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.

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! :)

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.

Fixing the A/C Water Pump

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.

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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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!

Places and Spaces You Can Find a Cat on a Boat

As you can see Abigail can be found in any number of hidey holes inside the cabin and exploring out on deck!

Abby sleeping in the anchor hold (her first week on board)

Caught Abby in the head! (LOL)

Abby enjoying her knit blanket

Quality Marina Services!

A Shout Out to our good friend Jeffrey Boyd,

 owner of Boat Works & Detailing! 

 He does quality work and will treat you right! 

Check out this Sea Turtle| Wax on Wax off

Check out this Sea Turtle cleaning the hull of our neighbor's boat!

 This turtle was so cute!

  He should be the new mascot for Turtle Wax. :)

He must have went up and down the entire length of the boat.....Wax on Wax off 

Goree Challenge|| Amazing

This watercraft was at the fuel dock when we were coming back in.
I thought it looked very interesting.

Http://www.goreechallenge.com

Follow that link above for more info you will be amazed!!

New Beginnings.

Hi, welcome to our blog!
We will be sharing our experiences living aboard. Look forward to boating tips, budgeting, homeschooling and all of our adventures at sea!
Sea you soon!