue Pearl. After 20 minutes of lightning, a deluge and hail it cleared away... and cooled down.

So, faithful reader... all done and clear, right? Wrong. We upped the anchor, moved to the spot we were aiming for and navigated our way... onto a sandbar.

Helpful Floridians towing us off a sandbar.
Helpful Floridians towing us off a sandbar.

They say boating in Florida is one of two things... you're either aground or about to be aground. After fretting about, we were rescued by a nice couple and finally put down the anchor. Champagne and burgers for dinner.

Celebrating our safety.  We live to enjoy another adventure.
Celebrating our safety. We live to enjoy another adventure.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Our first guest...

Brad flew into Miami and then caught a shuttle to Tampa. We picked him up after spending $300 at Total Wines. Unbelievable! Laphroaig is $35. Seven Deadly Zins is $12. Anyway, back to Brad... We came back to the marina and cooled off. First night was hot, hot, hot for Brad. We think he is moving into the main cabin tonight. Not enough air in the aft cabin.

Took the boat out today. Saw dolphins. Got all systems working, reefed the main, learned about getting out of the Manatee River into the Gulf. Concerned that the electrical system wasn't charging, couldn't get the autohelm working, and the knotmeter still isn't quite right. When we got back, the AC didn't work but the refrigeration guy was scheduled to come by. He bled some air out of the AC water pump and showed Glen what to do in future. He also changed the thermostat in the fridge. We'll see if that works. He also told us our macerator pump is leaking and that's why we have some bad smells from the head. I thought it was Pam.
Pumping out bad stuff

We're sailing!

Brad found a loose wire on the alternator - to the field coil. We connected it and we seem to have battery charging from the main engine.

People have been incredibly helpful and friendly.  We are getting itchy to go but will miss all the assistance.  William has been awesome... even offered to lend us his generator for the trip.  We will miss all the support but we need to get on our way.

Should we leave tomorrow? What if the batteries don't charge. We won't have a fridge. We'll have to make sure we don't drain the starting engine keeping our beer cold.

Lots to learn.
Cheers!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Almost ready to sail...

Sunday:
Rebuilt the forward head today! Very indelicate to talk about but wonderful to experience. Things flush the way they do at home. Very exciting. Glen will tackle the other one tomorrow!!!
Tools are interesting. We are shopping at Sears. The thinking is that Sears is in Canada and the US and usually the Craftsman brand stands up. Got a socket set and a cordless drill/90 degree combo for not too much. Also, some screw drivers and pliers. It is amazing to see how much we need.
The most problematic??? We can’t find any coffee mugs. Every morning we re-use the same old Styrofoam cups… trying to find the perfect mug. Somewhere out there…!
Our friends next door continue to give us their junk/treasures as they get ready to sell. Tonight it was booze. We think we can find a use for that!
Waited for the shuttle launch. Easy to see from here… apparently. Scrubbed for tonight. We will watch tomorrow. Julie (Canada) Payette is on this one!

Evening G&ts
Evening G&Ts

Monday:
Guys came today to install the windlass (the electric motor that pulls up the anchors) and worked all day without accomplishing much. Glen repaired the aft head so we now have two super flushers. We hope they are finished installing the windlass tomorrow.

Wiring the windlass into the existing system
Wiring the windlass into the existing system

We are hoping to go sailing on Wednesday! Pam did a major shop at Walmart (they have huge groceries) and got us enough food for a month. She also found mugs at a local “Good Will!” We are supposed to go out for dinner at the local Italian restaurant but we are waiting to watch the shuttle launch. Brad will be joining us on Thursday and then we head off to Marathon… through Venice, Naples, Fort Meyers, etc. Dinner tonight with the Twin Dolphin Marina crew at “Fav’s.” What stories these people have!!!

Tuesday:
Guys continued to work on the windlass. Wow, it’s hot. I’m glad I’m not working outside in this heat. Windlass is almost done. Boat is denamed/renamed. Tonight we are going to share some champagne with Paul and Mary (next door) and King Neptune (the god of the seas.) LOTS of champagne so the boat is comfortable with her new name.
Bought a life-sling arrangement and a new barbeque at West Marine today. The guys were very pleased to see us. We didn’t go in on Monday and they wondered if something was wrong.

Making lists
Making lists

Things we’ve done so far…
1. Getting windlass installed.
2. Changed fuel filter, getting ready to change secondary fuel filter, oil and oil filter
3. Bought new dinghy/got rid of old one
4. Removed old name/put on new name

Renaming
Renaming

Sharing champagne with King Neptune
Sharing champagne with King Neptune

5. Bought new personal flotation devices
6. Searched out all lockers and found treasures (old crappy pumps)
7. Had refrigeration looked at
8. Rebuilt both heads
9. Bought tools
10. Bought a frying pan (and a shipload of other stuff)
11. Provisioned (Walmart has individual filets wrapped in bacon)
12. Bleached water lines so fresh water wouldn’t smell like crap
13. Replaced galley, forward shower and cockpit water nozzles.
14. Pumped out holding tanks!!!
15. Fixed water gauge
16. Met tons of new friends
17. Entertained previous to previous owner
18. Art Richard (Art’s Anchorages) came over for a morning and taught us a ton about the area and the boat. We made his Jambalaya. It was delicious.
19. Helped Sea Otter move off their boat
20. Received tons of welfare from Sea Otter as they get rid (give us) all their treasures.
21. Put memory foam on master bed
22. Installed new sound system
23. Getting fuel “polished” (it has been sitting on the boat for 3 years. The boat has been used almost never by the previous owners. They lived aboard at this marina before buying their house.)
24. Took loads of knick-knacks (like music boxes) to the local Salvation Army Goodwill.

Brad flies down tomorrow.  We'll pick him up in Miami on Thursday; we'll spend Friday here and Saturday we will launch into the Gulf.  Destination... Marathon in the Florida Keys.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

The Great Dinghy Caper

Sunday: Met our neighbours, Paul and Mary. They’ve been cruising on their boat, Sea Otter, since ’94 – the last 4 years non stop. They are giving it up for a while, selling everything and moving back to Texas. Their dinghy is VERY attractive. Ours sucks. It’s weird, though, because the previous owner has a strange affinity towards it. On our first night, under the influence of his party, he offered $1000 to buy it back. He even offered to trade the motor for a newish Honda 15 HP 4-stroke. We have dinghy lust.

This is a beauty - only 1 year old
This is a beauty - only 1 year old

Monday: Had dinner with some of the longtime dock people. They go to the Bahamas in the winter and summer here. Up to an Italian restaurant for spaghetti, pizza, etc. Nice people. They make this whole adventure seem do-able. Good connections.

Tuesday: Took Paul and Mary shopping. Of course we bought nothing… HA! Paul has a Port Buyer discount card at West Marine so our $750 purchases were only $500.



Putting in the new stereo
Putting in the new stereo

Wednesday: Took Paul and Mary down to Venice to take their stuff to a marine buy/sell place. He sold some stuff that we will die for later on in our travels… but we don’t know what we are going to need. We’ve bought his dinghy, a hand-held radio, a head pump, and a propeller for the outboard. They’ve given us all kinds of stuff – oil change pumps, little electrical parts, etc. Our previous owner really wants the dinghy, so we have agreed on a price and Glen told him he would get it to his house. Glen pumped it up, dropped it into the water and got ready to run across the river to deliver it. He had to be quick because it was leaking from some significant cracks in the fiberglass bottom.

A piece of sh*t as my dad would say!
A piece of sh*t as my dad would say!
The motor quit part way out of the marina and Glen was rescued by Paul, with our dinghy-to-be. We need to get it back to the owner and get our money before it sinks. We are talking about a 10 foot Apex rigid bottom inflatable with patches on the patches. The motor has to be an early 80s vintage Johnson. Our new one–to-be is one year old with a 7 year old Yamaha 15 HP. Quite a step up. The old one is back on our davits and we will deliver it tomorrow.


New dingy=good, old dinghy=bad
New dingy=good, old dinghy=bad

We had appies and rum punches down the dock with some folks from the Italian Dinner night and listened to their stories of winter in the Bahamas. None of these people have homes… other than their boats. Different.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Hot, hot, hot!

Hot, hot, hot!
Wednesday:
Before we left we celebrated Dad’s (almost) birthday with cousins Mary, Rick and Rick’s wife, Judy and the kids. We had a terrific time with them. How great is that - coming from Saskatchewan and Victoria to be with Uncle Carl on his (close to) big day? Lots of family were there… Jen and Luke, Carrie and Jesse, and Brad. I think Dad was impressed.


Thursday:
Brad drove us to Seattle to catch our Alaska flight to Orlando. It was going to be hot in Seattle on Friday – 90 degrees.

Champagne and scampi
Our first night - shrimps and champagne!
Friday: So… it was 90 here… and crazy humidity. Nice flight, easy drive to Palmetto (via Walmart) where we found the Blue Pearl waiting for us. So were Douglas and Valerie – the previous owners who were having their own private party and were delighted we could join them. They were so nice and so funny that we had a beer and a chat before we finally excused ourselves and got onto our new boat. Shrimp salad and a toast with a bottle of bubbly. Thanks to Linda for our toasting glasses.
Saturday:
Woke up, had a peanut butter breakfast and then off to Starbucks before meeting with our broker, Alan and his wife Mary-Joe. Back to the boat to move it to Twin Dolphin Marina.

Moving to the marina.
Moving to the marina.

Manatees under our boat! Pam was distracted. No work while she watched for manatee bubbles. Lots of good advice from Alan about our upcoming trip and then… just us! We felt badly about taking up their 4th of July morning but Alan seems almost fatherly about getting us on our way safely.
After they left we gave the credit card a workout at West Marine, Lowes, a sporting goods store and finally, Walmart. The boat is becoming functional.
4th of July fireworks. Woo hoo! Never seen better! It was a good first day on the SV Blue Pearl.

Celebrating our new sailing vessel - the Blue Pearl!
Celebrating our new sailing vessel - the Blue Pearl!