New Dodger and Bimini

New Dodger and Bimini

From the inside

The "A Team" canvas shop sent us photos of the new bimini and dodger that they made for SUNSHINE. They sent us 30 photos of the new canvas and it looks like a quality job. Their price was very reasonable. Of course, we won't see the finished product in person until we return for the fall clean up of SUNSHINE.

An iPod Entry Experiment

OK, I did an entry using Sandi's iPad. That inspired me to try a post using my iPod. So here it is... an iPod post. The iPod's touch pad is much smaller than that of the iPad. Still, an entry can be made fairly quickly.

As with the iPad, I don't see a way to attach a photo, although there is a way to put in an hyperlink.

Just Checking!

Here's a first. I'm using Sandi's iPad to see if it's possible to update the blog using this very cool device. As you can see, it can be done, and very easily, I might add. I can actually type fairly quickly using the touch key pad, using only one hand. With a little practice, I could probably become fast and accurate.

It appears that One cannot upload photos, but Ill have to look into that when I have more time. I do see that I can add a hyperlink.

Way cool!

Keys Music 2010

This is a compilation of some short video clips and pictures taken at various music events while we were in Marathon during the 2009 - 2010 cruise of S/V SUNSHINE.

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Anybody interested in some pretty pictures? I've been experimenting with some of the capabilities of my iMac. This is a video compilation of some of the sunrise and sunset photos we've taken over the past few years.

Enjoy!

Cruise 2009 - 2010 Statistical Information

“SUNSHINE”

ICW Cruise 2009 - 2010
Statistical Information

LIVING ABOARD:

Number of Days aboard SUNSHINE = 162 (79%)
Number of Days Home = 42 (21%)

Number of days underway = 41 (20%)
Number of “Lay Days” = 121 (59%)

ANCHORING, DOCKING, MOORING, AND ON-THE-HARD:

Number of days anchored = 30 (15%)
Number of days docked = 63(31%)
Number of days on a mooring ball = 108 (53%)
Number of days on hard = 0 (0%)
Highest dockage fee = $68.50

FUEL INFORMATION:

Total engine hours = 322.2
Total gallons of fuel consumed = 254.2
Average price of fuel (gas) = $3.11/g
Total cost of fuel = $790.34
Fuel consumption = 0.77 gallon per hour

RECORDS FOR LONGEST DAY:

Longest day (hours traveling): April 16, 2010 Hollywood to North Palm Waterway 13.8 hours
Longest day (mileage): November 6, 2009 New Smyrna Beach to Dragon Point 68.7 statute miles

DISTANCE:

Total Miles = 1784.1
Average miles per day when moving boat = 43.5

CREW:

Terry and Emma

The Last Days of Cruise 2009 - 2010

The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center as seen from our anchorage.

The last sunset of cruise 2009 - 2010.

Another shot of the last sunset of cruise 2009 - 2010

We left Vero Beach on Thursday, April 22, 2010. The trip up the Indian River was uneventful. The weather was great. We even got to motor sail for several hours. That's a big deal for us. When we unroll the jib, our speed usually increase by about 1.5 mph. On this day, we were motoring at 5.0 mph. After the wind clocked to the east, we unrolled the jib and averaged 6.8 mph. It enabled us to make it all the way to the NASA Causeway some 67.3 miles up river.

We entered the Indian River after exiting Hobe Sound last Saturday (April 17). The Indian River is broad and shallow and 153 miles long. It is an estuarine system where freshwater meets salt water within the same body of water. We have enjoyed nice cruising on the river in nice weather, but when the wind is up, especially if it is on the nose, it makes for a long trip. On those occasions when we have experienced headwinds, the river seems long and bleak.

We had great passage on the river this time! On Thursday evening (April 22) we anchored for at the NASA Causeway. We enjoyed a great meal of pork chops and sauerkraut. After dinner, we made our way to SUNSHINE's bow to witness the launch of an Atlas V rocket. The launch was to test the characteristics of the ORION (designed to replace the aging space shuttles) or for some Air Force equipment. The NASA.gov site wasn't clear on saying what the mission actually was.

At any rate, although not nearly as spectacular as a shuttle launch, it was impressive none-the-less! What a way to end the cruise. Our meager attempt to capture the launch can be seen below.

Tomorrow, we have just 8 miles to Westland Marina in Titusville, where SUNSHINE will be put on land for the summer.

On Friday, April 23, we hauled the anchor for the last time on this cruise and motored to Westland Marina in Titusville. We began the work of preparing SUNSHINE for her summer residence in Florida and will continue that work until Tuesday. Between the necessary tasks, we hope to visit with our friends in New Smyrna Beach. We should begin the long drive to NJ on Wednesday and expect to be home on Friday, April 30, 2010.