Tucked Away for the Winter

MTB is soundly stored on the hard and covered with shrink-wrap to keep her nice and dry.  We want no teak leas developing over the winter.  Winterization was done by Bob and John and hopefully was done correctly.  After a trip to check on her this weekend, we'll be away from her until April 2013.  Fortunately we have our RV for winter enjoyment in FL. Bye for now.

Back Cruising

How great it was to get back to cruising the Bay.  We traveled from our yacht club to Annapolis, MD, for a four-day extravaganza.  We were joined by son Rob, wife Jen and baby Lucy Mae.  They stayed aboard for two nights and truly enjoyed themselves.  Rob, a former Navy Lt. fell in love with our new, old trawler.

We had a ton of visitors as we were docked on the sea wall in Ego Alley.  We had visits from Capt Mike and his family, Tom and Joan C., Aaron and Jen Berglin, and Jim and Cathy from Navy tailgating fame.

The cruise down was extremely pleasant while the cruise back was a little more testing.  High winds and mixed waves, however, proved no match for our 36 Albin.

We'll continue to finish projects we started and begin new ones as time permits.

It all starts tomorrow when I return to the Bay.

Moving Forward with Upgrades

Whew!  We're beat.  Between the hot humid weather in Baltimore and the work we do daily on Ment Tu Be we  are a bit weary...but still very pleased.  All of the survey findings have been corrected.  You wouldn't believe the electrical upgrades, the new battery charger and fuses, the new bilge pump and hoses and the the redesigned galley replete with  and induction cooktop and convection oven.  Long gone is the propane stove system. 

Fran has redone all the window treatments  and even refinished the interior window frames.  They all look great.  With the help of Jimmy and Bruce we tackled the job of installing a new Garmin (3010C) and cleaning up the upper helm.   We finally installed the bimini and it looks and works great. Soon, we will reset most of the electronics at the upper helm.

Today our "electrician in chief" will be back on board to assist in rewiring the water heater and organizing the CD cables.  Bob has been extremely helpful and we are truly appreciative.

Better get back in the rack.  Tomorrow is also a work day at Crescent.

We're Wet

After three long weeks on the hard, Ment Tu Be was launched and is now happily moored at Crescent Yacht Club.  The work done on the props, shaft, and stuffing box were done exceedingly well by Miller Island and Edwards Boat Yard.  We've spent the better part of the week completing some additional tasks.  A new Xantrex battery charger was installed and working.  A new automatic forward bilge pump was installed and the bilge hose replaced.

Our next job is to complete the rewiring of the water heater and the refrigerator.  Secondly we are adding a second 120V distribution panel for the air conditioning circuits.  Out third task is to upgrade the sump and bilge pump configuration.

What will we do when we're all done sprucing her up?

She's Wet Again

Ment Tu Be now sits at the Crescent Yacht Club.

Still Dry

Ment Tu Be is still on the hard awaiting a new prop shaft and re-engineered props.  We certainly hope in gets splashed today.

In Middle River at Last

Made the cruise from Sassafras in 3.5 hours.  Were we flying at 7 knots?  She ran well and we did well.  Hope it only gets better.

Patience, patience

Owning a boat requires great patience.  We took ownership of Ment Tu Be on 26 July, made one cruise down the Bay and immediately put her on the hard to replace a cutlass bearing and prop shaft.  It's now Aug 12 and she still remains on the hard.  My patience is wearing thin.

While we have tons of work to do, we'd much rather do it with the boat in the water.  At least we can enjoy the AC.

We heard down again on Tuesday and hope by week's end she be in the water.  Let keep our fingers crossed. I hope my patience holds out.

Moving Right Along

Ment Tu Be, our new Albin Trawler is undergoing major improvements.  All deficiencies identified in the marine survey are being corrected.  Many have already been corrected.  Currently we are finishing up the painting of the bilge and areas under bunks and beds.  The engine compartment is next.

She now sports a new exhaust system, fuel return line, 30 amp breakers and wire, GFCI breakers, smoke alarm, CO detectors, neutral safety switch, visual distress signals.  Th LPG system including the stove and tanks were removed.  We are installing an electric induction stove top and convection oven with their own new breakers.  Edwards Boat yard has been commissioned to instal a new cutlas bearing and prop shaft and repack the rudder box.

Currently she is on the hard but we expect to relaunch her this week.  Oh at least we can hope.

Ship Ahoy!

After weeks of wrangling, shopping and traveling we finally closed the deal on our newest trawler, Ment Tu Be.  With the help of Rich our dear buddy we took ownership of her and spent the first day cleaning the cabin , bathrooms and staterooms.  We installed two CO detectors and another smoke alarm.  We are trying to familiarize ourselves with her systems and operation.  That will takes us some time.

Wednesday we cruise down the Bay to Edwards Boat Yard and have a bearing changed and the props tuned in an effort to increase RPMs at WOT.  We may be able to get a little more speed out of her.

Fran is finally asleep.  It took her some time getting used to the bunk.  Rich was sound asleep by 9 but that was after a hard day's work and a terrific dinner at a local restaurant.

It's bed time for Papafu.  Good night and GB.

Crescent YC Family Picnic

Attended the CYC family picnic with buddy Jim and had a good time.   Being without a boat is a real inconvenience but our good friend Dick W. let us stay aboard his boat.  Thanks Dick, Jim and those who made the picnic a  success.

Try, Try Again

Must wait to complete the purchase of the Albin 36.  Hopefully it will done early this coming week.  The broker has been wonderful to work with.  Thanks Chuck.

If tomorrow goes as planned, we'll own our fourth big boat.  This one is a classic Albin 36 trawler.  She plenty old but plenty pretty.  We were  ready for larger living quarters as we were cramped in our Mainship.  This trawler has an aft cabin and a large master suite with many useful accommodations.  The salon has a large u shaped settee with converts into a bed for two.  The bow cabin has its own bath and plenty of head clearance and space for two to occupy it.

However, with the good comes the bad.  She has much more teak than we ever wanted or needed.  We'll just have to work a little harder to keep up with it.

Good News Day

Well, today must be considered a good day.  After all,  we were notified that our membership in the Crescent Yacht Club was approved and our proposal to buy a 1981 Albin was accepted.  Hopefully all will go well on the engine and full survey scheduled next week.  If all goes well the Albin heads to Middle River the second week of July.

The Hunt for Albin

Our search continues for a new trawler.  Our latest search took us back to the upper Chesapeake Bay.  Liked what we saw if the price is right.

The Search Continues

We've looked at a few 36' trawlers, submitted an offer on one and were not successful.  Tomorrow we continue our search back in the Chesapeake.

First Look

Today we head to Long Island, NY, to look over what may be our next trawler.  It ought to be fun.

Sin Velas No More

Sin Velas is now part of our most pleasant past.  She sold yesterday and we leave her with memories of our most exciting and adventurous life journeys.  Best to her new owners,

New Trawler

Today we started in earnest looking for a new trawler.  Spent part of the day aboard a 1981 Albin 37.  Tomorrow our broker looks at a Prairie in NC.  Next week Fran and I venture to Portsmouth VA to view a Jefferson.   Today we concluded negotiations and move on to final sale tomorrow of Sin Velas.

The Yanmar Passed with Flying Colors

Today the engine on our vessel Sin Velas was surveyed and got high marks.  We always preferred the Yanmar 370 and our faith was borne out today.  At WOT we maintained 15+ knots.

Big Doings This Week

Whew!  Getting tired.  Removed all personal items from Sin Velas and showed it today...Had an interview for membership into Crescent Yacht Club...attended Danielle's grad party..made four drives to the Bay.  If the trawler sells we'll be busy looking for another one, but this time an aft cabin trawler.  Bye

We back online and blogging!

Wow, it seems like forever that we posted to our blog.  Well, were back.  We have a marvelous winter in Florida.  Spent part of December in Winter haven with the "Old Gang" from East Haven RV Resort.  On new year's day we moved to Bradenton where we would spend a month.  We found the perfect spot to launch "Little Sin" and met the perfect couple to enjoy the month.

In February we headed south to Estero and stayed at Riverwoods Plantation on the Estero River.  Again it would prove to be a terrific stop.  Th Plantation was full of friendly folks and there were numerous activities to keep us occupied.  We met a number of PA People who we have remained in contact with.  In 2013, we'll send the entire winter in Estero.

In March we headed across the state to a familiar park in Fellsmere near Sebastian.  We spent many weeks there in previous years and were quite familiar with the environs.  Our neighbors from Exeter met us there.  However, our stay would be cut short as we needed to head north for the birth of our newest granddaughter, Lucy Mae.  That was a special day and Lucy is a beautiful little girl.

We'll be spending much of the summer cruising the Chesapeake Bay.

RV Winter 2012

We again spent the winter in Florida in our motor home.  With a month in Bradenton, another in Estero and a third between Vero beach and Winter Haven we had a delightful winter.  We fell in love with our Park in Estero and will spend the entire season there in 2012-2013.  The Plantation is right on the Estero River where we can easily launch our Century CC.  It is also in close proximity to a number of family and friends whom we enjoy visiting and partying with.