Janice aboard Seaweed,
living the good life afloat...

• Time Flies. By Guest Author Peggie Hall. This vignette was written by a lady I've come to respect over the years. She is most generous with her head knowledge. When an associate turned 35 years old Peggie wrote this. It tickles my fancy and I hope yours as well.
  Categories: Books, Characters, Unmentionables, Vignettes, The Writer's Block
   

• St. Pete boat show 2015 (part 2) Thursday I went to the boat show with a fellow who owns a boat docked near my Seaweed. It is always fun to go with a friend. We discussed new items and shared perspectives on products seen. Several tempted me however I resisted for the most part. On Saturday I was better prepared.
  Categories:  Boats, Books, Characters, Locations,
   

• St. Pete boat show 2015 (part 1) This year I was finally close enough once again to visit the 2015 St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show. I am so glad I was able to come and discover what is currently available. Over the years I have been to numerous boat shows. Each one is enjoyable. I learn something new on every visit. Like many others who attend, I have a system. This is mine:
  Categories:  Boats, Characters, Locations, Unmentionables,
   

• Fool Me Once... As I finish preparations for departure I have spent time with others reflecting. When told I am "lucky" I wonder at their choices when compared with my own. Neighbors are paying over 1,000 per month for the privilege of living on a canal half a block from the Gulf of Mexico. I wonder at their decision-making process.
  Categories: Anchorages, Boats, Characters, Locations, Vignettes
   

• Imaginary Friends IRL (in real life) Being on the water is fabulous. As a soloist life on the hook did get a mite lonesome. There was also the safety factor to be considered. I was unable to look up stuff on the internet as I do not own a smart phone. I did have phone numbers from when I was connected ashore so that was helpful. Having to rely on outside help bothered me. I worried I was becoming a chore. I have this independent streak so opted to purchase a MiFi thumb-drive gizmo.
  Categories: Anchorages, Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Locations, Pets
   

• Popcorn for One (and Stone-wave Update) I love my new microwave. I'm definitely well on the way to a popcorn addiction. The problem is the container for cooking. In that regard I went through a few versions before I found perfection. There's nothing like a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a movie or three in the afternoon...
  Categories: Boats, Characters, Galley, Recipes,
   

• Manatee Mama and Baby (calf) Life afloat is wonderful especially this time of the year. The windows are opened as the weather is breezy and warm. While sitting here at my dinette pondering life I heard a sound I've come to recognize. A manatee was nearby.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Characters, Locations, Wild Things
   

• Dealing with Drunks (tool locker and dinette table) Online commenter extraordinaire Pam asked about the status of my shipwright. I had hired this guy who moved my silverware drawer successfully. What I liked best is that he used the wood I had on hand. The teak is not perfect however it suits me and Seaweed just fine. During that process I discovered for myself that he drinks both too early and too much. Handling him was an exercise however the work was done to my satisfaction. This is how it all came to be.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Characters, In the Bilges
   

• Christina O. (Aristotle Onassis' yacht) I believe all of us on boats keep our eyes open for the yachts that share our waters. Occasionally an outstanding example crosses our horizon. Such was the case back in July for my friend Olivier. [He cruises out of Antibes, France aboard a TS M/V Lutin, a Grand Banks.]
  Categories: Boats, Characters, Locations, Vignettes
   

• Waterproof 8 Gauge Butt Connectors (make your own) During a recent project I was using 8-gauge wire. I did not have a long enough piece so needed to join two shorter pieces of wire together. Aboard Seaweed there were no *butt connectors of that size. Rather than buy the expensive heat-shrink variety sold online I opted to make my own. These are inexpensive, easy to make and work well. Here is how I make these onboard my Seaweed.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Galley, Gear, In the Bilges, Locations, Money, Vignettes
   

• Tate's Hell (dwarf cypress trees) Just prior to leaving Carrabelle I'd met a fellow who was quite nice. Johnny Irwin drove me home from the grocery store one day. Believe me, carrying a boat-load of groceries is Hard. He's a long-time boater who also runs a small charter fishing service.
  Categories: Books, Characters, Locations,
   

• Portlight Privacy (at Carrabelle Riverfront Festival) In the springtime I enjoyed perusing the Carrabelle Riverfront Festival's tents. It's a lot of fun to see what the vendors have created. Once in a while I find something outstanding. The festival had quite a few remarkable artists. I enjoyed wandering, people-watching, eating and bought a few things too.
  Categories: Characters, Comfort, Fishing, Gear, Locations,
   

• Pizza for One. I love pizza. What I do not care for is the size of my transom when I eat too much pizza. There is a solution to the pizza dilemma. It is easy and does not involve the frozen food aisle at a grocery store. And in fifteen minutes you too can be enjoying this treat. Best of all, it's not terrible for you!
  Categories: Galley, Recipes
   

• Fighting Inertia regarding Boat Gear. I am guilty of inertia. When it comes to finding boat gear I want for Seaweed, I'm excellent. Given sufficient time I am fairly proficient at finding those desired items at a reasonable price. Buying? Please. I am woman. And a woman with a boat needs some Stuff. It is at the installation stage where things begin to fall apart.
  Categories: Becoming Clutter-Free, Boat Talk, Vignettes
   

• Anhingas. Anhingas are a type of water fowl. Several of them live in the mangroves right behind Seaweed. They are noisy. According to Birds of North America: A Guide to Field Identification they are found primarily along the Gulf coast and eastern seaboard of the United States. I like them, most of the time.
  Categories: Books, Characters, Fishing, Vignettes
   

• Welding Shop and a Riser. It's been busy of late. As every boat owner knows there are always projects. Seaweed is over thirty years old. She has had more than her share of issues. The engine swaps (three engines in two years) has tested my patience, my happiness quotient and my sense of humor. Having a boat that cannot run is disheartening. Things are looking up and some progress is being made.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Gear, In the Bilges, Locations,
   

• Pet ID Tags. Keeping our critters safe afloat is of course a concern. When ashore on Skipper's harness I have her Pet I.D. tags attached. She also has a micro-chip for identification. That is a good start. It is not enough.
  Categories: Boats, Characters, Pets, Vignettes
   

• Foaming Soap Dispenser (how to) It has probably been a half dozen years since I first ran across a foaming soap dispenser.  I was in a Bath and Body Works store with my daughter. She is a fancy girl and I might be too given a larger budget. However, paying $6 or $8 for something that smelled a lot like Joy dish detergent was not my thing. I resisted the impulse to buy One More Thing that I did not need at a high price.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, Characters, Comfort, Money, Pets, Vignettes
   

• Securing the Microwave. The new galley is coming along nicely. I have installed the refrigerator successfully. See the Securing a Refrigerator (fans too) article for details on that. Additionally, I now have a shelf above the refrigerator. That shelf makes a perfect spot for a microwave oven. Today I will show you how I have mounted the microwave so it cannot move while underway.
  Categories: Galley, Memory Lane, Pets, Wild Things
   

• Rope Trim (stain and varnish wood) Purists should turn around slowly. There is still time to move along before I ruin all your carefully crafted arguments on how to stain and varnish properly. My way is not perfect. The project is done however, and in less time than you might believe possible. And it is Good Enough.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Characters, Galley, Gear,
   

• Garbage Bag Solution. All of us end up with lots of plastic bags when we go grocery shopping. Inevitably they end up crammed into another bag and stuffed in a corner somewhere. Ugh. There is a better way. It is tidy and allows you to store more bags in less space. Here's what I do aboard Seaweed.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Galley, Organizing, Unmentionables, Vignettes
   

• Vinegar Cleans Pans. In the last month or three I have done quite a bit of canning. Those chicken leg quarters were too tempting to pass up. [The how-to's are in the Canning 10 Pounds of Chicken article.] There is however one consequence. The pressure cooker gets white hard-water rings inside and I do not like the look of them. The solution is cheap and easy. Here's how to solve that problem.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, Galley, Money, Wild Things
   

• Rescue Tape Saves Boats. Ever since I discovered Rescue Tape I have been a believer. It is great stuff and costs just ten dollars a roll. Rescue Tape is something you absolutely NEED to have aboard your boat. You might even want more than one roll. As for self on Seaweed, one is sufficient. Still, I might move up to two rolls, just so I will always have a spare one on hand.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Gear, In the Bilges, Money,
   

• When it's Not Square (how to fix) Of late I have been doing a galley overhaul. A new refrigerator has already been tucked into the corner by the door to my cockpit. Next, I wanted a countertop above the reefer. Of course she is a boat, right? Nothing is square or even on Seaweed. Here is how I resolved that problem. With one cut my shelf fits flush against the back bulkhead.
  Categories:  Galley, Gear, In the Bilges,
   

• Keeping in Touch with Grandchildren. I suspect all grandparents worry that our Grands will forget us while we are off cruising. As for my folks, they enjoyed showing my duo life on the waters. Still, I am certain there was some concern the kidlets would forget their Grandma and Grandpa on-the-boat. That did not happen, and here is how my parents made sure of that.
  Categories:  Books, Memory Lane, Relationships
   

• Backing Plate Concerns. Yesterday we discussed what a backing plate is. Today I shall tell you how I took a $12 cutting board and turned it into a Good Enough backing plate for a shelf I am building in my galley. All of us know that there are times when we must opt for the higher quality product. Fortunately for my budget, this is not always as necessary as some might think.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, Characters, Galley, Gear, Locations, Money, Vignettes
   

• Backing Plates. Aboard boats often we utilize backing plates. They are used to reinforce or strengthen an attachment point. I've got lots of them on Seaweed. Larger yachts do too. Of late they have been an essential part of the galley changes I'm making. Today I will show you my newest money-saving backing plate solution.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Characters, Gear, Money
   

• Canning 10 Pounds of Chicken. Of late the grocery stores have been having sales on chicken. At 49 cents per pound in ten pound bags, that is quite a deal. Of course I could never eat that much before it would spoil. Thus, I broke out the crock pot and pressure cooker, canning the chicken leg quarters into meal sized jars. Here is how I did it.
  Categories: Galley, Locations, Money
   

• Locker Latch Alignment. Just today I was speaking with my friend Irene.  We were chatting about the "little things" that get to us. And too, how a chore list can grow exponentially in almost no time at all. For me it's the small stuff that gets in the way of my contentment. Things like locker doors that either don't stay closed or cannot shut properly become a source of irritation.
  Categories:  Boat Talk, Characters, Gear, In the Bilges, Vignettes
   

• Refrigerator Latches. Guest author Cap'n Mike Lauman on M/V Beachcomber. Captain Mike wrote Electrical Field versus Compass (Captain Murphy) that made me aware of a potential problem when underway in inclement weather. When the seas are kicking, stuff happens. Here's how Mike prevents another issue when caught offshore in rough water.
  Categories: Boats, Characters, Galley, Gear, Money, The Writer's Block
   

• A New Calder's (2015, 4th Edition) Every live aboard boat I have been on has a well-thumbed copy of Calder's. It is no joke when folks refer to it as the boat owner's Bible. Just yesterday while perusing Amazon for things I did not know I needed, I ran across the latest edition of Calder's Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual 4the Edition. I can't wait to own it. Because I was not aware the book had been updated, I wanted to share the good news with others. Thus, today's vignette.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, Vignettes
   

• Securing a Refrigerator (fans too) For years I have had a love-hate relationship with my original small Haier cube refrigerator. On the one hand it is great to store items inside a refrigerator. Lots of folks do not have that luxury. The problem is me. I love cantaloupe and one will not fit inside without being cut into pieces. This is a little enough thing but has been a source of irritation. And now it is not.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Galley, In the Bilges, Locations
   

• Stone-Wave Sticks. It all seemed like such a good idea... you see, I'd seen advertised Stone-Wave bowls on television a couple of times and thought the product had potential aboard Seaweed. What I liked was that it was seemingly non-stick and I imagined reheating something while underway with minimal clean-up afterwards. Besides I was sucked into the promos... it sure sounded and looked wonderful in the TV ads.
  Categories: Becoming Clutter-Free, Boats, Characters, Galley, Recipes, Vignettes
   

• Composting Toilet How-To. Guest author Mungo onboard the Floating Empire. A website visitor, Pam, has been following the Floating Empire blog and sent me a link. On reading this article I could well imagine others would be as interested as I am in a way to "beat the system" of porta-potties. For those of us on a budget, this is one to consider. Written by Mungo aboard the shantyboat he built named Floating Empire, it's not your usual kitty-litter solution to waste management.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Gear, Pets, The Writer's Block, Unmentionables
   

• Making a Shelf (and paper towel holder) It all started out innocently enough. Back in 2008 my *Norcold reefer died and needed to be replaced. At a cost (then) of over $600, an identical replacement unit was beyond my budget. Instead Kidlet gave me a small cube refrigerator that fit into the slot of the old **Never-cold.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Galley, Money, Organizing
   

• Little Things (hobby afloat) It is the little things that make this life afloat great. And by little, I do mean SMALL! One thing I have done each morning for many years is clean my eye glasses and computer screen. The day looks brighter without smudges and to that end I have a little glass atomizer from Specialty Bottle that works perfectly.
  Categories: Boats, Books, Channel Markers of Life, Characters, Entertainment, Locations, Memory Lane, Money
   

• From Carrabelle to St. Pete (via truck) The post Engine Debacles brought you almost to present. For safety's sake I am not quite as specific as I used to be. No longer will you find GPS coordinates listed, unless I am already gone. No, nothing adverse has happened. I am however becoming more circumspect. There are a lot of crazies in the world. Heck, I married into a family of them so I know they breed.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, DVDs and CDs, Locations, Pets, Security
   

• Engine Debacles. Some of you may know Seaweed is on her third engine in two years. Every step of the way was logical. Each choice seemed like a Good Idea at the time. And there were moments of perfection when all worked as it was supposed to. Of course there were glitches and a final straw moment. I have left Carrabelle. This is how it all came to be.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Characters, Locations, Money
   

• Appearances Can Deceive. A few months back I met a couple who were viewing a shrimp boat docked near me. The boat was listed to the port side and the gent wondered if it was sinking. A couple of disparaging remarks were made about the condition of the boat too.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Locations, Vignettes, Wild Things
   

• Job Creep. All of us know that one project leads to another, and another, ad naseum. The problem is in knowing when to stop, along with what needs to be done regardless of convenience or pre-planning. This week I came across a problem that required a fix before proceeding with the original project. Here's what happened. For the uninitiated, this is called Job Creep.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Characters, In the Bilges, Money
   

• StarBoard Stops. In my stash of stuff I have a few cubes of StarBoard. They have been tucked aside for a What If moment, and just today I discovered I needed them. The few I had on hand were just the ticket to solve a problem I had last year when BOB let me down off Horseshoe Beach. The Diagnosing a Blown Bearing article tells the tale of woe regarding BOB, my Volvo.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Locations, Vignettes
   

• Happy Books (and drunk advice) I have been collecting short pithy statements otherwise known as aphorisms for a long time. There is a page on my website devoted to same entitled Aphorisms that may be of interest to some. This is probably a weird thing to collect. Still, aphorisms do not take up much space and never require any dusting. There are worse collections and I do so enjoy re-reading what others have said. Those are the smart folks, and I learn from them.
  Categories: Entertainment, Organizing
   

• Installing Refrigerator Fans. Guest author Captain John on M/V Pairadice. It's written by Captain John and details the measures he goes through to please his Admiral Tracey. They own a 47' Selene named Pairadice. The article tells of the trials and tribulations of boat repairs and improvements to a refrigerator compartment.
  Categories: Boats, Characters, Galley, Gear, Locations, The Writer's Block
   

• Canning Taco Soup. I love taco soup. That it is easy to make, does not require lots of odd ingredients and can be made aboard works well for me. Too, I pressure can any leftovers to preserve them for another day. That way when I want more, it is an easy matter to open a jar and voila: dinner is ready.
  Categories: Characters, Galley, Pets, Recipes
   

• Non Sequitur on Boating. Yesterday's Sunday comics had in it the Wiley column Non Sequitur. The strip is a personal favorite of mine. Few cartoonists capture my life so quickly and well. That he's funny and a bit quirky makes him all the better. For those who have not seen it, I present one view on boating.
  Categories: Books, Humor, Vignettes
   

• , and Finding  Your Boat Series. I rambled on at the fingertips. You might wish to pour yourself a cuppa caffeine. This turned into a five part series detailing how to find your inexpensive live aboard boat. All five articles are combined on this page.
  Categories: Anchorages, Boat Talk, Boats, Books, Characters, Gear, Locations, Pets, Unmentionables
   

• Finding Your Boat (part 5) Everyone has their own ideas about what the Ideal Boat is. Some focus on yachts capable of carrying them any place on earth. That is fine for some, however many of us are quite happy exploring rivers and lakes along the coast. Our dreams are modest. And implementing them costs lots less too.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Books, Characters, Locations
   

• Finding Your Boat (part 4) When looking for your budget dream boat, the usual methods have been discussed. They include shopping on YachtWorld, via Craigslist posts, eBay auctions and those advertised in Boat Trader magazines. Those methods, while effective "miss the boat" (pun intended) quite often. The least expensive boats are usually not officially listed anyplace. Here is how to find them.
  Categories: Characters, Locations
   

• Finding Your Boat (part 3) A fellow I have been corresponding with wishes to live aboard a comfortable boat and asked advice. John wondered if it was possible to do so with limited resources. Fortunately he has a good income ($1000 per month) and will be able to upgrade his choice of boat, once purchased. First though John's got to locate that diamond in the rough. Here is how I would accomplish that.
  Categories: Boats, Books, Characters, Gear, Pets, Unmentionables
   

• Finding Your Boat (part 2) Finding and purchasing your boat home takes time and there is a learning curve. Looking online is a good way to get an education without spending your perfectly good money. Do not be in a hurry. That ideal boat is not without flaws. One just like it is probably available and for less money. Tuck your wallet away for the moment.
  Categories: Boats, Books, Gear, Unmentionables
   

• Finding Your Boat (part 1) An online associate named John recently wrote, asking if he could buy a boat for $5,000 and live aboard her in a style similar to mine. The immediate answer is "yes" however there are caveats. For that amount of money you are not going to have the amenities I have now, though you will be on a par where I was seven years ago. And you can make her better with time. Here is how.
  Categories: Anchorages, Boat Talk, Books, Characters, Locations,
   

• On the St. John's River. As the decades pass many take the time to reflect upon our lives. Of late I have been remembering my early years. I have been a boater since the start of my life. In that regard I am extremely fortunate. That my folks kept the family home and were able to share the nautical life with my duo is also wonderful.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Characters, Locations, Memory Lane, Security, Wild Things
   

• Change of Light Bulbs (LED versus cheap) There are times when it is best to opt for the more expensive product. Often experts will tell you that switching out all your standard light bulbs for LED is a great power saver. It is, however there are options to spending all that money right away. Let me show you what I have done on Seaweed so you can judge if this method would work aboard your boat.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, Gear, Money,
   

• Chaos in the Galley. In a small boat it is necessary to stay neat and organized or chaos will reign. Occasionally however a Good Idea comes to the surface and I will give it a go. That is precisely what happened in June. Now that I have *almost* recovered I shall tell you all about it.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, Characters, Galley, Memory Lane, Organizing,
   

• Boat Etiquette 101: Permission to board. All too many people don't realize that boats are private. Take yesterday evening... As the sun was going down a fellow and his three year old came out onto the dock (marked Private: No Trespassing) and hopped aboard Rollin' Stone. The nerve! If you want to know the quickest way to irritate a boat owner, stepping aboard uninvited is probably Number One on the list.
  Categories: Boats, Characters, Security, Wild Things
   

• Rocky Raccoon Returns. Back in April I met Rocky Raccoon. He was a teenager, not quite full grown but living on his own along the waterfront here. His arrival is described in the Rocky Raccoon vignette. I've been watching him grow up and he has gotten braver as the weeks go by.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, DVDs and CDs, Memory Lane, Wild Things
   

• Venues to Sell Unwanted Stuff (de-cluttering) This is the follow-up to the Take Small Bites (de-cluttering) article. It offers specifics on a variety of selling sites. I used these venues successfully when down-sizing prior to buying my Seaweed.
  Categories: Becoming Clutter-Free, Characters, Money, Wild Things
   

• Venues Printable for Venues to Sell Unwanted Stuff (de-cluttering) article. Most of us over a lifetime of work have obtained and kept far more items than necessary or even wanted. We pass through the acquisition stage while raising kidlets, then find ourselves looking at the next stage of life while weighed down with past purchases. The full article needed a Cheat Sheet. This is the Venues to Sell Unwanted Stuff (de-cluttering) article PRINTABLE aka Cheat Sheet.
   

• Take Small Bites (de-cluttering) Some folks have found that the whole idea of paring down possessions in anticipation of living aboard a boat too difficult to deal with. I can well understand the trepidation. There are ways to do this de-cluttering, and they are not too painful, if taken in logical, sequential steps. I did it, and you can too.
  Categories: Becoming Clutter-Free, Characters, Locations, Pets, Simplify
   

• Is a $20k Boat too Costly? Last month Rich, an online friend, contacted me and asked a few questions that quite often come up with folks new to the boating world. With his permission I have copied our correspondence here including things I forgot in the email. Readers are encouraged to add additional remarks and suggestions in the Comments section at the end of the article.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, Characters, Galley, Gear, Money, Wild Things
   

• Cruising in Tandem. Boat brokers used to be totally male-centric. They believed their typical buyer was a man, successful in life. The ideal prospect wished to get out here and become Captain Courageous. And gosh, there's a boat just for you Cap'n. Marked down this week and probably about to be snapped up by a discerning guy...
  Categories:  Anchorages, Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Locations, Pets, Relationships
   

• Learning about Life Afloat (a checklist) Neophytes when entering this boating world more often than not make a few mistakes. And it matters not if you are man or woman. Newbies start at the bottom of the learning curve however there are a few ways to help yourself get up to speed more rapidly.
  Categories: Anchorages, Boat Talk, Boats, Books, Characters, Comfort, Locations, Recommendations
   

• Hatch Cover How-To (Sunbrella and Tenara too) The forward hatch on Seaweed has glass. That is wonderful during the wintertime when it acts somewhat like a greenhouse in letting in the sunshine and warmth. Plus too it is fun to watch the moon when at anchor. I can see the stars as they track across the sky. Generally speaking, I do like the glass. Summer is the exception.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Comfort, Gear, Money,
   

• Self-induced Work (engine won't start) by guest author Dave Frye aboard Fryedaze. Dave and his wife Betsy are doing The Loop. Their first day did not quite go as planned. Dave shares with us the how, why and, wherefores of what went wrong, and right, on Day One.
  Categories: Boats, Characters, In the Bilges, Locations, The Writer's Block
   

• Heat Rises and Mildew Grows (finding discounts on Amazon) Well, I learned something. Much to my chagrin I have lost most of my cruising guide collection to mildew. It was my fault. Here is what I should have done. I did not realize the consequences of that mistake. Also, I will share the gory details. I knew better, which makes the lesson all the more painful.
  Categories: Books, DVDs and CDs, Entertainment, Money, Organizing,
   

• Blackberries. I learned why blackberries are so expensive at the grocery store the other day. Although a bit painful, the adventure was fun nonetheless. You see, there is a blackberry patch nearby and I have been watching it with more proprietary interest than was warranted by virtue ownership. Actually last year I picked bunches there.
  Categories: Vignettes, Wild Things
   

• Project Management. Project Management has been a sore point with me of late. In the Dangerous Boatyards article I wrote "I'm not good at Project Management" and vowed to make a change in that department. I have let a lot of items on my list slide all too long. Also, I have been complacent when I should have been a squeaky wheel.
  Categories: Characters, Comfort, Gear, Money, Recommendations
   

• Inexpensive Line Cutter. Richard on M/V Dauntless posted to his website [https://dauntlessatsea.wordpress.com/] about the niftiest item, and I want one. All of us on boats without line-cutters on our shafts worry that the rope from a crab trap will ensnarl our propeller. That is bad. It can be very bad if the rope manages to loosen the shaft from the coupler at the transmission.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Gear, In the Bilges, Organizing, Security
   

• Project Second Opinions. As detailed in the previous article Marinizing the Cooling System of a Tractor we had a plan and gathered components to bring said plan to fruition. Then I posted our strategy and hoped that we had covered all the bases. Well, apparently not.
  Categories: Boats, Characters, In the Bilges
   

• Marinizing the Cooling System of a Tractor. Transforming a tractor engine into a marine motor is not for sissies. Fortunately, I have back-up and progress is being made. My Kubota 18hp [from Yanmar Tractor Parts] is a gem. And it is many thousands of dollars less than the marine Yanmar motors so prevalent in boats today. For the budget minded, that has a great deal of appeal.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Gear, In the Bilges, Locations, Money
   

• Antique Speedboat (ID sought) Saturday I looked up and saw the coolest little speedboat just off my bow. I love older *runabouts and this one has the smooth lines that appeal to me. Here she is as she passed in front of Seaweed.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Vignettes
   

• Dangerous Boatyards. All of us have to go to a boatyard on occasion. This is not fun. It is expensive. The worst thing of all are the Gotcha's that can bite us on the transom. A few of the danger signs to watch out for follow.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Books, Characters, Locations
   

• Songbird in Water. A friend and I were chatting on the phone the other day. As is the norm, I was watching the world outside my home. While looking out the starboard pilothouse door I noticed a small piece of what I initially thought was driftwood. It was floating with the tide, and partially above the surface.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, Gear, Locations, Organizing, Pets, Vignettes, Wild Things
   

• Screening My Hatch (eBay advice) Yes, I am working on a budget. Now there are some who would claim that in order to do something well, it must be done to perfection. Using only top quality products and name brands will generally speaking result in a better outcome. However I'd rather have something today that works, even if it's not an ideal solution. And in that regard I opted to buy a screen kit from China.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Comfort, Gear, Money
   

• Battery Primer (Tesla) Tesla just announced a new battery is coming onto the market. With a capacity of *7kWh to 10kWh, that's one heck of a large battery capacity. How this could benefit those of us living off the grid is the question. The Tesla battery has the potential to positively effect life, however there are a few caveats.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Gear,
   

• Car in the River. As many folks suspect, I am an inveterate watcher. One of the best parts about living life afloat is the ever-changing panorama that is right outside my windows. And just the other day I looked out and saw a car in the middle of the river. That is not a usual sight as you can well imagine. Of course, without pictures it never happened. So I have proof that my sanity is relatively intact:
  Categories: Characters, Locations
   

• Anchor Ball. Of late online we've been discussing Anchor Balls, and the lack thereof on cruising boats. Though *A.I.S. is discussed frequently, the anchor ball is important too. Captain Scott aboard M/V Freedom said "Funny how AIS is praised so much and yet something that has been around for a long time is so foreign to many. My guess is anchor balls have been there, just not noticed by many."
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Gear, Locations, Money, Security
   

• Decadence Required. The Pardey's have written extensively promoting their "Go now, go small" philosophy. A great many things can be said about their success. Yet I know for long term happiness afloat, at least for me, there must be a certain level of creature comforts.
  Categories: Boats, Boat Talk, Books, Characters, Comfort, DVDs and CDs, Galley, Money, Organizing, Relationships
   

• Rocky Raccoon. A couple days ago I walked over to the grocery store. Chicken thighs were on sale for 89 cents a pound so I bought a package containing eight. Costing just less than $3, I was happy to find a bargain. Usually these are at least double that price. And I had plans for that chicken!
  Categories: Boats, DVDs and CDs, Entertainment, Vignettes, Wild Things
   

• Laundry Hauling Made Easier. Besides hauling water out to the boat, doing laundry is one of those onerous tasks that must be done. It is definitely not a favorite activity. I have washed my stuff aboard by hand and though that works, it is not exactly fun. A bigger boat would allow a washer and gosh there are times when that sounds just about perfect.
  Categories: Gear, Money, Pets, Unmentionables
   

• Black Bag Freedom. Guest author Steven of vanabodingwithsteve.blogspot.com. We were talking about various ways of getting rid of the accumulated Stuff. Clutter seems to grow exponentially when one settles in a place for any length of time. Steven's plan is detailed in this article.
  Categories:  Becoming Clutter-Free, Characters, Unmentionables, The Writer's Block
   

• Barn Swallows (Kindle critique) Living on the water in a small boat allows me the privilege of enjoying wildlife just outside my home. Laughing Gulls are known for their noisy chatter and some seem to have found the piling right by my forward hatch a perfect hang-out. Argh!
  Categories:  Books, Entertainment, Vignettes, Wild Things
   

• Sausage and Cheese Stuffed Peppers (new canning theory) A new friend passed along three green peppers the other week. Ginger's the nicest gal. I'm always looking for the small peppers to fit into my wide mouth one cup canning jars. She had bunches and three were the size required. Fortunately Ginger shared. I was delighted and immediately walked over to the grocery store to buy the fillers. And that's where the problems began.
  Categories: Characters, Galley, Money, Recipes
   

• Command in the Galley. It all started a couple weeks back when I bought my latest holiday decor for the galley. I mentioned that in the Spring on Pi Day (copper advice) article. My Easter towel included a matching potholder. Well, I do not normally use them but it is pretty and I wanted to show it off a bit too.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, DVDs and CDs, Entertainment, Galley, Gear, Vignettes
   

• Boat Shoes Inside. Aboard boats as in some homes there are procedures and preferences with regards to footwear. For some, shoes inside is verboten while others want you to wear foot protection. As for me, I keep my nails painted so if it's a vessel with a shoe prohibition my tootsies look pretty.
  Categories: Characters, Comfort, Vignettes
   

• In and Out (clearing clutter) Folks living on boats with limited space such as myself are aware of the consequences of purchases. It is not just the money. Storage is critical, and this often comes down to a few specific issues.
  Categories: Becoming Clutter-Free, Boat Talk, Characters, Galley, Locations
   

• Planning for Adventure (cruising guides) An online friend and I were recently chatting. Like me, Donald lost his son Davy way too soon. And like me, our children had plans. Mine wanted to circumnavigate on a catamaran. Where did I go wrong?!? And Davy dreamed of exploring the Galapagos.
  Categories: Boats, Books, Characters, Location,  Money, Organizing
   

• Hiring Expertise. Living aboard for a budget boater means we need to be able to fix a great variety of systems. It is impossible to stock everything needed for all contingencies though we do our best. I do have got a fairly decent tools inventory however there are times when I simply do not have the tools nor experience required to do a job properly.
  Categories: Books, Characters, In the Bilges, Locations, Memory Lane,
   

• Windlass Debris becomes Handhold. A few years back I bought one of the greatest inventions for boaters ever: a Lewmar-V700 windlass. It changed for the better my anchoring practices and I'm glad to own it. This is the smallest unit sold by the company. For Seaweed she's just about perfect, except for the debris that came with it.
  Categories: Becoming Clutter-Free, Boat Talk, Boats, Galley, Security
   

• Spring on Pi Day (copper advice) As the geeks among you know, Pi is 3.14 therefore Pi Day is celebrated on 14 March. It's a personal favorite of mine. That's because the date generally finds spring-like weather has arrived. A favorite website visitor, Pam in Minnesota, told me even in the north the temperatures were rising. And here in Carrabelle it's finally wonderful.
  Categories: Becoming Clutter-Free, Boat Talk, Characters, Galley, Gear, In the Bilges, Locations, Unmentionables
   

• Power Cord Primer. While at the dock for my newest engine swap I have been blessed with a power connection. Gosh, it is nice to have AC power at will and without any concerns about either winds or sunshine. There are a few things I do to make this experience better, and safer.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Gear, Security, Wild Things
   

• Dolphin Baby. As some may recall, recently I had a moment of clarity regarding life out here. You see, I caught myself not stopping when I heard the dolphin duo breathing. When I finally glanced up I had nearly missed a brand new baby dolphin. The tale is told in the Dolphin Moment vignette. And today there is an update.
  Category: Wild Things
   

• Seeking Bandwidth. If you have been reading for any length of time (thanks!) there is the possibility you have notice me grumbling about bandwidth or lack thereof. Well, I have a question and could use some assistance, but please speak slowly. Very very slowly.
  Category: Entertainment, Vignettes
   

• More Emergency Anchor Up Info. After the article Emergency Anchor Up (OpenCPN info too) was published a fellow soloist gave me a phone call. Irene lives aboard her Valiant32 and has like me had to "do the drill" regarding anchor up on more than one occasion. And she is one smart cookie with tricks I have since added to my arsenal.
  Categories: Boats, Characters, Gear, Locations, Security
   

• Warranty Paperwork (SeaSense bilge pump) One of the advantages of living afloat is that we are in touch with the outside world. Like the other day, when I heard the bilge pump come on I did not hear the water splashing outside. I immediately knew there was a problem. Checking, my 800gph primary bilge pump was not removing water.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Books, Characters, Gear, Humor, Memory Lane, Money, Organizing, Relationships
   

• Fuzzy Fixed (and manifold update) As mentioned last November, a seemingly never-ending effort to stay warm has been an ongoing issue this winter. First of all, I am cold. Seaweed is drafty. She is not air-tight by any means and when the wind blows... In any event, back in the early part of the winter the article Warm Fuzzies (winter bedding) described my efforts to stay comfortable. That failed, but recently I had an epiphany.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Comfort, Gear, Pets, Wild Things
   

• Toilet Tissue (aka TP) For folks like me who do not get great joy from shopping, having an adequate supply of toilet paper aboard is a good thing. A few years back a friend built for me a nifty storage locker. There is a drawback to my system however. Today I shall delve into that issue, and how I solved it.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Characters, Gear, In the Bilges, Money, Unmentionables
   

• Sewn Up (shopping bag repair) It is always something. And today it happened to be my shopping bag. You see, I have sewn bunches of bags out of light weight *spinnaker fabric. They fold small and fit into my purse. When going to the grocery store or a book sale at the library, I always have a way to get my goodies home. Almost that is.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Books, Characters, Locations, Money
   

• Stainless Manifold Ordered (tractor motor adapted for boat) The problem: how to turn the standard tractor motor into an engine that can propel my boat. Mine, a Kubota 18hp came from Yanmar Tractor Parts and is a gem. Progress on various fronts has been made. The latest, how to build a cooling system, has taken time with loads of input from a variety of sources.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Characters, Gear, In the Bilges, Locations
   

• Power Tools Required. Often folks preparing to live aboard wonder about repairs needed while underway. Fellows with complete workshops in particular are genuinely concerned. How will breakdowns be handled? Can they afford it? What tools are necessary? Soon the questions become a roadblock to life afloat, but it does not have to be that way.
  Categories: Boats, Characters, Gear, Locations
   

• Stabilize a Hard Dinghy (inexpensive how-to) Algae is a small, inexpensive hard fiberglass dinghy manufactured in 1972. She is old, beat-up and just about perfect. When I pull up to a dinghy dock, I am not worried about someone taking her. No one in their right mind will want the thing and for several reasons -- not all of which are true.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Gear, Money, Security
   

• Tern Time. To date, our most prolific author for The Writer's Block is Douglas Pollard, Sr. His latest entry is about restoring an Old Town Canoe. I suspect all of us have regrets about choices made when younger and this tale touches on that. Mostly though it's about a fixer-upper named Tern.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Gear, Locations, The Writer's Block
   

• Silent Lessons. An online discussion recent occurred and it has relevance to those making purchases of expensive gear, up to and including live-aboard boats. Parts of the conversation are also valid when hiring expertise. The original gent asked how to know which yacht was the best. Because he will become a first-time trawler owner he wasn't  sure how to determine value, nor indeed if the boat he wanted would suit his purposes.
  Categories:  Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Gear, Locations, Vignettes
   

• Toasting English Muffins on a Heater. As is much of the country, the panhandle of Florida has been beset by cold weather yet again. Last night it was below freezing. In my book 30 is an age, and should not be the number of degrees above zero! Still there is one good thing about breaking out the catalytic heater during the wintertime. That's enjoying a spot of Darjeeling tea with one of my favorites: toasted English muffins.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Galley, Vignettes
   

• Dolphin Moment. Sometimes I wonder about self. The other morning I was cleaning and heard a dolphin near the boat. Unlike usual, Skipper did not bark like a lunatic.  She continued to sleep under the covers on my bunk. I saw the circle in the water close by, but continued to wipe down the bulkheads. That is precisely when I had a moment of clarity.
  Categories: Channel Markers of Life, Pets, Vignettes, Wild Things
   

• What Not To Do (smart anchoring) Life on the water is wonderful and it can be inexpensive, but all too often a boat that anchors long term becomes not just a hazard, but a pain to all cruisers. It doesn't take a lot of money to buy a boat and just living on a boat doesn't make you a boater any more than sleeping in a garage makes you a car. Boaters -- real ones, not the bums -- are an asset to any community they belong to or visit. Here's how not to create problems for cruisers who follow in your wake.
  Categories:  Characters, Security
   

• Fred and Ruby. Guest author Douglas G. Pollard Sr. aboard in S/V Sea Legs. This piece is a tribute to parents who allow their children to experience life along the waterfront. In Doug's case, it was the Chesapeake that sparked his dreams and offered a myriad of places to explore. I wish the same for my Grand.
  Categories:  Boats, Channel Markers of Life, Characters, The Writer's Block
   

• Anchor Light for Dinghy. Algae generally rides behind Seaweed. Back when I'd anchored in Saul Creek I chose a spot with just ten feet of water. Surrounding waters were 30-plus feet deep. Because I was in the crook of a river, hunters rounding the bend could have accidentally hit Algae, or even Seaweed in the dead of night. Thus I needed to make the dinghy visible.
  Categories: Anchorages, Boat Talk, Boats, Fishing, Gear, Locations, Pets, Security
   

• 5 Pounds of Shrimp (how to find discount diesel) Gosh, I do so love shrimp. Given a choice between shrimp and lobster, most of the time I'd pick the plate full of shrimp. They are tasty, not too costly and simply amazing. Although I cannot eat five pounds at one sitting, I can put a dent in the platter for certain. It's my favorite.
  Categories: Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Galley, Locations, Money, Recipes, Relationships, Wild Things
   

• Sage Returns. Written by Stephen Wandling on Sage II for The Writer's Block, this inspiring vignette describes a gent reentering the world of boating after life on dirt delayed things by a few decades. I admire the folks who work toward and achieve their dreams. If he can do it, so too can you.
  Categories: Boats, Books, Characters, The Writer's Block
   

• Greenery (plant growing afloat) Unlike others I am not the best at growing things aboard the boat. Let me rephrase that: my plants do survive but tend not to thrive. It is me because there are some wonderfully abundant gardens afloat, even in traveling vessels. So, what is the secret of success?
  Categories: Boats, Characters, Galley, Pets
   

• Kindle versus Fire (nail polish too) As many may know from reading this website, I love my Kindle. It was a gift from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (not Voldemort) back in October 2013 and what a godsend. For years I'd wanted an eReader but the cost seemed prohibitive. But then HWMNBN gave me the Kindle and love ensued. Still, a girl can have her head turned, and the color Kindle Fire's appeared...
  Categories: Books, Characters, Entertainment, Gear, Money,
   

• Holiday Invitations (Christmas 2014) A common misconception I've too often seen stated online is: "When you go in a marina You will be the sailors home from the Sea. Everyone will invite you aboard to feed you and ply you with drinks in return for telling them sea Stories." Although I've only been out six years, I have yet to find an open invitation to any boat. I matters not if I'm in a marina or at an anchorage populated by other boats. Newbies should not count on the generosity of fellow boaters.
  Categories: Books, Characters, Memory Lane,
   

• Bandwidth Blues (internet afloat) It is true: I love life afloat. That said, even though I have gotten away from it all I do want my internet. And at the Seaweed state of finances, it has to be inexpensive. Free would be wonderful, however the days of open wifi are sadly over. Now, even if the connection is unlocked, web-surfing is shut down. But what does all that mean?
  Categories: Characters, Comfort, Entertainment, Locations, Money

The current year Archive can be found HERE