Hauled, Cleaned, Repaired, and Splashed

On the Rail

One of the main reasons for heading back here to Virginia instead of going straight to New England was because of the haul-out facility here. Since we are a catamaran not every boat yard with a travel lift can haul us because of our wide beam (23' 7").  Before we came up we checked around Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina, but while there were many places to haul us, they also were a lot more expensive and often wouldn't let you do your own work. Some of the ones that did, were quite expensive compared to what we had experienced here last year.

Shake Down is Almost Over...Heading North

We've spent the last 2 months getting used to our boat and figuring out what things we'd like to change or upgrade. Our trip has basically taken us from Charleston, SC to Key West and now we're headed back north (to where, we aren't sure yet). The boat is only 9 years old but the previous owners lived aboard so some things have really gotten worn out. While I'm happy to say that most of our gear is in good shape, there are several things we need to upgrade, for example:  rip out the old carpet in the salon and replace with something else, replace or repair the galley sink and counters, finish repainting the interior, add solar panels, upgrade most or all lights to LEDs, get a new mainsail cover made, and look into adding a light air sail (screecher). Bill would also like a stainless frame for our cockpit awning, but that may have to wait. We also don't really like our refrigerator because it's huge and we only use about half of it which makes it pretty inefficient (and power hungry, hence the need for more solar panels), but that may also have to stay the way it is. I also have lots and lots of sewing projects to attend to - they seem to get put on the back-burner when there is school and cooking to do.

Bahia Honda Key

Bahia Honda Key is one of the only Florida Keys with a natural sand beach. Because there is no surf to speak of, there is not a natural way for sand to accumulate and form a beach. 

The Train Bridge with a section removed for boats

Not Feeling the Love

Cooper's Rendition of Marathon Harbor

If there was one place everyone we talked to about the keys said to go, it was Marathon. "We loved Marathon", "you gotta go to Marathon", "we stayed in Marathon a month", etc., etc., but we don't get it.  It's nice enough and I guess in full season (we are definitely off season now), there is a lot going on, kind of like the George Town (Bahamas) of the Keys. Two hundred plus moorings in the harbor, morning nets (where they talk about activities going on over the VHF), and pot lucks at night (everyone bring a dish!).  We stayed 2 nights, got much-needed showers, laundry done, and some more food (pricey but not too bad).  But, there's not much else to keep us here. We're not really the type that likes to gather with the other cruisers and definitely do not like to cook, I avoid cooking whenever possible (which can be troublesome too).  We have been looking mostly for nice beaches that we can take the boys to to feed their swimming addiction.  Unfortunately Marathon doesn't really have a beach area. You can dinghy over to one, but it's a bit of a ride and very tiny, so it gets full pretty quick; it's also full of sea grass, so it's not as nice as some others.
Anyway, 2 days later we are off to Bahia Honda Key where there is supposedly a nice beach. We'll let you know.

We Made it to the Keys

After being indecisive for months, we finally decided to head for the keys instead of the Bahamas for the next month. One of the main reasons was because we'd have to pay $300 to enter the Bahamas, and we expect to be there next fall; besides we've never been to the keys and may not be here again.  So, we're missing the Endeavor shuttle launch which is slated for the 16th, but if it gets scrubbed again, we can see it when we head north.  

Canaveral Lock

Scrubbed Launch....So Bummed

The Night Before the Launch; photo credit: NASA

The APU (Auxillary Power Unit 1) heaters failed, so the shuttle launch is scrubbed for today, literally less than 10 minutes before the crew was supposed to board. Oh well, hopefully we'll be close enough to see something when they reschedule.