Osprey Marina, Myrtle Beach, NC
Hunkered down for the big storm tonight. We even have tornado warnings between midnight and 6AM. Will sleep with one eye open.

Today was an engineering day. Check the fuel filters, battery water, battery cables, transmission cooler corrosion, transmission fluid, engine mounts and general look around in the engine room for anything that might become a problem.
It was also a day to trade information with Joe Lockhart that reunited with us yesterday and his 36 Albin. We have had similar experiences and I had not spoken with Joe since I saw him last year in Deltaville. Too funny that we stopped in Osprey Marina and that happens to be his home marina now.

I discussed that I had replaced my 5 year old batteries ( that I was not having any issues with ) prior to leaving on our cruise. The first time I started the engine with the new starting battery it cranked kind of slow. I didn’t like that I had gotten rid of a 5 year old cranking battery that cranked better than the new battery. I dismissed it as the new battery needed charging. Well yesterday when I cranked the motor to leave, it was really slow cranking. So, today I cleaned all the battery cables and posts and made sure everything was tight. Still not cranking like the old battery did. I have switch that can boost the starting battery with the house batteries. The engine starts fine that way. So, I think I got a bummer new battery. What sucks more than the cost of the battery is having to remove it. More involved than you want to know.

So, other than the preventative maintenance, we sort of prepared the boat for the strong winds expected tonight. It’s pretty calm right now.

Today’s picture is artsy. Clouds and trees reflected in the dark tea colored water of Osprey Marina. For now we are in fresh water.