Our bottom sees the light of day

It would be fun to say, “we left bright and early!” but alas, we had to play the tides so didn’t get underway until about 11:00 last Monday. After thanking all parties involved at A&J, we slowly began our “three-hour tour.” Fortunately, neither Gilligan nor “good ol’ Murphy” were aboard, and we happily headed NORTH!

Goodbye to A&J Boat Works – thanks for everything!

Upon arrival in Fort Pierce, we eased up to the Safe Harbor Harbortown Marina fuel dock, where the rearing and very dirty SaltyMare spent the night. Bright and early Tuesday morning she was ready for the lift literally 25 yards around the corner at Shearwater Boat Yard.

Captain surveyed the scene, “around that corner right there”

As soon as she came out of the water, the answer was clear. The bottom actually looked great, but…

OH, BARNACLES!
(Who knew that could be spoken like a four-letter word?)

Well, she did spend three months in the muck of the Manatee Pocket. Sigh.

So, the ‘*Mare* went for a ride of her own

Don’t know if you should put that wallet away, Captain. I’m thinking you’ll need it…

The next day, she started receiving some much needed lovin’.
Point to note: dirty horses love a good rub down. And she’s earned it – 5 months in the Bahamas followed by three months in the muck of Manatee Pocket in Stuart, Florida, while having the engine replaced. Yuck.

She is sighing with relief. Thanks, guys!

The two most important things we learned are:

Fouled propeller (all “experts” agree, this is the cause of not making WOT RPM)
For the first time in our history with the boat, the scales on the lift crane were working! Yeah! Given her state of fuel and tankage, she weighs in at a svelte 87,100 pounds (or a trim 43.55 tons)! Valuable info for the future. We now know we can indeed be safely hauled by the more common 50-ton lift. And we photographed the proof for future use:

Now that she is in Ft. Pierce and our rented condo is in Stuart, our “commute” is more like 45 minutes. BUT this will be a short service-yard stay, and given a good quick schedule, we will make a few trips bringing our stuff back to the boat so we can return the keys to the condo.

And to help pay for the whole crazy “adventure,” a special stop along the way….