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learning things

5/5/2014

6 Comments

 
Posted by Monty
Over the past three days, we have learned many things.

In my previous life, I had some renown as being the "Master of the Grill".  I had a decent size gas grill that I used to fire up at a moments notice.  These days, my grill kingdom has been greatly diminished.

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Saturday night chicken on the grill, Sea Bird style.

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And a better picture.  Not a lot of grill area, but not a lot of mouths to feed either.  This is two meals for us.

Saturday lesson learned: Turn on the flash when your subject is backlit.  (Audrey is saying "I know, right?")

This brings us into Sunday.  Carol had spent most of Saturday washing the boat on the outside, and it looked great.  We decided to take it out.  All of the (most of the) projects are not finished, but so what?  We cast off the lines and backed her out of the slip.  Throttle forward and into the wind.  Suddenly, the dinghy started vibrating and I heard a thumping from the area of the propeller and rudder.  What the...?  Into neutral maybe 100 ft from the dock.  a little investigation showed a cut line from the dinghy trailing in the water.


Back to the dock.  No loss of control, but I feel a vibration that seems troubling.  My theory is that part of the line is still wrapped around the prop or shaft.  Not good.  Worse, is that I have yet to buy a swim mask, so I can't dive on the prop to check it out.  So we pile into the car for a 40 minute (one way) trip to New Bern.  Mask procured, we return to the boat.
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Off the boarding ladder on the stern and into the briny not-so-deep approx. 7 ft. water.

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That's some cold water.  I'm sure there is something about a farmer's tan that makes water colder.  Farmers were never meant to dive on a prop.

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Nonetheless, after a bit of fumbling about...

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To the victor go the spoils.

We spent the rest of the day licking our wounds.  Too late to really get out and enjoy it.

Sunday's lesson learned: When washing the boat, make SURE you tidy up and secure all lines you moved because they were in the way.

This brings us to today.  (It's Monday.  I'm not at work!)  After a quick trip into town to pick up some parts we had shipped in, we went at it again.  First we checked ALL the lines.  Then we headed out of the creek we are in. 


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This is coming out of the mouth of the creek into the Neuse River.

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Not sure if I'm looking for navigation aids or dodging crab pots.  Note the drink holder in the bottom of the picture.  There will be a quiz later.

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Finally, one day short of a month since we took possession of her, Sea Bird is under full sail.  Feels good.

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Somewhere, 'round thataway, is Europe.  Still some land in the way, but doable.  Just not today.

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Then back up the creek to the dock.  All in all, a great little shakedown cruise.  Found some things that we need to work on and some things that worked flawlessly. 

So we're feeling pretty good about life right now.  This was a good day.

Oh, remember your pop quiz?

Monday's lesson learned: A drink holder does not a handhold make in a choppy sea.  Replacement needed.


6 Comments
Wanda Beaty
5/6/2014 01:37:59 am

Love reading your posts! I am so happy for you two!

Reply
Wayne Sober
5/6/2014 06:32:47 am

Beautiful boat. I guess you never got around to building that hovercraft you used to talk about. If you ever get this far up, come see me. Wayne

Reply
Spence Huffstetler
5/6/2014 07:53:09 am

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your adventures. I almost cried when I saw your first boat in the water, but I also got a little teary eyed when I saw Sea Bird under full sail. I incredibly admire your will and resolve. I wish you the very best on your adventures. Your website is now a favorite, and I look forward to reading more!! All the best!

Reply
Laura
5/6/2014 08:24:00 am

You two are amazing folk.

Love oxxo

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Tammy
5/6/2014 12:38:01 pm

Love reading your adventures!

Reply
Matt Rochford
5/7/2014 02:00:01 am

Hi, I am a friend of Spence Huffstetler. I live in MA. Spence knew I would enjoy your posts, so he sent me your site. He was correct. I very much enjoyed everyone of them.

I am a boater as well (power boat). I could relate to many of the situations you explained so brilliantly. I noticed you mentioned a smell coming from the head area and thought I would share something that my brother discovered on his boat and maybe it might be your issue. My brother had a similar situation and actually bought a new head to try to eliminate it. However it didn’t do the trick. What it turned out to be was that the hoses that run to the holding tank were the original ones and what he learned from many different sources that they need to be replaced every so often because the stench remains embedded in the hoses. He ended up switching out his holding tank too, but he believes it really was in the hoses. I started thinking I was smelling something in mine, so I replaced all of my hoses as well. They are that very thick , barely bendable white hoses. Another hint is that WD40 makes your life much easier when inserting the new hose onto it's fittings.

Another note I would like to make is that I have had more than a few lobster lines get caught in my props and at the worst times in rough seas. You made a wise investment in the mask, but I would also suggest to get the fins. When in rough seas, it's very easy to get seperated from the boat because the current and winds. The fins have been a difference maker in getting back to the boat when it does occur. In addtion, I noticed you had a life jacket floating next to you, which is a good thing, but I would highly suggest tying a dock line to your boat and having the end in your hand when going under the boat. This will also give you the ability to quickly pull yourself back to the boat during rough seas.
Enjoy your trip. I am very envious of the wonderful life you have ahead of you.

Safe Travels,
Matt
Hope this helps.

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