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Old 11-06-2019, 08:25 PM   #121
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I'm currently anchored at Barnegat Inlet, and man, what a pleasant spot this is. I dunno what It's like during the high season, I imagine it's really busy. Right now though, I've got this anchorage to myself, and it's so quiet and peaceful. This is the first real comfortable night at anchor I've had, and it's brilliant.
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Old 11-06-2019, 08:59 PM   #122
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Dave, did you ever find that listing for Sylphide? I'd really like to see her details. Cheers
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Old 11-07-2019, 06:13 AM   #123
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Another big first for today was a hot shower aboard. You read that right, a hot shower. I finally decided to feed that damnable thermostatic valve to the local swan, and just installed a different unit. It's a cheap RV job, but it works, and even looks good enough that I'm happy to leave it alone until it breaks.
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The hot shower makes me laugh too, because I too spent the weekend on boat projects, and out of the three I struck out on two and finished one (new galley sink drain hose and fix leaky sink.) It turns out that someone in Taiwan decided to make custom sized stainless sink drains back in the 1980's, and everyone here laughed at me when I tried to find a new one. My final solution when the threads stripped? Epoxy a barb fitting onto the dang thing, epoxy lasts forever! Victory is mine! And now I replaced that dang stinky hose and the boat smells better!

Speaking of hot showers... or NOT, as the case here was, for a while...

We were expecting to finally head south on Tuesday, after an irritating and unwarranted delay from our previous Saturday plan (awaiting new eyeglasses that still didn't arrive)...

We discovered on the Sunday that our water heater thermostat had gone south. Fine. Slightly surprisingly, not available at the local likely places where I've found one before. Fine. Found 2-day delivery from an on-line place, so had it shipped to our Portsmouth destination. Fine. Learn from that retailer on Wednesday (i.e., NOT 5 minutes after placing the order) that they we're just kidding, thermostat not actually in stock. Note they waited two days to tell me that. Fine.

Local searching in Portsmouth, with some good help from a local Raritan dealer who used to stock our brand and from another helpful RV dealer here, finally turned up yet another RV dealer not too far away (VA Beach) who had one. Actually, they had two. Fine. Uber'd over and back, 45 minutes later we're back in bid'ness. (Would have been a 10-minute job, on the bench.)

Anyway... fine. The Uber, each way, was more $$$ than the part.

The worst part, though, is that I actually had on my pre-flight checklist to order a spare thermostat. Didn't; actually made the conscious decision to not order, thinking not to worry, we can easily get one delivered to where we'll be in JAX if we needed one. Dufus.

<Sigh>...

-Chris
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Old 11-07-2019, 06:26 AM   #124
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Looks like your boat has it's own brand of beer. In a hull matching aluminum can - no less.
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Old 11-07-2019, 08:55 AM   #125
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finally turned up yet another RV dealer not too far away (VA Beach) who had one. Actually, they had two. Fine. Uber'd over and back, 45 minutes later we're back in bid'ness. (Would have been a 10-minute job, on the bench.)

Anyway... fine. The Uber, each way, was more $$$ than the part.

The worst part, though, is that I actually had on my pre-flight checklist to order a spare thermostat. Didn't; actually made the conscious decision to not order, thinking not to worry, we can easily get one delivered to where we'll be in JAX if we needed one. Dufus.

<Sigh>...

-Chris

And you didn't just buy BOTH of them when you there standing at the counter?!?
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Old 11-08-2019, 05:35 AM   #126
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And you didn't just buy BOTH of them when you there standing at the counter?!?

Yep, I bought both. Hopefully that will mean I never ever have to replace one again.

Yeah, right.

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Old 11-08-2019, 05:41 AM   #127
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Where are you David? I’m betting it will be a cold one today.
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Old 11-08-2019, 07:08 AM   #128
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Dave, did you ever find that listing for Sylphide? I'd really like to see her details. Cheers
Hey Kit, I posted it back in post #84.

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Originally Posted by ranger42c View Post
Speaking of hot showers... or NOT, as the case here was, for a while...

We were expecting to finally head south on Tuesday, after an irritating and unwarranted delay from our previous Saturday plan (awaiting new eyeglasses that still didn't arrive)...

We discovered on the Sunday that our water heater thermostat had gone south. Fine. Slightly surprisingly, not available at the local likely places where I've found one before. Fine. Found 2-day delivery from an on-line place, so had it shipped to our Portsmouth destination. Fine. Learn from that retailer on Wednesday (i.e., NOT 5 minutes after placing the order) that they we're just kidding, thermostat not actually in stock. Note they waited two days to tell me that. Fine.

Local searching in Portsmouth, with some good help from a local Raritan dealer who used to stock our brand and from another helpful RV dealer here, finally turned up yet another RV dealer not too far away (VA Beach) who had one. Actually, they had two. Fine. Uber'd over and back, 45 minutes later we're back in bid'ness. (Would have been a 10-minute job, on the bench.)

Anyway... fine. The Uber, each way, was more $$$ than the part.

The worst part, though, is that I actually had on my pre-flight checklist to order a spare thermostat. Didn't; actually made the conscious decision to not order, thinking not to worry, we can easily get one delivered to where we'll be in JAX if we needed one. Dufus.

<Sigh>...

-Chris
See, now that's a spare part I never would have thought to carry in a million years...

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Looks like your boat has it's own brand of beer. In a hull matching aluminum can - no less.
That looks delicious! I should write to them and see if they'll send me some.

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Where are you David? I’m betting it will be a cold one today.
I'm in Atlantic City, and it's everything I could have hoped and more.
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Old 11-08-2019, 07:44 AM   #129
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Good morning Boatnerds. I've had a couple of good days of running. The trip from NY harbor to Barnegat went very well. The weather was good and sunny, and the boat ran well. The anchorage at Barnegat was exceedingly pleasant.

Yesterday was a blustery one. The wind was forecast to be out of the south in the high teens and low twenties, and so it was. I decided I didn't want to bash into a head sea all day, and took the inside route. I'd been a little nervous about that stretch, since I've heard a lot of reports of shifting shoals and grounded boats. I've spent some time aground in the past, and have found I don't much care for it. No such trouble, though. My charts were good, and the markers were reliable. We went on a rising tide, and took it slow. It felt like the current was against me most of the time, so it was a day of many hours, but not so many miles.

I arrived at the Chris Farley state marina at Atlantic city around 3:00 yesterday, took a splash of diesel, pumped out, and availed myself of water, electrical, and other services. A seagull tried to eat my garbage.

Sylphide was a dirty girl, and so I started giving her a good ol' sponge bath. I worked along for a bit until I realized that it had gone dark, and I was wet and cold, and probably looked a bit of an idiot. I figured, 'well, it's dark, and probably getting late, so I'll pack it in for the night.' Then I checked a clock and saw it was 5:30

I'm taking a zero today. It's cold and blowy, and the weather will be better tomorrow. I haven't set foot on land in four days, so I think I will today. I need a few fresh provisions, and I'd like to make a trip to the hardware store and maybe West Marine. My boat project today is to service the batteries. I've never done that before, so it'll be a learning experience, but it needs doing. My terminals are pretty corroded, and I think it's causing me to lose voltage.
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Old 11-08-2019, 09:23 AM   #130
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Sounds like yer having a good run and lots o fun. Are you headed south fur wurmer weather or just getting to know ya new baby?
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Old 11-08-2019, 09:44 AM   #131
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Cleaning the corrosion off and having dry, clean and tight cable to battery connections is important for best service.

Typically the corrosion on a flood cell battery is from the hydrogen gas being released from the acid in the battery. The gas gets out through venting in the caps when the battery is charging. if the corrosion is occurring on the negative terminal, your system is probably undercharging. If on the positive side, it is probably overcharging. In addition the faster the charge rate the more gas is produced. Keeping the batteries charged up so a big charge situation is not needed as much helps. Also coating the terminals or cable ends will help too. If you do use a coating it does not have to be a thick coating.

When cleaning use baking soda to neutralize the acid. Just don't get any inside the battery! The clean or flush with water. Having a clean battery case also helps eliminate stray current loss with current finding a conductive path through dirt to the other side of the battery.
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Old 11-08-2019, 09:47 AM   #132
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“My boat project today is to service the batteries.”
Safety glasses please!
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Old 11-08-2019, 10:32 AM   #133
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When done cleaning the terminals and reassembling, spray everything metal with Corrosion X. A little goes a long way. My terminals and connections looked the same as they did 4 years ago when I assembled them.

CorrosionX

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Old 11-08-2019, 12:48 PM   #134
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I'm taking a zero today. It's cold and blowy, and the weather will be better tomorrow. I haven't set foot on land in four days, so I think I will today. I need a few fresh provisions, and I'd like to make a trip to the hardware store and maybe West Marine. My boat project today is to service the batteries. I've never done that before, so it'll be a learning experience, but it needs doing. My terminals are pretty corroded, and I think it's causing me to lose voltage.
Wifey B: Casinos? Buffets? There are things on land you may have forgotten about in your long period on the water.

Sorry, if I'm in Atlantic City, hardware store and West Marine aren't the first thing I think of. Enjoy some of your day there.
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Old 11-08-2019, 02:20 PM   #135
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Sounds like yer having a good run and lots o fun. Are you headed south fur wurmer weather or just getting to know ya new baby?
A little of both, really, but mostly running from the cold. It's snowing at the dirt house!

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Cleaning the corrosion off and having dry, clean and tight cable to battery connections is important for best service.

Typically the corrosion on a flood cell battery is from the hydrogen gas being released from the acid in the battery. The gas gets out through venting in the caps when the battery is charging. if the corrosion is occurring on the negative terminal, your system is probably undercharging. If on the positive side, it is probably overcharging. In addition the faster the charge rate the more gas is produced. Keeping the batteries charged up so a big charge situation is not needed as much helps. Also coating the terminals or cable ends will help too. If you do use a coating it does not have to be a thick coating.

When cleaning use baking soda to neutralize the acid. Just don't get any inside the battery! The clean or flush with water. Having a clean battery case also helps eliminate stray current loss with current finding a conductive path through dirt to the other side of the battery.
Excellent, thank you for that information. I picked up some baking soda and one of those terminal cleaner brush things, and a fluid tester. I was hoping to find one of those pitchers that fills to the correct level automatically, but they didn't have any.

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“My boat project today is to service the batteries.”
Safety glasses please!
100% guaranteed! I also have gloves, long sleeves, and I'll be wearing two condoms.

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When done cleaning the terminals and reassembling, spray everything metal with Corrosion X. A little goes a long way. My terminals and connections looked the same as they did 4 years ago when I assembled them.

CorrosionX

Ted
Another excellent tip. I'll have to get me some of that.

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Wifey B: Casinos? Buffets? There are things on land you may have forgotten about in your long period on the water.

Sorry, if I'm in Atlantic City, hardware store and West Marine aren't the first thing I think of. Enjoy some of your day there.
I did wander into the casino to get some quarters for the laundry machine... does that count?? lol.
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Old 11-08-2019, 02:31 PM   #136
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In the battery surgery, wear clothes that you have little fondness for.
If they sustain a lil acid rain you can re-purpose as a rag to check the oil.
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Old 11-08-2019, 02:40 PM   #137
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A little of both, really, but mostly running from the cold. It's snowing at the dirt house!

100% guaranteed! I also have gloves, long sleeves, and I'll be wearing two condoms.


Another excellent tip. I'll have to get me some of that.



We're expecting below freezing weather over the weekend.


Three for extra safety measures



CorrosionX is a spray wax. I checked the MSDS to be sure it didn't have sillycone in it.
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Old 11-11-2019, 05:43 PM   #138
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This is the third time I've typed this entry over the course of the last couple of days. I keep thinking, naa, just cool down Dave, and then I delete it. Well, the time has come. I need to vent.

I have not been enjoying the last several days of this adventure. I spent most of my time in Atlantic City just trying, and failing, to do simple chores. I knew everything was going to take a little longer and more effort living aboard, but actually living it has been really frustrating. It took me all morning to get my laundry started, after wandering around an enormous marina, trying to find someone who worked there to give me the code, then wandering around a casino trying to find change to make the broken machines work. Getting groceries and making a failed attempt at picking some things up at the hardware store got me to sunset, and by the time I'd eaten something and cleaned a few things, I was spent for the day.

That night, woke up at 0330 to a funny sound and a very cold boat. The funny sound and cold air were both coming from my furnace. I was out of propane. No worries, I had a second tank that I'd just filled up a few days before. When I went to hook it up, I found that it had emptied itself. I suspect a faulty tank valve, because when I tried to work the valve, it felt wonky, and I couldn't tell if it was open or closed. So I went back to bed with extra blankets. It got down to 27 that night.

The next morning, I spent a couple of hours taking my empty propane tanks for a ride into town, and meeting new and interesting uber drivers.

Once I finally got underway, I found good, calm, sunny weather for my passage to Cape May. The seas were oily smooth, and I made good time. I wished I could carry on with the good weather, but there wasn't really any obvious destination I could reach before nightfall, aside from Cape May. I dropped the hook at around 1500.

I had a long list of things I should be trying to fix, but wasn't interested, and was really tired of troubleshooting and thinking about boat stuff. I feel like I've been spending a lot of my time trying to figure out why any number of devices is beeping at me, or not working like I think they should, and it's really grating on my nerves.

I went to bed early.

The next morning, I checked the forecast and decided to make a run across Delaware bay. The forecasts I'd seen were calling for 1-2 footers. I did not find 1-2 footers. I found steep 4 and 5 footers. I tried for a while to see if I could find a comfortable course and failed. I got my ass handed to me. When the coffee grinder destroyed itself in an epic explosion of beans, I bravely turned tail and headed back to anchorage.

I spent the rest of the day trying to figure out why my propane system won't stop beeping at me. I could not. I also tried to figure out why my tank tender isn't accurate. I could not. It was another frustrating day, and I found myself questioning my life choices.

I also found myself wondering why my house batteries are discharging so quickly. I then found myself wondering why my generator isn't charging the batteries. Now that I'm in a marina, I'm also wondering why the hell I can't get any AC power onto the boat. Also, as of about 10 minutes ago, my generator wont run. It starts, then stalls. excellent.



This whole enterprise is starting to feel like a huge mistake. I'm feeling very disappointed, and very lonely.
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Old 11-11-2019, 06:13 PM   #139
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Sorry to hear that you are having troubles. Keep in mind that you aren’t alone, everyone here is with you. My suggestion would be to pick your challenges and knock them down one by one. We completely understand how difficult some things are to get done. It is strange how some supposedly simple things like getting change for the washer and dryer can be a pain. We went to 3 banks in Virginia before we left to bring our boat home and none of them would even give us change for a $20 because we were not a customer of the bank. In Cape May we found a marina that kept rolls of quarters and was happy to sell us a bunch of rolls. Keep at it and things will work out. Anytime you need some support, we are here for you.
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Old 11-11-2019, 06:15 PM   #140
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I've oft heard it repeated that cruising is really just fixing your boat in exotic locales.

That said, one more cliche for your entertainment and perhaps direction;

"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time..."

So, make a list, prioritize by difficulty and importance and start chomping!

Though you don't really know many of us out of the web world, we're, at least I'm, pulling for you to make a sucess of this adventure. I enjoy following along and look forward to reading about your solutions so I can add them to my boating "bag O tricks" down the road.

Get the electrical figured out, then the heat. I'd think this route would provide the most options as the list gets shortened to a point where they become convenience vice safety items. Good luck!!
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