Haul Out and Other Stuff

When I left off we were headed to the mooring field at Ft. Myers Beach to spend a few days while Kasey's Choice got hauled out at Gulf Marine to replace the cutlass bearings. We arrived Sunday afternoon and picked up a mooring ball. Normally this is a piece of cake but with a dozen moorings out of service it was a bit of a challenge to find one that would accommodate a 48' Tourist.

Monday morning arrived and by the time I awoke Kasey's Choice was already out of the water.

Kasey's Choice on the hard.

The hydraulic device that removes and installs the cutlass bearing.

The old cutlass bearing.

A couple of boats over was a Tiara with Volvo IPS drives in the yard for repairs caused by wrapping a crab pot float around the forward facing props. The bill for repairs was only $25,000.00!

Port side IPS unit installed.

Starboard side hole in the hull awaiting IPS installation. You can look inside the engine compartment!
The total process of haul out, new bearings and zincs installed and splashed back into the water was completed by noon. Just in time for lunch at Salty Sam's before checking out the shops and scenery around the beach.

We found the Pirate Greybeard threatening the shoppers in one of the stores.

Spring Break in full session.

Yikes!

Some other views in the mooring field.

Just before the fog set in.

If you know Pam you know how she hates birds chirping in the morning before she wakes up. I guess I need to be more selective of what boats are moored around us. She awoke Monday morning to the chirping of  a zillion birds perched in the rigging of the sailboats around us.

Look out below!

We're now back at Legacy getting ready for our first overnight guests of the season.