The first installment of The Sailing Sabbatical Series is now available on Amazon. Feel free to check it out!
Mr. Reed at sea
Monday, August 8, 2016
Friday, July 15, 2016
A sailing sabbatical update
Wow. A lot has happened and I just haven't been connected to the internet long enough to update this blog properly. One things first:
If you'd like to see where I've been and where I'm going, my sister Tracey is updating a Google map that can be found here:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=11HKL1_fkKlTTvOPasc_hbjbghI0&hl=en
My nephew Toby has joined me for a period of time. We left Marco Island, Florida on June 28th and then set out to cross to Bimini on the 4th of July.
Its now July 15th and we are at the Bay Street Marina across the channel from the Atlantis resort in Nassau.
That's all I have time for now. I'll try to update a little more frequently.
Oh... sailing is hard work and pretty dangerous. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
If you'd like to see where I've been and where I'm going, my sister Tracey is updating a Google map that can be found here:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=11HKL1_fkKlTTvOPasc_hbjbghI0&hl=en
My nephew Toby has joined me for a period of time. We left Marco Island, Florida on June 28th and then set out to cross to Bimini on the 4th of July.
Its now July 15th and we are at the Bay Street Marina across the channel from the Atlantis resort in Nassau.
That's all I have time for now. I'll try to update a little more frequently.
Oh... sailing is hard work and pretty dangerous. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
Friday, May 20, 2016
The Microplastics Initiative
I’m excited to also report that I’ve been invited to assist with
the Microplastics Initiative through Adventurersand Scientists for Conservation (ASC). If you
don’t know, Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five
millimeters in size and they pose a massive environmental and human health
risk when they enter our waterways. Toxins including DDT and BPA adhere to
the particles and then enter the food chain when ingested by aquatic life and
can accumulate in birds, fish, marine mammals, and potentially humans.
The goal of ASC is to compile a
comprehensive microplastics dataset and use that information to effect change
in order to turn off the input of microplastics pollution at their source. To
aid in this endeavor I’ll be collecting water samples, sending some of them to
ASC, and evaluating others for the presence of microplastics.
I invite you to follow along, ask
questions, and provide input and suggestions through my website www.MrReedatsea.com.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
A working vacation
It was definitely a working vacation. Above is the seaReed as she pulled into the dock and I took possession and then the before and after pictures from the interior from that time until three days later when she was all cleaned out. The owner left wet gear throughout the boat and so mildew was everywhere. I wiped EVERY SINGLE surface of the interior of the boat with bleach. She smelled like a swimming pool afterwards!
After getting the interior cleaned up and livable, I took her for a sail. After all, I didn't get a boat that was a complete fixer upper. I wanted to be able to sail her. So I did. That's the video in the last blog entry.
There is still a list of chores, but none that can't be done underway.
Officially a boat owner
They say the two most exciting days in the life of a boat owner is the day that he buys the boat and the day that he sells the boat. All I can attest to at this point is that it feels good to be one step closer to setting sail.
I've taken the maiden voyage on the seaReed.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
So I might have purchased a boat
The sea trail ans survey of the boat I was considering buying was an interesting experience. Five minutes away from the dock on the way to the haul out the engine sputtered and died. A kind man along the canal towed us back to the dock and we sat for an hour before a mechanic arrived. He quickly determined that the fuel cap was cracked and had let rainwater into the tank. He rigged a temporary tank and we were on our way.
The surveyor found a list of things the boat could use aesthetically, but my main concern were two sea cock valves that were frozen open. If the hoses were to fail, huge amounts of water would pour in. That's a bad thing on a boat apparently!
I made a counter offer that included fixing anything that included a haul out, the owner agreed, and so I'm closing on the boat on March 28th.
That will give me about 10 days on spring break to sail her around and continue to hone my skills before my June set sail date.
The surveyor found a list of things the boat could use aesthetically, but my main concern were two sea cock valves that were frozen open. If the hoses were to fail, huge amounts of water would pour in. That's a bad thing on a boat apparently!
I made a counter offer that included fixing anything that included a haul out, the owner agreed, and so I'm closing on the boat on March 28th.
That will give me about 10 days on spring break to sail her around and continue to hone my skills before my June set sail date.
Friday, February 26, 2016
The Razr lives!
I drank the Kool-aid.
I need a simple unlocked phone to use in the islands however so I dug out the last Razr I took with me to Belize when I last volunteered there a couple years ago. $4 on Amazon for a new charger and I'm good to go.
The Razr reminds me of a simpler time when people actually talked to one another. Welcome back Razr!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)