Update on newbie liveaboard

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Jun 25, 2004
146
Catalina 310 Hilton Head
Well, I've been on the boat now 6 months (of course during the coldest winter in 30yrs) and haven't posted about it in about 3 months so I thought it due a little update.
Can't say anything remotely funny has happened since October, but I did have to replace the head, put in a new pressure valve on the hwh, and repair an 18ft rip in my headsail sustained during 50mph winds that came right up the stern of the boat at the dock. It worked a pocket out of the furled headsail and riiiippppp.
Other than that though the Lord has been good to me. I didn't have to face cold AND wet but once or twice.
I've found the boat (Catalina 310) plenty big enough for me sans "things" but I've found I don't use these "things" often enough to miss them.
I have been accepted into what I call "the crew", 3 retired gentlemen who have their boats across the finger from me. They come down almost daily for a couple of hours, do a project or two, and solve the problems of the world. One acutally looked for me on Christmas Day (I was working) to invite me to Christmas dinner. Another one, who is called Captain Bush, not his name, but brand of beer will come aboard when the others aren't there and we chat while he proceeds to drink all my beer and put a healthy dent in my Gentleman Jack. The man can put it away!!! He's nice to me so I don't mind sharing.
Other than my wife and family-including the dog- (yes-divorce forced me to the boat) the only "thing" I miss is cable TV. My marina does not offer it and I can get by until next football season. I may do the satellite thing once the divorce is final and I see where my finances are.
Anyway, living the life is not a bad way to go. If only I didn't have to work and could cast off whenever the winds were fair.
 
Apr 1, 2004
178
Diller-Schwill DS-16 Belle River
Sounds like you are adjusting well to some of life's curves. Best wishes for the future.
 

MrBee

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Dec 30, 2008
425
Irwin 34 Citation Middle River, Md.
If you have internet through Cellular or can pick up wifi in your area then you can watch a lot of tv through the net. Google for info. I sometimes hook my computer to the tv at home to catch up on a series i may have missed.
We get broadband through Verizon for 5 months of the year, during sailing season.

Bee
 
Sep 2, 2009
339
Hunter Vision-32 New Hamburg, NY
Butch,
Sounds like we've got a bit in common! I bought my boat in July of last year in Hilton Head as my alternative living arrangements during my divorce. Although, I had the thing trucked up north and had to haul the boat in October. Divorce is now final and I have the house ... although with the decline of real estate values the house is no bargain ... it's underwater ... What's wrong with this picture???? My house is underwater and my boat is on the hard!!! Reminds me of one of those "you might be a redneck" jokes ...

I've got a cell phone that I can tether to my laptop for broadband. Works great as long as there is a phone signal..

Since over the air TV broadcast has gone digital, you might try a digital antenna. Go to http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx and put in your location ... I haven't tried it yet, but am going to ... probably won't work off shore but may at the marina!

A good quote that keeps me going from Albert Schweitzer: "Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."

I wish you good health and a poor sense of recall!

Ron
 
Jun 25, 2004
146
Catalina 310 Hilton Head
Thanks ron..everyone tells me there is life after divorce, but after 26 years....Oh and I do have a digital antenna for the TV and it picks up the local tv great. I also have one on the top of the mast that should work, but for some reason is getting power. I just need to run that wire down and check it out. I download somethings on my IPhone and plug into the tv. I can get wifi on the boat, but no computer yet.
Thanks again.
 
Sep 2, 2009
339
Hunter Vision-32 New Hamburg, NY
this August would have been 30 for me ... as my sage Father would have said .. "This too shall pass"
 
Jun 3, 2004
890
Hunter 34 Toronto, Ontario Canada
Take heart, Butch- I went through the same thing after 27 years. Not fun but time heals. I met a great lady and remarried 10 years ago. Things will improve, I found if I thought about it , at least one good thing happened to me each day, then more than one...
 
Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
Are you the same guy as "brobbins' that was at Charleston several months back?
Jack
No. Brobbins in on a hunter vision, and in Charleston SC. Adn probably at the bottm of the ocean. He said he was going offshore and I haven't heard from him since.lol

Butch-I don't even own a TV anymore because anything we want to watch is on hulu.com
26 years is time to get used to someone. I'm sure there is more life, someone else to get used to and another dog for you.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,978
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Your antenna power

I do have a digital antenna for the TV and it picks up the local tv great. I also have one on the top of the mast that should work, but for some reason is getting power. I just need to run that wire down and check it out.
Butch, The Catalina 310 factory antenna on the mast is powered through the stereo switch on your power panel. When power is on you should be able to look up at the disc on the aft of the mast and see a little red led light on. What I do is turn on the stereo switch, turn off the stereo at the unit, and then with my digital tv I get decent reception.
 
Jun 25, 2004
146
Catalina 310 Hilton Head
Butch, The Catalina 310 factory antenna on the mast is powered through the stereo switch on your power panel. When power is on you should be able to look up at the disc on the aft of the mast and see a little red led light on. What I do is turn on the stereo switch, turn off the stereo at the unit, and then with my digital tv I get decent reception.
Thanks, but the little red light is not coming on. Is there a fuse somewhere?
 
Dec 25, 2008
1,580
catalina 310 Elk River
I don't believe I have a switch marked "Stereo" on my panel. I do have a TV and a loop antenna. The power for the TV is an inverter connected to the AUX breaker switch. I don't believe I have a red light on top of the mast, but next time I have the opportunity I will check. Hull #83.
 
Jun 25, 2004
146
Catalina 310 Hilton Head
I don't believe I have a switch marked "Stereo" on my panel. I do have a TV and a loop antenna. The power for the TV is an inverter connected to the AUX breaker switch. I don't believe I have a red light on top of the mast, but next time I have the opportunity I will check. Hull #83.
I took that to mean it is hooked up on the aux switch with the radios/cd/stereo. The pamphlet that came with the antenna indicates there is a light. You can see it even when not on.
 

Benny

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Sep 27, 2008
1,149
Hunter 320 Tampa, FL
Sorry, you have lost your status as newby. Anyone who lives aboard a boat for 6 months has learned a few lessons.
 
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