Best Of

Rainy day project in Key West:  finished removing the crappy tint film from the windshield.  

We started this project seven months ago.  Despite our best efforts, we could not reach the bottom of the center section because we don't have 6-foot monkey-long arms.  Believe me, we tried everything.  Then July came, we started our Loop, and this job got pushed to the back burner.  

In this photo it doesn't look too bad, but the film looks black viewed from outside.  And yes, for the past seven months there was a bit of peeled film hanging down from the windshield!  All gone now.



So, if it looked so terrible, why did I wait this long to finish the job? 

It was a big project.  I had to remove the entire helm pod.  An hour of disassembly, an hour of hard work to get the film off, two hours to reassemble and clean up.  The only other option was to remove the center window, and I didn't want that risk. 



Once I took out the instruments from the main panel, there were only six screws holding the pod in place.  I'd be lying if I claimed that I designed the pod for easy removal.  It just worked out that way.  This result makes me happy, and I got a great full-body workout today.  

Pulled out of New Orleans today on a cruise….

Our season is pretty short, best case is late April until Late August.  Last year they had to drain the reservoir because the deepest boat ramp was being replaced, so draining started in mid-July...OUCH.  

Anyway, this gets me through the winters here. 

Oh I'm not bashful with the throttles!  We've done a fair amount of time on plane.  We crossed the Gulf from Carabelle to Clearwater on plane (150 miles) and yesterday from Marco Island to Key West (90 miles).  But even going long days at idle speed, the engines never complain.  

@Liberty44140 - terrific side trip to Chattanooga.  The Tennessee River Gorge is spectacular.  My brother and his wife came to see us ... stayed on the boat and cruised the final 20 miles up the Gorge.  It's called the "Grand Canyon of the East" for good reason.

@J3ff -- Key West is your neighborhood, right?

not much boating happening around here for me recently.  But here's a pic of my new toy 

You hit the lucky jackpot!!     ...but dang, I have some catching up to do!!