s/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 301 Entry 072 Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 6

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:   Monday, March 24, 2014
Day 301 Entry 072

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 6

On our way going North in the Hawk Channel, the engine was acting funny . Captain Steve thought that the fuel filter was clogged.  

Picture of diesel paper fuel filter.

This engine has 3 fuel filters.  Two are not very difficult to access when the water is calm.  The other is behind the engine and is very difficult to access, in even the most calm conditions. But these filters become clogged from time to time because of the boat bouncing it dredges up all the sediment in the tanks.  So I took the wheel, while he went below and changed the filter.  The engine hummed right along for the next  4 hours.  
We started on the approach to Channel 5 at approximately 4pm.   

Since the waves were against us and so strong it took us much longer than it should have. Channel 5 is 20 miles South of Rodriguez Key.  So it was a good thing that we were meeting BLISS there.  The channel is very narrow and on the side to port was very shallow, like 2 feet, just above the area where the 2 black lines intersect in the picture above.  Thankfully the waves were pushing us out into deeper water for now, because the engine suddenly stopped.   YES just stopped!  Something which it has never done.  As I took the helm, Captain Steve turned on the windless (anchor motor) in case we headed for the shallow water.  He helped me steer directly into the waves.   As soon as he let go of the wheel, I lost control of the boat.  Boats do not have power steering, you steer by moving the rudder manually.  But when the wind is pushing the boat in one direction and the waves are pushing the boat and the rudder in the opposite direction.  It is practically impossible to control the boat!  Only when I braced one foot on the back of the cockpit and held on to the wheel with all of my weight against the wheel, was I able to hold the wheel at the needed 40 degree angle.  

Picture of s/v YOLO wheel house.

Captain Steve had to go into the engine compartment and change another filter.   All the while, I am bracing myself against the wheel, trying to hold the boat from getting broadsided.  So I called on you know who – that’s right – my ‘Go to Girl’ to help me!   Getting hit by these 8 foot waves is bad enough but when you have no control it is 100 times worse!   Very similar to a cork in a washing machine.   Which was bad enough, add the fact that Captain Steve is in the engine compartment (not room – I really mean compartment) surrounded by an engine, that has been running for more than 4 hours and is very hot, plus all the wires and hoses.  

Picture of engine. 

Not only that, but that hot engine is where the filter is located!  So the engine is very hot and he is bouncing around in the compartment!   So my biggest fear was that Captain Steve would get hurt in the engine room.  

But my ‘Go to Girl’ came through for me again!   She is much stronger then she looks, she must take vitamins and eat Wheaties!   

After about 15 minutes, which really seamed like 15 hours.   You figure out how many Hail Mary’s that equates to!   Captain Steve appeared at the companion way and announced that, ‘I either fixed it or we will have to drop the anchor and call a tow boat!’   ‘Let’s find out, shall we?’  He turned the ignition on and the engine started right up.   Captain Steve and my 'Go to Girl' are amazing!   
Sea u later!

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 7

s/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 299 Entry 071 Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 5

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:   Saturday, March 22, 2014
Day 299 Entry 071

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 5

After stopping for fuel, we rendezvoused with BLISS at the mouth of the channel, near the entrance of the bay.    Known as Tranquility Bay!

Looking North picture of Seven Mile Bridge and Tranquility Bay (when it is tranquil!   Marathon - Boot Key Harbor mooring field is in  the upper right hand corner.

The water looked a little choppy but it was expected it to get better.  
IT DIDN'T IT GET BETTER!   THE WAVES GOT WORSE THE FURTHER OUT IN THE BAY WE VENTURED.  The weather forecasts was WRONG!   The Captains compared 4 different weather reports and all the reports were all wrong!!!!

What is the only profession that you can be wrong 50% of the time and still keep your job?  Meteorologist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our instruments were reporting:  the wind was 20 to 22 miles per hour, waves 5 to 8 feet.  We were bouncing somewhat, but it still was not as bad as when we went South to Marathon.  But BLISS, was taking it hard, they were bouncing all over the place, because it is a catamaran it handles the waves differently from a mono hull.  As we watched them the bows (yes both of them) reared up, then as the wave went out from underneath them, the noses (yes both of them) dove under the waves, then roll to starboard and then roll to port.  And start all over again.  They pitched, dipped and rolled form side to side 3 times in about 2 minutes!!!! Captain Steve said  ‘This is not good for them!’  Which was an understatement. Using the VHF, Captain Steve hailed Captain Scott.  

Picture of VHF radio.  Speaking via a VHF has a entire vocabulary unto itself, which I will discuss in future posts.  
Captain Scott said that they could not handle these waves and that he would have to go North on the inside.  The inside is actually the Intercoastal Water Way (ICW) which is very shallow in this part of Florida.  Since they only draw 31/2 feet (need 5 feet of water to float) it was fine for them.  But it is much to shallow for us, so Captain Steve told him that we would continue North via the Hawk Channel .  The ICW and Hawk Channel intersect at Channel Five, so that is where we decided to rendezvous later that day.  We most probably will have to spend the night in the anchorage near Channel Five.  Which will add another day of travel to our voyage but this is one of the reasons why Captain Steve insisted that we have a weather window of 4 days of good weather.   In my book today doesn't count since the weather is crappy!!!

GREAT!    We left the mooring field approximately an hour ago and are already having problems!

As Bliss turned North West we turned North East, I checked to make sure that my ‘Go to Girl’ hadn't bailed!  As always she didn't let me down!  She was still on board and I was very glad to have her along!

I hoped and prayed that the weather would improve!  But I had a feeling that this wasn't the only problem that we would have to deal with on our voyage to Bimini!  Unfortunately I was correct!  It wasn't!

Sea u later!

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 6

s/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 297 Entry 070 Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 4

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:   Thursday March 20, 2014
Day 297 Entry 070

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 4

Wednesday, February 19, 2014, in preparation for going to Bimini we went to the municipal dock for water.  The wind was blowing a bit but not bad on the South side of the mooring field, but as we motored to the other side of the harbor, which is not as protected as we thought it was worse.  When we made to port (left turn) to angle into the dock, the wind hit us broad side.  Fortunately, some other cruisers were on hand to help us get to the dock, actually to help us from being blown INTO the dock.  They were a very big help, as the wind picked up and we really would have bumped into the dock or worse.    And we sat there for over an hour waiting for the wind to die down.  Even then it took 8 guys to help push us off the dock and keep us off the dock by really putting their backs into it!  Again, we very grateful for their help or we might still be there.

At 5 am Thursday, February 20, 2014 it was clear and calm!!!!!  Captain Steve and Captain Scott were both multi tasking!  Both were on the phone discussing the weather as the compared the weather computer models, as well as listening to the marine weather!  The predicted weather was the same for the next 4 days!  Temperature was to be in the mid 80’s, with winds 15 decreasing to 10 from the south, with 2 to 3 foot waves.  As Captain Steve hung up the phone he turned to me and said “It’s a go!”   OMG are we really going to do this????????

On Thursday February 20, 2014 the predicted weather was the same!    The plan was to head North via Hawk Channel for 45 miles to Rodriguez Key and anchor for the night.  Friday morning at 4 am leave Rodriguez Key, head north east for 70 miles across the reef and then cross the Gulf Stream. 

Captain Steve said ‘Stow everything and let’s go, we rendezvous at 7:30 am on the bay side of the channel!’

I did as I was told!  (Yes I Did!  Granted I don’t do as I am told often, but this is one of the few times that I did!)  One last thing to do before going on deck – Wake up my ‘Go to Girl’!!!!  

Hopefully we will find the very tiny island (it’s only 9 miles long and have heard horror, YES, horror stories from those who missed it!) called Bimini before dark!  So how many Hail Marys do you think it takes to cross to Bimini from Rodriguez Key?  A lot more than you think, especially when you have to add all the Hail Mary’s said from Marathon to Rodriguez Key!!!!

Sea u later!

 Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 5

s/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 295 Entry 069 Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 3

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:   Tuesday March 18, 2014
Day 295 Entry 069

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 3

While talking to other cruisers we met the crew of the catamarans; Bliss with Captain Scott and Chris, from Texas; Stray Kat with Captain Alan and Geraldine from Canada and the sailboat Summer Wind with Captain Bruce and Claudette from Maine.  All of us agreed that we needed a good weather window to cross since it would be the first time sailing to the Bahamas for us all!

We diligently checked the weather twice daily for 2 weeks.  

The International Boat Show was being held in Miami, from February 13 to the 17^th. 

http://www.miamiboatshow.com/  

Miami skyline taken looking North from Biscayne Bay.  Taken from s/v YOLO at anchor.  No wonder we stayed a week!!!!

The Boat show was being held at the Miamarina Bayside, which was the same marina that we stayed in just before Christmas. http://www.miamigov.com/marinas/pages/marinas/

s/v YOLO -  one of the very few sailboats - pictures  taken from restaurant on dock in Miami, December 2013.  Disney cruise ship is on the other side of the bridge.

These boats are really packed in there!  Can you find s/v YOLO?

Stray Kat and Summer Wind decided to attend the boat show in Miami Then, head to Bimini from there.   So we wished them bon voyage on Thursday morning as they headed North along the coast.  

Captain Chris and Captain Steve continued to diligently look for the perfect weather window to sail overnight.  Now that we were comfortable with crossing the reef in the dark; we decided to take either route – sail overnight form Marathon or cross from Rodriguez Key.  Which ever route was more suitable for the next weather window.  

On Tuesday, February 18. 2014 the predicted weather for the next 4 days in South Florida and the Keys, was the temps to in the 80’s, with the winds at 15 mph decreasing to 10  and out of the South with 1 to 2 foot waves.  Chris Parker http://www.caribwx.com/  predicted crossing the Gulf to be benign Friday through Tuesday.   This was the best weather window for crossing in the past 3 weeks!!!!  Hopefully the weather will hold true!

Bliss and YOLO agreed if the weather prediction is the same on Thursday morning - it is a go to leave from Rodriguez Key. 

Sea u latter!

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 4

s/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 297 Entry 068 Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 2

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Friday, March 14, 2014
Day 297  Entry 068

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

 Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 2

That was until I met the Captain and crew from ‘One Eyed Parrot’!    A nice couple, who have been married for many years.    They are very experienced sailors, who have bit of a strange sense of humor; or others might say that they are very comfortable with themselves.  They have crossed to Bimini leaving from Rodriguez Key more than 10 times.   Which means having to navigate over the reef in the dark.  They also need deep water.  Even though they both swore that they never had a problem crossing over the reef; I kept reiterating my fear of navigating over the shallow reef, in the dark.  They assured me that there was a direct route charted through the reef that they, and many others, have used often and with out incident!   I was still a non believer.  I had been looking at various charts, numerous times and could not find a route that didn't require corrections every few feet!   I pulled out the most detailed chart of the reef that we have and said’ OK show me!’ And they did!   The captain said from the Green Buoy Light head South West to the Yeoman Marker.  OMG!!!  It was so simple!  It was there all the time!   I am aware of the Yeoman Chart Plotter, but have never used them.   I couldn't believe that I missed it!  He said that he missed it also until some one showed him the route.  It is not clearly marked on the chart, but it was still there!   I said that I was so bogged down in the  minutiae of the numerous drastic changes in depth, that I didn't look at the big picture.  I have been charting our route using buoys and channel markers, which are fine for routes along the coast, or short trips. But I was not thinking about long trips, extended travel across open water!  There are no buoys! There are no channel markers!  But the Yeomans are there!  We were venturing out, away from our comfort zone, into the blue water to another country - expanding our horizons and had to start thinking that way. To sum it up, I had to start thinking GLOBALLY.  The Captain of  'One Eyed Parrot' said that he was totally intimidated by crossing the reef, until he found the Yeoman marker.  They said that they have to rely on their chart plotter and instruments all the time, because they do not have any depth perception.  I took this statement to mean, that their depth sounder was not operating correctly!  Boy Oh Boy was I wrong!  

Picture of Yeoman chart plotter

For more information on Yeoman chart plotters, please click on link.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeoman_plotter

Picture of Rodriguez Key, where we anchored.  The beginning of the reef is just visible in the lower right hand corner.

Previously, in prior posts,  I have mentioned that I was interested in the story behind the name of the boat, and in future posts that I would include various names that I found interesting.  Well this one is the best by far!

When inquiring as to the reason for the boat name ‘One Eyed Parrot’ the Captain replied, 'My last name is Parrot.'   I replied, OK well that makes sense.  To which he responded and ‘We both have one eye each.   We each have a glass eye.  Since we only have one eye each,  we do not have depth perception.  Therefore, we have to rely very heavily on our instruments!'   I could only reply that:  'Well in that case if  the Yeoman Plotter has worked for you, then we should not have a problem!'    I am usually not at a loss for words, but I must admit that I was quite taken back by his statement.   I could not think of a better reason to trust his course  through the reef.   I certainly could not top it!  So I said, 'I am a believer! '   I was more impressed with his forthrightness, fortitude and comfort level.  They both have a disability and they don’t let it stop them!  Good for them!

Sea u later!  Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 3.

s/v YOLO Day 296 Entry 067 Posting Dat March 12, 2014 Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 1

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Day 296 Entry 067

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

We have been discussing the weather and crossing the Gulf Stream with various other cruisers who have done it multiple times.  Marathon Marina had a Bahama Bound Boat Buddy Board!  

We signed up and found that most cruisers wanted company crossing the Gulf Stream.  

Gulf Stream Path.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Stream

A number of boats left around February 10th to sail overnight, but we felt that the weather window was too tight for us.  So we decided to wait for at least a 3 day weather window to cross.   

Our original plan was to leave from Marathon head North East to Bimini. 

This course would utilize the northerly direction of the Gulf Stream current, therefore the wind and waves would be with us.  This route would take at least 20 hours and therefore require traveling over night.  We have sailed over night before so this was not a problem for us.

Our contingency plan was to go North along the Florida coast to Rodriguez Key and cross the Gulf Stream from there.  This route would require at least 4 days.

Rodriguez Key anchorage.  

Historically a full moon does not coincide with a good weather window to cross, so we would have to navigate over a very shallow reef in the dark. 

Island of Bimini looking South.

We would most probably have to motor most of the way across the Stream.  But more importantly it would require very diligent course corrections because of the unpredictable force of the Gulf Stream.  We heard stories of boats actually missing the island of Bimini entirely, or arriving after dark.  We were warned by everyone to not even think about trying to attempt entering Bimini harbor at night for a multitude of reasons.   The channel is very poorly marked and the buoys that are there do not have any lights; the channel was cut through a reef and is very narrow and has a very strong current.   Individually they are daunting but all together insurmountable.   So we would have to spend the night at sea traveling up and down the coast of Bimini.    But on the positive side it would only take 12 hours to cross the Gulf Stream and we could do it during day light!  

There is a third plan, a route that continues North past Rodriguez Key to Miami and cross the Gulf Stream from there.  This would require 5 days.  This crossing would be difficult even in the most calm conditions because of the direction of the waves and wind.

As far as I was concerned our fist route was our only option! 

Sea u later!  Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 2 

s/v YOLO Day 295 Entry 066 Washing Portholes

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Monday, March 10, 2014
Day 295 Entry 066

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Actual Date:  January 27, 2014 Monday    
Weather:   Cold. Cold. Cold.  But no snow!   Temperature dropped to 52 degrees and the wind gusted to 30 mph.  But it is warmer here than most places in the country!

Washing portholes (windows) is just a little different and a little tricky.

Due to the salt residue left by the dried sea water spray, the portholes have to be rinsed with fresh water before wiping.  If not the salt in the residue will scratch the glass windowpane.  Also, unlike house windows that ‘tilt in’ in for easy cleaning, portholes do not.  Most of our portholes are along the side of the boat just out of reach.  Even if I lay on my belly and reach over the side I can't reach them let alone see what I am doing. 

So I wash the portholes from the rubber dinghy, which is the tricky part.  Actually, the tricky part is standing in the dinghy.  Basically standing in a dinghy can be very precarious.   OK, I promised to be honest in writing this blog so, I admit no one ever called me or will ever call me, agile!  (FYI there will never be any pictures of me washing the portholes from the dinghy!   I promised to be honest regarding my words not pictures!  So I will try to explain in detail my experience so you can picture it!]    The first time I washed the portholes I found it very difficult to stand in a moving dinghy, while trying to hold on to the boat railing with one hand and wash the portholes with the other hand.  I should mention that I have to bend down to wet and rinse the sponge in the pail that is sitting in the bottom of the dinghy, therefore I have to let go of the railing.  All the time praying to my ‘go to girl’ that a big boat that creates a big wake does not go zipping by! 

Insert But Captain Steve was a big help as he sat on the deck!  He called to me to’ hold on’ every time, well almost every time, a boat went by, so I wasn't  surprised when the dinghy started to bounce from the waves caused by the boat’s wake.  What a guy!   But even so I fell into the dinghy.  Thankfully the dinghy is an inflatable, so my landing was somewhat soft, but not in the least graceful.  My landing was also very wet, since I knocked over the pail.   I decided that there has to be a better way of washing the portholes, short of hiring some one to do it!  Subsequently, I mentioned my problem of only having 2 hands to Captain Steve.  I was flabbergasted when Captain Steve had an immediate solution!  He offered to run a line known as a ‘life line’ along the side of the boat so I could hold on to it and still be able to bend down to reach the pail.  I very calmly asked why he didn't offer to run the line before; to which he replied “Our neighbors were enjoying your antics.  You were this mornings’ entertainment for the mooring field!”  I turned towards the 2 closest boats and bowed to each as they applauded!   

So the next time you complain about washing the tilt out windows on terra firma, think me washing portholes while standing or while trying to stand in a dinghy!   

Sea u later!

   

s/v YOLO Swab's Log Blog Day 294 Entry 065 Vacuuming on YOLO

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Thursday, March 8, 2014
Day 294 Entry 065

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Actual Date:  January 27, 2014 Monday    
Weather:   Cold. Cold. Cold.  But no snow!   Temperature dropped to 52 degrees and the wind gusted to 30 mph.  But it is warmer here than most places in the country!

The real reason people should remove their shoes before boarding a boat!

Dusting and sweeping is the same as in any house.  Vacuuming is a little different though. Some sailboats have built in central vacuums. 

 s/v YOLO does not!   I have a small hand held vacuum, (my little Red Devil).

So instead of standing up while vacuuming the rug or floor, I vacuum on my hands and knees!  Not great, but do-able.  Honestly there really isn’t much square footage that needs to be vacuumed anyway.  I must admit though, that I do tend to postpone vacuuming for as long as possible, just like home!  

By now I am sure that you have figured out the real reason why people remove their shoes before boarding a boat!  It  is not so they don't slip on the wet surface; or not to scratch the fiberglass; or not to leave black scuff marks on the fiberglass!  You got it because I hate to vacuum!!!!!!!!!!!!!.   

Sea u later.

s/v YOLO Swab's Log Blog Day 292 Entry 064 PART 8 of 8 DRYING LAUNDRY

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Thursday, March 6, 2014
Day 292 Entry 064

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Actual Date:  January 27, 2014 Monday    
Weather:   Cold. Cold. Cold.  But no snow!   Temperature dropped to 52 degrees and the wind gusted to 30 mph.  But it is warmer here than most places in the country!

Now for the drying part of laundry!

On a sailboat the rule is that any one item must have at least 2 uses.  When we were discussing what to bring with us back in May I surrendered all and any holiday decorations.  It was agreed that if we had enough room that I could buy 1 decoration per holiday, which would be an extravagance of wasting space.  So when Halloween came around I bought a plastic pumpkin.  I put a light in it and hung it off the stern.  

I brought clothespins from home, but keeping them in a plastic bag was problematic.  So I needed something to keep the close pins in.  Then I thought of the jack o lantern!  It had a handle.  The top opening is wide enough for easy access to the clothes pins.  It is large enough to hold the clothes pins.  It can be easily stored in the laundry bucket when not in use.  I will be able to use it for 11 months out of the year.  I only to have to use something else for 1 month. 

I not only strung clothes line on the deck from the mast to the genoa and back.  I also strung lines in the v-berth, salon, and stern cabin. 

Also being in Florida the clothes dry in 2 to 3 hours.  If it is windy the close dry even sooner, but I have to use 10 times the number of close pins!

Drying laundry aboard YOLO in 30 mph winds!

Sea u later!

s/v YOLO Swab's Log Blog Day 290 Entry 063 Part 7 non automatic clothes washer

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Day 290 Entry 063

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Actual Date:  January 27, 2014 Monday    
Weather:   Cold. Cold. Cold.  But no snow!   Temperature dropped to 52 degrees and the wind gusted to 30 mph.  But it is warmer here than most places in the country!

Most of the non automatic clothes washers are made and sold by companies outside the US.  Now to find a US distributor who sold this brand.  I could not locate one in the US, but I did find two in Canada.  I contacted them both and found one distributor did not have any in stock and the other did.  Now, my next question was about the  delivery charges.  I expected the delivery charge would be half the price of the washer, but it was surprising low!  I placed the order and prepared to wait the 10 business days for delivery!

Four days later, one of the dock hands delivered my new non automatic electric Panda washing machine!   He put the box down on the dock in front of the boat and said ‘you’r going to need a bigger boat!’  The box was enormous!   Captain Steve and I looked at each other and thought I ordered the wrong machine!  Captain Steve said ‘this is never going to fit!’   The box was so big that he didn’t even think it would fit through the companion way, so he unpacked it on the dock. After removing the mountain of padding and wedges, I finally got a look at the machine!   OMG!  It looked like a child’s play toy!  Do you remember The Easy Bake Oven; the toy that every little girl, including me, had to have in the late 50’s and 60's?   

Well, if the company had made a washing machine, this would have been it!   

Although it was the model that I ordered, it was so small that it looked like a toy!   Needless to say, I really had very strong doubts about the efficiency of my new non automatic electric clothes washer!  I really never saw anything like it!
Captain Steve said ‘lets give it a try.’  He picked it up and carried it on board, unaided.  Yes it was that light!   He put it in the stern shower stall and it fit perfectly.  I looked for the directions in the box but there were none.  It’s so basic and simple to use that no instructions were needed.  Put water in the tub; turn the knob to agitate (either slow or regular); put the drain hose in the drain; turn the knob to drain; fill the tub; turn the agitator knob to rinse (either slow or regular); put the drain hose in the drain; turn the knob to drain; remove the clothes; place the clothes in the spinner; turn the knob to spin.  I expected the clothes to be a wrinkled mess because the spinner was so fast.  I was absolutely flabbergasted that the machine held the amount of clothes that it did!  Not only were the clothes clean but they were no more wrinkled then my washer at home!    There is a lot of truth to the saying, ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover!’  This little Panda washer is a dynamo!  I love it!

Sea u later!

s/v YOLO Swab's Log Blog Day 288 Entry 062 Housekeeping Aboard YOLO. Part 6 Non automatic clothes washer.

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Friday, February 28, 2014
Day 288 Entry 062

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Actual Date:  January 27, 2014 Monday    
Weather:   Cold. Cold. Cold.  But no snow!   Temperature dropped to 52 degrees and the wind gusted to 30 mph.  But it is warmer here than most places in the country!

Housekeeping Aboard S/v YOLO  Non Automatic Clothes Washer  Part 6

One had a water pump and one did not!  I never heard of a washer that didn't have a water pump.  How is the water emptied with out a water pump?  I didn't even take the time to find out!  I made my decision:  the Panda electric non automatic with water pump clothes washer and spinner combo was for YOLO and me.
Most of these non automatic clothes washers are made by non US companies.  Now to find a US distributor.   I was able to locate 2 distributors.  Now would the delivery charge be more that the actual washer.

After showing Captain Steve my find, it was his job to figure out if the electricity/ generator/ batteries would support my new appliance and how!

Well we measured the shower stall and found that 2 of the combo models would fit. 

Sea u later.