Looking like a home!

Today's puttering included new window coverings!!! They totally transform the salon:

before

After

Before

After

The only thing we're waiting for now is the battery upgrade. Then we hit the seas. Well, the ICW, anyway.

Getting ready... getting giddy about it, too!

New davit on left, bits on deck
next to the anchor.

We continue to putter about the boat, making adjustments and readying ourselves for the trip. We've accomplished a LOT. For the new anchor we've installed the davit, two mooring bitts on the bow, and got a hefty rope for the anchor's rode. We purchased a couple of bean bags chairs, which we've used nightly now since the weather's turned warm. Russ stocked up on various engine parts and filters he'll need along the way. Stuff and stuff and stuff!

We hoped to head out Feb 25, but after our test outing we decided we really wanted to double our battery capacity. While the new solar panels keep our batteries charged at 100 percent all day, over night on anchor, with little more that the fridge and a small fan running, we got down to 54%. The new batteries couldn't be installed until the 26th. We hope to start out journey a day or two after that, weather permitting.

We went to Marathon to look at marinas,
possibly for next winter.

Russ has been swapping emails and stories with another couple who have an Endeavour 40 power-cat, just a year newer than ours. One modification they made was to add a canvas top over the transom, which is the deck on the stern. We've decided to do the same, using the same installers. They're in Stuart, Florida. They already know about how much material they'll need, and told us it should be a three day job. So, our first official stop will be there, giving us our first experience of upgrades/repairs while on the loop.

This week the curtains should be installed. I'm hoping that livens up our salon a bit. This is going to be home, after all.

My lot in Lehigh Acres.
Apparently, there was a recent fire.

Over the past weekend we took a trip to Miami to attend the international boat show. We went there to get some ideas, and think of other upgrades that might appeal to us as we go. Things like an espar heater for hot water, which uses diesel fuel instead of electricity (tech our RV used). Or solutions to shade the bow of the boat (we had a woman here in Palmetto signed up to do the job, but she bagged on us), and we found a couple we're pretty excited about. We discovered SeaSucker, a company right here in Bradenton that makes uber-strong suction cups. At their booth they had TVs, bars loaded with drinks, and kayaks, all affixed using these things. We bought a drink caddy for the fly deck, and have an order in for generic cups, so we can use them for whatever.

Hopefully, we'll be underway before the end of the month.

Out and about on a boat

It looks like we got lost in the Tampa Bay, but that is the route.
If you stray, you'll end up calling for a tow!

FINALLY! We took Cat-n-Dogs out of her slip for the first time in over a month. Loaded up with new electronics, auto-pilot, and solar panels we had a lot to shake out. Russ also had done a fair bit of engine maintenance that he hoped he'd done correctly. He did, of course.

We left Palmetto around one in the afternoon and took a three hour cruise to the ICW and down south. There were a couple of anchorages near Longboat Key, and the island itself had easy access to the shore. We hadn't tried anchoring since we did it with "the anchor people." Yet another thing to shake out.

It was Sunday. Warm weather, calm seas. In other words, jammed with boaters ramping up for the boating season. Both anchorages were busy, making us newbies a bit nervous about trying it out. We suspected that in a few hours they would all leave, that most of them were there for a day out only. But that still meant finding a spot and anchoring without bumping into anyone.

Russ took the helm for a while.
Check out the monitor on his left.

Given it was our first solo effort, as we expected, it didn't go smoothly. In fact it took about a hour.

We were talked into using a snub line by Rudy (of noted "anchor people") which was a different method of attaching our bridle to the anchor rode. When we anchored before we used a Mantus chain hook. It was a challenge - since it didn't fit through the roller bale (a hoop on the tip of our boat that keeps the chain in its track) you had to dangle yourself out over the boat to attach it to the chain. Not something you'd want to do if the seas were remotely bumpy. The snub line can be tied onto the chain from the deck and will pass through the bale without issue.

Knowing all that and doing it are two different things. The knot pulled free a couple of times while trying to set the anchor. Eventually, we got it in. By that time, however, we'd drifted closer to Jewfish Key, where the waters are only three feet or less. Odds were we'd twist about during the night when the tides shift, and we didn't want to end up running aground at three in the morning. We weren't in any danger at the moment so we lowered the dinghy, and took the dogs to shore for a long walk. That went well. Dogs are getting comfortable with the little boat. Well, Lizzie is, anyway.

Daybreak on Longboat

After hoisting the anchor we checked out the other anchorage, nearer to the public dock. Our depth gauge told us this was a worse location. Back we went to the first anchorage, which started to thin out. We picked a new spot, anchored with little issue this time, and settled down for the night.

The weather was still and the night was quiet. Just before we retired I checked the weather. The winds were predicted to kick up during the night and taper off in the early morning hours. Sure enough, come midnight, subtle rocking woke us. We'd spun 180 degrees from where we'd anchored. All sorts of new noises filled our ears, like the slapping of water on the hull, and something that clicked in regular intervals. Occasionally we'd feel a bump, which I think was the dinghy running into us since we'd left it lowered. Russ got up a couple of times, unable to sleep, worried we'd drag our anchor. Not as restful a night as we'd hoped.

Heading back to the boat from Longboat Key.
The light is Cat-n-Dogs.
Note the new blue painter line :)

But we didn't drag the anchor. Everything was great! Around three in the morning everything calmed and we both slept sound until our morning routine.

We got up, fed the dogs, loaded them into the dinghy, and using a headlight as our "all around" light, made our way in the dark to the shore at six in the morning. We docked at the pier, walked the dogs, and came back, all without incident.

Taking our time to do morning things, like coffee and breakfast, we weighed anchor around nine and headed home.

And docked that bad boy like a boss!

Awesome weather, and yet, we sit

Look at this amazing weather!

Monday

This is not the fault of the electricians. They came back, as they said they would, and connected the last three solar panels, as they said they would. They were done by lunchtime. But that left bunches of cables needing to be covered with clever panels, both on the fly deck as well as in the helm. Additionally, Russ wanted to finish installing the new monitor and tablet holder. It was a bit cool Monday, making it less optimal to travel, and the work took most of the day. We planned on leaving Tuesday.

Last week I arranged to have the boat's bottom cleaned but we didn't set a specific day. I gave the diver a call and he said he planned on showing up Tuesday morning. I had him reschedule for Friday, given our plans to not be here. 

Tuesday

Russ continued to work on his list -- things take time on a boat. We hoped to be moving by the afternoon, but... a phone call came. 

Does this look comfortable to you?

We recently purchased a navigational aide for the loop called Great Loop Notes which also has some software full of handy way-points. The author swapped emails with Russ the day before. Apparently, another looper (the caller, as it turned out) was having technical problems using the software, so he hoped Russ could give him a hand since we were just a marina away. Russ made plans to meet up with the fellow looper and load his software in the afternoon. Alas, we will not be leaving now. 

I really wished I hadn't rescheduled the cleaning. I quickly called Diver Lee (the gentleman who cleans the bottoms of boats) and asked if it were too late to go back to Tuesday. Of course, it was. 

Why we don't entertain

Since we'll be here all day, once done with the wiring list Russ decided to start his last engine task, which was to change out the coolant and check the zincs. 

"The zincs" are strictly a boat thing. They are also called sacrifical anodes. Water erodes metals, like propellers. But if you have some metal present with a higher voltage, those get eroded by the water first, saving the things you really care about. We have a number of them, some in the engine itself (which Russ was working on) and some of the propellers (which Diver Lee will check when he's here). Thus endeth the lesson.

The sadly part about this is the weather, which has just been stunning. Clear, calm, warm-ish. Boating weather, they say.

Then I got a phone call. Diver Lee had another client wanting to switch days. He could come out Wednesday. Given Russ was having issues with the zincs, I accepted. We still could leave Wednesday afternoon.

Starboard engine access is in the kitchen --
no room is spared!

Wednesday

Russ could only finish the starboard engine yesterday. Apparently removing the zincs was a bit of a task. In fact, I don't think we could go anywhere if we wanted now. A couple of the zincs were in really bad shape, and one came off and fell into some part of the engine. That can't be good. They will erode, eventually, but they also might get sucked into some intake. We've called the expert, Rian, for guidance. Meanwhile, Russ has moved onto the port engine.

On the plus side, the boat's bottom was cleaned. The diver didn't need to replace the zincs there. Everything looks great. Paint is good (should be, since it was just done), props look good, and intakes look clean. Yay for that!

As for the zincs that fell back into the engine, apparently there's nothing you can do. It's happened to others. There haven't been any reports of damage or issues, so we're just going to run with that.

By 3 pm it became apparent we weren't going anywhere today, either. Russ continued to wrestle with zincs on the port engine throughout the afternoon. He took a break for a sandwich I made, and did a run to drop off and recycled the old coolant. 

We looked ahead at the weather this weekend, but the wind will come up Saturday and Sunday, especially Saturday. There's a boater shin-dig in Tampa we want to go to (it's at the home of a looper). We thought we'd do that, attempting to be a little more social with the boat life, but we may have to rent a car.

Working on the fender boards. Or fender PVCs.

Thursday

Lovelier weather. Finally, it's paying off to live in Florida! We spent the day doing outside tasks. We bought a couple of new fenders, which needed to be strung with line. We bought new line for all the fenders as well as our newly crafted "fender board." Loopers have recommended them for locks; they'll keep your fenders from getting scuffed or damaged. Since we have pilings in our slip, we put them on earlier this week. They are much quieter (the fenders can creak and squeak when squeezed). I wished they'd been on earlier through some of the windy weather.

We think we have a plan now, looking ahead. The weather will get bad Saturday through Sunday morning (bad meaning 15 mph or higher winds, choppy waters predicted). But should get better Sunday evening. We plan on going out then, anchoring Sunday and Monday (which is predicted to be amazing), then coming back Tuesday afternoon. I have a doctors appointment late on Tuesday, which explains the deadline. After that, should the weather hold we can come and go, barring any issues. 

The curtains I ordered should be done around the 21st. That's the last of the deadlines that we know of. Then we might be on our way for real.

While we're missing an amazing week, we are convinced it was just the first week of nice weather and not the last.

Why you want a floating painter line

That's Russ in the dinghy

Since we returned from Naples we haven't left the dock at all. Palmetto is a cute little town, but we're getting antsy to hit the open waters! We hoped the electrical stuff would be done today, but they could only install 3 of the 6 solar panels we're adding. Most of our navigation systems are already up and running. We'll have a accurate depth gauge -- woo hoo!

Russ decided enough was enough; he needed to be on the water. So he lowered the dinghy and off he went. When he came back we loaded the dogs in and all of us went on a little ride on the Manatee River.

Our outing proved we are still a bit green. On our way back the motor (this would be the new propane one we just installed) stopped running. We were already back in the marina, just on a fairway. Russ turned the motor off then on. It would run in idle, but when he put it in gear it stalled. Then we discovered it would run in reverse, so we started down the fairway backwards. Eventually, it too petered out. We have a couple of oars in the tiny boat, so we paddled our way back to Cat-n-Dogs.

Once we got back to the boat we needed to tie ourselves to the big boat... and that's when I noticed that the bow line on the dinghy (called the painter line) was missing. In fact, it was wrapped around the propeller.

Yep, my bad. I didn't even pay attention to it.

After pawing through some other boater blogs with painter line mishaps, turns out we weren't the first to foul that line that way. Many blogs have the title "Why you want a floating painter line." So... there you go.

Guess what we'll be buying at West Marine this weekend.

Florida is a quacky State

At 3rd, and I know the next road is Manatee. Brilliant.

Don't get me wrong, there's a couple of things Florida does right. For example, when you are driving and you wonder to yourself what is that intersection coming up ahead they have signs that tell you in advance, which is extremely handy. But how they handle driver's licenses is not in their "plus" column.

Most states have something called a DMV. These are state-run offices. If the DMV near you is crowded you could go to some other DMV to get your driving needs addressed. Not so in Florida. Drivers licenses are the responsible of each and every county, specifically the County Tax Collector. This is a problem for us since the county we officially live in -- where we get our mail -- is not the county I actually live in. So to get a driver's license for the State of Florida we had to take a three and a half hour drive up to Green Cove Springs.

All of which is fairly interesting given we're technically not going to be living in Florida much of this year at all. But insurances require such things so there we go.

You'd think that would be a pretty definitive document. However, since we live on a boat, its registration number is my "address." Really. Take a look.

In conclusion, my official state identification doesn't have either my mailing or living address on it. I'm sure that won't cause any confusion. 

In Florida's "plus" column, we discovered a new ramen place. We were headed for lunch at Poppo's, which has become a favorite Mexican place. They have several locations, and we were trying a new one. As we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed a ramen shop called Mitaka. It was a dreary day, and a little cool, so a bowl of hearty soup sounded good. 

Being from the Bay Area, land of amazing Asian foods, we didn't expect much. It was incredible! We ordered vegetarian gyoza, veggie ramen, lobster udon, and washed it down with a junmai sake. I thought the lobster udon would just have some bits and pieces of lobster floating in it. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised.

Veggie ramen -- broth was outstanding

Lobster udon, you don't have to search for the lobster

She got a name

The boat with no name. Notice the sides are empty, too.

We've had the boat since late October. From that first day, we knew she had a new name. We had all the documents ready, designed decals for the stern, and had quarterboards made for the sides. We even had our AGLCA (America's Great Loop Cruisers Association) burgee waiting to be raised. We just needed the thing stripped of its old name to make the change.

While George was a knowledgeable owner (remember George? He's doing fine, by the way) he didn't love this boat. It probably needed to be detailed for many months prior to our purchasing it. The sides were dull and every surface got dirty really quickly. Cleaning it was always a chore.

Getting ready to put on the decals

In early November we contacted a company to get the boat detailed, which included stripping the old decals. At that time, however, they were booked through December because of the holidays -- apparently, they also hang holiday lights on boats, so they were slammed. They could do it in late December, but we were going to be in Key West. So we planned on January 9th.

About a week out we called to confirm. Good thing, too. Due to the lousy weather Palmetto had in the late part of December they were behind. They confirmed for January 13th.

To do this Russ is standing on the dinghy

Finally, the day came and they showed up almost on time. But they could only do the detailing, not strip the old decals. After a phone call and a little bit of churn, they agreed to get it done. It took these guys three days of hard work to get the boat shiny. She looks completely different, almost brand new.

Behold. Cat-n-Dogs!

Note the quarterboard just under the hard canopy

Turns out there are a lot of superstitions and traditions that go into renaming a boat, everything from "never mention the name until the new decal is on" to "don't christen the boat on Friday" to "pour some champagne into the sea for Poseiden." Thankfully, we aren't superstitious. We did pour ourselves some champagne and remarked on how eventful the last couple of months had been already, and we haven't started the loop officially.

The burgee means we're committed, now

The famed dogs of Cat-n-Dogs, also known as
"the tongues of the sea."

...but we did give Poseiden his share.