Prepping the Boat for Launch

The flight from the States to St. Lucia was wonderful and all my bags made it without issue. Cheers to Delta Airlines!!

As one would expect, paradise is a really nice place!! Obviously, it is warmer than Missouri was when I left – in a snow storm.

The sailboat is wonderful! I am definitely in love!

Of course, things rarely go according to plan. I discovered that the boat lift operators do not work on the weekend here so that required some adjustments.

The previous owners and I are spending this weekend prepping the boat I am learning as much as possible about her. We will launch and sail for Martinique this coming Monday morning.

As hoped, the new solar panels and batteries were waiting for me.

The two old batteries were 4D monsters – about 125 lbs each. Neither the previous owner or myself were feeling particularly strong so I found a boat yard worker that was willing to take them on. They had to be moved by hand from the floor of the aft cabin to the under the companion way hatch. There we connected a block and tackle to them from the sail boom and raised them to the deck – one at a time. Then, man handle them again back to the stern were we lowered them to the ground with the dinghy davit and block and tackle.

The new batteries are only 64 lbs each so much easier to handle. They came up to the stern the same way as the old went down but were then man handled the rest of the way. They ended up being slightly taller than the old batteries so I will need to make some adjustments so the cabin floor boards fit correctly. That can wait for a rainy day – or until enough guests are coming that I need that cabin!  The great news is that they are installed, charged, and working as expected.  The new Victron battery monitor and shunt are connected and working but final install of that also is waiting for a rainy day.

The solar panels are going to require a little injuneerun to install.  I haven’t worked on that yet but have a parts list for the next time I’m at a chandlery (boat parts store).

We also have the dodger and bimini up – the “windshield” and cabin “sun shade.” 🙂  The mainsail, sail cover and lazy jacks are up. The dinghy is aired and fueled. The anchor is stowed.  The water tanks are full of fresh water.

I’m also pleased to report that all my belongings are on board.  That would not seem like a difficult thing but when one has four huge suitcases that each weigh 70 lbs in a hotel room about three blocks from the boat and a boat that is on the hard with the deck about 14′ feet in the air – it is actually a bit of a project.  As you can imagine – lots of walking and sweating was involved.  Once again, the dinghy davits and block and tackle saved the day!

We are looking pretty good for a Monday launch!

Speaking of “looking”, a couple days in the tropical sun has resulted in the requisite first sunburn. I almost forgot that I am a ghostly white guy standing under the very hot sun. Add all the lifting and running up and down a ladder to board the boat and I am downright sore!

I’ll try to remember to take more photos today…  🙁