We bought our replacement
boat, Persistent Lady II, in May and it has not left the slip in St Pete once since the
purchase. In that time we have done extensive
work and still have a long way to go. A partial list of
work done so far:
Solar panels (4) on hand, waiting for return of
Bimini next week
Hydraulic steering pump and ram were sent for
repair, but both got the death sentence. New
pump and ram installed (both upgraded), waiting on machine shop to finish
rudder tiller arm modifications.
Complete 110 and 12 volt rewiring 85% done
Electric windlass retrofitted for key fob operation
New 85 lb
Mantus anchor sitting on
dock, waiting on the half barrel of chain and shackle
Sherrin will start sewing new stack Pak next week
Leak in aft A/C unit is repaired
New lights installed (entire
boat is LED )
AIS Transceiver ordered
New day tank is tacked together and sitting on its shelf for the dry fit
Two
electric heads installed, still need to plumb
holding tank on forward
head
Dinghy leaks repaired and
motor serviced
Generator 90% reinstalled then will test for
current output
Seventeen fans installed
Water maker (Cruise R O 20) not yet revived, but should be fine with a little TLC
Fifteen twelve volt outlets wired in for
charging iPads, etc
Microwave installed
Lines led to
cockpit, not started but have
winch and
hardware on hand
Soft spot
repairs not yet started
All the ‘pretty’ stuff, painting
hull and
deck, new
cushions, etc not yet started, probably a next year
project
Fuel polishing system,
parts either ordered or on hand
Our
Florida cruising
permit (extended) expires mid-November and we are still working feverishly to complete all projects before sailing South. Next week the hydraulics should be reinstalled completely so we will be able to sea trial that system (finally leave the slip!!). Our issue is that we probably won't have time to complete the work, sea trial, tweak, re-sea trial and then sail from St Pete to
Bahamas before our
permit expires and sales tax will accrue. We must provide proof to the state that we have left the state, such as
fuel receipt, marina receipt from another state, etc. we are considering sailing over to
Alabama for a week at the end of October, after which we could return (as I understand things), complete the work and sail to
Caribbean via
Bahamas in December.
We are a 46ft
monohull and draw 7 ft. We would prefer to ‘hop’ over to
Alabama, putting in to
anchor each night, then probably a night or two at a marina in AL to help with the
documentation. Haven't sailed in the Gulf for over twenty years and never east of
Texas, but remember that it can get rough quick.
Any suggestions as to
route, stops, good
anchorages, etc would really be appreciated.
Jim and Sherrin now aboard Persistent Lady II Sent from my
iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum