Things about cruising that you tend to forget

The cruising lifestyle sounds so appealing when you hear people talk.  Warm weather, sandy beaches, no work.    There is the other side as well though, and some things you don’t really think about.      Of course there is the boat work, constant maintenance living in a salt water environment, but there are a couple of things you forget to mention when talking about cruising – Like how to get on and off the boat !!!
	On our boat, currently tied up to the dock there is a 42” long step, which is a 12” step or step down depending if getting on or off.  (Hint: stepping down is easier)  Every morning we head off to the showers on land.  We wear flip flops as we shower in them to prevent any stray foot diseases.     Try it out, can you put on flip flops, and make a 42” “jump” up 12”?  Sure, you can, now do it over water that is cold and salty while fully dressed.
Knock on wood, so far, no mishaps.

New Faucet

 Kris's coworkers at Vanmark Equipment were very kind, and gave her a Lowes gift card upon her retirement.  We knew we wanted a new kitchen sink faucet, and with the gift card we were able to get not only one for the kitchen, but also for the bath.

Old kitchen faucet.  It was very pitted in the chrome finish due to 15 years of use in salt water environment.

2-20-2021 A walk through Morehead City, North Carolina

 It finally stopped raining.  We had 5" of rain in three days.    Nice for getting all the items unpacked and organized on the boat, but we had enough rain, and when it turned sunny, even though it was cold, it was time to get off the boat, and go for a stroll.   

Here is a bit of what we saw.

Kris's farewell tour

Kris is officially retired.  WooHoo.   

Dean made the long drive from North Carolina to Boise to pick her up, and do a farewell tour.  Left Boise on 2/6/2021 to visit family in Bend, Oregon and  then to Seeley Lake, Montana to see friends. Enjoyed the 3 feet of snow and lovely -15 degree weather.   

Next break through in "self- "

	Cars have been testing "self-driving" and it seems to be getting closer a reality.  So, what can we do in the boating industry to match that?  Well last night it came to me as I was sleeping.  Around 3:30 am I heard a noise of a boat starting their engine.  Other than the time it really didn't make an impact until I realized it was my boat that was trying to start it's own engine.  By the time I got over to the starboard side the diesel engine had finally started and was running, a little rough but running.  I adjusted the throttle some and it just purred. So, if cars can "self-drive" let’s go for boats "self-start".
Doing some research, it seems like this "self-starting" has occurred to other diesel engines when the starting solenoid or starting switch are just right and the weather is just right.  There are several fixes that I will be working on with Kris to make sure it doesn't happen again.  Or maybe we should leave it alone and start to market it?
	Maybe the boat was sending us a sign that it is time to leave the docks.