014 Feeling the Anticipation
Great Loop Prologue, August 25, 2016
Aug 25, 2016, Cedar Point Marina Getting Ready
Well, it's about time for an update. As you can guess I have been rather busy on board the Sea Marie. I'm officially a liveaboard now. Finding storage space is a daunting task. The heat's not helping. Today going to be near 90 and humid. Thank goodness Mickey likes to take long naps. Keeping after him is a full-time job. Almost done sewing up the screen for the bimini. Taking much longer than anticipated. Everything in this heat is taking much longer.
Taking the last trip to Aldi with my daughter and doing a full load of laundry. Thanks for all the quarters' Matt and Colleen. Best get moving while temp is tolerable. Departure is tentatively set for later this week for Put in Bay.
A couple of weeks earlier the new outboard motor, 9.8hp Tohatsu I purchased from Cabot Marine here in Sandusky arrived at Cedar Point Marina. Several Cabot Marine employees accompanied the outboard to help exchange the 8hp Johnson Evinrude which will be stored in my garage.
Just added 3 feet to the total length. Went from 22 ft to 25. Don't tell the marina office. They'll charge me more for dockage.
Pogo Bob A FOUR-blade prop? Wonder what else they've changed in the last 10 years?
Henry Krzemien RN I had to double-check with the dealer and it was recommended by Nissan the makers of Tohatsu outboards. Suppose to provide more torque at lower speeds, especially in reverse. It's the twenty-five-inch model, five more inches than the standard long shaft. My other long shaft outboard would pop out of the water each time I went forward to tend the jib. Not anymore. It's heavier and also a little over 100 lbs. Now with me alone going half throttle sends water back up both cockpit drains and floods half the cockpit in 2-4 inches of water. I can't adjust the motor trim as it's on the last hole on the motor mount. The only solution would be to place more supplies forward to weigh the bow down. The V berth is pretty much empty now. I switch off sleeping either in the v berth or port settee depending on what's good on TV. The multi-swivel tv mount is on the starboard bulkhead. I wired in shore power a decade ago. A GFCI outlet under the sink and a double outlet on the port shelf for the microwave which sits tight on the two-burner alcohol stove. Been using 91% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and found it burns hotter than denatured alcohol and is substantially cheaper. Never been much at the culinary arts but I think I can keep from starving to death. Keeping my eye out for anyone versed in the fine art of dumpster diving.
Pogo Bob Sounds good. I'm pretty sure that Tohatsu actually makes the (smaller) outboards ( up to 15 HP, maybe?) for Nissan. They also make Mercury's little ones. Both Nissan and Mercury bump the price a little for putting their badge on it.
Henry Krzemien RN In my online search, I found Tohatsu is the only make that comes in the 25-inch long shaft. I'm most gratified for purchasing this model. I will have to ask you what was your procedure for changing the oil.
Pogo Bob, I generally did it from the dinghy (the Porta-bote was quite stable) or at a marina if I could position the boat appropriately. Be VERY careful with the drain plug! I would drain into a small "margarita" bucket, sandwiching a rag or some folded-up paper towels between the bucket and lower unit to catch any drips. I actually had purchased the items to fashion a ball valve quick drain but never got around to installing them.
Gas Can Covers.
My first attempt at sewing up a 5-gallon gas can cover. Using the Pro-Tuff Outdoor Fabric from Wal-Mart was much more complicated than I thought. Until I found a simpler method but then I needed to sew an extra panel, which was short so a third panel was added to save material. That didn’t work out well so I decided on a way to wrap the can and pin the material together. That created only one side seam and I played with sewing the top closed. A short hem on the bottom and I was good to go. It was faster to sew and used less material. Snug enough to stay on but easy to remove.
I posted these pictures with a description of my sewing technique on a Facebook Group site, Sewing on Boats, and received these comments:
Marie Toler Raney, Looks robust! Adaptation is the name of the game. Congrats!
Ann Gates, I found covering my cans with white tee shirts works great and is so easy and cheap to replace if needed! ( and one thing I don't have to sew!)
Henry Krzemien RN, That's a good idea, Ann. If any get lost I'll use that tip.
Comments from 2016:
Diane Lamoreaux Will keep you in our mind and follow with prayers. Safe travels.
Craig Stalder Have a great trip!
Jim Jay: Be safe and have a Great Time!!!
Jeff Cochran Fair Winds Henry! Look forward to following your adventure.
Jacki Liptak Fair winds to you too Henry!
Phyllis Lemasters, You are a brave soul Henry.
Mary Jo Cartledgehayes Fair winds, indeed, Henry!
Pogo Bob Beautiful, Henry! See you in FL!Â
Edward Durma Have a safe trip and good sailing, my friend ...Â
Scott Stanley Sikorski When we had our boat docked at Catawba Island for 23 yrs. We had an air conditioner that fits over the hatch and would take it off through the hatch in the cabin when we took a boat ride.
Henry Krzemien RN Scott, my son has an air conditioning unit that fits over the forward hatch. They are heavy and costly. Works great though and keeps it very cool inside. Those portable in-room air conditioners would be a better choice for this old geezer.
Cheryl Baum Roseman Moving to Florida?
Pogo Bob, He isn't, but he'll be passing through!Â
Heidi Laakso Wishing you fair winds and a safe sail!
Dan Sheridan, I'm excited for you and looking forward to reading about your adventures. Be safe!
Jean Uhr Be safe Henry!!! Looking forward to reading about your travels!
Sherry Thaler Fair winds indeed Henry!! God speed. No visits to the Round Table while in PIB...you're on a mission don't forget...LOL. Love & prayers.
Toni Kline Safe seas my nurse friend!
Ymaria Lekutis Henry, I admire your tenacity.
Ymaria Lekutis May God be with you and angels surround you and your vessel. Write often. Wouldn't it be great after this for you to write a book? Inspiration to Many.
Amie Ziner Safe harbors!