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Published: October 19th 2012
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Sunrise
sunrise from our boat Hi y'all
Wow, what a week, last week we got a quote for 16 000 to repaint the boat, yup 16 000. This included sanding down the entire boat filling all the holes sanding again, cleaning again, priming the boat, masquing the boat etc etc etc. Anyways when all was said and done it was 8 days of work for at least 2 guys at 70$ an hour including the paint. We could not do this, its way too much. So we looked at different paints and decided to go cheap, the cheap paint would cost about $ 700 to do the whole boat including primers etc etc. I was not comfortable with the fact that this paint would only be good for 3-4 years and we would have to start the whole process again, I went back to the yard master ( rick ) and we agreed to $3000 including moving the boat, 2 days of labour and we do the priming and fairing of all the holes ( which we have done already ) . YIPPPEEEEE. sounds like a crap load of cash but this is what it is. I am pleased. The difference with the
product they are using is that it will last at least 20 years and you do NOT need to polish the boat ever again..... the product is called awlgrip. and the boat will look like a million bucks.
We also received our new dodger, it has a 6 foot clearance so it stands in the "doorway" and have the hatch open to outside without getting wet, I am writing this and its pooring outside but the hatch is open and we are not getting wet, its great. We got a great price to redo the windows and added 2 safety bars on the outside which makes the Dodger way more strong. We are very pleased about this, the only draw back is we will never remove it but thats ok the windows are so big we can see all the way to the front no problem.
Our plumbing was on hold all week, I still have to make a permanent repair on the forward water tank so it wont leak ( its not leaking now with my quick fix ) also have to install the new faucets that we just received last night, we
boat shot
another shot of the dodger may work on this today as the weather is horrible to work outside. We have decided on the final configuration of our bathrooms which will include 1 holding tank bathroom ( with a Y valve ) and a bathroom that goes straight out. ( when we are out at sea )
We met also with the local electronics store since we have to replace our current marine electronics package, we need a new depth, wind and GPS package along with a radar. The good news is that they will give us exchange price for our old crap which will help pay for the instalation of all this gear. we should be receiving the quote today for this. Very excited about this also.
Along with our day long working we also do research at night on what/where/how we will be accomplishing our goals of getting down to Anguilla. We bought a great guide which has now given us the safest route to get to Ft lauderdale before making the jump over to the caribean. We will be using the ICW leaving from Norfolk and taking the virginia cut down to the Carolinas. This is the
sanded boat
the entire boat was sanded safest and deepest route to take 😊
We are often asked when we are leaving of when we are going in the water, our goal is to be in the water by the 10th of November and possibly leaving by the end of November. We have to look into getting our stove working and getting the toilet system all up and running. It should not be too bad.
We are both a little tired and we do take it easy in the mornings and usually dont start work until 9 oclock and finish at 5 ish so its a normal work day along with going to the store every day for little things. We are sleeping like angels at night with the sounds of crickets, the average temp in the day is 22 and at night it drops to 12 so its all good. its going to 28 next week .... yikes.
Simba the sailor is doing well, he comes and visits us in the V birth every night now and hangs out with us for an hour or so then goes back to his own bedroom, he goes on the
stress cracks
the gelcoat had some cracks so we dremmeled them out and epoxied them to fill deck too if we are hanging out outside. Lori is loving having him here and she talks to him all the time. ( and he answers )
we will be working inside today but its really really humid so we may take the day to do some serious cleaning up inside the boat, not that its messy but our 2 extra cabins are filled with stuff and we need to rearrange things so that we can find things quickly. It will be an easy day for us today.
The yard is super busy with people coming in for a quick haulout to redo the paint on the bottom and then going back in, or people are being put in the water to leave for the south or people are getting hauled out for the winter, its kinda nuts. We are meeting all kinds of nice people, we had supper on a 55 footer last night a nice couple from New Zealand who are going on a 5 year trip to alaska then across the pacific to the french polynesian islands... wow. Met another couple our age who have been at sea for the last
BBQ
We broke down and bought this little beauty works like a charm and is mounted on the rail. ( yes its very sturdy Mr Brian Beck ) 7 years on a steel boat, they have no GPS and no depth finder and are fearless, they are an inspiration to us as they do not worry too much about anything. Its very interesting to meet all these different types. Like I explained it to someone; being here is like being at the base camp for mount everest, people are coming from the mountain or people are going to the mountain, but one thing is certain, its all about the mountain, in this case its going to the carribean. Everyone here has the same love of the outdoors and for boats. Its great, we feel comfortable here, we feel at home.
we miss our family and friends and hope you are all doing well.
Marty and Lori and Simba the sailor.
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Spitfire78
non-member comment
BBQ
Great photos. I especially like the mosic of the stress cracks. I have a feeling that Lori must have been the one with the patience to dremmel out the miles!! of cracks. BBQ looks great but where its located be carefull when you flip your steaks or you may end up feeding the sharks