North on the ICW 5/17 (Catch-up)

Paul and Irma stayed with us northbound with stops in Vero Beach, Marine Land, and Savannah Ga.  Along the way the learning continued ...near Rockhouse Creek we anchored and shut down all the engines only to hear “something running”.   After searching bow to stern and noticing there was no power draw on the electrical panels discovered the sound was from a dredge at least a mile away.   It’s discharge pipes ran underwater fairly near our location.  If you listen closely can hear the gravel runnng thru the pipes.

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One our favorite stops is Osprey Marina.    They pack us in pretty tight!  

Osprey is known for low cost fuel and one of the best goodie bags on ICW.  The contents include a whistle for life jacket, Honey Bun, and more.

Another favorite is Randy’s BBQ in Savannah.   The Uber driver was not crazy about stopping but man was it worthwhile!   

We asked for sauce on the side (we got two of these trays) and we got a milk jug complete with milk lable filled with BBQsauce, properly taped shut with blue painters tape. 

False Start 4/12/17 (Catch-up)

Friends Paul and Irma, liveaboards from San Diego joined us in a Florida to bring WORKNOT back to Mexico.  Irma is from Guatemala, fluent in Spanish, great cook and Paul is a proven cruiser.   Provisioning and boat prep continued non stop and we departed for Old Port Cove with plans to leave for the Bahamas and continue south.  Keela seems to approve too.

The first year of owning a “new to me” boat is always filled with new problems and new maintenance issues.  About 3 AM ( seems to be the boat God’s favorite time) Paul awoke to a burning smell and no air conditioning in the forward cabin.   A quick inspection suggested the A/C fan had failed.   Daylight revealed a failed shore cord connector.   These are the top source of boat fires and marina fires.  

Replacement is pretty straightforward.  The was no damage to the wiring or surrounding area but the connector was toast.  It’s the place where the cord and boat meet, potentially wiggling the contact points every time the boat rocks in the slip.  Add to the inspection list. The other 3 were inspected and found to be OK.   (2 in the bow and two on the stern allowing shore power supply pulled or backed into the slip)