This will be a short update. Not too much has been
happening; as with most arrival stories, we’ve arrived and are slowly settling
into a routine, getting back to work, and wrapping up the more urgent post
voyage boat projects and repairs.
Key Colony Harbor entrance, looking out to Hawk Channel and the Atlantic Ocean; though we say we're in Marathon, we are technically in Key Colony Beach
One of the bigger projects we were saving to do until we
were here in the Keys was the fitting of our sun awning. The awning keeps the
sun off of the boat and on warm and sunny days while at anchor, it can keep the
cabin a good bit cooler than it otherwise might be. We can roll up or lower
flaps to adjust for the angle of the sun, and in a light shower, we can leave
hatches open to keep ventilation flowing. The benefits of it at the dock are
somewhat reduced, as the breezes typical in an anchorage are reduced by the
protection of a sheltered marina. Still it was an essential task.
This particular awning has something of a history. When we
began our refit, we had specified a full sun awning to be built. During the bid
process, we came across an opportunity to purchase this particular awning. The
catch however, was that it was not built for our boat, but for the 37’ model
also built by Pacific Seacraft. The awning had been built for the owners of a
brand new 37, but because of the awning’s size and weight, they decided not to
accept it. Instead, they left it with Pacific Seacraft and instructions to sell
it to someone who’d give it a good home.
That someone turned out to be us, and the owners of the
awning made us an offer which we couldn’t pass up. Still, it was a puzzle of
sorts, especially since it had not been made for JO BETH. Though the 37’ and 34’ models of our boat are quite
similar, there are enough differences to make things a little confusing.
JO BETH, sporting her 'new' sun awning
The awning from astern - please forgive the 'cell phone zoom effect'
We’re also exploring the islands and getting reacquainted
with the Keys. When we lived in Miami, we kept our first little sailboat in
Marathon for a few months, behind a friend’s canal house at their private dock.
After a year or so there, we moved it to another private slip in Islamorada, in
the upper Keys. That was 20+ years ago, and the changes which have swept
through the Keys in our absence are quite astounding.
More to follow!
