Month Long Cruise PCB - Key West - 340

[Hampton]

Well, it's been a huge fight to get here, but as of right now, the house is ready, the kids are taken care of, the boat is packed, and we're heading off this morning. This is the first time in my life that I've had 32 days off in a row.

Had to beg C-map to send me my chip. Got it yesterday - it works.

The pool pump motor failed the night before last. We were heading across town on a short cut and I happened by an electric motor place on an industrial roadway. I stopped in - they had the motor. Gave me 4 seals. His 3rd guess was the right one. Installed the motor well into the evening yesterday. I'm taking the other 3 back this morning (they were loaners).

Went to dinner last night with a couple of boating buddies - a HUGE front blew through and swept the deck clean of all tables, chairs, and people! We ran for cover. Glass was breaking, raw oysters were flying through the air! It was great!

Got home at 2200 (10). Finished preparing the salt water aquarium for a month without care except for food and water. Bed at midnight.

Up at 0550. Finished aquarium. Packed fishing gear. Woke wife up. Time to go! I'll keep in touch in this thread.

 

[Aarrhh & Aarrhh]

Good luck and keep us posted with plenty of pictures!!!!! Wish we were going with you!!

 

[billnpat]

Good luck.....:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Chris R]

Looking forward to your adventure!

 

[chuck1]

Smooth sailing and calm seas. Looking forward to following your adventure. We want pictures every 4 hours. (And cool videos like Mike did)

 

[Two Peas]

Do you yell "Feet Wet" when you step on the dock?

Have a great trip and safe journeys.

 

[Quint4]

Sounds great, enjoy it......of course we will require lots of pics.

 

[wetpaint]

daily pictures and logs....i think we are all jealous....safe passages

 

[JC3]

Have a Great Trip! Pictures and Logs would be nice. Have a great time, JC

 

[Leedhn]

John, Have a great trip. You have a lot of jealous boaters on here wishing we were going as well.

 

[Hampton]

Day 1 - Lesson 1: Do not leave the fresh water system pressurized (on) while underway - you can't hear the pump running. We blew a line off the hot water heater and drained the water out. It took almost 5 minutes to fix, and 10 minutes to add more water.

We're in Carabelle, Fl. We had a BLAST at the marina pool with Scott and Rachel and 10 wayward kids with squirt guns (and beer).

95 water miles. .80 mpg in mostly smooth waters, but very, very, very heavy. 4 hours. She really ran fast. Best mileage was at 3480 RPM when full of gas, and that yielded over 23 knots (27 mph) and 34 gph. Once some of the gas burned off, I pulled back to 3250 RPM, 29 gph, and down to 22 knots, 25 mph. No Wake zones saved a ton of gas.

Jason - we stopped by your dock last night and this am - no signs.

Pictures later tonight.

 

[firecadet613]

Glad to hear its going well, can't wait to see the pics.

Safe travels.

 

[billnpat]

Day 1 - Lesson 1: Do not leave the fresh water system pressurized (on) while underway - you can't hear the pump running. We blew a line off the hot water heater and drained the water out. It took almost 5 minutes to fix, and 10 minutes to add more water.


You cant leave the water pump on while underway??

 

[Hampton]

Friends come by boat to say "Bon Voyage!"

LOGS in the iCW! We slowed down for 1/2 hour:

 

[Hampton]

I really wanted to go outside, but better judgement kept us in the ICW while it's avail. It was windy!





Skinny Channel:

Apalach:

 

[Hampton]

NUMS:

We're here!

Hot chick for my next 25 years:

Attack of the killer kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (some bite)

New Friends:

His and hers: I'd take hers, in blue:

A stogey and a drink, then the rain hit: Waiting for a ride to dinner.

 

[Hampton]

Day 1 - Lesson 1: Do not leave the fresh water system pressurized (on) while underway - you can't hear the pump running. We blew a line off the hot water heater and drained the water out. It took almost 5 minutes to fix, and 10 minutes to add more water.


You cant leave the water pump on while underway??

Sure you can, but like Frank W wrote 2 years ago - you get to learn the sounds of your boat. Under way, those kinds of sounds go away. If you need it - turn it on. When done, turn it off - save a pump.

 

[carterchapman]

I know - you're just running from the oil slick!

 

[billnpat]

Sure you can, but like Frank W wrote 2 years ago - you get to learn the sounds of your boat. Under way, those kinds of sounds go away. If you need it - turn it on. When done, turn it off - save a pump.

GOT IT THANKS :thumbsup:

 

[Hampton]

I know - you're just running from the oil slick!

Running from it? Hell, I think we're making it!