Peggy & I went to the boat today with a list of jobs to get done.
By 6pm we were exhausted and ready to quit for the day.
Accomplished:
12 Volt Fans installed at the Galley & the Head, that makes life a lot more tolerable.
Cabin cleaning: Peggy cleaned the cabin cushions and the wood work on the Stbd side Cabin cupboards. This was a big thing to get done. We purchased a Bisell Green Machine and it does a great job. The water extracted from the cushion wash was pretty awful. But all of the cabin cushions are done.
I worked on the Solenoid for the gas system. Tested the wiring, that works fine. Connected the new solenoid to the electric control and that works too. But the job needs some plumbers Teflon tape to make the gas connections leak proof. It's on my list.
Then I got the transom cleaned up. Used 1200 grit wet-n-dry to remove the residue of the old names. Then washed the transom down with Polyglow prep. By the time I finished, it felt good and was ready for the new name. I had studied an online video of the process to put the vinyl lettering on the fiberglass. Worked a treat, I'll take pics tomorrow.
At that point we were pretty beat. The sun was brutal today, and working on the transom was almost painful. Fortunately, when it came time to put the new name in place, a short period of cloud saved me.
Peggy did a great job on the head. Oxyclean does a wonderful job. The head now looks really good. And with the new fan installed, it smells sweet, in a good way.
After deciding which things to leave on board and which to take home, that included the Head Shower Curtain - Peggy is going to try and revive it. So we closed up the boat.
Peggy helped raise the dink back onto the foredeck, and then worked on cleaning the cockpit area. I covered the dink from the brutal Florida Sun, and cleaned out the toerail scuppers.
After a final cockpit washdown, we loaded up the truck and headed home.
Sunday I'll head back to the boat to Polyglow the transom.
We left the house this morning at 9:30am, spent 15 minutes diversion taking trash stuff to the bulk drop off before heading down to the boat. We arrived around 10:30, took a 30 minute Burger King Chicken Sandwich lunch and finished around 6pm. But what we did get done we did well!
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Closing stress
When we initially figured out the financing for the purchase of Eximius, we considered pulling money from savings or taking a loan. The loan process was our most comfortable choice and we selected Essex Credit for the financing process. Mortgage companies require secure collateral so they want title to the boat. That means the boat has to be USCG documented. Turns out that process can take up to 12 months to complete. I'm not sure the seller would wait that long for closing.
After digging deep, I found that Essex could process the loan despite the delay in the documentation process. Phew!
Today we finally got the good to go response from Essex. I expect Deke will get his final payment by Thursday this week.
The stress has been on both ends of the rope. Deke has been concerned about his liability and I have concerns about spending money on a boat that is not yet ours. Deke has shown his commitment by allowing us to bring the boat to Fort Lauderdale and he knows that we have shown our commitment by putting so much skin in the game.
After FedExing the final, correct docs to Essex Credit after work today, I'm pretty sure closing will occur tomorrow, Wednesday. Then we can start planning in a less stressful environment. I'm ready to celebrate closing. I'll feel much better knowing that Deke has been paid.
So today, Wednesday, will be a great day!
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Survey items rectification
The survey valued the boat slightly higher than the selling price - good, but, and we expected to learn this, there were a few things that needed fixing that were pretty important.
Top of one list is the Propane system solenoid. It had been disconnected and Deke had advised me on day one about that. When we were at anchor in Lake Boca, I took a brief swim to view the boat from the waterline, every boat owner does that! Boat looked good especially after we had the hull repainted below the water line and cleaned and polished above. But when I tried to get out of the water using the swim ladder attached to the transom, wow! the bottom rung of the ladder was perhaps 6" below the water line! I could get up, but no way would Peggy manage that maneuver. Se we need a Swim Ladder Extension. On Saturday I was doing some work in the cabin at the dock. Working on the head was a hot and sweaty job, smelly too, but I had a fan setup to vent the area I was working. We both agreed that fans are really important. So we need Fans for the V-Berth, Main Cabin, the Head, and the Aft Berth, seven in total.
So, after doing the usual research on the web, I ordered 7 Fans, 1 Propane Solenoid and a Swim Ladder Extension all from Defender. They could arrive before next weekend which means I can install them next Saturday, June 13th which is great as we plan on taking the boat to Pier 66 for the weekend for a Party with the HISC. And that means we would be ready to have the renaming party!!!
Monday June 8th is the scheduled closing day and that would make both the P.O. Deke and myself a lot better.
Now to keep an eye out for the UPS delivery.
Top of one list is the Propane system solenoid. It had been disconnected and Deke had advised me on day one about that. When we were at anchor in Lake Boca, I took a brief swim to view the boat from the waterline, every boat owner does that! Boat looked good especially after we had the hull repainted below the water line and cleaned and polished above. But when I tried to get out of the water using the swim ladder attached to the transom, wow! the bottom rung of the ladder was perhaps 6" below the water line! I could get up, but no way would Peggy manage that maneuver. Se we need a Swim Ladder Extension. On Saturday I was doing some work in the cabin at the dock. Working on the head was a hot and sweaty job, smelly too, but I had a fan setup to vent the area I was working. We both agreed that fans are really important. So we need Fans for the V-Berth, Main Cabin, the Head, and the Aft Berth, seven in total.So, after doing the usual research on the web, I ordered 7 Fans, 1 Propane Solenoid and a Swim Ladder Extension all from Defender. They could arrive before next weekend which means I can install them next Saturday, June 13th which is great as we plan on taking the boat to Pier 66 for the weekend for a Party with the HISC. And that means we would be ready to have the renaming party!!!
Monday June 8th is the scheduled closing day and that would make both the P.O. Deke and myself a lot better.
Now to keep an eye out for the UPS delivery.
Saturday work on the boat
Took the day off work around the house to get some stuff done on Eximius.
Our daughter brought KT over this morning as Pam had to take her car in for service. I picked Pam up at the VW store in Coconut Creek and brought her home with out cutie granddaughter KT, then it was off to the boat with the truck loaded for the jobs today.
1st on the list was the install of the CO detector, a Survey Safety finding. That took all of 5 minutes. Then onto the Propane Solenoid, that took a bit of work, but once I figured out how to get the bits apart, I was able to extract the disconnected solenoid. Now I can order a replacement.
Next was to look at the swim ladder to see how I can add an extension that will reach well below the water line, so I took measurements.
On to doing an oil change, and just as I was preparing for that project, Deke (the P.O.) called and during the conversation explained it was best done using an oil pump via the dip stick tube. So that job was put off till next weekend.
Then onto the biggey! Fix the head. it would flush (empty) smelly stuff, but would not refill. The risk is that some flotsam would lay in the tube between the holding tank and the head pump, not good and likely to lead to smelly hoses. Deke had a couple of head repair kits on board, but had also said that the cost of a new head was not much more than the repair kits so it might be easier to get a new head than try to repair the old one.
With the kits onboard, I thought I would try it. Between the two kits onboard, I was able to get the head fully functional. The pump valves in the two kits differed. One had exposed metal disks on both valves, the other had one valve rubberized. Turns out the rubberized one was the correct one. Now the head is flushing easily. Did a lot of cleanup after that one.
On our delivery trip from Stuart, one annoyance was that the head door kept opening and banging around. I figured it was just the spring in the door latch was old. It was, and a clean up of the inside of the latch and slight extension of the spring and now the door closes and stays closed. While at it, I copied the process on the aft berth door.
The bilge needed cleaning, and I used a few of KT's unused too small to use diapers to soak up the small amount of oil that was in the bilge.
Then it was time to get the Clorox wipes out and start wiping down all of the nooks and crannies. And I took down the linen curtains that were probably original, bringing them home to see if they can be salvaged. If not, we'll either leave them down as most of the cabin ports have blue covers or we'll make new ones using the original securing tabs.
A quick removal of all the garbage generated during the work today, inspect the cockpit lockers and the boat dock lines, time to head home. Spent 6 hours on the boat today, but getting a better grasp of everything on the boat and what need to be done before we head out on our first cruise.
Need to order some stuff tomorrow.
Our daughter brought KT over this morning as Pam had to take her car in for service. I picked Pam up at the VW store in Coconut Creek and brought her home with out cutie granddaughter KT, then it was off to the boat with the truck loaded for the jobs today.
1st on the list was the install of the CO detector, a Survey Safety finding. That took all of 5 minutes. Then onto the Propane Solenoid, that took a bit of work, but once I figured out how to get the bits apart, I was able to extract the disconnected solenoid. Now I can order a replacement.
Next was to look at the swim ladder to see how I can add an extension that will reach well below the water line, so I took measurements.
On to doing an oil change, and just as I was preparing for that project, Deke (the P.O.) called and during the conversation explained it was best done using an oil pump via the dip stick tube. So that job was put off till next weekend.
Then onto the biggey! Fix the head. it would flush (empty) smelly stuff, but would not refill. The risk is that some flotsam would lay in the tube between the holding tank and the head pump, not good and likely to lead to smelly hoses. Deke had a couple of head repair kits on board, but had also said that the cost of a new head was not much more than the repair kits so it might be easier to get a new head than try to repair the old one.
With the kits onboard, I thought I would try it. Between the two kits onboard, I was able to get the head fully functional. The pump valves in the two kits differed. One had exposed metal disks on both valves, the other had one valve rubberized. Turns out the rubberized one was the correct one. Now the head is flushing easily. Did a lot of cleanup after that one.
On our delivery trip from Stuart, one annoyance was that the head door kept opening and banging around. I figured it was just the spring in the door latch was old. It was, and a clean up of the inside of the latch and slight extension of the spring and now the door closes and stays closed. While at it, I copied the process on the aft berth door.
The bilge needed cleaning, and I used a few of KT's unused too small to use diapers to soak up the small amount of oil that was in the bilge.
Then it was time to get the Clorox wipes out and start wiping down all of the nooks and crannies. And I took down the linen curtains that were probably original, bringing them home to see if they can be salvaged. If not, we'll either leave them down as most of the cabin ports have blue covers or we'll make new ones using the original securing tabs.
A quick removal of all the garbage generated during the work today, inspect the cockpit lockers and the boat dock lines, time to head home. Spent 6 hours on the boat today, but getting a better grasp of everything on the boat and what need to be done before we head out on our first cruise.
Need to order some stuff tomorrow.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Our first Day Sail
We took her out for a day sail yesterday. It was our first trip out of Port Everglades (I have traversed the port a few times on other boats, including a big aircraft carrier :)We first had to swing the boat around at the dock. She was facing west and we didn't like the idea of trying to back all the way down the canal which has boats on both sides and a tree that need trimming!
It took about an hour to get from the slip to outside the port, there are 6 bridges to negotiate, but one is tall enough that we can sail under it during all by very high tides.
The rest open on request and are really very good at opening within a couple of minutes of a request.
The rest open on request and are really very good at opening within a couple of minutes of a request.
Once outside, we hoisted the sails and headed NNE on a beam reach to get used to handling the sails.
Peggy at the helm did really well. Then we tacked to SSE and headed for the 3 mile limit. I must remember not to go swimming near the 3 mile limit
Peggy at the helm did really well. Then we tacked to SSE and headed for the 3 mile limit. I must remember not to go swimming near the 3 mile limit
The macerator worked great.
Then we eased off and headed back to the port entrance, we turned up just outside the first marker and lowered the sails. I wrapped up the mainsail while Peggy turned us back towards Port Everglades. Traffic was not too busy, but it gets choppy just near the mouth of the Port.
Once inside we turned north to head under the 17st Causeway Bridge (56' clearance at that time) then we left Party city to Stbd and took the turn west into the New River.
Now on our 3rd traverse off the river, we're getting a little more relaxed, hopefully we will learn to chill with more experience. The 7th avenue bridge responded to our call to open with a 'Sorry guys, got a mechanic working on the bridge right now, it'll be a few minutes' So we did a few dosie does for about 10 minutes, the current was quite strong inbound. Once they fixed the bridge, we had to remain on station while a mega yacht was towed out. The bridge tender kept it open for us, so on our last turn we headed up and through without incident.
The bridge tenders seem to do a really good job of minimizing the delay while the bridge is opened.
We approached the dock at very slow speed and I was able to hook the line we left trailing between the dock posts and pull us close to the dock so that I could step off. The wind was from the east and I used it to help swing the boat around with the bow now pointing east for our next trip.
The slip landlord was gracious to help tie the boat up and our first day sail was over. A great day.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Launch Day
We're heading up to Stuart to launch the boat and bring her down to Fort Lauderdale.
Our F150 was loaded! we took the Dink & Outboard, Cooler for Food and Drinks, bedding, linens, Navigation materials, charts, Electronics (Tablet, VHF hand held, Hand held GPS, SPOT) and the list goes on. There was barely any room in the truck bed or the rear passenger compartment. I think there's a kitchen sink in there somewhere.
Upon arrival at Port Salerno Marine, we stopped to look at the boat, it's the first time Peggy has seen it out of the water, it's Sooooo much bigger than JD our Catalina 250 (up for sale) and the yard has done a great job on the hull. Time to check into the hotel for the night and get some dinner. So far today I have worked until midday, then we loaded the truck, drove Peggy's car and the truck to the Dock home in Fort Lauderdale, and finally headed up to Stuart - we're beat!
Bright and early Friday, we headed to the Grill for breakfast (and to recover my Cap that I left behind on Tuesday) then down to the boat to see how the final progress was going.
We had to haul all of our gear up from the truck up to the boat deck. The crew helped, but it was a hot day. They were finishing off the new Cutlass Bearing, polishing and Zinc Painting the Prop, shifting the boat stands so that they could finish the bottom paint. The hull was looking Good!
As noon approached, I asked Jack, the owner of Port Salerno Marine, what time he expected to be able to launch, and his response was 'Probably after lunch when it's high tide' So Peggy & I headed off for lunch and a quick trip to West Marine for a few last minute things. VHF remote mic, 2015 Waterway Guide, and a gallon of Engine Oil (little did I know that Deke had left half a gallon bottle of fresh oil in a cabin locker.)
By the time we got back to the yard, the boat was in slings and they were waiting for High Tide.
Our F150 was loaded! we took the Dink & Outboard, Cooler for Food and Drinks, bedding, linens, Navigation materials, charts, Electronics (Tablet, VHF hand held, Hand held GPS, SPOT) and the list goes on. There was barely any room in the truck bed or the rear passenger compartment. I think there's a kitchen sink in there somewhere.
Upon arrival at Port Salerno Marine, we stopped to look at the boat, it's the first time Peggy has seen it out of the water, it's Sooooo much bigger than JD our Catalina 250 (up for sale) and the yard has done a great job on the hull. Time to check into the hotel for the night and get some dinner. So far today I have worked until midday, then we loaded the truck, drove Peggy's car and the truck to the Dock home in Fort Lauderdale, and finally headed up to Stuart - we're beat!
Bright and early Friday, we headed to the Grill for breakfast (and to recover my Cap that I left behind on Tuesday) then down to the boat to see how the final progress was going.
We had to haul all of our gear up from the truck up to the boat deck. The crew helped, but it was a hot day. They were finishing off the new Cutlass Bearing, polishing and Zinc Painting the Prop, shifting the boat stands so that they could finish the bottom paint. The hull was looking Good!
As noon approached, I asked Jack, the owner of Port Salerno Marine, what time he expected to be able to launch, and his response was 'Probably after lunch when it's high tide' So Peggy & I headed off for lunch and a quick trip to West Marine for a few last minute things. VHF remote mic, 2015 Waterway Guide, and a gallon of Engine Oil (little did I know that Deke had left half a gallon bottle of fresh oil in a cabin locker.)
By the time we got back to the yard, the boat was in slings and they were waiting for High Tide.
After the yard crew lowered the boat into the water, I went aboard and checked for leaks! We had put in a new shut off valve on the Sink drain line and a plug in the none working fish finder thru hull transducer. Just wanted to make sure we were ok.
Now it's time to head home down the ditch. About 90 miles. Here goes!
See you in Fort Lauderdale.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
The Survey
Have to get the boat surveyed
Read any book about buying a boat and they all advise to get a survey, and if the boat is being financed, like Eximius, the Finance company will want a survey. We could pull the money out of our savings, but the tax would be heavy, so I reached out to Essex Credit and found out the ground rules.
My offer to purchase the boat is dependent upon a satisfactory survey, including above water, below water and Sea Trial. The boat is in a slip in Stuart, Manatee Pocket, and there are two marinas nearby: Hinckley and Port Salerno. The name Hinckley is well known, they make some impressive boats up north, and local knowledge reported that the marina was extremely controlling when it comes to who can do work on boats on their hard. But they could haul the boat at all tides. Port Salerno allows DIY work but have limited haul that is restricted to close to high tide for a deep keel boat.
After talking with Jack from Port Salerno marina, nice down to earth guy, I decided to get the boat hauled there. He was able to recommend several Surveyors and Service guys to get the work done. A gut reaction selected Brian Galley as my first surveyor to call. He's a Brit! duh! Brian discussed the process and expected a call back when decisions were made. I spoke to Fred, one of the service guys that manages a team that works at Port Salerno, and he was flexible and able to get the work done in my time frame.
Discussing the plan with Deke, we agreed on May 19th as the haul day. Deke would work on being down here for the survey, but has a buddy that could move the boat to the marina for haul out if Deke was unable to make it. I cleared it at work that I would go up on Monday night, Peggy baby sits our grand-daughter on Mondays and Tuesdays, so I would be on the survey alone. Everything was agreed upon with Jack from the Marina, Brian, surveyor, and Fred for the boat service, and Deke for coming down from New Hampshire. Ducks were lining up nicely.
On survey day, Peggy stayed at home with Katie, I drove up on the Monday and picked up Deke at the Palm Beach International Airport just before 11am.
We spent the afternoon going over the boat, me learning the systems that Deke covered, Deke recalled many of the adventures they had on the boat. By the end of the day I felt more confident on being able to handle any engine issues, how to do the routine servicing and we went over the engine start sequence several times. That Monday was a short day, but we covered a lot.
Tuesday morning, we had breakfast at a local breakfast grill (left my hat behind!) and then went to the boat to start putting the sails up as Deke had planned to store them while he was away for the summer. Brian Galley, the Surveyor, turned up on time and quickly got into the work of checking our the boat for me (and the insurance company and the finance company). Around 10ish, we cast off for the sea trial. Brian wanted the engine to be run at full speed for two minutes, Deke explained that he never ran the engine at full speed, ever! But that is what Brian wanted, so we turned into a straight stretch and pushed the throttle wide open. 8.66 knots! Wow! and the engine passed with colors.
Then we motored over to Port Salerno Marine and their team turned the boat and guided it into the haul out dock. I'll add some pics later.
The afternoon was a whirlwind, but the survey passed very well and I was able to setup the team at the marina to do a few things on the boat. That included getting the hull power washed below the water line and new bottom paint, putting a new zinc on the prop shaft, replacing the prop shaft cutlass bearing and cleaning the hull above the waterline and putting 3 coats of acrylic polish on the hull after scraping the name off the transom.
During the afternoon, Deke and I removed the depth gauge transducer which was not working. Upon removal it was obvious why. Water had gotten inside the transducer and it had swollen in the only direction it could - outward. We found a dummy transducer bung in a local marine swap market. $4.00 fit like a glove.
We spent the night at Deke's house after having dinner at the Manatee island restaurant.
Wednesday morning I drove Deke back to the airport and headed to work via a quick stop for breakfast at home.
The survey results arrived just after lunch and I quickly sent them to the insurance company and the finance company with pictures of the current registration.
We have a boat!
On survey day, Peggy stayed at home with Katie, I drove up on the Monday and picked up Deke at the Palm Beach International Airport just before 11am.
We spent the afternoon going over the boat, me learning the systems that Deke covered, Deke recalled many of the adventures they had on the boat. By the end of the day I felt more confident on being able to handle any engine issues, how to do the routine servicing and we went over the engine start sequence several times. That Monday was a short day, but we covered a lot.
Tuesday morning, we had breakfast at a local breakfast grill (left my hat behind!) and then went to the boat to start putting the sails up as Deke had planned to store them while he was away for the summer. Brian Galley, the Surveyor, turned up on time and quickly got into the work of checking our the boat for me (and the insurance company and the finance company). Around 10ish, we cast off for the sea trial. Brian wanted the engine to be run at full speed for two minutes, Deke explained that he never ran the engine at full speed, ever! But that is what Brian wanted, so we turned into a straight stretch and pushed the throttle wide open. 8.66 knots! Wow! and the engine passed with colors.
Then we motored over to Port Salerno Marine and their team turned the boat and guided it into the haul out dock. I'll add some pics later.
The afternoon was a whirlwind, but the survey passed very well and I was able to setup the team at the marina to do a few things on the boat. That included getting the hull power washed below the water line and new bottom paint, putting a new zinc on the prop shaft, replacing the prop shaft cutlass bearing and cleaning the hull above the waterline and putting 3 coats of acrylic polish on the hull after scraping the name off the transom.
During the afternoon, Deke and I removed the depth gauge transducer which was not working. Upon removal it was obvious why. Water had gotten inside the transducer and it had swollen in the only direction it could - outward. We found a dummy transducer bung in a local marine swap market. $4.00 fit like a glove.
We spent the night at Deke's house after having dinner at the Manatee island restaurant.
Wednesday morning I drove Deke back to the airport and headed to work via a quick stop for breakfast at home.
The survey results arrived just after lunch and I quickly sent them to the insurance company and the finance company with pictures of the current registration.
We have a boat!
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