Nice cool morning today.
Mary was sick most of the day and she and the dog napped the
afternoon away. I rode to Home Dept for
anticipated disposer parts assuming I would need to replace much of the
“interesting” hoses.
Then stopped at Total Wine for some wine and a new favorite,
a Beaujolais.
Next was a stop at Publix. Always fun to enter Publix lugging four bottle of wine along, all from a different store. But leaving them out on the bike isn't the best idea. Then rode back to the boat where I suddenly remembered why I stopped at Pubilx. Stamps.
And I forgot them. So another
trip there and back.
I mailed the letter I needed to get in the mail and then tackled the new faucet.
I mailed the letter I needed to get in the mail and then tackled the new faucet.
I removed the old disposer first and it popped right off the
retaining ring which means I’m pretty sure I can just reuse it.
The faucet removal took some time because the plastic nut holding the sprayer and the faucet on the sink was sor corroded I couldn't move it. I had to literally twist off the upper end to
get it, and the faucet off.
The new one went in fine except I forgot to get the holder
nut on the sprayer line so had to take the whole thing apart again, slip the nut on and reinstall everything.
Then the water lines I could barely reach. Removing them from the copper main boat lines
would have presented even worse access problems. Finally got them tightened enough so they don't
appear to be leaking.
In the forward shower I added a thicker and wider layer of
caulk to handle the larger gap between the seat and the wall. Not that anyone will be using it, but just maybe ...
Then, last job before wine, I dug around the hot water
heater and discovered that the pressure relief valve was leaking a nice steady
drip of hot water.
Tomorrow will be a other trek to Home Depot to replace that
and I figure I might as well replace the anode while I’ve got the heater
drained.
We had takeout from the Brooklyn Pizza place tonight. I only went on a short stroll around the
docks. Ran into an older man who was
walking a pug with sort of a sling on its hind quarters. Turns out the poor dog is paralyzed in his
hind quarters so the guy fabricated this sling thing so the the dog can
walk. He keeps the rear end up off the
ground. Quite amazing …
Today is the Eve of Destruction (1965 by Barry McGuire)? Tomorrow is inauguration day. Speaking of inauguration I overheard several
ladies at the bar this afternoon discussing politics. The general idea being
that they dislike the president–elect, but really hate the losing
candidate.
And in keeping with the chaotic political landscape, in the parking lot there was a truck with the very large, prominent bumper stickers: "3 nails+cross=forgiveness", "Hillary for Prison", and "Trump forAmerica
… before it's too late". Another I've seen of here, depicts Trump being tossed out of heaven, in a rather amateurishly drawn, but very large billboard at a church. I wonder what the Wiccans are thinking ...
And in keeping with the chaotic political landscape, in the parking lot there was a truck with the very large, prominent bumper stickers: "3 nails+cross=forgiveness", "Hillary for Prison", and "Trump for
Thankfully we can sort of escape the political quagmire we’ve created
for ourselves and sail off into the sunset.
This morning while Mary walked the dog I installed the new
disposal and noted a seeping leak from some of the old rubber hose serving as
drain pipes.
Before I went off to Home Depot though, I fixed the flybridge stereo (corroded wires).
At Home Depot I bought another 1 ½ inch rubber hose segment
and after talking with a Home Dept guy about marking anchor chain realized he
was confirming my thoughts which are, there is no real good long term method to mark
anchor chain. So I bought some more
gaily colored wire ties which we used in the past but the wear off after a few
months.
Mary, Judy and Jeff |
It was a nice evening.
Now we just need to take care of the dinghy and we can head west. Our last possible day here us the 28th.
There are some around here so deliriously happy about the new
administration last night, they’ve chosen to express their unbounded joy by firing off some startlingly large fireworks. Last night was quite the display.
I put the galley sink drain back
together this morning and added some new hoses. Then
tackled the outboard. I soaked it in PB
Blaster, squirting a good amount into the cylinder and letting it sit
awhile. Took apart the recoil starter
exposing the crank nut and with a 17mm socket on it gave it two whacks with a
hammer and it moved. Got some oil in the
cylinder then and cranked it around some more and it loosened up just fine.
Re-gapped the plug, and put it altogether hoping I wouldn’t
have to take the carb off to clean it.
We inflated the DDD (Dead Dog Dinghy. It's a name christened by Steve during a rousing
game of Farkle when we were anchored
together at Cumberland
Island last year . (I had just related the story of how our old dog Cleo, died on the trip up the east coast and was bemoaning the fact that I
had bought a small dinghy to take her to shore and was never able to try it
out.) Once it was in the water we got
the motor down and on the dinghy and I spent 15 minutes yanking on the
starter. It didn’t even sputter.
Thus tomorrow is carb cleaning day.
Talked with Adam about the big dinghy. It’ll be ready by Monday because they had to
add an extra layer of Hypalon pint for the seams. He says it turned out spectacular. We’ll see Tuesday when I pick it up. Even though it will be ready Monday, it's supposed
to be stormy and I have to drive it back down the river which will be very
rough.
Rode to Publix and then Total Wine for more Beaujolais wine.
After dinner and a walk we retired along with the dog who
seems to think 8 PM is a proper bedtime.
Even the dog languished in bed this morning. and wouldn't get up. It was a gorgeous morning.
We walked the dog and then I started on the little outboard
carburetor cleaning. Disassembly,
cleaning and re-assembly two hours. The
needle valve fell out and I almost lost it.
But it all went back together ok, even the linkages save one washer.
Before all this though I figured I could find carb cleaner
at a Ace hardware to the south of us. It
a bit closer than Home Depot. Sure
enough they had it. But about $1 more. And the other things I needed were either not
found or twice the price compared to Walmart or even Home Depot.
So I only bought the carb cleaner. I should really work on remembering these
little life lessons. While digging around to find
some light machine oil guess what did I found under a tub of caulk? I now own two nice spray cans of carb cleaner
Daisy, the last KK 42 |
So I gapped the plug and was going to get the little dinghy
in the water (we had left inflated on the fore deck) but time was getting short
because I had to ride to publix for broccoli and a few other things. Mary was making beef and broccoli this
evening and broccoli is a required ingredient.
At Publix, loaded down with water and other weighty things |
Ursa Major, a Krogen 54 across the way |
They too sold everything and have been cruising around for 5
years until recently. They bought a
place in DeLand, a town west of Daytona.
I was expecting lots of night life in town tonight but
Saturday paled in comparison to last night.
Icky bands too, one or two people singing or playing along to digitized
music so it's sounds like a tinny version of a live band.
Tomorrow is a big Packer game and cold front is supposed to
roll through.
We are waiting for the big low pressure system which is supposed to swoop down on us today and
tonight. Winds in the 20-30 mph category
with rain.
The hot water heater pressure and temperature release valve
is really leaking now. I thought the water I was seeing was from the
bottom of the tank which would mean the water heater was kaput.
After a little research I figured out the cause. One, its original and they do wear out. Two, it wore out probably because it was
activating quite a bit. Not because we had extended periods of overly hot water or water
pressure but because we have been using dockside water recently and
when I plumbed it all, I bypassed the expansion tank. We also employ a pressure regulator on the
incoming water line so we don’t let 80 psi into the boat. It would blow off
many of the ½ hose lines.
A pressure reducer like that also acts as a one way valve
so when the water heater heats the water, it expands it cant push back
through the regulator. The expanding water under higher pressure, has to go somewhere. Thus the presence of a T&P valve. Once I bring the expansion tank into the
dockside water side all will be fine. Well, according to the theory.
Anyway, that occupied much of my time today. That and cleaning the shower sumps. Mary finished up some waxing and I started on
figuring out how we are going to travel the Okeechobee waterway.
There 5 locks on the waterway and they operate from 7AM
until 5PM We don’t travel fast enough to
make the third lock on the westward leg, Moore Haven. So we have to stop somewhere short of that.
Our choices are Clewiston and a small marina there in a very
narrow channel necessitating us either backing in or backing out. Or tying up to the dolphins by the locks.
Dolphins are large pilings meant for barges to use while waiting for a lock. They have cleats but are rather tall. The general idea is to nudge the bow close to one and then snag a cleat. Then repeat the process with the stern so ultimately we would be tied between two dolphins.
Dolphins are large pilings meant for barges to use while waiting for a lock. They have cleats but are rather tall. The general idea is to nudge the bow close to one and then snag a cleat. Then repeat the process with the stern so ultimately we would be tied between two dolphins.
I love to try the dolphin idea but we have a dog and the little
outboard isn’t running yet so we’d have to haul the big dinghy down to get her
to shore. Ugh …
Mary watched the Packers and the dog was scurrying around
trying to find a place to hide from the loud outbursts.
They lost by the way.
Walking in town tonight, it was dead! But very windy on the bridge. In fact here in the slip, we are rocking and
rolling quite a bit. Hate these strong
lows.
Tomorrow we fix the water heater, declutter in preparation
for leaving either Wednesday or Thursday.
The weather forecast for Ft.
Myers will be dictating which day we leave here.
We accomplished stuff today.
I rented a car for Feb, made arrangements with Mermaid to repair the
A/C unit, have a slip at Ft. Meyers
Marina from the 5th thru the tenth.
Tomorrow we pick up the big dinghy, and test the small outboard on the
small dinghy. Then I peddled to WalMart
for essential items.
We shampooed a portion of the salon carpeting and salon
bench. Mary did a little more waxing and
then went off to do laundry while I finished up waxing.
The heavy winds last night really stretched out some of our
lines so I fiddled with them to counteract the wind effects. The worst of the winds should be over by tomorrow
morning.
Tonight walking near the riverwalk in downtown Stuart, a
spotted a cell phone on the sidewalk and took it to Duffy’s bar after leaving a
message on the owner's home phone.
The town is really dead tonight. Yes, it's a Monday, but also because the winds are blowing hard and the temps are dipping into the high 60’s.
The town is really dead tonight. Yes, it's a Monday, but also because the winds are blowing hard and the temps are dipping into the high 60’s.
No Roosevelt's today for us.
We got up too late. I called the
dinghy place, A Sailors Place, and they had to recover from some ash caused by
a recent fire the other day. Evidently the ash covered everything and they were busy cleaning all that up. We decided to
meet at 2PM.
Meanwhile I retrieved the Temp & Pressure valve I had sent for the other day, and went
down to install it on the hot water heater.
5 minute job.
Even my biggest wrenches couldn't budge the valve |
Banged the wrench with a hammer. Still nothing.
The last resort was to heat up the female end of the
connection but it turns out it's way under the tank housing and there’s little
chance I could get even my small pencil torch in there to heat that up.
Stymied. So I went
and asked Jim the dock master if he knew of a plumber and he did. A Bahamian named Steve who works around the
marina quite a bit. I called him, and
related the problem only to find out was
telling his wife all about the valve and tight confines. She chuckled and told me Steve would call
back later.
I got Mary to walk to Shepherds Park
with me, about 1.5 miles. Half way there
she trip on a raised part of the sidewalk and tumbled over. Guess we need to practice waking more?
We arrived at the park and Adam drove up after a few
minutes. While we were waiting there was
a group of hearty and happy homeless couples having a beer. They offered a beer to us but we declined. Too early in the day.
Sparkling new-looking dinghy |
The only bad thing was they took the bow line off and didn’t
return it. That was one of the best dock
lines we had! So he gave me another,
less desirable one.
We left the park and went over to the city docks and walked
up to Hoffmans for yogurt and then headed back to the boat. Mary and the dog hunkered down for a nap.
Steve returned my call and said he’d come by Thursday afternoon
and have a look at the valve on the water heater.
I rode to Home Depot to get a parts for the water system
which I intend to re-plumb to include the expansion tank on the dock water
side.
After I returned Mary was up and took the dog out again so
I started cutting and installing the stair tread bullnose pieces.
Tomorrow we have to complete the bullnose installation, do
the re-plumbing and test the small dinghy motor. I also have to gas up the big dinghy. And I need to ride to Walmart for things
there. So much cheaper! And of course we have to eat at Roosevelt's
one more time.
Karama being what it is, when I went to check on the leaky P&T valve
tonight it doesn’t leak a drop. Sheez …
This morning we made it to Roosevelt's for breakfast and talked with the owner
Robson and his wife, Savannah
The hallowed halls of the Stuart WalMart |
Finished installing the stair bullnosing.
Noted the pressure and T&P valve is still dry.
Moon Dance |
At the Sailors Return bar. |
New bullnose. The doig wont go down the stairs now. |
Tomorrow we see Steve who is coming over to take this stupid
temp/pressure valve off. I’m sure if I
decline and leave it as is, in its non-leaking state, it will leak like a sieve
once we are on our way.
I Rode to the wine store and then made a stop at Publix this morning. Then spent some time updating most of our electronic charts. Later I gassed up the big dinghy and our fuel can.
Decided to test the Nissan outboard. Still won't fire.
So I’ll get a new plug for it since it appears to me that its an
electrical issue. And Autozone is only a few
miles away.
We walked over to get pizza tonight, the last time until we return this spring.
Steve, the plumber guy Jim recommended, never showed up. The valve isn't leaking so its foreordained we are leaving without replacing the valve.
Had a nice run tonight through the city mostly quiet downtown.
After I came back from Autozone this morning, we engaged in another dinghy motor test. with a new spark plug. It was an unexpected failure. And we almost dunked the motor getting it back aboard.
Steve, the plumber guy got hung up in Ft. Lauderdale
and basically gave the impression he forgot about us.
So I said forget it and we’ll leave the hot water heater as it is.
The fresh water leak was very noticeable this morning. I finally traced it back aft on the starboard
side of the transom. My suspicion was the rudder stuffing boxes. Nope. It was the
shower washdown on the swim platform,
The hot water was left on by some person who was working back there. Someone younger than I whom we all know and love ...
We tried using the oven to make a pork loin. Oven went out
three times before staying light. All I
can think of is a faulty thermostat. But
it did finally stay lit and cooked up a nice piece of meat.
Weather wasn't too bad as a weak cold front wandered
through. Cooler temps and moderate
winds. Tomorrow much the same. We leave Sunday.
This morning we decided we are going to leave tomorrow.. maybe.
When I went out walking last night I suddenly was seize with gut
cramps. These were not those that I
could just run through so I headed back to the bridge.
This morning after near zero sleep I couldn’t move. Just so fatigued. If I'm like this tomorrow I'm staying in bed. Actually the weather is supposed to be rainy
and in the 50’s. Delightful.
Only thing I did all day was clean-out the master head shower
and floor, get the small dinghy out and filled the water tanks. Then in a last gasp of ebbing energy I got the bike aboard. I’m literally exhausted. Heck, I never used to get sick like this.
\
Mary did a few items of laundry and cleaned the cabins
otherwise we didn’t do much.
We have inflatable fenders, three to be exact. They are about three feet long and 18 inches wide. Perfect for keeping the boat off the nasty lock walls. Two leak, the other is fine. Of the leaky fenders, one had three bad leaks and the other only two small leaks. From reading about these Ares inflatable fenders, they do not repair well. There are other ones out there that have welded seams which are much better. Bet you’d love to hear me ask Mary about buying a few of those for $260 a piece! Anyway the one with three leak we chucked while the other one I'll patch up as soon as I get some Hypalon cement.
We have inflatable fenders, three to be exact. They are about three feet long and 18 inches wide. Perfect for keeping the boat off the nasty lock walls. Two leak, the other is fine. Of the leaky fenders, one had three bad leaks and the other only two small leaks. From reading about these Ares inflatable fenders, they do not repair well. There are other ones out there that have welded seams which are much better. Bet you’d love to hear me ask Mary about buying a few of those for $260 a piece! Anyway the one with three leak we chucked while the other one I'll patch up as soon as I get some Hypalon cement.
In bed by nine. Well
I was. If we leave tomorrow it has to be
before 8 so we can get across the lake
and through some locks.
We will see how it goes.
I did wake up around 5AM feeling almost normal again and
thinking hell, we should just leave today. I’m fine. I started to dwell on this idea and when I
woke up (yes, I guess I bored myself to sleep) it was 10:30. So much for leaving today.
It was cold, mid 50’s.
And rainy so we didn’t miss much.
Ever been through locks on a cold and rainy day?
I did a bit of Blog work, and Mary watched NetFlix most of
the day. We are basically ready to go
but I’m not allowed to disconnect the cable until later tonight.
So it was not a real exciting day. Frigid, yes.
But not exciting. Except for one
chance meeting with a couple taking their dog out for a walk. The man, a big guy, was carrying a little
white poodle. It was prepared for the
rainy weather with a shiny pink raincoat covering its body and a jaunty little
pink rain hat strapped to her head. Just shoot me now …
Well we didn’t leave at 8, but we did leave at 8:30 this morning. Mary and the dog sauntered up the dock after
I had the engines going and all the systems cutover. 5 dock lines off and we spun out of the basin
and were off.
Railroad bridge in the foreground and Roosevelt Bridge just about to open beyond it |
Just entered the St. Lucie Lock. We'll be going up |
Almost finished locking up. Note the water spilling in from the lock doors |
Next was the Port Mayaca lock which was 20 some miles down
river. By that time the winds had picked
up considerably from the Northwest and it was getting rough as we
approached.
But we were lucky in that
they had just opened the lock and let us pass through, meaning the lock wasn’t
operating as a lock. The chamber, open
on both ends was current filled but we powered our way through and out into the rough Lake .
Approaching the Port Mayaca Lock which is opened |
It was beam seas for us during the next 3 hours. Perhaps
2-3 feet but with a periods of maybe 5 seconds.
So we were rolling pretty good.
The dog is not fond of beam seas.and it was in the fifties which certain
people consider arctic conditions.
After a few hours the
waves calmed as we neared the big turn towards the Clewiston channel.
We headed up the channel and through the Clewiston lock
which operates as a lock only during severe storms or high lake levels.
Its rather narrow going through and then you emerge in a basin where the Army Core of Engineers has a base. Right beyond, less than a quarter mile is Roland Marina which is really just on long dock with a tiki bar along the bank.
Clewiston Lock |
Approaching Roland Marina |
Its rather narrow going through and then you emerge in a basin where the Army Core of Engineers has a base. Right beyond, less than a quarter mile is Roland Marina which is really just on long dock with a tiki bar along the bank.
Captain Sam taking out lines |
We ate at the thriving tiki bar and it was surprisingly good. Seems its a popular place.
Mary at the Tiki Bar |
It was definitely cold last night. Like in the mid 40’s. Superb sleeping weather though!
The space in front of us wa jammed with boats not an hour ago. |
That lock dropped us 6 feet, and the next lock, Ortana, dropped us
another 6. The last lock, Franklin took 5 calls on
the radio to answer before they would answer. But we ultimately were locked through and dropped 2 feet. Recall the first lock, St.
Lucie Lock raised us 14 feet. The next lock after that, Port Mayaca was wide open.
The canal/waterway here is pretty wild and undeveloped raising the possibilities of seeing wildlife. We did. Four alligators, one, a really large one. And a big old snake slithering across the canal.
We made the turn into the anchorage at Fort Myers around 5:45 and dropped anchor on
a cool and relatively calm night. We had
a sip of wine before taking the dog into the Marina for her walk and my teeny little jog
around the river front.
Fort Myers anchorage |
Back aboard, we ate dinner and watched a few Frasier episodes. The 5 GHZ wifi booster seems to have an issue
which I think (and hope) is the cable.
So we switched to 2.4 ghz after switching my phones hotspot to the 2.4 ghz band. Then everything worked just fine.