Today is the Day

    Day 1 We set out in the rental car from Crystal River to Placida loaded with most of the stuff we thought we'd need for the trip back home. We've been planning this maiden voyage since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and now today is the day. The weather forecast is picture perfect through the weekend.

    We arrived in Placida at about 10:30 & loaded the boat with all our gear & non-perishable food. We hit the grocery store for cold stuff & returned the rental car. Gasparilla dropped the boat in the water. The boat had 3/4 of a tank of fuel (+/- 75 gallons). We did our engine & equipment checks, filled the water tanks & set out for Marina Jack in Sarasota.

    Operating a new to me boat was a little strange and it took a little time to get used to it. What will take even longer to get used to is “going slow”. We’re used to boats that go 25 - 30 mph, in a trawler, 7.5 - 9 is the norm. It will take some getting used to but it is after all about the journey, right (I’ll keep telling myself that until I get it).

    I knew the shaft seal had a small drip but what I found at my first engine room check (30 minutes in) was a leaking raw water pump and the faster I pushed the engine the more water went into the bilge in the compartment under the Volvo. I found a hand pump and pumped it 1 compartment back where the bilge pump sent it out. Next issue was a bilge pump that wouldn’t stop and the bilge alarm was continuous. I finally noticed a small roll of electrical tape had made it’s way under the float switch and kept the pump going (and the alarm). 

    We kept the boat going at it’s sweet spot of 2000 rpm and the speed was about 9 mph but as the tide picked up we slowed to about 7 - 8. Most of the Intercoastal is slow minimum wake anyway so we were good. 

    42 miles later and about 5 1/2 hours of running and we pulled into Marina Jack. Beth luckily called about 5 minutes before they closed and secured a slip.
The last hurdle was docking a single engine boat. Darn I miss my twins. We had some wind and a few tense moments but got it done and tied up stern in starboard side. Hooked up the shore power and enjoyed some AC.


Comments

  1. The Purple GeckoJune 17, 2020 at 9:26 AM

    Yes, the adventure has begun. There will be some learning in the next few months but you have started your journey. Enjoy the ride.

    ReplyDelete

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