We have spent the last 4 months at the Glades RV Park and Marina as we continue to work on the boat and repair the numerous known items, as well as the new items that continue to show up. This week it is the batteries. We have been testing our bank of batteries to make sure they can stand the test of time and ..... they failed. The batteries were holding up for the first 5 or 6 days but decided to stop charging from the AC battery charger. We believe it to be a worn out charger and old batteries as well. To be on the safe side we will replace our 3 house batteries and the charger. Cha-ching, cha-ching!
In order to maintain a positive outlook we have taken some time to have some fun. We went to the Fort Myers Seafood and Music Festival and the Labelle Smoke Under the Oaks ribs cook off. We had a great time at both. Good food, adult beverages and music. We have also been visiting some old friends. It seems many people just end up in Florida, at least for a while. I understand the allure now, it's been in the 80's this week. My mind keeps thinking it's summer and I have to remind myself that it is indeed January.
Repairs to date:
Stripped the bottom of the boat, at some point a barrier coat was put over the bottom paint resulting in blisters in the paint.
- Applied epoxy (2 coats), barrier paint (3 coats) and bottom paint (3 coats)
- Replaced all the standing rigging as well as the mast step that was completely corroded.
- Replaced most of the running rigging ( spinnaker halyard/sheets and jib sheets were good)
- Repainted the boot stripe.
- Rebuilt the cockpit locker hatches.
- Repacked the shaft packing glands.
- Oil and filter change.
- Polished the prop, added new zincs on the shaft, prop (3 bladed feathering) and greased it.
- The sea valves were stuck in the open position so we had to work them free and exercise them.
- Rewired the batteries, there were many non start wires running off the post.
- Serviced the winches
- The anchor windlass was frozen so we were able to free it for retrieving the anchor only.
- The hull was oxidized so we used Poly Glow.
- Replaced the Garmin GPS with a B&G Vulcan
- Replaced the wind and depth transducers.
- Replaced the portside water deck plate.
- Repaired the fuel gauges.
- Repaired an oil leak in the engine
- Replaced sensor for the engine temp..but it still falsely alerts!
- Replaced 3 batteries.
We are working hard and our backs are feeling it. We know that we are extremely fortunate to be able to do this and we are grateful every day!