We were out of the water in record time yesterday, arriving after a 1 hour trip from Le Phare Bleu we drove right into the lift well and were out of the water in about 10 minutes. After a short power wash we were blocked and started on our post haulout checklist. Used On and Off to clean the mineral deposits from the hull at the waterline then cleaned the prop and keel cooler.
Changer the filters, oil, flushed the raw water loop and pulled the heat exchanger and impeller.
Today we used cleaner wax on the hull then applied a UV protectant to the hull. Finished removing unused provisions and filled the waste line with Vinegar and letting that soak for several days.
A long day in the yard but we had a nice breeze and we are now taking it easy in the "Yellow House".
Oh, and we're still eating good, hot Italian sausage, home made marinara sauce over Penne pasta, mixed salad (Lesley's red wine vinaigrette), fresh bread and butter.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Trivia - as haulout prep continues
We spent another day prepping for summer haul out. As we decommissioned some of our systems some trivia for anyone interested. We moved as far North this year as Portsmouth, Dominica and are now back where we started in Grenada.
In 5 months time we have an additional 48 hours on the engine, 98 hours on the genset, made 1480 gallons of water (nearly 300 5 gallon jugs), ate incredibly well (still have some of our original stock of frozen meat aboard), and neither of us has gained any weight.
We are still speaking to each other, have met new people and had nice visits with folks that we already knew.
The people in Grenada are super and in particular the people down here on the South end of the Island are treating us very well.
How many miles? Who knows or cares but it has been another great season in the Caribbean.
In 5 months time we have an additional 48 hours on the engine, 98 hours on the genset, made 1480 gallons of water (nearly 300 5 gallon jugs), ate incredibly well (still have some of our original stock of frozen meat aboard), and neither of us has gained any weight.
We are still speaking to each other, have met new people and had nice visits with folks that we already knew.
The people in Grenada are super and in particular the people down here on the South end of the Island are treating us very well.
How many miles? Who knows or cares but it has been another great season in the Caribbean.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Prep for haul out
We started prepping for summer haul out in earnest today. Took the anchor chain out, cleaned, rinsed, repainted marks and once it dries (just rained again) will flip it end to end and reinstall on the boat.
Between rain showers we took the outboard off and started tearing it down. Several of the parts on the steering shaft/pivot assembly have rusted and are beyond repair so we are taking the entire assembly home and will rebuild this summer. Some of the new parts are painted a slightly different color - Tohatsu - but our OB is a 2000 Nissan 9.8HP 2 stroke. Once everything is put back together we will have a Nissatsu!
Between rain showers we took the outboard off and started tearing it down. Several of the parts on the steering shaft/pivot assembly have rusted and are beyond repair so we are taking the entire assembly home and will rebuild this summer. Some of the new parts are painted a slightly different color - Tohatsu - but our OB is a 2000 Nissan 9.8HP 2 stroke. Once everything is put back together we will have a Nissatsu!
Outboard with steering shaft/pivot assembly removed
Badly rusted steering shaft/pivot
Part was so rusted that grease in the lower zerk fitting made no difference
Tilt handle, one bolt rusted completely thru
Chain locker
Several weeks ago there was some discussion on the IP List concerning the louvered doors at the chain locker on various Island Packets. On our 350 we have a single door and the louvers are normal - slanted down and toward the living space.
On our boat we had occasion to notice some mud and water dripping onto the bed just under the door so I added a splash shield. Since we picked up anchor and moved into the marina this morning I decided to take a picture of the shield - and some of the splashed material from the locker.
The shield is epoxy coated 1/4" plywood painted white - much easier to clean than mud coated teak in a louvered area.
On our boat we had occasion to notice some mud and water dripping onto the bed just under the door so I added a splash shield. Since we picked up anchor and moved into the marina this morning I decided to take a picture of the shield - and some of the splashed material from the locker.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Boat work today
I dove on the hull and cleaned a few barnacles, some sludge and came up with 20 pounds of the infamous "Hayden" monster shrimp - shrimp scampi tonight for dinner. Just joking, 20 grams of shrimp perhaps but we are having cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, fresh baguette, and salad with Lesley's red wine vinaigrette.
Hundreds of the small shrimp were attached to my dive skin but considering I spent over an hour under the boat they had plenty of time to find me. Also cleaned the thru hulls and the keel cooler and the freezer is already back down to 11 degrees. Not bad for a large freezer cabinet. We still have strip steaks, pot roast, veal, lamb, pork chops, bacon and some chicken left so we are now in eat-it-all mode!
Tomorrow I will take the scuba tanks in for a refill and also drop off the propane bottle for a refill - we are averaging 3 - 4 propane bottles in a 6 month season so we are definitely using the stove!
Hundreds of the small shrimp were attached to my dive skin but considering I spent over an hour under the boat they had plenty of time to find me. Also cleaned the thru hulls and the keel cooler and the freezer is already back down to 11 degrees. Not bad for a large freezer cabinet. We still have strip steaks, pot roast, veal, lamb, pork chops, bacon and some chicken left so we are now in eat-it-all mode!
Tomorrow I will take the scuba tanks in for a refill and also drop off the propane bottle for a refill - we are averaging 3 - 4 propane bottles in a 6 month season so we are definitely using the stove!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Calvigny Island
We left St George's late this morning after successfully completing preprovisioning for next year. We have a good supply of condiments and canned items that should see us through the next 6 months in the Caribbean. We will bring back fresh spices, 50lbs of frozen meat, and items that we cannot find in the Islands.
The trip around the corner is always bumpy and today was no exception but the trip is not a long one so it was not bad. We anchored in some shallower water but the drop off into deeper water was to steep so holding was not good. We picked up anchor and moved to deeper water and are now safely anchored for the next 3 days. Tomorrow we will start removing lines and sails and stowing gear. We have a small amount of polishing and waxing to complete and I need to clean and then pickle the water maker.
The trip around the corner is always bumpy and today was no exception but the trip is not a long one so it was not bad. We anchored in some shallower water but the drop off into deeper water was to steep so holding was not good. We picked up anchor and moved to deeper water and are now safely anchored for the next 3 days. Tomorrow we will start removing lines and sails and stowing gear. We have a small amount of polishing and waxing to complete and I need to clean and then pickle the water maker.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Music for this evening
Forgot to add - music for this evening is a very good John Hiatt CD and a great recording from the Afro Celt Sound System.
Time for dinner!
Time for dinner!
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