22 Days to Cast-Off: Good News, Bad News...

Todd and I came home a little 'down in the mouth' yesterday evening.  Todd had talked to our maintenance man and related the bad news about the leaking holding tank.  Rory said that was it, no more patches, the tank was coming out.  I breathed a sigh of relief.

Todd talked to Rory this afternoon.  The holding tank is out and in the back of Rory's truck waiting transport to the dump!  He said there were leaks behind the tank that none of us could even see.

He contacted a company that manufactures tanks and has 'quick' turn-around.  It's a company that came highly recommended on the Great Loop Digest sight.  The tank we need is on back order (which seems to be the story of my life right now.  A replacement faucet I ordered for the salon bar sink is on back order until maybe July 24th.).  The holding tank should be in next Friday, July 30th.  The installation should be complete by Wednesday or Thursday the following week (August 4th or 5th).

We will have a week and maybe less to complete preparations on Ocean Breeze before we leave on August 12th.  I feel pretty comfortable with what I've accomplished so far.  Actually, I have more to get done here at home before we leave.  This break maybe a good thing in disguise.

Left on yesterday's laundry list for Ocean Breeze:

• Caulk every nook and cranny as we look for that leak coming into the guest stateroom
• The electrician is coming next Monday or Tuesday, July 26th or 27th, to finish up installing the Satellite TV Dome, the master depth sounder and adding a remote to the autopilot.

I'm still washing all the sheets and towels from this last weekend's adventures!

23 Days to Cast-Off: Whatever Happens Will Happen...

Yesterday Todd asked me, "If the holding tank is leaking, the water is still dripping in the guest stateroom and the satellite antenna is still not installed, will we still leave on August 12th?"  I said, "Yes!".  One thing every boater understands is the age old saying 'A boat is a hole in the water into which money flows'.  Buyer BEWARE!  If something breaks, leaks or needs to be installed, it can happen anytime anywhere.  These small caveats in boating don't wait for the boat to make it back to home port.

Stuff is going to happen during the adventure.  That's why it's called an adventure.  When I think about adventure, I remember Samuel Clemons two books, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.  I loved them both.  I felt their adventures, dreamed their adventures, wanted a raft on the Mighty Mississippi.  It made me dream up adventures when I was a youngster, not that any of them would ever come true.  I mean, what kid dreams of being a hermit in a cave in the Rocky Mountains?  I did...but I really like the life I've had much better.

I'm so glad I found a partner that is full of adventure, too.  Marriage IS an adventure.  During the Loop, Todd and I will celebrate 41 years of marriage.  During that 41 years, we've had so many adventures together.  The Great Loop will be the biggest yet...and we are SO EXCITED!

We will TRY to finish up the current problem list before we leave:

• Find and caulk the leak that is dumping the large pool of water on the guest stateroom bed.  Alternative: turn the guest stateroom into a storage area with a bucket in the middle of the bed!  (We'll put up a tent on the back deck for guests...or just buy a blow-up queen size bed for the salon, which I intend to do anyway)
• Determine if the holding tank is leaking again and decide what to do.  Alternative:  bring a portapottie.
• Find the electronics installer, bring him to the boat (possibly kicking and screaming) and get the satellite dome installed.  Alternative: sell the dome immediately on Craig's list, use the boat antenna we have.  If there's no signal...who cares!  We can go back to work finding the leak in the guest stateroom or go to work ripping out the leaking holding tank so someone can install a new one!
• Wait for the next money drain to open up...

Today, we'll head home so I can wash all the sheets that went onto the guest stateroom mattress, only to find the leak hadn't quit leaking yet.  Note to self: bring more sheets (and towels) to the boat!  There's never enough...and both beds are queen size so I could go without washing sheets for MONTHS!  Todd and I also have a laundry list of to-dos to wrap up at home before August 12th arrives.

24 Days to Cast Off: Time Outs are Good...

I haven't posted for a few days.  We were busy planning for a visit from our son, David and our 9 year old twin granddaughters, Madison and McKenzie.

They arrived on Ocean Breeze Friday, July 16th and left for their home this morning.  It was a packed 3 days but a lot of fun for us and for Charlie.  He's incognito somewhere here on the boat trying to recharge his batteries.

Friday was a beach day for the girls to reacquaint themselves with Bay Point and Lake Erie.

Saturday we took everyone to the sand point off Bay Point so Charlie could join in the fun.  He had a blast in the water with the girls and they loved playing catch with him.

Yesterday was a good day to test out our new anchor and let everyone swim in deep water.  We took Ocean Breeze north of the campground on Kelley's Island.  It is a protected area from the south and a popular anchorage for transients as well as locals.

It was a good learning experience for me, using the knowledge I have gained from Loopers blogs and seminars at Joe Wheeler last fall.

We've anchored multiple times over the years.  Some of those times have been overnight at Kelley's Island as well as in Put in Bay Harbor before the moorings were established.  However, three years ago I lost my confidence after anchoring Ocean Breeze north of Kelley's Island.  We had a good grab and a sound hold, however I was using only the lead anchor chain and not letting out the attached anchor line.  I felt that 50 feet chain was plenty to hold this boat in 10 feet of water.  We ventured into town.  While we were gone the wind changed direction to the unprotected north.  When we came back, Ocean Breeze was dragging anchor badly and heading for the rocky shore.  We only had time to tie the dinghy on and move to deeper water.  When I hoisted the Danforth anchor the boat came equipped with, one of the two flukes was bent.

After that incident, I began researching anchors and holding power for larger boats.  I had always used Fortress Anchors on our last two boats and never had issue with them.  I liked them better than the traditional Danforth anchors because of their lighter weight.  They were easy for me to handle.  I was drawn toward Fortress because of their history with us however noticed most of the large boats in our marina had Delta Fast Set plow anchors.  The research I did made both anchors seem pretty reliable, so I opted for the Delta.

We've had our Delta for two years now.  Even with the bigger anchor, I was still hesitant to give her the test.  Weather and weekend plans always had a way of keeping us busy and obscuring my fear.  We just never seemed to have time to anchor at Kelley's Island, even for an afternoon of swimming.

At the AGLCA rendezvous at Joe Wheeler Park last fall and our renewal of the Coast Guard Auxillary Safe Boating Course taken in Florida during February, we reviewed anchoring techniques and little tricks to help keep a secure hold.  One thing I learned was the lead chain is not enough to hold the anchor.  The lead chain needs to be at rest for it's full length on the lake, ocean or river floor to do its' work.  Many folks even use a small mushroom anchor at the junction of the chain and the line to insure the chain is well established on the floor of the chosen anchorage.

Yesterday, we had a stiff wind from the south and great conditions to test what I had learned.  We chose our spot in 9 feet of water.  I let out the anchor chain to the junction of the anchor line, which is 50 feet of chain.  The anchor bounced across the lake floor.  I tethered off 30 feet of anchor line and let the chain drop to the watery floor and waited.  She held like a champ!  We swam for over an hour and had absolutely no loss of hold.

I can't say the first night we have at anchor when we are on the Loop will be a well slept on for me.  I do have more trust in our set-up.  And I'm certainly not opposed to more line out than is probably necessary.  At best guess, yesterday's anchor was probably more of a lunch anchor set.  If we were to spend the night, I think I would have wanted at least 50 feet of line along with that 50 feet of chain to give more of a horizontal pull on the anchor.

Yesterday evening, after we returned to Bay Point we had a big downpour.  We were out for pizza when the storm rolled in.  When we came back to the boat, the guest room bed had a huge puddle right in the middle of the mattress.  Boats...don't we just love them? A constant contest of problem versus solution.  So the twins slept on the couch in the salon.  We are supposed to have overnight guests next weekend.  I think we are going to have to take some of our entertaining time for solving problems.

29 days to cast-off: Home Again, Home Again...No Jigging!

Todd and I have been back and forth to the boat so many times now, the trips are blurring (and somewhat exhausting).  Trying to prepare on two fronts is proving to be a feat in organization.  I've always thought of myself as a master organizer.  Switching thinking from 'going' to 'coming' is starting to get past my abilities.

Our home situation is good.  Our cleaning lady will continue on a regular basis, we have three friends watching over and checking our house (including the Captain of the Sheriff's Department) and hopefully everything that is breaking down will be up and running by the time we leave.  We've corrected three electrical problems, fixed a washing machine and today the non-functioning central air conditioning (we came home to yesterday) will be back on line!  Thank goodness the outside temperatures are manageable and cool air is coming in windows that I never (and I mean NEVER) open.  Of course, all this fresh air is making me miserable with my environmental allergies!

So, you ask (or maybe not), how do I manage allergies at anchor or mooring with the boat windows, hatches and portholes all open?  For some reason, allergens generated from tree pollen, grasses, weeds and flowers don't travel very well over the humid surface of the water.  I find my most comfortable existence is off land and on the water.  However, right now the first mate is not a happy camper.

Oh yeah, Charlie...again!  I know, I know...

32 Days: What? Me Worry?

First, I have to thank Monk's Vineyard for not only following our blog but for reminding me what the adventure is really about.  It is important to lay to rest worries about what works and what doesn't work, what we might need to be comfortable, and all the other little idiosyncrasies we develop in our push-button, laser fast, digital world.  We have chosen to float away from all that in a luxury camper on the water and taste a near next to nature life for the next 10 months.  And when I momentarily forget this, Charlie has a way to remind me:

It just doesn't matter and...

you really need to chill, mom!

I really look forward to cast off, to getting into L. Huron (on the Michigan side) to begin exploring unexplored territory, to meeting new Loopers and renewing acquaintance with those we have met before at rendezvous.  Until then, I need to look at Charlie more often.  He's a pretty smart guy!

Currently I continue to make lists, check tasks off and keep busy.  I've taken 'stuff' off the boat that I haven't used and probably will never use.  I've rearranged the galley, putting things I use all the time in easy to reach drawers.  I cleared two shelved lockers in the salon and turned them in a pantry.  Later this week, I will reorganize the storage in both heads.  It's like a big jigsaw puzzle but it's fun to put together.  Keep tuned it...later in the voyage you will most likely be reading how I can't seem to remember where I 'reorganized' important items to and wonder if they'll ever be found!

Remaining this weekend is:

• find out what is wrong with the shower in the guest head (which, by the way, is MY shower...so it's important)
• change the filters in the air conditioner intakes (and check the drainage trays...we still have a damp spot in the lower gangway and have not found the source)

Next weekend, our son and our 9 year old granddaughters are visiting.  I'm hoping the replacement faucet for the leaking bar sink will arrive during the week so Todd and I can install it before we go 'off task'.  It would be a plus to have the shower fixed by then as well.

Todd is researching a WiFi and antenna system to boost our cell signal strength.  We're still waiting for the canvas company to start that project.  The impeller is shot in the generator and won't be replaced until the maintenance team comes to teach Todd how to change impellers, fuel filters, etc.  We still need to get into the sea strainers on the air conditioners, the engines and the intake for the washdown pump to make sure we know what we are doing there.  Todd successfully opened and cleaned the generator sea strainer last weekend.  There were no clogs, hence the diagnosis of a blown impeller.  Even becoming more mechanically savvy is giving both of us a boost in confidence and pride!

In truth, things will break and problems will arise as they may throughout life.  We can't direct when or where.  We just have to take a deep breath, make repairs and continue the smell the fresh air coming in the doorway.  There really isn't any reason the worry as long as the boat is on top of the water and the VHF radio is working!

37 Days: The Birth of Baby BRIG...

We decided it was time to update our dinghy and engine for the trip ahead.  Actually, we've been thinking about replacing the Zodiac that came with Ocean Breeze for quite a while.  We just talked ourselves out of it every time the discussion surfaced.

We ordered a BRIG (10'10") and a Mercury 9.9HP 4 cycle engine with electric start a little over two weeks ago.  We were able to trade the old Zodiac and Mercury 9.9HP 2 cycle engine.

The new BRIG was ready and delivered the morning we were leaving for Put in Bay (Thursday, July 1st).  We had added a new cable to the lifting harness the afternoon before.  The test would be in the lifting.  That was the only sticking point we could come up with.

All worked well and the new BRIG sat on her cradle.  She was a bit unsteady as she sat on her berth.  Her hull was shaped slightly different from the cradle she was sitting in.  Todd came up with the idea to cut a swimming noodle to fit the cradle.  The foam of the noodle should absorb the hull difference and steady the BRIG in the cradle.  The idea worked great.

The maiden voyage was at Put in Bay.  The BRIG was so much fun and the topic of conversation as we visited friends (Island Girl, Absolute Heaven and Double D).  Thank you, Cam, for pictures of the BRIG in action (or should I say 'relaxion').

During the Loop, the BRIG will not only provide fun and leisure.  She will be our mode of transportation when we are anchored or moored.

Under 40 on the Fourth of July...

We haven't missed a 4th of July celebration at Put in Bay, South Bass Island in years.  As a matter of fact, I can't remember the last time we weren't at the Bay for the Fourth.  This year would be no different.

I remember docking at Ladd's in Sunday Tripper (our 1989 Bayliner Motoryacht 3870) for quite a few of the early years.  The Ladd's used their barge to set the fireworks up.  They fired them off so close to the marina, ashes would cover the boat the next morning.  Have you ever lay under a Christmas tree and looked up at the lights and ornaments in a dark room?  Lying on the bow of a boat under a huge firework display is way better!

One year, Chris Ladd got burned pretty bad from a shell that exploded early.  I think that ended their management of the fireworks.  The fireworks are still set up on a barge but the show is managed by a pyrotechnics company.  There is no way to lay on the bow under the display anymore but seeing these huge shells burst over the water with the shadows of the boats in the moorings is nearly as impressive.

Watching the display makes you feel like a little kid again.  The shell blasts go through your chest almost like being punched.  Pictures just don't capture what the eye is seeing.  And the boat's lazy movement back and forth in the water distorts the scene anyway.  Now, the Boardwalk plays 'Proud to be an American' over their huge PA system right after the fireworks have ended.  It really makes the moment!

We've been on the moorings for the 4th (and most other visits) since they were installed.  The last five season's have been on Ocean Breeze.  It is so hard to explain to anyone the quiet and the relaxing nature of the water and what it does to the boat as she lazily moves about bobbing back and forth.

(Still learning the Panorama on the camera but really wanted to catch the calm of the night before the fireworks)

So after relaxing and playing all weekend, we will go back to Bay Point today and trouble shoot a problem with the generator.  We run it twice a day to charge the house battery bank, cook and do anything else that requires AC power.  No different from any other 4th here at the Bay, yesterday was steamy and hot.  By evening, we were ready to close up the boat, turn on the air conditioners and cook dinner.  Little Genny has always taken the load well however, last night we heard a click and the power went down...but Genny was still running.  It took us a while to reset the system.  When we got it back up and producing AC, I kept the load below what we were using.  We did manage to cool the boat down but Genny was steaming.

We used to call our maintenance folks and have them come out to troubleshoot any problems. That won't be possible on the trip, although they've volunteered to come along!  So when we get back to Bay Point today, we'll start with the easiest possible point of a problem and take the sea strainer apart to check for a clog.

The generator picks up water from beneath the boat, cools itself and spits out hot water behind the boat with the exhaust.  A strainer keeps seaweed and other debris from clogging up the cooling system within Genny.  Of course, it gets clogged up instead.

It's going to be another hot day and that will compound the job.  Every thing that needs to be checked is outside under the cockpit of the boat (the back deck) and not inside in the bilge where the air conditioners will be keeping us nice and cool.  I think I'll pick vacuuming the boat while Todd checks the sea strainer out.

Left on the to-do list before departure:

• 
  
  The canvas folks still haven't paid us a visit.  We've checked with them countless times and may need to employ someone else for the job.
• 
  
  The electronics installer is coming the week of July 17th to finish his job (install the Satellite TV).
• 
  
  Our maintenance team is coming the first week of August to work with Todd, changing impellers on the engines and the generator (the impeller on the generator may need to be changed NOW so that bit of education may come sooner than we think).  They will be bringing a repair kit with all the things Todd will need for general maintenance of the engines and generator.
• 
  
  I'm ordering three more LED lights for our two heads (bathrooms) and buying an LED light from West Marine for our anchor light.  These LED lights are working marvelously while we are off AC power.

Golly, the list is short and the beginning of the trip is SO CLOSE (38 days from today)!  We really need to cast off...I'll feel so much better when we do.  The last job on the list is for Todd the close the church books for the month of July with the stand in Treasurer and go to Vestry.  The umbilical that is holding us will be severed...at least temporarily.