Updates (and parentheticals)
03 February 2014 | Boot Key Harbor, FL
Donna
Many of you have been asking where we are and when you are going to start seeing SPOT move again. We greatly appreciate the audience, knowing that someone is keeping an eye on us! The answers are: Marathon, FL (still) and (hopefully) in about a week.
We have had projects to do since arriving here in late December and, since the temperatures have been averaging 80 for a high, we think it's a pretty decent place to do the projects. We are finally getting a handle on the freezer issues we have had for the last three years. The first repairman said the (refrigerant) charge was incorrect, so, he evacuated the system and added the refrigerant. Then, he had to come back a few more times to make sure it wasn't over/undercharged (which it was, both). He thought he got it working and we moved on. It stopped working again. Long story short (ok, shorter than the long version), we have had five technicians working on it, have replaced the compressor (tech #2), the holding plate/lines (tech #5), and have evacuated and filled the unit multiple times. Scott finally decided to buy the gauges and refrigerant himself and (with the help of tech support) has become fluent in the language of refrigerant. No more techs coming out at $$$/hour.
We have also gotten the battery charging issues resolved, the water maker unpickled (making 12 gallons per hour!) and are currently waiting for a wind turbine to install so we can be almost 100% self sufficient. The turbine should be here within the week (don't even ask me to give the account of the problems we have had getting one of these!) and we can, hopefully, move on to the Bahamas. The full moon is due soon, which always makes a great crossing.
We did participate in a USCG Auxiliary safety inspection a week ago and passed with flying colors! We have all (and more!) the Coast Guard requires, including three VHF radios, one single sideband radio, an EPIRB, eight life vests, enough flares to compete with any major city's fireworks display, and let us not forget SPOT! We even got a "get out of jail free" sticker that, while it may not get us out of jail, it will prevent (or slow down) the need for another inspection, should a Coastie decide to stop us.
We will keep you posted on our plans and when you can expect SPOT to start moving. Trust me, we want it to move just as much as you want it to! Until then, all is well.