Week 13

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Some 'Last Time for This Winter' Fun Things!

The Seven Mile Bridge is closed from 0645 to 0900 today for the annual run. Fifteen hundred runners (the max allowable registrations) signed up on line. It took all of four minutes before all the spots were taken.

At 0930, we headed south for the bridge, hoping the traffic would be clear. It is our last trip to the Big Pine Flea Market. Our shopping list includes bamboo cutting boards, hinges for a project I want to try and some toe rail clips for our fenders.

The race was over, but some runners were milling about while others were trying to head out on their cars. It caused some minor delays, but we made it to Big Pine with minimal inconvenience. When we arrived at the Flea Market we noticed that "Stainless Steve" was not there. Too bad, that's where most of our purchases were going to take place. We did get the cutting boards from one of the Flea Market vendors and we bought the hinges at Specialty Hardware in Marathon.

Back at the boat, we tried to stay cool but for the most part, that was impossible. Anna Marie sat at the Point for awhile, enjoying the occasional zephyr that blew by, I removed the anchor and stowed it in the truck. 

At 1700 hours, we went to the Boot Key Grill at Skipjack Resort (the old Sombrero Marina and Resort) to grab a lite bite and to listen to the music of Four Sheets to the Wind. Their harmonies did not disappoint! On the way there, we filled up both tanks of the old F250 with diesel fuel. As we approached the truck after leaving the music venue, I noticed a little puddle of liquid just before the right rear tire. Closer inspection showed that we were leaking fuel. I bought some supplies at Home Depot, but when we got back to the marina, I suited up, crawled under the truck and found that the front fuel tank was dripping from the seam. I can't repair that. I'll run the tank down past 1/2 full to stop the leak. We'll use the rear tank exclusively on the ride home, saving 8 to 10 gallons in the front tank for emergency use. That will make us stop more frequently for fuel, but we should be able to get home safely. 

Back at the boat, we polished and removed the rear seven panels of the enclosure. That will allow us free access to the rear of the boat and should make it easier to get the boat onto the trailer. We'll polish and remove the other five panels after the boat is out of the water. Everything is just about ready for hauling the boat out tomorrow morning at high tide (0845).

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Hauling the Boat!

We experienced the easiest launch of SUNSHINE ever back in the beginning of January, here at the Blackfin ramp. We're hoping today's retrieval is just as easy!

It took four people and an hour and a half to get the boat on the trailer so no, it wasn’t “just as easy.” I was on the boat at the helm and providing moveable ballast and Anna Marie, Kevin and Barry worked to muscle the boat to the center of the trailer. The bunks, which were adjusted what we thought was their optimal position kept guiding the boat off center. We got the boat off the trailer, pulled the trailer out of the water, raised one of the bunks, slipped the trailer back into the water, and tried again to center the boat on the trailer. It wasn't easy, but we finally got it on the trailer. Without Kevin and Barry's help, we would have been at the ramp hours longer.

We washed the top sides and bottom and gave the trailer a fresh water bath after the ordeal was over. It was much more difficult than the process used by the Ranger Tugs. Their trailers seem designed to capture the boat in the right position each time it's retrieved. Besides their  bunk designs, they have more sophisticated and robust brakes and tie downs. 

Bottom line: we need to improve our ability the load the boat onto the trailer.

We did some housekeeping and a few additional tasks but the heat  got the better of us. Refreshing showers help reinvigorate us, that and lunch at the Hurricane. We spent a three hours eating a lite lunch  while listening to Joe Mama and Friends. It was most enjoyable.

When the afternoon music was over, we did the laundry. A Canadian couple from Niagara Falls settled into the cue and we had a really nice conversation with them while the washing machine spun and the dryers rattled away.

By 1815 hours it was time for dinner and more music, this time by Dan Sullivan another local we like. At 2100 hours we were back at the boat to finish removing the remaining five panels of the enclosure. It was an exhausting day. Tomorrow, we have one more quick adjustment to one of the port bunks on the trailer. Once completed, we'll be heading north!

Monday, April 3, 2017

Heading North!

Boat, trailer, Captain and crew are ready for departure. At 0915, we pulled out of the Blackfin driveway northbound onto US 1. The drive to Key Largo was uneventful. Traffic was light and it was easy going. We made one stop for coffee/tea and a bagel. The twenty mile drive over the flats to homestead Was accomplished without encountering any impatient drivers. After about 70 miles from our departure point at the Blacken Resort and Marina in Marathon, we were back on the mainland with the Conch Republic well behind us.

Traffic on Florida's turnpike was light. As usual, we switched from the turnpike to I-95 at Ft. Pierce. We exited I-95 at Vero Beach where we talked to Tamara from Float On Trailers. We talked about the design features of their trailers and ordered an 8000# trailer for the boat. The trailer will have a ladder and electric over hydraulic brakes among other features and options. We arrived at Float On at about 1400 hours. Three workers came out to measure how the boat fits on the trailer from many different perspectives. I have no idea what measurements they were taking, but they assured me that the trailer would be a perfect match for the boat.

By 2830, we arrived at the Fritz's for a two night stay. We missed hanging with them in Marathon. It was especially nice to spend some time with them now.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

A Day with Joe and Dee!

We were up at 0800. Joe and Dee joined us a little later. At about 1045, we had coffee and a bagel as a storm, complete with thunder, lightening and intermittently Harvey rain paid us a visit. The thunder and lightening departed before too long, but the intermittent rain stayed with us throughout the day. 

Between raindrops, Anna Marie and I went outside to work on the trailer lights. The right side lights didn't work yesterday. I cleaned the contacts and sprayed them with the electrical corrosion spray and, viola, all lights were operating as they should!

Joe drove us around NSB through the beachside and on the beach. We saw bunches of Manatee and dolphins. We drove on the beach. It's always a thrill to be on a beach seeing regular two wheel drive cars driving there. Even if permitted, it's not something that would be possible ion most other beaches.

We dined at the new Outriggers complex on the Indian River. The day was cool and the rain was still falling on occasion. Upon concluding dinner, we called  Geoffrey the wish him well on his Senior Class Trip to Disney World. He said he was a little nervous but he was looking forward to it. He must be at the school at 0300!

We spent the rest of the evening conversing with Joe and Dee on a number of topics before hitting the sack!

NOTE: The fuel tank leak isn’t as bad as I thought. It didn’t leak at on on the Fritz’s driveway. It may be that the leak is at the filler hose. The good news is that we will be able to use the front tank for the drive home. We’ll assess the situation better when we get home.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Bye Bye FL!

At 1030, it was time to bid adieu to our hosts, Joe and Dee. We only drove 225 miles on the day. we planned to go further, but a major accident and accompanying traffic jam led us to seek a campground about 40 miles south of Savannah in Townsend, GA. At 2230 hours, our phones sounded an alarm. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for our area. We readied for departure from the boat and planned to “hang out” in the cinderblock bathrooms. We kept a close eye on the radar. Thunder and lightening storms visited, but the bad cells skirted just to the west of us. We didn’t have to leave the boat, but our peaceful sleep was ruined for the evening. We let in fits all night.

Thursday, April 6, 2017

A Slog!

Today, we drove from Townsend, GA to Enfield, NC it was a long day of driving (0930 - 1830) and the distance traveled wasn’t great. We hoped to be farther up the line. The KOA we stopped at provided a good overnight spot. Their internet was virtually useless. It wouldn’t be a good place to camp if you required connectivity.

Friday, April 7, 2017

Another Slog and We’re Home!

Early departures don’t seem to be in our repertoire anymore. Although I awoke at 0545, within 40 minutes, I was asleep again. I did’t get up until 0900. We readied for departure and pulled out of the Enfield, NC KOA at  0930. 

Oh no! There is a Level 2 restriction on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, imposed by the 47 mph wind on the bridge. We won’t be able to cross it until the wind dies down. NOAA suggests that may not happen for awhile, if at all today. Our recourse is to take I95 home. I hate that option, but maybe we’ll get lucky.

We breezed through Richmond around noon. That’s one bad area down, two to go. We weren’t so lucky with either Washington D.C. or Baltimore. We drove through multiple delays and stoppages. It took three hours of stop and go driving to get through both areas. The fact that people drive poorly served to make an unpleasant drive worse. Why was there so much traffic? It wasn’t even rush hour! You couldn’t pay me to put up with this traffic on a daily basis. In fact, the terrible traffic on the I95 corridor from Philadelphia through Richmond is the reason we always use to Delmarva peninsula for our commute to and from Florida. 

After an eleven hour drive, we were glad to get out of the truck. We pulled in front of the houses, leaving parking the boat between the houses for tomorrow, when we’ll unload all our gear.

We are home! The truck had it’s problems on the way south. Fortunately, it didn’t miss a beat on the trip north.