11/30/2010 Departure Day-2 Days and Counting

MTS made a visit today to deliver and install a new chip in the gps that covers south Florida and the Bahamas with a lot more detail.  They also did a software update that eliminated some of the issues I've had in the past.   The tech dismantled the pan camera for inspection.   It was taken back to their office.  We discovered a fuse had blown in the step down transformer that idicates an issue within the camera equipment.   It is up to the owner whether we pursue a fix.   More to follow.

I picked up the owners golf clubs and some clothing to save her from taking it aboard her flight down to meet the boat.   I rec'd the current registration and insurance policy coverages and exchanged my license information for the insurance company's records.

The boat is now ready to go!  The forecast for Thursday am is cold, cold and cold.   However, winds will turn from the south to the north and will make for an easier ride south to Norfolk.  

Sunday 11/28/2010 Departure Day -4 Days and Counting

Things are starting to heat up with the preparations for the trip. 
Toys was hauled out at Clarks Landing, the local Sea Ray dealer, for a quick bottom cleaning and all around bottom checks.  Her zincs were replaced too.   Clarks had a special going on and for a measley $3.50/foot you could get hauled and bottom power washed.   A great savings!

I filled the water tank with the freshest water available and added a little bleach to help with eliminating the smell of the water.   Her fuel tanks were filled in early November.   A small amount of fuel was used in her weekly runs.   We will have to come by the fuel dock again on Wed to top of the tanks. 

All of the linens, towels etc were removed and washed at the house and then returned to the boat.   The inside and outside of the bridge windows were cleaned and treated with Rain-X to help with visibility. 

I have MTS scheduled for a visit on Monday to help trouble shoot the 360 degree camera and deliver a platinum chip of the So Florida and Bahamas.  

Beth, Kelly and David met onboard Friday to discuss route planning etc. and loaded some provisions such as water, coffee, condiments and snacks.

The Trip

We will depart Herrington Harbour South early morning of the 2nd of December.   We hope to make the Norfolk area in time to transit the many bridges, locks in the Chesapeake, Va area before dark.   Hopefully we will take a slip and refuel south of this bottleneck of timed openings so we can get an early start on Friday.  From there we hope to make a fast trip to the Myrtle Beach area and take a slip at the Wacca Wache Marina close to Pawleys Island where Beth's dad lives.   Beth is scheduled to get off the boat there and fly back to Md for work.   Kelly Jo and I will continue on the Florida.   We plan to make Ft Lauderdale on or about the 12th or 13th of December.   We will stop along the way in various places for nightly stays and refueling. 

The Crew

David will captain this delivery along with Beth and Kelly Jo Prewitt.   Beth and David have sailed together for about 13 years aboard their Cape Dory "Mad Hatter 11" and for the past two seasons aboard "Sierra Charlie" their 41' Sceptre Pilothouse Sloop.   Kelly Jo is originally from Alaska and now living in the Maryland area while teaching youth sailing at "The Sailing Academy" in Deale, Md.  Kelly Jo is using this sea time aboard to help in her effort to obain her CG License. 

The Yacht "All The Toys"

All The Toys alongside @ HHN

All The Toys is a 2002 56' Sea Ray Sedan.   She is nicely equipped with all the necessary electronics, satellite tv, dvd players etc.   The power plant is twin Man 1050hp turbo charged v-10s. She carries 400gals of fuel in each of the two tanks and  200gals of fresh water.
She can do close to 40kts when turning 2300rpm.   Cruising speed should be around 22kts while burning approximately 40gals/hour.  This should give her a cruising range close to 440nm.