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Jan. 19th, 2005 06:25 pmSo, I couldn't stand it any more.
At 5:00, done with work, I took the boat out. It was chilly with the wind, and the waves were a bit higher than I would tackle if I were going far offshore, but it was a great little shakedown cruise to test things out. Everything held together well. No water in the bilge, the engine stayed within a decent temperature, oil pressure was fine, the mechanical stuff like fan belts seem to have held together.
I'm trying to remember the last time I had the boat out in the Gulf. I think it was just after I fixed the starter motor after Hurricane Jeanne, and I took Christey and Larissa out a couple miles and down the coast. Checking back in my journal, it looks like it must have been October 8th or 9th. So, three months and change, which surprises me, in paradox, both how long ago and how much of a short time has passed.
The only problem: Sitting for three months in Florida saltwater has accumulated an impressive amount of barnacles and crud on the bottom of the boat. My cruising speed is 4mph less, and I can't get within 10mph of my prior top speed. I think I'll haul the boat out on a trailer next week and scrape off the bottom. I'm sure my prop is similarly encrusted and that has to be causing some slowdown.
In the meantime...work tomorrow, then an emergency (side-job business) trip to Atlanta on Friday -- in and out same day. My folks have a simultaneous 60th birthday party on Saturday (they were both born in January of 1945).
Weather report shows calm seas and 70 degree weather on Friday -- the day I'm gone. Then back to 40s/50s/60s and 4-8 foot seas until the following weekend. Glad I got out this evening :)
I still need to post before and after pics. Tomorrow...
At 5:00, done with work, I took the boat out. It was chilly with the wind, and the waves were a bit higher than I would tackle if I were going far offshore, but it was a great little shakedown cruise to test things out. Everything held together well. No water in the bilge, the engine stayed within a decent temperature, oil pressure was fine, the mechanical stuff like fan belts seem to have held together.
I'm trying to remember the last time I had the boat out in the Gulf. I think it was just after I fixed the starter motor after Hurricane Jeanne, and I took Christey and Larissa out a couple miles and down the coast. Checking back in my journal, it looks like it must have been October 8th or 9th. So, three months and change, which surprises me, in paradox, both how long ago and how much of a short time has passed.
The only problem: Sitting for three months in Florida saltwater has accumulated an impressive amount of barnacles and crud on the bottom of the boat. My cruising speed is 4mph less, and I can't get within 10mph of my prior top speed. I think I'll haul the boat out on a trailer next week and scrape off the bottom. I'm sure my prop is similarly encrusted and that has to be causing some slowdown.
In the meantime...work tomorrow, then an emergency (side-job business) trip to Atlanta on Friday -- in and out same day. My folks have a simultaneous 60th birthday party on Saturday (they were both born in January of 1945).
Weather report shows calm seas and 70 degree weather on Friday -- the day I'm gone. Then back to 40s/50s/60s and 4-8 foot seas until the following weekend. Glad I got out this evening :)
I still need to post before and after pics. Tomorrow...
