We had a day off of moving today. The main reason was to change the zincs from magnesium to zinc that helps to prevent corrosion of the hull due to salt water conditions. Magnesium works best in fresh water and now that the Gulf of Mexico is upon us it’s time to change. Also the bow thruster that we had put on and used about a dozen times stopped working about the second lock down the Tennessee River. It turns out that the shear pin was perfect and the blades on the prop are fine. Upon further inspection the gear box has failed. We called the installer and its under warranty. So now the question of whether another haul out in Florida is covered because the boat needs to be out of the water to work on it. A little bottom paint and a quick wax of the water line and shes ready to go back in.
The afternoon was hot and sunny, around 75 degrees. Aiden was able to fly his plane until the batter ran out. Scott and Aiden took a trip to West Marine in the dingy to pick up fresh water flush parts for the dingy motor. You should flush your outboards after use in the salt water. Actually just about every day or other day you must thoroughly wash your boat to remove the salt from spray of driving or wind. I did the laundry, picked up groceries, cleaned the boat and tried to dry out everything that was soaked from yesterday’s storms. The locals say that the storm was a bad one and short of hurricane it was one of the worst.
Grand Mariner Marina is a full service marina with laundry, restrooms, one shower, boat services and fuel. If they don’t have what you are looking for they can get it rather quickly. West Marine is a short hop across the river. They do have a courtesy car and a restaurant.
We are starting the journey to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in the morning. New territory with manatee speed zones and much slower speeds.
