Just one more thing
On November 14 2019 Steadfast was lifted out in Fort Pierce with the promise of a few simple projects that would prepare the boat and us for a new adventure in the Bahamas. We had launched in June and had a busy season with our trip to Nova Scotia in August and the southern migration in October. As anyone who has done a rehab project knows things don’t always go as planned. After the windless couldn’t be simply repaired it was replaced and our Max Prop met same fate. Each repair meant hours of research, ordering parts, fitting & modifying, phone calls to technicians including many “Dave” phone conferences.
Along with a new engine relay the bottom was cleaned, patched and repainted, a replacement bow roller then the chain was flipped, a swivel added and it was pressure washed and remarked, oils changed, impellers replaced, the deck was pressure washed, the hull cleaned and waxed and new zincs added. Ways to wash clothes, clean fuel and communicate in the Bahamas were established. O yeah that was the reason for this. We inserted hours of you tube travel videos and meetings with a couple of couples that have spent dozens of years traveling there.
Sheri had taken the project of cleaning and resealing our condo granite countertops stained by a prior tenant before the new tenants arrived and organizing the trips food. Some meals prepared, sealed and frozen. Then the meats sealed and frozen. Canned, dry goods and a few snacks organized and stored. Liquids to prevent scurvy...check. Scuba and fishing gear and propane and charts and apps and and and...yeah the Bahamas...focus. The final ride from Sarasota is done and on the 14th the lift will set us back into the water and it begins.
One day at a time. It was a productive 2 months and we’ll be finished..no, but ready enough. We’ll turn our focus to weather windows for crossing and Gulf Stream location and speed. We were fortunate to meet Fred a new boatyard friend with Massachusetts roots and saltwater blood. As with all our travels we appreciate the discovery in each new person, beautiful fish and sunset as it reflects the creators handiwork and as he said it was good and still is. We have found a lot of Freds that share the road and are special to us...Thanks and come along!
Click to see our approximate location throughout the trip
Lido key sunset outing
Papa visiting us in Ft Pierce
She makes the bottom paint look good
Our “New” Bahamian washing machine
A pile of project pieces and time with family
Along with a new engine relay the bottom was cleaned, patched and repainted, a replacement bow roller then the chain was flipped, a swivel added and it was pressure washed and remarked, oils changed, impellers replaced, the deck was pressure washed, the hull cleaned and waxed and new zincs added. Ways to wash clothes, clean fuel and communicate in the Bahamas were established. O yeah that was the reason for this. We inserted hours of you tube travel videos and meetings with a couple of couples that have spent dozens of years traveling there.
Sheri had taken the project of cleaning and resealing our condo granite countertops stained by a prior tenant before the new tenants arrived and organizing the trips food. Some meals prepared, sealed and frozen. Then the meats sealed and frozen. Canned, dry goods and a few snacks organized and stored. Liquids to prevent scurvy...check. Scuba and fishing gear and propane and charts and apps and and and...yeah the Bahamas...focus. The final ride from Sarasota is done and on the 14th the lift will set us back into the water and it begins.
One day at a time. It was a productive 2 months and we’ll be finished..no, but ready enough. We’ll turn our focus to weather windows for crossing and Gulf Stream location and speed. We were fortunate to meet Fred a new boatyard friend with Massachusetts roots and saltwater blood. As with all our travels we appreciate the discovery in each new person, beautiful fish and sunset as it reflects the creators handiwork and as he said it was good and still is. We have found a lot of Freds that share the road and are special to us...Thanks and come along!
Click to see our approximate location throughout the trip
Safe travels!
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