A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

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OverEasy
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2024

Post by OverEasy »

Thanks Russ! 8) 8)
OverEasy
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2024

Post by OverEasy »

Hi All!

The end of year holidays are fast approaching!
Sheeze! Where did the time go? :o

Looking at the To-Do-List and there’s a bit more than half that are gonna hafta roll-over into 2025.
It is what it is… won’t be bored in the coming new year.

As far as boat projects:
- we’re gonna shelve the drum winch we were planning on for Over Easy given the threatened import tariffs and the lack of an equivalent affordable reliable domestic version ( existing user reviews indicate multiple points of dissatisfaction… leave it at that).
- for the time being we’ll go with a manual “from the cockpit” anchoring deploy/retrieval approach… not ideal but it will work.
- Also revisiting our plans for building a raised companionway and enclosure as SST material tubing costs are already climbing since early November… may need to go back and look at doing it in foam core and fiberglass… not sure yet.
- we will go ahead on our shore power interface mod as we already have that hardware in hand.. just need to get on with it once we are back down in warmer weather.
- ditto for the on-board generator set up as we already have the Honda generator… a compliant/suspended foam padded install under the center seat seems our best option.
- we’d like to make up ne window covers if we can get the sewing machine sorted out :D :D
- then there are the crazed cabin windows to be replaced and also to Re-caulk them all.
- I’d also like to finish installation of the ballast air purge system …controllable from the cockpit pedestal ideally.
- while our remote spotlight is nice we’d like to add some small fixed spotlights low on the bow rail supports controlled from the pedestal.
- along the same vein we’d like some dimmable cockpit lighting and stern area lighting.
- a cruiser stub mast with deck lighting is long over due.
- most importantly is figuring out our upcoming 2025 ICW cruise route/duration/timing/logistics/marina stuff… ideally we’d like to go out for a whole month! 8) 8)

The challenge (as always ) is timing and weather as well as other priority southern house projects…. :| :| :wink: 8) 8)

2025 won’t be a boring year anyway :D :D

Best Regards,
Over Easy 8) 8)
-
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Russ
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2024

Post by Russ »

Sounds like you are a real planner.
That's a good way to do it. Measure twice, cut once.

Are you ever planning on installing the mast?
--Russ
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pitchpolehobie
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2024

Post by pitchpolehobie »

Ambitious list! Id like to put another bottom coat on. Need to redo my motor well drain plumbing too...otherwise my goal in 2025 is to SAIL MORE!!!!
2002 MacGregor 26X: Remedium
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
OverEasy
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2024

Post by OverEasy »

Hi Russ & pitchpolehobie,

How are you both?
It’s gotten cold and snowy here in NH!!! Brrrrrrrr………
So yeah, I’ve gotta take advantage of the ‘out of project season’ weather to get the logistics for the nicer weather projects worked out. :wink:
I’ve tried the planning ‘in-season’ and I found that I was spending too much of the nice weather on planning, logistics & searching/selecting/gathering/waiting for supplies… :? :o :| …. Then when ready half the time had gone by and then it would rain.. :D :D
Life has enough Murphy’s Law caveats as it is for me to set myself up for them :D :D

We did the bottom abradable anti foul last Spring so we figure we’re good for another season before we have to do it again … hopefully.
But if/when we do we now have the stern support frame and practice in lifting the boat up off of its trailer insitu. First time is always a learning curve. I’m glad I read up on what others had done on the forum. Some I liked, some I was afraid of and some were just about right for our situation. That the advantage of this forum’s openness, idea & experience sharing! :)

That reminded me that once we get Over Easy launched this coming spring it’s definitely time to replace the bunks and associated attachment hardware! One of the bunks tried to float free when we were retrieving her when we pulled out to prepare for going North back in July. :o :o CANNOT FORGET THAT ONE BEFORE WE ROAD TRAVEL ANY REAL DISTANCES WITH OVER EASY!!! :o :o
It’s also time to take a hard look at any of the other bolts & hardware to pre-emptively replace. Yeah hardware costs but FUBARS are expensive out on the road while traveling. Wheel bearing inspection and regrease is also part of all that too!

Regarding the mast…. That’s a bit of an Idunno at the moment as our area in SC has a lot of really nice estuaries, rivers and creeks we love exploring that aren’t conducive to a mast for one reason or another. There are some nice open areas like Port Royal Sound, the Broad River and others that are looking like great sailing locales as well.

Current plan is to get a week or more of motor cruising on the ICW this Spring.
In preparation for that we’d like to fabricate a glazed & raised companionway cover that would be easily removable when desired.
We’d like it to also support the mast horizontally at a clearance height from the cockpit floor of 6-1/2 to 7 feet. We’d be making a pintle at the mast base location to pivot/support that portion of the mast. An open Bimini frame over the cockpit would also have supporting duties for the lowered mast. We’d been looking to make it from SST tubing but the bandied about tariffs have already jumped up material costs (even from domestic producers who are profiteering from the higher import prices). It’s my wallet that’s actually taking the hit so I’m looking at alternatives like foam core fiberglass frames again…time vs. money….

BTW… I’ve also part of the measure twice cut two or three times club! :D :D (a little bit of Bondo and paint are good backstops!)
Fortunately I’m not a perfectionist, nice & functional but definitely not perfect, helps getting things accomplished so one can have the time to enjoy them.

This is the Spring where we’re planning on pulling the trigger on remodeling of kitchen/dining room/office ourselves. So I’ve got to hit the ground running once we get back down to SC in January. No time to gather any moss! :D :D It’s a long overdue project that has the priority now.

While we didn’t get everything done on our Northern Project List this year we did nail the high priority ones like:
- emptying out and sort the last overpacked storage locker,
- the new house heating & DHW system for the house up here,
- getting the tractor/FEL, the towable backhoe, compactor and multiprocess welder,
- removing/reducing the big tree stump
- helped fixing up our daughter’s friend’s short school bus conversion and repairs
- got to spend a month with our younger daughter
- got the Sunfish out with same daughter
- organized basement and garage storage
- harvested our apple tree
Not to mention several backyard campfires, stargazing, swims and lots of really nice meals prepared & enjoyed!

And then even somewhat constructively dealt with the unanticipated required surgical procedure, hospitalization and now recovery time requirements. (I make a lousy patient as my Admiral will readily attest to :D :wink: :| )

I think my Dad told me when I was a kid ‘that I can rest later, daylights a wasting!’ :D :D

Right now we’re preparing for the year end holidays and also getting prepared for the trip south in mid January.
The recent snowfalls take their portion of time to clear but it gives me an opportunity to play with the little JD318 with its FEL (front end loader). (The finalization of the snowplow adaptation will have to wait until we get back in the warmer weather of 2025….)

Best Regards,
Over Easy 8) 8)
OverEasy
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by OverEasy »

Hi All!

We made it back down to South Carolina! 8) 8)
TaDa!!!

We left NH on Friday morning after packing up our new to us enclosed utility trailer. We’d done the math and figured out that this was going to pay for itself within the year over the next three trips (moving all my tools south/north/south for the renovations) in just 2025!

The Journey south was via Philadelphia PA for the ‘Gathering of the Faithful’ on Saturday (01/18) which was fantastic!
Thank you Kevin and Ray for pulling this together! It was a wonderful time getting to meet others on this forum in person!
Given there was snow coming on Sunday we decided to stay in the Philadelphia area an extra night which was the right thing to do as 8 inches fell on Sunday. By Monday the roads were plowed, clear and dry for our travels.

Our only concern was traveling through the center Washington DC given the much hyped traffic and crowds for Inauguration which turned out to be an entire non-event. The was virtually no traffic with wide open highways all the way through Washington at mid-day. It was like traveling through a ghost town in the off season! Nothing…Nada!

We made such good time that we decided on making the rest of te trip straight through to Beaufort in one fell swoop arriving home a bit after midnight. Tuesday we unpacked the utility trailer and started to settle back in. Got to the grocery store to stock up on essentials only to find that there were no eggs of any sort to be found anywhere ( Publix, Food Lion, Harris-Teeter, Walmart or Target! :o :? :( ). Talking with the store clerks this seems to have been a problem here for the past month and has gotten worse over the last two weeks and has nothing to to with the coming ‘Snowmagedon”. Go figure? Wonder if this is more a regional thing… Anybody?

On Wednesday we were greeted by almost 6 inches of icy snow which shutdowns literally everything when one is in the south.
It looks uniquely beautiful outside and the forecast is that it will be sticking around for a while. Neighbor was out towing his kids on snow boards and boogie boards with his golf cart! :D :D That was a sight! Others had their kids out sledding on te local golf courses.

Image

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The Camellias are in bloom providing a brilliant contrast of their red flowers to that of the snow!

Ditto for snow on palm trees!

Image

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Well, we made it back and it’s time to get back to the interior project list!

Yesterday we did another dry run of the layout for the new kitchen. Never hurts to check before committing to cutting and demolition.
The taking times apart and demolishing is always easier than actually building and creating something worthwhile.
So it’s always worth the effort to actually spend the time and effort to think things through first BEFORE irreparably breaking things.
(Unlike some of my short sighted impulsive neighbors …. But thats for another day….)

Best Regards,
Over Easy 8) 8)
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kmclemore
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by kmclemore »

OverEasy wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 9:30 am The Journey south was via Philadelphia PA for the ‘Gathering of the Faithful’ on Saturday (01/18) which was fantastic!
Thank you Kevin and Ray for pulling this together! It was a wonderful time getting to meet others on this forum in person!
Given there was snow coming on Sunday we decided to stay in the Philadelphia area an extra night which was the right thing to do as 8 inches fell on Sunday. By Monday the roads were plowed, clear and dry for our travels.
Was great to see you both again, and I'm glad you made the trip! If you're up on Champlain again, let us know.

Cheers,
Kevin
- Kevin McLemore, Mac Site Admin
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Jimmyt
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by Jimmyt »

OverEasy wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 9:30 am The taking times apart and demolishing is always easier than actually building and creating something worthwhile.
So it’s always worth the effort to actually spend the time and effort to think things through first BEFORE irreparably breaking things.
(Unlike some of my short sighted impulsive neighbors …. But thats for another day….)

Best Regards,
Over Easy 8) 8)
Hey! I resemble that remark! :| Ready; Fire; Aim…

Great pics! Enjoyed the post!
Jimmyt
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Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
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Russ
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by Russ »

Snow on a palm tree is just wrong. Then again, I saw snow on the beach in Destin Florida and 10" of snow on Bourbon St. in New Orleans.

We have less snow on Montana than some of these southern states.
--Russ
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NiceAft
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by NiceAft »

Thank you Kevin and Ray for pulling this together!
You’re welcome, but my part was minuscule. All accolades belong on Kevin’s shoulders.
Ray ~~_/)~~
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kmclemore
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by kmclemore »

NiceAft wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 8:10 am
Thank you Kevin and Ray for pulling this together!
You’re welcome, but my part was minuscule. All accolades belong on Kevin’s shoulders.
Image

Well, Ray, you and Natalie made it so much better by inviting everyone over for an extended visit. Thanks!
- Kevin McLemore, Mac Site Admin
OverEasy
Admiral
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by OverEasy »

Hi All!

Things are finally starting to thaw here in South Carolina!
Brrrrrrrrrrr! That wasn’t part of the plans!

Meanwhile as the snow gradually melts away we’ve gotten a start on the new kitchen project by clearing out the existing ‘formal’ dining room. Thought the China Cabinet was gonna be the end of me! That puppy is heavy even without all that plateware and glasses!

(As we’re gonna have to move it around several more times before we’re finished I’m getting a couple of hardwood Dollys to mount the thing to as well as bolting the upper and lower sections together as the single wimpy strap in the back doesn’t give one much confidence on keeping things together.)

It’s good to see the space finally empty!

To get some space in the workshop garage I was going to build a storage shed at some point along the way but as I was stomping around in the snow looking at possible locations for it as well as the expense/delay I stumbled on a brain %$&#@…. Why not just use the “new” 5x10 ft utility trailer I just unpacked?!? :) :D :) I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner to get the bulky lawn and garden stuff as well as some other materials out of the way but still accessible for the near term! Hahaha! The actual shed can be put off until after the interior house renovations are accomplished. :wink:

Best Regards,
Over Easy 8) 8)
OverEasy
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by OverEasy »

Hi All!

Got the outside temperature up into the mid 60s F the past couple of days!
The snow has all melted away finally! :)

With the warmer weather we were able to get the bulk of our yard Spring cleanup finished already!
Including the big branches that dropped during the recent 2024 hurricanes.
Those were all healthy branches from healthy trees too!
Glad that’s out of the way.

Like everybody else we’re in juggling multiple spinning plates on sticks mode! :D :D
Next is to unwrap the boats and see what may have happened to them while we were up north and reposition everything so the paved driveway area is more usable and I can reasonable access the “utility trailer shed”.

One side project was to have a contractor come to add a gravel side parking area to the driveway.
Given the recent lack of contractor labor availability and other related instabilities this might become a DIY project :o :? instead…
Was really hoping to farm that one out ( moving a copious amount of gravel around and leveling it by hand is a real task… even in my :) younger fitter days! Makes manually shoveling a parking lot of wet deep snow a walk in the park by comparison. Fribble. :o :o

Things are what they are… Just gotta roll with it all…..

Starting the logistical planning for our upcoming two to four week ICW cruise this Spring.
:arrow: Get home slip contract
:arrow: plan preliminary route
:arrow: Get list of possible enroute marinas with transient slips
:arrow: Start making reservations
:arrow: Adapt route, rinse and repeat
:arrow: Figure out how and where to mount the portable generator
:arrow: Clean up and organize boat for extended travels
:arrow: Perform annual engine and fuel system scheduled maintenance
That should keep the evenings after the days of new kitchen renovations occupied for a while…… :)

Any hints or suggestions on ICW routing , places to see or long distance travel hints are appreciated.
We’re going to be headed north from the Beaufort SC area most likely as a one way by boat and trailer ourselves back home to see more of the ICW.

Heck! It’s 9:30 AM already! Times a wastin’ :o :o !
Gotta get mov in’ along….

Best Regards,
Over Easy 8) 8)
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Russ
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by Russ »

Sounds ambitious.

One day you will have to install that mast and sail her. That will be another big journey for OverEasy.
--Russ
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NiceAft
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Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

Post by NiceAft »

On our trips, the three apps I use to find transient slips are Snag-A-Slip, Dockwa, & Safe Harbor. Mostly Dockwa and Snag-A-Slip.

If you are a member of BOATUS, ask the marinas if a discount is given to members.
Ray ~~_/)~~
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