Delilah's Meanderings
Sailing the coastal waters of Southwest Florida, the Keys, and the Bahamas
| Vessel Name: | Delilah |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Gemini 105Mc Catamaran |
| Hailing Port: | Whiteland, IN |
| Crew: | Mark & Kim Hayes |
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07 February 2022
Season 7 aboard Delilah begins
It has been a really long time since our last post. Last year's cruising season was cut short when I ruptured my Achillie's tendon playing pickle ball in Marathon in the Florida Keys on Feb 18th. We flew home and I had surgery March 1st. The surgery went well and 6 months later I was mostly back to [...]
25 February 2021
Man plans ... God laughs!
I am writing this blog on the couch with my left leg propped up on two pillows in our house in Whiteland, Indiana. A week ago today, I ruptured my left Achilles tendon while playing pickle ball. There was loud pop and I went down. Next thing you know, everyone was helping me and Kim. Applying first [...]
14 February 2021 | Boot Key Harbor
Still Enjoying Marathon
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone from Boot Key Harbor. We continue to enjoy our time in Marathon, especially life on a mooring ball. We've been here for one month and I just paid for another two weeks. This is highly unusual for us to stay in one place. We're not exactly the relaxed type of people! Within [...]
30 January 2021 | Boot Key Harbor
Enjoying Marathon
Kim said it was my turn to do a post ... so both your luck and mine ran out! We are still in Boot Key Harbor, but now tied to mooring ball U1. We were 10th on the waiting list and it took 12 days before we got the call. What a relief it is compared to anchoring in tight quarters in shallow water. [...]
19 January 2021 | Boot Key Harbor
Made it to the Keys!
Hello. We are currently anchored in Boot Key Harbor at the Marathon City Marina. Waiting for a mooring ball. When we arrived on Thursday, January 14, we were #10 on the wait list. Today we are #6. We hope to be on a mooring ball in about a week (or less!).
12 January 2021
Heading to the Keys...
On a quiet morning sprinkled with rain, we set out for warmer temperatures. We have spent the last six nights at Ft. Myers Beach mooring field. Today we are making our way south down the coast to Marathon in the Middle Keys. With luck we might be able to pick up a mooring ball at Boot Key Harbor. There [...]
A new season begins aboard Delilah
Below is the list we use. Mostly it is Mark's list. Kim does some of these plus a lot of other tasks not listed. It is fun to be back in the boatyard and reconnect with our many cruising friends who are also preparing their boats for the season. The attached picture is bunch of the guys helping me to try to start our 6hp Suzuki outboard motor. We didn't get it started, but I learned a lot including how to properly "summerize" the motor so this won't happen next year. There are always issues you didn't plan on.
This season our plan is to get down to the Keys and spend about a month there. We plan to start at Marathon, but not sure after that. Next we will return to SW Florida to meet with several family members visiting separately. Our schedule is booked from the last week of February through March! We really look forward to these times. This year is Kayla's (our second grandchild) turn to spend several days on Delilah with Grammy and Grandpa.
Pre-Launch Bottom paint touch up (this year paid to have it sanded and painted before we arrived)
Pre-Launch Check boat
Pre-Launch Remove damp rid
Pre-Launch Bail out bilges
Pre-Launch Clear off stored items and make bed
Pre-Launch Mount Wirie and hook up
Pre-Launch Buy T-Mobile data plan and verify Wirie works
Pre-Launch Remove mesh cover, fold and store in car
Pre-Launch Turn on frig, put ice in for quicker chill
Pre-Launch Test VHF radio, lights and systems
Pre-Launch Check Fire Extinguisher
Pre-Launch Put smoke alarm back up with new batteries
Pre-Launch Start 6hp Suzuki in barrel
Pre-Launch Start Yamaha generator and test it
Pre-Launch Wash stored dishes
Pre-Launch Store food / organize galley
Pre-Launch Go to grocery store - for boatyard meals
Pre-Launch Put books on rack
Pre-Launch Polish fuel
Pre-Launch Replace fuel filters
Pre-Launch Replace impeller on Westerbeke
Pre-Launch Put on new belt
Pre-Launch Check Westerbeke oil and coolant levels
Pre-Launch Start Westerbeke
Pre-Launch Plan meals / make provision list
Pre-Launch Store clothes
Pre-Launch Put registration sticker on boat and dinghy
Pre-Launch Wash boat
Pre-Launch Wax boat
Pre-Launch Get cash (including rolls of quarters for laundry)
Pre-Launch Bail out lockers
Pre-Launch Remove screen in holes
Pre-Launch Flush water tanks
Pre-Launch Dry out anchor locker, chain, and rope
Pre-Launch Put davit blocks on
Pre-Launch Put main-sheet on
Pre-Launch Put rudders up and down, test steering
Pre-Launch Attach holding tank cover in sail locker
Pre-Launch Inflate and wash dinghy
Pre-Launch Put dinghy on davits
Pre-Launch Put board on rail and mount outboard
Pre-Launch Test batteries, fill with distilled water
Pre-Launch Clean interior
Pre-Launch Grease / WD40 drive leg
Pre-Launch Check drive leg oil level, to change
Pre-Launch Put on main sail
Pre-Launch Buy 8 quarts 15W-40 Shell Rotella T oil enough for 2 changes
Pre-Launch Check supplies (grease, fuel biocide, etc) and buy if needed
Pre-Launch Make aft beds
Pre-Launch Get provisions
Pre-Launch Put hammock on
Pre-Launch Exchange/fill propane tank(s)
Pre-Launch Fill gas and diesel cans and treat
Pre-Launch Wash cockpit and swim steps
Pre-Launch Put on Eisenglass enclosure
Pre-Launch Laundry
Pre-Launch Rebuild head
Pre-Launch Put box fans and other items in car
Pre-Launch Disconnect, wash, and store extension cord in car
Pre-Launch Put dinghy on stern
Pre-Launch Ready dock lines and fenders
Pre-Launch Put up center boards, rudders, drive leg
Pre-Launch Pay Lisa in the office
Pre-Launch Launch
Pre-Launch Open seacock and start engine, check for leaks
At CHBS dock Run Westerbeke for 30 minutes
At CHBS dock Put on genoa
At CHBS dock Top off water tanks
At CHBS dock Hose off boat
At CHBS dock Final provisioning
Tasks while afloat Tune rig
Tasks while afloat Put on grill
Tasks while afloat Put on life ring
Fair winds and following seas,
Mark and Kim
S/V Delilah
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7th season aboard Delilah - February 2022
22 Photos
Created 5 February 2022
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6th season aboard Delilah - February 2021
20 Photos
Created 7 February 2021
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5th season aboard Delilah - February 2020
63 Photos
Created 4 February 2020
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5th season aboard Delilah ... January 2020
35 Photos
Created 22 January 2020
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4th season aboard Delilah ... February 2019
37 Photos
Created 2 February 2019
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4th season aboard Delilah ... January 2019
31 Photos
Created 15 January 2019
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3rd season aboard Delilah ... February 2018
67 Photos
Created 9 February 2018
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3rd season aboard Delilah ... January 2018
25 Photos
Created 24 January 2018
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