How the years fly by!  A planned few years of full-time cruising have somehow turned into 14 years with 3 different boats – Thanks Lori!

While our summer was mostly consumed with boat projects, we managed a bit of fun including dinners with friends, family, birthday getaways to Vermont for Benj & to Rhode Island for Lori.  At least most of our work were “one-time” projects – or at least we keep telling ourselves!

While our chores & lack of a rental car somewhat limited visits with friends, one arrived by water – here’s Mike on “Easy Riders” – a PDQ similar to our old one. Ironically, this PDQ was the first one we ever went aboard, with a different owner down in Florida back in 2015.  Mike’s done a great job “restoring” Easy Riders – it was a little rough when we first saw her!

If we had to “give up” a summer for projects, this was the year as the weather was funky all summer including heavy rains locally & especially further north which kept debris (& sewage) flowing almost continually.

BEFORE:  Did we have the worst surveyor in-the-world inspecting our boat before our purchase – or what? This photo shows the bottom half of an auxiliary diesel tank installation for our generator. This 20-gallon tank was barely-supported on a piece of flimsy plastic board.  Our surveyor completely missed this potential disaster.

AFTER:  Originally only a 10″ round inspection port for access, so I had to cut-out a bigger opening & could still barely reach in, but provided the diesel tank with much better support.

My only sit-down job all summer – splicing a new anchor bridle to the bow eyes (better angle to the anchor chain & less mess/friction on the bow deck).

Every year in mid-September, Mother Nature suddenly throws the switch, letting us know we’re done with A/C & time to turn on the morning heat AND … time to leave! This was our morning view on departure day, but 1/2 hour later as we shoved off this was pea soup, but dissipated a few miles further down river.

Our plans this fall & winter look to be a repeat of most years.  While we’ll mix it up a bit, we’ll be arriving in Florida for November & then depart for the Bahamas mid-December.