Still in Key West

Wind still out of the east at 15-25 kts, heavy rain today and forcasted for tonight so we're not leaving yet. Bill and Mike are onboard. They got up to leave for the airport at 0200 so they are taking naps. The weather does look better for Saturday night, at least for sailing, winds south at 20, maybe some rain. And then better for Sunday and a nice high pressure for Monday.


It's just as well that we can't leave. The generator starter crapped out and Andy with ETC Marine is getting us a new one and installing it tomorrow, which is a Saturday, so needless to say Andy is an excellent contractor... Previously he had fixed our drive shaft coupling and engine mounts.


George did an excellent job on the projects that I had for him, even though we did not get to all of them. Here's a picture of the doors that he installed. You cannot believe how much easier to use than the old plastic slat was. I got these from Cruising Concepts which made them off of measurements that we provided. They fit perfectly.


George also installed a search light (it looks like a head light) which came out very cool. We had to make a custom platform for the light as the existing bow platform, which was made of teak, was too small. To make it easier to maintain we made it out of Starboard, a white polymer material that is very easy to work with. I also spent about four hours looking for just the right wiring fitting. I found it and you cannot even see the connectors for the wire, whic run into the anchor locker when the light is being used. The light has a remote control for turning it on and even panning and tilting. Way cool for those night time passages.

After we had got that done I was taking a look at our stove area and realized that the Starboard would make an excellent cutting area to go over the stove. George custom mounted that by routing the edges and installing the teak supports. Thanks, George.