September - A Visit From Electric Blue

Several months ago we caught wind of another boat planning to convert to 100% solar electric power with the goal of making the Guinness Book of Records by completing the Great Loop on solar power.  We reached out and made contact with Captain Lee Wheelbarger on the Electric Blue Motor Yacht.  ( electricbluemotoryacht.com )

After months of keeping in touch, we were excited to hear that the 'Crew of Blue' was preparing to move the boat down to the west coast of Florida to continue the refit in warmer weather during the winter.  We made plans to meet up with them in LaBelle as they passed by crossing the Okeechobee Waterway.  Figuring they were probably weary from the hard cruise they had been on for weeks we decided to put on a dinner for them when they arrived. We prepared a tasty steak and potato supper with key lime pie for desert and then set about helping them with a few chores.  Electric Blue had a guest on board, Robert Brown, who video recorded a portion of the trip, across the Okeechobee Waterway.  Our meeting was included in one of the segments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAzm_KoPjh0

Electric Blue coming into the basin with 1st Mate Steven and guest videographer Robert Brown on deck.

Captain Lee and Robert Brown taking a break while waiting for the steaks to come off the grill.  

Electric Blue with the Archimedes behind it at Port La Belle. 

September Visit - Whoo Hoo! A New Loo!!!

We normally always head south once or twice during the summer for a 'boat check'.  Watching the weather closely, we decided to head down to babysit the Arc in the event that Tropical Storm Erica actually made it to Florida.  As it turned out, she fizzled out before getting close so we took advantage of the trip to take a car load of equipment down and complete a couple projects as well.

The amaizorolla (the Corolla) does it again!  The Captain loaded it completely inside and on top with equipment, supplies and tools and the aging Toyota ran like a champ.

The weather in south Florida at this time of year was unbearably hot forcing us to focus on projects below deck.  The central air conditioning system we installed last season works great and we were very comfortable while below.

We went on a shopping trip to Camping World in search of a new loo.  The ball seal had blown out at some point in time during the last season so this is the first project needing to be completed.  At the same time, the Captain replaced the water pump giving us maximum water pressure. We're in business now.  A new crapper AND plenty of water pressure to move things along!  Woo Hoo!  Pure luxury on a boat.

To be honest, I seriously expected to have another tale to add to our "Adventures in Marine Sanitation" chronicles but fortunately for the Captain, the installation went smoothly.  I had settled myself safely out of the way for the barrage of verbal abuse that would most undoubtedly be directed toward the project but it never happened.  Nice!

This would be the perfect time to refresh the paint behind the toilet but we didn't have the paint on hand and our time for this project was running short.  Not to worry, we have another project planned in the near future that will necessitate moving the toilet out of the way so we'll paint it at that time.

That's what I'm talking about!

Camping World had their doggie life jackets on sale so Radar is ready for the next season to begin.  Poor guy, he thought that we were going cruising since I put his life jacket on.  He was disappointed when we only went over to the fuel dock for a potty dump.  Sorry Radar.....soon buddy, soon.

We finished these project just in time for a visit from the Crew of Blue!  See next post.......