Saturday January 12: More Play than Work

About the only productive thing I've done boatwise this week was to put the flybridge plastic away for the winter.

We use a spray-on vinyl cleaner to clean both sides of the plastic. This cleans all of the salt and water spots that accumulated on the trip down. And hopefully will also condition the vinyl so it lasts longer. It was fun putting each one into it's little bag that I had sewn over the summer :-)

Steve of course has done quite a few things - along with the weekly filling of water tanks and hosing off of the boat.

The stainless is again showing that it definitely does not like the salt water air around here and was beginning to rust again. Steve found some great stuff called Spotless Stainless that works quite well. That combined with a metal polish will last most of the time we're here.

The search for new kinds of good food continues. Veggie burgers have become my lunch stay unless there are good leftovers in the fridge. The no animal protein is going well and I have to say it seems to really make a difference in my arthritis - we'll see how what difference it makes in my cholesterol in a month or so.

But eating is still very good on this boat thanks to a great chef on board :-)

 It's not been all work though as there has been time and opportunities for some fishing.

Dave (from Joysea) and Steve have been out twice dinghy fishing under the 7-mile bridge. It's about a 20 minute dinghy ride from Banana Bay to the bridge. Steve talked to the dockmaster here and now knows the best place to fish.

Plus they know what to fish with  (shrimp) and I think there is a new pole in his future for Christmas. Looking for success!

By the way, note the anchor in the dinghy (I've circled it in red). It's a bit of overkill since it's an anchor rated for a 39' boat but you use what you have right? And there is lots of current so it's actually worked out quite well!

The fishing was moderately successful and getting better. First day: a few grunts. Similar to perch but not nearly as good. I said I would not clean any more of them so don't keep em unless your going to clean them yourselves :-)

So the second day, it was a better day with a mangrove snapper and a yellowtail snapper. The winds had picked up so they called it a day.

Much easier to clean and much better to eat!

The sunset continue to be wonderful. There is a 5 pm gathering at the picnic tables near our dock. Many of the folks here stop by - sometimes there are 5 and sometimes there are 15. Just depends on the night.

No sunsets over the water yet but still amazing colors some nights.

Although I personally have yet to experience a sunrise, Steve does most days. It's just too enjoyable to sleep in .......