No Keys weathered well in Indiantown, despite the hot and very wet summer. Mold, mildew and black slim was what had to be washed, scrubbed and disinfected. We were lucky, some boats held all the rain water and had flooded areas.
We enjoyed American Thanksgiving @ Indiantown. It was a week of lots of activities from dingy races, grape stomping, great music and catching up on acquaintances from past years. We motored No Keys down the St. Lucie River, through the locks. The weather was cool and crisp and the inter-coastal choppy, we stayed on a mooring ball for the night. Early next morning, with long johns on, mitts, we set out to take No Keys to Nettles Island.
 |
| New 65 foot bridges crossing the St. Lucie River |
There has been a lot of cold fronts sweeping through the US and Florida but there also has been some great days. Albeit staying in a marina allows you to Explore. So, besides boat chores, visiting friends and sailors, time is quickly passing. It is always amazes me who you may meet today. Nettles Island is full of interesting people, some are just day transients and other have been coming to this area for years.
The beach here on Hutchinson island is wonderful. If you like shelling this is the place! I have not taken my camera out and about yet!
We are waiting for a few boat parts to come in, such as our marine VHF radio. We think it got hit by lightening. We checked wires from the top of the mast, and then had the radio tested.......off to the manufactures to be repaired. Next good challenge, our engine panel. We have no way of knowing if your oil temperature is too hot, no alarms and the tachometer decided to pack it in. So after hunting around, we found a place and purchased the upgraded model for our Westerbeke. More problems, this is suppose to be a plug and play but......as all good ships age, technology grows. So now we need a new regulator and double check all the wiring that was done 10 years ago... Bring on the Experts!! Have to wait though.......huge boat show and everyone is very busy. But we have a date to get our repair and installations done.
Well the experts came and went. We did get a new regulator and learned a few things about our house and starter batteries and tidied up the wiring again. As for the the New Engine Panel, well it had to go back. Money refunded and we reinstalled the old panel. Plus sign, some of the gauges that we wanted were cheap and easy to find at the Marine Liquidators in Fort Pierce.
Another problem cropped up, the hot water heater. This is a system that is a treat. We usually only get hot water when the engine is running. I have my handy dandy whistling kettle. It helps to get that greasy food stuffs off your dishes and when you want to wash your face. We did the troubleshooting, found the faulty parts and voila, they arrived today, so need to install the new parts and see if she works.
On Monday, Jan 28, 2013 we have the annual but not so annual - Blind Dinghy Race! We put the dinghy down and moi did a couple of practice runs, but not blindfolded. We will practice again tomorrow. The trick is giving good instructions to the captain of the dinghy at the time. Yes, we have to switch and Chris has way too much confidence. Once the challenge is over, we have a DJ to play us some tunes and of course awesome finger food!!!
We are busy doing our last minute checks and chores.......VHF arrives on Tuesday!!!! Finally!!! Once that has been installed and tested, it will be time to go on Thursday.
Our Plan........head down the "ditch" - the Intercostal, and head to West Palm Beach. We have family there and it is always a treat to catch up. After that Miami and finally The Keys.
With so many delays, that is the Best Place to Be for the remainder of our sailing days this season.
 |
| I'm a Ray! Got to see and Awesome Aquarium! |
 |
| The Fish that Got Away!! |
No comments:
Post a Comment