It's time to update our progress with the Oday 32 and her new marina home. We brought Fairwinds from Alligator Bay in the northern part of Charlotte Harbor to it's slip in N. Ft. Myers on the 21st of November. After an all night trek through the intercoastal, starting at Cayo Costa, and finishing at the entrance to Paradise Marina, we were ready for a brief time to shut things down and prepare for the moving and stowage of all our stuff. After loading, as always, way too much of that stuff aboard we found a place for everything and began our list of needed gear to allow a comfortable life aboard. Memory foam mattress and fresh battery charger were the most immediate so onboard they came. I have found some adjustments to make regarding the Adler Barbour cold machine and replacement of an obsolete propane valve on the cylinder and soon the galley will be up and producing satisfying fare. The boat had sat unattended on the lift for about a year so, as all boats do in S. Fl. it had grown a substantial crop of green mold on all deck and cabin structures. I got my Dawn liquid, brush and hose and began the laborious process of scrubbing it all down. When I started the cockpit, Candy, the first mate, suggested I use Tilex mold and mildew remover. I kinda scoffed at her suggestion and didn't think much about it until the first out of breath break I took. I sprayed some on a very green patch in the cockpit and lo and behold, it just disappeared! Two bottles and 3 hrs. later, the entire boat was white once more and absolutely beautiful. I'll try to listen better in the future, LOL. Paradise Marina is in a protected cut in between the Cape Coral bridge and the Hwy. 41 bridge and is simple in and out with all bridges 55' high. Facilities are simple but complete and clean. Showers, laundry and twice weekly pumpouts are all covered with the average liveaboard rental rate being about $400.00 a month all inclusive with elect. water WiFi etc. The marina has about 60 slips, no waiting list at present, and I have yet to see anything but kind, good humored people. Been sanding teak trim today so as time goes by Fairwinds will begin to show in a more Bristol fashion. I will take a break about 4:00 for the nightly social session and share stories and wine with my neighbors. All in all, I don't think this could have worked out any better for the time we're taking to sort out and equip Fairwinds for the cruising she's meant for.
More to come!
Highest Regards, Darrell
More to come!
Highest Regards, Darrell
