2021-02-12 The Keel Is Working

“The keel is basically a flat blade sticking down into the water from a sailboat’s bottom. It has two functions: it prevents the boat from being blown sideways by the wind, and it holds the ballast that keeps the boat right-side up.” There had been a lot of side winds and rocking of the crew recently. It seems though our way is now clearing and we are beginning to make way. After three weeks we have moved back aboard Magnolia while she was having some home-improvement jobs done. We did have two different AirBnbs that were very comfortable but definitely not our own bed! As further evidence of the “righting of the ship” I received my surgery date of 11 March to have this Prostate fixed up. We are definitely making “way!”

I received a very kind note this week from a blog reader that I did not even know I had! The gentleman from Queensland Australia has been a follower for sometime…I have to admit I was flattered. I really have little insight to whom actually reads our posts…to all those known and unknown, thank you for taking time to read.

As for home improvements we could not be happier with the accomplishments! Though we do have a couple more things. The first task & most importantly was joining 4 drawers to 2 larger ones…

The most complicated repair and at the beginning least understood was a leak in our keel. Most leaks on boats are from the deck where rain finds its way inside the boat. This time though was a leak from the keel…we were slowly sinking…not to worry it was very slow! The “slots” were where water was leaking up from the keel.

After repair and restoration the same location looks like this. A 17 gallon hydraulic reservoir normally sits here and will be re-installed.

Magnolia’s hull is a “full-displacement” design which makes her VERY efficient to move through the water which is why we can go nearly 3000 miles on a tank of fuel. The downside is the hull allows her to be really rolly…to counteract that undesirable characteristic most full displacement vessels are equipped with stabilizer fins which counteract that tendency.

Deep in the bowels of Magnolia are the actuators which drive the external fins.

Between the fin and the actuators are two seals that keep water out of the hull. These seals need to be replaced every three years and our time was due!

Just like a house, sometimes you need to replace the water-heater. Note the shiny, pretty and very expensive box in the middle!!!

Last but least the outboard engine on “Blossom” was misbehaving and I have never rebuilt a carburetor before. I have always been too chicken because there all these itsy-bitsy little parts and I never imagined I would get back in place. Having “Nurse Cleck” assist we managed to get it apart, reassembled and the most amazing thing happened….it worked!

We are blessed and the above proves my point!

This week in all about getting the water maker re-installed and then we start working down the list…a long long list! Be safe and thanks for reading, thank you Bruce!

2020-02-06 Not Sure Where To Start

I have been procrastinating on writing because I just simply do not know what to write. I have said for a long time the life we lead aboard both Magnolias is so calm I knew it would leave us ill prepared to deal with those inevitable bumps that arise in life. Please do not get me wrong, our life is not always easy. Magnolia is a very demanding task master and if you if you do not take care of her she will inevitably make you regret your laziness. We always know where we stand with her. If you listen to mother nature our life is actually pretty darn idyllic until….real life comes a knocking.

We had learned to tolerate Donald Trump trusting that, as for the last 244 years the political pendulum will continue to swing. I have great confidence in our democracy as long as the pendulum continues to swing venting the pressure that inevitably builds up in the current minority party. We need that pendulum to swing, both ways.

We as most of the world have learned to live in a “Covid World.” I honestly INITIALLY welcomed the isolation. We spend a fair amount of time living socially isolated simply because of our lifestyle. Little could I have imagined that even I long for the normalcy of social interactions. We have been PERHAPS over-doing the isolation thing, but we have managed to stay virus free so far and actually know only one in our circle who has become infected. Thankfully she is young and strong! Here in Florida they seem to be getting vaccines out with good progress for the most vulnerable. I am sure they will get to us, I just hope it is BEFORE hurricane season!

So as far as medical goes, that has been a goat rope. In spite of the fact that we supposedly have great insurance (Blue Cross) I have yet to get to resolution of my prostate cancer. I cannot not imagine how people in our society of lesser means can begin to even cope. Thankfully we we have time and finances (and a very SLOW growing cancer) that should allow for a successful outcome. Though with as slow as things are going, I am wondering how slow is slow when it comes to cancer!!!!

So as many know we lost my mother Patrica Ann Baker a couple of weeks ago. She was only 80 years old so most definitely we wish she could have had a better quality of life for a little longer. In the end though she was tired and ready to rest. It is a hard time for my pops to be sure. My mom and sister Kimberly were exceptionally close. Kimberly very much carried the water for my brother and me. Mom is definitely missed each and every moment. In life we all struggle from time to time. But I think the one thing I will definitely hold onto is that she taught me to just TRY and do the best you can. We will all sometimes fall short…what we do tomorrow is really what counts.

Magnolia is currently in Stuart FL, actually we are hauled out for a couple weeks as we take care of some maintenance issues. We are safe and comfortable and just working through the bureaucracy on our way to getting this surgery out of the way. Vessel, Crew and Family will be well, thank you again for the prayers.