October 1 is here far too soon, and we are closing in very quickly on our start of the Great Loop.

Preparations began months ago with our trip to the Miami Boat Show in February. We spent three days walking the Convention Center gathering information from several vendors and manufacturers. As we began the process of deciding what additional equipment we really needed to do this trip comfortably and safely, we learned our ballpark numbers on budget were way off on some items, but close on others.

Daymon and Joanie installing the frame

Daymon and Joanie installing a brace for the top

One of our first upgrades was to completely redesign the canvas. We decided on Lakeside Canvas to do the job. Daymon and Joanie were fabulous and were able to make the canvas to our exact needs. They do exceptionally high quality work, and the finished work was way beyond our expectations. They also made a TV cover for the on-deck TV as well as bags for our fold up bikes, and they modified the cover of Little Waci so we could have it covered while on the davits.

Fitting the top canvas

 They do business the old fashioned way and won't take a dime of your money until the job is complete and you are thrilled with the result. If you need canvas work in the Atlanta or Chattanooga areas, you MUST call them.


Finished canvas - what a super job!



Arthur Silbert in bilge installing bracing for davits

We have done a great deal of preparation with modifications to the boat done mostly with the help of our friends. I could not have done it without them. Dan Hunt, Skip Harper, Arthur Silbert, and especially Larry Cook were lifesavers. Larry is a highly skilled craftsman and was essential in fabricating pieces to install the davits and the on-deck TV mount. He and Arthur left some blood and flesh in my bilge while installing the davits. These guys are all special friends. Nan Ellen and I are very grateful for what they did for us and we treasure their friendship.


Larry Cook drilling holes for davits while Dave supervises

We had a big problem with Little Waci - our dingy. The rear starboard tube sprung a leak and I tried multiple times to find it. I finally gave up and decided to take it back to the dealer in Clearwater FL. We made this trip part of a planned Coast Guard trip to Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater and the 7th District Auxiliary Conference in St Petersburg. They sprayed it down, repeating my efforts, but could not find the leak. Next, they shut off all noise in the service bay and listened for a whistling sound. Once he heard the sound, it was simply a matter of running his hand over the tube to find the leak. I could not believe it was that simple. An hour later, the hole was patched, and I also picked up a spare valve, a special wrench to replace a broken valve, and some preservative for the tubes.

Finished project with Dave and Larry

We moved Waci 3 from our slip at Allatoona Landing Marina on Lake Allatoona to Island Cove Marina in Harrison TN (suburb of Chattanooga) on September 11. We thought we might not make it that day after weighing the boat at the Love's Truck Stop in Emerson GA before getting on I-75. The boat was about 4000 pounds over the weight limit of the permit, so we had no choice but to try to decrease the weight. We managed to remove a great deal of our stuff, but we were still 1500 pounds over the weight limit. A decision was finally made where I agreed to pay the hauler's fine if he was stopped and weighed. We knew he would have to pass through a weigh station, but there was a chance they would simply check his paperwork without checking the weight since they see him hauling boats through there regularly.

Waci 3 arrival at Island Cove Marina

As it turned out, this is exactly what happened and we dodged a bullet and potentially a several hundred dollar fine. The remainder of the trip was uneventful and the great group of guys at Island Cove Marina were ready with the travel lift when we arrived. They had it unloaded and on blocks in less than 30 minutes.

Off the trailer and onto the blocks

Over the next several days, they pressure washed the bottom and began the prep for new bottom paint. The bottom paint was at least 5 years old and need to be done. Much to my surprise (not to the marina staff), there were zero blisters in the hull. The marina guys say that they almost never find a blister in Sea Rays built from the mid 90s and later. I found out a couple of weeks ago when we took a Sea Ray plant tour in Knoxville that they check every single batch of resin to make certain it meets their specs before they accept delivery of it. This attention to detail and to quality is but one example of why Sea Ray is a superior boat. We saw several other boats on the hard at the marina getting blister repairs. It goes to show you - you get what you pay for and this is one of several reason I remain a loyal Sea Ray customer.They also checked the running gear and found both shafts OK, but the starboard cutlass bearing had a chunk of wood stuck in it and the prop had a minor ding. The prop was sent to be straitened and they dug out the wood from the bearing. Hopefully, this will fix the vibration problem and 200 rpm difference between the two engines. The bottom paint is now complete, and the sides of the hull have been polished removing all the hard water stains. They are waiting for the prop to splash the boat. Routine maintenance on the engines and generator are complete.

On the blocks with fresh bottom paint - almost ready to splash!

We have decided to add an autopilot, inverter system, and an AIS transceiver. These parts are on order and will be installed prior to leaving Chattanooga in about two weeks.

There is still much preparation to do at home before we shove off on October 17. With my election to District Captain in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, we have re-evaluated our original plan to complete the loop in a year. We fully expect to take at least two years for completion, and possibly more. We are NOT in a hurry as we want to thoroughly enjoy the time we spend on the boat and on shore in new and exciting places. We had always planned to do the Loop in legs with extended trips home in between those legs. Our thought was to be gone in 4 to 6 week segments and come home to check on Nan Ellen's mother who lives with us. She has proven to function very well without us, but is used to seeing us every day. Nan Ellen calls her twice a day when we are on the road. Our current goal is to be somewhere in the Tampa Bay area around Thanksgiving. Beyond that time, we will need to see what our schedules look like with friends, family, and Coast Guard Auxiliary / Power Squadron business. We may be home through much of December and January. That is the current plan, but as always, it is subject to change. We are looking forward to shoving off, and the first stop at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville AL for the Americas Great Loop Cruisers Association (AGLCA) Fall Rendezvous October 21-24.

I will be posting more frequently from this point forward. Stay tuned for more!