It's been a while...

Since I updated this blog. Sorry, I've been really, really busy!
The boat is coming along - slowly. There's not much that is "ready for prime time," so I don't have any new pictures of the boat. What's been done so far is not visible; rewiring, some engine work, some plumbing, etc. Next week a major plumbing job in on tap as I will be installed a new, heavier, larger holding tank. A filthy job, but absolutely necessary.
We've also been very busy with the new play at the Marathon Community Theater. The play is "Sleeping Indoors" by Jim Holt. We actually got to meet the author Friday night when he came to see the show.

Sleeping Indoors is a small play, just four characters, so all the parts are big. I'm actually on stage in every scene and have a lot of dialog. It's about a New England family that takes in a homeless man for Christmas. He doesn't stay long, but he has a huge impact on their lives. It's funny, it's sad, it's thought provoking. 
The first week in November, Bev and I went to Key West for 5 days to see "Meeting of The Minds" (MOTM), the annual parrothead convention. This was the 20th anniversary of the convention, which is held every year to have fun, hear some great music and raise money for charity. The event this year raised over $30,000 for local charities.
Among the musicians we heard: Jimmy Buffett, The Coral Reefer Band (Jimmy's band - better without him!), The Boat Drunks, Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band, Sunny Jim White, Kelly McGuire, Brent Burns, Latitude, Jimmy and the Parrots, Jerry Diaz and Hanna's Reef, Howard Livingston and more. The whole island was taken over by Trop Rock music. What a time!
Kelly McGuire's song "Redfish Island" was one of the things that inspired me to leave the crazy world behind and go cruising. I finally got to meet him.
And finally, after all these years, we got to see Jimmy Buffett in person.

Bev, me & Kelly McGuire

The Boat Drunks

Jimmy Buffett

Groups test

Just testing

The play closes

Well, last Saturday was the last show, and we struck the set immediately after the show. This allows the crew of the next show to start building their set.
It was kind of sad watching the set come down. It makes it seem so final. Yep, the "world premier" production of  "Act Now" is now over. But I have some great memories and bragging rights that come with being in the original cast.
So now it's back to work on Queequeg. This week it is sorting out the low water flow from the engine. The impeller is fine, the intake screen is clean, the strainer is clean so what's causing the problem? Either the seacock is clogged or something inside the engine is restricting the flow of water. Oh, well, what can one expect from a free boat?
Next week we tackle the holding tank...

The play is the thing...

which has pretty much eaten up most of my time these last few weeks.
As of this posting, those who have previously subscribed to the Walkure list will now get updates via email from this blog. (Once I remembered how to do it, it was easier than having each of you re-subscribe.)

This week, Bev's two sisters, Gayle and Chris, are visiting from MA. It's nice to have the extra room so we can have four people on board and not feel cramped. They are all going to the show on Sat night.
Speaking of the show, here are a couple of pictures from "Press Night." (Our last dress rehearsal before opening.)

"Director Dave" coaching two actors during improvisations.

My big solo "Ask Around."

"Dave" explains to "Bethany" how he creates his vision for how the show should be.

The lovely and talented Rebekah Reilly as "Bethany"

"David, you may kiss your bride!"

It's getting close

Well...this Thursday is opening night for "Act Now!" the musical. The show is starting gel and the whole cast is getting fired up to do it in front of a real audience.
If there is any way you can get down to the Keys between now and April 2, be sure to get tickets for "Act Now!"

The play, the floor and other things

The play is starting to shape up nicely. I've learned my lines and have most of the singing down pat...now if I could just get those dance steps down...
The cast is great and they've really made me feel welcome. As you know I'm a newcomer. They've been rehearsing this show since November and I only joined the cast a few weeks ago.
I especially want to mention 3 really fine actors that I work most closely with: Marty Dillis who plays "Steve," my best friend, Marilyn Tempest who plays "Cassandra," and of course Rebekah Reilly who plays "Bethany," my girlfriend.
Last night was "Press Night," a dress rehearsal to which the press are invited. We had about 30 people in the audience and they laughed at all the right places. I guess we're doing something right.
As for Queequeg, progress continues but slowly. Bev's 2 sisters are coming to visit in March, so I had to hurry and get the V-berth functional. The main problems we the leaky overhead hatch and the rotten floor. Both have now been fixed and the berth is now functional. Not yet pretty, but at least usable.

Here are a few pictures.
Bev just got back from San Diego where she was visiting her oldest son, Ben and his girlfirend Sarah who just had a baby boy!

Life in the Keys

Progress on "updating" Queequeg continues, but slowly.
Every time we fix one thing, something else goes wrong. We've put the heat exchanger problem on hold for a while, pending money to get a new one. Meanwhile, the engine runs fine on salt water.
We've developed a little leak in the pressure water system, so I'm busy tracking that down.
We've also discover MANY leaks in the portholes and deck hatches. I've been busy tracking them down and repairing them, but every time it rains we find a new one - or two - or three...you get the picture.
On a happier note, I will be starring in the upcoming production of "Act Now!" a new musical being produced - for the first time ever - at the Marathon Community Theater. The play is about auditions at a small community theater and I will be playing "Dave," the director.
If you are planning to be in the Keys this March, be sure to get tickets!

A setback

Well, we took Queequeg out for a half-day shakedown on Sunday. It was a beautiful day, ESE winds at about 10, lots of sun, etc. We had a great time sailing under jib alone with Bev quickly learning to handle the jib sheets. We came back to the mooring and picked up the ball easily. All was wonderful BUT...
Upon checking the engine afterward I found that the fresh water coolant had all leaked out. Investigating this today I discovered that the heat exchanger was bad. Yuck! I had no idea these little gizmos were so expensive! First of all the manufacturer, "Sen-Dure," no longer stocks this particular model. They very graciously said they could make one (they still have the specs on file) but it will cost $650 plus shipping. This is WAY out of our budget. So it looks like we sill be stuck in the harbor until 1) a rich relative neither of us knows about dies and leaves us money OR 2) we save up the bucks to buy it OR 3) some kind person reading this blog hits the "Donate" button and helps us out.
Our only real hope of a timely, reasonable cost solution will be if the local radiator shop can repair the unit. That will be tomorrow's project. Wish us luck.

Test haul-up of the main sail