The Search For Bright Waters

Monday, December 20, 2010

It's Gettin Cold In Here


Well the first snow fell and everything is freezing up. Two weeks to go but it cannot come soon enough. We are down to one heater on the boat now.  We used to run two heaters off of one shore power outlet and the rest of our electric needs off of the other shore power outlet, but the heaters overheated our adaptor cable and fried it. So we replaced that but now only have the kerosine heater running.  It's a brisk 48 degrees in the boat now.  We figure this will make good practice for our January voyage tho.

We thought about pushing back the departure date to March 1st to avoid the freezing temperatures. But we are too close and too ready to wait any longer. So Christine put in her two week notice at work today, which is very brave and exciting. Let's go!




In other news I finally installed the Garmins transducer. Hopefully we will be able to catch some fish now




We have worked very hard for this over the last 2 years and we are almost there. Our to do list now consists of installing a gas gauge, running a safety line along the boat so that we can remain clipped in at all times, provisioning and inventorying. This to do list looks amazing compared to the 100 item one that we started with and eventually grew to 200 items. For a recap here are the checked off items!



DONE, May 09 anchor chain - rusted and broken, replace with 22ft 5/16 galvanized chain
DONE, June 09 clean minor corrosion from stuffing box hardware aft of engine, clean engine compartments
DONE, June 09 Change Boat Name
DONE, June 09 Check outside ports for leaks and reseal with cauk
DONE, May 09 Fix bathroom - Jabasco
DONE, May 09 Fix/replace Stern Light
DONE, May 09 Place registration stickers on boat and dinghy
DONE, May 09 install smoke/CO2 detector
DONE, May 09 mount 3rd fire extinguisher in cockpit
DONE, May 09 clean running lights
DONE, May 09 clean inside and outside of boat
DONE, June 09 apply liquid cement in holes of deck handles
DONE, July 09 Buy life line netting
DONE, July 09 Install life line netting
DONE, Aug 09 sew tear in screen door
DONE, Sept 09 get refrigerator looked at
DONE, Sept 09 Fix wood on top door hatch
DONE, Sept 09 change anchor light bulb
done, Sept 09 install spice shelf
DONE, Dec 09 fix water pump
DONE, Dec 09 install new water pump to make sure it works - jabsco par max 3.0
DONE, Dec 09 fix plumbing pipe
DONE, Dec 09 insulate boat
DONE, Dec 09 pour anitfreeze in water intake of engine
DONE, Dec 09 pour vodka in water tanks
DONE, Dec 09 pour enzyme into fuel tank
DONE, June 09 exhaust leak - smog soot is on top of engine, clean
DONE, Dec 09 exhaust leak - and then recheck after use - no more smog
DONE, June 09 oil leak - accumulation of oil on forward section of engine adjacent to oil filter, clean
DONE, July 09 oil leak - and then recheck after use
DONE, Apr10 oil leak - Old engine, just keep an eye on it
DONE, Mar 10 Take engine class
DONE, Mar 10 change oil
DONE, Mar 10 change oil filter
DONE, May 10 buy fans
DONE, May 10 install an inside lock/repair hatch wood
DONE, Jul 10 Install new primary fuel filter
DONE, Aug 10 change primary fuel filter
DONE, Apr 10 change secondary fuel filter
Done Apr 10 change air filter
DONE, Apr 10 change engine zinc
DONE, Apr 10 change water impellor
DONE, Apr 10 check for leaky gaskets
DONE, Apr 10 tighten all bolts and hose clamps
DONE, Apr 10 check for an engine alarm - NONE
DONE, Dec 09 check seawater pump
DONE, Apr 10 check glow plug - NONE
DONE, Dec 09 Use fuel cleaning products in bathroom, ask mechanic - added starbryte enzyme to fuel tank
DONE, Dec 09 Check Engine smog problem, ask mechanic - no more smog
DONE, Dec 09 Take down genoa and mailsail
DONE, Dec 09 take genoa to canvas repair shop
DONE, Jan 10 price dodger repair
DONE, Jan 10 buy inverter
Done, Feb 10 hook up invereter to batteries
Done, Feb 10 mount inverter
DONE, Dec 09 remove oven and take to Bacon/sell current stove and oven
DONE, Mar 10 install fishing rod holders
DONE, Mar 10 repair wood trimming
DONE, April 10 repair genoa stiching
DONE, Jan 10 install claw on front of bow
DONE, May 10 replace dodger/glass/zipper
Done, Jan 10 buy alchohol stove
Done, Feb 10 install food shelves
DONE, Apr 10 replace velcro on winch covers
DONE, Feb 10 buy gps
DONE, Apr 10 install gps
DONE, Feb 10 buy autopilot
DONE, Apr 10 install autopilot
DONE, FEB 10 buy windlass for bruce
DONE, Jul 10 buy battery monitor
DONE, Jul 10 install battery monitor
DONE, Dec 10 configure auto pilot
DONE, Aug 10 install windlass
DONE, Jan 10 install depth markers on new rode
DONE, Apr 10 sell spinaker
DONE, Mar 10 sell AC/Heater
DONE, Mar 10 recommission engine
DONE, Aug 10 install new anchor door hatches
DONE, May 10 get engine for dinghy
DONE, May 10 Register Dinghy
DONE, May 10 put sails back up
DONE, Sept 10 buy solar panels
DONE, Dec 10 Pump holding tank
DONE, Nov 10 install solar panels
DONE, Sept 10 buy dignhy davits
DONE, Nov 10 Install Dinghy Davits
DONE, OCT 10 Fix stuffing box leak
DONE, Sep 10 flush bilge, clean it really good
DONE, Sep 10 Fix Bilge
DONE, Aug 10 Repair fridge drain
DONE, Aug 10 Hire Diesel Engine Surveyor
DONE, Sep 10 check with USCG that we have all proper safty gear - call and set up a time
DONE, OCT 10 fix bilge pump
DONE, Dec 10 Install masthead/anchor light
DONE, Nov 10 attach coast guard document number into inner hull, 3 inch block type arabic numerals, ask USCG
DONE, May 09 mast boot - old and peeling, add more layers of sealing tape
Done, June 09 install handles on engine door
DONE, May 09 figure out why sink water is dirty - air, algea
Done, June 09 clean water tanks - run bleach through it and drain a few times
DONE, June 09 inventory all cleaning products
DONE, July 09 use seizong wire on anchor U bolts
DONE, May 09 inflate dingy
DONE, Mar 10 buy new dinghy
DONE, July 09 patch dinghy holes
DONE, July 09 buy clip for anchor door
DONE, July 09 install clip for anchor door
DONE, May 09 fuel tank guage - find it
DONE, Sept 09 install piece of tape that shows mileage left around fuel gauge
DONE, June 09 remove old glue from hatches
DONE, July 09 buy more velcro
DONE, July 09 reinstall velcro on hatches
DONE, July 09 Get hatch measurements
DONE, Oct 09 make blackout curtain with velcro
DONE, Nov 09 Install new sink
DONE, Nov 09 Intall new circuit breaker
DONE, Dec 09 Return circuit breaker and put old one back in
DONE, Dec 09 Switch kitchen outlet to its own breaker
DONE, Dec 09 buy 30amp to 15amp converter and extension cable
DONE, June 09 Get measurements for piece of wood for 3rd battery
DONE, April 10 Buy engine mounting supplies, and cover for outboard
DONE, April 10 Install stern engine mount
DONE, Dec 09 buy battery charger
DONE, Dec 09 charge spare batteries
DONE, Dec 09 buy battery holders
DONE, Dec 09 check water level on batteries
DONE, Dec 09 put spare batteries with other batteries
DONE, Mar 10 Check all our available lines and choose best ones for dock lines
DONE, Dec 09 Fix bilge pump
DONE, Feb 10 buy folding bikes
DONE, Dec 09 buy inflatable kayaks
DONE, Dec 10 run extension lines thru boat
DONE, Apr10 Clean out head filter
DONE, May 10 install starboard cleat
Done, July 10 fix wheel at genoa rigging
DONE, Dec 10 install fans
DONE, Dec 10 Mount antena
DONE, Nov 10 mount the wirie
DONE, Sep 10 install kitchen light
DONE, OCT 10 Buy Cockpit Light
DONE, OCT 10 Replace cabin lights with LEDS (2 v-berth, cabin)
DONE, OCT 10 Replace anchor light bulbs with LEDS (two)
DONE, OCT 10 Buy spare steaming light bulb
DONE, Sep 10 Buy spare running light bulb
DONE, OCT 10 Buy spare stern light bulb
DONE, Nov 10 hook up 2 extra batteries
DONE, OCT 10 Install wood boards on deck to hold jerry cans
DONE, Sep 10 find out proper length and size and get price quotes for lines
DONE, OCT 10 main haylard line - old, replace
DONE, OCT 10 Jib line 1 - old, replace
DONE, Dec 10 install transducer
DONE, Dec 10 Buy extra water cans - 6 out of 6
DONE, June 09 Clean bilge with bilge cleaner product in bathroom
DONE, June 09 fix shower
DONE, April 09 lift boat out and power wash
DONE, April 09 change prop zinc
DONE, April 09 scrub/clean deck
DONE, April 09 use magic eraser to remove scuffs
DONE, Dec 09 Figure out why there are leaks near the windows
DONE, Dec 09 Figure out why mast leaks
DONE, Dec 09 Clean toilet with products in bathroom
DONE, June 09 Buy inside Lock
DONE, Jan 10 fill holes in wood, install hanging clips
DONE, Jan 10 fix plywood under cockpit locker
DONE, Mar 10 ask / interent - how to do this
DONE, Mar 10 find out our exact color and what paint we need
DONE, Apr 10 side stripes, good condition, repaint accent boot and sheer stripes
DONE, Apr10 apply new coat of bottom paint (don’t forget the spedometer)
DONE, Dec 09 Buy Bruce Anchor
DONE, Dec 09 Buy rode for bruse
DONE, May 10 figure out best way to do this and buy the wood
DONE, Apr 10 keel - loose keel bolts, Re-tightening of all keel bolts
DONE, Mar 10 Buy extra diesel cans - 4 out of 4
DONE, Aug 10 learn to go wing on wing





All done by sailing "dummies" :)


-Joey

13 comments:

Philippe said...

Clearly, you guys aren't sailing "dummies" anymore! :). It's quite a list, congratulation on plowing (literally through the snow) forward and the upcoming departure! Looking forward to read more about the warmer weather south.

The Ceol Mors said...

Congrats on working through the list!

Mid-Life Cruising! said...

Wow, what a list! We plan on leaving in just under 2 years, and I'm afraid to make a list. I don't want to see it written down! Vodka in the water tank? I guess that keeps it clean? Can't wait to hear more!

Joey and Christine said...

Mid-Life - To have alcohol on tap of course! Just kidding, its supposed to be an alternative to winterizing your tank so you can still use the water in there... like without having antifreeze coming out of your sink??

Anonymous said...

You forgot- Install ice breaker and 100 horse power engine!

I kill me....

Jay

Captain Dan (Dock Bum) said...

OCT 10 Buy Cockpit Light,
Would you mind telling me which cockpit light you got?

Laura and Hans said...

We headed south via the ICW from Annapolis at the end of October. We made it as far as Charleston SC before springing a leak and ending up getting hauled out. Our Knotty Cat has been repaired but we're waiting until after the holidays to set out again. I had done absolutely no research on the ICW and was shocked at how many bridges we had to wait on and how few anchorages there were. We finally found out about Skipper Bob's books and I only wish we'd had them from the beginning. They are packed with info on marinas, anchorages, etc... He also has one on the Bahamas (which I bought but didn't really need to since I've already aquired a lot info on them). Google Skipper Bob and you'll also find that some of the marina's in the ICW sell them.
Best Wishes to you two and I look forward to following your progress!

Anonymous said...

You did not have insurance listed. Most insurance does not cover south of the Va-NC state line without a rider.

Have you checked your coverage?

Joey and Christine said...

Captain Dan, We got the Davis Mega Light. It is LED so low amp and we hard wired it into the control panel.
http://www.davisnet.com/productpics/hires/marine/Lighting/03320_01.jpg

Laura and Hans, Im sorry to hear that but hope that you will still be able to make it. We do have the Skipper Bob ICW Anchorages book. It looks very helpful.

Anonymous, Our towing insurance covers the whole US and parts of the Bahamas. Our Boat Insurance covers 75 miles from any US or Bahama coast. So we are covered.

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to firgue out this vodka thing too. When you talked about that last year, I though you were going to dump vodka into the system and shut it down. This is an expensive way to winterize your system but it could work if done right. But now it sounds like you continues to use your water system all winter depending on that first dose of vodka. Surely you would know that after filling and emptying the tanks a few times that the vodka is long gone. How much vodka did you put in to start with and did you add any more after? Did you continue to use the system all winter?

I wintered in NY. I put nothing in the water tanks and used them all winter. I kept them so if they froze, they would freeze emptyish. I would then add new water and that would thaw it. I also kept heat tape on the water lines to keep them from freezing. You may not have needed anything to keep your water from freezing so any system- including spinning around three times while patting yourself on the head-would "work".

Jay

Joey and Christine said...

Oh sorry for the confusion Jay. We just really really liked the idea of vodka on tap! Just kidding, kinda.

However we did read it online several places as you can find by googling winterize water tanks vodka.

As for its effectiveness - cannot say. Our tanks did not burst though regardless.

We put 2 gallons of vodka in our 60 gallon tank and filled up once at the beginning of winter before our marina shut our water off and made it last all winter.

Anonymous said...

Ok, that's a little better than I thought. People post all kinds of things on the internet but you have to think them through and be very skeptical (a problem I don't have).

The ingredient that you used to keep your tank from freezing is alcohol. Vodka is usually 40% alcohol (80proof). That means 2 gallons of vodka only contains .8 gallons of actual alcohol, the rest is water. If you then take your two gallons of vodka and dump it into 60 gallons of water you will dilute your alcochol to 1.29%. That is less than half of beer. Most beer is 3-5% alcohol. Now take a beer and put it in your freezer and watch what happens. It will explode. Even on the dock that might happen. So why didn't your tanks burst. I suspect you heated the inside of the boat regularly enough to prevent that.
Hope you enjoyed your vodka and water though!

Jay

Joey and Christine said...

Hey Jay, you sure do know alot, where are you from and what kind of boat do you have? Maybe we will run into you one day :)