I have disabled the comment section. Seems over the past year or so, the comment section was highjacked by vermin who left vile and inappropriate filth. If you want to comment/ask a question text me. The number is in the right column below.
A day and 3/4 drive later we were back at Ortega River Marina, Jacksonville, FL about 2 hours before sunset. A little apprehensive, we walked to the docks and there was Serenity, not looking too bad from a distance and floating proudly.
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Looking pretty good a year older
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The boat certainly was dirty and moldy inside and out, but considering the environment, not bad at all. In fact, we sniffed and searched determining the inside was good enough we spent the first night aboard. For the next two and 1/2 days we scrubbed, swept, washed and assessed. All lockers opened and cleaned, pots and pans cleaned, all surfaces top to bottom were cleaned inside and out. One day was cloudy and cool and I got 2/3 of the boat exterior waxed. Need to spin Serenity around and back into slip to finish the opposite side.
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| Strataglass drying |
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| Strataglass cleaning |
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| Lines soaked in bleach solution and rinsed--mold gone |
Gradually, I began to turn on electrical systems. Everything so far good to go. After a year, the house batteries (4 x 6vdc) took a gallon of distilled water to top off. Most of the loss probably due to evaporation as the bilges were dry so the pumps have not been discharging the batteries. All navigation items are working, VHF, AIS, RADAR and chart plotter. Navigation and anchor lights good to go. Horn is the only thing not working and have not had the chance to troubleshoot yet.
During our first 2600 miles, our little Walker Bay 8 foot dinghy "Kaos" served ok, even though it is pretty unstable. Great little boat for calm water but with wakes and waves it is very tippy with two of us in it. And, it is paddle powered by me. Many times we deferred taking the dinghy ashore due to wind, waves or tide. This time we hope things will be different. I ordered the Walker Bay PVC tube kit which turns KAOS into a RIB (
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/walker-bay--pvc-tube-kit-for-walker-bay-8--5362835 ). WOW what a difference. Very impressed with the kit, thick tubes and installation very easy. With tubes installed the dinghy still fits the davits and can be secured above the swim platform. Also I researched all summer and selected the Suzuki 2.5 water cooled, 4-cycle outboard. It weighs 30 pounds, fits nicely on an aft railing mount. We have only operated for the first hour of the break-in at idle throttle, but it sure was fun cruising around the marina with the paddles stowed. The RIB kit and the little outboard, I believe, will expanded our exploration opportunities while anchored.
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KAOS to refit
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| Tubes before attachment |
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Tubes inflated
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| Rowing with new tubes |
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| Suzuki 2.5 hp |
A year ago I knew something had to be done with the raw water strainer. The original stainer, while functional, was obsolete and parts were no longer available. Also, it has to be completely disassembled to get to the metal strainer for cleaning. Each time, was wear and tear on two square o-rings. I have two close but not perfect round o-rings for emergency back up but it was just time to replace the strainer. Was going to order on line, but the local third generation boat yard a two block walk away, matched the online price so I bought from them. And new hoses and stainless steel hose clamps. An hour remove and replace job that takes half a day due to the cramped location down in Serenity's engine bay. Job complete. Primed the hose and strainer with fresh water and it was time to start the diesel for the first time in a year. Reviewed the check lists, ensured all good to go and cranked the little Yanmar diesel a couple of times without fuel enabling oiling of the internal components before starting. Third crank and the diesel started right up and idled smoothly. Observing water flow through the new strainer and verifying by checking exhaust/water flow at the stern everything was good to go. No leaks observed anywhere. No water, oil or fuel. Happy happy.
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| New strainer parts |
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| Strainer & hoses installed |
Cleaning continues. Dinghy and new outboard operations in the marina area as we get comfortable with the new KAOS. Will take Serenity out for a short shake down cruise within the next day or so, followed but a brief local over nighter on the hook to review processes and systems before we cast off the lines and begin the journey up the East coast.
