This morning with a little trepidation I tested my new inverter. Yippeeee -- worked fine out of the box. A big plus is that my GFI outlets work fine with this inverter. I've heard horror stories where the downstream GFI outlets trip the inverter's GFI circuit. Mine is working fine.
The morning went okay with a trip to the Publix via the bus. The bus is always an adventure. We arrived at the dinghy dock and had just tied up the dinghy. We hustled up to the bus stop and as it approached I waved and it just went right on by!! We had to run down to the next stop to catch it. A running 66 year old man is not a pretty thing. I climbed on and I asked the driver if she still stopped at the first stop. She said yes and then said I thought you were just waving a greeting!!
The visit to Publix went well as well as a short visit to West marine. They had screwed up an order that I was supposed to pickup in Charleston and I had them send it to this store in Vero. When I stopped in on Thursday they had the inverter but no knowledge of the other order. Today as I was checking out a couple of small items when they ran my member number the guy says "Oh I have something for you but didn't know how to get a hold of you". It was that other order so now everything is copacetic. Just some more stuff to install or replace.
What with the mess from the other day's pump out fiasco Our main tank was down to only 10 gallons of water. Still had 80 in the backup tank but I wanted to fill the main tank so I made 5 trips to the "water dock" in the dinghy and filled my 18 gallons in 3 jugs and brought back to the boat and pumped into the tank. I used to haul the jerry jugs up by hand and pour them in but the last time we were here I pulled a muscle in my back and hurt seriously for a week. I've built a small portable pump and I pump it from the dinghy into the tank without having to lift a heavy tank.
Follow the old adage. As you get older work smarter not harder.
Vic and Gigi arrived today and we are gather on the vessel Cookie Monster tonight for a little social. This is what it is all about when cruising.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Friday, November 18, 2016
Just a choir day.
Today was just a choir day. I got my bike out for the first time on this trip and it looked okay. Tires needed air and the plastic chain guard is holding on by one of three studs -- a job for gorilla glue tomorrow.
I biked to the hardware store to get some drill bits, a 15 amp flat plug extension cord, and a 1 1/2" hole saw. Back on the boat I took Karen in to do three loads of laundry -- it has been awhile. Back on the boat started the install of the new inverter by relocating an existing radio and mounting the inverter. I could use the 2-0 battery cables as is but had to attach the extension cord to existing wires to plug the 110V into the inverter. We will see how this works out. The new inverter has a GFI circuit built in and I have a few GFI outlets on the board. Sometimes they are not compatible.
It took nearly 4 hours to install but it is in. If you now my penchant for not using anything new on a Friday -- a superstition my mom gave me -- I'll wait till tomorrow to turn it on and check it out.
Our other cockpit chair failed and the fix that worked so well on the first chair has failed miserably here. I'm tired I'll investigate tomorrow.
Lots of work coming up over the next several days -- change main engine oil and filter, change primary diesel filter, install a new impeller on main engine seawater pump and probably a few other things.
That's what this extended stop is all about and we want to celebrate Thanksgiving here with our new and old friends.
Ohh we rafted up yesterday with a staple on the Cruizheimers Net -- Cookie Monster -- with Robin and Corbett aboard.
I biked to the hardware store to get some drill bits, a 15 amp flat plug extension cord, and a 1 1/2" hole saw. Back on the boat I took Karen in to do three loads of laundry -- it has been awhile. Back on the boat started the install of the new inverter by relocating an existing radio and mounting the inverter. I could use the 2-0 battery cables as is but had to attach the extension cord to existing wires to plug the 110V into the inverter. We will see how this works out. The new inverter has a GFI circuit built in and I have a few GFI outlets on the board. Sometimes they are not compatible.
It took nearly 4 hours to install but it is in. If you now my penchant for not using anything new on a Friday -- a superstition my mom gave me -- I'll wait till tomorrow to turn it on and check it out.
Our other cockpit chair failed and the fix that worked so well on the first chair has failed miserably here. I'm tired I'll investigate tomorrow.
Lots of work coming up over the next several days -- change main engine oil and filter, change primary diesel filter, install a new impeller on main engine seawater pump and probably a few other things.
That's what this extended stop is all about and we want to celebrate Thanksgiving here with our new and old friends.
Ohh we rafted up yesterday with a staple on the Cruizheimers Net -- Cookie Monster -- with Robin and Corbett aboard.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Snake in Paradise
Ahhh to be in Vero Beach.. I like it!! However a little less tonight.
I had signed up yesterday to have the holding tanks pumped out by their pump out boat. Now last time we were here we were at the most extreme -distant- mooring ball from the dock. Well that pump out boat always started from the south and worked north and we were the last boat done. Now we are in the South field and very near the beginning. You know it -- we were the second to last boat to be pumped out today. This is aggravating because they won't pump if no one is aboard so you spend the entire afternoon waiting. It wasn't too bad today because I started the install of the new Inverter and had to remove the old one which took about 4 hours. See Believe it or not I don't have the flexibility of a 14 year old gymnast anymore -- actually never did. It takes time to twist into the tight area under the navigation desk and then back out.
Well the old is out and new won't fit the old foot print so Have to relocate it and adjust all the wiring accordingly. Not a huge task but time consuming.
Ohhh the "snakes in paradise"? When he handed me the pump out nozzle he didn't caution me to open the valve slow. The first time I operated it a little bit leaked out. When I asked if it was done he said to stop it and open the valve again. When I did that it sprayed pump out stuff all over me and in my face. YUCK! That is way this post is so late today.. Had to take an EMERGENCY shower and then clean up the boat from a bucket -- remember we are on a mooring -- no hose connection.
The other snake is they changed the bus schedule then changed it again today so no one knew when they were coming and going. You just had to wait. We still made it to Publix and back with way too many goodies. Remember you have to carry and walk everything!
Oh well we will adapt.
I had signed up yesterday to have the holding tanks pumped out by their pump out boat. Now last time we were here we were at the most extreme -distant- mooring ball from the dock. Well that pump out boat always started from the south and worked north and we were the last boat done. Now we are in the South field and very near the beginning. You know it -- we were the second to last boat to be pumped out today. This is aggravating because they won't pump if no one is aboard so you spend the entire afternoon waiting. It wasn't too bad today because I started the install of the new Inverter and had to remove the old one which took about 4 hours. See Believe it or not I don't have the flexibility of a 14 year old gymnast anymore -- actually never did. It takes time to twist into the tight area under the navigation desk and then back out.
Well the old is out and new won't fit the old foot print so Have to relocate it and adjust all the wiring accordingly. Not a huge task but time consuming.
Ohhh the "snakes in paradise"? When he handed me the pump out nozzle he didn't caution me to open the valve slow. The first time I operated it a little bit leaked out. When I asked if it was done he said to stop it and open the valve again. When I did that it sprayed pump out stuff all over me and in my face. YUCK! That is way this post is so late today.. Had to take an EMERGENCY shower and then clean up the boat from a bucket -- remember we are on a mooring -- no hose connection.
The other snake is they changed the bus schedule then changed it again today so no one knew when they were coming and going. You just had to wait. We still made it to Publix and back with way too many goodies. Remember you have to carry and walk everything!
Oh well we will adapt.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Finally arrived in Vero Beach
It was a little bumpy behind the Melbourne Causeway. I'm sure Dragon Point would have been smoother.
We had a nice ride to Vero. The wind piped up to 20+ knots in the Indian River but it was directly behind us and since we had to zig zag through there we gave up on motor sailing and just motored. We caught a favorable current and were doing 7+ kts with no sail up so no joy lost.
It is a beautiful sunny day here although blustery. I was sweating having to raft to an unknown boat in this wind but when we called the marina they put us on the last free ball. Thus we are all to ourselves for awhile. There are several boats alone on balls, a few doubles and no triples yet. We will enjoy this solitude for awhile.
Apparently the bus schedule has changed and the different drivers have different understandings. We will just have to persevere tomorrow on our run to West Marine and the Publix.
We met John and Madeline from Chanceaux at the lounge. Got caught up on doings and will see more of them later.
Tomorrow we will do any necessary provisioning, pick up my new inverter and then just retire back here to the boat.
Ohhh our other cockpit chair latching mechanism failed this morning. I tried to fix it this afternoon but my drill bit broke. Got to run to the hardware to get another to finally fix it. There is a hardware store about 3/4 mile away and I'll be breaking my bike out for the first use on this trip.
We had a nice ride to Vero. The wind piped up to 20+ knots in the Indian River but it was directly behind us and since we had to zig zag through there we gave up on motor sailing and just motored. We caught a favorable current and were doing 7+ kts with no sail up so no joy lost.
It is a beautiful sunny day here although blustery. I was sweating having to raft to an unknown boat in this wind but when we called the marina they put us on the last free ball. Thus we are all to ourselves for awhile. There are several boats alone on balls, a few doubles and no triples yet. We will enjoy this solitude for awhile.
Apparently the bus schedule has changed and the different drivers have different understandings. We will just have to persevere tomorrow on our run to West Marine and the Publix.
We met John and Madeline from Chanceaux at the lounge. Got caught up on doings and will see more of them later.
Tomorrow we will do any necessary provisioning, pick up my new inverter and then just retire back here to the boat.
Ohhh our other cockpit chair latching mechanism failed this morning. I tried to fix it this afternoon but my drill bit broke. Got to run to the hardware to get another to finally fix it. There is a hardware store about 3/4 mile away and I'll be breaking my bike out for the first use on this trip.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Just a travel day
Not much to write about this evening.
We left the mooring field a little after 7am and just "locked" into the channel and carried on. The tide in these parts is less than a foot so there was no appreciable assist or restraint from a tidal current. We just plugged along at are usual 6.4 - 6.6 motor cruising speed. Not enough wind to motor sail so just motored along. The Indian River is quite wide here so there was little to look at. Two sailboats passed us in the opposite direction and 2 trawlers passed us. That's it! As of 4:30pm this afternoon we are the only boat in this little anchorage.
The weather conditions were very mild and expected to continue overnight so instead of stopping at Dragon Point and anchoring we continued on another 5 miles to the Melbourne Causeway and anchored behind it. There is some bouncing here but not bad. We were in around 1:30pm so just a 6.5 hour run today.
Only 32 miles to Vero Beach tomorrow. Looking forward to getting in and tieing up for several days.
We left the mooring field a little after 7am and just "locked" into the channel and carried on. The tide in these parts is less than a foot so there was no appreciable assist or restraint from a tidal current. We just plugged along at are usual 6.4 - 6.6 motor cruising speed. Not enough wind to motor sail so just motored along. The Indian River is quite wide here so there was little to look at. Two sailboats passed us in the opposite direction and 2 trawlers passed us. That's it! As of 4:30pm this afternoon we are the only boat in this little anchorage.
The weather conditions were very mild and expected to continue overnight so instead of stopping at Dragon Point and anchoring we continued on another 5 miles to the Melbourne Causeway and anchored behind it. There is some bouncing here but not bad. We were in around 1:30pm so just a 6.5 hour run today.
Only 32 miles to Vero Beach tomorrow. Looking forward to getting in and tieing up for several days.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Super Moon has bee super to us
Wow this Super Moon phase has been outstanding. In the areas were there is little tide like Daytona and South the water is lapping the docks or over them. The flood tide is more than 2 feet higher than usual and the ebb tide is virtually non existent. This boils down to current flooding most of the time and just so happens to be flooding the way we are going.
Today was another day of favorable current. We left Rockhouse creek about 7am and arrived in Titusville marina for fuel at 11:45am.. That is great.
The marina is pretty full and only about 10 boats on moorings. We fueled up with 42 gallons of diesel and 70 gallons of water then went out for a mooring. Karen is doing great at holding the boat at the mooring while I thread the line. We stopped here because we ran out of 1/2 and 1/2 and heavy cream. We went to the "Sav a Lot" and picked up just 2 bags of groceries to tide us over till we hit the Great Publix in Vero Beach.
The trip was fast but still full of woe. Dock after dock was destroyed or badly damaged. It just hurt me to see so much destruction left by Hurricane Matthew.
Ohh and for you folks with tall masts read the height boards at the bridges. With this super moon affect several were at 62 or 63' at LOW TIDE! I need 61'.
The weather is overcast with occasional sprinkles from the heavens. No wind to speak of and mild conditions expected overnight. Highs in low 70s and lows in the high 50s.
Tomorrow will be another short run of 36 miles to Dragon point to anchor for the night. Vero is another 39 miles and too much for one day.
Today was another day of favorable current. We left Rockhouse creek about 7am and arrived in Titusville marina for fuel at 11:45am.. That is great.
The marina is pretty full and only about 10 boats on moorings. We fueled up with 42 gallons of diesel and 70 gallons of water then went out for a mooring. Karen is doing great at holding the boat at the mooring while I thread the line. We stopped here because we ran out of 1/2 and 1/2 and heavy cream. We went to the "Sav a Lot" and picked up just 2 bags of groceries to tide us over till we hit the Great Publix in Vero Beach.
The trip was fast but still full of woe. Dock after dock was destroyed or badly damaged. It just hurt me to see so much destruction left by Hurricane Matthew.
Ohh and for you folks with tall masts read the height boards at the bridges. With this super moon affect several were at 62 or 63' at LOW TIDE! I need 61'.
The weather is overcast with occasional sprinkles from the heavens. No wind to speak of and mild conditions expected overnight. Highs in low 70s and lows in the high 50s.
Tomorrow will be another short run of 36 miles to Dragon point to anchor for the night. Vero is another 39 miles and too much for one day.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
E-gads best run ever!
Boy the super moon phase was with us today. We left St Augustine at 7am expecting our longest day of the trip -- 64 miles to Rockhouse Creek in New Smyrna just south of Daytona.
When we left we were on the rising tide and almost immediately hit 8+kts. Very unusual. We enjoyed high 7s till about 11am then around Flagler Beach dropped to 5.8 - 6.0 for about 30 minutes then right back up to high 6s and 7s. We expected to take 10 hours -- we did it in 8!! We were in just before 3pm. My eyes were still quite tired but it was a GREAT RUN.
The only problem area was around the Mantanzas inlet. The buoys are confusing. After Green 81 there are 4 can buoys called 81 A B C and D, then immediately followed by Red 82. The chart and magenta line were all on the wrong side of these buoys so we ignored the chart and followed the buoys which were scary since there was little room between the green cans and the shore. We made it through near high tide and saw nothing below 9'.
The rest of the day was just staying in the channel.
I had to anchor at the north end of Rockhouse Creek because there were already 3 sailboats here. It gets shallow very fast there but we were just off low tide and rising and we had 6.4 feet or better under the boat.
We look out over the Ponce Inlet from here so if the sky is clear we will have a GREAT view of the super moon tonight provided the bugs let us. At 4pm the no see ums are so bad I had to go below.
They had thick fog here this morning so we might be delayed in are run to Titusville tomorrow but if no fog we can be there around noon and go get some 1/2 and 1/2. I've got just enough for breakfast tomorrow.
When we left we were on the rising tide and almost immediately hit 8+kts. Very unusual. We enjoyed high 7s till about 11am then around Flagler Beach dropped to 5.8 - 6.0 for about 30 minutes then right back up to high 6s and 7s. We expected to take 10 hours -- we did it in 8!! We were in just before 3pm. My eyes were still quite tired but it was a GREAT RUN.
The only problem area was around the Mantanzas inlet. The buoys are confusing. After Green 81 there are 4 can buoys called 81 A B C and D, then immediately followed by Red 82. The chart and magenta line were all on the wrong side of these buoys so we ignored the chart and followed the buoys which were scary since there was little room between the green cans and the shore. We made it through near high tide and saw nothing below 9'.
The rest of the day was just staying in the channel.
I had to anchor at the north end of Rockhouse Creek because there were already 3 sailboats here. It gets shallow very fast there but we were just off low tide and rising and we had 6.4 feet or better under the boat.
We look out over the Ponce Inlet from here so if the sky is clear we will have a GREAT view of the super moon tonight provided the bugs let us. At 4pm the no see ums are so bad I had to go below.
They had thick fog here this morning so we might be delayed in are run to Titusville tomorrow but if no fog we can be there around noon and go get some 1/2 and 1/2. I've got just enough for breakfast tomorrow.
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