Shakedown Cruise

on Saturday, February 28, 2015
I expected the first couple weeks of this cruise to be a bit of a shakedown -- both of the boat and of me. And indeed it has! I was initially annoyed by the need to stop and get my outboard fixed, but it has turned out to be a good thing. Heres why.

First, that little knock on the shin that I complained about in passing nearly 2 weeks ago developed into a big problem that needed fixing before I could tackle anything else. Although my skin was barely scratched, and has long healed, underneath the skin, critters like these were having a field day.

SEM micrograph of S. aureus colonies; note the 
grape-like clustering common to Staphylococcus species.

In short, I had what the doctors called a staff infection.  Have would be the better word, since Ive still got it. The first antibiotic the doctors gave me made a good first impression, but failed to knock it out of me. The second one seems to be doing a better job, but its still hanging in there. Having a few days ashore allowed me to spend quality time with doctors, and keep the old leg elevated for a couple hours a day. Hopefully, Ive got this licked. Stay tuned...

Meanwhile, my outboard was being tended by a different set of doctors -- the very capable folks at SaraBay Marina. Parts had to be ordered from 3 different states, but they finally all came in and its now made a complete recovery. It needed a carburetor rebuild, a new set of spark plugs, and a new dipstick... the old one wasnt a tight fit and had been leaking a small amount of oil. 

I also replaced the gas tank, just to be sure. I didnt want crud or water in the old tank to reinfect the now healthy motor.

A healthy motor is going to be important in the coming days, since Im now running a couple weeks behind schedule, and Ive decided to take the shortcut across Lake Okeechobee. Id been toying with the idea of taking this canal anyway, since its supposed to be both beautiful and very different from anything else Im likely to see on this journey. 

More importantly, summer is imminent and I want to be heading north before the hurricane season arrives in June. That probably would not be possible if I took the long way through the Keys.

Ortona Lock and Dam
photo USACE

No idea what Im getting into with bridges, locks, dams, and bugs, but thats what makes it interesting.

The stopover also allowed me to give Cabin Boy a bit of TLC. Namely, a good bottom cleaning:

3 weeks accumulation of junk on Cabin Boy
photo jalmberg


And boy, did he need it! His bottom wasnt this bad a week ago, but I guess a week of just sitting in the marina allowed all sorts of critters -- mainly baby barnacles -- to find a home.

They scraped off easily enough, but Im going to have to give him another coat of paint when I arrive in Stuart FL in a week or so. Im not sure whether to use real bottom paint, or not... Id be less likely to take a scraper to expensive bottom paint. It seems easier to use cheap oil based paint, and just haul him out once a week for a good cleaning. Will need to think about this...

 After a good cleaning
photo jalmberg

Finally, Im still trimming down and organizing the Blue Moons stores. Ive got rid of two more big boxes of stuff that I realized I would not need -- at least until I got to Stuart. I definitely over packed for this journey, but Im gradually narrowing stuff down to things I really need. This winnowing process has freed up a lot of much needed room.

Im also learning a lot about keeping things organized in a space that is frequently kocked violently about.

In particular, Ive organized my limited shelf space with plastic boxes that help keep my food, dishes, pots, etc., from all ending up on the cabin floor. 

My plastic corrals
photo jalmberg

Several net hammocks are also extremely useful for keeping things in their place, and easy to find. One of the things that really annoys me is not being able to find something in a few seconds... A few seconds, in the dark, in a sea way, with no one at the tiller, is all I have some times. 


My fresh food locker
photo jalmberg

Ive become very good at putting things back where they belong. I can totally understand the whole idea of ship shape, and everything in its place.

So, we all seem to be healthier and better organized than when we arrived here in the Sara Bay Marina. Thanks to everyone at this terrific marina, particularly the service manager Debbie, and the dock master Jeff. Download the mechanical service on the waterway, or just an overnight berth, youd have a hard time beating this place.

Tomorrow, we voyage south, again!

>>> Next Episode: The Boss

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