What a Labor Day!

Well… A LOT has happened in the last month! I know the blog is way overdue! So it’s time to catch you all up on how we have (1) gotten our boat back (2) sold our house, pinch me! It has been chaotic to say the least, but as I write this blog I am sitting in my favorite office space – the first mate’s chair in our helm. I’m looking out over the marina at the sailboats sprinkled around the slips, sailboats definitely dominate the population. There are also a lot of trawlers and yachts and a smaller percentage of professional fishing vessels. It’s an absolutely lovely Labor Day at the marina.

Our 9-week engine repair revealed a blown port engine rear main seal. Since we are a power catamaran, we have 2 Yanmar 240 inboards, so we get 2 large engines to maintain 🥲😬. Given that the supply chain is compromised (thank you COVID), it took a while to get the replacement seal. Somehow once the engine was rebuilt, it was discovered that there was no O ring which resulted in a continued oil leak during the test run. Well wouldn’t you know that instead of immediately working on this, the only Yanmar certified mechanic took his scheduled 2-week vacation.

So after 2, yes 2, engine tear downs and reassemblies, we got our ‘new home’ back just in time for us to close on our house and move on, literally 2 days apart. The cost of all repairs was at $12,000! 😵 I’m sharing our expenses with all of you as I want to be a resource and share the good and the unpleasant for all who may wish to travel this path. If you have never heard what BOAT stands for, it’s ‘Bust Out Another Thousand’ UGH.

I’m probably going to piss off a lot of women here, but I feel like every wife should have to move onto a boat. It’s very cathartic and gives one a sense of what is really important to you. My clothing and jewelry spending have come to a quick halt, I have plenty, too much really. It’s very simple now living small.

Both Mark & I have scaled back on our clothing, shoes, paperwork, trinkets, etc. Boat life for us is all about living very basic and organized. We are now driven by sunsets, sharing meals with new friends, and of course docktails! We have enjoyed moving in, cleaning and organizing where we will keep our belongings.

In February, we will attend the annual Endeavor Power Catamaran Rendezvous in Pelican Bay, near Cayo Costa State Park, FL. Last year we attended on our jet ski…honest truth. We had purchased our boat, but were awaiting the survey. This year, I am excited to discuss live-aboard life with the other couples. It’s a great community and a vital source of information and sharing ideas.

Our vessel is 17 years old and don’t you know that now we need to have some major electrical done to ensure that all is running smoothly. Our ultimate goal is to spend several months in Key West and eventually the Bahamas. That being said, we are certain that having updated electrical is the safest path.

Currently, we trip breakers. The inverter thingy wont allow our 12v systems to operate on 110 so the battery bank is getting over charged and then the frid/freezer shuts off. We are unable to run air conditioners and do laundry at the same time. As a wife, I will gladly pay to upgrade to ensure that we can have both at the same time! We have hired a fantastic marine electrician to complete all of this work. Could Mark do it? Yes, but does he want to, HELL NO! I will post all my RESOURCES in the future of our wonderful service providers!

We are also getting new upholstery in the helm and bow seating. We will also have custom made lounge pads with adjustable headrests and cup holders added to our front deck. Future blog with before and after pics coming in the fall. Work is scheduled to start in early October. I will also post the company on our resource page.

It’s times like this that we seek times that are filled with good food, drink and companionship. With the arrival of my brother Alan from Oklahoma, we are excited to show off our new home. Alan also has a very large vintage yacht, featured in my first blog. We hope you had an amazing Labor Day!