I have a new page, Boat Fixes on the top of the blog. I'll be editing this page after Drew looks it over. [I am writing while Isabelle naps (no pix - respecting Mom's request because she doesn't want her on Facebook or all over the Internet. Good idea.)]
So the boat fix page may interest others since our boat is a 1999 Island Packet 380, very seaworthy and stable. We love it. Now that it's 16 years old we have made some larger replacements to keep her like new. Shawnee is loaded, as they say, with a water maker, new sails, solar panels, wind generator, frig and freezer, large 2 person shower and head, microwave, new dinghy, bow thruster, and she is wonderful to live aboard. It is amazing how long boats, like great houses, continue in the water. We have seen and boarded beautifully restored and maintained 40 + year old boats.
One discussion Drew and I have is about the interior teak. As it ages it darkens like many woods. Drew says it's dirt. I say it's age. What does everyone else think? We clean with Kutters and use Amazon teak oil on it.
On the exterior we just had our teak bright work completed last summer. It is not holding up. We switched from using Bristol Finish to a new solution. I'd go back to the acrylic hard finish of Bristol Finish even though if it cracks and water seeps under it it can lift. Catching it yearly with small spot refinishing prevents having to do the whole boat all at once. The finish never scratches (we have Mazu aboard with nails) and looks beautiful. We only did touch ups for 11 years. This new finish is wearing away in less than a year. Hmmm. Expensive but we may have it redone...again.
Weather has been great in Miami with daily temps about 80; at night around 70. Drew has been entertained by others in the mooring field; seder dinner with new friends, and of course Mazu is there for companionship.
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