More boat projects!

Spent the weekend getting Microship updated with new nav lights. Replaced port, starboard, and stern nav lights with new Hella Marine LED lights. The LED stuff is a little pricey, but they sure look nice. And, hopefully I will not have to fool with them again for a looong time!

Also re-installed the windlass motor. It had died again last weekend, the first time in use after having it repaired by a local shop. I tested it by lowering and raising the anchor while in the slip and had no problem. I hope it does not die again, requiring me to haul the 90# monster anchor in by hand.

Installed the re-welded guard rail for the starboard engine. Managed to whack myself in the head with it during installation. Ouch! Nice goose egg on my forehead now.

Beach time

We arrived at Cat Island after dark Friday night. Got held up at the RR bridge at Bay St Louis, so did not get to our anchorage until almost 8:00 p.m. There were already two boats in Smuggler's Cove, and a sailboat arrived just a few minutes before us.

Saturday was just warm enough to be comfortable, with a nice breeze for sitting on the beach. We got there around 10am, before anyone else. Setup our canopy, chairs, and cooler, then sat back and enjoyed the beautiful weather and waves lapping at our feet. Max had a great time digging in the sand and chasing birds, butterflies, and horseflies. We stayed until around 3pm, when other folks started arriving and setting up camp near us. Time to pack up.

After we went to bed Saturday night, the wind really kicked up. I slept through it, but Paula was awakened by the hobby horse motion of the boat. She told me the next morning that she thought she was going to have to tie herself in the bed. I can vaguely remember (too much beer) getting up around midnight and letting more anchor chain out, and lengthening the snubber lines. By Sunday morning it was all over, and the calm had returned.

We elected not to go to the beach Sunday as Paula had gotten a bit too much sun yesterday. So we just hung out on the boat and read. Max was having a fit to go back to the beach, so I took him for a quick romp before we hoisted the dinghy. Then back to Microship and head for home.