Captain's Log: Key West Projects 1/5-1/13

Here is the link to a new GoPro video Jon produced of the first leg of our trip from Dinner Key to Rodriguez Key (please no comments about how dorky I--Suzanne--look in my scene.  Jon's Cool Video from Dinner Key to Rodriguez Key

And now, what everyone always craves.....A Captain's Update!!

A few words about living on a boat....

A very large part of this "Cruising" thing consist of constant problem solving.  So here is a little post about some of that.  Everyday usually entails one or more of the follow projects.  Where/how are we going to get fresh water?  Groceries? Where can we get boat repair parts and when?  Where can we have things shipped?  Where/when is the next poop tank pump-out going to happen?  Will we make it till then?  Got Diesel? Gas? Propane? Need it, need it, need it. Then repeat.

Here is a photo log of issues and solutions in Key West.


Issue:  Thirsty and need an adult beverage.
Solution: 2 for 1 Margaritas at "The Bull"
.

Issue:  Pizza slices are on the loose
Solution:  Grab a plastic shotgun a blast way at anything with 3 sides and melted cheese on it.

OK those were easy ones...

Issue: On the way to Key West my main sail travel jammed up.  I found the trouble to be a shattered sheave (pulley) inside the end cap of the traveler.  So all I need to do is simply remove the end cap and replace the sheave, right?

So if I just remove this end cap screw....

Ok this screw is really corroded in there....  this was going to be so simple.  Out comes the Dremel.

Damnit the screw busted.  OK no problem I have an "Easy Out".  This will be all over in a few minutes now!

Double DAMN IT!  The Easy Out Busted.  All who have busted an Easy Out know that this is when the Sh!t gets real (as the kids say).

Ok, this little unassuming bit on the end of the Dremel is made of tungsten. It the real sh!t for when the sh!it gets real.  It chewed through the hardened steel Easy Out like is was cheap Chinese pot metal.  This little guy wins the hero of the day award!

With the busted Easy Out ground out I was able to get a fatter Easy Out in the hole and the Screw finally spun out.

Solution:  Spend 5 hours removing one screw and then replacing the busted sheaves. 


Issue:  There is no need for a truck (SUV?) like this to exist.
Solution:  Live and let live but seriously?  Dude..  its not as cool as you think it is plus there is NO SNOW OR MOUNTAINS IN FLORIDA!!

Issue: You are not here.
Solution:  Airplane ticket?

Issue:  Our "Roger Clyne and the Peace Makers" (the official band of Stray Cat) flag we flew from the day we left the Chesapeake was in jeopardy of being damaged in a blow (a wind storm).
Solution:  We sadly lowered the flag and found safe place inside.

Issue: Suzanne was a tense HR director
Solution:  She is now a hippie (oh, and she visited the Dry Tortugas)

I am not

Issue:  Ammeter gauge is acting up (again)
Solution:  Don't know.  It just started working again....  I'll take it.

Issue:  The 12V regulator on the generator was kicking out over16 Volts.  That's too much.

Solution:  Order a new regulator.  Peddle bike 10 miles to get the part.  replace the part.  part doesn't fix the problem.  Remove and clean ground connections.  Seems to have fixed it.  Anyone want to buy a 12V Northern Nights regulator??  I have an extra one now.

14V is much better

Issue: woke up to really low voltage on the main power bus.  An inspection of the battery bank reviewed that one of the batteries had an internal short and was really hot!  It was the big battery in the middle here.

.

Call in Jon for muscle.  It weighs 137 lbs

Get it outside to cool down and away from the other batteries.  A battery "Time out"

Solution:  We found a local retailer who had a replacement battery and was willing to meet  us at the dock where we exchanged this battery for a new one.  The dinghy from the boat to the dock is about 1 mile.  With Jon, me and the battery in the dinghy we were not breaking any speed records.  ...and people ask, "What do you do with all your time?".

Hauling the battery to shore in the dinghy...
 

A few last adjustments

Issue:  Suzanne is still not quite a 100% hippie yet
Solution:  She got a hair manipulating device of some sort that does NOT require electricity to operate.... so its ok... I guess?

Butane Curling Iron "As God as my witness, I'll never ask if I'm allowed to curl my hair again." /smn