What’s the saying everyone uses? …”A cruiser’s plans are written in the sand.”
Um, yeah that totally holds true for us. 😉 We thought we would be off sailing by the end of January. Turns out, certain boat projects (one in particular) take much longer than expected.
^^just another day at the office for these two. lunchbox in hand and all.^^
So here we are. It’s February 7th and we are still happily docked in Naples. And I’m still working, full-time. Ugh.
But don’t worry! We are feverishly working on a few final projects so we can blow this joint. So to speak.
And I’m squeaking out a few final days of work before our paychecks come to a screeching halt. And boy will that be weird! Both Jereme and I have always held full-time jobs ever since college. So both of us not having any job (or a steady source of income) will just be the most bizarre feeling.
Our original “never-ending boat project list” was started way back in June. And then we updated the list in October. And just last month, we gave another quick update on our project progress. At that time, we had made great strides, but still had a somewhat hefty list to left to tackle.
It was a little daunting, let’s not lie. But, I am happy to report that Jereme has been working day and night to hammer (literally in some cases) through our list. And here’s where we currently stand…
Flares & flare gunCheck fire extinguisher expiration dateShower curtainFloat switch bilge pumpExtra bilge pump under quarter-berthWine bottle holder affixChange boat nameRegistration sticker dinghyMaroon paint for boat stripeLight bulbsFix shelf/cabinet in headWing nut drawer guides quarter-berthSized rope with clasp for ladderStereo speakersNew fendersCharts Florida/Bahamas*Ordering Explorer chartsChafe protection for anchor linesFix hatch latch on anchor lockerPropane tanks and locker claspClean raw water strainerChange oil; oil filtersFiberglass 4th side of engine oil catch tankJib sail needs restitchingGenoa furling drum serviced-
Crack in bobstay*Removed bobstay and it is currently in Miami getting fixed. Bow port window leakQuarter-berth port lightOverhead hatch leaking- Autopilot needs to be fixed
Fix/replace water tankService seacocks- Spreader lights *Have the lights, one of us (who knows how to do electrical work) needs to go up the mast.
Soft spot on anchor lockerCockpit LED lightsToilet/vent for waste- Fix wind instrument/tridata *We bought some stuff and now have to return some stuff. Typical.
- Enhance anchor/chain; check what exists *We have our new awesome Mantus anchor and are working on getting chain.
Wax boatOil leaks from timing gear-
Install solar panels, charge controller, and inverter *These are (hopefully) shipping on Monday (they are a hot commodity, let me tell you), but will still need to be installed.
Replace plumbing to headFix shower sump pumpWaterproof canvas top- Fix/replace fridge *New fridge ordered, delivered, and waiting to be installed.
- Replace reef and topping lift sheaves
Bathroom sink faucetRebed chainplates in head- Install WiFi booster *We haven’t decided if this is happening before we leave.
Replace dinghy valve and address minor leak- Replace all the running rigging
Replace the corroded windlass circuit breaker fuse and battery wire terminal lugs- Maintenance on dinghy outboard motor (including carburetor cleaning) *We brought the engine home to work on it in the garage, where it’s a lot easier.
- Replace raw water hose
- Replace shower drain
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Deal with broken seacock *We’re getting on the waiting list for a quick haul out at the one spot closest to our dock.
As you can see, we’ve almost officially crossed everything off our list (or at the very least started the line item in some fashion or another)! We really only have a few things to finish up, while waiting on our solar panels to get here (man those suckers are in high demand, sheesh!).
Soon we will just need to thoroughly clean the boat (since it’s basically been Jereme’s work site for the last few months), move our things aboard (which I am so dying to do…and make that boat feel like a cozy little home), sell one car, and provision. It’s getting real people! We CANNOT wait to cut those dock lines!
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing.
…Learn more about us and our sailing and cruising adventures.
Hey, if you ever watch you tube you might enjoy this video. It’s all about the list. Check them out they make some good vid’s:
S/V Delos “0 to cruising in 20 days”
See you all tonight, Russell
[…] understand the need to address even the smallest of issues like this, so this item made the project list early on since we knew we would need to get it fixed before setting sail for the […]
[…] (and realizing we would need to get it in proper working condition) is at the very top of our project list. Jereme and his buddy Chris took the dinghy (along with the engine, obvi) out for a test run a few […]