Dave's compressed work schedule allows him to take every other Friday off, so we're able to visit the boat for typical 3-day weekends. This weekend January 12-15 was even better with the Martin Luther King holiday giving us an extra day! Upon arrival, we found the starboard main bilge pump running. Dave investigated--the bilge was low--and exercised the float switch and pump shut down, suspecting the float switch. He later dried the starboard bilge. No real crisis, whew! Fortunately, the bilge pump that runs off the batteries had not run the battery bank down because the batteries are constantly recharged by our ample solar panels. Dave's thought is that it may have continued running from our last visit when he had intentionally raised the float switch to pump out water remaining from our cleaning efforts.

This weekend we brought additional galley non-perishables to stock the boat . We connected a full-size electric dehumidifier to shore power and ran it from Friday at 4PM through noon on Monday in the forward port cabin to begin to dry out that particular cabin which seemed to exhibit the worst signs of humidity and some water intrusion through the walls (the previous owner had never determined exactly where it was coming from). The dehumidifier began to do a good job pulling standing water from within the walls. Dave applied silicone sealant to the possible sources on deck-a port lifeline stanchion and cleat in the hope that would prevent any further water from entering from outside. Then we would only have to remedy the water damage that already existed.

Donna stripped the bedding from the port berths that had been used for the trip from Georgetown and completed her initial stage of rehabilitation of the salon cushions.  We rearranged the salon cushions into the correct sequential configuration (they were out of order!), which made the overall appearance much better. Dave removed the bimini to take home for cleaning, removed the main jack lines on deck to storage and removed the outboard motor bracket from the port side stern pulpit as it was impractical.

General cleaning of the boat continued. Dave reinstalled the port head door; we would still like to find roller replacements or make some if we have to. He replaced the port side head pump, which was not functioning properly during the hull survey.  He rearranged the propane bottles properly in the lazarette.   Dave continued to familiarize himself with systems and the schematics of the Catana manual. We inventoried additional inherited supplies and spare parts and Dave reinstalled stern and bow lifelines that had been in storage. He also repositioned the fishing rod holder and cleaned inside the forward hatch openings, measuring for replacement hatch latches. We removed three extra berth cushions (wrongly sized) from the boat to store at home until we could determine how they might be useful. Dave tested the cockpit VHF speaker and took measurements to replace a faulty one. He also took measurements of interior space where he was thinking to store his fishing rods.
Always plenty to do!