A visit from my son.

My son Mike flew down with his significant other, Kari, last week to spend some time and to see "Once Upon a Mattress" (featuring his Dad as the Wizard.) Although their visit was way too short, we had a great time and they got to see some of the Keys sights.
Here are a couple of shots of their visit.

Mike at the Hemingway House

Mike and Kari watching sunset at Mallory Square

At the famous "Mile 0"

 

 

 

 

Yep, they saw the Southernmost Point

Although neither of them is really a "boat person," they adapted quite well to the dinghy rides to and from shore and even managed to sleep well on board. Of course, being able to give them their own stateroom, small as it is, helped a lot to make them comfortable. One of the joys of a larger boat.
I think they had a good time. I know we all ate well including a breakfast at the Stuffed Pig!
On a somewhat less happy note, this week I discovered that two of the four motor mounts on the engine are broken. So now it's a trip to the Yanmar dealer to order a new set. I plan on replacing all four. If two went bad, can the other two be far behind? Then I'll have to figure out how to support the engine while I change out the mounts. At least it's "only" 350 pounds! And we now know the source of that vibration we were getting under power.

New salon floor

Well...I know it's been a while since we updated here on our progress with the refit. There just hasn't been much in the way of new pictures. But today we finally have something to share. While Bev was in California visiting her grandson, I tore out the old salon floor (a umpteen layers) and built a whole new floor. I built a whole grid over and alongside to original floor joists, topped that with 3/4" play and some wood-grain vinyl. I still have to run new moldings around the edge, but I think it's starting to look quite good.

Walkure for sale!

It is with deeply mixed emotions that Bev and I have come to the decision that Walkure must find a new home. We have tried for a year to get someone in the family to take over our beloved AS-29 but alas, no one is able to do it.
We love this boat, and she has been good to us. She has seen us safely through over 7,000 miles of cruising from the Great Lakes to the Florida Keys and just about everywhere in between. She is the perfect boat for the Great Loop and has served us well in that capacity, but the time has come to move on.
Our "new" boat, Queequeg, is larger and faster and a bit more ocean capable. We have nearly completed the refit of Queequeg and will be cruising her this summer. Meanwhile, Walkure sits on the hard and will soon be in need of some attention. A loving owner will have no trouble bringing her into cruising trim quite quickly. As of now, she needs some cleaning, some new batteries, perhaps a new line or two, some fresh varnish on her brightwork and she'll be ready to go.
We will be away from Marathon for about 6 months starting in late April or early May and we dread the thought of her lying here without us to care for her for so long. Also, it is just too expensive for us to continue to maintain and store two boats.
If you are interested in taking possession of a truly unique and remarkable boat, please leave a comment on this blog. Reasonable offers will be entertained, but we are not giving her away, she means too much to us.

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!"