Day 86: Thursday, November 29, 2012
Port to Port: Steinhatchee, Florida
Underway: 0:00 am Motor Off: 0:00 pm Miles Traveled: 00 Stayed At: Marina
Mile to Mile: Today was prep day for another passage on the Gulf of Mexico. We stowed the treasures (food) we brought from home and miscellaneous essentials we bought on the way back to the boat. We plotted our route to Cedar Key, triple checked the weather and set the alarm for an early start. We even had time to work on some boat projects. We have had an annoying problem with water in the bilge – just a gallon or two a day but we need to sponge it out every day since our bilge is tiny. We think the water is squirting in up the centerboard trunk through a small opening by a pulley used for lifting and lowering the centerboard. Normally this has not been a problem but we are 2-3 inches lower in the water and traveling in rougher water that at home. Solving this problem would make life a lot simpler but it is in a difficult to see location. So it’s Cliff to the rescue (again). Before leaving after dropping us off he loaned me his fiber optic scope (which he just happened to have with in his truck). (This is a very handy tool on a boat). I was able to see what the pulley opening looked like and noticed a rubber gasket/flap was pushed up and away from the opening. I was able to reposition it and added another rubber gasket which will hopefully keep water from splashing up through this opening. Thanks Cliff and Caroline.
After spending most of the day cleaning, organizing and prepping the boat, we took time out for one final trip to the hardware store and, on the way home, couldn’t avoid stopping for a second time at the little BBQ place – ScullyZ. We are now ready to take on the Gulf. At least this time we will be within sight of land and cruising mostly in daylight.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is borderline – 10-15 knots with a moderate chop moderating in the afternoon so we may have to wait another day. We’ll check again at 4:30 am for a final go/no-go decision.