Maps

We have driven this trip South many times now. We look at maps and generally decide the route, sometimes based on weather. Driving through mountains in January isn’t real desirable! We try to do a bit of exploring on the way. The plan this trip was originally to stop and explore the Okefenokee Swamp which straddles the Georgia/Florida border.

However, paint became an issue. As those of you who own homes or boats know, there are always projects. The main “known” projects for this trip were going to be to install air conditioning and paint the upper cabin of Pursuit. We also know the PO (previous owner) did several things that will need attention. One of those is replacing the anchor chain or rode. The PO, apparently never realized, or maybe he did, that 200 feet of chain left in a wet anchor locker will rust! The locker is on the bow of the boat. The wet chain when pulled up on the windlass goes down a hole into a locker under the deck. The locker is assessable inside the boat from the v-berth (bed). It is not going to be the most enjoyable job to get that locker cleaned up.

When we left the boat, we let all the chain drop onto a pallet so we could see what kind of shape it is in. The plan is to keep the salvageable part and add rope to the end. This will give us the chain we prefer for anchoring and then rope. We will still have the proper amount as we usually are anchoring in only 15’ of water but will give us the extended line for bad weather or other scenarios. We are adding a plastic grid tile to the bottom of the locker as well so the line and chain will sit on top of any water or condensation. We will be checking to see if there is a drain in that locker as well.

As far as the air conditioning goes. After much research, many discussions with the company in Red Wing, MN, who sold us our refrigerator last year, and having the person in Georgia who is monitoring the boat do some measuring, we determined the unit we want, will not fit. Back to the drawing board on that addition.

Lastly, painting the cabin top is necessary. Pursuit has been painted with AwlGrip, a product that looks shiny and wonderful for years. It also has the added bonus of not having to wax the boat! So, the PO, did the sides of the boat and a portion of the cabin but not the entire boat. Ahgggg! We knew from a mechanic in the yard up in Rock Hall, MD (where Pursuit lived prior to our purchase) the brand and color of the paint used—AwlGrip. However, we also know that AwlGrip is also not the easiest product to apply. It needs to be put on and then tipped. Which means roll it on and then go back over it with a paintbrush to get the desired result. Joe knew, from years of reading, that this could be a difficult job. We began researching other products.

Now comes the fun of trying to match the AwlGrip color we know is on the boat to other products’ colors. The good thing is we got lots of good advice through phone calls and lots of paint color chips in the mail. The choice of the product was made and it should have a much easier application process … hopefully. We determined we could order it and pick it up in Thunderbolt, Georgia, near Savanah. We stayed in Thunderbolt for a few days last Spring right when the Coronavirus became a serious issue—Savannah was not having its infamous St. Patrick’s day parade.

Now we are driving directly to Thunderbolt knowing our paint will be there. We thought of having it shipped to the boat yard but didn’t want to take any chances of it being delayed.

While working on the boat we are staying at an Airbnb in St. Mary’s. It is a dog friendly, guest house, to a larger property. Hopefully, it will be as nice as the pictures depict.

So, going to Thunderbolt rules out the Okefenokee Swamp for this trip. In looking at a map, it’s too far out of the way. Another time!

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There is only one map to the journey of life and it lives within your heart.” – Willie Nelson