24 March 2021 Sea Trial

2.2 hours; 9.5 SM

Winds less than 10 knots,  a couple of hours before low tide we untied the lines and backed Serenity out of the slip for a sea trial.  Other than the tides, first water moving under the hull in a year.  Ahead the Ortega River Bridge. A call on channel 9 and the bridge tender gladly opened the draw bridge.  

Ortega River Bridge

Nice that the VHF radio works after the year.  We eased into a little choppy St. Johns river and navigated NE toward downtown Jacksonville.  Tide ebbing about 1.2-1.5 knots.  The Yanmar diesel happy and purring.  No abnormalities in the engine bay during inspection.  Checking aft bilge and the stuffing box/shaft, no water slinging, just damp.  This is a good thing.  

Pardon my laziness, left shore power cord on deck

We practiced our look out doctrine with numerous crab pots to dodge before entering the main channel.  Serenity really performed well and we are very pleased.  No drama re-entering the slip.  All secure and shore power reattached.  Great to be back on the water.

Also, yesterday we added another hour to the break-in of the new little outboard.  We cruised around the marinas and waved at the big boats.  Haha.

Suzuki-KAOS union

Look, no paddeling 

A few more days of tinkering, fixing and cleaning then we will say our farewell to Ortega River Marine, the marina manager- Marine Paul and head toward Georgia.  Follow us along.  Add your email on the lower right column to get notifications of new posts.