Falcon's Log 16
Got a lot of computer stuff done today, but the rain kept me from
getting much done outside. I did spend a little time getting Carol
Ann going on her boat, but never got anything going on my own.
Maybe tomorrow.

The sunset was pretty good with a lot of huge golden clouds and
multiple layers of shapes and shades.
July 30, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

It has been raining or threatening since first thing this morning. I hooked up the dinghy pump and remotely pumped out the
dinghy. Too cool. Where are the TV cameras when you need them?
July 31, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Another steamy, hot day and I've been outside working on the compass pedestal. It's coming along pretty good. I'm about at
the point where I trim off the table to it's final size and I want to slow down a bit and be SURE there is NO reason to leave any
extra material there. The smaller the better. It's in the center of the cockpit and will always and naturally be right in the way,
but I don't see any way around it. I moved the GPS higher and closer to the compass by building a stack of 3 starboard discs.
It makes the whole unit more compact.

Drew sold his boat today and stopped by to talk after it left the marina. He was caught in a few mixed emotions but knew he'd
done what he had to. He wants very much to get his daughter, Samantha, back down here with her friends and back into the
school she likes. She is 14 and does not like Pennsylvania at all. I wish him luck.
I've tried to be cautious as
far as cutting the starboard
down - being that it is easier
to cut some off than to grow
some back on - but I think
the approximate shape
outside the blue tape is
where I will trim the pedestal
top to. The GPS will pivot
completely around right
where it is without
interference from the
compass, allowing me to
navigate in the dark, using
the autopilot, from anywhere
in or near the cockpit. You
can't ask for more than that.

Later on, I'll make a nice
canvas cover for it. There
will be an electrical plug in
the base that will allow the
entire unit to be pulled out
of the floor and stowed
beneath one of the cockpit
seats when not in use.
August 1, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

My day started at 4:30 AM when I checked the large parking lot across the street and discovered the homeless guys were still
sleeping in an SUV in the back corner. I'd sent them off before, but they came back and have tried to be more clever at hiding
the 2 ton silver behemoth behind a palm tree. They use the ground as a toilet and make a filthy mess of everything. This time,
I called the Sheriff and had them trespassed. I hope this is an end to it.

I don't believe it. I have spent the day today getting sicker and sicker and now, though whatever it was that infected my lungs
during the week is all but gone, my head is filled with cotton batting and my nose is blocked and running like a damn faucet.
This sucks. Henry has brought the Black Plague down on us. I need to rally villagers with pitchforks and torches and go sort
him out. This sucks.
August 2, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Another day in Paradise and me with a nasty head cold. At least I'm not alone this time - Donny has it, too. Go figure. It might
be something different than the curse Henry brought back from New Jersey. We'll have to wait and see what I'm able to
accomplish today. To tell the truth, I'm really not looking forward to going out into the steamy, muggy, sweltering day with a
head cold and a cough. If it weren't for the swarms of gnats, the evenings would be nice, but these days are awful if you're
not feeling well.
August 3, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

It is now ten days that I have been sick. It turns out that Henry is feeling exactly the same, so maybe I spoke hastily when I
said it wasn't he who brought this second wave of disease - maybe it is still the same germ refusing to give up and die. Either
way, I feel a little better this morning.

I pumped out the bilge yesterday - there was some old water that I hadn't removed yet - and checked all of the batteries and
big switches, then charged them overnight. They were all fully charged, but I did it anyway to see where they would go. They
took an additional 0.15 volts, and that was it.

Last night, Donny, Barbara and I went to the Rod and Reel Restaurant for fish and chips. They put on a great feed there and
the French Fries are perfect. Donny and Barbara are scheduled to leave today at about noon, heading for the Space Coast
to watch a launch, then on up to the Chesapeake Bay for extended cruising.

My head feels like a stuffed bear and my ears are ringing, but other than that and a bit of lethargy-induced weakness, I don't
feel bad. Hopefully, I'll be able to work through this today and get back in gear.
Yes, I know - the cockpit is a mess. I'm just grateful to be out there working again. You can see the new, compact version of
the compass/GPS pedestal. I need to extend the compass light wiring - maybe add a dimmer - and route the wiring through
the leg. Maybe just a small on/off switch. I'm also working on the wire shrouds for the dinghy, the forward port/starboard
running lights and something else that I forget right at the moment. A lot of visitors this morning as well as a call from the great
white north (Florida Panhandle) from Espin. I need to clean out this cockpit and stow this crap. And get the dead fish out of
the dinghy. They jump in by accident when being chased by bigger fish. Bummer.
August 4, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Henry lost his mind last night and tried some silly, juvenile rant that bordered on his trying to blame me for him not having a
job because I tricked him into acting like a mature adult when it was in his better interest to act like a selfish child. Odd. You
see, he and Carol Ann are both servers in the food industry and he'd seen a lead on Craig's list and told Carol Ann about it,
but when she checked Craig's list, the add had been removed, so she didn't know where to go to apply. When she came by
last night, she asked Henry, who'd told her about the add in the first place, and he told her where it was. Then he got all dark
and angry and ranted at me for tricking him into being a nice guy when he should have been a jerk. Carol Ann said she
wouldn't go for the job, and I thought he was being a perfect jerk. I LOVE it when some helpless person who is about to start
asking me for help on his boat goes on a juvenile dockside rant that makes it perfectly enjoyable to refuse helping him.

I am now in the feverish contortions of the final steps of finishing the compass pedestal. Here's the problem - the red light on
the compass needs to be turned on and off, and will probably also need to be dimmed. I am off to Radio Shack this morning
to get a few small components that will allow me to make these modifications and finish the pedestal. I am also almost
finished splicing up the dinghy shrouds and I'll be putting the rig together and taking the dinghy for a short sail. That will be
two projects completed. The next will be the running lights mounted to the rigging.

Donny and Barb left yesterday in Dulcinea, Drew and Samantha sold the boat and are gone, Espin is in Pensacola, Ken and
Sandy are in Buffalo, Mark and Kim, who are permanently in St Pete and selling the boat; and Gene left without saying a
word. Really, that leaves Eddie and Sandy, who are part-timers; Chuck, who spends most of his time on board watching TV;
George, who is always gone doing something or other and we don't socialize much anyway; Geoff, who only comes for
morning and evening walks with Sam; Joe, who doesn't really come around much since Barbara passed away; Doug and
Evelyn, who are at the other end of the marina and we don't talk that much; Henry, who is weird and I tend to avoid if
possible; Old Ken and Gloria; who are nice but NEVER here (their boat just picked up some weird 'POSTED' signs that I can't
decide if they are a joke or not), and a really nice couple that only comes on weekends and is never here to socialize with
anyone.

MY GOD! It's a GHOST TOWN! I gotta get out'a here. Seriously. The prices are dropping rapidly on solar panels and
chargers and in just a little while I'll be able to get the four big panels and top-shelf charge controller that will allow me to stay
off the dock and still have all the resources I have at the dock. I will also eventually be able to afford upgrading the Village
Marine Watermaker to 800 gallons per day, eliminating my need to pay for water or catch rainwater.
Well, the dinghy is done!
And I went out to sail it, in
about four knots of current
and totally fluky, puffy,
then none, then 10 knots -
of wind. Impossible. I got
totally pinned against the
dock a few times. Every
time I got off and started
sailing, the wind would die
completely and I'd get
plastered back against the
dock. Screw it. I docked
the boat and will try sailing
it again in better conditions.

I got to Radio Shack and
got some stuff, then came
back and finished the
dinghy, then got a killer
headache, then went to
Publix and got cheese
dogs, grapes and water.
I got Carol Ann to stand still long enough to get a picture of her in
her 'work on the boat' clothes. She's feeling pretty good right now
about getting more work. She's one of those people who make a
full time job out of getting full time work until she gets it. Anyway,
she is working at least three jobs right now and still working (as
we speak) on her little boat.

I have to put the little Herreshoff Sloop that Espin is looking at
into todays log. It is a pretty little boat and, from what I
understand, a very good sailer.
August 5, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Geoff took the dinghy out for a trial sail in barely perceptible winds and a strong northward current. As expected, he managed
to sail some, but the ride was less than thrilling. Still, he remembered to remind me to get my camera and I got a few shots of
him and the boat in action.
Eddie and Sandy took off for a short cruise this morning. I should have gotten a shot or two but the camera batteries died and
I was changing them when Tarquin left the dock.

I got a call from Richard Charlebois who is the guy who transports boats from Naples, from Royal Yacht Services, where I
worked for 6 or 7 years. He'll be here tomorrow morning over at NE Taylor Boatworks (Andy's Yard) to pick up a boat for
transport and I'll go over to meet him and rehash the past few years. I also need to get the phone numbers so I can get a
quote from them on getting my bottom done at Royal Yacht on my way to Marathon.
August 6, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

I did the 'Netipot' thing yesterday because I was just so tired of being in so much sinus and headache pain. It was a little bit
grisly and nasty, and I had to do it twice. I couldn't believe the results. The headache went away immediately. The sinuses
stopped hurting and cleared up. The coughing dropped off dramatically and I have felt cured ever since. I now feel absolutely
fine with only an occasional cough that feels like my lungs clearing out the last bits of a mild cold. This is after being nearly
bedridden for two weeks. I'm turning Chinese. Apparently, the Netipot thing has been around in China for a thousand years or
more. Unbelievable.
I had a good visit with Rich for a couple of hours this morning over NE Taylor. We caught up on all the personal stuff,
including his divorce last year after 38 years of marriage. The relationship sort of aged out - she got a dog and a divorce, he
got a girlfriend and all the bills. They seem happy.

I'm pretty sure I'll be getting my bottom done at Royal Yacht in Naples when I leave here. I've put a call in to get a quote so I
can be ready for it when I get there. Hmmm. I just got the Deja vu. I must have just said that. I also got an email from Ken.
New Ken in Buffalo. I forgot to mention Richard and Angie in my list of people still here in the marina. They are still here and I
do see them all the time. Sorry. I must have been delirious with fever.
August 7, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

I have to get moving on the boat again. I think what I had was the Swine Flu, and it's still hanging on a little, being hard to
clear up. But it is clearing up. Still, I feel a little weak and unable to focus just yet. The oppressive heat doesn't help. The
constant insect swarms at dawn and dusk. The daily dose of thunderstorms. The constant waves of pollen and mold. Florida
has it's great points, but they come attached at the hip to some very bad ones. Not to mention being Hurricane Central,
something the weathermen revel in.

I miss the cool, oxygen-rich sea air of New England. The deep, cold water and great fishing. The short insect seasons. The
changing colors of the landscape and colorful coastal towns. Fabulous cruising, classic boats and snow. I really got to get out
of here.
August 8, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

I've set a date for departure from here - October 1, 2009. Actually, Geoff set it. He kept trying to get me to set one and finally
said October 1st. I dismissed it as I always do, but by the time I got up this morning, I couldn't see any reason not to set it and
work toward it. So I have some stuff to get done. I'm putting the materials for jobs on the table outside and getting started. For
today:
1.) Finish the compass pedestal.   Done
2.) Finish the hatch seal and put the doors back on.  Made headway
3.) Put the primary anchor chain back below.   Done
4.) Pull all the wire out of the black dock box and stow the dock grill.  Done
5.) Make a gear bag for all the dinghy stuff and put it away.  Done
6.) Pull out the main bilge pumps and modify them.   Made headway
7.) Get O-rings for the running lights, assemble, test and install them.   Made headway

That should be enough to get started. I'll change the color of the ones I get done - - - or something.

It's 5:20 PM and I got some stuff done and I'm not through yet. I'll get some pictures. I forgot about the running lights that
attach to the rigging forward. They are the red/green lights mounted in sideboards that I made out of black starboard.
The hardest thing about making the blue gear bag for the dinghy was dragging the sewing machine in and out of the boat -
and reeving the tie cord through the pocket. The finished (and tested) compass/GPS post would look better if there wasn't a
pile of crap lying behind it.
Stowing the anchor chain and attaching the anchor was easiest of all. The chain just LOVES to fall 7 feet into the bottom of
the bilge. There will still be stuff down below in that area that needs doing, but I'll remove the chain again when the times
comes to do it. I also now have on the dock one huge pile of wire to sort through and use or lose.

Below, the empty dockbox held the grill, drip pan and table for less than an hour before it was pulled out and used. I got
chicken. Yummy. The last thing keeping the running lights waiting were two tiny O-rings that seal the top cap screws. I picked
them up today and will complete the running lights tomorrow.

I also got part of the hatch seal done, but forgot I needed to mix up a tiny bit of the Awlgrip Ice Blue to paint over the small
repairs I made gouging out the huge gutters. We've had a couple of huge downpours and it is my distinct pleasure to inform
you that my last effort at stopping that hatch leak succeeded - without the two layers of weatherstripping I am installing.
That's kind of huge, really, because it was the only real leak I have ever had on Falcon and the cure was not an easy fix.
The original mounting system for the running light sideboards to the rigging was both high and mechanical, done with screws,
nuts and brackets. This time, I will smooth the sideboards more and lash them to the rigging with tarred marlin twine through
holes drilled through the starboard. That's right - that's what I said - yeah - lashing - it'll hold - don't worry - I lash guuuuud.
August 9, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Okay, now that I started this whole 'list' thing and it seemed to work so good, I have to carry it through today - at least. We'll
see what happens - maybe I'll add more things during the day - maybe this will be the end of it.

1.) Finish the hatch seal and put the doors back on.   Done
2.) Assemble, test and install running lights.   Done
3.) Modify and install bilge pumps and float switches.
4.) Clean off decks and cockpit.
5.) Install and attach GPS antenna.   Made Headway
6.) Install weatherstrip pad to middle Bimini brace.   Done
7.) Seal base of Compass post for water.   Done
8.) Cut down fasteners inside cabin roof to allow installation of insulation.
9.) Secure engine instrument panel terminal strip.   Done

That should be more than enough for one day. As I write I keep thinking of more and more things that need to be on there,
but it makes no sense to put much more than I can do in a day. It is already 8:30 and I should get out there and get to work. I
avoid the early morning stuff here because the no-see-um's are nasty in the morning. I actually got stung by a bee yesterday.
It hurt a lot less than I remembered as a child, but it still stung a bit. The bee was all, "Yeah, that's right! I kicked your
aarggiick!" and he died, so, you know, I won. I don't know why they even bother.
After completing the running lights and starting to
install them, I decided they each needed one more
bracket on the bottom to help secure them and
hold them at the right angle. It's the little bar on
the bottom with two holes in it. Another hour or so,
maybe more. Then I realized the fixtures could be
made to exit the wire down instead of out the
back. Another hour or so, but now they are how I
want them, and they are lashed on. Color them
done.

I painted the damaged, then repaired areas on the
hatch deck - three coats of the Awlgrip while
working on the running lights - then made a
special aluminum brace to hold the weatherstrip
down. That part worked great, but the foam
weather strip was sticking up too much and tore.
At least it is easy to change without taking the
hatch off.

I got the compass post sealed, the weatherstrip
applied to the center Bimini bow, some deck paint
touched up, the engine panel terminal strip
installed, the companionway threshold sealed and
the hatch and doors installed. It has been a long,
hot day and I'm just a little played, but the work is
getting done and I am feeling like I'm on the move
again.

To the left is a shot with the wire coming from the
bottom of the running lights and how I will run it
down to the deck inside the lanyards.
August 10, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

The weather looks good for today (so far) so I should get going early and get some stuff done. I picked up everything on the
dock last night - in the cool of the evening - but it still needs to be vacuumed off. I did a lot of cutting, drilling and
grinding/sanding yesterday. I should make a list for today.

1.) Clean off decks and cockpit.   Done
2.) Finalize hatch seal and hang doors.   Done
3.) Modify bilge pumps and float switches and install.   In Progress
4.) Install and connect GPS antenna.   Done
5.) Install cockpit VHF radio.   Done
6.) Cut down fasteners inside cabin roof to allow installation of insulation.
7.) Re-install aft water tanks fill manifold and connect to tanks.
8.) Lead GPS power cable forward and secure.   Done

That should be more than enough to keep me busy. If I do something that isn't on the list, I'll just add it. Once I get going
during the day, I just try to keep it moving, even if the item isn't on the list. If it needs doing and I'm right there, just do it. I also
really need to get some laundry done today.
I removed the old torn foam weatherstrip and replaced it with a split section of old plastic tubing that seems to work fine. I also
remembered to seal all the screw holes and screws this time. I cut down the store-bought door seal and fitted it inside and
just nailed it up. All in all, I'm satisfied. The hatch only has a tad more friction and the seals seem to be almost airtight.
I'm doing pretty good today. Some things are easier than others, of course. I had to conceive, design and fabricate the GPS
antenna mount, but I only needed to drill a couple of holes to mount the Radio. I think I'm about to clean up the dock some
and get started on the bilge pump work. That's going to be a big job to see through to the end, with plenty of inventive
fabrication. Still, I have a pretty good Idea what I want to accomplish so it shouldn't be too bad.

I got a good start on the bilge pump situation and now know I need to get a few more PVC fittings to make the additional
plumbing clean and easy. After viewing the picture of the GPS mount here in the log, I ran outside and pushed it up level to
stop the anal compulsive chirping in my head. I mean, the thing was crooked. How am I expected to sleep on a boat where
the GPS antenna is crooked? It's fixed now.

This was a good day and I got a lot done. I like it like this. I got my laundry done to boot. I even just ran out and got a couple
of sunset shots. It's perfect at this time of day - cool, soft breezes, beautiful sunsets - and no bugs tonight - go figure.
August 11, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

So, I'm talking with Geoff about boats and cruising and websites and mentioned that I'm feeling a lot better now and getting
stuff done on the boat. Right? And he says, "Yeah, you've been whining a lot lately." (Which is true - I am not a 'stiff upper lip'
type when I'm sick - never have been - it's why I generally prefer to be alone when ill - I'm a whiner.) So, there you have it. I
forgot that as long as I'm doing this daily log thing, even if I usually cruise along in my mind thinking no one is reading it and
I'm alone, people ARE reading it and I'm whining. That's what Geoff was talking about. He reads the website. At first I thought
it was a bit of a shot at me, but it was more of a poke that I deserved and needed to wake up and pay attention. Nobody likes
to hear a fussbudget whine. I'll be sure to pay more attention and be grateful I have friends who read this and will give me
important feedback. It is kind of funny. I WAS whining. But I was sick!! Oh, well. I'll be more careful. On with the days list and
then on to work.

1.) Get PVC fittings and continue with bilge pumps.   Done
2.) Cut down fasteners inside cabin roof to allow installation of insulation.
3.) Re-install aft water tanks fill manifold and connect to tanks.   In Progress
4.) Connect fuel tank vent hoses.   In Progress
5.) Add more electrical wire conduit clips.   In Progress
6.) Wire in VHF Radio and run antenna lead.
7.) Match rudder quadrant stops so they give equal travel both ways.

These are more than enough. I just went into one of those modes where a bunch of things started popping into my head and I
wanted to get them on the list. I just went out onto the dock and sat with Geoff for a few minutes talking. He has accepted the
charter to deliver the Hunter from Newburyport, Massachusetts, to the Mediterranean coast of Southern France. I hope he'll
be able to maintain contact (satellite) and maybe even email pictures during the trip, but I'm not too hopeful - it's a lot to ask.
Maybe I can talk him into taking a bunch of pictures and saving them all until he gets back. That might make a great 'special
page' for the site.

I told him about my mentioning his remark about the whining and he was kind enough to laugh and make a real nasal voice
and say, "It's too hot, the bugs," and laugh again. God'll get'im for that.

Okay, time for me to get to work. First order of business - Home Depot.

I had several stops on the mornings errand list and all together, plus a series of phone calls and visitors, it has absorbed
more time than I would have liked. Still, it all needed doing and I'm satisfied. I stopped in American Discount Auto Parts and
gave a kid behind the counter a piece of 1 1/4 inch Schedule 40 PVC and asked him to find me a radiator hose out back that
just slipped over the tubing. It took about 15 minutes, but he came back with a beauty that has one 90 degree bend and two
45 degree bends. It only cost $15 and change and it makes the plumbing of the big bilge pumps MUCH easier. I can just
select the curve and how much of it I need and cut it out of the hose and make smooth, strong connections for the bilge pump
overboard pipe. Sweet.

I was hoping to show more progress than I did today, but it was one of those days that had detours which effectively move
the whole thing forward. I had to get a 2 gallon fuel tank and transfer 1 1/2 gallons of my special rigging tar into it from two
leaking other jugs. It has been a mistake to try to use lesser containers. This is the fourth time I've had to transfer this stuff
due to failing containers and I hope it's the last.

I also dug out all the PVC tubing and extra hose I have everywhere. This time, whatever I don't use, I lose. Into the dumpster
or the 'last chance' rack next to the dumpster. I also dug out ALL the cushion/mattress foam I had left - enough to fill a good
sized station wagon - and tossed it all. If I need foam for anything from now on, I'll buy new. I emptied the two storage areas
on the boat where the fuel tanks and aft water tanks are installed, making those areas ready for items 3, 4 and 5 above.
When I complete these jobs, I'll also slap a coat of the medium blue paint on those areas and make special storage there for
things like my golf clubs and fishing rods.

I've also started assembling the pieces to make myself a new shore power cord. The new one will be about 90 feet. My old
one is acting up and causes my computer to reboot if the boat is jostled too much. I find it fairly annoying. I've also come to
believe that I will have to install the individual components of the bilge pump systems where they 'must' be, then fit and
connect the hose/piping as needed. It's a pain, but the system is a solid, supercharged bilge pumping system with the power
to back it up and give me a real chance at saving the boat in the event of a fairly substantial breach of the hull or deck. As far
as I'm concerned, that bis what a real bilge pump system is supposed to do. Anyone with a sponge and a saucepan can do
what the typical systems installed on modern boats today do.

The system is complicated and difficult to design and install, but should be very effective, reliable, and easy to repair, if need
be. I hope to make some serious headway tomorrow.
August 12, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Eddie and Sandy are here. Eddie has only 12 more working days until retirement. I can't tell if he's excited or just anxious. It's
a big transition for someone who has worked a full-time job all his life. I try to help him adapt by practicing sitting down and
doing nothing for no reason for extended periods of time. He seems to be getting the hang of it. On to todays list.

1.) Continue with bilge pumps.   In progress
2.) Connect fuel tank vent hoses.   Done
3.) Re-install aft water tanks fill manifold and connect to tanks. Done
4.) Add more electrical wire conduit clips.
5.) Cut down fasteners inside cabin roof to allow installation of insulation.
6.) Wire in VHF Radio and run antenna lead.   In progress
7.) Match rudder quadrant stops so they give equal travel both ways.
8.) Install lighter socket in console.   In progress
9.) Make new shore power cord.   Done

Geoff didn't go to Newburyport this morning - the delivery to France has been canceled in favor of shipping the sailboat over
on a ship. John Crissmore (the boat in so many of the recent sunset shots) came and asked for a ride to Tire Kingdom on
Cortez Avenue so he could get a flat tire fixed. Apparently, his spare is also flat. Since I'd just told Geoff and Eddie that I was
going to Home Depot, I dropped John off at Tire Kingdom and picked him back up on the way back to the Seafood Shack. I
got two 30 Amp double circuit breakers for my upcoming electrical panel. One for shore power and one for the inverter. I also
got aluminum bar stock to mount the bilge pumps and butt connectors to do the shore power cable. And garbage bags - I
don't like the ones I got last week. Back to work.

It has been brutally hot working in the stuffy, unventilated cockpit side storage areas where the fuel tanks and aft water tanks
are, but I've finally finished the fuel tank vents and the aft water tank manifold. I also got the access plate - that I had painted
shut - opened, so now I can install the lighter socket in the steering console and complete the radio wiring, as well as
adjusting the quadrant stops.

I have been digging out as much of the loose hardware in the bottom of one of the dock boxes as I can. I am on a serious tear
now, throwing out extra gear and materials left and right. I can go and get new in less time than it takes me to find the old
extras I have scattered everywhere. I've had to hoard this stuff in the past because I simple didn't have the money to go out
and buy new every time I needed a nut or bolt or strip of flat stock. Things are different now. I see the light at the end of the
tunnel. I smell blood. Nothing can stop me now. Hope I don't have a heart attack or something.

On the lighter side, Geoff SOOO wanted to say how hot it was this morning but couldn't because I'd just written in the log
about his comments when I complained about the heat. At least he admitted it and laughed.

I have a giant mess on the dock but can't go clean it up until it cools off a little. I am dripping wet sitting here and have to keep
toweling off. When I gave wet money to the girl at Home Depot she winced a little, so I told her that wetness wasn't sweat,
and she said, 'Good', and I said, "Yeah. I peed my pants on the way over." And then she was glad it was sweat.
August 13, 2009 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

It rained some at 3 AM and I closed up the boat. Other than that, I slept well and think the last stages of whatever I have is
going away. Whatever it was, it has been pretty bad. I suppose it could have been Swine Flu, but I usually don't get flu's.
Than again, most flu's don't kill people. One thing I'm glad of is that I apparently didn't give it to anyone else around here. So I
am Henry's only victim. As if by design. Cunning, isn't he?

It has occurred to me that I am now a very short way from installing the floor in Falcon. Unbelievable. There were times when
I wondered if I would ever get here. Falcon has not had a floor since - - - (dashes for dramatic time delay as I search through
the old files and find an approximate date) - - - Okay, since about 1998. When Conanicut Marina stored Falcon for the short
time they had it out of the water, they blocked her WAY nose down. Rainwater entered and destroyed a lot of books and
other stuff stored in the bow. When I got the boat delivered to Royal Yacht Services in Naples, the first thing I did was to
empty it, including tearing up the temporary floor, to allow everything to dry out. Since then, Falcon has had no floor. Eleven
years. See, I CAN still do simple math. Anyway, I have to remain focused on what I'm doing and wait a bit to address the floor
issue, though I may add it to the list so I can start assembling materials as I muddle through the day. Now, the list.

1.) Continue with bilge pumps. Made good progress
2.) Add more electrical wire conduit clips. In Progress
3.) Cut down fasteners inside cabin roof to allow installation of insulation. Started
4.) Wire in VHF Radio and run antenna lead.
5.) Match rudder quadrant stops so they give equal travel both ways.
6.) Install lighter socket in console.
7.) Make final under-floor water system connections. In Progress
8.) Bore two large holes through engine beds and re-route 3 heavy cables. Done

The interruptions today have been many and extended and have contributed substantially to the lack of real progress. I HAVE
made some good headway, to be sure, but not nearly as much as I'd hoped for today. Still, it's only 4:30 and there's plenty of
time left. Besides, I enjoy sitting and yakking as much as the others.
It's almost 6:30 now and I've managed to get the second, lower float switch mounted and the 2000 GPH bilge pump plumbed
and set where it will be mounted. Like the float switch, It will be mounted on a piece of aluminum flat stock that gets screwed
to the engine beds. That makes it a lot easier to pull it up for work later on. The big 3500 GPH pump is resting approximately
where it will end up being mounted. Rather than being turned on by the lower float switch, it will be actuated either manually
or by the higher, 'High Water Alarm' float switch. The reason for all the pumps is that the BEST they can do is in a flat line.
The MOST they can lift water is 10 feet, and from my bilge to overboard requires an 8 foot lift, meaning they are hardly
pumping anything by the time they get it there. The series pumps should more than double their output. Half the work means
lower voltage drop and higher RPM. We'll see, but I'm confident. And tired and hungry. See you all tomorrow.
The Osprey is back and typically perches on the top of the Durbeck's mizzen mast and whistles for a mate. He is a formidable
fisherman and sometimes eats his kill up there. Tonights sunset was pretty and filled with lots of cloud shapes and colors.
There were a lot of dolphin's, too, but I wasn't able to get any good shots of them.