November 7th, 2009 Vero Beach, FL
"Sapphire" is covered with salt from our time in the ocean waves. We sprayed off a little at the gas dock when we arrived but it was a half-hearted effort at best. This morning I washed the solar panels so that any sun we have can find its way to the batteries.
Then I turned to the refrigerator, which just hasn't been as cold as it should be. Steve has the hoses and a manual so with them in hand and a can of coolant. I went to work. After studying the situation and taking a few readings, it was obvious that we were low on coolant.
The manual called for bringing the evaporator to room temperature, in order to get an accurate reading on the amount of gas that I was adding so I emptied the freezer, put in a tin cup of boiling water and waited for 20 minutes.
Adding coolant was easy...open the valve and let a little go in at a time... then watch the gauge.
We caught the 11 am bus with Steve and Kim and got off at West Marine. I ordered a new nav light and purchased a new snorkeling mask at the dive shop next door. We did some more shopping and returned to the marina around 2:30.
I removed our boom vang, which had come loose from the base of the mast during our trip into Canaveral. It looks like I can replace the bolts and call it good. I think only one of eight is stripped.
At 4:30 we went in to the dinghy dock where Jim and Nancy met the four of us for dinner at their condo.
We had a great time as usual. Jay and Di joined us as well.