3 May 13

We were already scheduled to move back to the A&B Marina for the weekend, but now it is essential to start work on the repairs. When we started the engine, we found out that the oil pressure sender (which prevents the low oil pressure alarm from alarming) also got fried by the lightning, along with the engine battery alarm. We finally determined that it was just the alarm (and not really low oil pressure; long, messy story here between the lines) and limped back into the marina. It being Friday, it proved impossible to get any techs to come to the boat until Saturday at the earliest. Looks like we may be here for a while. I spent the afternoon at the bar, calling insurance adjusters and electrical and engine technicians; oh, and listening to Nick Norman playing excellent live music at the Conch Republic Bar. Sam and Pat were busy with friends from Orlando, so Terri and I went to Sloppy Joe’s to see Paul Overstreet and Even Stevens, who between them have written a significant percentage of the country hits over the last 30 years. Another good show.

4 May 13

An electrician came by the boat to help me with the initial assessment of damage to the boat from the lightning strike. He went through the Raymarine hardware; it is all fried and should be replaced. Plus, we need to get the boat hauled to check for damage to the hull (where the electricity exited to ground) and probably pull the mast to check the fittings and replace the mast wiring. Initial guess is that the bill could run to $20k. Hopefully, the insurers will do their part.

After all that, I was just numb and spent the afternoon gathering thoughts and feeling blue. While sitting in the cockpit, a young man wandered by and we fell into conversation about boats. I eventually invited him aboard for a beer and it turns out he is one of the songwriters in Key West for the Songwriter’s Festival - Brad Tursi. One thing led to another, and we soon had him and another songwriter buddy jamming in the cockpit with my guitar and Brad’s. I have inducted them into Gulf Coast Boat Trash Jug Band. A good time was had by all; and I feel much better about the world now than I did at noon.

5 May 13

Up at the crack of dawn to catch the “Yankee Freedom” ferry to the Dry Tortugas National Park. It is only 2.5 hours (as compared to the 10 - 12 it would have taken us. It was a bit rough (i.e., other passengers heavily utilizing the barf bags), so we are kinda glad we did this in a big boat. The attached photo is of an Italian passenger, who was definitely not a happy camper. We had a great time exploring the fort and snorkeling (although the snorkeling was not good as the NW 15 - 20 knot winds had stirred up the sand/sediment and visibility was very limited).

Just after we got back to “c’est le bon”, Brad Tursi stopped by after his closing gig and dropped off a copy of his new CD “Blue Malibu”; it is very nice - check it out. Terri and I were resting in the cockpit about 21:30 when an Island Packet came into the harbor showing a Canadian flag and hailing from Nanaimo, BC, where we have done a lot of chartering. We just had to check out their story, so we went over with a bottle of whisky and introduced ourselves and had a wee dram to celebrate their inaugural trip from Palmetto to Key West on “Santosha Too”. Paul and Paulette are living in Holland and plan to ship the boat from Miami to Palma, Spain.

6 May 13

Waited half the day for the insurance agent to show up to discuss the claim; he later advised he would not be there till 11:30 Tuesday. “LongHawk” left the marina and moved to an anchorage north of Garrison Bight (to save money). The diesel electrician said he could not make it until Tuesday - to check the oil pressure. Terri and I did a quick shop at the grocery store and returned the bathroom keys to Garrison Bight Marina. Altogether a largely wasted day. The guys behind us on “Real Alarm” caught a nurse shark while fishing in the marina, so we had a bit of excitement watching them disengage from the shark without losing a finger. Dinner aboard.

7 May 13

Insurance agent (Raul Tano) and Brent Artz (electrician) showed up at 11:30 and we went through the damage. Raul agreed it was a lightning strike and that coverage would be provided. Brent will prepare a full estimate. The diesel electrician came by and confirmed that we had good oil pressure; the alternator is dead. He also recommended replacing the engine wiring harness. Ashley arrived at Key West Int’l Airport and joined us aboard; we have not seen her since Christmas, so it is great to be with her again. Dinner aboard and an early night for our party girl.

8 May 13

Spent the day trying to get the estimate out of Brent and confirmation from Raul that it was OK to proceed to the boatyard for the haul out. Finally decided to just go ahead with the haul out and booked a time at 3D Boatyard for 12:00 noon tomorrow. We went with Ashley to the top of the La Concha Hotel to watch another perfect Key West sunset. The girls were entertained by an aging gentleman dressed in a fedora, T-shirt, black high-top basketball shoes and a tutu. They don’t call it “Key Weird” for nothing. We had dinner and a bit of music at the Hog’s Breath.