Moving Uptown

February 20-21: 
This was the type of weather we imagined for Georgia when we left the Minnesota -- 70 degrees, blue sky, lots of sun, mild winds.  Ah! It's finally feels great to be here!  The calm winds and warm temps motivated us to get ready to move Maja from the outer boondocks of the marina into the heart of the action.  Yes, we are moving Uptown! 

Of course, that first meant that we had to learn how to dock the boat by ourselves, a huge FIRST for us.  Fortunately, both Saturday and Sunday were beautiful days for hanging around on the dock -- actually, more like jumping from the boat to the dock, and back again!  We tried out several different configurations of dock lines, and sequences for securing the boat to the dock, before we finally came up with an arrangement that the two of us could handle.  A lot of trial and error - believe me!  It proved to be a good thing that we were docked so far from civilization ... I'm sure several of my expletives would have raised some eyebrows...

This is all so new to us that we sometimes wonder when our 20 yrs of experience on Xanadu will come in handy.  This is our first boat with a diesel motor, so we spent a few attempts just moving the boat in forward and reverse to see how she handled, with the boat still tied to the dock! Diesels have this thing called "prop walk" that you have to take into consideration when approaching the dock in forward or reverse -- prop walk is the direction the prop moves the boat when in gear, which can cause the stern of the boat to move in a direction you never anticipated when putting the boat in reverse. Then we got up our courage to actually leave the dock, motor around and come back into another slip.  Throughout Saturday afternoon, we moved from slip 25 all the way up to slip 10!  WooHoo!

There's nothing like practice practice practice -- it reminded us of lessons we learned long ago (like avoid docking into the wind as that usually means that as soon as you tie the bow spring line on the dock (the mid-ship line), the stern is quickly blown 8 feet from the dock, into the middle of the slip!). After each attempt, we'd convene to the cockpit to discuss what worked well and what we'd better not try again.  The hardest part was figuring the best system for me to handle the 3 lines that needed to be secured to the dock, since Dan needed to be at the helm, dealing with forward and reverse (and that dreaded "prop walk").  . 

Sunday was another beautiful day, but rain was in the forecast so we knew we had to make the big move uptown to Dock 10 today.  After discovering so many ways that we did NOT want to dock the boat on Saturday, today was much more rewarding.  We only had one major misstep when Dan wanted to move the boat closer to the end of the dock, and all I had to do was use the one of the bow lines to pull the boat back about 5 feet ... Dan had the boat in reverse, and I was pulling with ALL my might, but I couldn't budge the boat an inch.  Dan would say PULL, and I would PULL and PULL and PULL, all to no avail.  I was beginning to think that I obviously was too much of a wimp to get a 21,000 lb boat to float backwards when I decided to walk around the front of the boat to see how we were aligned in the slip -- and then I noticed that the boat was still tied to the dock on the far side (something I couldn't see from the side of the boat we were docked!).  Ah, that explains everything!  We had a good laugh over that one ... yes, it's a learning curve!

But moving uptown was so worth it!  We are on Dock 10 now, the same dock as the boat house, so the boaters lounge, shower room and laundry is just a short walk away.  We can see the Suburban from the boat, and we have neighbors!  It's nice to not be so isolated anymore ... although it now takes Dan 5 times longer to get from the car to boathouse to the boat b/c he stops and talks with everyone he meets!  We may still be in the marina, but this definitely feels like progress!!

Georgia is famous for it's nasty "no-see-ems" (aka, tiny little flying bugs), so having a cockpit screen enclosure that keeps them out is a very nice thing to have!

2/16-2/19: Update on boat projects (video)

February 16-19:
After returning from a wonderful long weekend in Savannah (thanks again CJN), where even though it snowed on Friday night, we were able to stay warm and comfortable while watching Apolo Ohno win a gold metal in short track skating.  Sunday was a warm and sunny day so we enjoyed a full day of exploring Savannah and stopping at Leopolds ice cream parlor for a Valentines Day treat (definitely a place to stop when you visit).

Back in Brunswick, it was still blustery and very cold, so I parked myself in a sunny corner of the boaters lounge where I could watch the Olympics, knit, read, surf the internet, and get caught up on my TV shows via Hulu (thanks for that tip MQK).  However, the best part was getting to talk to all the other boaters who pass through the lounge (where there is free laundry in addtion to cable TV). Everyone has a story to tell, and many of the boaters have been in Brunswick since December waiting for the weather to improve so they could head south. It was reassuring to learn that we were not alone in being tied to the dock while necessary boat projects were completed and that no one in their right mind was heading out on the water while the weather has been sooooo cold (30 degrees) and windy (30 knots of wind).  The cold weather is everywhere.  Marinas in the Keys are overflowing with boats waiting to cross to the Bahamas, but they aren't going b/c the crossing is so rough and the Bahamas are just as cold. 

Fortunately for me, the cold weather doesn't stop Dan from forging ahead with the projects that must be completed on Maja.  He spent Tuesday afternoon crawling around the engine room with the mechanic making sure that the engine was properly aligned and all the motor mounts were secure.  On Wednesday,  he moved aft, crawling around in the space under the cockpit, working on the batteries and replacing outlets that had corroded (corrosion is our newbest friend!). In fact, I'm noticing that Dan spends most of his days crawling around in tight spaces as one of his new hobbies is tracing down and labeling the maze of wires hidden under the cabin floor and lockers.

For those of you who wondered how Dan and I would successfully cohabit on a 40-ft boat after living in a 4000 sqft home, I'd like to unveil his new time out room:

http://picasaweb.google.com/knowland3/Videos?locked=true#5441674098350022882 

BTW ... this is the kind of work that keeps Dan fit (who needs a gym when you spend your day climbing in and out of tight places!)

Since we don't have TV service on our boat, every nite we put on our hats, mittens, long underwear, sweatshirts and jackets for the quarter-mile walk to the boater's lounge to watch the Olympics.  And thanks to the Olympics, we now have an active social life!  Since most people have TV on their boats, they don't brave the cold weather to watch it from the clubhouse.  However there is a group of people who gather at the lounge to play dominos every night so we quickly became part of their circle. Even though we've played dominos for years, they play games we've never heard of ("Chicken Foot", "Mexican Train").  We usually don't make it back to the boat til after midnite b/c the games drag on due to all the talking and laughter.  Everyone has been incredibly welcoming of us newcomers, and they are full of so much information on places to cruise, places to avoid, and helpful tips for many of Dan's projects.  Most of the people we've met have been cruising fulltime for 10-20 years, and it's inspiring to hear about the places they've been (even though some nights I come back to the boat scared to death!). 

Friday was our best day yet because the weather finally hit 70 degrees and the holding tank arrived! Yah! 

 

And, of course, the best news of all is that it fits perfectly, thanks to Dan's meticulous measurements (it was a custom-made tank, so not returnable!).  Now that the waiting is over, the real work can begin.  Off to West Marine (the equivalent of Menards to a boater) to buy all the assorted hoses and clamps and vents required to complete the installation.  Since we learned that the Coast Guard routinely checks that a boat's holding tank does not leak overboard, and imposes a $10,000 fine if it does, Dan wants to make sure to replace everything that was worn and corroded.

Pictures of our boat - "Maja"

We live on a Bayfield40, a cutter-ketch sailboat (which means it has two masts, and the main mast is positioned near the center of the boat).  If you count the bow-sprit (the part that sticks out in front -- a good place to watch for shallow reefs, we're told), she's 45 feet overall (but since marinas charge by the foot, we keep our fingers crossed that no one will notice!).  She has a full keel with a 5ft draft (which is a good thing for shallow Bahamian waters), comfortably sleeps 6 people, has a separate shower stall in the head, and a new 15-horse motor on the dinghy (zoom-zoom -- another handy feature for exploring the Bahamas!).  BTY ... her name is "Maja" which we pronounce as "Maya".  We're told it's Spanish for "pretty" and pronounced "May-Hah", but I wanted a boat with an easy name to say over the radio, so we changed the pronunciation (don't get me started on the marinar folklore regarding the bad luck associated with changing a boat's name -- no risk in changing the way it's said, however!).

Bayfields have these wonderful "butterfly hatches" on the top of the boat that let in an amazing amount of light and ventilation into the cabin below.









Below is the dinette in the cabin (aka: living room).  There is an insert for the settee, so it converts to a comfortable sleeping area for two.  Yes, that's a flat-screen TV in the corner, complete with DVD player (and our new Sirius satilite radio -- a Christmas gift from our wonderful kids -- THANKS!).  The table in the middle folds out on 3 sides and has extra storage on the 4th side.

The galley is rather unique for a sailboat because it is located near the front of the boat (opposite the dinette) and is very open (most boats have a small U-shaped galley in the back, which is handy for cooking underway, but who does that anyway?!).  We like the layout b/c it allows one person to dig beer out of the refrigerator without disturbing the cook (the refrig/freezer is shown with one of 3 access panels open).  There is a 2-burner propane stove and oven. And a small sink in the corner where Dan does the dishes (!!).  And yes, there is a hot water heater .... a fabulous modern convenience!

Across from the galley, there is a pantry with 4 shelves.  It was big enough for our dishes and cookware and utensils and other necessities of a home kitchen ... but where in the hell does the food go?  It took me several attempts to figure out a balance that works ... and the only downside is that I had to move the the pots & pans from the bottom shelf to one of the lockers under the settee cushions. All those canned goods had to come someplace..... So dinner time always starts with moving the cushions and rummaging around in the dark locker.  Oh well ... at least the coffee pot is handy!

Next to the galley, and across from the dinette, is the nav station (our home office!).  It has both a VHS and a SingleSideBand radio, a slide-out desk that fits a full map and holds our computer.  It's the center of our electronic world, with the panel on the right controlling all the boat's systems. It has a very cool chair that flips to face either the nav station or the dinette area.

There are two berths for sleeping (in addition to the dinette area).  They are both located in the back of the boat (port and starboard). Each berth has it's own hanging locker and drawers ... small but it managed to fit everything we brought with us (plus the emergency flares and life jackets that I stuck in Dan's locker!).

The two berths are separated by the engine room (behind the companionway steps that lead to the cockpit). All of the windows (ports) and hatches on the boat have screens, and we are especially happy that the companionway hatch opens like an actual door (many boats are closed with slats, which makes it much harder to vent the boat as well as enter/exit). 

On to the bathroom (or "head" for those of you versed in boat lingo) ... We have one head, which is convenient when it comes to maintenance, but inconvenient when your one head is closed for maintenance (as we are learning now!).  It's located in the front of the boat, which is nice b/c it's away from the sleeping area (offering some small sense of privacy, which is rare on a small boat!) but it also offers a wild ride when the bow is bouncing around in the waves.  Oh well ... a boat is all about compromise.  The head has tons of storage (including a large locker next to the shower stall).  This is only place on the boat where we haven't had to roll dice to determine who gets the storage space!

And the head has a separate shower stall which is something I've always wanted (so much nicer than spraying the entire head with water just to take a shower).

Now, to the outside, where boaters spend most of their time ....

Starting from the front of the boat, Maja has a beautiful bow - including that 5 foot bow sprit that extends out over the water.

The cockpit is really the living area for sailors.  Maja has a very nice, enclosed cockpit.  There is a canvas dodger (blocks wind and spray from the front) and bimini (overhead coverage) as well as a full enclosure of both eisenglass and screens.  There is a propane grill that hangs on the back rail, as well as a swim ladder off the stern.  The dinghy hangs from davits off the stern.

The steering station has an autopilot, which was a new toy for us.  We could not understand the stories we had read about sailors who would sail offshore for weeks without ever touching the wheel because the autopilot did all the work, until our maiden voyage from Ft Lauderdale, FL to Brunswick, GA. Wow! What a cool invention.  Just plot your course, set the autopilot, sit back and relax. 

And not to be forgotten, the hull (the part below the water).  Maja has the unique honor of having a previous owner with an artistic flair.  The hull has been painted with an underwater reef scene, complete with mermaids, dolphins, sea turtles, sea horses, eels, etc.  We're told that this helps greatly with fishing!  Even the seasoned workers in the boatyard were impressed when the boat was hauled out for inspection.

We bought the boat in Ft Lauderdale, Florida in May 2009.  In June, we returned with our best buddy, Jim Garfunkel, to move to boat to Brunswick GA for storage thru hurricane season.  We stayed at the FLL Hilton and were thrilled to dock Maja at the hotel, where we could view it from our room!  Yah! 

Our cruising life aboard Maja officially started in January 2010, and that's a story current being written!

Baby...It's COLD outside!

Tuesday, February 9. The unpacking continues, both inside and outside the boat. There's always something to do (note to our co-workers back at Mayo Clinic:  "No, we are never bored!").  And each accomplishment is a celebration -- like when Dan got the propane tanks hooked up so we could make coffee in the morning!  Dan is always busy with something -- he's got 2 of our 3 sails rigged, reinstalled the canvas over the cockpit, hooked up the hot water heater, and finalized arrangements for the replacement holding tank to be built.  His best news has been that the holding tank should be fabricated in a week instead of the predicted 3 weeks, so we could be back in business by the end of the month (which is fabulous news since the bath house is a 1/4mile walk from our boat!).  Even though it's nice having an isolated dock to ourselves, our first trip is going to be to move from Dock 15 to Dock 12 -- we'll get WiFi on the boat from there, and we'll only be a short walk to the bath house and boaters lounge.  I keep busy carting boxes from the suburban and fretting where to put everything (so that we can find it again!).  We went shopping and got provisions for our first meals aboard. It’s raining off & on, but the temps are OK.

Wednesday February 10: 
Temps got down in the 20 degrees last nite, and despite the warmth from cooking our first meal indoors, we FROZE!  BRRR. Coming from Minnesota, we hate to complain about the weather, but seriously folks, we are living in a tupperware container here, with one space heater!  Thanks goodness we hauled our down comforter from MN with us, so at least the bed is warm ... but beware if you need to leave that cocoon!  The winds are HOWLING around 30-40 knots, so it is truly nasty out there, even though the sky is clear blue.  Makes one appreciate being securely tied to a dock (what would life be like at anchor??).  The weather will probably stay like this for another week…very high winds and cold temps. Every Wednesday, there is a Happy Hour at the boat house, so we braved the cold and wind to see who really showed up for these events.  What a nice surprise to see the place was packed!  It was good to hear that the other boaters were as surprised about the weather as we are (and not leaving their boats either), and it was very cool to hear about their sailing adventures.  One couple has been waiting for a 48hr weather window to head to Miami, and they figure that they'll be in Brunswick for a month before that happens. They say that after you have been in a marina for a week, you may as well stay for a month b/c the cost drops so much ($80/nite vs $440 a month).

We found another space heater on the boat, and we are definitely getting creative in ways to insulate the boat ... we draped blankets over the door from the cockpit to the cabin; crammed blankets into every locker; wrapped the hatches in plastic; slept in our long underwear and knit hats. It usually stays around 66 degrees inside unless we are cooking -- then it heats up to a balmy 72 degree!  Dan has put his experiences winter camping with the boy scouts to good use for us!  I apologize for the lack of photos.  It just too damn cold!

Thursday, February 11:
Our frustration with the boatyard continues, even though we daily practice our chant that "people move slooooooower in the south!"  Marty, the boatyard mechanic, told us on Monday that he'd be back in 24 hours to work on the loose motor mounts and show Dan how to make sure the engine and prop shaft were aligned.  After practicing patience for 2 days, Dan walked over to the boat yard today to talk with him...and now the story is "give me another week".  Major bummer b/c we want to make sure the motor is secure and aligned before we start any of our practice runs learning to dock this boat by ourselves .... not that we'd be leaving our current slip with temps in the 30s and the winds howling at 30-40 knots.  But, we'd really like to move the boat closer to the boat house (remember, we have no head on board!) and I literally run at full speed every time I have to leave for the boat. 

Dan has been working on the canvas for the cockpit, and installing the plastic enclosures.  This lead to a realization that several of the zippers need to be replaced, so we had people come out and give us some estimates for that work to be done.  We have no sewing machine on the boat -- and we found out during our maiden voyage last June that it's very important for the zippers to work smoothly when you are trying to put up the enclosures during a major blow (remember those times, Jim?!!).  Salt air takes rapidly takes it toil; we've seen the canvas start to rip just from the high winds here at the dock.

Listening to the evening weather report on our VHS radio, we started laughing that we managed to leave MN winter for THIS!!  We also remembered that Craig (Michelle's ever-so-gracious boyfriend in Savannah) was travelling to Las Vegas for the long holiday weekend with his family, so we called and asked him if we could move back into his apt for the weekend.  He's a gem -- so we're taking advantage of still having a car with us, and we are heading back to Savannah in the morning.

Friday, February 12:
Cold. Rain. Snow in the forecast.  This is too much to believe!  Last fall, we had wondered how we would handle the "usual" Georgia winter temps of 40-60 degrees!  In a deluge of rain and 35degrees cold, we trudged back to the suburban for the hour drive back to Savannah.  In the spirit of Valentines Day, Dan managed to pack up our martini fixings, so we are indulging in our Friday nite tradition here at Craig's place; protected from the howling rain outside; getting ready to watch the opening cerermony for the Olympics on his 60" HDTV! Life is warm, and dry, and good!

February 8 -- Finally, The Big Launch

Monday was the perfect day to splash Maja back into the water after being in the boatyard since July '09. The engine started, and two guys from the boatyard came along to make sure that our first docking was uneventful!  The pictures tell the story best ...

At long last, we were able to open the bottle for Veuve Clicquot that we've been keeping in our cooler since we left Minnesota!  For the moment, Life Is Good!