Today Harley and I are heading over to the boat to work on the bilge. Harley is going to install a new bilge pump as it appears the old one is not working.
Tomorrow, the plan is to go back to the boat and start building the second bed from the wood taken from the pilothouse. We will also be enclosing the water tank area in the pilot house.
It's going to be a hot day today and tomorrow.
Life on the St. John's River
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Monday - June 27, 2011 - Beau's SPLASH
Today we decided that it was time to take one of the dogs to the boat since we have no idea how they are going to react to the new lifestyle. We decided on Beau, our chocolate lab. He rode quite nicely in the back of the truck. He seemed really excited once he jumped off the truck. New scents everywhere. We finally walked down the dock to the boat and I boarded. My fault, I should have put a leash on him. We called him over and as he put his front paw on the deck, he lost his footing and fell into the river. My heart stopped. He has never been swimming. He paddled and paddled and seemed to be struggling. I handed the boat hook to Harley but he couldn't reach Beau. I started to panic. Harley started taking of his boots and other things to jump in. Just then, Steve (we call him "Turkey Island Steve"), pulled his little dinghy over and pulled Beau into the boat. Just thinking about it again makes my stomach hurt.
The day ended and we just packed up and went home. The day was shot!
The day ended and we just packed up and went home. The day was shot!
Monday - June 27, 2011 - So much to do
Harley and I spent a day and a half washing down DS. We used something called Purple Power that was recommended to us by other boatowners at the marina. We also used our pressure washer. We have spent the last few weeks working on the engine and dismantling the bedding in the pilot house.
All the wood taken out of the pilot house will be reused to build a second bed in the aft cabin. We've been dealing with installing a window airconditioning and where to install it. After much research about freestanding mobile airconditioners, we have decided that we will install the window a/c that we own (brand new) in the kitchen window.
There are two major changes we're going to make to the houseboat (in addition to adding the window a/c). We're going to pull the current head and install a composting toilet which meets with the Coast Guard requirements. We are also going to install solar panels and all the components that go along with solar power. I got my stepbrother, Mark, to help us try to figure out the size of the array that we need to install. We are going to make some adjustments to those suggestions because we have changed our power needs. We are waiting for a piece of equipment called a Kill A Watt Energy Usage Monitor which will assist us in figuring out the size of the solar panel array that we will need to allow us to live on the hook.
I love going down to the marina. It is so serene and beautiful. However, the move from the house is daunting.
All the wood taken out of the pilot house will be reused to build a second bed in the aft cabin. We've been dealing with installing a window airconditioning and where to install it. After much research about freestanding mobile airconditioners, we have decided that we will install the window a/c that we own (brand new) in the kitchen window.
There are two major changes we're going to make to the houseboat (in addition to adding the window a/c). We're going to pull the current head and install a composting toilet which meets with the Coast Guard requirements. We are also going to install solar panels and all the components that go along with solar power. I got my stepbrother, Mark, to help us try to figure out the size of the array that we need to install. We are going to make some adjustments to those suggestions because we have changed our power needs. We are waiting for a piece of equipment called a Kill A Watt Energy Usage Monitor which will assist us in figuring out the size of the solar panel array that we will need to allow us to live on the hook.
I love going down to the marina. It is so serene and beautiful. However, the move from the house is daunting.
Monday - April 18, 2011 - Dinkum's Shantyboat gets moved
Well, the deed has finally been done. Our dream to live on a houseboat is about to come true. The house will go up for sale, all repairs and changes to be made to DS will have been done and the move will hopefully be completed by early fall (sometime in September).
After spending 2 weeks getting Dinkum's Shantyboat ready to move, it's finally on the way. Harley was able to volunteer the help of Rick, Rick, Jr. and Derrick to move DS to a slip on the St. Johns River. Half way there, the heat exchanger failed. Rick was able to rig it so that the trip could continue. Here is a photo that I took as DS and the crew passed under the Dunn's Creek Bridge.
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Woo hoo! Woo hoo!
After spending 2 weeks getting Dinkum's Shantyboat ready to move, it's finally on the way. Harley was able to volunteer the help of Rick, Rick, Jr. and Derrick to move DS to a slip on the St. Johns River. Half way there, the heat exchanger failed. Rick was able to rig it so that the trip could continue. Here is a photo that I took as DS and the crew passed under the Dunn's Creek Bridge.
Woo hoo! Woo hoo!
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