Falcon's Log 32
April 23, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida (Cont.)
It is now 2:52 PM and the galley sole is in - plus the start of the head sole. Now, I really have to stop and make the water
system connections before going any further. I have to run the watermaker tank filler, the cold water feed and the hot water
return beneath the sole before I screw it down. Once those pipes are run, only the two hot water tank connectors on the back
of that wall are left. Oh, and the shower head tube, but I have to make the shower head mount and mount it first.

It's a little after 5 PM and all the plumbing is done except the connection to the shower head and the water source to the head
itself, plus I did a LOT more cleaning up outside and will make another trip to the dumpster room before the day is over.
I keep looking at the forward
storage area and think I finally
have an idea that will work well
with the materials I have left. I'll
make it work. The dock boxes are
emptying out and the dock is
getting clear as well. I will soon
have everything I own aboard
Falcon and be ready to untie the
lines. I got a lot done today.

I got the last load (for today) of
stuff into the dumpster and onto
the 'last chance' rack, then got
some pictures of the sunset. It
wasn't a particularly good sunset,
so I took 55 pictures trying different
things, including getting flying birds
in the shot. This is about the best
picture of the bunch. After the sun
disappeared completely, the sky
got spectacular, but I'd already put
the camera away and Eddie was
there, talking. It's a pretty good
picture.
April 24, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Six days to go. Wow, huh? It still seems like I have an awful lot of work to do, but it's coming along and I'll soon be doing the
electrical hook-ups. Today, I need to get the forward storage done, the shower head in, and the head installed. I'd also like to
do some sewing outside and get the sewing machine stowed below, as well as getting the interior straightened up and
packed away. I still have some storage solutions undone that I will have to address later on, in Marathon I guess, and a very
serious issue about securing the computer for sea. I can't have it flying around with wave action or powerboat wakes. I may
have to figure out something either here or on the way, and have the materials on hand to do it.

The weather is supposed to be turning bad sometime late today or tomorrow so I'll have to double-time on some of these
projects.
The storage solution (for now) is done and packed. The sails
and other cloth things up there will stay put in anything up to a
rollover or trip over Niagara Falls. I'll re-do the area after the
sails are all done and mounted and sail covers are in place.

I also emptied the black plastic dock box and moved it over to
the end of RJ's finger pier. I will try to empty out move of the
last dock box today as well. I think I can store the fishing gear
in the front area with the sails, though I might need to weave in
a couple more cross-bars to temporarily hold the stuff in place.

Pionite brand formica, teak type 'Taj'. Remember that. Thanks.

I completely emptied the last dock box, then stuffed just the 5
gallon pails I had on the dock into it. I've been coiling lines and
straightening things out and stowing them in the great chasm
forward. I may cram that space to the deck before I'm through.
Either way, it's okay. The bow is still a tad light and probably
will be until some of the 100 gallons of fuel is burned off.
I just kept packing stuff up forward and now it looks like this.
The up side is that the boat is almost perfectly level and there
is very little left to put aboard. Of course, it is 5:33 PM and
the head is still not installed, the shower head is not installed,
the sewing machine is still out on the dock and it's going to
rain tomorrow.

I went outside and got a couple of shots of the sunset sky
and some of the unusual cloud formations we've been seeing
lately. They're pretty, but I wonder if they're really something
new, having to do with the more active atmosphere due to
Global Warming, or if they are typical of other areas on the
Globe and only rare around here, but not new.

I got another email from Barb and Don and will have to find
the time and energy to get these emails from the present trip
posted.

I overdid it with my shoulder and it's very sore and stiff again.
I just don't know when I'll be able to really rest it.
April 25, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Five days left. Or so. This is Sunday and I won't call Rivertown until tomorrow to set a tentative date for haulout. If he says
he'll haul me on Monday, I'll stay here until Sunday, then head up and anchor out by the boatyard. If he says he'll haul me on
Saturday, then I might need to get out of here early Saturday morning. The problem is, Randy came by yesterday and
tentatively set Saturday for a 'going away' party for me - something I swore I didn't want and would sneak out early if they
tried. Then Espin said it should be set earlier so it could also be for him and Barbara, which suits me MUCH better, but that it
would have to be on Friday because they would be gone on Saturday. Well, okay then. Now I have to call Randy and explain
that to him. See how things become a monkey pile when you just try to be polite and accommodating? Let's see how bad it
really gets by the time it's over.

I awoke this morning with a fine headache but took 1 aspirin packet and it seems to be going away. I'm so happy with the
results of the front storage area that I am encouraged to blast through these other storage solutions and really round out and
secure the inside of the boat. The head REALLY needs to get done today as well as the additional storage in there, and more
storage beneath the sink would also be nice. The stormy conditions and rain this afternoon are going to limit my ability to get
the sewing done, but that seems minor. If I have to, I'll move the sewing machine up into the laundry room and sew up there
during the rain. No problem.

It is now 2 PM and I have gotten some things done on the boat and have had to make 2 runs to almost the exact same spot, 5
miles away. First, while working in the head, I ran out of screws and had to drive over to Lowe's (Home Depot has been 'out'
of the ones I use for about a month) and get the items. Then, as I went to update the log, I discovered my AT&T Sierra 875U
wireless internet modem was mysteriously DOA. Funny how these things happen if your contract has lapsed and your
warranty on the item has expired - like I don't know AT&T can 'kill' the unit remotely. Anyway, the only thing to do is to drive
right back to a place across the intersection from Lowe's, the AT&T store, and get a new modem and new 2 year contract.
The modem was $99 with a $100 rebate - so, free. Anyway, as you can see, I'm back up and running and getting back to
work on the boat.
I got a whole slew of shots of Minnie Pearl all finished and
ready to go. I'll email them to Espin so he can send them around
to all his friends. I'll have to optimize them first so the email
won't be cumbersome.

Even though there was a freaking hurricane of Bermuda
Triangles here today, I still managed to get the head install, the
head sole done and the storage on top of the shelf in the head
done. The only thing I don't like is that the hose going into the
holding tank on the bulkhead behind the head just slightly
interferes with the seat when it's up. A minor thing I may ignore.
April 26, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

I was awakened several times last night by violent thunderstorms with enormous lightning and torrential downpours. It is
passing away this morning, though it woke me up again at 4:45 and I've been up since. The software for the new AT&T
Lightning Sierra Wireless Aircard is proving to be a real serious pain in the ass. I'm hoping I've got it done right this morning -
for the 6th or 7th time. I just don't have time to build the whole new computer just now and really, I'm not thinking of getting the
time until I'm in Marathon.
George Pappas gave me this old door he removed from his
Westsail 28 'C Joy' and it has been stored ON MY BUNK ever
since I got rid of the truck. This morning, for the first time, I tried
it for a fit on the head. It looks like all I have to do is trim the top
to fit the arch - I so awesomely included in all the boats interior
opening - and attach it. I will need additional fillers around the
edges and a latch of some sort, but admit it, that rocks.
I got more stuff safely packed into the storage shelf in the
head, plus hung the door. It works great but only opens
about halfway to being flat against the bulkhead. The first
thing it hits in the hull, so there'll be no more 'shaving' for a
better fit. The fore and aft bulkhead that it rests against is a
tad cattywhumpus and interferes at the bottom so that the
door can't swing all the way over and seat the whole forward
section as well as providing privacy for the head. I might
adjust that aspect at a later date to see how it works. It might also call for a window on the access hole between the sink area
and the computer desk. To tell the truth, the sink being so close to the new location of the computer does make me a little
uneasy, splashing water and all.

I went up to Rivertown and talked with the guy there and made arrangements for Monday at high tide. That figures to be near
4:45 PM. I suppose if I'm there at 3 PM we can see how long it takes to get into the slip far enough to get picked up. I will
probably have to be there for a week to get enough tide to get back out again. That would mean getting splashed at about
noon on the 10th of May.
These are the cushions Mark and Kim gave me for the
pedestal chair. They saw it online and knew immediately
that they had a set of cushions for exactly that chair. Yes, I
know I put the arm pads on backwards and have corrected
them. Anyway, they are awesome and things are moving
along. The weather today has been very windy and not
much good for working outside. I did get my laundry done
and the door hung and a bunch of other odds and ends, but
the boat needs a serious final cleaning so I can get on with
more storage solutions and get to the electrical hook-ups.

I do have to replace one snap under one arm one the seat
cushions, and carve away a little aluminum beneath the
front edge of the seat to get clearance to snap on the center
strap that's just hanging in the picture.

Almost everything is off the dock and inside the boat. I have
to adjust the daily countdon for Monday, May 3rd.
April 27, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

I didn't add the countdown yesterday, which should have been four days left, but it's just as well because it is now moved up
to five days left.

The inside of the boat is such a disaster that I can't find tools I'm looking for. I'll do the sewing outside today so I can stow the
sewing machine and really pack in beneath the bunk. I'll also move the stove outside and fire it up, then come up with a way
to mount it on the cook top counter I built - and have to finish somewhat.
I got the stove outside and mysteriously acquired a
couple of propane tanks, two of the three which were
empty. Soon enough there was a full compliment of
interested bystanders and we lit it up and tried it out
and marvelled at the low cost. We'll see how long it
lasts. I figure to use it for the going away party -
maybe, I should really have it installed then - and
probably use the small 1 pound bottles for a while,
until I can get a safe and proper propane installation
aboard. The whole thing of an explosion and burning
to the waterline is one of those 'try to avoid' situations.

I have been cleaning on board  and need to do more
outside and start sewing. RJ will be here soon and I'll
fix the storm jib and load a bunch of software on his
computer.
It is now 11:30 AM and the cabin floor is cleaned and vacuumed. Of
course, I've been doing other things as well, but this is the one that
shows the most. I have the dock a little messed up again, but not bad
and I'll take care of that after the sewing. The sewing is the big item
right now. I suppose I should also blast together a mount for the
shower head and get the very last of the plumbing done. And do
whatever needs doing to the head itself - better to make sure it works
now before I really need to use it. Always harder to work on a toilet
that has poo in it - take my word for it. Twenty-five years in yacht
service, of course it happened.

I fixed the jib for RJ and downloaded all the software onto his
computer. For a while, it tried to give us fits, but we cornered it and
forced it to submit.

I did a lot of trying and figuring prior to taking the scissors to the old
Bimini. It is going to require a bit more work than I'd originally hoped,
but not too awful much, and it will look good. All three of the sections
need to be extended by about 8 to ten inches. I half expected it,
knowing how much I had to widen the bows to accommodate the
solar panels. I had to carefully rip out a six-foot double-stitched seam,
so that took a little extra time as well. Obviously, I did not get the
sewing done today, but will easily complete it tomorrow. Then I will
start getting little screws and drills and make sure I have enough Alex Seal to install said cloth strips to the hardtop. I will also
STILL have to hang the shower head and mount the Outback Solar Charge Controller and Autohelm 6000 Computer and
Power Pack, then I can wire the solar panels to the Outback and start working with the programming to charge the batteries.

I will also install a good temporary restraint device on the lower part of the bunk to prevent the storage under there from
spilling out on the sole at will. I already sort of have the idea.

I did the mount for the shower head and installed it and plumbed it in. Now I only have to give the heads mechanical fixtures a
lube and 'once over' before starting to operate it.
April 28, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

NOW I think I'm at 4 days left. Yes, today is Wednesday, so Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and I leave on Monday.
When I go back in, I'll come back here for an overnight to say 'goodbye' to Paul one last time. He's been a good friend these
past five years.

The wind is low right now and I hope it stays that way so I can do the sewing. Getting the canvas up reflects my fear of rain.
Actually, my fear of trickles of ice cold water running down my neck and back. My new fear is that I'll be going back into the
water and heading south just in time to join the great oil slick in the gulf. It's too late to hope that won't happen. I wonder if it
will follow the Gulf Stream all the way to England.

I'm already set up outside to start sewing, so it's time for me to get to work.

It's 11:11 AM, one of my all-time favorite times. I've done the majority of the sewing and am about to start installing the
canvas. Because the method of attaching the edges incorporates a 1/2 inch by 1/8 inch piece of aluminum flat bar, I will have
to drill and screw those edges down. That will take a little time, but it should result in a very 'wind resistant' installation. I'm
having my second cup of coffee right now and may cook up some eggs for lunch. The wind is only around 5 to 10 knots at
the most and is not a problem.

Good grief. I am about out of energy. I have been sewing - the canvas is resistant, but it will buckle and by forced into shape -
hooking up the solar panels, and drilling enough aluminum to have a pile of shaving almost up to my baby toe. I know it
doesn't sound like much, but my arms are still tired. Ha ha - airplane joke - I flew in tonight and my arms are still tired. Yeah,
I'm goofy, that's right. Mickey and Pluto are over there. I just emptied the port fuel tank stowage and traced the solar panel
leads into the cabin. I can hang the Outback unit any time and hook it up.

I also drilled 4 holes in the solar panels specifically to accommodate 2 bronze rods inside nylon tubing that will be used to
lace the center canvas to I need to get back outside, reorganize and get the grommets in the center section so it can be
attached.

The center section of the canvas is on. I need to get the two end sections sorted out and installed in the morning and get the
sewing machine stowed and a bunch of other stuff stowed under the bunk. I also have 4 big blocks of foam to check out as
replacement for some of the mattress on the bunk. It won't take long to see if I'm going to use it or not.
April 29, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Three days left. Yesterday wore me out and I couldn't stay awake past 9 PM. Naturally, I woke up at 5 AM this morning and
have already done my email. I got an email from Ken Keenahan, the builder of 'Knot Tonite' with the section beyond this one
on the site. He is completing a complete restoration on a sweet little 1964 Volkswagen Convertible and I hope to get some
finished pictures and details later on to include on his pages. Old boat builders don't stop building, they just stop building
boats.

I have a plan to finish the canvas today and I am also going to have to throw away the wooden carrying case for the Sailrite. It
is rotten and disintegrating and I'm afraid the machine might fall out the bottom and go in the drink taking it on and off the
boat. I also have a lot of vacuuming to do in the cockpit and inside the boat, and I'm about to swing into the electrical stuff.
I am trying to figure out a way to lash up the ends of the
side pieces without getting too elaborate. I like the huge
way these three small pieces of cloth add shade beneath
the solar panels, but I just don't have the time right now to
make artwork out of the lashing situation. I emptied the dock
box and gave it to RJ and he gave me a sausage muffin.
The canvas is finished - for now - I'll get a picture in a minute -
and the Outback and Autohelm are mounted, as well as the
main DC selector switch for the main panel. I have all the
materials I need (now) for that hook-up and all the hook-ups I
can think of at the moment, so I'm going to pack up under the
bunk and get to the back area.
I have to go outside - Eddie and Eddie are here. Be right
back.

I got the storage under the bunk packed and sealed. The
panels lift and pull out and I might put one or two more in
there just because. I am really getting a short stack on the
dock and can probably do well with packing the rest of the
stuff aboard with little difficulty. I just have to get some of the
electrical systems hooked up and be sure I have all my
mandatory equipment and systems on board and working.

See you tomorrow.
April 30, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

I misspelled Ken Keenahan's name on the previous post. Sorry, Ken. Fixed now. Two days left after today. I'm going to be
going through my clothes and sorting them into three piles - junk, store, and use. My shoulder is going to heal on it's own. I
can tell because it is gradually getting a tiny bit better every day, even though I am using it pretty good getting all this work
done. By the end of the day I hope to be heavily into the electrical connecting stage, with everything aboard that's going
aboard and everything gone from the dock. I offered the sun shade to Eddie and Sandy, but wonder if I should really just toss
it in the trash. The thing is just about a rag. It shredded a bit two nights ago and I patched it together just enough to make
through when I leave.

I will have to stack some stuff on the cabin sole until I make some more shelves beneath the counters and provide them with
high fiddles or doors. That won't take too long, but more time than I have right now. I will also be building in some
bookshelves, but that won't be happening until some time in Marathon.

Still sorting and going through things to be trashed or stored. George Carter and Harry finally sold Harry's 47 foot Mason. I'm
sure they are both delighted. It was a long, hard road. Espin called me and needs me to pick up Barbara and him at the
Sarasota Airport sometime around 3:30 or so.

Right in the middle of this I stopped and went tearing through the boat searching for stuff and organizing. In the morning while
having coffee on the dock, the other guys left because I wouldn't stop working and sit down. I'd like to, in a way, but in a
bigger way I want to start moving in the boat instead of on the dock.
The bunk is finally cleaned off and I have the entire unit to sprawl out on during these hot nights, and the stove is bolted onto
the cook top, the front bottom plate is on and the pots and pans are stowed below. The dock is almost completely cleaned off
and there are only 4 pails left to trim and reduce, then bring aboard. Almost all the paint is stowed below the saloon sole.
May 1, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

One day left. I'm supposed to be excited, I guess. There's still a lot to do and a lot I'd like to get done. And there are things I
HAVE to get done. There should be time in the boatyard to make some headway on inside stuff between coats of paint and
such. I just did a mini brain jolt where I suddenly traced out the path for the depth sounder transducer cable and discovered it
was too short to run the desired route, so I have to lace it through beneath the sole. That means that I just had to run up to
the dumpster room and retrieve some of the PVC pipe I put up there to dispose of so I could put it in the bilge as a conduit.
It's still a bit early for photographs, but I took a couple of shots of the dock to show how little remains. The white bucket at the
front of the dinghy is more than half filled with miscellaneous stainless steel hardware. I'm now convinced that I have just
about reached the point of diminishing returns with the collection. I have picked it so clean that dumping it out to find a single
nut or bolt is often not worth the shoveling it all back in. Paul has a shed in his back yard and will put it there so he can pick
through for the occasional fastener when he needs one.

I have to get to West Marine today to get the rest of my safety essentials as well as a good poly tow rope for the dinghy. My
experiment with the nylon webbing covered small poly failed - the wet nylon overcame the poly's ability to float and the tow
rope sank. Good thing I tried it out before trusting it. I gave it to RJ to find a way to make use of it. Eddie doesn't want the sun
shade so I will dispose of it today.

The sun shade is gone as is the bucket of hardware and the two big blocks of foam. And another bucket full of odds and
ends. The foam I tossed was from the bunk - I replaced it with the new stuff. I've also moved a bunch of stuff out to the dock
to work on the electrical system. I may go back and forth between in-boat and dock work to lessen the effect of the sun.
Eddie thinks I should have waited before getting rid of the sun shade, but I did it before the sun came up because it was the
one thing I could do at the time.
May 2, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

The going away party last night turned into an incredible feast. I think I have an over-eaters hangover this morning. I took
pictures that I'll post here today, but I was too tried after a long, hard day yesterday to do anything but come home and go to
sleep. I also ate so much I looked like a snake that swallowed a cow.

Espin and Barbara are all set to go and will be leaving the dock at any time, so I'm going out there to say good-bye and get a
shot.
A lot more people showed up to the going away party than I
would have thought. I'm serious. I thought there would be a
half dozen or so of us, but there were more like 25 when all
was said and done. I took these pictures early, then put the
camera away and people kept coming, bringing platters and
dishes of food. What a feast.

I got a call from Donny and Barb during the party and spoke to
them as well. They are heading to Marsh Harbor, then Great
Harbor, then back into the States. Barbara has a Doctor's
appointment on the 3rd of June, so they are counting on being
back here by then.

George and Kim will be following me back to Seafood Shack
on the Monday I go back in so I can drop off Donny's car and
they will bring me back to the yard. Then they will head back
to Regatta Point and pick up C Joy and meet me in the river.
Espin and Barbara just left. They are heading back up to Panama City to freak out over the giant Gulf oil spill. George and
Kim and I will be hoping we can stay ahead of it on our way down to Marathon. Once I'm in Marathon, I can't help but wonder
if Boot Key Harbor will get hit with the slick. It's right in the middle of the projected path of the oil out of the Gulf.
I have a huge day ahead of me and a slight headache so I have to get going. Be back later.

After a few odds and ends, I started assembling the electrical panel, installing all the components I bought about a year ago.
It's a good thing I keep so much documentation or I never would have sorted out exactly what went where.
The only thing I have to power up right now are the running lights and anchor light. Other than that, I can safely connect each
system as I can get to it. Many of the essential running circuits are already wired with fuses right beneath the engine
instrument panel.

Connecting the AC circuits is a bit more difficult than it should be due to the hybrid nature of my installation. Consequently I
will have to connect the wires to the circuit breakers before mounting the breakers in the panels. I will probably fudge a
simple connect for the running lights tonight and continue the wiring up on the hard in Rivertown.

Here's a sight most people thought they'd never see - the dock is cleared completely (except for the dinghy) and there is only
a little bit of stuff loose on Falcon's deck to stow.
May 3, 2010 - Seafood Shack Marina - Cortez, Florida

Zero days left. Yesterday was another long day, but with significant progress. Later in the day I moved Falcon down the dock,
alone, by hand, just see how difficult it was in the 15 to 20 knot Southerly winds. Not a problem.
Falcon is desperately overweight and needs to lose at least a ton. I WILL do it - I promise, I will. By the time I leave Rivertown
I will have pared off most, if not all, of the offending weight. Of course, I have about 650 pounds of fuel aboard and another
800 pounds of water, as well as a 160 pound watermaker and about 500 pounds of books and paper, 500 pounds of tools
and at least 1000 pounds of extra materials and supplies to keep going on the boat. Wait, let me add that up. 3610 pounds
and that doesn't count extra bedding, clothes, foolishness and nonsense. I believe I can lose a full ton and still have some
fuel, some water, and a watermaker.

Late last night I connected a temporary hot lead and lit up all the basic running lights and the LED anchor light at the top of
the mainmast. I also tried out the LED lantern I converted, but it seemed a tad weak. It might be okay though. We'll see. I also
moved the boat out to the very end of the dock and took the pictures this morning.
It's 10:53 AM and I called Rivertown and they said to come on in at 2 PM. I am busy securing things on deck and below,
preparing for a rough trip and hoping for a 'not so rough' trip. I hope everything goes smoothly and I am up on the hard by
about 3 PM and getting to work. The amount of work I still have to do before heading south is daunting, but the one real
comfort is that I know what NEEDS to be done and that which would be NICE to have done.

I will have to separate the computer components and put some of them of the cabin sole so they can't fall there en route and
destroy themselves. Naturally, it's hard telling when I'll be able to get back online to update, but I think it should be okay by
tonight sometime. I will have the camera with me in the cockpit and take pictures all during the trip. I only hope I'm not too
tired to log the trip tonight. I wonder if there'll be any stress or if it'll just be fun.
The jury is back and the verdict is in - it was one
three-hour stress-fest. First, the boat was WAY WAY
to heavy and plowed like bulldozer. Attempting to get
anything more than 3 knots over the ground did
nothing but make her ass squat and seawater gurgled
into the cockpit drain until there was 5 or 6 inches of it
on the cockpit. Backing off to 3 knots allowed the
water to run out, but it made for a long, wet ride. The
new Garmin GPSMap 545 failed while less than a
quarter of a mile from the Seafood Shack, so - once
again - I had no depth sounder and no charts and 20
to 25 knots of wind and nasty conditions in Tampa
Bay. Waves crashed over the boat from the side and
splashed water in through the hatch. I had to call
George Pappas for the marker numbers leading to the
Range Markers for the channel up into the Manatee
River. I was two hours late getting there and had to
remove both of Falcons forestays to complete the lift. I
helped scrape the bottom with the two yard guys, then
RJ arrived with two ladders for me to borrow and brought me back to get Don's car. When I arrived back, the boat was
pressure washed and amazingly clean. A little while later, it was blocked and I got aboard and got the camera. Below are
some shots of Falcon out of the water and the yard around us. I also met Jim, a guy with a SWEET Choy Lee that he's
working on.
Falcon is a big, healthy girl and no mistake about it, but she cannot
handle the excess baggage I have her loaded down with and it is
about to be trimmed down to traveling size. I have already given the
watermaker to Randy - he has the same one on his boat already so he
can use it for spares - and it will be an issue with my mission here to
get at least a ton of weight out of Falcon.