Under Contract

We have a contract on Mer Soleil, since it is so close to the holidays we are scheduled for survey on the first week of  January 2012.  We have decided to spend the week of the holidays traveling around Florida and seeing family as well as shopping for a boat.  Its amazing to see the boats for sale and the condition they are in.  It made us realize what good shape our boat is in.  The buyers of our boat are getting a hell of a a deal.  During our trip we realized There are a lot of nice places around Florida.

An Important Decision

After almost two years of owning Mer Soeil we have decided we want to liveaboard full time.  Although people do liveaboard vessels of this size we would like a little more space and features. Since we will be working for a few more years we have to have room for our work clothes as well. There is a little sadness as mer Soleil has treated us well and never let us down. we have done many improvements. The new owners will be getting a great boat. We listed her on boat trader.

Are main features we are looking at is 42 - 50 ft range, centerline queen bed in the master, washer and dryer, lots of storage.  So the search begins.

Port St Joe

We were sitting on the dock behind our boat Friday night and we were trying to decide what to do. we both had Monday off so we decided to go to Port St Joe in the morning. It is only a four hour trip at our usual 8 knots. Next morning we got up picked up some ice and headed out. We stopped at the fuel dock for 50 gal of diesel, we hadn't taken on any fuel since June. Although since we only burn 2 gallons an hour at cruise we do not spend much time at fuel docks.

The weather was going to be beautiful in the morning and the wind was going to change form an offshore wind to an onshore. This would cause the waves to build but we had plenty of time. With the seas almost flat we made the run on the outside. As we approached Cape San Blas the wind switched and increased rapidly. There were white caps in St Joseph Bay. The smaller boats were crawling back into the marinas fighting the chop. About 1330 we arrived at the Port St Joe Marina, it is a friendly and inexpensive Marina. You can walk to the grocery store from the marina it is about 100 yards. it is an easy walk to downtown Port St Joe.

We ate at the oyster bar at the marina and retired early.

There was an other trawler behind us on a 42 ft Present sundeck trawler, Dual Dreams. They were in Port St Joe for the week and then they were heading to the keys and then the Bahamas. Wish that was us.

It turned out there was a songwriters contest that weekend and many places were having live music. We found a place called Haughty Heron. The second floor is actually a 3 bedroom 2 bath place you can rent out.

We had lunch at Sunset Grill which is a mile from the marina. Great food and nice owners. Have to try the Lobster Bisque. They only make it on Saturdays.

 The seas were going to be 4 to 6 ft so we decided to return on the inside in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW) also know as the ditch.

It was a great trip and with a favorable tide we picked up almost a knot of speed for most of the way. It was so peaceful almost no traffic.

We had dolphins on both sides of the boat for almost 2 hours. We arrived back to Panama City at 1600. What a great relaxing weekend. We need to do that more often.

Shell Island - Summer 2011

We enjoy going to Shell Island. It is less then an hour to our favorite anchorage and the water is what you find in the islands. The island is only about 150 yards wide from the Bay to the Gulf.

 The sunsets over the Gulf are so beautiful you can not cease to be amazed.

Vickie's Brother came over to visit. He is back from Afghanistan. We we hoisted his kayak up on top of the sundeck with our new davit and took it out to the island with us.  He had a blast, even the dogs got in on the action.

Labor Day - Tropical Storm Lee

We had planned on a taking a very long weekend and going to Orange Beach, Alabama to the Wharf but Tropical Storm Lee had other ideas. We spent the Labor Day Holiday at the dock with some extra lines riding out the storm. We had gusts up to 60 knots and tides about 1 1/2 ft above normal.

New Davit

We finally got around to installing our Davit. Vickie got a deal on a Dinghy (1.5 ft Rib 15 HP Mercury), no more putting around with our little 3.3 HP motor. We decided to go with a 12 volt motor so we wouldn't have to run the generator to raise or lower the dinghy. We added a dedicated battery just like the windlass with its own solar charger.

It turned out to be a good choice since the first time we went out after adding the davit the Voltage Regulator Board on the generator went out. Ordered a new one and we were back in business.

Being the engineer type I over designed the mount for the davit a bit.

Sundeck - Stern Boarding Part II

While our custom boarding steps made it easy for us to get from the swim platform, it also improved our boarding from the dock. In the area most of the docks are geared to sport fishing boats and therefore have short finger piers. Since we could not reach our midship entry we had to step off the dock onto the stern boarding step most level with the dock. This was not to difficult for us but the dogs couldn't do the same.

A solution was needed, we had seen the Marquipt self leveling stairs but they are designed for the side entry which we cannot use due to the short finger piers. A few sketches later a solution, we would need to mount the Marquipt stairs to the top of our custom steps. With drawing in hand the fabrication shop built our custom mount and powder coated them for about $110.

Wow what a luxury, we can now board at ease without worrying and so can the dogs. Although the pug is still a worry she has fallen off the dock three times, one time while on a leash. Although with the easy access we have to keep an eye on the dogs since they can come and go off the boat as they please. looks like we will need some kind of gate to control them. Another Project.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day in the panhandle of Florida is the official start of summer. We headed to Shell Island on Thursday to get a good spot on Shell Island. A few other people had the same ideas. There was already about a dozen boats already there.

We decided to try a new spot down from where we usually anchor in. The wind was about 15 knots on our stern so trying to back in to the island was fun. After using the engines to wiggle our way close to shore we threw the two stern anchors. Engines off about 1800. We are in the perfect spot. We were treated to a most gorgeous sunset.

The next day it was like an invasion. we have never seen this many boats here on a memorial day. It looks like it is going to be a good season for the locals.

It was a nice way to spend five days. The generator was giving us a few issues. The exciter breaker kept popping. I think I will replace it when we get back to the dock.

A rater unique boat showed up Sunday. A Florida Bay Coaster. It is a steel trawler with three stories. I bet there is a tale to go along with the name "Irony".

The water is crystal clear this year and you can see down about fifteen feet. We have traveled all over the Caribbean and few places compare to the water we get here.

We enjoyed our five days at the island and our looking forward to our next adventure.

After we returned back to the dock we received sad news from our friends John and Michele on High C's. They were on the Ten Tom Waterway and struck a submerged object. The boat began taking on water and was sinking. Fortunately John was able to save it by beaching it in a sandy spot They were able to get the the breach under control., but not before they had water up to the engines. They are being towed back to Demopolis Alabama for repairs.

Easter Weekend

We decided to take a trip to Spanish Ante on Shell Island for the Easter weekend. We thought that there would be very few boats out Friday night. We so enjoy having the island to ourselves or with very few people there.  Our friends on Salty C's were going to follow us out and we would show them how to stern into the island.

As we approached our anchoring spot we saw only one other boat that would spend the night, our friends on Happy Thoughts. They gave us a hand with our stern anchors.  Since there was a strong cross breeze it makes it much easier.

We radioed our friends on Salty C's and told them to do the same thing we did just to the east of us and we would handle their stern anchors. They radioed back they had lost power in their starboard engine and had shut it down. We went out in the dinghy to see if we could help figure it out. The motor was seized up tight. They would have to wait for another time to go to the island. They headed back to the marina on one engine. Anybody want to debate the twin vs single engines again.

We had the beach to ourselves. we enjoy the peacefulness. We were disappointed that our friends could not be out this weekend. It turned out to be a beautiful sunset.

Shell Island - First Trip of the Season

We headed out for our first weekend of the season at Shell Island. It was going to be a little windy, but we looked forward not having to run the generator all night. Those days will come soon enough.

We anchored stern in to the Island so we could just walk to shore. That is our favorite part about where we go (Spanish Ante) is that the water shoals quickly and you can have your running gear in plenty of water but still have your swim platform over waste deep or less water.  You need to have two stern anchors since the winds can change quickly


A beautiful sunrise over St Andrews Bay. We were also treated to an air show from Tyndall AFB with the Thunderbirds. We really enjoy it when there are not to many boats out here.

Weekends are just to short

St. Patrick's Day Dock Party

 Their was a St. Patrick's Day Dock Party at our marina. Everyone brought there favorite Irish dishes. There is always a reason to have a dock party.  Roy from "Roy El" was the unofficial master of ceremonies since he was the only one with the leprechaun hat.

 

New Window Covers

Living in Florida heat is a major problem during the summer. Mer Soleil is equipped with two 16K BTU air conditioners. There was black window tint on the windows when we purchased her. During the summer the inside of the windows would get so hot you could not touch the windows. We had curtains but by that time the heat was already inside the boat. We decided to stop the heat on the outside of the boat.

We had window covers made from Phifertex mesh, a 70% opaque. We like the look, very clean.

We are not a fan of curtains on the boat since it blocks our view. We like the open feeling of no obstructions. Even though the material is 70% opaque from the inside it is easy to see out.


No we don't have to remove the front window cover to uses the lower helm like we did with the sunbrella.







Another added benefit is we don't need the screens to keep the bugs out

Haul Out 2011

After a year of ownrership it was time for a new coat of bottom paint. It was sad to see her leave the water.  

Cruising through the parking lot. There were alot of strange looks from the people in their cars.

Settled in at her temporary home on the hard

 We decided to change the hull color from black to blue. The color goes very well with the yellow hull. 

After two weeks back home in her slip.

New YearsCruise-Baytowne Wharf to Panama City

We decided to return to Panama City on the inside (Itracoastal Waterway), the seas were going to be 5 to 7 ft offshore. That would have been an uncomfortable trip.

Leaving Choctawhatchee Bay.

In the ditch between Choctawhatchee Bay and St. Andrews Bay. Not much to look at.

The ditch was partially man made so the sides in some areas are like cliffs. Saw an eagle and a few deer.

The wind was out of the west and with an outgoing tide we were averaging about 10 knots.  Fast compared to our usual 8 knots.

Not much commercial traffic since it is a Sunday. We only passed two tows heading west with fuel barges

After two hours we entered St Andrews Bay. Wind was picking up about 15-20 kts.

Passing the underneath Hathaway Bridge (Hwy 98) cruising past the port of Panama City.

A water eye view of the Port. There is quite a bit of commercial traffic at the port. They announce there entry on VHF 16 so keep an ear on the radio.

Approaching St Andrews Pass. Before we made the turn into Grand Lagoon Vickie asked if we had enough fuel to make Tampa Bay. A quick calculation in my head and yes we do. Tempting, but it will have to wait for another time. The weather has cleared as the front passed and the wind has laid down. Barely 5 kts now. Maybe we should have kept going.

In Grand Lagoon. A few minutes later we were tied up in our slip.

We were treated to an awesome sunset

New Years Cruise-Baytowne Wharf

New Years was a little cold and windy but we made the best of it. We grilled steaks on the barbecue and watched the fireworks from the flybridge. The fireworks were right in front of our boat. What an awesome display. Our first of many New Years aboard Mer Soleil

New Years day was rainy in the morning but cleared a little by the afternoon for a couple of hours. Typical Florida weather it changes every hour. With her yellow hull Mer Soleil always stands out in a crowd. Went out for breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe in the Village. Walked around the village for a while to stretch our legs before heading back to the boat. Will leave in the morning for the trip back to Panama City.