Captain's Log
03 July 2011 | Palmetto, FL
Don
This is a bittersweet day for Don & Judi. They have arrived at their new home in Palmetto to await delivery of their household goods. But All Hanz On Deck remains at Rialto Harbor, a fresh water hurricane haven in Alva. Personal items were loaded into a rented mini-van for the 2-1/2 hour drive north on I-75. The new paint, carpet and stairs really make the new place feel like home. Chloe immediately took to the coolness of the tile floor on the main level. She seems intrigued with the sights, sounds and smells of the area. As for the boat, a diver was able to remove the props and sure enough, there was considerable damage to both starboard wheels from hitting an underwater obstruction. The port side DuoProps looked to be in good shape. All four units were sent off to a shop for evaluation and repair, if possible. After the holiday, AHOD will be towed to a haul-out facility to have the outdrives inspected. The diver reported a minimal amount of "play" in the starboard unit compared to the port. But until the boat is out of the water, everything is a guess. It's hard to imagine, but it's already time for another 50-hour engine maintenance (last done in Charleston a little more than a week ago). The annual gen-set maintenance will be taken care of at the same time. After all the work is completed Don & Judi will take on the final leg of AHOD's relocation to The Sunshine State, a 175-mile trek along the Caloosahatchie River to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and ultimately Riviera Dunes Marina on the Manatee River. But for now, it's time to make this house look like a home! Pix to come for our FB friends!