Update After Tropical Storm Isaac

Unlike what the folks in the northern Gulf around Louisiana and Mississippi are experiencing from hurricane Issac, tropical storm Isaac was pretty much a non-event for Beach House and her crew. This did bring our total named storms we have had to deal with to 17. By previous standards, this one was no worse than many afternoon thunderstorms we have encountered in south Florida and elsewhere. The difference being, it lasted for a few days rather than a few hours. But don't get me wrong, we are always extremely happy when conditions are less than anticipated, and nothing pleases us more than having to do all of the preparations and then not need them. As a matter of fact, we prefer that scenario to most any other. We did, however, have some wind and rain for a couple of days.

As the storm moved north of the Florida Keys, the winds picked up from the northeast in the 20 MPH range. It stayed that way pretty much most of the day, and for a while Sunday night, it actually became calm. We had rainfall on Sunday in the 2- to 4-inch range and found two water leaks we didn't know we had. That was to be expected. On Monday morning, the winds picked up and held all day Monday and Monday night. The direction had switched from the northeast to the southeast and was blowing 30 to 35 MPH straight up the canal into the marina. As protected as we are here, this is the longest fetch. We saw some wave action and even white caps at times as the gust picked up to about 40 MPH. Interestingly enough, there was very little rain.

Southerly winds will pile the water up in the marina. It runs out of places to go since we have a weir dam just beyond our slips. The predicted 3- to 5-foot storm surge turned out to be about 2 feet. The water stopped rising about a foot from the top of the seawall. The dock ramp was a bit uphill for a day. Fortunately, it never got any higher than that. So all in all, we count ourselves lucky and consider this good practice for the next storm. Hurricane season is far from over. Thanks to everyone that emailed us with their best wishes. It's always appreciated.

Riding The Storm Out, Waiting For Isaac

We knew it would be too good to be true. Spending a hurricane season in Florida without dealing with a tropical system. And along comes tropical storm, soon to be hurricane, Isaac. This will make for 17 named storms we have had to deal with living on our two most recent boats - 16 on Sea Trek and now our first on Beach House. To say we're practiced at preparation is an understatement. Much of what we did to prepare Sea Trek (read about it here.), we have also done to prepare Beach House for Issac as it approaches us. You can see the projected path of Issac and all other storms in our storm tracking widget in the left column of the blog. As of 11 A.M. this morning, the outermost bands are hitting us and the rain and winds are picking up.

The anticipated winds will be coming from the northeast initially and switch to the southeast, then south. That will put the heaviest winds on our stern and then switch to our port beam and blow steadily for at least two days. They are now expected to be at least tropical storm force with gusts to hurricane force. Docklines are our first line of defense, and placement is important to keeping the boat off the dock and pilings. Several good, sturdy spring lines are set up to keep us from getting pushed into the dock with the wind astern. It's always been our practice to use over-sized docklines at all times, so getting different lines for storm conditions is not necessary. But we do double and even triple up on lines depending on how strong we expect the storm to be. We always prepare for the worst possible conditions. Our docks are floating docks so they will rise and fall with the storm surge, but we still add lots of well-placed fenders.

Next we have added lines in anticipation of the strong southerly winds that will occur as the storm passes just west of us. Fortunately for us, the houseboat that was in the slip next to us was moved, and this gives us some breathing room and allows for longer docklines spread out like a spider web. This is always the best tactic if possible. A couple of fenders are also in place to protect us against a couple of pilings. Our neighbor has tied their skiff in the empty slip under our docklines.

A big concern for us is our new hardtop over the flybridge. The manufacturer assures us that it can handle most storm conditions but cautions us that the weak link is the attachment point for the original stainless steel bimini bows to which the hardtop is attached. Based on that information and the inability to remove it without major assistance, we have tied it down to the upper flybridge rails and ran several lines over the top and down to the lower handrail stanchions for extra security. Time will tell how well this works for us.

At this point the boat looks like some mutant spiders have crawled out of the Everglades and tried to entrap us in their web. This is a good reminder that we can't have too many lines aboard and they should all be of more than adequate strength. It's also a good reminder of why we carry at least two good sets of docklines at all times.

Everything that we can possibly remove has been taken off the decks and stowed away inside the boat or somewhere ashore. Covers have been placed over the seats in the flybridge and lashed down so they won't get blown off. The flybridge seats are large storage lockers with lots of tools, etc. in them. Heavy wind-blown rain can work its way under the seats and get everything inside wet if not covered. We covered the seats with small plastic tarps, put the regular seat covers over the tarps, then tied lines around the bottoms to keep it all in place.

Our final prep this morning as the winds starting picking up was to remove the last of the canvas covers off the windows. These can blow loose and the snaps can do damage to the wood and paint in 50- to 60-mile an hour winds. Our water tanks are full and the holding tank has been emptied. We have plenty of gas for our Honda portable generator. We're taking bets around the marina on how soon the power will go out. The fridge is stocked and the cars are full of gas if needed. The current forecast moves the storm a bit to the west as it passes and that will help. But with these storms, they don't always listen to the National Weather Service and prefer to do as they please. So once again, we have prepared for the worst, but will hope for the best. Our best scenario would be to have done all of this preparation for nothing. That really wouldn't make us feel bad. We'll post back after it's all over to report the results.

Care And Feeding Of The Ford Lehman Diesel

The time is finally growing short for our departure on our next great adventure. Since we sold our dear friend Sea Trek, our Mariner 40 ketch, we have been preparing Beach House for our Bahamas/Great Loop adventure. The first thing we did was join the AGLCA, America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association, to glean as much knowledge and information as we can from others that have done the Loop in the past or are in the process now. The number one thing we learned was that the engine and transmission would be our top priority and the most important equipment on the boat. With that in mind, we've spent many hours and dollars preparing our Ford Lehman 120 and the Paragon transmission for the 6,000 to 8,000 mile journey. If you have followed us here, you are probably well aware of the upgrades and repairs we have made. We found some minor problems when we bought the boat, added some important safety equipment we wanted, and corrected some deficiencies inherent to the engine.

From the very beginning we replaced any potential problem parts and repaired things as they broke...

• Replaced all water hoses plus oil and transmission coolers.
• Replaced leaking fresh water pump.
• Installed fresh water recovery tank and necessary replacement neck for FW coolant tank.
• Cleaned heat exchanger.
• Replaced water heater engine hoses.
• Installed oil change pump.
• Speedseal cover on raw water pump.
• Replaced aging Racor 500 filter housing.
• Replaced poorly designed original raw water pump with new style Johnson Pump.
• Removed head, taken to machine shop, reworked and re-installed with new head gasket.
• New injectors.
• Valves adjusted.
• All new engine mounts.
• New alternator, old one repaired as a spare.
• Replaced fuel lift pump, old one kept as a spare.
• Replaced traditional stuffing box with PYI dripless system. 
• New prop shaft and cutlass bearing.
• Transmission removed, inspected, new seals, clutches and damper plate.
• Fresh coat of paint.
• Fluids and filters changed at appropriate times.
• Tachometers recalibrated.
• Raw water flow alarm installed.
• Props reworked and balanced.

I'm sure that there will be more work to be done in the engine compartment before we are ready to shove off. Items on my want-to-have list are...

1. Heat sensor on the exhaust discharge.
2. blowers for the engine compartment.
3. Generator install.
4. Finish rewiring of the house battery bank.
5. Install one more large bilge pump.
6. Finish painting.

We'll keep on posting as each of these projects are finished. I have just completed the installation of a Garmin GHP 10 Autopilot and that will be my next post. Except for a few hiccups, the installation was pretty straightforward. So come back and visit for the latest.

Midseason Maintenance Can Increase the Life of Your Boat

You have been told over and over that pre-season maintenance and service will ensure a trouble-free boating season. But will it really? A safe and happy boating season is a combination of preparation and prevention. It's so easy to hit the water as often as possible during the boating season and not want to spend time in the bilges or engine compartment. That's what spring commissioning is for. But a regular maintenance and service program during the season will go a long way to make the time we spend on the water truly enjoyable and safe. A little time on a regular basis will keep the breakdowns, failed equipment and need for towing to a minimum rather than a spoiled weekend while fishing or spending time with family and friends.

A routine pre-departure check should be a habit with everyone. Before leaving the dock, other than getting a weather update, take a few minutes and go through the boat's systems. Thoroughly check the engine compartment for water and fuel leaks. Look for oil dripping from lines or under the engine. Check all fluid levels including oil, water and transmission and steering fluids. Most importantly, do you have enough fuel for at least the day or to get you to a fuel dock? Check underwater seacocks to be sure they operate freely and that all hoses are secured with adequate clamps. Check to be sure all sea water strainers are clean and no clogs are present. Are the batteries fully charged for both running equipment and starting the engine, and are the batteries topped off with water if wet cells? You'll also want to be sure your electronics and navigation lights are working properly and your charts are all up to date. Is all safety equipment on board, current and in good working order? These are just a few items to check and make corrections to anything that might affect the safety and operation of the boat. (See our pre-departure check list.)

Your engines and generators are the most expensive and most used pieces of equipment on the boat. Even if your preference is for sail, the engine gets you in and out of the slip and back home quickly should the weather turn nasty. Check all of your manuals for all mechanical equipment on board and follow the recommended service schedules. A proper oil and filter change was probably done during the Spring or Winter commissioning, but if you like to use the boat a lot, chances are another service will be needed during the season. Base the need to change them on your engine hour maintenance schedule rather than the time of year. Keeping the oil and filters clean will go a long way to prolonging the life of any engine. Add engine coolant as needed and never let the coolant levels fall too low. Keep a close eye on fuel filters. Change them frequently if there is any possibility that you may have taken on dirty fuel or that water may have mixed with the fuel, especially if your fuel tanks have not been cleaned for a long time. A minimum of 100 hours between filter changes is a good rule of thumb, but sooner is better than later if in doubt. For gasoline engines, a midseason tune-up will save money on fuel and keep things running just the way you want them to. If your primary boat or your dinghy has an outboard, change the oil in the lower unit at about mid-season or based on the engines hours according to the engine manual. Check and adjust any engine belts. Be careful not to over tighten, and if you are not sure what the tension should be, check with a local mechanic or your engine manufacturer.

The head is an area that we would like to just have work well and not ever deal with, but the last thing you need is to have it fail in the middle of the day with a boat load of folks on board. Be sure the holding tank is pumped frequently and all valves and pumps are lubricated and working. Look for obvious leaks around hoses and the pumping mechanism. Correct these leaks immediately since they will only get worse and are an indicator of more potentially serious problems. Be sure everyone aboard understands to do's and don'ts of a marine toilet.

Don't neglect the boats exterior during the season and it will pay off with big dividends in the long run. Give the boat a thorough wash down after every use, especially in salt water, and use a soap formulated for boats to prolong the wax that was applied in the spring and to protect painted surfaces. Dish soap and other types will strip off wax and can damage painted surfaces if used for prolong periods. An additional coat of wax midseason is also a good idea if the boat is used frequently. Any exterior teak should get a maintenance coat of varnish or teal oil to keep it protected from UV or water damage. Windows and hatches should be cleaned and protected with a coating designed for glass or plastic depending on the material. Look for abrasions or scratches in the hull or gelcoat and repair them as soon as possible. If you happen to be snorkeling near your favorite beach, take a few minutes and have a look at the hull underwater. Change zincs if necessary and give the hull a scrub to remove any growth or barnacles. Check both rudders and props for damage or lines that might have become entangled. If the prop is damaged, have it removed and repaired. If you don't have dive equipment or if snorkeling won't get the job done, hire a professional diver to take care of any needed bottom maintenance. A clean bottom is much more fuel efficient and with the cost of fuel today, every savings helps.  

Other general maintenance should include checking steering cables or hydraulic connections, all fuel tanks are secure, engine room blowers are operational and the bilges are clean and free of oil and debris. It's difficult to list everything for every type of boat in this short article, so a wise Captain will develop his own maintenance schedule and keep a record of what was done when. We keep a Maintenance Log of every item, both major and minor, that gets done on the boat. It's easy to go back and see what you have done and what will need to be done before the next outing. I know how hard it is to take time away from enjoying the boat and getting down in the bilge for a cleaning or an oil change instead of spending the day on your favorite waterway. But the payoff is much larger than the inconvenience and in the end will truly ensure a happy boating season. Proper maintenance will extend the life of your boat and equipment, save you money in the long run, make the boating season a safe and enjoyable time and shorten the work list for your winter de-commissioning. Enjoy the summer!

Chuck's Pre-Departure Check List

• Float Plan Filed
• Weather Forecast
• Engine Oil
• Generator Oil
• Engine Coolant
• Generator Coolant
• Steering Fluids
• Battery Water
• Battery Condition House Banks
• Battery Condition Start Battery
• Transmission Fluid
• Engine Hours
• Fuel Level
• Water Tank Level
• Holding Tank Level
• Bilge Dry
• Bilge Pumps
• Seacocks/Strainers
• Radio
• Electronics
• Navigation Lights
• Sound Producing Device (Horn)
• Vessel Registration/Documentation
• Proper PFD's and Safety Equipment
• Current Charts
• First Aid Kit / Needed Medications
• Sun Screen
• Crew and Passenger Safety Briefing
• Head Working
• Steering / Throttle / Shifter

 Each Skipper will have their own items specific to their needs and type of boat. The important thing is to build your list and USE IT.