We got blue crabs for dinner!

Here is the crab pot and if you look close there are two blue crabs in it. Decided to let them go as I didn't want to cook just two. It's just fun watching them scoot around.

Crab pot

One of two blue crabs

More photos of upgrades and additions

Here are some more photos of the upgrades and additions. Now off to check the crab pot!

New 12v panel

Air Conditioner

110 Shore power panel

Full furling system installed

We're back and still at the dock...

Furlex Drum

We are back from the PA visit and found out that "Southern time" has struck again. The idler pulleys needed for the steering weren't ordered let a lone installed and the anchor bowsprit wasn't touched. Seems there was a communication glitch. Good thing we are not on a schedule. The good news is that the furler system is complee and the sail is on! So the parts have been ordered and should be in this week.

On another matter, we got our fishing licenses. Two each in fact. One for fresh water and one for salt water. Still cheaper that Iowa's. So want to guess what is hanging off the dock behind the boat? A real crab pot! Found out there was one behind one of the buildings and the mechanic gave it to us. We'll know in a day or so if the chicken leg works. We saw at least a dozen of them floating around the last several days as big a saucers. Hopefully steamed crabs will be on the menu and photos of the critters, too!

  After the storm

 Had several storms roll through today. Nothing severe, but nice to have it  cool down a bit. It a guarantee that summertime in NC includes rain around 5pm.

Will post more when the work is done and hopefully we can send some photos under sail later next week. Til then fair winds to all.

New Bern, NC

Photos as promised. Great day with lots of sun and wind.

Sailing into New Bern.

Marina and Schooner in port.

Argh! or Good grief, Charlie Brown!

A little background: remember Peanuts and Sally pulling away the football just when Charlie Brown thinks it's safe to kick it? That's how this weekend has been. Just when we thought there was nothing else that needed fixing, the bilge pump and head went cablooey. First the head started backing up (really not a good thing) and then the bilge pump wouldn't shut off. The head was an easy fix: never leave the hand pump on the wet setting and it only holds so much. We pumped it out. And now we are official, as the state of NC is requiring a log with every time you pump out. Seems the government doesn't have enough to worry about that they want a record of your flush outs.(no jokes, sorry!)
The bilge pump was another fun job Elden got to do. Seems the float that activates the pump went bad. It wouldn't shut off, drawing air into the system and making the pump work all the time. So, off to West Marine after church today. Elden cleaned out the bilge area and found a variety of things, ranging from old diesel, wires, wire casings, pine needles and assorted garbage form the past 30 years, I think. Now I have a small idea what the oil slick looks like in the Gulf. Nasty brown stuff. He just finished installing the float and it works great.
God willing, nothing else will need taken care of this month. I have learned not to pray for patience, as God usually tosses something your way to earn it. At any rate, His grace is sufficient to get through anything, be it toilets or bilges.
To leave you with an upbeat note, here is the visitor we had this morning at the dock. Cute, but would look better on a plate with Old Bay Seasoning! Until next post, stay cool
!

Southern time, again.

I had hoped to have a photo or two of the new furling system, however, there was a part missing and the guys haven't made it back even though the part came in yesterday. Oh well. And we found another thing to fix: the steering pedestal base is rusting, and it probably would have broke if we tried to go sailing. The top part, with the wheel, is sound, so that's good. I do not really want to try the emergency tiller just yet!
But on the good side, the hot water heater is fixed, the depth sounder has been hooked back up and the backing plate has been repaired and the air conditioner has a solid frame instead of towels stuffed around it.
Tomorrow we are planning a trip to Oriental and New Bern. We are not going to wait until we leave to see the local sights. Also, we plan on picking up a new 35 lb. CQR anchor at half the price at a marine consignment shop. Lots of cool stuff!
New Bern is very upscale compared to Washington. Lots of condos and bigger boats(excuse me: yachts). Should have some interesting shops, too.
I should have some photos of the area to post later.
Have a safe weekend!

Progress on the roller furling system

Attached are a couple of photos of the sailmakers who are putting on our roller furling system.  You couldn't pay me enough to do this! Yes. he is at the top of the mast.

They took down the forestay to make the new one and should be back on Thursday evening to finish the job. The mast is being supported by the babystays and a halyard  from the jib.
I'll post photos of the Furlex system on Friday.

First week aboard

Ok, first week aboard and had some surprises as the week went on. As posted earlier, it seems they had a downburst and heavy winds and the jib(front sail) got fouled up, and the covers for the shrouds were busted up. Couldn't sail if we wanted to. Sheesh! So we decided to go with a new furling system a lttle sooner than expected. That means we're stationary in the slip for a while. That's ok, as we have a lot of sorting to do with the stuff on board and what we brought. So far, one trip to The Salvation Army Thrift Store.

We also decided on the Sears air conditioner, as Elden & I couldn't see spending $1000 on a unit that didn't fit unless you "jury-rigged" it. So we saved ourselves $800 and are still staying cool. Temps are still in the high 80's and low 90's, but the humidity has lessened a bit. We also found another problem with the bilge blower. We had all the switches on to double check the systems and after 20 minutes or so, we smelled smoke. Not a good sign. So we located it under the stern lazerette hanging by it's wires and feeling hot. So that's another project that must be done before we sail.  With all the repairs, we had to postpone the sailing classes until September. This gives the marina time to get them all done and us time to unstress.
The electrical is mainly done, but the mechanic/electrician messed with the depth sounder and now it doesn't work. Maybe we could deduct some $$ from our bill for compensation? Can't believe he did it, as we didn't tell him to do anything with it. Oh, well. At least we can fix the box he broke getting in to it.

It has been different not having to get up to go to work. Sleeping wasn't easy the first couple of nights, but after a few, I manages to grab 12 hours one night.Feels pretty good, too.

So when the furling system gets here, we'll be taking off for Pennsylvania to visit my mom. They have to pull the boat out to install the new forestay(wire holding up the mast and sail), and I can't see staying aboard on the hard in this heat. Will try and have photos posted before we leave to go north.

All for now and stay cool, y'all!

We Have Arrived! (and boy is it hot!)

We arrived in Washington this afternoon to clear skies, record high temps(100+) and little wind. This is the main reason we are putting an air conditioner on board. We considered a household in the companionway hatch, but think we're going with the hatch carry on instead. It's simpler and can be installed tomorrow with no hassle.(and we won't look like gypsies!)The electrical panel is installed and works great. Will post a photo later this week.

They also had some severe winds in the past several weeks that unwrapped our roller furling head-sail. Had to take it down to unravel it. Probabyl a good thing as we plan on replacing it with a Furlex system.
After unloading part of the back seat, we went to Backwater Jack's for supper and sweet potato fries. Gotta love it! No pearl this time, but still great food and view.

Tomorrow the hot water heater will be fixed and we go for our NC drivers licenses. Then we transfer insurance and then we get the plates for the car. Sheesh, and all at different places. At least we have time and don't have to rush anywhere. Wait, I forgot, we still owe a visit to my mom in PA. Then we come back for the ASA Coastal Cruising classes.  Man, seems we're busier now than when we were working.

More later as we try and settle into a semi-routine.

Semi-official and ready to go!

Just a quick note: We are OFFICIALLY Retired! We can hardly wait to get to NC and see what progress has been made on the electrical panel and finish moving aboard. Just a few more boxes to store and we will celebrate the 4th of July on board our friends boat in Ft. Madison one last time. It will be great, but sad as we have been sailing friends for a long time. Hang in there, Zechins! Your day is coming!