We arrived at our new dock at Mears Point Marina, Grasonsville, MD on Memorial Day. After 19 years at Caste Harbor Marina, we decided we needed a change. Our dock is primarily for sail boats. As yearly slip holders, we have free use of the gym located on the property, free breakfasts for all slip holders on weekends during the summer, a large swimming pool and kiddie pool with a Tikki bar, large laundry room, plus on-site mechanics, haul-out, dry dockage, and most importantly: walking distance to 8 or more restaurants!
We were welcome to "O" dock with a dock party. It was fun to meet our neighbors. They also had a raft up and movie night, but we were unable to attend. Near the end of the season, on my way to the laundry, I said hello to a woman, but didn't stop to talk. As I continued walking, I though she looked a lot like our former neighbor in Newark, Rita. When I returned with the laundry, I mentioned it to Pete. WE knew that she and Craig had a boat, and Pete remembered they had kept it here. Since I had her number, I called and left a message. Yep! it was Rita and Craig had been sitting in the car at the time we crossed paths. She even mentioned it to Craig. After a good laugh, we arranged to get together for dinner. We had dinner at Big Al's Tikki Bar while a great local band played. It was fun catching up between sets. Yea, we set close to the band. Though great music, it was loud!
Most of the summer was humid and hot; too hot for us to polish the cabin and cockpit. Pete had the daily spider patrol. The amount of spiders this year is much more than we have encountered in the past. Getting back on board after dark, you had to sweep with your arm to clear the webs before entering the cockpit.
Some of the work done on PEKABU included: ~ Unsuccessfully tried to free the main sail. It is still jammed in the in mast furling system. Pete has gone up 3 times without success. When we do get a rigger, he will also be asked to change out the mast light.
~ Replaced the alternator and regulator. Last spring the engine stopped charging the batteries. Once we had the alternator and regulator and the mechanic lined up, Pete prepped everything and ran a chase line so that the mechanic only had to pull the electrical, install, test, and make the adjustments. The mechanic was also able to replace the wires to the RPM and battery charging meters on the pedestal. It is so good to know when we reach our cruising RPMs. We no longer have to rely on our ears to "guesstimate" if we are traveling at the right speed. YEA!
~ The leaking shower and sink faucets in the head were replaced. In the process of drilling a hole in the shower wall for the new faucet, Pete found the in-bedded electrical line that powered the mirror's lights and fan. It, too, died last spring. Pete had run a separate wires after not being able to trace the defective ones. There is not way to rerun the wires in the walls, so we will stay with his repairs.
~ The windows were re-taped. He had resealed them last year, but the butyl tape apparently was bad and there was still some leaking.
~ Speaking of leaking, he has spent quite a while trying to find the cause of the leak from the front hatch. It doesn't happen often, but is a problem when it wets the bedding. We think it is caused by a wind-driven rain from the aft quarter. The search continues.
~ We had Haven Harbor paint the bottom and polished the hull. Pete had found a fabulous sale on the bottom paint by Defender last spring. He spoke with Haven Harbor to see if we could provide our own paint and was told we could. We saved about 1/3 of the regular price of the paint and had it shipped to Chris and Kel's until we got back north. Dan and Martha invited us to stay with them when PEKABU was on the hard. We can't thank them enough for their friendship and sharing their home.
~ The generator had impeller replaced. Since Pete continues to loose weight, he had no problem fitting into the back lazzarette.
~ The dinghy engine was serviced and the dinghy thoroughly cleaned.
~ The main engine had the oil changed and the hoses replaced.
~ Changed the heat exchanger zinc.
~ Radar reflector ties replaced
~ The leak into the bilge has been traced back to the starboard aft area. Pete thinks that it is from connections to the new hot water heater. He will need me a the gopher when he get down here to repair it.
~ Scrubbed the bilge
~ I am sure Pete tackled a number of other projects that I can't remember.
~ Plus we went through the "stuff" on board and removed between 150 - 200 pounds of excess weight!
~ It was only 2 weeks ago that Pete found our portable freezer having problems. He promptly contacted the manufacturer since it was still under warranty. They said to ship it to them and they would put a rush on the repair, knowing that Pete was to start heading south in less than two weeks. It was repaired and shipped out on Tuesday, 10/8. Wednesday, Pete got a call from Stock Island because a very large, heavy box arrived for us and we are not due to arrive until February. Pete immediately called the company. He was told that he wanted to make sure it would arrive in time, so it was shipped out. They didn't realize that the last shipping address was Key West. (We had a gasket sent for our old unit 2 years ago.) They did know that Pete was in Maryland. They will issue an immediate recall and have it sent. Since Pete leaves Saturday, 10/12, he requested the new shipping address be at River Dunes, NC. Pete was assured that it should be there next Thursday, 10/17. Aah... but the saga continues. On Tuesday, 10/15, the tracking # showed that it was still in Key West. The rep told Pete that UPS tried to pick it up 3 times without success. It is to be Fed EXed express pick up and delivery scheduled for Friday. Pete questioned if it would be cheaper to ship a new unit directly to River Dunes. They guaranteed that it would be at River Dunes on Friday, 10/18. Fingers crossed!
We had the girls with us for a few days at "Camp PEKABU." It was fun. We didn't have the opportunity to take them out sailing as it was hot ad no breeze, Between the pool, walking Bailey, drawing, crafts, and games, they slept well at night. However due to storms, we didn't get to see fireworks in Annapolis. We did catch the Narrow's display in the rain on July 2nd.
Our only guest this summer, besides the girls, was Carolyn, who spent a weekend with us in St, Michael's.
Over the summer, we took advantage of being close to set up our overdue medical appointments. We're doing well, but Pete had to repeat the shots in his knees again. Hopefully, he will be able to have the surgery on the right knee next summer.
We also had the opportunity to meet friends from CCYC down in Knapps's Narrows and to get a tour of the Poplar Island Reclamation Project that is currently about half completed. It is a fascinating project that is creating various, natural habitats on different areas of the island. It attracts birds, both native and migratory, fish, plants and reemergence of the Terrapin turtles and their nests, which, up until about 20 years ago, were thought extinct. It is a free tour and well worth the trip. 
For more information you might want to visit: http://www.poplarislandrestoration.com/Home/About
Since we are only an hour away, we had a number of opportunities to visit with Pete's Mom. She continues to be our "Energizer Bunny," despite her illness, she "keeps on going!" She is a remarkable woman whose spirit is amazing!
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| Kathy's Mom & her 92nd Birthday |
September 11th ~ view from Hoboken, NJ
I was able to spend some time on the weekends down on the boat with Pete. The best was when we attended the Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band concert at Wolf Trap Park in Sterling VA. We are not big Ringo fans, but it was a great excuse to spend time with great friends. Gerry was able to get tickets for the five couples. After a picnic dinner on the grounds with Jeanne and Gerry, Betty an John, Martha and Dan, Bev and Mike, we participated in a great concert. The All-Starr Band featured vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Colin Hay (Men at Work), guitarist Steve Lukather (Toto), keyboardist/vocalist Gregg Rolie (Santana, Journey), guitarist/vocalist Hamish Stuart (Average White Band), drummer Gregg Bissonette (Toto, Don Henley), and saxophonist/vocalist Warren Ham (Toto). We sang and danced to all my favorite songs. It was soooo much better than I had anticipated! Definitely, an evening to remember!
The other couple of weekends were spent prepping PEKABU for her journey south. Pete was doing stuff on his check list around his work schedule. By the start of the Annapolis Sail Boat Show, 10/10, his check list was complete (with the exception of the portable freezer) He was able to get the on board (original freezer) up and working. We have been using it for dry food storage since our first cruise in 2010. While in NJ, I have been cooking and making individual meal packets and freezing them for Pete. I had 34 meals prepared. Thankfully, they all fit into the on board freezer!
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ P & K
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