Hurricane Mathew

We only have to worry about the boat and house

Mathew devastating Haiti

So far, like most Florida residents, Mathew is just an inconvenience, but our neighbors in the Bahamas, Cuba, especially Haiti it's far worse. 

I'm only posting this as a record, the last one that hit us was Wilma, Fence and Pool Screen damage here, our Neighbor's home lost it's Roof. Mathew should be a glancing blow here. 

I spent 5 hours on the boat yesterday removing her sails, canvas, dinghy, adding extra lines and fenders. She has 8 extra long lines that should allow her to survive a 4' tidal surge although the forecast is for just 1' in Broward County inland (she's about 1/4 mile from I-95). Then a couple of hours putting up the shutters at home (thanks go to my neighbor John for helping out). This morning we'll be loading the garage with the patio - tables, chairs, -BQ, etc.

At least we have a Garage! That's a whole lot more than most Haitians!

Sails Bagged

Nude!

Fenders and Midships Spring Line

4 lines on stern

Cabin is sealed

Lines are secure

With the boat sealed up, I'm sure she'll stay dry, and the longer dock lines and fenders should prevent damage from the dock. Good news is that the new Solar Vents are working great!

Guess what I'm planning on doing on Saturday! - Yep! putting her all back together!

See you on the Water!

Paul

Update on Local Boater Registration

More paperwork.

When we took our previous boat 'Joint Decision' over to Bimini about 8 years ago, we enrolled with the Local Boater Option program so that it was easier for us to report back into the USA with the Customs and Border Protection agency. That was pre 9/11, but even then we had to go down to Miami and visit the local agency office with our Passports, Identification documentation for an interview. Wanting to make sure we are OK for our trip to the Bahamas next year, I followed up with the US CBP agency and found that things have changed just a bit.

We already have our LBO (Local Boater Option) registration number, but we need to register our boat too.

So far we have renewed our Vessel Documentation (1 year) and obtained a FCC registration ID so that we can login to the FCC website in order to get a new MMSI for use in our VHF Radio. Now we're working on updating our LBO documentation. We need to get a DTOP account (done) and then get a Private Boat Decal. We applied for that online and their site suggests that it will take about 6 weeks for it to be delivered (assuming it's issued!)

This whole process is really not so bad, and I'm happy that they (the US CBP agency) takes all of these steps to ensure that we're doing it right and that we're qualified to have everything.

The big plus, in my mind, is that once we have the boat registered with the US CBP, then we can file float plans with them too. And Float plans are a big safety issue in our book.

So, just to recap - So far:

• Register the boat with Florida State (Tax) 
• Document the Vessel 
• Get FCC private vessel Radio License
• Get MMSI for the Radio
• Update our LBO documentation 
• Get DTOP account number
• Get DTOP purchasing account number
• Apply for Private Vessel Decal
• Register vessel with LBO

I think that's it! So far we've paid $220 for the MMSI, $27 for the Decal (Annual), renew State Registration (Annual), renew US Vessel Documentation (Annual) 

And of course, when we head over to the Bahamas, we'll have to pay the tax of $150 (current rate) because our boat is not over 34' long. That's $150 a year if we return to the Islands within 6 months of departure. That would be nice!

I'll update this when the Decal arrives.

See you on the Water.

Paul

Private Vessel Decal

October 29th 2016.

Well, that was easy! An email notified us that the Decal was going to ship, and a few days later it came in the mail courtesy of the USPS. Next it's time to register Eximius with the LBO service. 

So far, the whole process is just a lot of comparatively small steps, each takes a little while and a little patience, but not so bad really. We're actually getting to the point where we are starting to figure out or first International Cruise - we might see if we can do a mini cruise locally, perhaps to the Keys first. As long as we can get in some sailing time it will be good.

See you on the Water.

Paul 

Time to vent

No, not a political statement!

Most of the projects that we have completed on Eximius over the past year have been driven either by a Safety issue or a Reliability issue (Ok, so installing the AC was a Comfort issue) but this project was driven by necessity - but it's also a comfort issue.

Boat on the water, especially here in South Florida, tend to suffer from Mold and Mildew if the air in the cabin is not circulated - vented. Eximius has a pair of cowl vents on the cabin top that refresh the cabin air when there is wind or if the boat is moving, but when tied up to the dock on a windless day, humidity can climb and mold-n-mildew are just waiting to start growing.

We wipe down the interior of the boat on almost every visit, chlorox wipes do a great job of inhibiting M-M's but if we're away from the boat for several days, quite normal, then that just won't be enough.

Not sure if the Solar Powered Fans in the head and aft berth are original, they seem like it! Not that it matters, they were both broken, old, inefficient even if they did work. So time to replace them. 

After research we decided to use the Marinco Nicro Solar Vents but information on the web was confusing. It seemed like every site, including the Marinco site, gave varying specs on the fan housings and I was not sure if they would fit in the existing 4.25" holes in the head and aft berth cabin top. So I took one of broken fan units down to West Marine and compared it to the new unit still in the box. It was a tight fit, but looked as though it would work even if I had to remove the original insert from the cabin top. 

Decision made, and we left the store with a shiny new pair of Solar Powered Vent Fans.

We stopped by the boat and within 15 minutes they were installed - I did have to remove the old insert, and that took most of the 15 minutes! Now they are securely installed and their batteries are charging. We'll go down to the boat mid week and turn them on. 

Cool (no pun intended)

See you on the water.

Paul

Getting our MMSI ready for our 1st trip offshore

Getting our Radio ready for 1st Offshore trip

Our VHF Radio has the DSC, built in GPS and so it can pass information about our position and who we are if we ever have to send out a Distress Call. In order to pass that info, we need an MMSI number plumbed into the VHF Radio, so we started the process yesterday in anticipation that it would take a while, but we wanted to be ready long before our 1st Offshore trip which is probably going to be in the first part of 2017.

MMSI's can be obtained from many organizations such as Boat US, but not if there is intent upon International Travel - then the MMSI has to be obtained from the FCC. And that requires an extra step.

So! Step 1: Get an FCC Registration.

If you look through all of the documentation, it looks daunting, but when it comes down to it, we were able to register with the FCC online in just a few minutes.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm and Register.

After completing the online Form and submitting it, we had the first part of the equation: A login, Password and FCC Registration code. Sweet!

Step 2: Get a Radio Station Authorization (includes the MMSI) Again, visit http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm and this time Online Filing Login. Now we could proceed with the information required. 

We needed:

• Owner Information.
• Emergency Contact Information (two)
• Boat Information (including Vessel Documentation Info)

That was about it! It took all of 20 minutes to complete the process and be ready to pay for the application, $220. Once all was confirmed, we paid by credit card.

Then it was wait! We expected we would have to wait several weeks, so it was a huge surprise when we received an email with our License and MMSI first thing this morning.

Now we just have to make sure that our Local Boater Option (LBO) is still valid from when we last used it back in 2008.

See you on the water!

Paul

Day sail out of the USA on Auto Pilot

Well, nearly!

After all of the work done over the past couple of months, we went on a day sail yesterday beyond the 3 mile limit.

Weather was calm, winds around 10 knots mostly from the East backing to NE by E and it was a great sail. We were on a steady reach doing an average of 5+ knots under beautiful skies. Of course, it's that time of year, so there were storms developing in the South overland so we had a good view of the lightning strikes that were probably 5 to 10 miles away, looked like they were hitting Hollywood.

So once business was done (had to do a pumpout) we turned back to port just as the wind dropped so low that we were doing less than 3 knots. Peggy took the helm and I lowered the sails, bagging the main just in case the wind piped up again. Then, once heading back to Port Everglades, we tried out the Auto Pilot, 1st time since I cut out all of those useless cables that were part of the non-functional instruments that used to be on the Stbd side of the Pedestal. It worked! I used the AP to steer us all the way to the inside of the 1st pair of channel markers, adjusting the compass setting on the AP control panel rather than disengage the AP and steer to the new course. Worked great! 

We headed back to Port Everglades, not much traffic, but we had anticipated that by looking up the Port schedule online in the morning. It was high tide, and the 17th Street bridge showed 55' above the fenders, but I swear that our antenna looked to be within inches of the underside of the center of the bridge as we passed beneath it.

The storms had passed as we headed up the Intracoastal to Sand Bar Park and then turned West into the New River. Plan was to pass under Andrews Avenue Bridge and tie the boat alongside the Briny Pub for lunch. No big deal tying up, had to be a bit careful to avoid scraping the hull against the raw concrete dockside. A couple of the cleats were loose, secure but loose and, if you go there, do not lean on the dockside lights! I didn't fall in, but it was close!

Lunch at the Briny was great. We explained to our server that we had to leave to make the bridges by 4pm, so he quickly took our order and it was delivered hot and quickly too. Really good Mediterranean Tilapia Salad for me and Peggy had the Same with Chicken. 

It was really pleasant sitting there close to the dockside watching the traffic on the water and on the sidewalk all the while listening to the music. It was 3pm, so not many patrons in the pub, we had plenty to chat about, so it was a nice lunch together.

Paid the bill and walked the few yards to the boat. Peggy boarded and started the engine while I prepared to cast off the lines. A stranger sat on a dockside bench close to the boat commented on how nice the boat looked. I'm too aware of the bumps and bruises that our boat has, and where she could do with new paint. But he was right - she is a beautiful boat!

See you on the water.

Paul

Passing By

We were motoring back towards our slip just before noon today, Sunday, after an overnight at Lake Sylvia during the Harvest moon.

So, forgive me as I just take a few minutes to share what it's like motoring backup the New River in Fort Lauderdale, which is probably much like motoring through any river towards the boat's slip, anywhere in the country. I would like to think it is.

Over the past year we have gotten to recognize the voices of the bridge tenders at each of the 4 bridges we have to pass as we motor up the busy New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

We're familiar with the twists and turns on the river, and used to the friendly waves and the camera snapshots as we pass by. We know where the trees overhang the river and need to be avoided. There are the sharp turns where current tends to twist the boat's direction. By Andrews Avenue Bridge there are two pump outflows that have a habit of opening just before pass them, that outflow will push us across the river if we don't have enough momentum (enough way in sailors parlance.)

If you spot us as we head up the river, you'll notice that we'e wearing our lifejackets, one of my boat rules - If we're not tied to something, Anchor, Dock, Another boat, then anyone outside the cabin must wear their lifejacket. You'll also notice that we are probably the only boat you'll see the crew wearing them, but that's ok, we'll set the example.

As we motor along, we'll pass many boats tied up to slips or docks. Some have the telltale thick green crud along their water line, that usually indicates they have been there a while, months if not years. Some of the boats seem abandoned, and some are always spotless. There'll be the occasional crew onboard, and they will normally take the time to wave as we pass.

It always crosses my mind as we see those boats, tide up, as we pass. I envy them sometimes, probably living on their boat, perhaps stopping in Fort Lauderdale for a break as they transit the ICW or even the world. And I wonder how many of them envy us because we're not tied up, we're moving!

When it comes down to it, it's the Moving part of being on a sailboat that I enjoy the most. You might hear the phrase that 'You get there faster in a Power boat' and 'You're already there in sail boat'. I agree totally, we're already there when we're on our Sailboat. And when we're moving, either outbound to the Ocean or inbound back to our slip, it doesn't matter, we're there.

See you on the water. - Moving!

Engine Crankcase Breather Mod

During the engine work this summer, we spent a good while cleaning the surfaces of the Engine, particularly those visible from above as those were the ones that were coated in engine grime probably spewed out of the Engine Crankcase Breather Hose.

This pic of the Engine prior to the work shows where the Breather Hose is just located near to the Air Filter and some of the grot on the surfaces of the Engine.
It also shows the Water heater by-pass hose that connects the coolant pump to the Thermostat housing. ie. The hot water tank is not connected to the engine cooling system, so no hot water unless we are plugged into shore power.

In this pic, taken after the Engine work, is shown the New Breather Hose connection to the Air Filter and the Hot Water Heater tank connections in place of the by by-pass.

Today's work includes running the Engine to confirm that the Coolant system has been Burped successfully.

And it's time for an Engine's Running Video.

Dockside Engine Test