Going up the mast is quite different on this boat, with a top-of-mast height of just twenty-four feet. We’ve been up there clearing all the old crap off. That big goofy round thing on top, that was performing the important task of gathering HD tv signals from the air to stream the Today Show to all three televisions that were once hanging about the boat. Anyway, antennaes and tvs are gone. As is the ship’s radar, which would have been right where Lowe is standing. I never used radar on the other boats (Ali would use it occasionally for tracking ships when we were off around the world), and since we sold off the big chart plotters that were on the boat, there was no more use for a radar dome. An iPad and an insanely robust $50 charting app are all we use these days. The same basic system (a laptop and charts, wired to a gps) took us all over the place on the first two boats. Only difference back then was how expensive the charts were. Now, fifty bucks gets you charts from Chicago to South America.
I was thinking a crow’s nest on the radar platform would be a worthy addition to the boat.
The cardboard car and trailer eventually grew to include one for all of us.
Work in progress. Hired out work, to be more specific.
Veterans Day parade through downtown St. Augustine. That’s the co-author of arguably the greatest finance/lifestyle/psychology book ever written, Live on the Margin.
The two best spots on a cat, the trampolines, and the back step.
Is there anything better than a swimming cow having a drink?
Doll boat.
Stripped.
Best secretary ever.
30 Comments on “Manatee”
OK – that is a sweet boat …
Looks like Ouest is dancing hula in that last picture. Chris could teach her how.
Great pictures, but can’t wait to see you guys on the road again! 😀
That would be amazing. It will be neat for the kids to meet in person one day. Working hard to get a move on…
Wow!! The manatee is magical!!
We had one stay with us for hours yesterday, right on the side of our boat. Wish my mom and sisters would have seen it!
Yes, I wish we would have seen it! We got to see the turtle though 🙂
I loved the sailboat you had when the kids were babies, but this boat!!!! OMG, this is heaven. Makes me want to die to think back when my husband suggested we live on a boat when I was pregnant with our first kid and we threw that idea out.
This Grand Banks really is the perfect size home for us. So much has changed with seeing families living on boats on the internet, at the time you were asked it probably sounded crazy/stupid/dangerous.
The boat is BEAUTIFUL!
The kids look like they’re having a blast, love the doll boat!
Miss you guys?
Love your oil lamp, wonderful ambiance.
Who made the engines? Great looking boat! I have been following your adventure and love how you are living life.
https://www.bumfuzzle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Oct05-3.jpg
https://www.bumfuzzle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Oct05-4.jpg
Ford Lehman 135hp
When are you going to fire up these puppies? How about a video like last time? https://vimeo.com/58837132
They’ve been fired up multiple times, already, Roland. It’s not quite as dramatic firing up nice clean engines for the first time, as it was the Spindrift engine which had been sitting in water for years. 🙂
Looking good!
Been following for years, through all the trials and tribulations. And the joys, of course. Congratulations on living life to the fullest, of being brave and industrious and brilliant in problem solving. Here is to living the life children grow up and write amazing, brilliant engrossing novels about!! Swiss family robinson? Boo, I say… try Bumfuzzle!
If you haven’t sold the radar dome, I’m interested! We Skype once with you guys up here in NY
We sold everything here locally, already. It all paid for the new navigation equipment easily.
I love manatees! What a fantastic encounter! As I’ve said before,Ouest and Lowe are the most blessed children (and they look to be the happiest!) I know, and you and Ali the most amazing wise parents to give them this life!…the boat is beautiful!
The manatees are becoming a daily occurrence now, too!
What is your nav app? The whole Garmin/Active Captain/Navionics takeover has me a bit frazzled so I’m looking around some.
Deb
SV Kintala
http://www.theretirementproject.blogspot.com
I got Garmin BlueCharts with the free Active Captain integration, and because they are each only fifty bucks for the entire Region we intend to cruise this year I got the Navionics as well. Once I’ve used them both this year I’m sure I’ll settle in with just one.
In the Bahamas you will find those Garmin Blue charts spot on. We used an iPad with Garmin as well even though we had multiple options. We compared a lot at first, but ended up relying on the iPad (and eyes-always eyes). We just got back from a couple years in the Bahamas (and we are so ready to go back), send a shout if there is anything I might be able to pass on. We spent a lot of time in the outer islands with a focus on snorkeling and spearfishing for our dinner every night. Are you taking polespears? I can just see Ouest bringing you guys home a fish for your tacos. (or maybe not, she obviously has such a compassion for animals) Either way, enjoy your last preparations. The boat looks great. It will look gorgeous in clear water.
Wow, I was thinking how grown up your kids look. Then I looked at my son and realized they are all growing too fast! It is unbelievable isn’t it? And with each year it just gets better.
Everyone warns you about it, but until it happens, you can’t believe it.
Sometimes I think about how confident and self-sufficient your kids will be as they mingle with the lemmings society produces nowadays. Your kids will have a great life as they face down each challenge that comes their way with the confidence you and Ali are giving them.
So envious of your manatee encounter. How wonderful for Ouest and Lowe! Your boat is just gorgeous. Also love the Mexico sticker on your laptop, Pat. Do you remember where you found it?
Dear Pat and Ali,
Wow! I hadn’t “tuned in” in awhile and SO HAPPY to see you returning to the water! My husband and I have followed you since the beginning of your adventures on the Cat, (and LOVED your book!)
We bought our 37′ Pacific Seacraft in Annapolis, MD in June 2014, (after 30 years without a boat, hubby built the first in the 80’s) cruised her down the AICW and keep her near Stuart, Florida, where we will be returning for the season in Jan 2018.
We have so enjoyed following your adventures with your beautiful family. Personally, you are somewhat of a “hero” to me Pat….. you have great writing ability and I love how you can fix ANYTHING! (Like my husband!)
Hope to meet you in the near future…. “Aria III”
Pat, no more Apple computer for you? 🙂 Maybe I missed the discussion on that already. I spilled a bit of water on mine and killed it the other day and found another one second hand. I’m hitching a ride with a tuna fishing captain on a boat heading to Tahiti- tonight! It made me think of your days crossing on the cargo ship- downloading as many podcasts as possible. Will bum around there for a couple of weeks and return to Vancouver to do a few months of courses. Alllllll the best, you guys, for the upcoming season!