46 days ago, we plowed a furrow to enter the Myakka River past the South Gulf Cove lock. Water was about a 0.9’ above low water.
I’ve been dreading the return for almost 7 weeks. Today, water was 1.3’ above low water. And rising all the way to 1.4’. We drifted through without a problem.
What. A. Relief. (And a testament to learning to wait for the higher tides under the full moon.)
Got in a nice dinghy ride at dusk last night and caught up with a neighbor. Then, had a nice view of moonset this morning.
https://itmaybeahack.com/TeamRedCruising2/2025_cruise_week_8.html
The “doing nothing” part just hit a wall. We are moving next week. And my editor starting sending comments back on chapters. So. I have to actually do some real work.
Batten down the hatches and tighten your lines (or add extra and ... check your fenders) for the small craft warning tomorrow!
Today's accomplishments:
Changed oil and filter on the WMD 8.0/814 8kw generator.
Removed, cleaned and reinstalled Airsep turbo air filters for boat engines.
In January I changed oil and filters on my twin Detroit 671-TI's.
What's left?
Change fuel filters both Racor and secondary on Detroits Change impellers on Detroits Change fuel filter on generator Change impeller on generator
Living on the water strips a home down to the essentials: shelter, coziness, a space to go about one's daily business. It doesn't appeal to everyone, but it sure does to some.
#workboats on Kent Island on a foggy #silentsunday
Most intense gale warning I've seen: 3-6ft waves expected on the Chesapeake Bay. 2-5ft on the Potomac! 
WWA Summary by Location with ANZ543/ANC543/ANZ543 emphasis Gale Warning
feel free to follow!
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(Had we left when intended, we'd have had plenty of time to sail *and* stop.)️
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Coast Guard list of navigational markers that are not functioning or off line because of ice 
#boats #Chesapeakebay #boating #dmv #boatlife
https://itmaybeahack.com/TeamRedCruising2/2025_cruise_week_1.html
Going nowhere. Loving it. The cold snap is hitting hard in an uninsulated boat.
2 ½ hrs of grunting and sweating. It weighs almost 100 lbs.
The current in the Myakka River put the wind on our beam. Sail was luffing out to starboard, making each step awkwardly complicated in a “don’t fall overboard” kind of way.
One down. Three to go. They’re all lighter and somewhat easier to deal with.
Truck wrapped so we can leave the dock for a few months.
One job left to do: find the leak in the inflatable dinghy. Ugh.
Last summer I had it off the boat to work on it. Pumped it up. The port tube held air for over a week before getting soft.
Now it decides to leak the air in less than an hour. The hole(s) should be findable.
Spending New Year’s Eve in Seward. It’s gorgeous. Fireworks tonight at 8pm right in front of the boat. #Alaska #Seward #newyearseve #boatlife
waiting for summer 
