Update: December 2nd

•  The storage unit is finally empty!!! That was A lot of work! The 10x30ft unit was jammed packed 4-6 feet high! This was a giant hurdle toward being able to leave. It has taken a year to get things sorted and placed on board, disposed of or sold.
•  So grateful to the Lord for His continual strength and encouragement to push through. 
• We are now down to a bit more organizing, continued provisioning, and a possible small repair project or two. Eric also has a side job to complete for some help with our personal support. 

Update: November 14th

• Eric has finished the solar navigation light set-up for the inflatable! We are getting closer to leaving... steadily tying up loose ends. 
• We were able to keep most of the adzes, axes, broad axes, sledgehammers, etc... They were each cleaned, oiled and wrapped separately.

Update: November 13th

 

• Note: Sorry for the lack of photos on this post. We are experiencing problems with uploads and internet connections.
  

•  It was time to make a "real" boat hook. something you can lean on when needed.
  
• Also making a solar powered set of removable running lights for the dingy.
• All this while prepping and going through the last tropical storm! We did well in the storm. Had three anchors out and lots of extra lines to keep us off the dock. 

Haul Out Completed!!

We have also completed our haul out and bottom painting job. 5 gallons of ablative anti-fouling paint and some special coating on the propeller. Also new zinc anodes on the shaft. Six long hard days for a fast turn around. Very glad that's over!

Update: October 11

Note: Sorry for the lack of photos on this post. We are experiencing problems with uploads and internet connections.

• The outboard is now purring like a kitten! Thank you Lord!!
• Hurricane Delta gave us a bit of wind through the night but not too bad and only minor flooding. The head sail will remain in the cockpit for a couple more weeks. Hopefully the season will be over by then.
• Almost all tools are now organized and in their permanent spots. Final onboard storage/placement inventory is underway.
  

 

 

 

 

 

Update: October 7

 

(Provisioning - lots of bread dough for the freezer!)

• One more hurricane to go ('Delta') and EVERYONE!! hopes the season will finally be over! Please pray for Southwest Louisiana and especially the areas that were hit by 'Laura'. They could be facing another hit. 
• For hurricane 'Laura' we anchored in a better sheltered spot for a couple days and then returned to the dock. We cleaned our muddy anchors, chain, line and decks, scrubbed the cockpit canvas and clear vinyl. For hurricane 'Delta' we might remain at the dock and position the boat away from the docks. We are expecting some flooding as before and a bit of wind. The next day will finalize our plan.
  
• The outboard for the inflatable has been a main project the last few weeks. Being in storage for over a year has things gunked up. Hopefully, it will be running shortly.
  
• Two new fire extinguishers were purchased and Eric built a holder for the biggest one and mounted it close to the engine room. The old ones are too old to pass inspection.
  
• We continue to organize and sort through storage as well as slowly provision for departure to start heading South. There is no set date at this time for leaving Louisiana, but it will hopefully be soon. Due to 'Covid', most countries borders are closed but this does not deter us from our call. We are going to travel South to lower Florida and wait on the Lord's timing before heading to the Canal.

Progress Update: September 9th

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  • 300ft of chain has been inspected, marked for length and been re-stowed. The hawsepipe was modified below decks for better feed into the lower locker. It is going to make for much improved stowage.
    
  • We made up some new rope leads for anchoring and hurricane lines. One is for the secondary anchor line and the other is a multi purpose for hurricane ties and stern anchor if needed.
    
  • We did prep for hurricane Laura which thankfully only brushed us with outer bands. We did fine but sadly, Western Louisiana did not. It is devastated and going to take a very long time to recover.  
  • Part of our hurricane prep was pulling the head sail off of the roller furler for stowage. We are going to wait till the season is over before putting it back.
    
  • We did some work on navigation lights. All needed to be in working order before heading out. Eric made several trips up the main mast and once up the mizzen. 
  • Today we are doing maintenance on the outboard motor. This includes some clean-up, changing the oil, oil filter and replacing the impeller.
    

   

   

   

   

   

   

   
  

Progress Update: August 16th

• (Photo) Eric heading down into the anchor chain locker to prep and do some touch up painting. All part of taking care of our anchoring system. 
• Bolts were also changed out on our primary anchor.

Progress Update: August 15th

 

Three hundred feet of primary anchor chain and primary anchor on the dock for inspection, marking and refurbishment. Of course

we picked one of the hottest days this year to wrestle it out of the depths of the chain locker. Chain and swivel looks good and we will be marking it for length run out. Will be installing new Grade 5 galvanized bolts on the Mantus 65 anchor. Will also be adding more nylon line to increase the total length so have some splicing to do. Will also be doing some painting in the chain locker while everything is out.

Progress Update: August 7th

Above deck anchor windlass rebuild completed! Clutch pads and metal plates were contaminated, glazed over and slipping under load, we were able to resurface them and fix the issues.

 

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Rebuilding the aft cabin head. Tight spot! We now have two functioning heads on board and the systems are all working as they should.

Replacing the seals on the freezer and refrigerator compartment hatches. This has made a huge difference in run times and plate icing. We put vinyl vee seals on instead of the foam.

Upcoming projects include pulling all the anchor chain for inspection and marking links for length run out. Also changing the way the secondary anchor rode is currently stowed and marked. Will be converting running lights from halogen bulbs to LED. This includes dealing with some wasps who have moved into our masthead before I can address changing the masthead light.

Progress Update: July 8th

• The last of the tool storage modification is completed. We are making room for our continued 'paring down' process. There are still a lot of tools to go through but we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
• The next project involved adding an improved oil filtration system for the main engine. 

Penny is supervising!

Eric working on oil system fittings. 

Prgress Update: June 15th

 (Eric caulking galley sink)

• The side-decks repainting/non-skid  is complete! Next for painting the border and non-skid on the forward and aft cabin tops and caulking of the inner toe-rail.
• Eric built the next set of bookshelves for the main salon. A few more to build and we should be finished with that particular project.
• We caught up on lots of engine and generator maintenance.
• The wooden tool drawers from Eric's old shipwrights chest have been modified to fit in a space on the boat. This mission vessel is going to offer lots of workshop ability when we are finished.
• Other small projects completed this month were fixing the breather system on the main engine to reduce oil consumption, re-caulking a leaky sink rim and fixing a spot of plumbing in the forward head.
• Next up will be two shelves built into a cabinet for more tool storage.

Progress Update: May 15th

(Eric prepping for non-skid)

• Eric is making great progress on the outer deck non-skid. He is 3/4 finished and will hopefully knock the rest out when we get our next weather break. Then the fore and aft cabin tops need to be done. This particular job cannot wait because of safety and also needs to be completed before the Summer heat and tropical weather.
• The rudder compartment has been hand sanded and scrubbed out and the hydraulic reservoir for the steering system remounted. The old brackets were badly corroded and new ones now have it firmly in place. The helm was tested and wiring reorganized. 
• The locker in front of that was also scrubbed out and Dri-Dek placed over the access hole so it can be used for storage. 
• Mary has begun replacing the screen in our hatch covers. A very tedious job but well worth the effort. We will be extremely grateful for them when we eventually are without shore power.

 

Progress Update: April 17th

(Eric beginning work on under-bunk box project)

• The under-bunk, main salon storage box is completed! This will provide a safe place for clamps, the small drill press and belt sander. There is more room for other tools as well. 
• The water maker is up and running after being pickled for over 6 months. We now have the ability to create 24 gallons of pure water in an hour. This was a very important project and we are very grateful for the relative ease in getting it running again. Eric went through the manual with a fine-tooth comb and carefully implemented each step with success. 
• Eric has begun working on the deck nonskid in sections. Each section will be prepped with sanding and a bit of caulking repair if needed and then re-painted. The first coat of paint receives a thorough coat of non-skid sand and once the paint dries, the excess sand is swept up with the shop-vac. Then it receives two more coats of paint. Good non-skid is a safety issue on a boat and can save from dangerous slips and falls. It is especially needed underway to provide secure footing in rough weather. 

Progress Report: March 28th

(Eric installing 2nd bookshelf)

• Eric just finished a rebuild of the deck box/mast step. He says, "Finished the deck box/mast step rebuild, repaint and nonskid job. Now it's a safe and easy trip to deal with the mainsail halyard and some good storage for dingy gear. It was pretty dark and nasty with mildew and some rot inside and the nonskid that was there was pretty much worthless. I like my feet to stay planted where I put them out on deck!" Job well done Eric!! It looks great!
• The 2nd bookshelf is completed and installed. This one was made especially for navigation/chart books and guides. 
• The 60lb CQR anchor has received a new coat of galvanized paint and is ready for use.