Dodger almost done

Dink Trailer

Tired of stuffing the dink into the Suburban to take down to Genesis, 

also tired of carrying the motor, Sooooo got a little trailer for G2 (Genesis 2)

100 mph cat go-faster at Longboat yesterday

WOW a little faster than Genesis

Day Sail Wth Grandson



Party Night



Halloween Dock Party

Met an interesting new live a board at the party.  A former Mr. Nude Florida 2000.

NOT Sold

The deal fell apart on Genesis.  Oh well she is a well found sailboat with all the things we want in a boat.  AC, solar panel, TV.  Need to add a stereo.

Genesis Sea Trial on Friday

Looking at another power boat after we sell the Sailboat.



Last Weekend

Last year

Genesis under contract

Sea Trial & Survey next Friday.  Already looking at Trawlers on Yacht World.

What a Crappy Day

Rain in the AM but windy, hot, & overcast now.  Guess it would be worse in NY or Mass.

The week that was

All in All it has been a pretty crappy week. Sick on Monday, recovering on Tuesday, remove tooth by surgery on Wednesday , Recovering on Oxycodone Thursday, And Today well lets just say it has been a challange to stay composed. I wonder what tomorrow will bring on my 62nd birthday?

Latest Tweet

Who woulda thought it? Hurricane Irene heading into New York as we bask in the sunshine?

Re: Hot time in the city

Friday afternoon, 92F in Tampa Bay with NW winds from Irene. Got Grandson Ethan working on bamboo plantings with Nana aka Gina.

Retooled Blog

Decided to combine my blog with all the events in my life not just the boating related ones.  To that end I have removed my Tortugajim Facebook Account as well.

08/21/2011

Been awhile since I made a blog but have been keeping updates on Twitter.  Anyway have had 3 showings on Genesis but have decided if it doesn’t sell not to renew listing.  We will add a camper canvas to cockpit and a diesel generator.  Then Gina will take a live aboard sail course and she promised to let me head south after Hurricane season.

 

My birthday sail next weekend will be on hold due to Tropical  Storm soon to be Hurricane Irene but plans on for Labor day at Longboat.

Longboat Next Weekend?

No sooner planned that Tropical Storm Emily formed.  Wait & See

July At The Sandbar

Sandbar Saturday 7/30/2011

Engine trouble was a simple thing

Turns out the problem was just the electric fuel pump.  Replaced and run out in Tampa Bay for hours w/o problems.

Back Home

Ok the wind shifted to the west and that is the hottest direction.  Two nights was all we wanted and since the Gulf was chopped up with 15-20kt winds we took the ICW inside back north.  10 bridges we had to open between Charlott Harbor and Sarasota Bay with two more between Longboat Pass and Tampa Bay.  Damn that is a lot of bridges and not all open on request,  Some are on 15 minutes, some on twenty minute intervals.  Then there is the tidal surge often over 2kts near Venice Pass.

Tried to stay the night in Venice at the Crows Nest Marina/restaurant but between the tidal surge and the 20 kt wind off the stern just could not bring Genesis into the slip.  Three tries then movin on.

Arrived at longboat around 5:30PM and the diesel began acting up DAMN.  Then the forward hatch hinge broke.  At least we could run our A/C and have a fine meal.

Left in the AM and more engine problems but made it into Tampa Bay where we sailed to home.  Yes actually sailed across Tampa Bay.

Call the mechanic tomorrow, empty her and bring the dingy home. 

Pelican Bay

In Cayo Costa State Park.  About a 1/2 dozen overinght boats anchored with a dozen or so day boaters.  Staying till Tuesday AM then off to Venice.  Seabreeze kicking in now from west.  Lunch then a dink to beach.

Burnt Store Goodbye

Leaving tomorrow to resume our vacation.  Wait we are retired, it is always vacation.  Anyway we enjoyed our stay and will recommend BSM to anyone.  The staff was friendly and helpful, the resturant/bar had good drinks and food combined with great entertainment.

We will be back!!!

Still at Burnt Store

Added 3 more days to our stay.  The fine folks at Burnt Store gave us a weekly rate that saved us $70.00.  Have just about given up on keys this month the Damn invest 94L just won't move.  Karaoke at bar tonight and happy hour is just $2.75 per drink.  More rain projected for the remainder of week so guess we will just hunker down in the hot-tub.

One big problem for cruising sailors is the location of the marina here.  We are 10 miles from the supermarket and 18 miles from a West Marine.  No courtesy car and cabs would have to come from Punta Gorda.

Last Night Sunset

Technology on Genesis

Genesis at Burnt Store Marina

Greetings from Burnt Store

Pelican Bay

Burnt Store Marina/Condo Resort

Time to catch up.  After leaving Longboat yesterday early for the 50 miles to Boca Grande Pass.  Spent the night in Pelican Bay then decided we needed a night ashore so here we are in one of our favorite places.  Hot showers, clean bathrooms, BAR & Deli.  Who could ask for more.  Sleepin in AC tonight.

Watch "Saturday AM at Longboat" on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K6t-do6dmY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Vacation

Left St. Pete 0947 arrived at Moores Longboat Anchorage 1430 hrs.  Sun shade up radio on. Chillin with the Don.

Watch "Underway under sail" on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQEhqS7v1I0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Leaving Thursday

Wouldn't you know it but there is something spinning up south of Cuba. Gonna go anyway but will keep a sharp weather eye. Storms this early in the season are unusual but the water is very warm which also contributes to the tonados in the midwest. Don't tell me Global Warming is a myth.

Sandbar Saturday

Sandbar Saturday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNl3H6UkOo8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Bring G2 home from Genesis

Calm evening at anchorage

Abraxas at Anchor

Departing the anchorage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnD8rMSw1F4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Longboat Anchorage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCaahHJ13g4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Longboat Weekend

At The Bar At Moores

Longboat Key Fl.

Dawn At Anchorage

Longboat Weekend

Leaving St. Pete

First Bloody Mary After Skyway

Back To Longboat

Heading back to Longboat entirely under power.  Need to use engine and have the mechanic check everything out and realign if necessary.  Got Bottom Guy to clean our hull before June 2 when we plan on leaving for about a month.

Engine work done

Went out today on genesis but under power alone.  The wind was fair but the object was to run the new transmission and then have the mechanic return to adjust anything after a powered event.

The new RIB

Painting on the new FL Numbers

Aluminum RIB is much lighter

75 Pounds



Pictures from Weekend

 

Another Voyage Cut Short

Spent the night on Genesis Friday and went to sleep with the sound of a Reggae band from a nearby city park.  Started out windy 10-15kts on way to Longboat key but quicklydied at mid morning.  Motored rest of way arriving just in time for happy Hour at Moore"s Seafood house. 

Winds up all night gusting to 20kts but this AM got call from mechanic.  Terry wants to start replacing our leaky transmission Monday AM so mororsailed back to home in St. Pete.  Someday we will actually get to sail our sailboat.

Be sure to look over our spot track of this voyage.  Go to 2011 trips and click on hot link.

Dink Sold

First time using Craigs list sold in 1 day.

Sandbar Saturday

Went out in the Whaler 13 yesterday to the Riviera Bay Sandbar.  The water was still a little nippy for us old Floridians 80 degrees.  Some clouds and SW winds but all in all a good day.  Came home to the Hot Tub and some adult beverages.

Back Home

We left Longboat on Monday. Decided that why spend any more money when we just had to wait on a new transmission anyway.


Went back Tuesday to clean up and bring inflatable home. Flushed outboard, cleaned and put away.

On Friday picked up new glasses, put on Reece hitch and prepped Whaler 13 for a Saturday at the Rivera Bay Sandbar. Front coming through tomorrow but should be no to a little rain with this cool front.

Planning on a weekend at Beer Can Island at the mouth of the Tampa Ship Channel.

A few pics fromLongboat



Longboat Key Anchorage

Uneventful crossing from home but as usual motoring the whole way.  Beautiful AM after good night at Moore's Resturant with our favorite bartender Barbara.

Going Anyway

Subscribing to the "Captain Ron" school of sailing "If something is going to happen it is going to happen out there", we are heading out tomorrow AM.

Trip Off

Damn,  found a leaking transmission and a new transmission is back ordered till May.  Better safe than sorry I guess but not going out of free towing range.  Longboat Key still a go.

Guns Are Going With Us

OK so no pirates in the Keys but we are still bringing our protection.  1 sawed off shotgun and one 38 special.

Still going

Uh Oh, found low transmission fluid during engine check today however it turned into much to do over nothing. 4oz down in a pint (16oz).  The check point for the transmission is hard to get too. Under the back cabin behing the diesel. Will have to check more often.

Wednesday April 6th 2011

The plan is to depart next wednesday after the front goes through.  Should be calm seas and a brisk NW wind to speed us southward.

First Friday

Cervishi is a basement downtown watering hole/resturant in St. Petersburg. All the rain yesterday caused the basement to flood so no band last night we had to go to JoJo,s Pizza & Bar which had a high energy DJ for First Friday.

First Friday in St. Petersburg

Video Link

I added a direct link to the YouTube video channel I set up for direct cell phone downloads.

Leaving

Sometime during the 1st week of April so between 12 to 17 days to go

Dinghy Motor Fixed

The 3 1/2 Hp 4 stroke Mercury is fixed.

Battery's Done

ReDo the pile of wires in the battery case

 and install the new batteries.

Last stuff

Picking up dinghy motor tomorrow and a "Spot II" GPS communicator.  A little gps tracker that will send out position reports and pre programmed short messages to email

Keys Departure

20 days 2go

No Poopy

At least the holding tank was cleaned out first.  No wallowing in poopy for Jimmy.

Marine toilet

Well that was a complete waste of time.  Four hours running new sanatary hoses from head to holding with the proper loop and still not working right.  Damn this Jabsco marine toilet.

Holy Crap

Just had a new Jabsco marine head installed on Genesis and just like the one we replaced the bowl will not fill up with raw water.  A quick phone call to Jabsco customer service and we found the original installation was not right.  Damn  $279.00 to replace a perfectly good head.

What is needed was a vented loop at least 12 inches above the holding tank. Sooooo I have to install the tubing and vented look ($32.00).

At least the new macerator and key lock work fine and will get us past the coast guard inspections in the Keys.

Spent the Weekend

We had so much fun Friday that we decided to spend Saturday on Genesis as well.  Our AC/Heat worked well as did our new antenna and flat screen TV.  The rigging was tweaked and the head and masarator will be replaced next Friday.

We will be getting 2 new gp 31 batteries to have all 4 105 AH batteries availible.  The anchor locker is to be modified to support both our Bruce 31lb anchor and our danforth at the same time.  A fishing license and off to the Keys and Tortugas for at least 6 weeks.

Friday at the Marina

With all the work on Genesis we are spending all day Friday and Friday night to check out our new AC/heat.  Set up our digital TV antenna and flat screen TV.

Maybe just maybe go out for the day and sail our sailboat.  WOW what a concept.

Almost Ready

New roller furling, new solar panel and new A/C.  Almost ready for extended cruising.  New head and masarator then hello Florida keys & Dry Tortugas

Air Conditioning & Heat

Yahoo the A/C was finished today on budget and on time.  The digital controller works fine and all the workings were explained to me by the installer Steve.  Kudos to AAA Marine in St. Petersburg for a professional installation and attitude.

The folks at Salt Creek Marine were also due a kudo for the professional haul out and they left us in the sling so AAA could put in the thru hull saving us money by not having to be blocked up and unblocked.

Haul out for AC through hull

Holidays Over

Ok so it is not good sailing weather.  Water too cold for this old Florida boy.  New Harkin roller furling installed.  We checked it out today and made some mods ( added extension to get jib over bow rail) Still waiting on quote for marine AC and new 135Watt solar panel with controller being installed on Tuesday along with a LED anchor light.

Getting ready for April to the Keys & Dry Tortugas.  Planning on one month to 6 weeks.  Gina has been busy finding freeze dried foods.  Found bacon and powered eggs, hash browns, noodles and the usual ham & tuna, pasta chili all in a can.  The only things needing the refer will be ice and drink mixers.