Our first
days on the Kittiwake have not been picture worthy, but they deserve a few
words on our blog. We have both learned
a lot, more every day.
We arrived
late Tuesday night, 9/4. The next 4 days
have consisted of much troubleshooting, many trips to the local ACE Hardware
store and auto parts store, many ‘boat bucks’ to fix problems.
#1 – We were
able to leave the power on the boat, and that allowed our de-humidifier and
refrigerator/freezer to keep running. I
left just enough frozen meat so that I didn’t have to run to the grocery store
immediately upon our return.
Unfortunately, the 12 year old refrigerator failed, and the hamburger
and fish in the freezer and the other things in the refrigerator had gone
really bad and leaked all over the refrigerator and floor. Boat bucks for new refrigerator, $1750, plus
about a 50 mile drive to pick it up.
Local recycle center gave me $7.20 for the old one!
#2 – the
port side engine will not start. Dan
spent the first day upside down in the engine room trying to isolate the
problem. He was almost certain the
problem was a failed cylinoid (sp?), at a cost of $238. Part ordered.
#3 – No hot
water! Took a couple of days working on
more pressing issues, but just needed a wire reconnected. Phew!
Meanwhile, had to heat water on the stove for dishes….
#4 – Dan and
our good friend, Mike Steele, worked for 2 long days and most of a 3rd
one to install the new inverter. The old
one had died. They both thought it would
be good to put the new and larger one in a better spot….but, that meant making
and running new cables – not fun. Mike
also had to rewire the electrical panel.
The inverter isn’t important when we are hooked to shore power, but
becomes very important at other times, such as when we are underway or anchored
out. The inverter takes the power from
the batteries (DC, 12 volt) and converts it so that all the 110 (AC) outlets,
lights, appliances, etc. work.
#5 – With the hot water working,
I decided I could take a shower in our own shower! So I did.
Later, there was LOTS of water in the hallway. I used every towel in the place to soak it
up. Why, you ask? Well, seems if you are taking a shower, you
must turn on the shower sump pump. So,
now I know! As a result of that little
fiasco, Dan checked the bilge, which was a bit wet – and, discovered that our
bilge pump is not working. Glad we
discovered it now, while we are at a marina, and not out on the water somewhere!
New pump is going in tonight or early tomorrow.
With all
those problems, I (Gena) felt pretty useless, except as a tool hander and
runner to ACE. In the meantime, I had
time to organize our clothes and laundry.
I got to make a major grocery run, so that I’m ready to provide dishes
for upcoming pot luck dinners and ‘docktails’.
After 4
frustrating days, we are feeling much more hopeful. We are scheduled to be two days’ cruise north
of here on Tuesday for a social and informational rendezvous of the Marine
Trawlers Owners Association (MTOA). We
had hoped to get in some practice in docking and maneuvering before that time –
we may just pull that off! Fingers
crossed.
One further
note: We had been almost certain that we
were buying the Obsession that was in Port St. Lucie. With delays in getting needed repairs done,
we decided to move on and look for another boat. We are SO VERY FORTUNATE the Kittiwake is the
boat we purchased! For one thing, it is
located here in Virginia, almost certainly out of Irma’s path! For another thing, even with the issues we
have had so far, we know of many others that we were going to have to deal with
on the Florida boat. Life is good.
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