Work Continues on IQ

We finished the new scupper drains today. Originally the deck drained through 6 little drains no bigger than a shower drain. We fiberglassed over those and put in 4 larger scupper drains. It was very easy for the original drains to be clogged by leaves, plus everyone of them leaked water into the boat. The scuppers are a much better and safer drain. BoatUS says most boats sink while setting in their slip. Stupid things like inadequate drains old hoses and the like. We have many things to upgrade. This was a big one, and I am glad it's done.



Drilling holes in my boat.



Cut out completre.

Filled with foam.

Original drain and a new scupper fiberglassed in.

Primed and ready for paint.

Completed scupper drains,



Original drain.



Water Tank

I got the fresh water tank back from being fixed and got it reinstalled. That is a good thing. IQ has two 75 gallon water tanks. One on the starboard side and one on the port side. The port tank had a leak, so while it was out the boat was listing to the starboard side, which after a few days became annoying. I reinstalled the port tank and filled it up. Life is back on an even plane. now.

Taking the berth apart to install the tank.

Ready for the tank.

Repaired tank sitting on the galley table.

Hooking up the hoses.

Almost done.

Done and IQ now sits level again.

Good Song

I am fast becoming a Zac Brown Band fan. I love this song.

What a Life

It is such a joy to live on IQ. There is so much room and so many amenities. I catch myself just looking around and smiling.

Nice galley.

Drop down TV with DVD player and surround sound.

Very nice aft cabin.

Wonderful bathroom.

Looking forward from the main cabin.

Had a wonderful day today, Sharon went to work and I finally got to get started working on IQ today. There is so much to do, but it will be a blast working on her and bringing her back to new condition. I installed three lights today and started installing the new deck drains. I pulled out one of the fresh water tanks yesterday that was leaking. It is being fixed right now. Hopefully it will be done on Friday. I ordered some fabric today from Sailrite to make sun shades for the front windows. So much to do, so much fun to have.

We Closed on Morgan

Last night we finally closed on the sale of Morgan. Today she is on her way to her new home. It was a weird feeling the last couple of days when I was on Morgan doing the final cleaning. So many miles, so many memories. The good thing is new adventures and memories have already begun on Island Queen.

 We put Rosie on top of the car and brought her to where we have IQ now. After I cleaned her bottom I took her for a spin in the bay here to do a little investigating.

Nelson has started a blog to chronicle his adventures on Morgan. Here is a link to that blog.
https://www.facebook.com/HeavingTo

The Trip In Pictures

Heading south with calm seas

John and Scott pretending to fish

Absolutely beautiful water

We used a steadying sail one day

The ICW near the Keys

John with no adult supervision

We Made It

We arrived in Taverier at Boatman's Mangrove Marina about 11 am yesterday. It was a good trip. We left Fort Myers Shores Monday night at midnight and anchored in the Caloosahatchee River till dawn. We then went down the river to  San Carlos Bay and anchored there for two nights waiting for the wind to die down some. We left San Carlos Bay early Thursday morning and traveled 75 miles to Pavilion Key and anchored for the night. It was a very rocky rolly night. We left early the next morning and traveled about 80 miles to Mattecumbee Key and anchored for the night. It was a quiet and calm anchorage. The boat hardly moved at all. A nice change from the night before. We grilled some steak and had a very restful night. Friday morning we got up and traveled the remaining 20 miles to the marina.

It was a good trip, and no problems to speak of with Island Queen.

Me, Scott, and John.

IQ getting ready to back into her new slip.

Scott backing IQ into the slip while John and I got ready to fend off poles.

IQ in her new slip.

Our view from the bow in our slip.

Looking down our dock.

On Our Way

We left Fort Myers Shores this morning. We are anchored near the bridge ready to enter the gulf, but the weather has us hold up for a day or two.  We had a good day today. No problems with IQ (Island Queen). Good company, good music, good food, what more could you ask for?
The internet is really slow so I am only putting one pic tonight.

My brother Scott at the helm, and John as co-pilot.

Almost Ready

Sharon and I came up to where Island Queen is on Friday night. I spend all day yesterday working on plumbing. I replace both toilets and all the piping going to them. Last weekend when I was here I replaced the shower sump pump and put a new water heater in. It felt good to have a nice hot shower when I got finished working yesterday. I have some other things to work on today to get her ready for the trip. She is just about ready though.

I have been trying to do the minimalist thing for a while living on a small boat with minimal systems and trying to live cheap.Now I feel a little guilty having such a nice boat. As I said when I got finished working on the plumbing yesterday I had a shower. We are not plugged into shore power, so I fired up the generator, turned on the water heater and the AIR CONDITIONER. Not quite the minimalist lifestyle anymore. Oh well, I sure if I ignore those guilty feelings long enough they will go away.

My brother Scott and my friend John left Indiana today to come down and make the trip down to the Keys with me.I hope we can leave on Tuesday. It should be a fun trip.

We are about to hit another milestone. The blog will reach 20,000 views this week. That amazes me. It has been fun to share our adventure with everyone.

Exciting Times

Sharon and I leave tomorrow to go up to Island Queen for the final time. I have some work to do on her. Then I will bring her down to the Keys. My brother Scott and my friend John are going to make the trip with me. It should be a great time. The three of us together for a week with no adult supervision. Sharon will have to return to Marathon Sunday night so she can go to work on Monday morning.

I will be taking the "Spot" with me so you will be able to track our progress. If we make a wrong turn and start heading for Texas please email me so we can make a course correction.

As I sit here writing this I am realizing this is probably my last night on Morgan. Kinda sad, but exciting at the same time.

I will try to blog some along the way.

Mike