Tuesday 11/26
We slept in until about 7:30. Got up and had breakfast, then got underway to go and dump the holding tank. We went out 3 miles, and got rid of it. Our holding tank is supposed to be 55 gallons, but I measured it with a 5 gallons bucket (timed how long it took to fill the bucket then timed how long it took to fill the holding tank with a hose) and it seems to be a lot closer to 35 gallons, using a pump out station at the marina, it is important to note that I calibrated the tank gauge at zero, when empty that way, but when we pump out with our macerator, it only goes down to 20%, so how empty is it really? I don’t know and don’t want to risk using the vacu-pump heads into a full holding tank. This is bigger than some other boats, but not big enough for us to make it a whole week including having guests over for Thanksgiving. On the way out the knot meter did not work. (This is a little wheel that gets turned by the water flowing under the boat). Anyway, out three miles and dump the holding tank. Then back in again.
On the way in, I could not get the Radar to work, so I had Renee’ cycle the power to the Radar, the autopilot and the electronics. The Radar did not “come back” and neither did the knot meter. So, we did it again, still no joy. I eventually got the Radar back, and was using just the radar to see where the charts thought we were. It was a clear day, minimal wind and the swells were only 1 to 2 feet, and pretty much gone by the time we got into the the bay. I really did not need the electronics or autopilot or radar, but it is certainly annoying. A few minutes later the boat position showed up again. At this point the only thing not working is the knot meter. Tomorrow I will pul the sensor and clean it and put it back in again. That is the most common problem with these things is marine growth on the little wheel.
We had lunch and did our devotions for the day. Morning Mercies for today. A bit later than we like, but we had planned to do them while underway to dump the holding tank, and got caught up looking for lobster traps.
I got a shower, and Renee’ did the dishes from this morning and the cooking/food prep she did getting ready for the afternoon card game. After lunch we had the crews from the Merry Lee (only Cozette) and the Lost Pearl (Jeff and Angie) over and played “Tripoli” (Michigan Rummy) and then “May I”. We also talked about the plans for the Thanksgiving day meal.
They all left just before dark, as Cozette had to get Cody ashore and back to the boat before dark. We had dinner, fish! Renee’ cooked up what we had and we had fish for dinner and we will have fish for lunch and dinner again tomorrow. Fish does not last long unless it is frozen, and when she got it out of the freezer, it was time to cook it and that is that. It was really good, black rice, fish and green beans, it is what is for dinner.
Now dishes are done, the place is cleaned up, I am writing this, and Renee’ is reading. Plans for tomorrow are cleaning the speed probe and go ashore (maybe) and some sewing for Renee’.
We talked during the card game about the price of diesel, apparently it is about double at the fuel dock as compared to the gas station in town. But in town you have to haul your cans back the boat. The plan is to take a few cans into town and get them filled, and then when the guy at the dock complains, dicker on the price to get it closer to the town price. We will see, there are three boats, and we need about 140 gallons total between the three boats. That is a lot of hauling with two 13 gallon containers, and two 5 gallon Jerry cans. So it would be worth something, just not double the price. We will see what we can work out. That is planned for Friday.
Deck a boo blind closed. I previously described these, and thought I would try again.
Deck a boo blind open.