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
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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!

The Last Week on Land

It's down to the last week at work and living on land. It seems surreal with all the last minute packing and cleaning and saying farewell to longtime friends. This is the hardest part. All are happy and excited that we area actually doing this, and I think a few are even jealous. 

We've replaced the electrical panel with three, and will be adding an air conditioner on board. This will be a most welcomed addition as the temps and heat indexes are rally high in NC.
Marine brands are extremely expensive, and the guys at the marine store recommended one for a house. Since it would run only on shore power (110) it makes sense, especially when the costs are 75% less. We've settled on an energy star one room 12,000 BTU that will fit in the companionway hatch for now. When we get a little more settled and financially more fluid, we may upgrade to a water cooled system.
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This will be our last post on land and the next one will be on board Soteria.
Till then, fair winds and following seas.

End of week 2

As promised, I am attaching some photos from the past week. Things have settled down a bit, but we are finding more things that need to be taken care of. The portlight Elden resealed isn't leaking, but we have had two others either leak or the that tightening knobs on them broke. That means two new portlights need to be added to the list. The electrician is installing the new breaker panel today. That should solve a myriad of situations. Elden wants him to look at the hot water heater. Not only is it leaking a bit, but it isn't getting hot using electricity. Right no w we are heating water on the propane stove to do dishes. Reminds me of the times we spent on the Mississippi on Providence with no water heater but the stoves.

Above is the osprey nest we saw crossing the Pamilco River. We found out yesterday that ospreys are very common here and we saw two more nests in Broad Creek.

This is a sunrise looking over the neighboring boat, God's Way, who we met this past week.

The weather has been hot and humid, with chances of rain, but that hasn't materialized yet. Between walking and working on the boat, we have been slowly getting into shape. It is amazing how much perspiration the body can produce in one hour, let alone one day. I am thinking we need more light t-shirts as we just about have to change them twice a day. Good thing there is a Salvation Army Family Store in town. 

That's all for now, as we are getting packed up to go home for 4 weeks before coming back down permanently. It sort of feels like home, but it will feel more like it when we come back in July.

A really great day in Washington, NC

  Yesterday was a day of great things: first we saw two porpoises swimming past the docks. I didn't know they came up this far inland and north! Second, Elden was exploring the inner depths of Soteria's holds and found a third battery, saving us $$$ that we don' have to spend now and I found a hatch hinge for the forward hatch. This is the one that the marina guys couldn't find anywhere, even online. So I contacted the manufacturer and got a quick response as to where I can get more (just in case the other three need attention). And I fixed it while Elden resealed one of the port side port lights that was leaking. Oh, yeah, our sunburns are getting better each day, too. Time is going too fast as we finish up the cleaning and sorting out, but we managed to take time to see the area and take the Aurora ferry again. That's where we saw an osprey nest with the mom and chicks inside. Hopefully I can get the photos off my phone as guess who forgot her camera again?

We have been using the solar cooker as well and came up with a new recipe: Old Bay shrimp and black beans. Tomorrow I may try crab. Haven't tried the local fish markets yet, as I haven't found one that I like the look of. Coolers in the sun doesn't sound healthy to me.

The rains have been holding off, even though Elden wants it to rain to check out the sealing job on the port light he resealed. I just want to get used to the humidity a little faster. The one shock was the price at the laundromat for a washer: $2.75 for one load. At least the dryers were still a quarter.

More later with photos from the past weekend. Have a great week and see y'all on Monday.