Electrical Woes

Well the electrical charging issues go on. I have determined, I think, that the charging regulator is bad. It is part of the Link2000R battery monitoring system. The R stands for regulator. I am going to disable the regulator and put in a new Balmar ARS-5H regulator as Link no longer services their unit as it is outdated. I like the idea of having a separate unit for alternator charging and shore power charging anyway. I will also have to add another battery cable from the alternator to the house battery bank since the previous owner just had it going back to the starting battery.

To Do List:

INTERIOR
Before Cruising
1. Seal the delaminated section of the forward starboard bulkhead in the cockpit machinery space and monitor for further deterioration
2. Replace plywood under forward head
3. Install new gasket on leaking portlights
4. Check and lube all through hulls
5. Organize paperwork and books
Wish List
6. Obtain and install an LP leak detector with sensors in the bilge and under the stove
7. Add “flame failure” devices to burners on stove as called for by current ABYC standards or use stove with caution
8. Provide heat shield for stove enclosure outboard of stove to protect cabinetry when heeled to port
9. Obtain and install a lightning grounding system to comply with current ABYC standards
10. Replace plywood in mech room
11. Freezer thermometer fix
12. Table at settee
13. secure floor boards (pyiinc.com)
14. Paint walls
15. Finish cabin sole refinish

ELECTRICAL
Before Cruising
1. Provide protective cover for wiring and terminals on port bulkhead above battery box
2. Remove 120-volt outlet and wiring at aft end of engine box or locate in protected location and upgrade to GFIC type
3. Elevate and secure loose wiring he aft section of bilge, below sole in cockpit machinery space, eliminate any unused or dead ended wiring
4. The engine alternator produced a maximum of 12.9 volts. This is not sufficient to charge the batteries.
5. Get AIS
6. Cover exposed a/c terminals!
7. Re-attach vhf antenna
8. Printer?
9. Stern light move
Wish List
10. Make battery storage box “acid proof” add hold downs for each battery within the box and add ventilation to the battery box
11. Provide protective cover and separator between 12-volt DC and 120-volt AC connections at back of main panel board
12. Obtain and install double pole master breaker within three meters of for 120-volt AC shore side connection for main panel board
13. Broadband radar
14. How are under counter lights powered?


MAST, RIGGING, DECK, ANCHORING

Before Cruising
1. Add chafe protection for VHF coax cable where it exits mast and remove unused antenna bracket that chafes coax on upper port side of mast
2. Update standing rigging, terminals and turnbuckles as a normal precaution before extended passages
3. Monitor wear at gooseneck and repair as needed
4. Upgrade mainsheet blocks on boom, replace weathered hardware as needed
5. Replace undersized mainsheet fiddle block installed on traveler
6. Remove and reseal chainplate cover plates
7. Remove and inspect chainplates for signs of pitting where they pass though the deck as a normal precaution before extended passages
8. replace lower pelican hooks, mob recovery
9. Fix teak door in anchor locker
10. Get smaller dia spinnaker halyard
11. get 2nd propane tank
12. Remove name Install new name
13. Replace missing screws on stanchions
Wish List
14. Have sails inspected by a sailmaker, repair as desired
15. install boom vang
16. s.s. anchor chain slide, fix fiberglass
17. Get stern rail outboard mount
18. Install stern anchor
19. Cockpit light
20. Cockpit table
21. Install backer plates for cockpit cleats
22. Manson supreme
23. Grind or sand off small section of loose laminate at the aft end of the starboard longitudinal stringer in the lazerette locker

SAFETY GEAR AND SYSTEMS
Before Cruising
1. Have fire extinguishers checked and tagged by fire equipment service company
2. Repair shorting cabin lights in the salon and forward cabin
3. Add high water alarm, to float switch for electric bilge pump
4. Register EPIRB


MECHANICAL / PLUMBING
Before Cruising
1. verify spare impellers on board
2. Replace shaft zinc
3. Install refrig alternator
4. Fuel addative
5. Clean fuel tank starboard
6. Clean fuel tank port
7. Repack stuffing box for prop shaft
8. Repack stuffing box for rudder
9. Recheck prop shaft stuffing box while underway and adjust as needed
10. Reseal loose or leaking PVC inspection ports for forward water tanks
11. Update original hoses installed below the waterline due to age
12. Put bilge pumps on a stick, install float and switch
13. Monitor condition of plastic though hull fitting air conditioner discharge, port topsides, replace if signs of UV deterioration are noted
Wish List
14. The engine turned approximately 600 rpm’s less than its maximum rating under load. The most likely cause is excessive pitch in the propeller. Recommend tuning engine and then consulting with a reputable propeller repair facility to determine proper pitch necessary to produce 3600 full load rpm’s.
15. Have engine function examined by a qualified Yanmar mechanic and service it to his recommendations as required
16. Upgrade fuel tank fill hoses to USCG Type A2


Done Did List:
replace anchor locker drain hoseSend off Winch to Barlow...Fix refrig water pumpSeal Staysail chainplate!!Fix cabin outlets that dont workReplace missing batten 57*1.25Clean and Vac bilgeFix freezer lidRun wire to gpsFix mast step leakResearch lavacReplace batteries 6/09Fix shower faucetwashdown hose in anchor lockerReplace leaking hatch gasketsTune rigReplace cockpit drain hosesmaller pin for genoa cars
Anchor locker hinges / screws replaced
Find a threaded rod for anchor roller
Finish ladder install
Change tran oil
Lubricated mainsheet traveler pins and car, lubricate winches
Secure loose 120 volt outlet and wiring for inverter located at forward end of motor box
New mixer for aft shower

Head Nurse

We got to the boat last friday and were greeted by a terrible smell that I thought was coming from the head. After a lot of cleaning and looking for leaks the smell was still there. I chalked it up to not having been to the boat in a couple weeks and thought maybe the smell would go away. Well, Pam took a shower on ... Read Moresunday morning when I went to go get coffee and donuts and discovered the shower pan was not draining. The shower pan drains into a box with a small bilge pump in it and it was not draining. So we found out that the mystery smell was coming from non draining shower water! So we cleaned it out, fixed the problem, etc which took all day so we did not get to go sailing. In the process of fixing that problem I discovered the shower pan had rotting wood around it! Well I tore out all that rooted wood and replaced it with epoxy resin. Now that shower pan should never leak and the smell should be gone!That is the way projects go on a boat..

Progress

The floors are coming along nicely. I am going to go ahead and say that we are half way done with the floors.

Hatches

We fixed the leaking hatches before the dreaded tropical storm Claudette came ashore bringing brief moments of light rain and very heavy winds of more than 15mph. It got pretty scarry when we thought we ran out of rum but we are ok.

Floors!

We are deep in the process of refinishing our floors! It is a lot of work but the finished product is worth it. Will post pics soon!

Quote of the day

"Fighting Scurvy, One Margarita at a Time."

projects continue

Well it took the better part of a day to run 2 wires to the binnacle mounted gps so we are not tripping over wires anymore. Also pressure washed out the bilge and got it clean enough to eat off of (5 second rule).

Cute Autopilot!

Amps Reads +/- 509 AMPS or "OL" 2.

An open circuit or bad connection in one or both of the shunts for the associated battery, will cause Link 1000 to read its highest or lowest possible value for that battery, usually +/- 509 amps or "OL." To determine if the problem is with Link 1000 or in the system wiring, remove the shunt sense wires for the affected battery bank from the terminals on the back of Link 1000. Connect Link's terminals to each other and to the black wire terminal.

3. Read battery amps on Link 1000 for the affected battery. If the amps reading drops to zero, the problem is an open circuit or loose connection in the system wiring. If the amps reading does not go to zero (+/- 0.1 amp), contact Xantrex Customer Service for assistance.

Soggy Dollar Bar & Sandcastle Hotel - Jost Van Dyke, BVI

Soggy Dollar Bar & Sandcastle Hotel - Jost Van Dyke, BVI

Water Intrusion

Well - first post from me (pamela)! We only had 3 minor places of water intrusion: the forward hatches, a couple of port lights and the small leak coming through where the wires were coming through from mast. Rich is handling the latter, but I researched the Lewmar portlights and have been able to ascertain what model we have. Although this style is no longer made by Lewmar, we can still get seals and I ordered some. Regarding the hatches, ours are Bomar. This is a much simpler task because Bomar sells there hatch seal in 10ft rolls so I got one of those and have enough to do both of the forward hatches. This also makes things easier for the future - knowledge wise- in case any of the others need replacing. Water intrusions solved!!

We learned from the week+ long trip that dirty laundry becomes a real issue on a boat...it's smelly and takes up space laying everywhere making the place a mess. - While at West Marine getting the Bomar seal, I found this awesome marine hanging hamper! It goes in any hanging locker. It has a canvas topper with a cut out and the bottom is a mesh bag with handles which detaches for carrying the laundry to get washed. Dirty Laundry Problems Solved!!

Problem Solving is Fun! - I have not come up with a solution to the garbage problem - Same issue as the laundry...it's smelly and piles up quick! No, we can't throw it overboard! Any ideas?

Projects

Well we figured out the water tank and valving system. There are 2 complete sets of hoses. One for pressure fresh water and one for foot pump water. Each comes from 4 different tanks totalling 160 gallons.

We found out that our electrical system is fine. The marina had a bad shore power plug and I (Rich) thought the problem was on the boat but it was not.

We found out that our refrigeration system can run off the engine via an engine driven alternator. I ordered a new alternator today and we should have it in a few days. Hopefully it will not be too difficult to hook up. There were 9 wires coming out of the old one!

We did lots of cleaning and taking stuff off of the boat that we do not need. We identified the source of a couple minor water leaks. One was at a wire coming through the roof that leaked a little on our table when it rained. Also a couple other hatch gaskets were leaking a bit. The boat was not sinking!

We had a nice sail on Monday with Allen and Jeanie. I forgot the propane and we had to fry the burgers! At least we have an inside stove but we really wanted to grill. Jeannie brought ribs too that we could not cook due to my blunder. They also brought home made salsa and guacamole that was great.

Oh, also got a ticket for no life jacket in the dinghy! We were only a few feet from the boat, swimming and playing in the water. They have nothing better to do. 90 bucks. Funny you need a life jacket in an inflatable toy but you do not need one if you are swimming without a boat.

Sailing conditions

Somebody asked how much we were able to sail and how much we had to motor. We started in Palm Beach and went down the intracoastal to Fort Lauderdale. We had to motor that whole route. We then headed offshore down to Miami and into the Keys. Once we turned the corner after Key Biscayne we were able to sail some. The sailing got better the further down the Keys we went. We did do some motor sailing in this area to make better time when the wind slacked. Once we turned the corner to the North in Marathon the sailing really got good. We were able to sail a good bit of the way to Tampa.

Once offshore of Tampa we encountered a decent storm. The boat handled it nicely. We just motored into the waves. Since it is a new boat to me I was not prepared for storm sailing yet. Once the storm subsided after about 5 hours we motored most of the way to Pensacola with some motor sailing thrown in when conditions allowed.

Unfortunately I only had a week off of work so we had to make the fastest time possible otherwise I would have been more of a purist and sailed more. The next long trip will not be on such a schedule!

This was taken in the Keys

Made it home last night around 1030

ots of flying fish too. And caught a mahi!

6 miles off panama city beach. Had a good and uneventful crossing. Say dolphins playing in the bow wake at night. They were aglow in phosphorescance. L

Almost to panama city.

Off shore tampa heading to apalachicola. All is going well

5 miles off shore of charlotte harbor. I am updating this with text messages if you were wondering about the short messages!

3 miles off captiva island.

Just got a nice voice mail from my bro. Been thinking bout ya barron.

6 miles off cape romano

r sunday.

Left marathon at two pm. Changed oil . New fuel filter. New oil pressure switch. Out of cell phone range for a few days. Hopefully to pan handle by sat o

Sleeping in air conditioning at the dock woo hoo! We love shore power!

Made it to marathon!

Woo hoo another snapper

About an hour from rodriguez key - allen caught a huge snapper and we ate him for dinner!

Coffee making. Generator on for frig. About to head for miami!

Lake Sylvia

We made it to lake sylvia in fort lauderdale today. On our way in to the anchorage we encountered a tricky bit of shallow water which left us aground for awhile. Luckily it was low tide when we hit so we were able to get off quickly with the help of a friendly boater. There were quite a few things that the broker/ owner said would be taken care of which were not so that set us back a day. We had to take a taxi to west marine to get some supplies. We took that opportunity to go to the grocery store and get some more gas for the generator for running the frig. The grunert refirg is supposed to run off of the inverter but we cant make that work yet.

We had a nice swim before dinner at the anchorage. That swim ladder sure is heavy.

Alllen says: Uh, hi.

Pam says: Oh, uh let me think a minute jeez... I had a hot shower, washed my hair and life is good.

We anchored at lake boca raton last night. Got started at 745

Road Trip!

Well the road trip starts this afternoon. We hope to get to Palm Beach around midnight or 1am then get to the boat early for an early as possible start. I still have to go over systems with the previous owner and get everything loaded. We had to rent a van to haul all of our provisions and gear. The wind forecast is very light so we may be motoring more than hoped.

I managed to throw my back out so I am sure glad Allen was able to come with! I will have to take it easy for the first couple days but then it should be fine. I have done this before. I did get some good drugs to help with the pain.

All for now...


Rest Of Today
East winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 feet or less. Intracoastal waters a light chop.
Tonight
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop.
Saturday
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 feet or less. Intracoastal waters a light chop.
Saturday Night
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop. Slight chance of showers.
Sunday
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 feet or less. Intracoastal waters a light chop. Slight chance of showers.
Sunday Night
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 feet or less. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop. Slight chance of showers.

Looks like a full moon for a good part of the trip!

Progress

We made lots of progress over the weekend. We were able to cross most items off the list that we can do here. We got a rental van reserved. It is a mini van so lookout soccer moms!

Click on proposed route shown in green

The Plan

We will leave North Palm beach on Saturday the 9th on our way to Orange Beach, AL. Here is a rough itinerary which is of course subject to change as we are at the mercy of the weather. Two routes shown depend on weather. The weather should be good this time of year and we will probably go the offshore route. It is a new to us boat however so we will have to play it by ear and be flexible.

Day 1 Palm to Ft. Laud. 56 miles
Day 1 Ft. Laud to Miami 30 miles
Day 2-3 Miami to Marathon 115 miles

Intracoastal route:
Day 4-5 Marathon to Cape Coral 150 miles
Day 6-7 Cape coral (Sanibel) to tarpon spr 140 miles via intracoastal route
Day 8-9 Tarpon spr to apalach 165 miles
Day 10 Apalach to panama city 71 miles
Day 11 Panama city to pcola 106 miles

Offshore route:
Day 4-9 Marathon to pcola via coast 573 miles

To Bring / Do

THRU HULL DIAGRAM

Light for dinghy
calculator
Spare depth setup
First aid kit
Alcohol
H2o2
Sea sick med
Insect repellant
Delo 400 oil
Tranny oil

Diesel can with diesel
Boat hook
Boat brush
Rope bag
Tools
Truck tools
Boat tools
Gpsmap 76
Gps 12
Garmin chart plotter
Lowrance gps
Charts
AA bats
9v bat
D bats
Snorkel bag
Pam life jacket
Waterway guide
Flash lights
Garden hose
Laptops
hawking
Magma
Propane cans
Sea sick motion ease
Aqua tainers
Camera
Charger
Shades
Hat
Sun screen
Garmin Nuvi
Boat paperwork
Insurance papers
Cell phones & chargers
Wind indicator
12v battery charger
Filet knife
Jock
Hack saw
Fishing gear
Percolator
Medium ice chest
Eye meds
Whistles for everyone
Fire extinguisher
Flare kit
Horn
Strobes
Buckets
Pens pencils erasers
Wd 40
Foil
Matches
Lighters
Paper towels
Towels
Clothes pins
Can opener
Scissors
Bolt cutters
Toilet paper
Cleaning sponges and liquid
Garbage bags
Paperwork
Duct tape
Legal pads
Music
Cd player with fuse
Fill gas and diesel cans
Hand held vhf – charged
Xponder for toll roads
Call bear point marina 251-981-2327
Hose nozzle
Binocs
Long screw driver for changing alt belts
Cig lighter extension
Pam’s multimeter
Usb storage thing from truck, tayana files from work.


Stan to check
Spare Alternator belts
Spare impeller
Spare racor fuel filter
Spare engine fuel filter
Fuel tank filled up
water tanks filled up
holding tank pumped out
propane valve replaced and propane tank filled up
uscg items, flares, lift jacket, horn,
is there a fuel gauge?



Day 1 Palm to Ft. Laud. 56 miles
Day 2 Lake at Ft. Laud to Caesar Creek 55 miles
Caesear Creek to Rodriguez key 33 miles
Day 3 Rodriguez key to Marathon 53 miles

Intracoastal route:
Day 4-5 Marathon to Cape Coral 150 miles
Day 6-7 Cape coral (Sanibel) to tarpon spr 140 miles via intracoastal route
Day 8-9 Tarpon spr to apalach 165 miles
Day 10 Apalach to panama city 71 miles
Day 11 Panama city to pcola 106 miles

Offshore route:
Day 4-9 Marathon to pcola via coast 573 miles
Marathon to pcola direct 540 miles
Sands Harbor Resort & Marina (Pompano) 50 per nite
125 North Riverside DrivePompano Beach, FL 33062954-942-9100 x6000
From the Atlantic Ocean, take the Hillsboro Inlet to the Intracoastal waterway. Turn left (south) on the Intracoastal. Go through the 14th Street bridge underpass and continue heading south until you see the 8 story hotel tower on the east side of the water. Either dock at the Patio Bar's north dock, or go to the dock office by the gas pumps for specific docking instructions. Latitude: 26° 14' 49" N. Longitude: 80° 06' 39" W.
To do at boat:

Verify fuel tanks full
Fill water tanks
Fill aquatainers
Check if ss wire is on anchor shackles
Verify full propane tank
Verify empty holding tank

Engine
Check oil
Check coolant
Check alternator belt
Inspect fuel filter
Inspect water filter
Inspect tranny fluid
Inspect impeller, locate spare

Navigation
Check weather
File float plan

Safety
Put life raft below
Rig jacklines
Test epirb
Put strobes on life jackets

Check bilge pump
Check manual bilge pump
Lash anchors
Tie and secure spare fuel and water containers
Test lights
Check all and close unnecessary seacocks
Perform radio check
Check water pressure in galley & heads

Dan Questions:

How to start engine
How to start refrigeration
Heads
One work better?
Use
How to pump overboard
Y valve location
For both?
Windlass switch location
Use
Fuel tank
Switch valves for tanks
Dinghy
Motor
Inflator
Oars? Need to bring mine?
Refrigerator pump switch?


Anchoring in Ft. Lauderdale: First and foremost, there is a 24 hour anchoring limit, which means that you can only anchor for 24 hours within city limits. There are two known anchorages in Ft. Lauderdale. The "free" anchorage is at Lake Sylvia, which can be accessed from the ICW (consult for exact location and approach). Lake Sylvia is a large circular basin surrounded by large waterfront homes. No dinghy facilities or places to come ashore are nearby. The nearest places to bring a dinghy or tender to are a few waterfront restaurants near the mouth of the entrance to Lake Sylvia, but they are not free and will expect you to eat or drink there and you can't leave your dinghy there. Lake Sylvia is well protected though, so if the weather is nasty you can drop an anchor there and rest for a while. There is a sandbar in the middle of the entrance to the lake, so you must hug the eastern side of the channel to stay in deep water. Once inside the lake there is more depth.The city mooring field is on the south end of the Las Olas Bridge and features 10 mooring balls at $20 a night. You can hail the Las Olas Marina on the VHF Channel 16, or call them at 954-828-7200. The moorings are available on a first come, first served basis. If you take a mooring you must dinghy over to the marina to fill out the paperwork. There is a dinghy dock there, as well as comfort facilities. If there is no mooring available when you arrive, you may anchor on the outside of the mooring field overnight but you must pull anchor by noon the next day. The dinghy dock is only available during the business hours of the Las Olas Marina, which are 8 am to 4:45 pm. If you arrive during bad weather and have to choose between the city mooring field and Lake Sylvia, the latter is much more protected from the elements and traffic from other boats.