Georgetown to Mayaguana(Abraham's Bay)

We finally left George Town after nearly a month of activities; volleyball, beach parties, dances and meeting
lots of boaters. They also have restaurants and a grocery store and free water made by reverse osmosis which means it is very pure.

After much debate on Friday with our 2 other boating partners, Bob and Carol from Time Enough II and Chris and
Sheila from Never Bored, we all decided to head out of Georgetown at 4:00pm and head for Mayaguana. According
to our weather Guru, Chris Parker, there was going to be a window of opportunity for us. By midnight Time Enough II
had dead batteries and headed into Rum Cay and assured us that they would be fine and that we should continue so
we did. Ed was feeling pretty sick from the action of the waves and Ann just wanted to sleep and was zombie-like.
We finally arrived this morning at 2:00am. We anchored just inside the entrance so it was very rolly but later
in the morning we moved further down and it was more comfortable. At one point we were ready to turn around
and head back to Florida and sell the boat but we made it. Sailing is supposed to be fun but is sometimes a lot of stress when long distances are involved.

Tomorrow and in the next few days we will explore Mayaquana, a little out of the way island on the way to the Dominican Republic (DR) that has a protected achorage providing a stepping point to the Turks and Caicos islands. Given the prevailing easterly winds sailors must overnight to it from Rum Cay to the north. We did not stop at Rum this time because we had a short weather window to get here. We might have been able to continue to the T&Cs but 25K winds were expected in the morning, we would not have arrived until about 10AM and we were dead tired already. So, we are stuck here for a while until the seas and winds cooperate. And indeed the low pressure front passed us this morning on its way south and the north wind is as forecast. We have it pretty easy as sailors these days with accurate forecasts and GPS to find our way in and out of places.

Ed calls this wind "electric" because the wind generator whirs away completely charging our batteries for which we are thankful because our solar panels alone cannot. While sailing it can keep up with the chart plotter, GPS, radio, instruments and autopilot which steers better than we can under almost all conditions.

Next stop: T&Cs, then the DR.

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Waiting For Front

Hello everyone,

We wish we could say that we were farther south but we are in Georgetown, Great Exuma, the Bahamas and here is the simple reason: the wind has remained southeast and strong for almost the entire time we've been here. Like most cruisers we want to sail and if we motor to not motor into waves! Usually, cold fronts leave the US and push down to the Bahamas during the winter about once a week changing the wind speed and direction. This year, the fronts have been weak not reaching into the Bahamas so the southeast trades just keep on coming. We arrived in GT 2 and 1/2 weeks ago the wind generator has been spinning strong ever since. There is a possibility of a motoring opportunity next Tuesday-Thursday but two days of motoring is not an exciting prospect but we are getting anxious.

The great news is that we have come to love GT! There is so much to do here with several hundred boaters in this wonderful harbor. The boaters who come every winter for 3-5 months have so many organized activities and go out of there way to be open and friendly so that no one feels like there are cliques or unwelcome. We've been to two rock and roll dances, six beach gatherings, played volleyball, attended two seminars, gone on a bus tour, into a cave and made many new friends. If you have to be stuck, then this is the place.

We had to replace our windlass motor so we learned about customs processes. At least now it is working again. Yea!

Our sail from Galliot Cay to GT was uneventful but fast. We averaged about 7.2K with wind behind the beam 15-20K, what a great sail. The only thing was that it arrived late in the day so the harbor entrance was at night which I dislike and will avoid in the future. We have been in GT enough that we know the coordinates for the harbor twists and turns so we let the GPS be our guide and arrived just find but it creeped me out and I hope not to do it again.

We hope you are all well. Over and out from GT. Go Patriots.

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St. Marys to Staniel Cay

A lot has happened in the few months but I will keep the recap short because most of it is only interesting to Ann and I or someone with way too much time!

Way back in November we had lots of boat jobs to do, most of which we did, a few of which we decided not to do, and a bunch more of which we did not know. One job that we did was new canvas all around with protection for our exterior wood too which we will use next summer while the boat bakes in the tropical sun. We splashed on December 15th, ten days later than expected.

Our first stop was Fernandina Beach where the canvas work finished. We did try to leave before Christmas but had two engine problems at the same time resulting in us being towed back to the dock. A engine drain plug sprang a leak and Ed did not tighten a sea-water cooling hose resulting in a worrisome mix of antifreeze and salt water. Fortunately, this was due to two simple problems not one expensive engine problem!

We had Christmas dinner early in Fernandina Beach before heading outside with the goal of sailing to Fort Pierce in 36 hours. The weather was strong with NE winds 15-20 knots and a more easterly swell with the end result of Ed going a little green. So, after 20+ hours with the prospect of winds shifting to on the nose we went into the Ponce Inlet south of Daytona Beach then had a lovely motor-sail over the next few days to Vero Beach. It was interesting that our friends from NeverBored, Chris and Sheila, called us to suggest going inside just after we made that decision.

Ed managed to knock over a day marker a few minutes from Vero as he was distracted thinking about docking. Fortunately, we hit the pole on our anchor such that the damage to our boat was minimal, only a few scratches below the waterline. He probably will not hear the end of that for a while. We called the Coast Guard and filled out an incident report, I think that will be the end of it.

Yawl will be glad to know that our Homeland Security is on the job. We were questioned by Customs and Integration in Fernandina Beach and boarded and inspected by the Coast Guard in New Smyrna Beach.

We were glad to meet with some former cruising friends in Cocoa where we enjoyed some shopping, beer and pizza with Wayne and Beth from Gypsy Moon.

We celebrated New Years in Vero by dancing until 2AM. No hangovers, we walked about four miles that night going to and from several clubs but it was fun.

After Vero we headed down the Intracoastal Waterway to Lake Worth motor sailing and just plain motoring. At Lake Worth the weather changed and we had a beautiful spinnaker run down to Fort Lauderdale where we anchored at Lake Sylvia and the last of the three little ships, Time Enough II with Bob and Carole on board, caught up to us. After 1/2 day spent refueling the boats, stocking the larder and enjoying the food and drink at the Raw Bar we headed for the Bahamas.

As usual, another motor trip across to the Bahamas from Florida. We went 24 hours to Frazer Hog Cay arriving at 4PM, then woke up the next morning and headed for Rose Island outside of Nassau. Finally, we were sailing. It was a close reach, with apparent wind 30-35 degrees but strong enough to prevent much lee way. The next morning, by now January 9th, we got up and did it again this time close reaching 70 miles to Big Major Spot outside Staniel Cay. We anchored at 8PM under a nearly full moon.

We enjoyed a rest day yesterday, perhaps we should have taken advantage of the wind to move further south but now are sitting waiting for wind which should clock to the NW soon and then NE. We plan to ride these winds to Mayaguana and the Turks and Caicos next. We do not plan to motor much anymore, that is the word from those of flag ranks. Sail or sit!

Approximate lats and longs of the Bahamas Leg so far.

Ft Lauderdale 2606 8001
Great Isaac 2600 7902
Frazer Hog 2529 7755
Rose Island 2504 7714
Big Majors 2411 7629

Happy New Years and we will post again soon.

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Continuing the Engine Work Saga and The Bride Returns

Ann is here after her Michigan visit with her folks!   Woo hoo!   Plus, our friends Chris and Sheila (CS) arrived in St. Marys Monday after spending the weekend at Cumberland Island.  Monday, I ate dinner with them, Tuesday, the three of us went to West Marine then picked up Ann at the airport then went out for dinner and grocery shopping.

 

Ann and I were going to stay at a motel but are staying on the boat, at least for now.  Ann's parents are coming, we may go stay at the same motel to be closer to them.

 

Well, I promised the saga of continuing engine work, so here it is:

 

Saturday, I lifted the engine with a frame set in place above it and a long bungee cord (about 100 feet) wrapped around about 20 times to the engine hoist point.  Each of the 40 strands was tensioned to about 10 pounds and the engine rose.  I then was able to attempt to remove the motor mounts for replacement.   The bolts were extremely tight, I stripped one head with a bad socket, one broke because the stainless steel corroded and another busted because it would not budge.  The good news was that five came out.   Monday morning I called Island Packet and found out that there was a steel plate embedded in the fiberglass so I drilled and tapped holes next to the broken bolts and was still able to place the motor mounts in the same place.  I then undid the bungee loops and lowered the engine onto the new mounts.   By then it was Tuesday and time to pick up Ann.  Lots of angst involved in the motor mount job.

 

Today, Wednesday the 16th, I hooked up the drive shaft,  re-installed the new fuel filters, installed the lift pump, connected up the fuel lines.  I then tested the pump, by turning it on to fill up both filters.  Success, no leaks so far.   I am so tired tonight.

 

Remaining items on the "engine" agenda are to connect up the exhaust manifold (the current connection is poor, I am waiting for a new piece), to re-mount the coolant reservoir (the old mount is destroyed by corrosion) and to replace all the engine hoses.  Definitely, a couple of days more of this work, once I get all the parts.

 

The weather has been gorgeous with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s except for yesterday with hot humid weather heralding the approaching thunderstorms last night.  Today is overcast and warm just the way the noseeums love it.

 

Today may be a cleanup day plus some light work, first I need to get motivated.  Right now I am just tired.

 

Have fun,

 

Ed

Boatyard Progress Report #3

Adding it up and counting Monday, this is the sixth day in the yard.  Overall, my progress is about what I planned but I sure hope I finish two of the three engine jobs by the time Ann gets in on Tuesday!

 

I've got three things going on for our Yanmar 44HP engine:

1. Replace the motor mounts.  Tomorrow, I plan to tackle this job.   Today I picked up the bungee cord and wood frame for lifting the engine.  I also cleaned the engine and loosened the motor mount bolts.

2.  Install a new dual-fuel filter and lift pump.  I installed both today but need one new hose and an adapter which I will pick up on Monday.  I also need to provide power to the lift pump but that is merely reattaching of the old lift pump's wires.  This job is 90% complete.

3. Replace all the water hoses, hose clamps and oil cooler.  I am waiting on all the parts for the water hoses, oil cooler and hose clamps.  They will not even be ordered until Monday so I probably will not have the parts until Thursday.   I call this job at about 50% complete.

 

The weather stripping I installed around the hatches doesn't want to fully stick so I have to go to Plan B, whatever that is. 

 

I tried and failed at my attempt to radically improve the anchor hawse pipe though I made an incremental improvement just by moving things around.  Last year the chain sometimes did not go down the pipe leading to jamming but that was probably due to the links not moving slowly due to the fresh galvanic coating which bound links together.  So, I will call this done and keep my fingers crossed.

 

Ken "varnish boy" Hix has the first coat on the toe rails and they are looking good.

 

The weather continues to be sunny and mild, lows in the 40s and highs in the 70s.   

 

It is time to make dinner and clean the place up. All for now,

 

Ed

Boatyard Post 3

There are a couple of sayings that come to mind today:  Two steps forward, one step back and that boat means bring out another thousand.  I am not complaining, I chose this fate and in a month or so it will all be forgotten as we enjoy the fruits of our labor and money well-spent.  Yeah, yeah, I've said that before.  Anyway, the last couple of days have been pretty good.

 

I put the new Rocna anchor on today and found that I needed to move the roller for the secondary anchor so they would stow on the bow pulpit without the Rocna seriously pinning the Bruce.  When I assembled the anchor roller I put the bolt head on the inside which means to move the roller I had to completely remove the roller assembly from the bow pulpit so I could pull the roller bolt out.  All in all it took about three hours instead of 30 minutes.   The Bruce anchor chips the gel coat on its way in so I need to make a gel coat guard.  Add it to the job list.   It probably will not be an issue because we seldom use two anchors, maybe once per season still my baby needs protection.

 

I added the gas spring to the frig, now it stays open without a stick.  Yay, plus it gives a little assistance for opening.   I th.ought about a stronger spring but the force pushing against the hinge already push it up a little.   I am calling this one done.

 

I ordered the canvas today.   Matt from Top Stitch came out this morning,  I had a quote from his wife, Amy, by 3PM.  Now, we are on there schedule and he will be out in a week or so to take the existing bimini, dodger and sundry pieces in for repair and replacement plus they will build side curtains so my honey will stay warm and dry in our little "Florida room". 

 

Yesterday, I put up the hatch screens and they look great though I need to get some foam insulation strips to fill some gaps between the arch of the cabin ceiling and frame of the screen assembly.  The Skyshade is from Oceanair.

 

An easy job today was to install the replacement voltage regulator.  I will wait to test it until the boat is in the water.

 

The rails around the boat got their first coat of varnish over the last couple of days.  Ken is really going to town.  I need to pick up a little stain to color the epoxy of his fix for the ding from last year, the color is way too gray right now, otherwise it looks pretty good.

 

I was looking at the engine today and noticed that some water has been leaking so tomorrow I will diagnose that while planning out the fuel system improvements and motor mount replacement.  Tom is going to bring over the frame, bungee and chain that Chuck Shoemaker on Kairos (another IP38) used to lift his engine.

 

With all this going on,  my tool boxes decorate the cabin,  there are manuals and all matter of stuff not put away but the kitchen is clean and functional. 

 

The weather has been good for the last couple of days but clouds are moving in, we might get some rain and colder weather.   Anyway,  so long from the yard.

Boatyard 11/8/2011

I arrived in the boatyard November 7th after spending a 6 days in Boston with Ann visiting our eldest daughter Rachel plus our very good friends and former neighbors Sue and Bob Welna. Ann will join me November 15th after spending time in Michigan with family and friends.

First impressions upon seeing Windswept Dreams for the first time since May are good. The dehumidifier we used (first time) kept the insides mold free.

The rental car is now full of stuff that was shipped here including boxes from home. And the work has begun...

The first chore was to determine why when using shore power the onshore GFI usually tripped. This happens when unequal currents flow in the hot and neutral lines. The answer was simple, Island Packet used to tie them together at the breaker panel. That is a no-no because the current then leaks from the boat thru the engine and any other metal tied into boat ground. Also, stray current flows because the onshore ground voltage may be slightly different than in the water around the boat causing stray current. On the other hand, when using the generator or inverter then the reference ground for the neutral side must be the onboard ground. All is good now.

I called people about canvas work, one was too busy, another did not call back and the third did not show up. I'll try again tomorrow.

I took the tarp off the boat and installed one of the new hatch sunscreen/flyscreens, the big one in the main cabin. I will have to put some foam around the edges, the arch of the cabin top leaves a gap but these Oceanair SKYSCREENS look very good. The job entails taking of the old trim ring, assembling the Skyscreen and screwing it into the ceiling. The first took three hours but I think I can cut it to about an hour apiece.

As if I don't have enough jobs, I remembered that I also need to extend the chain tube in the chain locker so that it will feed the chain correctly to the wide part of the locker, last year it sometimes jammed. It is made of 3" PVC so it should be pretty easy.

That is it for today, tomorrow I plan to get started on the refrigerator lift spring. I will also install another Skyscreen.

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