“B.O.A.T.” means…

“Break Out Another Thousand.”

We have identified some additional items that need upgrading before we can launch. During the initial boat survey, the heat and AC units worked. Shortly after, when Pete was on board last October, the system started acting up. The local electrician believed it was the control panel. With a mild climate last October, we were comfortable, so we put this fix on the back burner until now. Rick Miller, from Miller Marine Service, got both units (salon and master stateroom, which serves the guest stateroom and head) to work. There is one caveat, and that is, if it fails again, he recommended upgrading the whole system. Cha-Ching!

As I was practicing docking and slip parking yesterday in the comfort of our own marina, the new stern thruster started acting up. A call to the installers (Florida Bow Thrusters) gave us some troubleshooting tasks. We learned that our current house batteries need to be replaced. Off to Stevens Battery Warehouse, Annapolis, for two new 8D AGM batteries, each weighing in at 160 pounds, that we installed ourselves. Cha-Ching!

Our new anchor and chain may arrive today, so we’ll check in with West Marine to pick them up. Cha-Ching! 

We contacted the Garmin installer, Scott Hyland, who was able to fit us in this afternoon. With some modification, and a new bezel, the upper helm chart plotter looks beautiful, and is integrated with the auto-pilot. We can plan the course in the salon, send it to the plotter via Wifi, and follow the course via auto-pilot. We tested it all today in the calm Chesapeake Bay. …and Cha-ching!

On a positive note, our bicycles have been assembled. We took a short “shakedown ride” to the grocery store with panniers and restocked the pantry. The bikes fit nicely on the upper helm deck. We’ve organized our supply cabinets, learned the complexities of the lighting system, labeled some toggle switches, and have had time to enjoy the quaint towns of Rock Hall and Chestertown.