Clearing the Cobwebs – Vero Beach, FL, USA – November 3, 2022

I have to admit, we are a little rusty. However, after 10 days in the water (4 of which we have travelled), 20 hours on the engines…Sailing Hubby’s honey-do list has only gotten longer. It’s to the point of silly now since we have things breaking that I didn’t even know we had. For example, there’s this thing that regulates the water pressure on the boat and makes it easier for you to adjust the hot and cold water in the shower and not get scalded. Yep, ask me how I can tell you that’s broke! Apparently, we need a new “accumulator” since ours has a large hole and no longer pressurizes. Then we found out we might have a leak in one of our diesel tanks, if that turns out to be the case Ron gets to syphon out all the gas in both tanks and weld them with JB Weld (whatever that is apparently fixes it). It’s not cheap to leak diesel and not really safe to have fuel in your bilges. One of the tachometers needed rewired, our speed over ground(SOG) isn’t showing up on the speed display since we changed our chart plotter, our chain snubber hook for the anchor bridal doesn’t work (and we get to replace that), and the list goes on……and on.

On the positive side, it looks like due to weather, we will need to stay in Vero Beach for about a week and will have time to do this stuff.  We can get our necessary parts shipped to the marina, we are still in the states which means we don’t have to pay import tax on anything we need to fix stuff, and my magically handy husband knows how to do all this crap.  As far as the weather goes, we are watching a storm that is going to pass through starting Friday-Sunday and hoping it isn’t a tropical storm.  We are all tucked in a little marina on a mooring to wait it out just in case.

We also got to see a launch as we headed down the space coast which is always very cool.

And after 10 days, the boat routines are starting to feel familiar again.  I drove a good chunk of the intercoastal to try and get some experience and learn the new chart plotter.  We have anchored a few times to test out our new chain (which is how we know it’s broke), docked a few times, and picked up a mooring so we are dangerous enough now to head south when weather permits.  A crossing window may be upon us after this storm goes through but will need to wait til we get closer to see.

For now though, Vero Beach is a cool little town with walking trails, beaches, and a terrific farmer’s market on Saturday.  We also have friends heading here in a couple days as well so I am sure we will find something to entertain us for a while!