We were finally able to leave Fort McAllister Marina on Tuesday. It felt so good to finally be underway! We had a beautiful cruising day Tuesday even making it further than originally planned before finding a lovely, quiet anchorage for the night. The sun was out and temps were in the 60s so we could open up and air out the boat.
Wednesday turned out to be better than forecast and the sun came out, so we hoped to make another long run to the Jekyll Island area of Georgia. We might have done so, too, if the starboard generator hadn’t decided to not start around 2:30pm after working properly all day. Fortunately we were about a mile from our first anchoring option (the one we’d selected before deciding to get further south). So we ended up anchored off of Lanier Island next to a yacht club and a marina. Dave and Dad did some trouble shooting, called the generator company in California, and determined that it was likely a failed starter, and a blown 100A fuse (no spare on board). It was too late at that point to try to get one ashore, so they did some online research and got some local numbers to try in the morning. Dave was able to order a fuse through Amazon to have shipped to the marina.
Thursday morning, Dave and Dad made a few phone calls and were able to score a rebuilt starter to pick up later in the day, and they ordered a new one to keep on board as a spare to pick up Friday morning (because if one goes, the other is likely to do so eventually). Early afternoon they dinghied to the marina to get an Uber to the NAPA Auto Parts store to pick up the rebuilt starter and a couple of other tools they needed. It was in the low 50s, overcast and windy (15 mph). By the time the boys got back it was raining and the winds were picking up. The repair had to wait until Friday morning. The winds Thursday night were NNE and so were either aligned with the river current or directly opposed once it turned, but there was no chop. So we had a noisy night of rain and high winds at around 20-25 mph gusting to 30+, but we weren’t bouncing around. Amen!
By Friday morning the rain had stopped and the clouds thinned a little, but it was only in the 40s most of the day. The sun did come out, though, and we were able to open up the boat to air her out. The cold evening temps lead to a lot of condensation inside and many wet rags trying to mop us the dripping windows and ceilings. Dave and Dad Ubered back to NAPA to pick up the spare starter and then installed the rebuild when they got back. It remained windy in the afternoon, but was nice and sunny. We all dinghied to the marina to pick up the fuses that Amazon delivered, took showers and then headed back to the boat for dinner.
Saturday was windy and frigid when we woke up, in the low to mid thirties, and it barely made it into the high forties during the day, but the sun did come out. It was not warm enough to open up the boat even the slightest. We had a choppy cruise across St. Simons Sound, but in the rivers it calmed down while remaining windy. It was a full foul weather gear day for anyone at the helm. We anchored for the night on the west shore of the Amelia River at the north end of Amelia Island. Nice quiet spot. We spent a couple of hours doing some route planning for the next few days.
This morning we woke to 50-degrees and sunshine with a light breeze and a beautiful sunrise (this post’s pic). It should get to the low 60s today. There was much less condensation inside. We got underway just before 8:00am to pop down to the Amelia Island Marina to pump out, fill up our water tanks and top off our diesel. We are underway to the Atlantic Beach area of Florida to anchor for the night.
It continues to amaze me how much the weather affects our moods. Cold and rainy is the worst and out moods plummet. The boat’s interior gets really small really quickly on a day like that with four people aboard. Our tiny space heater can keep the salon/galley comfortable, but not the cabins in the hulls, so nobody can escape to their bedroom without freezing. Give us a little sunshine and even a chilly day is much more upbeat. I know I relish them!
I’m developing somewhat of a routine, which is important for my sanity. Each morning I wipe condensation off of hatches, portholes and walls. Every few days I do a more thorough wipe down to get off the mold. Hatches get opened and damp items get hung on the lifelines when the weather permits. Since I’m still learning about living aboard and driving the boat I read cruising blogs and books and drive the boat a bit. Mom and I play a game occasionally. Fairly soon I need to start learning how to repair some of the more simple things that break onboard. I suppose at some point I’ll build to some of the more complicated stuff, but mostly I’ll just hand Dave tools when he needs them. I’m not sure I’ll ever fully understand our solar electric systems. There’s so much to learn and it’s a steep learning curve for sure. On sunny, warm days like this I don’t mind it so much. 😉
Life on Lady 
travel safe and hope to see you all soon in Florida.
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