4/20 - At last, I've reached the final countdown for my departure for Tortola and three weeks aboard Lakota in the Caribbean. My bag has been packed and repacked several times over the last two weeks. I guess you could say that I'm really looking forward to this trip. Friday can't come soon enough.
For logistical reasons, I've decided to go with just a carry-on bag and my backpack. I've booked a direct flight from Charlotte to St. Thomas, USVI - only 3 1/2 hours. That beats changing planes in Miami and San Juan, PR. The catch is, it's two taxis and a 50 min. Fast Ferry ride from there to Hodges Creek Marina on Tortola. USAir has only a 69% ontime arrival average for this flight and Friday's weather calls for storms so I'm hoping that I'll get there in time to catch the last ferry from Charlotte Amalie.
I managed to get down to Oriental for only a few days earlier this month. Six Knot Grin had more than her share of condensation below decks. I spent a whole day just drying her out before tackling the addition of a newly acquired control head for an Autohelm 4000 autopilot.
She already had the wheel mechanism but the control head was missing when I bought her. Sea Harbour neighbor, Joe Valinoti, generously donated a working control head (the brain). After some considerable difficulty involving inline fuses, I finally got it installed and working correctly. It'll be a welcome addition.
Unfortunately, I left Oriental on a sour note. After having the foresight to have the impeller replaced and the engine descaled early last month, I ended up having my engine overheat on the test run for the autopilot. It was working beautifully, pumping more water from the exhaust than ever before, then a stray hunk of scale must have broken loose and blocked the water flow in the engine. I placed a personal cell phone call to John Deaton (we're close buddies after 3 tows and a month in his boatyard last year ;-) and had TowBoatUS tow me into Sea Harbour. That problem has to be addressed when I return.
I bought new bronze plexiglass to replace the hatch covers and two solar fans to install in them. Many things to do when I return.
I also need to apologize to all the members of Sea Harbour Yatch Club for missing the Spring Workday this coming Saturday but I'm sure you'll all understand.
I'll keep ya'll posted as the availability of WiFi permits.
For logistical reasons, I've decided to go with just a carry-on bag and my backpack. I've booked a direct flight from Charlotte to St. Thomas, USVI - only 3 1/2 hours. That beats changing planes in Miami and San Juan, PR. The catch is, it's two taxis and a 50 min. Fast Ferry ride from there to Hodges Creek Marina on Tortola. USAir has only a 69% ontime arrival average for this flight and Friday's weather calls for storms so I'm hoping that I'll get there in time to catch the last ferry from Charlotte Amalie.
I managed to get down to Oriental for only a few days earlier this month. Six Knot Grin had more than her share of condensation below decks. I spent a whole day just drying her out before tackling the addition of a newly acquired control head for an Autohelm 4000 autopilot.
Unfortunately, I left Oriental on a sour note. After having the foresight to have the impeller replaced and the engine descaled early last month, I ended up having my engine overheat on the test run for the autopilot. It was working beautifully, pumping more water from the exhaust than ever before, then a stray hunk of scale must have broken loose and blocked the water flow in the engine. I placed a personal cell phone call to John Deaton (we're close buddies after 3 tows and a month in his boatyard last year ;-) and had TowBoatUS tow me into Sea Harbour. That problem has to be addressed when I return.
I bought new bronze plexiglass to replace the hatch covers and two solar fans to install in them. Many things to do when I return.
I also need to apologize to all the members of Sea Harbour Yatch Club for missing the Spring Workday this coming Saturday but I'm sure you'll all understand.
I'll keep ya'll posted as the availability of WiFi permits.
No comments:
Post a Comment