by miami | Oct 31, 2013
Day 3 and day 4.
Yesterday we tore out the hot water heater that was not working.
Ouch.
One would think a little five gallon can would be a fairly easy to remove. That would assume a magician had not installed it!
I ended up rigging block and tackle as there was no way to drain the water and no way in heck to get hands under it.
Then all the piping had to be removed using a very small pipe wrench, and cutting off the old hoses. The hoses were shot anyway as they had been lying in the oily bilge for who knows how long…
It only took two and a half hours to get the sucker out at the cost of half the skin on my arms. I did notice I bleed much easier and bruise now – like my Dad.
The tank was full of very rusty water because some moron had used galvinzed steel fittings which had badly corroded.
Then it was off for parts search to Savannah. Yuk. 3 hours later, we have new fittings ($55), new hot water heater hose to the engine ($30) and muriatic acid to flush the tank. (We get hot water when we run the engine as well as 110 volt.)
While I was gone Ryan got the fun job of wire brushing everything he could reach, and cleaning rusted bits of steel, nasty bilge stuff etc. he made a good start bu there is much left to be done before the capt is satisfied. It is crucial to have your mechanical gear clean and in great working order so when something does happen (and it ALWAYS does) you are able to see what you are doing. For instance we noticed pretty quickly that the forward motor mounts for the generator are just holding on with the rubber mounts as all the steel is gone!
We ended the day with hot water so all is well.
Today was aft head. The cabinet was poorly designed and had leaked in the past causing some wood rot that needed attention.
I can't say the first mate is exactly happy with the day's work, but in my defense for lumber I was limited to pieces of teak scavenged from old hatch covers. It is never fun trying to build something to the materials you have instead of to the situation at hand.
In addition, attempting to do finish work with a skill saw, no files, no sander, router, or any other finishing tools is a challenge at best.
This is what the space looked like after everything was torn out and below the (semi) finished product.
Plus today we finally got the DSL canceled at the old house. Three times we tried on the AT&T website, then finally found a number to call today. 45 minutes on the phone , transferred 4 times and finally got it canceled. Another yuk.
But life is good on the water. I feel a bit of pressure to get these big projects completed while we still have decent weather. Next is more engine work. Replace all filters, change oils, etc. Check hoses and clamps, bilge pump and clean bilges. Then we get take her out for a shakedown cruise!
Can't wait!
by miami | Oct 29, 2013
Day 2 on Yume as our new home.We are all a bit tired at the end of each day as we go from the time we wake to dark thirty.
Just stopping now and watching the sun set. Got the grill going for some pork chops and Shelly is below making some fettichini with Alfredo to go with it.
Ryan is up at the tiki hut where he can get monster wifi speeds to play his games.
He learned about working on bikes today as the boat came with a foldup 6 speed that needed some TLC.
We have been cramming two full pickup loads of stuff on the boat. Yesterday I removed a 110volt ice maker and turned the space into storage for all the grain, beans, sugar and other supplies we have in 2.5 gallon tubs and all the canned supplies we have.
We filled the water tanks with 150 gallons of water (watched the boat sink down with an additional 1050 pounds!) and added a bit of bleach to help keep it sweet. Red wine works too.
Ryan and I washed the outside today while Shelly worked inside to make it like a home.
Tomorrow the plan is to work in the storage of the master head (bath) where there were some leaks in the past causing some rot. We brought plywood just for that purpose.
The next phase is to make Yume ready for sea. We look for anything that would move . Basically you think about flipping your house upside down and see wohat would fly out! Then you fix it…
We are close.
Next – start looking at the engine, steering systems, and anchors and lines and getting ready for some trial runs to see how she (and we) perform!
We have had a great two days with perfect weather, lots of projects completed and a hope we can get on down the waterway before it turns cold again.
Looking down into the salon, I see Goose is getting his dinner so mine can’t be far behind!
by miami | Oct 25, 2013
It’s the last night at the in-laws in NC and the temps are dropping fast. The north wind is howling down the pass between these two ranges and it surely feels like we need be a lot farther south!
We have enjoyed our visit, playing pinochle and eating and trying out our new folding bicycles we will use to replace the vehicles we are selling.
But at the same time we are anxious to head south to Yume and start getting ready for sea.
Yesterday when we left Atlanta at 630am to miss traffic (not likely) we got to appreciate the insanity (to us anyway) of millions of people all going to work at the same time.
Hopefully, we will back in time for the horse show at High Country Stables tomorrow so Shelly can offer any help needed for the new owners and say farewell one more time to the great trainers, students and parents.
Then we have a fundraiser for paws4people foundation at Petland in Kennesaw on Sunday afternoon before heading down I75 to Macon and over I 16 to Savannah and Yume.
To say we are looking forward to getting there would be an understatement.
I am sure you can understand?
by miami | Oct 25, 2013
My friend (and provider of my favorite spice!) asks this question…
Will I be able to send stuff to your next port call from time to time? I’ve never considered the logistics of a nomadic naval lifestyle.
Good question sir! Especially when we need that spice for the fresh tuna we have on the grill in some far off cove on a perfect beach in the clear tropical night with a some fruit based libation in hand!
Actually, 90% of the time we are either anchored or at a dock somewhere.
The time we move from place to place is fairly minimal – that is unless and until we have enough resources (money) to be able to pay traveling fees like customs, immigration etc- the taxes each country demands from travelers on ‘rich’ boats. Usually we have an address with someone who will package and forward all mail somewhere ahead of us.
Of course in today’s world most mail is electronic and the mailing part is usually things like parts and spice!
When I get to it – we will have a link to favorite products – and the first one will be brantsspices.com
by miami | Oct 23, 2013
Saturday someone had come over to buy one of the last things for sale – a 12 foot fence gate – when we got to talking. After I told him my last five things to sell, he wanted to see the Saab that wouldn’t run. Long story short he wanted it and went home to get more cash.
Come time to swap title for cash we couldn’t find the title for the car or the truck! Lost in the moving process I guess.
I have to throw in here that that very morning I had watched a video by one of my favorite people Nic Askew where I was reminded that instead of we the human race being humans looking for spiritual experiences -in fact we are more likely spiritual beings experiencing human life for a short time. Profound difference!
See it here if you like http://soulbiographies.com/our-spiritual-nature/
In that light I was able to watch everything that happened on Monday as I went from bank to petty govt official in a whole different perspective.
When we bought the boat, we handed someone cash, and he handed us a bill of sale and we shook hands.
No govt. No banks, No tax people, no notary.
Just two people making an agreement for better or for worse.
One of the thoughts at the end of 5 hours and 120 miles of driving ( to replace two titles to two vehicles I supposedly owned) was that our actions lately make me feel like I am getting my life title back from some govt entity somewhere.
Four more days to a new life.
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