Day 65 Newport does it right

We just came in from watching the fireworks show from the bow of our boat.  What a show.  Went on for half an hour of nonstop explosions.  It was preceded by almost two hours of people shooting off their own fireworks on shore and from their boats here at the marina.  An amazing show the likes of which I have never seen.  Kudos to Newport!!

Today was odd job day.  I started off by going over to Englund Marine to see what they were offering up on the 4th of July tent sale.  Not much of real interest.  Bought a few things and figure I'll go again early tomorrow incase they put out anything new.  Most businesses are closed for the entire weekend.

I finally got time to put the hardware on the new screen we had made for the hatch in the master stateroom.  It has swivel catches that fit into slots just under the hatch.  Fits great and the teak is not quite as wide so it will allow more light and air into the cabin.

I'd fired up the Acer computer and booted the navigation software that we will be using as we cruise.  It is set up with charts plus information on ports, tides and will show our position on the charts it displays on the computer screen.  We have attached a GPS  to the computer to show our position plus an AIS system that shows what boats are around us so we can watch out for them.  It tells us all about the other boat--who they are, where they are going, what their speed is, any course corrections they make plus lots more.  It's got a range of about 25 miles yet I've only seen a few boats pass Newport.  Only boats of a specific size or larger have to send out signals about their boats.  We finally had a boat that is with the NOAA come in this afternoon.  It was great to see the system work flawlessly.

I took off the wall boards in the stern head to inspect the storage system for the head.  A nice stainless steel tank.  Checked all the hoses and joints.  Nice and tight--no leaks.

Got into the engine compartment and pulled the water filter that strains the water that cools the engine.  Lots of grass in the filter but for the most part clean.  It's real clean now.  Checked the transmission fluid for the engine.  A bit low but nice and clean.  I'll probably change it anyway just to make sure it's alright before we leave Newport.   Then off to the filters for the sumps--all clean now too.  Tried to trace the diesel fuel lines but they sort of disappear down into the engine compartment under the engine.  I'll try with mirrors another day.

I stowed the life raft at the base of one of the stanchions at the stern of the boat.  I tied it off to the rails so that if something should happen, it will deploy and inflate.  With it being made for six people, it should hold not only us but the kids too. 

It rained a good bit this morning and finished off the day with more showers.  Surprisingly we haven't had much rain lately.   Having just washed Zephyr yesterday, this will at least give her a good rinse.

Tracy just vegged today.  She's worn out from all the work we've been doing.  It's time for her to just sit back and relax for a few days.

Hopefully the weather will stay coming from the South for the next week so we can get underway.  First, a trial sail now that just about everything is up and running.  We don't think there are anymore systems that could cause us anymore problems.  Keep your fingers crossed. 

Hope you had a great 4th of July!!