Panacea: Back on the water!!

Hello all! It is so good to be back on the water!!! We arrived in Fernandina Beach, Fl on Aug 23 and Panacea was splashed (launched) on the 27. We had quite an extended drive down from Colorado as the launch date was pushed out twice due to weather. We were having the bottom peeled and painted (4 coats of paint) and each coat requires at least 16 hrs of dry time. Of course, this area had the most rain during that period than they have all all summer!! Sooo - we had to wait. We just sort of dwaddled along. Did not bring the trailer back as we are thinking we will head to the Cheapeake in the springs and spend the summer there. When we return to Colo mid summer we will bring the trailer back then. The launching went well ( will try to post some pix - she is hanging on a travel lift with two big belts under her. Nervous time!!

I think she was smiling as she was lowered into the water - where she belongs!! We have spent the last week putting things away and organizing. We had a full pickup full of "stuff" and we have found a place for everything!! She was a pretty dirty girl - have the inside cleaned up - hope to start on the outside today. There is always something you find, as you go along, that needs to be addressed i.e. a switch on the electrical panel that needs to be replaced, a water maker that isn't working (that is a BIG problem in 90 degree heat, especially at happy hour!), an air conditioner that is operating well, issues with new canvas enclosure et.c etc. That's boating!! The new enclosure is beautiful and we are really enjoying it. The weather has been very warm and VERY humid - try 80%!! It has been a bit of an adjustment and we are thankful for the AC. It runs constantly unless there is a good breeze going and then we open up. We are looking forward to some cooler days as we are not really AC people, but in this heat there is no choice!!

The doggies are doing very well. Sam actually had a smile on his face when he first got on the boat!! He loves it as he can freely roam the permiter of the deck and make sure everything and everyone are exactly where they are supposed to be. He has a job to do!! Ted just enjoys being with Mom, wherever she is.

He took right away to doing his business on the carpet pad on the foredeck, as he learned to do last spring.

Just wish Sam would decide to cooperate. The dingy is sitting on the dock and each time we get off/of the boat we have him sit in it with Alan so he will get used to it. He thinks he is pretty big stuff sitting there with Dad - not sure how we will get him in it from the boat, but that is another challenge for another day!!

That about catches us up for now. Will be here for another 2-3 weeks, as we are waiting on some electronics to arrive and be installed. When that is complete we will head to Jekyll Island, GA where we will spend the winter on the boat. I hope some pix attach to this to give you an idea of what our home on the water looks like. More next week!!