Social Icons

Pages

Showing posts with label Our. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Our. Show all posts

Sunday, 9 April 2017

Top 10 funny things at our survey


Top 10 funny things heard at our survey (on the boat we didn't buy!)
1. Surveyor: The autopilot doesn’t work
Owner: Yes, it does.
Surveyor: It doesn’t turn the wheel.
Owner: I use it all the time.

2. Surveyor: The stove doesn’t work.
Owner: Yes, it does. I’ll show you (see separate post)
Surveyor: OK. We’ll call it hazardous and unusable.
3. Husband: Did you know the (400 hr) engine is smoking?
Broker: (crickets chirping)
4. Surveyor: Four of the batteries aren’t secured--unless someone is laying on the ¼ berth.
5. Surveyor: Did you know the boat doesn’t have a hot water heater?
Me: Yes.
Surveyor: (crickets chirping)
6. Surveyor: Let’s go sailing.
Husband: Did you see the whisker stays?
Surveyor: Yeah, let’s not put that under a load.
7. Me: Are those blisters in the hull?
Husband touches one & it squirts in his face.
(OK, not “heard,” but still funny)
8. Me: (after blisters are discovered) Did you know the broker is starting to touch my knee?
Husband: (laughter)
9. Surveyor: The alternator isn’t working.
Broker: Should we start the generator? (we’re motoring)
Surveyor: Sure. (To me, sitting on the generator). Is it loud?
10. The broker backing the boat into the haul out (too long and to much cursing to share)

Read More..

Sunday, 20 December 2015

Houston Boat Show 2010 Our Booth


Once again we participated in the Houston Boat Show at our booth we displayed Inflatable boats from Zodiac and Achilles as well as EPIRBs and PLBs from ACR and McMurdo




Photobucket
Read More..

Thursday, 6 November 2014

Prepping to depart our summer marina



Brunswick has no shortage of spectacular sunrises & sunsets

I didn't envision spending the summer at a marina in Georgia!  We left without a firm plan, except "heading south" (it was too cold to head north in April.  We would have loved to revisit Maine).  We knew our insurance wanted us above N30.5 (FL/GA line) by July 15th.  Each time we stopped at a marina, it was "Hmmm.  We could come back here."  Brunswick was on the list of "hurricane holes" the Captain had in mind.  He would have preferred a marina where he could haul out, live on the boat and paint the bottom ourselves, but that didn't happen.

We are starting to count down to our departure from our summer/hurricane hole marina at the end of the month.   We will explore the area including St. Simon's island, Jekyll Island and Cumberland Island before working our way down to Fernandina Beach after our insurance Nov 1st date.  We hope to spend most of our time before the Bahama's anchored out or at mooring balls.

The high is forecast to be 80F this week, so with the low's in the 60's, so I finally shut off the air conditioning and opened the ports and hatches.  It's a little warm in the boat in the afternoon, which is solved by moving out into the cockpit or sitting out on the dock.

I found a problem I was having before we arrived.  One, now two, or the ports didn't want to stay open.  When My Captain, Oh Captain was reminded, he said, "perhaps you can do that.  You'll need an allen wrench."  Tools obtained.  Instructions given from the couch--"Give it another turn.  Try tightening the other side also."  Add that to the First Mate duties!

I dug out the Iridium GO satellite communicator we purchased for communicating with family members when we are underway and out of cell phone coverage.  It will also allow us to use PredictWind to get updated weather info.  The Iridium is not user-friendly but texting our float-plan-family-member is working.  There is supposed to be a software update that helps, but I can't make that work either.  I did manage to get Twitter (@PDQ36Odin) working.  Facebook access is not available anymore.

See the paper mill in the background?

They move the paper over to the dock by train.  Whoo, Whoo!

The boat got a good scrub down.  We had some mildew on deck, either from the morning dew or possibly from being down river from the paper mill.  The usual cleaners from West Marine weren't working.  Neither was the First Mates first choice of vinegar.  A quick google search turned the Captain onto Scrubbing Bubbles (generic is Foaming Bleach).  Worked like a charm.

Brunswick scum, I think...

Most of our Amazon deliveries have arrived, including a 48-pack pack of toilet paper.  (Paper products are expensive in the Caribbean.)  You can't have too much TP!  I've also started slowly stock up the pantry again.  Instead of going every other day, I go every day.  The cashier's laugh & ask "how many more days?"  Canned soup, canned veggies, gluten-free pasta, rice, beans, our favorite coffee, juice and beer are being stockpiled.  We decided to move the bicycles to the guest berth, so I reorganized the pantry.

Grocery run with an ice coffee in one hand.  Learned some bicycles handling skills here!

Storage area is officially a pantry :-)  First Mate idea, Captain approved.

Some friends departed the marina for Florida today (http://latitude43.com/).  It's a small relief there is somebody "blazing the trail" ahead of us.  We've learned a lot of cruiser's leave their boat somewhere during July-August.  Some fly home to their houses, some visit family and others RV.  ("Maybe we can do that next year" from the guy that said he would NEVER RV.)  They've been trickling back into the marina.  The dock master says their biggest event is Thanksgiving.

Putting lipstick on a pig.  Sorry dinghy.  I love you!

The Captain decided to give the dinghy a little love.  It's mostly lived on the davits for 3 months, so it also got a scrub down and a top coat.  We've also ordered some canvas for possible dinghy chaps and a deck shade.

The Captain takes over the portable SSB & weather fax after I got frustrated (Wha pa!)

Portable SSB and weather fax with HP Fax app:  Thanks to our friends over at theretirementproject.blogspot.com, we discovered a portable SSB might be another great source of weather info when out of reach of cellular data.  I ordered the Tecsun PL-660 and downloaded the HF Fax app for our iPads.  The Captain was able to use the FM antenna that came with the radio to run out to our insulated backstay (our boat was set up up for SSB with an insulated back stay antenna & copper but did not have an SSB radio installed).  I've got the photo connector for the iPad & the USB to 3.5 cord on order.  Even at the dock with a lot of interference, we were able to get some fuzzy maps and were picking up Chris Parker weather broadcasts (we were previously paying for the email updates, which we may still do since they come in the night before).

We'll skip all discussion of our head (toilet)

One of the cabinets in the head had a slight odor, so The Captain changed the hose from the macerator to the holding tank.  He doesn't really have anything else to say about that (except "going to take a long, hot shower").

"WTF?  DADDY?!"

Traveling out of the country with a pet is tricky.  It requires a lot of paperwork and vet visits.  To make things more interesting, each country is different.  On Sept 3rd, I mailed our Bahamian purr-mit paperwork for  "importing" for Amelia the Cat.  (This will waive quarantine on arrival.)  An international money order for $10 + $5 fax service and the Priority Mail was $26 ($6 extra for out of the country and 6-10 days instead of 3-4 days.  They recommend Fed Ex.)  I received a phone call from a Doctor (Vet) on 14th.  She wanted to verify the age of 18 years.  "Well, that's the oldest cat I've ever cleared into the Bahamas!"  She was signing it and said I should see the fax in a few days.  It was a Wed so I gave it a week to arrive.  Then last week, I called daily.  "When did you mail it?"  "The Doctor isn't in."  "Tell me your fax number and I'll see what I can do."  After some panicked begging on Friday, it arrived at the end of day (The fax is in the marina office, so they are tired of me also.)  Now we just need a vet visit for health certificate (basically, a list of immunizations with a USDA stamp.  Hoping to find a marina where we can get an appointment and a courtesy car).
The last step is a vet visit when we get to the island.   We've read that if the cat isn't leaving the boat, these rules are a little more lax.

We're going to Ba?where?
The high temps have held at 80F, so the air conditioner was finally unhooked and stowed below.

The last piece of equipment before we leave is a wifi range extender.  Hopefully, this will help keep us connected without relying on our tethered cellular data.  It didn't get shipped out last week, but I've been assured it will arrive before our scheduled departure on Tuesday.

Bahamas cat permit info:
Bahamas government, Dept of Ag, cat permit

http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/bahamas.cfm

http://www.captdrdave.com/42-2/



Read More..

Friday, 8 March 2013

Follow along our path


Several of you are following our actual route.  Here's some tips:

We mark all of our stops on a google earth map (You can zoom in or out.  This has so much detail, we use it to check out marina layouts and anchorages.  Once, we spotted some shoaling near where we were anchored!  We also amuse ourselves my trying to see if any of the boats in the picture are still there.  Yep, we have a lot of free time!)  This is not "live", but I try to keep it updated as soon as I get to some wifi:
Odin's track on Google Maps

(If we have cell phone coverage):  When we're moving, we "check in" on Odin's Facebook page every hour or two, or as we pass something of note.  (If we post "passing", you can click on the name in bold and this will usually get you to a map where you can zoom in or out.)  This doesn't require a Facebook log in for now.
https://www.facebook.com/svodinthewanderer

(If we don't have cell phone coverage):  We have an Iridium GO we'll be using to post our position.  Stay tuned for more info.

If you want more information you could also join ActiveCaptain.com.  We use it for waterway alerts and reviews of marinas/anchorages.

Also, the ICW is marked on nautical charts as a magenta (it's really pink) line.

The Captain uses a Simrad chartplotter with Navionics software as our primary source of navigation, however: 
  • We also have Maptech Chartkit paper charts for the ICW, that we previously used for planning:  Amazon link to Maptech Chartkit
  • The First Mate uses the iPad Garmin Blue Chart app for planning and for live access to ActiveCaptain alerts (the app is free and as I recall, you can purchase charts for around $30).
If you follow our Facebook page, you'll notice the blog isn't "live."  It's usually 2-4 days behind.  It takes awhile to edit & add pics, which requires decent wifi.
    Hope you have fun following along!
    Read More..

    Friday, 28 September 2012

    Our first driveway


    Driving across the Smoky Mountains

    "Where in the world is Odin the Winnebago?  The Unicoi, TN WalMart--in the mountains and that's fog/mist!"

    Grocery shopping

    One of the errands that require the most planning on a boat is grocery shopping.  Find an anchorage with a store.  Load up backpacks and grocery list (ha, ha.  Wish list!).  Dinghy into the dock.  Walk to store.  Repack into backpacks.  Walk back.  Load into dinghy.  Load into boat.  Unpack in cockpit.  Put away, careful to only open fridge the minimum amount of time.  Sailboat friends, you many want to look away for the next part:  There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your house to the grocery store.  Advantage?  The pic above--only unload once!  Disadvantage?  Even though we parked in the back of the parking lot, people were attracted to us like flies.  They parked all around us.  One woman parked so close (less than a foot from the driver's side window) that I had to get out and tell her we wanted to leave soon.  She said, "I'm meeting my daughter in an RV and you're not her!"  Ha, ha, ha!  Yes, I'm sure we all look alike to non-RVers.

    Our first driveway!

    Luckily, The Colonel's brother has had big trucks in here before, so he knew to tell us to back down their dead end road, then into their driveway.  Try something new everyday!

    Link:  http://www.lowes.com/pd/AeonAir-8-000-BTU-200-sq-ft-115-Volt-Portable-Air-Conditioner/50343006

    When the Winnebago a/c was acting up (in 95F heat), we bought a portable a/c unit.  Similar to our window unit for the boat, it doesn't take much to cool such a small space.  I hated spending the extra money, but we've found it helps supplement our manufacturer installed a/c to cool Odin down quicker after a long drive on a hot day.  Even better, it can be plugged into a regular household outlet (Odin's a/c requires 30 amp minimum, preferably 50).  While staying in our family's driveway, we needed to keep the coach cool for Princess Kitty.  We ran an extension cord with an adaptor from their front porch and watched the amp draw.  The portable a/c pulls less than 8 amps on a 20 amp plug with a few lights on.  If we turn on the a/c fan to help recirculate then we show 12 amps. (A box fan is also another option).  We're careful to only run one high draw item at a time--turn a/c off for Nutribullet, electric tea kettle or microwave so we don't blow our family's breaker).  The portable a/c fits snugly under our dining table and the exhaust hose goes out the side window (the newer ones don't require a water drain).  This will keep the coach 5-10 degrees cooler than the outside temp, which may not be enough for some, but it's comfortable for us and Princess Amelia.


    Handy to have a 30-amp to 20-amp adapter or a 3-plug extension cord.


    We also use the 1/4" silver insulation (comes in rolls at the hardware store) against as many windows as practical.  Awnings out (we're lucky to have extra awnings over both bedroom windows & the entry door).  Shades down as practical.

    Could you run portable a/c on solar?  Maybe!


    After days of tinkering, the moment when we get the main TV hooked to the laptop so we can watch Netflix & The Tour de France. Priceless! (Stay tuned for our setup)


    Parked in a family members driveway for free!  OK, not totally free. Helping with new siding.
    #brothers #powertools

    The moment Princess Amelia discovered the screen door...

    Day 1 of preventive maintenance:  engine wash & lube (access under our bed.  House smells like engine lubricant). 


    Day 2:  climbed up on roof for further inspection & to measure our actual height.  The air suspension was down but we had the levelers extended.  11'9" at head exhaust fan cover so we'll call that an even 12 ft (manufacturer's brochure 12'1"?!). Today:  Wash & wax. I'm hiding!


    Ironically, after a storm, our family's power went out for 24 hours, then again for another 12.  We cranked up Odin's generator, turned on the a/c, plugged in THEIR fridge and wifi router and moved the party out to our house!  It's the perfect apocalypse vehicle (Too much Walking Dead and Justin Cronin?)


    Absolutely, gorgeous!


    Our family has a treat in store.  Mountain biking the Virginia Creeper Trail!  We drive out to Damascus, VA and rent bicycles from Adventure Damascus.  They drive you up Whitetop mountain and you ride down.  Jonesborough's elevation is 1693.  Damascus is 1952.  Whitetop is 3500 ft (and yes, it's much cooler up there, in addition to the trail being mostly shaded!)  That's a 1600 foot drop over 17 miles.  It's a crushed limestone and cinder rail trail that crosses the Appalachian Trail at least three times.  (One of our favorite books is "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson and we had just watched the movie a few days before.)  For the particularly hearty, you can continue on to Abingdon, another 17 miles and they'll pick you up at the end.  Or you can ride UP the mountain, then coast down.  Next time.  Highly recommend.


    Read More..

    Thursday, 10 November 2011

    Our first haul out Puerto del Rey



    Puerto del Rey marina and haul-out facility.
    Departing Green Beach, Vieques for Puerto del Rey in Fajardo, we are off anchor by 8:00 am with the genoa unfurled & one engine at idle and a 15 kts quartering tailwind.  Once we clear the shoal, we turn northbound and are on a beam reach.  However, there are big waves on the beam (more confused waves) and it's (another) rough ride until we turn westbound for the marina, just past Isla Pineros (Beautiful.  Tentative stop that we are passing up for the marina.  Next time.)  We have the marina in sight with two sailboats heading out.  This places looks fun!

    Passing Isla Pineros

    It's been two months since we've been in a marina and Puerto del Rey is one of the bigger marinas we've been to.  We call on the radio to get our slip assignment (916, on the powerboat side but also near the lift).  The boats are HUGE and the fairways look narrow as we try to determine which side of dock 9 we need to be on.  The dock hands flag us down and I look back at The Captain, awaiting any last minute instructions.  With two dock hands waiting on either side, I decided to throw the stern lines first and walk both lines to midship.  With two casual tosses and a gentle kiss, we're on.  The dock master welcomes us with, "It's regatta weekend.  Lot's of food, drink and MUSIC!"  

    What to do first?  Showers?  Restaurant?  Nope.  Air conditioning!  It will be in the 90's for the next two days.

    "Is it on?!"


    Officially out of canned beets.  "Here's your dinner, honey!"

    Stats:  Total time 2:40, avg speed 5.0 kts, total mileage 13.5 nm.  Motor sail with genoa and 1-engine 50%.

    TOTAL MILEAGE SINCE DEPARTING ANNAPOLIS, MD:  3205.9 NM

    TOTAL MILEAGE SINCE DEPARTING FLORIDA:  approx 1300 NM

    Warranty Taylor Made fenders
    It's always like Christmas when our packages catch up with us at a marina.  Our boat came with a set of Taylor Made Fenders.  The Hull Gards have a lifetime guarantee and true to their word, Taylor Made replaced our two blown fenders!

    On the right, the new hatch covers
    We were the lucky winner of an Outland Hatch Cover from The Boat Galley. We ordered a second one since they were having their spring sale.  We neglected to tell them we were an older PDQ with the older version of this style hatch, but with a little shaving, they're on!  An improvement over our canvas covers that occasionally blow off or leak (leech line caught in seal). Thank you!  They look great!

    Our last stop of the season has beautiful sunrises!

    Winterizing the dinghy outboard for hurricane season--you know what I mean!

    All that food organization means lots of bins to clean

    Now we're in that awkward in-between phase.  We're at the marina, but we don't haul out until next Wed.  We've consumed a lot of the provisions that I so carefully stockpiled as we went (may regret that in Nov!) and the water tank ran dry as we hit the dock.  It's a long walk to the bathroom, so we're still using the head.  I need to start cleaning the interior of the boat:  pack remaining provisions into plastic tubs, clean & wipe everything down with vinegar/tea tree oil (to prevent mold), wash everything that I can fit in the washer/dryer (sheets, towels, cushion covers), then pack it all into plastic bags.  But we live in a very small space...The Captain is only outside in the mornings, before the heat builds.  When we moved onto the boat, it was April--things were spread across the salon, the cat was confined to our berth and it spilled out into the cockpit and onto the dock.  Not really an option now.

    (A special thank you to Summertime Rolls for suggesting to leave extra provisions in the laundry room.  I was wildly popular with the cleaning staff, even though I had to explain lentils and coconut milk.)

    And of course, the food of Puerto del Rey:

    Fried fish sandwich and Arroz con Pollo.  They don't look exciting but they're yummy!

    Mofongo:  fried plaintains, smashed and cooked in garlic.  YUMMO!  

    Even the guava and avocado were FIRE!

    Laundry day.  It was $3 to wash and $3 to dry but you have to buy a $5 debit card that you "load up".  I used a $5 bill to get the card then only had a $20.  Somehow I spent $25 on laundry!

    Through the Women Who Sail FaceBook group, we met up with s/v Outta Control for drinks.  It turns out they've hauled out for the last 6 years and also have an RV back home.  Lots of great advice!

    Bimini before

    Bimini off
    Another day and more items to check off the list.  The strataglass got a fresh water rinse then an Imar clean and condition by the First Mate before The Captain starting taking off the bimini.  As the day heats up, I move inside to clean out our berth locker (stow some unused clothes in bins.  Hang up dryer sheets on those still hanging) and then attempt to clean/find the nav table.  Love the a/c!

    Starting to pack
    Electric tea kettle (too high amp draw), Nutribullet (too expensive for 2), Aeropress, 5 t-shirts, 2 shorts, 2 capris with room to spare. Backpack with iPad, Kindle, personal paperwork to go. Bam!  I'm packed.

    "I sense change.  I'm not happy."

    Anyone who lives with a cat, knows it best to leave them in the dark about future activities that may affect their nap schedule.  When we sold our house, we waited until she went to sleep on our bed, then closed the door to pack/garage sale/clean.  She was fine until we moved out the mattress...Today the cleaning has gotten serious & Amelia is onto us.  After watching Daddy scrub down the salon, she jumped up onto the table, looked at me, and dumped over her water glass.  Pretty sure she did that on purpose.  So that's how this is gonna go...

    Yeah, Mama's not talking to you either!
    Finally, it's Monday morning and we go over to meet Shanaz at the haul out facility and receive some good news (I hope I don't jinx us).  We'd heard rumors about a rule change that said no work being allowed in the hurricane haul out facilities, even by approved contractors.  The boat would have to be moved over to the boat yard (additional lift charge).  It turns out, we can still hire a contractor to power wash and sand, then we can roll on the bottom paint when we get back. I love it when a plan comes together.  A stop at the marine store inside the marina yields some Damp Rid and Kanberra gel.  Score!


    My side of the haul-out battle--mold/mildew and mice/insects.  Today I'm wiping down 500ish sq ft of headliner with a vinegar/water/tea tree oil solution.  Usually, it's easy cleaning our tiny home, but I've never cleaned the ceiling by hand!  Also, hoping that running the air conditioning for 6 days will help dry everything out ;-). 

    Dec 2014.  Edgewater, MD.
    I was looking through old pics to confirm strap placement for our haul out tomorrow.  The last time Odin was out of the water was Dec 3, 2014 for our sea trial (and technically, still someone else's problem if he fell off the lift).  You think that can't happen?  A catamaran in Luperon had fallen off the lift twice while trying to splash...Momma is getting nervous!  

    Genoa off the roller furler

    The sails are finally coming off.  It's been too windy the last few days and then, where to put them!  They're HUGE!  
    The strength of wind in a sail is amazing.  You can feel it when you take a sheet off the winch while underway, but the last time we did this, I was almost lifted off my feet while standing on the trampoline:  
    "Here hold onto this, while I go furl it in..."  
    "Um, honey?!?!"
    This morning was uneventful.

    A friends boat just down the way in the yard.

    s/v Outta Control

    Veterans at hauling out, our friends on s/v Outta Control allow me to shadow them while they haul out (inside 24 hours people!). I want to vomit as it swings in the slings over the concrete, and it isn't even my boat!  I learn a few tricks including marking the sling placement in masking tape.  I grab The Captain and we walk back over for a quick consult with the lift operator on where we will be located (back fence near water & electricity!), well procedures (stern into the slings for us), and how we would like it blocked (took over pictures and a copy from our Owner's Manual for him to keep).  We advise him we wwill be at the fuel dock pumping out just prior to our slot and he says they'll watch for us and wave us over.  Feeling comfortable with the procedures for tomorrow.

    (Pilot friends, zoom in on the logo on their stern.  Can you guess what he did for a living?)

    Side note:  Maybe we have these in Missouri, but the boats in the background are in the "Dry Stack" also called a "boat hotel".  The marina has 1000 wet slips and 400 dry stack spaces!  There are 2 separate full-time lifts splashing and restacking these little power boats.  It's crazy!

    Oh, and "No one may live or sleep on vessel in dry stack area."

    Owner's Manual diagram.  

    The Captain's smashed toe in the middle of boat prep.  Sigh...

    AND the main sail is off. He is one naked sail boat. Naked, naked, naked.  
    Note to self.  Order more ball bearing before returning to boat :-(

    One more sunrise from the boat.  Laundry, defrost fridge, rental car, fuel dock, haul out!

    Haul out day.  I'm in the laundry room by 6:30 am but the washer's aren't working.  No sweat.  I'll come back.  Back to start the fridge defrost.  8:00 am. Walk up to get the rental car.  Can't find the rental car company that is supposed to be on the property.  Call (pet peeve--once I make the reservation, I should get the phone number to the location that HAS my CAR, not an 800 number) and discover they've moved to the ferry dock.  They come to pick us up.  By 9:15, we're on the road to the hardware store.  (I'm driving.  I haven't driven since June 2015.  At one point I think I'm speeding but I'm only doing 40 mph.  Never got it above 45!). Buy tarp for the bottom clean.  Back to the marina by 10:30 am.  Washer is fixed so laundry is started.  Lunch.  Back to put clothes in dryer.  Clothes don't get dry but I don't have enough on the debit card for another dry--and The Captain wants to be off the dock by 12:45pm.  Walk away from laundry for the second time.  Pull boat to the other side of double-wide slip to counteract wind.  Depart the slip for the fuel dock.  Despite scheduling the day before, the staff is late getting back from lunch.  The Captain eases in and I lasso a cleat.  Score!  Stern swings in & we're tied off.  They tell us to do the pump-out ourselves :-(  Sit and wait for a few minutes and ease off at 1:15 for our 1:30 pm.  The crew truck pulls up to the lift and Bennie and his crew pile out, so we spin around and back into the well.  "We were waiting for you guys!"  Four lines are quickly tied off.  One fender moved that will be in the way of a strap.  I'm ordered off to report to Shanaz in the office to sign our paperwork.  I sign my life away and she radios back to the lift that we are cleared to go.  When I get back, Odin is out of the water and reported to weigh 12,000 lbs.  "Don't look at me!  We ate most of the canned goods..."

    Come back from the office to this.  Gonna vomit.

    Odin coming over the cement...Nauseous

    The crew under Odin

    Bennie and the ground crew all crawl under Odin and begin securing straps and using a rubber mallet to look for the cross beams.  They discuss the number of jack stands and the crew member on the left departs to get the stands then meets us at our spot. 

    Down through the dry stack

    Across the bridge

    Into the yard {sniff, sniff}

    ALL the way to the back..."Don't worry, Odin.  It will be like summer camp."  F@$%, where's the rum?!  Dang it!  On the boat.

    We're in the VERY back corner so they had to take down a fence to get the lift in!

    "We're in a tight spot, Harry." 
    And now I pace...we're backed up to the mangroves, back of yard from the ocean, near a power pedestal, under a security camera.  Now the blocking begins. Bennie our lift operator, 4 yard employees & the contractor (+1) that will power wash & sand the bottom...

    They're expanding the yard.

    Tarp laid down.  Reuben & The Captain discussing power wash and sanding.

    1.5 hours in, and Bennie is still not satisfied that Odin is level.  Craig hops up and hands down Amelia (which brings work to a halt while the crew says hello to Princess).  I bolt to the car to meet our AirBnB landlord.  By the time I return the lift is gone and The Captain is inside watching TV with the a/c on.  (Now you can call us weenies).  "I didn't want to disturb those guys while they're power washing..."

    Security stops by to ask if our outboard will stay on the rail.  "It's locked.  I can take it in but I'd rather not."  No, I just need to add it to my inventory.  We keep track.  WOW!

    Keels sitting on blocks (Note the tubing rolled up in the tarp.  They wet vac up what they power wash off.  Interesting.)
    Zoom in to see what those barnacles do to your bottom paint.  Yes, ours was shot, but you can see the dots where they were!

    4 jack stands under the bridge deck.  2 under the bows and 2 under the sterns.

    Hurricane straps

    View off the bow (note the 10ft high fence with razor wire!)

    View off our stern

    The barnacles on the rudder I couldn't reach

    Another catamaran advantage over our monohull friends.  We can climb up the swim ladder to get on the boat!

    "Sorry, Odin Jr."  Now we know why the davit lines are so long!  We were able to lower it all the way to the ground while on the stands.

    Dinghy with cover & tarp then secured to the jack stands ("kayakie")
    Our contractor was already wet sanding the hull when we arrive the next morning at 7:30 am.  Main engines flushed, Sea-foam & corrosion X.  Dinghy lowered, bottom cleaned, treated with 303 protectant, covered with dinghy cover & tarp, secured to jack stands.  Kayak secured.  Kitchen strainer cleaned. Thru-hulls closed.  Clean sheets & towels stored in plastic with dryer sheets. Checked out of the marina side. "Whole interior" wiped down with 1:1 vinegar/water.  (PITA).  Trash off.  Bug spray.  A/c stowed.  Power & water disconnected.

    We're done. We're walking away.  One dirty glass will go back to the RV as my "boat" souvenir. 

    "No wild parties while we're gone, Odin. Por favor no mold, no pests, no hurricanes. Adios!"

    Stats:  I don't keep a detailed budget like some other bloggers, but we keep track of the biggies.  Here's what this haul out and trip home cost.

    6 days at the dock (can be shortened or cheaper marina):  $1.65x6 days = $59.40/day + 11.5% tax = $397.38 
    Electric at the dock (air conditioner) $15
    Haul out & blocking (includes splash in Nov) $475
    Tarp for power wash (EPA) $110 (we only needed 1/2 that.  Gave remainder to Reuben as a tip)
    Power wash & wet sand (Reuben) $621 (yard doesn't allow owners to sand)
    Hurricane Straps $25/piece x $4 = $100
    Sand off boot stripe & prime white stripe (one-time relocation of water line & boot stripe) $580

    Rental car $35/day x 2 + $60 drop off San Juan Airport = $130
    Hotel/AirBnB 2 nights at $89 + fees = $239

    One-way airline to Miami $175 x 2 = $350

    Forgive us retired folks for the BYOB happy hour when we come to visit!

    Read More..