Brian
Well it's time to get underway again...we have had a good time in Florida staying with Nancy's parents. They have been gracious hosts letting us stay with them for the last six months. We enjoyed our visit and we made it safety through a mild hurricane season (experts predicted this was going to be a very active season....didn't happen). We are putting the boat back together and re-packing all our stuff, it seems like we are lost in the details. For the boat people out there here is what we've done to Four Points during our stay here.
1. Painted the bottom with new bottom paint (marine growth is faster in the tropics, I was having to scrub the bottom often).
2. Had the hull buffed and waxed (sailing 4000 miles and spending time in the mangrove backwaters ready discolored the hull. Now it is bright and shiny)
3. The rear seal in the transmission was replaced (it leaked the whole time during the last passage).
4. Had the shaft stuffing box serviced (we have a drip-less seal but needed cleaning and polishing)
5. I sanded and varnished the toe rail.....looks good again..
6. Installed the sails back on the boat including the Mack Pack (had the main sail repaired at a local sail loft)
7. Replaced one head (toilet)
8. Going to install a dingy davit, once the rain stops today....
9. Made new inside window coverings...
10. Made some rain shields for the ports
11. Installed a new SSB radio (our old one received but didn't transmit)

Our next stop is Marco Island (West Coast of Florida), an overnight sail from here. Then on to the Dry Tortugas....then maybe Key West for Christmas. The next season of sailing will be very weather dependent because until we get pass Puerto Rico we will be heading into the wind. They call this section of the passage, the Thorny Patch for good reason...lots of wind and waves.
We will be missing everyone on Christmas and just know you are in our hearts...
Please check out the blog now and again to see our progress...and please comment or email anytime...we love hearing from you.
....Merry Christmas....