Watching TS ERIKA

Watching TS ERIKA

Tropical Storm Erika continues to move toward the Leeward Islands. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Guadeloupe. Interests in the Dominican Republic should monitor the progress of Erika. A Tropical Storm Watch may be required for a portion of the Dominican Republic later today.

Erica is centered about 285 miles east-southeast of Antigua, moving toward the west near 17 mph. A west to west-northwest motion is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands tonight, move near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday, and be near or just north of north coast of the Dominican Republic on Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph. Little change in strength during the next 48 hours is forecast. Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the warning area in the Leeward Islands tonight, and reach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area tonight and early Thursday. Tropical storm conditions could reach portions of the Dominican Republic on Friday. Erika is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Friday morning.

Get the latest on this tropical cyclone by visiting the NHC website at www.hurricanes.gov

SVSeaDragon and crew are watching this one VERY closely! We are taking every precaution necessary to protect ourselves and our vessel, tying on extra fenders, doubling up on lines and securing things topside. We do need some extra supplies and we are very low on funds right now, so if anyone would like to donate we would appreciate it.
Also, We are in one of the best hurricane safe marinas but if it looks too bad we will evac.
We will keep everyone updated.

Video – Australian skipper surfs a 46ft catamaran on a huge wave to make it into port - Yachting World

Wow! You have to watch this to believe it!

Video – Australian skipper surfs a 46ft catamaran on a huge wave to make it into port - Yachting World

Keeping the Dinghy Clean

This is what happens when you leave your dinghy in the water too long.


We had been keeping a dinghy in our slip for the last 3 months until our mates came back from NY to retrieve it. We agreed to watch over it while their boat was being hauled out on land and worked on.
Algae, seaweed,  tube worms, and barnacles all attach to the bottom and become one big growth that is just nasty.

We pulled it out of the water and this is what the bottom looked like.

Warning! Graphic Images: Don't let your bottom get this dirty! :)

Sailing About....

 “Some years ago, never mind how long precisely, having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world.” -Herman Melville

Sunday Funday on Disappearing Island

I just had my first experience with a SUP ( stand up paddle board ). Another couple on our dock took me and Kim out on their boat down to the inlet for a little island time. This island called, Disappearing Island, is really just a gathering place to hang out and socialize with other boaters. Every day at low tide the water is so low the island appears and it is one large sandbar everyone parks their boats up close and enjoys soaking up some sun and fun! At high tide the island slowly disappears and the party is over. There are many activities that happen on the island.  Some people set up volleyball nets, play frisbee, kayak, or just float around on their inflatables.  A lot of people bring their coolers and barbeques along but there is a boat that comes by that sells snacks, refreshments and ice cream, ice and even bait for fishing.

Ponce Inlet Light House, Florida

A group playing volleyball

Friends hanging out on the sandy beach near the mangroves

Boaters enjoying the island life

A ketch style catamaran anchored near Ponce Inlet

This is my first time on a SUP.  This one is made by Hobie, and is inflatable.
I enjoyed it very much and hope to get one soon! I am going to check West Marine to see when they are going on sale next!

Once you are on you steady yourself with a wide stance and bend your knees a little it is easy to navigate the waterways, the paddle is concave and you swipe it in deep down the board lengthwise.
I paddled my way through one of the tributaries on the backside of the island and turned around remembering I had to actually paddle against the current. My legs certainly got a workout after that! This is a great way to keep in shape and work into your fitness routine. Plus you can see a lot of cool wildlife as you are coasting by near the mangroves.  Overall I had a great experience and even some thought I was a pro as I passed by them,  they were asking me lots of questions  and I had to tell them I was a newbie. I am glad they were so impressed with my newly learned skills however.
Watch the video below to see how I got started.

When Opportunity Doesn't Knock

I love this tweet from    +LovePop Cards .   The quote from Milton Berle is spot on!

    "When opportunity doesn't knock, build a door" -Milton Berle

  It often reminds me that you have to make your own change if you feel you are doing the same thing over and over again and not getting the results you want. It is not always the easy way but it will make you stronger and possible help others find their opportunity as well. Waiting for something to happen doesn't always work, you have to be there, be ready and most of all want it. Create your own path. Change happens but not without you at the helm to steer into the wind.
 

When opportunity doesn't knock, build a door -Milton Berle. #MondayMotivation #innovate pic.twitter.com/GgIvLrUWWI

— lovepop (@lovepop) August 3, 2015

Fixing the A/C Water Pump

10 Perfect Tropical Islands and Beach Towns For Digital Nomads

It has never been easier to work online and live on an inexpensive tropical island or in a laid back beach town. This is a guide to some of the best options for digital nomads, backpackers and expats.

Read more here: http://www.diygenius.com/10-tropical-islands-and-beach-towns-for-digital-nomads/

West Marine| Dog Days of Summer Photo Contest

With summer in full swing, share pictures of your water loving pets for a chance to win a $100 West Marine gift card. Learn more at westmarine.com/dogdaysofsummer‪#‎westmarine‬ ‪#‎dogdaysofsummer‬

Angel, an Island Diva that loves the water!

Find thousands of products for boating, sailing, fishing and watersports at WestMarine. Click Here! West Marine Deluxe Pet Vest PFD, Pink, Bone Motif, Small, 12-24lbs.

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Installing Solar Panels on a Sailboat

One of our many projects: Installing Solar Panels

We do all of the boat maintenance ourselves even electrical and solar installations!

See some pics below

Sweet Potato Hash

 From the Galley......

I tried a new recipe this evening for dinner.
Remember those huge sweet potatoes I purchased at the farmer's market just a few days ago??
Well this only required one of them! I also added some different spices than the recipe called for such as a touch of cinnamon, curry powder and sea salt.  Along with the sweet potatoes I browned some country sausage in patties with some scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese.
The results were amazing! Plus there were no leftovers.

Read below how to make Sweet Potato Hash

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch cubes

6 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup green onions

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/sweet-potato-hash-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Directions

Add the potatoes to a large saucepan of salted boiling water and simmer until tender. Drain and dry completely with paper towels.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red onions, bell peppers, green onions, and garlic, and saute until tender and lightly golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove to a bowl.

Add the remaining 4 tablespoons oil to the skillet, and then add the drained and dried sweet potatoes. Cook in a single layer, stirring occasionally, on medium heat until they are tender, about 6 minutes. Increase the heat to high and cook, without stirring, until the potatoes are golden and crisp, about 2 more minutes. Sprinkle with the smoked paprika and gently stir in the onion mixture and parsley.

Recipe courtesy of The Neelys

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/sweet-potato-hash-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Sweet Picks at the Daytona Beach Farmers Market!

Hello all! Today, I spent my Saturday morning at 

the Daytona Beach Farmer's Market at City Island.

The farmer's market is open every Saturday from 7a-1p sometimes they close early so beat the rush and get there early!!

I love visiting the local farmer's market! Great finds for liveaboards and cruisers. Healthy foods, fruits and veggies plus toiletries and even local art, and it is close to the marina, within walking distance!

I went today with only $20 bucks in my pocket.

I gotta stay within my budget these days!

This is my LOT I came home with!

Sweet Pickins' today!

I found many things that are unique such as the biggest sweet potatoes I have ever seen!

A local artist that does some incredible wood carvings into tikis

 "We Scare Off Bad Mojo"

David, a local Daytona Beach artist 

The "sweetest peaches in Florida" says the bbq master himself

And last but not least, the sweet aroma was killing me all the way down the row until I reached

the Herbert's Bakery (located in Port Orange). I snatched up 3 of the most delish cinnamon rolls!

I took all of them! :)

It sure was a sweet morning! 

Thanks to everyone for taking their time in sharing some of their items  with me!

Come on by and support our local artisans and vendors!

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This post is brought to you by:
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Sea Dragon is 1 Yr Old!

Well, that time finally came! We have owned SV SeaDragon for one year. We actually moved aboard in September 2014 but signed the paperwork and took over ownership in July 2014. This is an exciting time! I have never been more happy to own a boat and call it home. I imagine us cruising for years to come making passages to islands and exploring many places I could only once dream about before. I feel so tied down, forgive the pun but it is true, we are still tied up here at the dock. It is a struggle right now with our finances trying to catch up on previous debts and  new ones that keep growing. I do want to  have a goal of cruising within 1 year. At least make it down to the Florida Keys by next Spring. There are lots of things we want to do but money is the issue right now. I know we can do this and we will continue trying! We made it thus far without killing each other! :)


We both are trying to find steady work here locally but it  has been taking some time to find something. I enjoy blogging and writing about our lives but that is not enough until the traffic to the sites increase. Our advertisers will only hold out for so long before they will suspend the relationship. Please let me know what you would like to see on this blog. Would you like to see more posts on saving money, cooking, nature, or maintenance on the boat? I try to include a little bit of everything each week!


I am going to start a meal and budget planning guide soon and will post it here on the blog when it is completed. Also the boys are finishing up on their classes and will have more free time to go out on some more adventures and field trips.

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Helping my Mate Sell her 30' S2 9.2C Sailboat

Hi everyone!  
My dock mate and good friend Gladys is selling her sailboat.

Description: 30' S2 9.2C Sailboat (Daytona Beach)
http://daytona.craigslist.org/boa/5127706790.html

It is a very sturdy and smooth sailboat and perfect for someone who wants to learn to sail, restore a classic, and easy to single hand and navigate around the coastal waters. 

She has been well maintained and deserves a someone who will take care of her as much as her current owner has, is that you?
This is perfect for a beginner sailor or a couple that want a live aboard and or day/weekend sail.

 If you would kindly share this with your friends someone may be interested. 

She is move in ready and priced to sell!  
All reasonable offers will be considered.

Please click the link for more info. 

Thank you!

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This post is brought to you by: Ebooks.com
Fix It and Sail - Find a small cruising sailboat and restore it to pristine condition on a budget that won't sink your budget Small, trailererable cruising sailboats are more popular than ever as mooring spaces dwindle and marina dockage and winter storage costs soar. Fix It and Sail helps you discover boatloads of fun far less than a single ski weekend or golf club membership. Veteran sailor and journalist Brian Gilbert shows you how to select and inspect a boat, then restore it from keel to rigging. Gilbert's clear, step-by-step instructions guide you through every phase of the restoration process from repairing keels, hulls, ports, and cabins to painting, wiring, and sealing. You'll learn how to evaluate, repair and replace hardware, upholstery, canvaswork, and more. Profusely illustrated appendices give you a vivid picture of the costs, tasks, and labor involved in an actual restoration project.

Doing Research on our Boat.

I love design and architecture, and anyone that knows me personally knows I can not sit around and not know the history of anything I own. I am always researching facts and information about things.

I came upon this awesome website that covers information all about our boat and other models design by C&C.
Check it out here > CnCphotoalbum.com

C&C 38 (1975)

Introduced in 1975, the 38 stood out for not standing out at all. It can best be categorized as "wholesome." A true racer-cruiser, the design performed well around the cans, had good middle-of-the-road stability, and came with a nice interior. It was the perfect size for the cruiser who wanted room below but not too much to handle up on the deck. The market loved it. At 98 units, it was C&C's best-seller of 1976.

I figured out from our hull number (HIN) that we are number 62 out of 98 manufactured. 

Nautical Knowledge, How to read a HIN

more.....

From the original  C&C Yachts 38 1976 Sales Brochure 

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Vote! : Who Wore it better?!?

Alright ladies, I have been seeing this picture of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson going around the internet and I dared the Capt. to do a similar pose. hehehe

 He took the challenge!

Now it is Time to VOTE!!

Who wore the lava-lava better??

1. Capt. Kim

2. The Rock

Post your vote in the comment section below.

Don't forget to share with all your friends! 

What is a Lava-lava you ask?

Answer from Wiki :

A lava-lava is an article of daily clothing traditionally worn by Polynesians and other Oceanic peoples. It consists of a single rectangular cloth worn as askirt.^[1] The term lava-lava is both singular and plural in the Samoan language.

Ebooks while Cruising: Win a $100 Gift Coupon!

There are hundreds of great ebooks by ebooks.com to enjoy while cruising. Ebooks are a great way to save space, and less chance of the book getting water damage! eBooks.com has tons of genres of books to choose from. 

Look below for details on the contest and search on the homepage for ebooks you might enjoy reading.

Share, RT, Like to pass this on to your friends a chance to win too! 

LovewithFood Delivers | Healthy Snacks for Liveaboards

 I just found a great company that is US based and delivers healthy snacks!  LoveWithFood.com!  They are a monthly snack box subscription service that helps you discover the best organic or all-natural snacks delivered to your door for only $10/month. 
For every box sent, a meal is donated to feed hungry children in America. To date, they've donated more than 400,000 meals.
This is a great idea for live-aboards! I am always searching for quick and easy ways to feed my family healthy snacks. 
   
  With two growing teenage boys,  our galley constantly needs replenishing but we are on a  very small budget and cannot stock up for many weeks at a time yet.  We are constantly making runs off the dock the night before or early in the morning and grabbing drinks and snacks off of some local convenient store shelf. It gets frustrating with so little choices in healthy items and also expensive! I usually grab some quick protein such as trail mix or beef jerky but that really gets old too.
   
Sometimes you are too tired from working on the boat or sailing all day to make something. It is nice to get this delivered right to our mailbox and we are also making a difference in other lives as well! No one should go hungry in this country!

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Love with Food - Get 40% off on Healthier Snacks. Find a fun and convenient way to discover all-natural or organic surprise snacks delivered to your home(or Boat!) or office for FREE. Subscribe Now at LoveWithFood.com! 
For every box you receive, a meal is donated to food banks all across US. 

Click the link below for more information and get a special discount by using our link ( +SV SeaDragon will get a portion of the sale for every sign up) 
Get 40% off on Healthier Snacks. Find a fun and convenient way to discover all-natural or organic surprise snacks delivered to your home or office for FREE. Subscribe Now at LoveWithFood.com!

What a great way to keep healthy snacks on board for those spur of the moment trips!

Going nowhere fast. Wind Less

"It doesn't seem like we are going anywhere.."  #windLess #sailorlife

-When life puts the brakes on your wind, start your engine and keep on going!!

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West Marine eGift Cards

One fish, Two fish, Yellow Fish

Saw this interesting fish  in the marina today.
It was on top of the water line near the bank very still. Kim and I both assumed it had been washed in with the tide. I looked pretty close and it wasn't swimming but it's gills were flapping about. The water in the basin is very dirty especially after a rain mixing up all the debris so I figured it was sick and dying. I walked down the dock to our slip to fetch a pail and fish net. As I got back to the site where the fish was it had moved. I saw it about ten meters away and put the tip of the net in the water to retrieve it. It flexed and shot down under the water and swam away. I'm glad it was OK, but I still would like to know the type and species of fish it is. If you happen to know please comment or share with someone who might be of some help.

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