We’re not on any time schedule, but getting off the dock always requires saying, “All right, we’re leaving on Thursday, that’s it.” So we scrambled around for a few days picking up groceries and finishing last minute projects. But there’s always some issue. This time it was exploding water lines. The first two lines that slipped off their fittings I thought was strange, but not completely unheard of. I put them back on and tightened up the hose clamps a bit more. Then it happened a third time and I was pretty sure we must have bigger problems causing this much pressure in the lines. I eventually tracked it down to a failed membrane in our accumulator tank. I’m still not sure how that caused so much pressure to build, but I removed it and it seems to have solved the issue. When I removed the fittings on the accumulator tank I had a good amount of sand and scaling come out of there, making me think I could really use a better pre-filter system coming out of our tanks. But that’s a project for another day.
Ali doing dishes like a pilgrim while I work to rig up a fix.
Another problem with leaving the dock after being in one place too long. Whether it’s boats or motorhomes, we’re always the only people who have to deal with stowaways.
The to-do list almost complete.
And we’re off. Of course it would be the first cloudy day in weeks.
I think the biggest improvement we made to the boat this year may have been simply removing the chart box that was up on the front. Now the kids have easy access to the best seats on the boat.
Cruising past Castillo de San Felipe. It looks so tiny from up on the boat.
We were going to head right out into Lago Izabal, but after about a mile we were all like, “Let’s just go back and anchor out front of the fort.” We were only a mile from the marina but it felt like a different world. Man is it great to be back on the hook.
Nothing like listening to, and watching, the rain move across the lake.
And how clear and fresh everything feels after it passes.
The kids are back in their element.
18 Comments on “Off the Dock”
Wonderful, beautiful!
It’s funny how the simpler things are both wonderful and beautiful. At least they are to me. Well not the no-running water part. 🙂
Off to new destinations. Let the adventure continue!
Woot! Woot!
Wonderful!! This post made my day. So adventurous!!
The start of a new cruising season always makes me feel adventurous, one never knows if the cruising will really continue after being still for so many months. For many it does not.
So you have a boat cat?
Nope, marina cats that we get to enjoy and kiss goodbye to.
Are you sure the kids didn’t know about the stowaway and just ignored it? You hoses popped off due to water hammer. You need to replace the accumulator or it will happen again.
Yes after opening up the accumulator it was toast in there. But found out we really don’t need the tank – as the new water pumps are smart pumps, or some such thing. So one less thing needed down below. Yes!
Soo great, love it!
Thanks, Chris!
I think the accumulator should normally act as a fluid shock absorber reducing peak pressure when the taps are turned off or a pump starts.
So glad to see you cruising again!
You too!
When exactly will the kids be going to school so that they can develop the required social skills to be successful in life?
I can only assume this is missing a tag like #sarcasm.
You just have to love those superior, snarky drive-bys. Do people really believe the schools of today in any way prepare children for real life? “Just give it your all and you’ll succeed at anything you try.” And we wonder why young people have such a difficult time adjusting once they leave the school system.
Children of today would be privileged to have an education like that your children are receiving. Appreciation of other cultures, detachment from normal consumerism, and truly the required social skills to be successful in life…