I was just reviewing the weather links and the links of other boaters out there. I added an additional weather site for the Atlantic Coast. I also removed the link for m/v Summertime with Ron and Karen Parsons. They sold their yacht while they sat in Stuart, Florida, and they are back in Kemah/Houston looking at what events will shape their lives now.
I also have caught up on the circumnavigation of Mark and Judy Handley aboard s/v Windbird at www.handleysail.com. This is a six-year jaunt around the globe about which Judy has kept the world informed on a daily basis. They have just returned to North Carolina, before leaving for Wood's Hole, Mass for home. Their trip has been a real inspiration for me. They are aboard a Tayana 42 very close in design as ours, and it was communication with them that convinced me the Yanmar 54hp engine was the engine to put in this boat. Their arrival back in the U.S. was both exciting to read and sad to realize the end of a wonderful journey I have been following is finally coming to an end. Mark and Judy, you are an inspiration. Thank you!
www.handleysail.com
Ya'll come on down to the docks for sundowners!
JonNe'
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
We are back in Boca
This afternoon when we pulled into the slip at NAS Boca Chica, we both took a deep breath, threw the last line over the cleats, put the steps on the dock at the bow, and felt like we were back in familiar territory. We have a lot to do in the coming days to bring JonNe' back to fit condition. We have been in a disarray for so long, we can't remember where we normally put things. But we are getting back to normal slowly.
Had dinner with friends here on the dock, Maury and Ginger. They are intimately familiar with the trip up north, and we began looking at great places to stay. I am beginning to look at the weather patterns for this time of year and we will begin our trek in the next week or so to Jacksonville and above.
So thanks to those of you who are still following us. We have found that life onboard isn't always Rum Runners and sunshine - although we have had an unbelievable amount of both of those!
We will see you for sundowners at the dock tonite!!
JonNe'
Had dinner with friends here on the dock, Maury and Ginger. They are intimately familiar with the trip up north, and we began looking at great places to stay. I am beginning to look at the weather patterns for this time of year and we will begin our trek in the next week or so to Jacksonville and above.
So thanks to those of you who are still following us. We have found that life onboard isn't always Rum Runners and sunshine - although we have had an unbelievable amount of both of those!
We will see you for sundowners at the dock tonite!!
JonNe'
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
We are heading back to Boca - AT LAST!
Yes Sports Fans, s/v JonNe' is feeling her oats and moving out very sprightly! All we can say is: WOW! WOW! WOW! Right at this moment, we are heading due west on the south side of the Florida Keys, enroute from Marathon back to NAS Boca Chica. Total distance is about 45nm. We are flying. Folks with the other engine, 4.5 was pretty much what we got! We have been running about 6.2nmph and feel like we are liberated! Was it worth $23,000, I have no idea, but as we HAD to do it, we feel great about what we are getting!
We spent Saturday and Sunday with Bill Berg and Lizette Schindler. Picked them up at the airport on Saturday afternoon, took them for happy hour and sunset at Mallory Square. Then drove back to Marathon. Had a wonderful evening and both were excited about being on board the boat. Sunday, we went snorkeling with Looe Key Dive Center. Poor Lizzie was feeling a bit under the weather while we were offshore, but perked right up when we got back to shore. Drinks and outdoor pool when we got back at the Looe Key Tiki Bar, then drinks, dinner, music and outdoor pool at the Sunset Bar and Grill in Marathon, then drinks, appetizers and music at Sparky's Tiki Bar down from the Boat Yard! We had a GREAT evening there!
Yesterday, Monday, I spent on the boat with the yard mechanics. Renne' ran to KW with Bill and Lizzie. I met up with them for sunset at Mallory Square again, more drinks and dinner, and spent the night in there hotel room. We were out this morning before the got up to get back to Marathon with our friend Rebecca, who graciously drove us back up to Marathon on her way to work.
So here we are, already planning our summer and fall schedule. We will probably leave Boca on Thursday, next week, then on up to NAS Jacksonville, Florida. We will be there about two weeks, then up to New River North Carolina, before heading up the Great Dismal Swamp to the Chesapeake. We will head back down in October, to be in Jacksonville by December to see Renne's son, Erik and his family for his 30th birthday.
That's all folks, we will see you for sundowners this evening at Boca Chica!
JonNe
Saturday, May 21, 2011
We Have Friends Coming Today
We are excited to have our friend, Bill Berg, coming to visit KW for a week. He is bringing a long-time friend with him, whom we don't get to see very often. The challenge is, we are still here in Marathon, tied to the bulkhead while we finish straightening things out on the engine. More about that later when we finally get everything completed! Just had a bit of a time getting the engine started on Thursday and hopefully we will figure it out by Monday!! In the meantime, we will finish cleaning up the boat today and go pick up Bill and his friend from the airport this afternoon!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The New Engine Is IN and we are making our NEW travel plans
I can't believe it has been 3 days shy of a month since my last entry. To be honest, unless it is for the cruise, I tend to consider most of our life on land to be rather mundane. But here it goes.
Renne' and I left immediately while they were pulling the engine out of the boat. I realized it was going to get awfully crowded and the smell of diesel is not Renne's favorite aroma. We had a week to blow off while we were waiting to get Renne's '55 Chevy Belair over to the Concours De Elegance' Keels and Wheels Car and Boat Show at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas. Our lovely friend, Karen Tisdel took pity on our plight and allowed us to stay with her while we were in Houston. What a wonderful time! Thanks Karen, you are a jewel.
While Renne' and Karen were able to really get to know each other again, I spent the best part of that week getting the two storage units, the '55 Chevy, and the Chevy's trailer moved from one side of Kemah to the other. While we have been gone, our friend Mike Womack closed in half of the carport area under the house for a garage and storage area so we could move out of the units and save that $350 per month!
With that finally done, we spent the weekend showing the car. As Renne' is still sleeping as I write this, I will either try to get the pictures loaded in the next blog entry or get them up on facebook later. We didn't win this year. We were very disappointed, but such is life. The frame-off (complete nut and screw reconstruction of the car) on the Chevy was done in 1994. The car that won was completed in 2011. So Renne' made the decision to not sell the car, but to keep it and drive it while we are in the Clear Lake area from here on in. I will try my darndest NOT to been there when it is HOT or COLD! There is no air conditioning and the heater has not been used in 2 decades!! LOL!
After leaving Houston, we headed for Columbia, SC to see Shannon and Renne's Mom and Brother and his family. We were able to mooch (stay with) my friend Keith Davis (award winning violin maker, famous author, Professional bag piper, and all around nice guy) and his lovely wife, Diane at their home in Hammond, Louisianna.
Got back to Key West a week ago, when our friend Yvonne Guy, arrived. Now we are in the Gateway Inn at NAS Boca Chica, Florida Keys while the boat is completed. Today is Thursday. The engine was virtually completed on Tuesday, but we discovered that the throttle cable on the old engine and the throttle cable on the new engine require opposite approaches. Again, for the uninitiated, now, when you push the throttle forward from the normal idle position, the engine goes from full speed to idle - not idle to full speed. So yesterday and this morning we are waiting on a mounting plate, either to arrive or be fabricated today. I will be leaving shortly to go back to Marathon (which I have done each day) to finish cleaning up the boat. We hope we will have a test run today. After that we hope to leave for Boca Chica and bring the boat back. We have more guests coming in this weekend!!
We are also beginning to research our plans for June through November, and it looks like we will be leaving early in June for the Chesapeake. So perhaps you can catch up with us there!! We will be giving up our slip here at Boca Chica and will reapply for a slip for two years from now.
www.keels-wheels.com/
We will meet you out on the docks for sundowners
Jon and Renne'
Renne' and I left immediately while they were pulling the engine out of the boat. I realized it was going to get awfully crowded and the smell of diesel is not Renne's favorite aroma. We had a week to blow off while we were waiting to get Renne's '55 Chevy Belair over to the Concours De Elegance' Keels and Wheels Car and Boat Show at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas. Our lovely friend, Karen Tisdel took pity on our plight and allowed us to stay with her while we were in Houston. What a wonderful time! Thanks Karen, you are a jewel.
While Renne' and Karen were able to really get to know each other again, I spent the best part of that week getting the two storage units, the '55 Chevy, and the Chevy's trailer moved from one side of Kemah to the other. While we have been gone, our friend Mike Womack closed in half of the carport area under the house for a garage and storage area so we could move out of the units and save that $350 per month!
With that finally done, we spent the weekend showing the car. As Renne' is still sleeping as I write this, I will either try to get the pictures loaded in the next blog entry or get them up on facebook later. We didn't win this year. We were very disappointed, but such is life. The frame-off (complete nut and screw reconstruction of the car) on the Chevy was done in 1994. The car that won was completed in 2011. So Renne' made the decision to not sell the car, but to keep it and drive it while we are in the Clear Lake area from here on in. I will try my darndest NOT to been there when it is HOT or COLD! There is no air conditioning and the heater has not been used in 2 decades!! LOL!
After leaving Houston, we headed for Columbia, SC to see Shannon and Renne's Mom and Brother and his family. We were able to mooch (stay with) my friend Keith Davis (award winning violin maker, famous author, Professional bag piper, and all around nice guy) and his lovely wife, Diane at their home in Hammond, Louisianna.
Got back to Key West a week ago, when our friend Yvonne Guy, arrived. Now we are in the Gateway Inn at NAS Boca Chica, Florida Keys while the boat is completed. Today is Thursday. The engine was virtually completed on Tuesday, but we discovered that the throttle cable on the old engine and the throttle cable on the new engine require opposite approaches. Again, for the uninitiated, now, when you push the throttle forward from the normal idle position, the engine goes from full speed to idle - not idle to full speed. So yesterday and this morning we are waiting on a mounting plate, either to arrive or be fabricated today. I will be leaving shortly to go back to Marathon (which I have done each day) to finish cleaning up the boat. We hope we will have a test run today. After that we hope to leave for Boca Chica and bring the boat back. We have more guests coming in this weekend!!
We are also beginning to research our plans for June through November, and it looks like we will be leaving early in June for the Chesapeake. So perhaps you can catch up with us there!! We will be giving up our slip here at Boca Chica and will reapply for a slip for two years from now.
www.keels-wheels.com/
We will meet you out on the docks for sundowners
Jon and Renne'
Thursday, April 21, 2011
They Yanked The Engine Yesterday
Let's see, today is Thursday. Time goes by so quickly!
Tuesday, I pulled the Genset out of the engine room. For the uninitiated, the engine on this boat weighs about 475 lbs. The genset is about 225lbs. The engine room is 32" long, 25" wide and about 48' high. The engine compartment was divided into upper 1/3rd and lower 2/3rd. I had to remove just a ton of tools and spares from the upper compartment, remove all of the flooring to the upper compartment, remove the bulkhead - fortunately all of this was designed to be removed - and then stuffed it all into half of the cabin! What a disaster! Renne' is not happy with me. Then I had to disconnect all of the hoses and electrical connections, unbolt the genset, attach a block and tackle to the roof of the compartment and lift the genset out onto the floor. Then I transferred the block and tackle to the boom and lifted the genset out to the cockpit, then readjusted the position and lifted and transferred it over to the dock.
The engine is another story. I let them do it. It took 6 hours for them to pull the engine out of the engine compartment. We left about that time, headed for Houston. So they would have pulled it out of the cabin using a cherry picker crane. Their instructions are to mount the engine, remove the head and the oil pan, then call the marine surveyor to come do his inspection to determine if the problem occurred because of my inactions or the engines failure. We will find out more before the end of the week we hope. The engine will be delivered by the middle of next week and we hope they will continue working today on replacing the exhaust system.
We are exhausted from this. But as the saying goes: This too will pass!!
Hey, See you on the docks this week for sundowners
JonNe'
Tuesday, I pulled the Genset out of the engine room. For the uninitiated, the engine on this boat weighs about 475 lbs. The genset is about 225lbs. The engine room is 32" long, 25" wide and about 48' high. The engine compartment was divided into upper 1/3rd and lower 2/3rd. I had to remove just a ton of tools and spares from the upper compartment, remove all of the flooring to the upper compartment, remove the bulkhead - fortunately all of this was designed to be removed - and then stuffed it all into half of the cabin! What a disaster! Renne' is not happy with me. Then I had to disconnect all of the hoses and electrical connections, unbolt the genset, attach a block and tackle to the roof of the compartment and lift the genset out onto the floor. Then I transferred the block and tackle to the boom and lifted the genset out to the cockpit, then readjusted the position and lifted and transferred it over to the dock.
The engine is another story. I let them do it. It took 6 hours for them to pull the engine out of the engine compartment. We left about that time, headed for Houston. So they would have pulled it out of the cabin using a cherry picker crane. Their instructions are to mount the engine, remove the head and the oil pan, then call the marine surveyor to come do his inspection to determine if the problem occurred because of my inactions or the engines failure. We will find out more before the end of the week we hope. The engine will be delivered by the middle of next week and we hope they will continue working today on replacing the exhaust system.
We are exhausted from this. But as the saying goes: This too will pass!!
Hey, See you on the docks this week for sundowners
JonNe'
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Boca Chica to Marathon
Saturday morning about 0700 our friend, Jermann from the marina, came by in his fishing boat to lend us a hand in getting out of the the marina, through the channel and out in to deeper water. Thanks Jermann and Ruth!! Mike and Deb, we were thankful for your offer, but feel with the winds, a power boat vs a dinghy was the better part of valor. Thanks to you also! We then sailed out over the reef, 5-1/2 miles out, and up to Marathon.
We were beginning to experience what Lin and Larry Pardy feel! For those of you unfamiliar with the Pardy's, they are the patron saints of cruising in a sailboat. They have been cruising for 35 years, around the world several times, all without an engine. We picked up Tow Boat US about 7 miles out of Marathon at 4:30pm and they towed us into Marathon Boat Yard, arriving into the slip about 6:30pm.
By the time we got into the boat yard, we had time to do the paperwork with TowBoatUS and enjoy a beer in the cockpit. As we passed a boat of 10 young college age guys coming into Marathon - they saw Renne' in the cockpit at the helm, and yelled over to her to come to a party at Hurricane's at 9pm - of course then I popped my head up from securing some lines on the deck - we both yelled thanks! LOL! We actually debated going, but that would have entailed a taxi both ways. Instead we walked to Castaway's for dinner and had a wonderful meal of boneless Prime Rib, new potatoes, mixed veggies, and wonderful bread. The two guys who helped dock us at the boat yard were there sitting at the bar. The manager told us they were out there. We walked by and thanked them for assisting us. Guess we picked the place the locals go. That was good. We will go back soon. Then left and walked back to the boat. Fortunately, we caught the shuttle out to Highway One and saved half the walk back. But there are no sidewalks on the highway, so we had to be very alert.
Our challenge today is getting back to Boca Chica to pick up the car - searching for bus schedules to Key West while I write this. HMMMM!
More later, see ya out on the docks for sundowners!!
Jon and Renne' (JonNe')
Friday, April 15, 2011
Leaving for Marathon tomorrow morning
Renne' is sewing new curtain covers for the shelves in the main cabin and has three of the four of them completed. She has spent several days trying to get her Singer 604 (circa 1962) sewing machine to thread a bobbin. Luckily, there is a former Pararigger here in the marina who sewed flight material for Navy aircrewmen for 25 years. For a six-pack of Bud, he came over, showed us how go align the bobbin ring, found a spring that had become disconnected, and she is up and running. It is good to see her occupied on a new hobby. She has been writing, and as long as we are in port, she is hoping to spend an hour a day writing on her new book, The King's Payload.
I had to file for an automatic extension on income tax today. We were a Sub-Chapter S corporation, and when I closed the business in January, I also closed my checking account. I didn't realize I was not going to be able to get into my accounting data for taxes. So I also had to send a formal request to reopen that information today. Hopefully, by the time we get back to Houston at the end of this month, we can get both personal and corporate taxes done in a semblance of reasonable time.
I am reading a book that R received the other day. A Cruising Woman's Advisor, by Diana Jesse. Always the inquirer into how to keep our marriage ticking along, I wanted to read something on a woman's point of view regarding this adventure. We are both fortunate to look upon this as a great adventure and we look forward to exploration and new discoveries. If it is a year or 10 years we plan to take it one day at a time. Our frustration regarding this current engine and the cost of replacing it has been daunting for the past two weeks. We were not expecting this type of expense at all, let alone a month into our cruising. We realize we were late getting started this year and want to be someplace safe for hurricane season. We think probably somewhere north of Florida will put us somewhere covered by insurance, but we also want JonNe' safe. We really enjoy meeting people here in Key West and will miss it when we leave. We will be in Marathon for about three weeks, but will come back down here until sometime in June. Marathon has things to do and places to go snorkeling.
I packed up the bicycles this morning, put them on the boat deck. I have to secure the forward V-Berth as it has gotten rather haphazard in the past few weeks. Renne' just called me in to see the results of her project, and I am delighted with the results. They cover the shelves, so they fill Renne's requirements to have cupboard and locker doors always closed, and they are a great matching color.
Oh the exciting thing - we have several dock neighbors who have wireless battery operated door chimes - button on a post on the dock and the chime on the boat. As we are pointed bow into the dock, it is neigh impossible to hear anyone beating on the boat to gain our attention. So yesterday, R and I went in to Home Depot and bought one. I installed it and drilled holes for screws in our boarding steps and cut an arrow out of some adhesive backed material (black) so someone will see the button as they approach the steps. We also received a second door bell button from a neighbor which I will install in the cockpit. Kent, Renne' and I found when we were offshore, it is almost impossible to hear someone shouting from the cockpit. So now we can ring the door chime and occupants below should be able to hear it and come top-side. Great idea if I do say so myself!!
So much for the rambling today. See ya out on the docks
JonNe'
I had to file for an automatic extension on income tax today. We were a Sub-Chapter S corporation, and when I closed the business in January, I also closed my checking account. I didn't realize I was not going to be able to get into my accounting data for taxes. So I also had to send a formal request to reopen that information today. Hopefully, by the time we get back to Houston at the end of this month, we can get both personal and corporate taxes done in a semblance of reasonable time.
I am reading a book that R received the other day. A Cruising Woman's Advisor, by Diana Jesse. Always the inquirer into how to keep our marriage ticking along, I wanted to read something on a woman's point of view regarding this adventure. We are both fortunate to look upon this as a great adventure and we look forward to exploration and new discoveries. If it is a year or 10 years we plan to take it one day at a time. Our frustration regarding this current engine and the cost of replacing it has been daunting for the past two weeks. We were not expecting this type of expense at all, let alone a month into our cruising. We realize we were late getting started this year and want to be someplace safe for hurricane season. We think probably somewhere north of Florida will put us somewhere covered by insurance, but we also want JonNe' safe. We really enjoy meeting people here in Key West and will miss it when we leave. We will be in Marathon for about three weeks, but will come back down here until sometime in June. Marathon has things to do and places to go snorkeling.
I packed up the bicycles this morning, put them on the boat deck. I have to secure the forward V-Berth as it has gotten rather haphazard in the past few weeks. Renne' just called me in to see the results of her project, and I am delighted with the results. They cover the shelves, so they fill Renne's requirements to have cupboard and locker doors always closed, and they are a great matching color.
Oh the exciting thing - we have several dock neighbors who have wireless battery operated door chimes - button on a post on the dock and the chime on the boat. As we are pointed bow into the dock, it is neigh impossible to hear anyone beating on the boat to gain our attention. So yesterday, R and I went in to Home Depot and bought one. I installed it and drilled holes for screws in our boarding steps and cut an arrow out of some adhesive backed material (black) so someone will see the button as they approach the steps. We also received a second door bell button from a neighbor which I will install in the cockpit. Kent, Renne' and I found when we were offshore, it is almost impossible to hear someone shouting from the cockpit. So now we can ring the door chime and occupants below should be able to hear it and come top-side. Great idea if I do say so myself!!
So much for the rambling today. See ya out on the docks
JonNe'
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
We have COMMITTED!!
Today we signed the agreement to purchase and replace the Perkins 4-108 engine and replace it with a new Yanmar 4JH5E - 54hp diesel engine. I have been monitoring a couple who are finishing up the last 1,000 miles of a six-year circumnavigation in their Tayana 42 Center Cockpit sailboat (exactly like ours). One week after departing Long Island Sound at the beginning of their circumnavigation, they had to pull into port in Virginia and chose to replace their tired Perkins 4-108 the same Yanmar engine. I emailed them about the engine and received a glowing report regarding this engine - 5000 engine hours later, zero difficulties - change oil every 150-200 hours and they have not had one single episode with their engine. Given that and the fact that Yanmar is the preferred engine being installed in most new sailboats today, we decided this was the decision that was correct for us too. Thanks Handley's and the rest of you who have been so good to us in making this decision!!
We will move the boat to Marathon Key probably over this next weekend, April 16-17, so it will be there while we return to Houston for the Concours de Elegance Keels and Wheels Classic Auto/Boat Show at Lakewood Yacht Club in Kemah, TX. I have a bit of work to do once we get the boat up there, but I can accomplish that in the slip there as well as here. The challenge will be getting JonNe' out of the slip and moved to open water where we can sail her to Marathon Key. At that time, I will probably set anchor and decide how to pull her into the Boat Yard from there. I have some research to do at this point. Our dinghy may come in real handy at this point!!
Until then there is a lot to do. We will keep you up to date as we go along. After the initial shock of what this will cost, we are both excited about getting through this and moving on with our cruising plans. We will be back in Key West for the balance of May and possibly into June. We have to figure that out at this point.
Mark and Judy Handley, http://www.handleysail.com/
Marathon Boat Yard, 230-20th Street, Marathon, FL, 33050 305-743-6341 - Bruce
Yanmar America Corporation, http://www.yanmar.com/
Renne' and I will see you out on the dock for sundowners!
JonNe'
We will move the boat to Marathon Key probably over this next weekend, April 16-17, so it will be there while we return to Houston for the Concours de Elegance Keels and Wheels Classic Auto/Boat Show at Lakewood Yacht Club in Kemah, TX. I have a bit of work to do once we get the boat up there, but I can accomplish that in the slip there as well as here. The challenge will be getting JonNe' out of the slip and moved to open water where we can sail her to Marathon Key. At that time, I will probably set anchor and decide how to pull her into the Boat Yard from there. I have some research to do at this point. Our dinghy may come in real handy at this point!!
Until then there is a lot to do. We will keep you up to date as we go along. After the initial shock of what this will cost, we are both excited about getting through this and moving on with our cruising plans. We will be back in Key West for the balance of May and possibly into June. We have to figure that out at this point.
Mark and Judy Handley, http://www.handleysail.com/
Marathon Boat Yard, 230-20th Street, Marathon, FL, 33050 305-743-6341 - Bruce
Yanmar America Corporation, http://www.yanmar.com/
Renne' and I will see you out on the dock for sundowners!
JonNe'
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sunset Last Night
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Yesterday and Today
We finally took the time to get my new phone. Here in the Florida Keys, K-Mart has a lock on the market. The arrangement with the local city council is that WalMart is NOT allowed in the Keys as long as K-Mart is here. Now I will tell you, K-Mart is NOT WalMart!! By any stretch of the imagination. The problem is, our phone service is with Family Mobile. Who would have thunk that the nearest Walmart would be 100 miles away. So we had to drive north to Florida City, just south of Miami, to get the simcard and new phone. For those of you who have not heard, my new phone number is 281-301-9592. Renne's stays the same. So we were also looking for new wheel covers for the Camry. Would you believe these are 16-1/2" wheel rims and you can't buy those even at Wally World!! So we will have to order a set. Looks kinda funky running around with only 3 on the car. Who knows where the 4th fell off.
TRES BLONDES
Renne' and I met up with two other couples at Sunset Pier, just off Mallory Square. As one of the guys is the Captain for the Glass Bottomed Boat, we all met about 9:30pm. Renne' had a minor surgical procedure yesterday so she was a bit uncomfortable, but we all had a great time. We are getting to know people around here, but it is really different for Renne' as she doesn't really know anyone here. In the pic, Renne' is on the left, Rebecca center, and Cindy on the right. We were supposed to join Rebecca and her guy friend Lou on a sail to the Dry Tortugas, but with the engine in sad shape now, we had to inform them we were going to be unable to go. So they invited us to join them on their boat, so we will be going to Marathon tomorrow (Sunday) to help get the boat ready and we will leave this coming Thursday (I believe). Back on the 23rd. By the way, nothing I like better than having drinks with 3 lovely ladies!!
TODAY
Have I said ARGGGGHHHHH yet today?? After talking with the Perkins dealer, the Yanmar dealer and all of our friends new and old, I decided today I was going to have to make this engine work. So back down to Sears this morning to pick up a 1-1/2" socket to turn the crankshaft over with, over to Home Depot for some Acetone to dilute the transmission fluid in the cylinders to help get through the corrosion, and back to the base. I filled the cylinders again with a mixture of trans fluid and Acetone, poured them liberally into the cylinders, disconnected the starter battery again, removed the starter, and loosened the alternator so the fan belt wouldn't provide resistance to turning the crankshaft. Then the socket in place, I grabbed the 30" ratchet handle and proceeded to carefully turn the engine through. This took every bit of strength I had. When I had one full revolution of the crankshaft, I called Warren and we discussed the next evolution. He was elated, encouraged me to turn it through two more times, and felt I would be close to home - reverse everything I had just loosened or removed and try to turn the engine over electrically. So with much enthusiasm, I got on the crankshaft again and promptly broke the bolt off the crankshaft. When I called Warren back, he couldn't hide his disappointment when he told me I was done. The engine will have to be pulled completely and rebuilt again. So Renne' and I have decided (again) we will replace the engine, repowering with a new Yanmar 54hp engine! we are disappointed to say the least, but we should be back up and running by the middle of May. We will probably cut our trip back to Houston short this time and leave shortly after Keels and Wheels.
All for now, we will see you on the docks.
JonNe'
TRES BLONDES
Renne' and I met up with two other couples at Sunset Pier, just off Mallory Square. As one of the guys is the Captain for the Glass Bottomed Boat, we all met about 9:30pm. Renne' had a minor surgical procedure yesterday so she was a bit uncomfortable, but we all had a great time. We are getting to know people around here, but it is really different for Renne' as she doesn't really know anyone here. In the pic, Renne' is on the left, Rebecca center, and Cindy on the right. We were supposed to join Rebecca and her guy friend Lou on a sail to the Dry Tortugas, but with the engine in sad shape now, we had to inform them we were going to be unable to go. So they invited us to join them on their boat, so we will be going to Marathon tomorrow (Sunday) to help get the boat ready and we will leave this coming Thursday (I believe). Back on the 23rd. By the way, nothing I like better than having drinks with 3 lovely ladies!!
TODAY
Have I said ARGGGGHHHHH yet today?? After talking with the Perkins dealer, the Yanmar dealer and all of our friends new and old, I decided today I was going to have to make this engine work. So back down to Sears this morning to pick up a 1-1/2" socket to turn the crankshaft over with, over to Home Depot for some Acetone to dilute the transmission fluid in the cylinders to help get through the corrosion, and back to the base. I filled the cylinders again with a mixture of trans fluid and Acetone, poured them liberally into the cylinders, disconnected the starter battery again, removed the starter, and loosened the alternator so the fan belt wouldn't provide resistance to turning the crankshaft. Then the socket in place, I grabbed the 30" ratchet handle and proceeded to carefully turn the engine through. This took every bit of strength I had. When I had one full revolution of the crankshaft, I called Warren and we discussed the next evolution. He was elated, encouraged me to turn it through two more times, and felt I would be close to home - reverse everything I had just loosened or removed and try to turn the engine over electrically. So with much enthusiasm, I got on the crankshaft again and promptly broke the bolt off the crankshaft. When I called Warren back, he couldn't hide his disappointment when he told me I was done. The engine will have to be pulled completely and rebuilt again. So Renne' and I have decided (again) we will replace the engine, repowering with a new Yanmar 54hp engine! we are disappointed to say the least, but we should be back up and running by the middle of May. We will probably cut our trip back to Houston short this time and leave shortly after Keels and Wheels.
All for now, we will see you on the docks.
JonNe'
Friday, April 8, 2011
Our new friends Doug and Susan Henderson
A week ago with new friends
Renne' and I were out on the sandbar about a mile from the marina and 1/4 mile off shore having sundowners with our new friends from Cleveland, Doug and Susan Henderson. This is the video of our return on the dinghy!! It was great fun. Pics in the next segment
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Very Challenged today
Renne' and I went to bed last night exhausted!
While I was taking a shower yesterday morning, I noticed the shower drain pump was not working properly. It was dragging really badly and pumping water out really slowly. I was concerned as it is only 1-1/2 years old. My old friend, Gary Hoyle, of Lenire Yacht Services, installed it when he helped me finish out the shower in the aft stateroom. By the way, Gary did a fabulous job on the shower and save my lovely shipmate from moving into an apartment!! I figured the issue was electrical and the dc motor was burning out. Renne' thought it might be a clog.
I called the company, Jabsco, a division of ITT International and consulted with them about the issue. After discussing the issue with their engineers, they called me back an hour later with the conclusion it was a clog in the line. Not sure how that happened as the drain in the pan was clean, but to ensure both ideas were taken care of, I pulled the unit off the FAR engine room wall, disconnected the inlet and outlet hoses and cut the wiring for the unit. Thank goodness for the internet and the ability to track down the operating instructions, as I was able to tear the unit apart and clean it (although there appeared to be NOTHING blocking the diaphragm). When the hoses were disconnected, most of the water in the shower collection tub drained into the bilge - didn't see hairballs or sludge from that.
So I filled a bucket (oh, by the way, this all took place between 9pm and midnight), attached a hose to the inlet of the pump, ran a jumper cable from the battery to the pump and, voile', the pump worked normally!!! At that point, I got out the shop vac and sucked what was in the collection tub out and then, reversing the vacuum hose, blew out the remaining water in the drain hose. Then I reattached the pump to the FAR bulkhead wall, reconnected the hoses with new clamps, and reconnected the power lines. I then took another shower!! The pump worked. So either both of us were right or one of us was wrong, but all told, both issues were checked and now the pump works again! VICTORY! One for the day!
The engine room, when it is completely assembled has an upper compartment we use for storing most of our tools and spares. So, in order to get into the engine room, around the engine exhaust, the generator mounting plate, the generator exhaust and all of the rest of the stuff (hoses, prop shaft, wiring, fuel selector valves) I have about two feet vertically and 18" horizontally to squeeze my upper torso through. The bilge is three feet deep in the engine room and losing my glasses (so have I told you how much I HATE wearing glasses??), screws, screwdriver, clamp, etc caused a bit of a challenge.
So, to put the pump back in, I unscrewed and began removing the bulkhead. I failed to remember the floor to the tool room is supported by the bulkhead (have I told you previously I was frustrated already with water in the engine cylinders). So I almost lost all of my tools into the bilge!! Now that would have topped the day. So Renne' and I spent a rather tense few minutes unloading the upper tool room of all the tools and spares remaining there. Even with the extra room, it was like being a contortionist getting the pump back into place.
So another double shot of Captain Morgans Special Reserve Rum and three Motrin at 1am, I was able to get to sleep. Up this morning at 4:45 on the computer searching for more advice on removing injectors on the engine.
Today I am only a BIT Pissy!!
Thanks for all of your positive comments,
JonNe'
Gary Hoyle, Lenire Yacht Restoration, 1405 Bayport Blvd (Hwy 146), Seabrook, TX 77586, Tel: (281) 474-2653
Jabsco, ITT Flow Control, 1 Kondelin Road, Cape Ann Industrial Park, Gloucester, MA 01930, Tel: 978 281-0440
While I was taking a shower yesterday morning, I noticed the shower drain pump was not working properly. It was dragging really badly and pumping water out really slowly. I was concerned as it is only 1-1/2 years old. My old friend, Gary Hoyle, of Lenire Yacht Services, installed it when he helped me finish out the shower in the aft stateroom. By the way, Gary did a fabulous job on the shower and save my lovely shipmate from moving into an apartment!! I figured the issue was electrical and the dc motor was burning out. Renne' thought it might be a clog.
I called the company, Jabsco, a division of ITT International and consulted with them about the issue. After discussing the issue with their engineers, they called me back an hour later with the conclusion it was a clog in the line. Not sure how that happened as the drain in the pan was clean, but to ensure both ideas were taken care of, I pulled the unit off the FAR engine room wall, disconnected the inlet and outlet hoses and cut the wiring for the unit. Thank goodness for the internet and the ability to track down the operating instructions, as I was able to tear the unit apart and clean it (although there appeared to be NOTHING blocking the diaphragm). When the hoses were disconnected, most of the water in the shower collection tub drained into the bilge - didn't see hairballs or sludge from that.
So I filled a bucket (oh, by the way, this all took place between 9pm and midnight), attached a hose to the inlet of the pump, ran a jumper cable from the battery to the pump and, voile', the pump worked normally!!! At that point, I got out the shop vac and sucked what was in the collection tub out and then, reversing the vacuum hose, blew out the remaining water in the drain hose. Then I reattached the pump to the FAR bulkhead wall, reconnected the hoses with new clamps, and reconnected the power lines. I then took another shower!! The pump worked. So either both of us were right or one of us was wrong, but all told, both issues were checked and now the pump works again! VICTORY! One for the day!
The engine room, when it is completely assembled has an upper compartment we use for storing most of our tools and spares. So, in order to get into the engine room, around the engine exhaust, the generator mounting plate, the generator exhaust and all of the rest of the stuff (hoses, prop shaft, wiring, fuel selector valves) I have about two feet vertically and 18" horizontally to squeeze my upper torso through. The bilge is three feet deep in the engine room and losing my glasses (so have I told you how much I HATE wearing glasses??), screws, screwdriver, clamp, etc caused a bit of a challenge.
So, to put the pump back in, I unscrewed and began removing the bulkhead. I failed to remember the floor to the tool room is supported by the bulkhead (have I told you previously I was frustrated already with water in the engine cylinders). So I almost lost all of my tools into the bilge!! Now that would have topped the day. So Renne' and I spent a rather tense few minutes unloading the upper tool room of all the tools and spares remaining there. Even with the extra room, it was like being a contortionist getting the pump back into place.
So another double shot of Captain Morgans Special Reserve Rum and three Motrin at 1am, I was able to get to sleep. Up this morning at 4:45 on the computer searching for more advice on removing injectors on the engine.
Today I am only a BIT Pissy!!
Thanks for all of your positive comments,
JonNe'
Gary Hoyle, Lenire Yacht Restoration, 1405 Bayport Blvd (Hwy 146), Seabrook, TX 77586, Tel: (281) 474-2653
Jabsco, ITT Flow Control, 1 Kondelin Road, Cape Ann Industrial Park, Gloucester, MA 01930, Tel: 978 281-0440
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Well, today is a different day!!
I reinstalled the starter today, cut off the terminal end of the negative (black) battery cable as it was corroded and replaced it, reinstalled all of the cables, and hit the ignition switch!! Nothing! After many calls to Diesel Parts and Service in Houston, speaking with Randall; speaking with my father-in-law; and then to our friend Warren Gloss of the Iron Maiden, I discovered the anti-siphon valve in the exhaust water system had jammed shut. Consequently, the engine has water in the cylinders! Have I said I want to cry at this moment!!
So tomorrow, I will have to remove the generator (that I so lovingly installed) - we're talking 5-6 hours of work to get it all done. Then I have to start working on the engine. This is work I have never done before, and I am not comfortable at this moment!! So this evening as I am contemplating my navel and trying to figure this problem out, I am drowning my sorrows in some Captain Morgan Special Reserve Rum and having dinner.
So there is my latest issue. We were so happy with the trip. We NEVER expected to be doing this!!
Best for now. Call us some time. We love to hear from our friends. We miss you all!!
JonNe'
So tomorrow, I will have to remove the generator (that I so lovingly installed) - we're talking 5-6 hours of work to get it all done. Then I have to start working on the engine. This is work I have never done before, and I am not comfortable at this moment!! So this evening as I am contemplating my navel and trying to figure this problem out, I am drowning my sorrows in some Captain Morgan Special Reserve Rum and having dinner.
So there is my latest issue. We were so happy with the trip. We NEVER expected to be doing this!!
Best for now. Call us some time. We love to hear from our friends. We miss you all!!
JonNe'
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunset this evening
This is our view from the boat at Boca Chica Marina at the Naval Air Station in Key West. What beautiful sunsets we have. We have been going off shore to a little sand bar in the dinghy for sundowners several afternoons a week. We have met some great folks! But we always make it back to JonNe' in time to watch this scene develop. The other afternoons we aren't out there usually find us at the Southernmost Beach Cafe' for sushi grade tuna sliders and a beer for me and a glass of Cabernet for Renne'. We followed that with Beer Boiled Shrimp at A&B Lobster House for Happy Hour and a cup of their Conch Chowder. Great Stuff!!
Now all of this was a follow on to removing the starter on JonNe's engine!!! It took us about 2.5 hours to get one bolt out, and I am NOT looking forward to getting that bolt back in place. But the ulitmate result was, the starter is good. So tomorrow, my challenge is to isolate the actual problem. Best case is corrosion in one of the battery cables - hopefully the negative line. The worst case would be water in a cylinder - but we are NOT putting much thought into that one!! We will know more tomorrow.
On the 16th the 3 of us - Renne', me, and JonNe' are leaving for the Dry Tortugas. We will be back what the dock on the 23rd. We are really looking forward to do this. It has been one of our goals while we are here. We will be going out with two other boats from here. Once back, we will begin packing for the drive back to Houston for the Keels and Wheels Classic Auto and Boat Show, where we will show Renne's Classic '55 Chevy.
Until we see you again, call us on Skype - Jon Siewers. We would love to talk to you live!!
Jon and Renne' (JonNe')
Southernmost Beach Cafe' - 1405 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040,(305) 295-6550,www.southernmostbeachcafe.com A&B Lobster House -700 Front St,Key West, FL 33040,(305) 294-5880
On the 16th the 3 of us - Renne', me, and JonNe' are leaving for the Dry Tortugas. We will be back what the dock on the 23rd. We are really looking forward to do this. It has been one of our goals while we are here. We will be going out with two other boats from here. Once back, we will begin packing for the drive back to Houston for the Keels and Wheels Classic Auto and Boat Show, where we will show Renne's Classic '55 Chevy.
Until we see you again, call us on Skype - Jon Siewers. We would love to talk to you live!!
Jon and Renne' (JonNe')
Southernmost Beach Cafe' - 1405 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040,(305) 295-6550,www.southernmostbeachcafe.com A&B Lobster House -700 Front St,Key West, FL 33040,(305) 294-5880
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
New weather data site
For those of you who have sailboats (or for those of you who like to spend the big bucks on fuel - power boats) and want more up-to-date current at-sea weather info (wind direction, speed, wave heights, tides, etc) check out http://www.sailwx.info/. This website offers current weather from ships around the world, displayed graphically. These in addition to forecast weather (ie, see the bottom of this page on the lower left) will help planning for departures and wx across whatever body of water you are looking for. Pretty cool site.
Best for now from Paradise!!
JonNe'
Best for now from Paradise!!
JonNe'
Saturday, March 26, 2011
We are back in KW, FINALLY!!
Whew!! What a trip.
I just reread the last blog entry, and before I say anymore, I have to get back to the Edison/Ford Winter Estates - I short-changed the experience. If you have never been there it is a real eye opener into the GENIUS of Thomas Edison. We all think of him regarding the phonograph and the lightbulb, and if you really think back, the inventor of the motion picture. Those are so insignificant when you realize everything else.
When Renne' and I were preparing for this adventure, we were so concerned about generating power. We installed a 5.5kw Genset, a solar panel, and windgenerator, more batteries, regulators, and controllers, so regardless of the situation, we could keep our batteries happy and us in light, engine, refrigeration, etc. So we walk into the museum of his inventions. Edison was into DC power not AC! His inventions included solar power, DC electrical generators (you should have seen his 5.5kw generator!), renewable energy, batteries, electric cars - what goes around, comes around friends. Edison was the originator of GREEN ENERGY!! Incredible. Thank you Thomas Edison.
Now back to other things!
The '55 Chevy did get a new valve job. Taylor Automotive definately did a fabulous job at getting Renne's baby taken care of. I have to really thank our friend, Warren Gloss of the "Iron Maiden" for getting her started and completely diagnosed. Even Frank Taylor questioned the diagnosis. However when we got her back, it was exactly as Warren had said it was. The fuel had gummed up because it was so old, the oil had gummed up because we went to an Ethanol based fuel and I didn't realize we couldn't use 30 weight oil any longer without an additive, five push rods ended up bent, and two intake valves were bent. She runs so fine now.
But we didn't get her back until Monday, the 14th. So we used up all of our silver bullets staying with friends - Thanks Dean and Patty, Kent and Diane, Greg and Linda! You guys are life savers! So we ended up leaving on Wednesday morning, the 16th when all of our errands were run.
Both Renne' and I had decided we didn't want to do anymore marathon runs over the road ever again. After all we are RETIRED!! That is a cool word, especially as we are young enough to really enjoy the meaning of it all. So we stopped in Hammond to see my closest friend and former college roommate, Keith Davis (sorry Diane, we tried to stop by the bank to see you also, but the doors were locked and I was afraid of breaking in! LOL) at his violin shop. Keith makes the finest violins, so if any of you reading this have a child who is learning to play seriously or as adults have friends looking to replace or repair one, Keith does fabulous work. Keep him in mind (phone number and address at the end).
From there it was back through Pensacola. Our friends, Loretta and Charlie, are hugely involved in the songwriter/player community in Perdido Beach, Florida/Orange Beach, Alabama and we spent two nights listening to some of the most gifted songwriters in the industry play their songs. We got to get up close and personal with Crystal Schwanda and her husband DeWayne. What were there 15 of us in the club? I'll tell you this is the place to go if you are interested in songwriters. Crystal is a Canadian Country Music artist, and is growing rapidly in country music here in the states, is on the charts, a couple of CD's out with RCA records. It was a blast. In addition, was Chris Newberry, son of the late Mickey Newberry. I know, who in the heck is that???? You will remember in Waylon Jennings song, Luckenback, Texas, he referred to "Hank Williams pain songs and Newberry's Train songs" - that was Mickey Newberry. Very popular songwriter in the 70's and 80's. So if you are headed to Pensacola/Perdido Beach, stop into the Silver Moon right across the street from Florabama - actually stop in to both, they are both unique and really enjoyable.
Pensacola took us to Jacksonville for two days with Renne's sister, Priscilla, her husband, Ron, and son, Fletcher. Dinner and way too many drinks at the country club on Friday night, but we were up early heading to the marina at Jacksonville NAS (Naval Air Station) to preview our next stopover. I have to write a letter to the Commanding Officer to see if we can stay longer there than a month!
Then on to St. Cloud with Renne's Dad and Mom, Bill and Wilma on Sunday-Tuesday. Had a wonderful time and great dinner at Season's 52 with Wilma's sister and husband, Alma and Glenn, and her brother and his lady friend, Lee and Ann. Now all of them have been cruisers of the Caribbean and Bahamas and we thoroughly enjoyed comparing notes and telling war stories of our travels. They are so enthusiastic about our plans, and we are grateful to each of them for their stories, thoughts, and gifts and donations to the boat.
We were going to stop over in Naples to see my cousin Robin, but we had had enough of friends, relatives and other ne'er-do-wells (yeah, right!! LOL), and we decided to enjoy just us! So we had to take a vacation from our retirement, and spent two lovely days on South Beach in Miami. Shopped at Sailorman in Fort Lauderdale, stayed at the Marsailles Hotel (we hope it was under renovation, but it was right on the beach and the price was better than a bunch of the others - besides it is Spring Break and only 3 blocks from Ocean Drive and the Lincoln Street Mall).
On our way down the Keys, we stopped into Islamorada (pronounced Allamorada - locals can tell who are new and who have been informed!) to see our friends Ron and Karen, aboard Summertime. We had a great too few hours with them and excellent Snapper and Grouper sandwiches at the World Wide Sportsman, a Bass Pro Shop there. Great view of the water. However, we were anxious to get back to JonNe' and headed south again.
We got back to KW, ready to get back to KW, and found JonNe' still floating and waiting for us. Of course, NOONE remembered who we were, so we had to re-introduce ourselves around the dock. Funny.
This has been a long story, not detailed enough to thank you all and tell you how much we miss you.
Warren Gloss, Mobile Mechanic (and all around genius) Phone: 281-226-3596
Kieth Davis Violin Shop, http://www.kdavisviolins.com/, 108 N. Cate Street, Hammond, Louisiana, 70401, Phone: (985) 340-0137Silver Moon Cafe, 17395 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507 Venue Phone: 251-492-3407/8
Seasons52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar, 463 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701, Phone: (407) 767-1252
Sailorman New and Used Marine Parts, 350 SE 24th St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316, Phone: 866-729-3760
Hotel Marsailles, 1741 Collins Ave. | Miami Beach, FL | 305.538.5711 | 800.327.4739
World Wide Sportsman, 81576 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, Phone: 305-664-4615
Best to all and until the next entry,
JonNe'
I just reread the last blog entry, and before I say anymore, I have to get back to the Edison/Ford Winter Estates - I short-changed the experience. If you have never been there it is a real eye opener into the GENIUS of Thomas Edison. We all think of him regarding the phonograph and the lightbulb, and if you really think back, the inventor of the motion picture. Those are so insignificant when you realize everything else.
When Renne' and I were preparing for this adventure, we were so concerned about generating power. We installed a 5.5kw Genset, a solar panel, and windgenerator, more batteries, regulators, and controllers, so regardless of the situation, we could keep our batteries happy and us in light, engine, refrigeration, etc. So we walk into the museum of his inventions. Edison was into DC power not AC! His inventions included solar power, DC electrical generators (you should have seen his 5.5kw generator!), renewable energy, batteries, electric cars - what goes around, comes around friends. Edison was the originator of GREEN ENERGY!! Incredible. Thank you Thomas Edison.
Now back to other things!
The '55 Chevy did get a new valve job. Taylor Automotive definately did a fabulous job at getting Renne's baby taken care of. I have to really thank our friend, Warren Gloss of the "Iron Maiden" for getting her started and completely diagnosed. Even Frank Taylor questioned the diagnosis. However when we got her back, it was exactly as Warren had said it was. The fuel had gummed up because it was so old, the oil had gummed up because we went to an Ethanol based fuel and I didn't realize we couldn't use 30 weight oil any longer without an additive, five push rods ended up bent, and two intake valves were bent. She runs so fine now.
But we didn't get her back until Monday, the 14th. So we used up all of our silver bullets staying with friends - Thanks Dean and Patty, Kent and Diane, Greg and Linda! You guys are life savers! So we ended up leaving on Wednesday morning, the 16th when all of our errands were run.
Both Renne' and I had decided we didn't want to do anymore marathon runs over the road ever again. After all we are RETIRED!! That is a cool word, especially as we are young enough to really enjoy the meaning of it all. So we stopped in Hammond to see my closest friend and former college roommate, Keith Davis (sorry Diane, we tried to stop by the bank to see you also, but the doors were locked and I was afraid of breaking in! LOL) at his violin shop. Keith makes the finest violins, so if any of you reading this have a child who is learning to play seriously or as adults have friends looking to replace or repair one, Keith does fabulous work. Keep him in mind (phone number and address at the end).
From there it was back through Pensacola. Our friends, Loretta and Charlie, are hugely involved in the songwriter/player community in Perdido Beach, Florida/Orange Beach, Alabama and we spent two nights listening to some of the most gifted songwriters in the industry play their songs. We got to get up close and personal with Crystal Schwanda and her husband DeWayne. What were there 15 of us in the club? I'll tell you this is the place to go if you are interested in songwriters. Crystal is a Canadian Country Music artist, and is growing rapidly in country music here in the states, is on the charts, a couple of CD's out with RCA records. It was a blast. In addition, was Chris Newberry, son of the late Mickey Newberry. I know, who in the heck is that???? You will remember in Waylon Jennings song, Luckenback, Texas, he referred to "Hank Williams pain songs and Newberry's Train songs" - that was Mickey Newberry. Very popular songwriter in the 70's and 80's. So if you are headed to Pensacola/Perdido Beach, stop into the Silver Moon right across the street from Florabama - actually stop in to both, they are both unique and really enjoyable.
Pensacola took us to Jacksonville for two days with Renne's sister, Priscilla, her husband, Ron, and son, Fletcher. Dinner and way too many drinks at the country club on Friday night, but we were up early heading to the marina at Jacksonville NAS (Naval Air Station) to preview our next stopover. I have to write a letter to the Commanding Officer to see if we can stay longer there than a month!
Then on to St. Cloud with Renne's Dad and Mom, Bill and Wilma on Sunday-Tuesday. Had a wonderful time and great dinner at Season's 52 with Wilma's sister and husband, Alma and Glenn, and her brother and his lady friend, Lee and Ann. Now all of them have been cruisers of the Caribbean and Bahamas and we thoroughly enjoyed comparing notes and telling war stories of our travels. They are so enthusiastic about our plans, and we are grateful to each of them for their stories, thoughts, and gifts and donations to the boat.
We were going to stop over in Naples to see my cousin Robin, but we had had enough of friends, relatives and other ne'er-do-wells (yeah, right!! LOL), and we decided to enjoy just us! So we had to take a vacation from our retirement, and spent two lovely days on South Beach in Miami. Shopped at Sailorman in Fort Lauderdale, stayed at the Marsailles Hotel (we hope it was under renovation, but it was right on the beach and the price was better than a bunch of the others - besides it is Spring Break and only 3 blocks from Ocean Drive and the Lincoln Street Mall).
On our way down the Keys, we stopped into Islamorada (pronounced Allamorada - locals can tell who are new and who have been informed!) to see our friends Ron and Karen, aboard Summertime. We had a great too few hours with them and excellent Snapper and Grouper sandwiches at the World Wide Sportsman, a Bass Pro Shop there. Great view of the water. However, we were anxious to get back to JonNe' and headed south again.
We got back to KW, ready to get back to KW, and found JonNe' still floating and waiting for us. Of course, NOONE remembered who we were, so we had to re-introduce ourselves around the dock. Funny.
This has been a long story, not detailed enough to thank you all and tell you how much we miss you.
Warren Gloss, Mobile Mechanic (and all around genius) Phone: 281-226-3596
Kieth Davis Violin Shop, http://www.kdavisviolins.com/, 108 N. Cate Street, Hammond, Louisiana, 70401, Phone: (985) 340-0137Silver Moon Cafe, 17395 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507 Venue Phone: 251-492-3407/8
Seasons52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar, 463 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701, Phone: (407) 767-1252
Sailorman New and Used Marine Parts, 350 SE 24th St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316, Phone: 866-729-3760
Hotel Marsailles, 1741 Collins Ave. | Miami Beach, FL | 305.538.5711 | 800.327.4739
World Wide Sportsman, 81576 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, Phone: 305-664-4615
Best to all and until the next entry,
JonNe'
Thursday, March 10, 2011
We are back in Kemah
for a few days.
Kent Brownhill, our fabulous crewman, had to return to Houston as he had been away from his lovely wife, Diane, for much longer than she wanted. Renne' and I were contemplating what we would use for transportation around Key West other than our bicycles. As the marina is 8 miles away from the nearest grocery store, we decided the best approach would be to head back to Kemah with Kent and pick up the Toyota and take it to Key West!
We left KW on Sunday morning, about 0730, and headed for Fort Myers. I had been to the Edison/Ford Winter home there previously, and thought it would be an excellent museum for Renne' and Kent to see. We stopped there from 1:30 - 5:00, ate a disappointing dinner at a local restaurant, then headed for Houston. The rental car was from National Car Rental and Kent and I were the drivers. I had to pay an extra $50 so I could help drive. But National rented it to us as a one way delivery, unlimited miles, no drop off charge for $360 bucks. A lot less expensive than flying.
The drive was uneventful, but we arrived pretty well exhausted after 28 hours of driving and visiting the museum. So Monday, we got the Chevy delivered to Taylor Automotive in Dickinson, TX. We are concerned we will have to have a valve job done on the engine. We had called Benson's Automotive on Hwy 3 and they don't do the extensive work that may be required. They recommended Frank Taylor. When we drove the Chevy into the shop parking lot, we found another '55 Chevy already on the shop floor, which we took as a good sign. We noticed the floors of the shop were so clean you could eat off it. As we walked into the shop office, run by his lovely wife Cindy, there were trophies all around the office and posters of Frank and his race car and team on the walls. I thought that this was the place to be!! We haven't been disappointed. We are waiting for the results of the compression test and hope it will be a minor repair!!
Monday and Tuesday nights were spent at Kent and Diane's, last night with our friends Dean Miller and Patty, tonight will be with Linda and Greg. We are planning on leaving on Friday morning and head back. Probably we will stop back in Hammond for lunch, Pensacola overnight, Jacksonville to visit Renne's sister, Gail and her husband Ron, then Orlando to see Bill and Wilma, then Naples to see my cousin, Robin Siewers Murchison. We are retired - what schedule do we have???
We will post pics as soon as we are back.
National Car Rental Reservations - 1(877) 222-9058
Edison/Ford Winter Estates - http://edisonfordfoundation.org/
Taylor Automotive - 3302 Highway 3 Dickinson, TX 77539 281-337-7060
Kent Brownhill, our fabulous crewman, had to return to Houston as he had been away from his lovely wife, Diane, for much longer than she wanted. Renne' and I were contemplating what we would use for transportation around Key West other than our bicycles. As the marina is 8 miles away from the nearest grocery store, we decided the best approach would be to head back to Kemah with Kent and pick up the Toyota and take it to Key West!
We left KW on Sunday morning, about 0730, and headed for Fort Myers. I had been to the Edison/Ford Winter home there previously, and thought it would be an excellent museum for Renne' and Kent to see. We stopped there from 1:30 - 5:00, ate a disappointing dinner at a local restaurant, then headed for Houston. The rental car was from National Car Rental and Kent and I were the drivers. I had to pay an extra $50 so I could help drive. But National rented it to us as a one way delivery, unlimited miles, no drop off charge for $360 bucks. A lot less expensive than flying.
The drive was uneventful, but we arrived pretty well exhausted after 28 hours of driving and visiting the museum. So Monday, we got the Chevy delivered to Taylor Automotive in Dickinson, TX. We are concerned we will have to have a valve job done on the engine. We had called Benson's Automotive on Hwy 3 and they don't do the extensive work that may be required. They recommended Frank Taylor. When we drove the Chevy into the shop parking lot, we found another '55 Chevy already on the shop floor, which we took as a good sign. We noticed the floors of the shop were so clean you could eat off it. As we walked into the shop office, run by his lovely wife Cindy, there were trophies all around the office and posters of Frank and his race car and team on the walls. I thought that this was the place to be!! We haven't been disappointed. We are waiting for the results of the compression test and hope it will be a minor repair!!
Monday and Tuesday nights were spent at Kent and Diane's, last night with our friends Dean Miller and Patty, tonight will be with Linda and Greg. We are planning on leaving on Friday morning and head back. Probably we will stop back in Hammond for lunch, Pensacola overnight, Jacksonville to visit Renne's sister, Gail and her husband Ron, then Orlando to see Bill and Wilma, then Naples to see my cousin, Robin Siewers Murchison. We are retired - what schedule do we have???
We will post pics as soon as we are back.
National Car Rental Reservations - 1(877) 222-9058
Edison/Ford Winter Estates - http://edisonfordfoundation.org/
Taylor Automotive - 3302 Highway 3 Dickinson, TX 77539 281-337-7060
Thursday, March 3, 2011
JonNe' is in Key West!!
Well, we finally made it!! We are quite proud of ourselves!! JonNe' performed flawlessly, as did her crew. And talk about incredible weather. When we left Kemah, the last thing we expected was to have 2 weeks of the most perfect weather you could get. Of course it would have only been a bit better if we had had winds out of the North, Northeast, Northwest, West, Anywhere but East or southeast!! Of course as everyone who has cruised on a sailboat will tell you - It doesn't matter where you are going, the winds will always be on your nose - and I don't think that theorem was violated more that twice during the entire trip. We had hoped to use the engine for charging the battery and getting into port, but we used it every day - for a lot of every day! We are fortunate we carry 130 gallons of diesel. Actually, we didn't come close to using it all, but we were happy we had it!
When we left Clearwater - for those of you interested, I lived there for two years, on-board my first boat, Dreamketcher, less than a mile from where we were docked. Anyway, when we left Clearwater, we had great winds - out of the south, which was great, until we had to turn southeast toward Key West. Winds were forecast to shift to the southwest Monday afternoon, but didn't -Instead, winds died down below 10 kts, so the motor came on. Monday night was flat and wind-less. Tuesday when the winds picked up, it was still on our nose and we ended up motoring all the way. Tuesday night was the first rain we had - it lasted all of 5 minutes, but it was long enough to wash the salt off the deck. Then the winds really picked up. We saw 30+ knots and the waves picked up to 4 or so feet off our port beam. Life was rock and roll all night. One of the reasons we bought this boat was because she is pointy on both ends. That makes a big difference in following seas - the stern splits the wave as it goes by us and makes for a more comfortable ride - so with a more traditional stern-or transom, we would have probably been a lot more uncomfortable.
We timed arrival at the Key West channel an hour after daybreak. It is a lot easier to plan your speed with the engine running also. My biggest concern was getting through the channel if the winds and waves were as bad. Fortunately, both winds and waves moderated with sunrise. It still took us 3.5 hours to get from the mouth of the channel to the marina on the other side of KW. We got in at about 11:30, docked and celebrated with champagne given to us as a gift. Thanks!!
We are here, we are safe, we are grateful for all we have. We will kiip you up to date, and as soon as we have pics we will post them.
Thanks to all of our friends and fans. we love you!!
JonNe'
When we left Clearwater - for those of you interested, I lived there for two years, on-board my first boat, Dreamketcher, less than a mile from where we were docked. Anyway, when we left Clearwater, we had great winds - out of the south, which was great, until we had to turn southeast toward Key West. Winds were forecast to shift to the southwest Monday afternoon, but didn't -Instead, winds died down below 10 kts, so the motor came on. Monday night was flat and wind-less. Tuesday when the winds picked up, it was still on our nose and we ended up motoring all the way. Tuesday night was the first rain we had - it lasted all of 5 minutes, but it was long enough to wash the salt off the deck. Then the winds really picked up. We saw 30+ knots and the waves picked up to 4 or so feet off our port beam. Life was rock and roll all night. One of the reasons we bought this boat was because she is pointy on both ends. That makes a big difference in following seas - the stern splits the wave as it goes by us and makes for a more comfortable ride - so with a more traditional stern-or transom, we would have probably been a lot more uncomfortable.
We timed arrival at the Key West channel an hour after daybreak. It is a lot easier to plan your speed with the engine running also. My biggest concern was getting through the channel if the winds and waves were as bad. Fortunately, both winds and waves moderated with sunrise. It still took us 3.5 hours to get from the mouth of the channel to the marina on the other side of KW. We got in at about 11:30, docked and celebrated with champagne given to us as a gift. Thanks!!
We are here, we are safe, we are grateful for all we have. We will kiip you up to date, and as soon as we have pics we will post them.
Thanks to all of our friends and fans. we love you!!
JonNe'
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