Getting ready for the big trip

[searay40dad]

Ok, I think I'm about ready for the trip to Florida this weekend. As luck would have it, the water heater sprung a leak this weekend so a new one arrives tomorrow. Glad it happened now vs. on the trip as cold showers would not have been fun. Otherwise, I'm about as repaired, maintained, provisioned and spared up as I think I can be. But, since another set of eyes is always a good thing, feel free to offer suggestions on what I might be overlooking. Here's what I've done so far:

Mains & Gen
Oil & filters changed. took oil samples, Cat lab reports all in good shape.
Fuel filters changed. racors and spin-ons.
Air filters cleaned. turbo blades checked.
Batteries load tested
Gen cooling system flushed, heat exchanger cleaned, new orings, zincs, new coolant
New air filter in gen, new coolant hose.
Case of racors, 4 spin-ons, belts, zincs added to the CAT spare stuff. also bought a couple of CCV filters.
Gen Racors, air filters, oil filters, orings, tubing, zincs, impellers, switches/senders/solenoids
Cat antifreeze, transmission oil, Power service diesel fuel additive

Dingy
New battery, oil, coolant, beer can holder, cleaner

Electronics:
New chartplotter installed this weekend Raymarine e97 (thanks Jim/BOE!...what a cool unit btw, uses my Ipad a 2nd display via wifi, can plan/xfer routes on either device, control the sound system via bluetooth, etc)
3D Navionics US & Gulf of Mexico charts (thanks again Jim/BOE)
Added a second VHF (thanks CSR Loneranger) and antenna (ditto Jim/BOE). Enjoyed drilling holes in the hardtop.

Misc stuff:
insurance
Tenn-Tom, Tombigbee, GoM paper charts
Quimby's & other waterway guides
sumps cleaned
ac filters cleaned
lift hydraulic fluid
steering fluid checked, fluid added and repressurized
lines and fenders
spare battery charger, jumper cables
cleaners, tools, electrical parts/connectors, bulbs, hoses, meters, rescue tape, gasket goop, epoxy, cork, gorilla tape, etc..

Besides installing the new water heater Saturday, I'm also installing 2 new fuel senders. One is acting a bit flaky so I decided to go ahead and change both while I'm at it.

Been at this long enough to know something will go haywire. always a game guessing...and second-guessing. all thoughts welcome...

 

[tcason]

Tow Boat US unlimited towing insurance?

 

[Summer Fun II]

The only thing I can add to this is... Have a SAFE trip and do the live webcam thing.. :smt001

 

[searay40dad]

Tow Boat US unlimited towing insurance?

Good one but its already in the bag. My wife was real excited to hear about this one. "you mean we'll be running aground alot?"

 

[my3sons]

How about maybe the dreadded duck bills....make sure you have 'em so you don't need 'em.
curious if you had to make changes to your insurance, My home waters are listed as great lakes and tributaries,
but when I went through long island sound my insurance agency said no need to change anything, your fine for the trip. :huh:

 

[Xplicitlnck]

Best of luck. Wish it was me.

You forgot the food and DRINKS for the over nights ofcoarse.

 

[ZZ13]

How about SAT comms and laptop to post pics for us along the way?

 

[Pietro]

Beside the duckbills, I always carry one vacuum pump and one discharge pump, plus a complete gasket kit, water valve and vacuum switch (head HAS to work!)

Then I would suggest to bring a spare fresh water pump also.

 

[Rxflyer]

Good thing you got the beer can holder for the dinghy. :grin:
All would be for naught without extra TP for the Captain and crew....

Do you carry any of those rescue cones for stopping leaks, or a jar of that goop for same purpose ? If you got 'em, you won't need 'em, right ?

 

[Gofirstclass]

It sounds like you're ready for this trip. Can't wait to get the updates.

Have fun, be safe, and keep us posted.

 

[techmitch]

It may seem a bit overkill and extra weight but i have never left the slip without an EXTRA case of bottled water.

 

[fwebster]

Be sure you bind coverage for coastal inshore waters......it takes a special endorsement for you freshwater inland guys.

Call the dockmaster at the marina you are headed to.........last week they had a big old ugly-a$$ Navigator in the slip they told you about.

Check the local notices to mariners for Mobile to Panama City.......lots of recent storms along the Gulf and some bouys were off station. Run outside as opposed to the ICW once you get to to coast. Its quicker and less to worry about.

Don't go where the birds are walking.....I am serious!- if you see birds on the water be sure they move with the waves, if they don't tey are standing still looking for lunch. Along the same lines, dark green water in the bays doesn't necessarily mean deep water. It is just as likely a grass flat with water 12" or less deep .

Call me if you need local knowledge.............

 

[searay40dad]

Good on duckbills, vacuflush seals, TP, chow, adult beverages and water. 480 and the novurania (which isn't class'd as a tender because of it's 104hp motor btw) are both insured for gulf waters.

I'll give George a call tomorrow Frank. I offered to give him a credit card a few weeks ago but he said I was good to go. Assume that means I'm good to go but will double-check. We are planning to run offshore weather permitting and dodge the crab pots. 12" or less, huh? Great.

Roger that on the notice to mariners.

Water hose! Almost forgot the water hose.

Thanks for the suggestions all...

 

[my3sons]

Sounds like you are good to go. Be safe and have fun.

 

[cod]

May want to consider a spare March ac pump. One pump controls all three ac units. May not be easy to get depending on your location....

 

[docofthebay]

If you need a place to rest or relax on the way, I have an empty slip at my condo and its free for your use. It's about 3 miles to the east of the pass out of Mobile Bay into the gulf. Its in Mobile Bay, not out on the gulf side. Has electricity (one 50 amp/250 volt connection) and water. It's 16 ft wide and the channel into it is 4-5 ft deep at high tide. Tidal variation is 1.5 ft max. Your length would stick out 10-15 feet but not an issue. There is no harbormaster or onsite management so no hassles either. Gulf Shores yacht club and Marina is 1 mile toward the pass and has diesel fuel.

 

[searay40dad]

Near tacky jacks?

 

[docofthebay]

There are three tacky jacks. Original is in Orange Beach, newest opened this year on the ICW across from Lulus in Gulf Shores city limits and the third is at the Gulf Shores yacht Club and Marina there at Fort Morgan and yes that one is one mile from me.