Preparing OPA for the trip North

I remember when we purchased OPA 20 years ago. It was during the zero-tolerance drug policy and the boat was owned by an elderly couple. They were boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard as a suspected drug vessel. They took them to a hotel and when they returned in the morning they found the boat completely destroyed. It was then purchased by two young men and gutted, but they quickly lost interest in the project. When we got her, she was pretty much a hull with a 48 hp Westerbeke diesel, which Danny promptly replaced with an 85 hp perkins. Danny made the trip from Miami with two of his buddies. It was a trip that none of them will ever forget. We had a goal of five years to restore her and depart. It was almost five years to the day that we started our first cruising trip. We cruised for 5 years and then returned to the states and work. We lived on board for several more years and then moved ashore. OPA had pretty much been neglected as we resumed our former lives. After our house burned down, we decided it was time to start cruising again. We left in February, 2009, and by September, we had to fly back to the states because Danny started passing blood. And the poor old  boat sat again.

When we returned Danny had to address every single system on the boat, starting starting with an overheating problem. He ended up replacing every single part in the cooling system. Next came the electrical system. We had to replace all 3 8D batteries upon our return. A lot of the wiring had corroded and had to be replaced, which took me back to my Fortune Bank days of running cable (thanks Greg, those skills did come in handy), but,  fortunately when Danny originally ran the wiring, he used plastic conduit complete with pull strings. We replaced  the 12 Volt lights in the main salon. We had to rerun the cable for the depth sounder and install a new transducer, and that is one piece of electronics that you can’t be without here, because Bahamas, translated, means shallow water. It has been said that if you haven't put  your boat on the ground, you don’t use your boat.

We had to deal with a lot of mold, because a few small leaks soon turned the inside of the boat into an incubator for microorganisms. We pulled every cushion, towel, sheet and article of clothing, brought  it ashore, drove it to the laundromat and back, and then returned by dingy it back to OPA. Every glass, container, pan and dish had to be washed again and again. 

Our refrigeration system has failed, so we will have to use an old fashioned icebox until we can sort it out in the states. It’s been a long time since I have done any cooking on board, so I will have to readjust to my tiny galley.  I have a coffee pot, microwave, toaster oven, propane stove, and bbg grill at my disposal. I am excited about the challenge of once again providing tasty meals aboard our traveling home. Although I felt bad for all those who lost their jobs, we were fortunate enough to be able to stock the boat for our return trip at 75% off when Emerald Isles (grocery store nears Sandals resort) closed their doors. That was a bonus for us and I’m so glad we were here for that windfall. We are on a fixed income and the food here is outrageously expensive. Food costs are 2 1/2 to 3 times more expensive here and I depleted my boat inventory some time ago. 

Once all the systems had been repaired and tested, we started working on the exterior. We painted the deck and applied 2 coats of Seatol to all the bright work. Then we moved below and painted every surface that could be painted or varnished. We used approximately 10 cans of acetone or mineral spirits (at $12.00 a quart) and about 30 disposable brushes and came home each day covered with dust, paint and varnish. It was well worth the effort and then we had the unenviable task of removing all that dust from every nook and cranny on the boat.

When we went for fuel, we discovered that Exuma Yacht Club is  not open for dock fuel sales on Sundays.  In 1996, when we first started cruising, it cost us $189.00 for 100 gallons, today it is $590.00. Danny calls it expensive camping.  After we fueled on Monday morning, we moved OPA back behind the house. It was to our delight that we were greeted by the dolphin Nicky and one of her pups as we came back in to Hooper's Bay. This was a blessing and a very good sign for me.  We are staged just off Conch Cay cut so that we will be ready for an early departure Thursday morning.  

Gazing at this turquoise harbor, I suddenly feel a bit  of sadness. Our boat sways gently on her anchor, as a 21 foot Sea Pearl, built in Tarpon Springs, Florida, sails by. The sun sets as the children next door (visitors from PA and MD) are out in kayaks on a harbor that is a sheet of glass. Hooper's Bay is a wonderful community with some delightful neighbors and located only 3 miles from Georgetown. We are walking distance from Smitty's grocery store, CNK liqour store, Darville's hardware store and Garden Creations (find them on Facebook), where we get the freshest produce on the island at the most reasonable prices. Our neighbors across the street at Hoopersbayvillas.com are also our neighbors in the states. They live about 20 minutes from us in Clermont, Florida. Talk about a small world!

I will definitely leave this house with a lot of wonderful memories. Thanks again to our friend, Lorraine, for giving us this most incredible opportunity. Thanks to all of you who came and shared our bit of paradise and many more thanks for all the treats that came with you. It was remarkable. I will have these moments for life.