
There comes times where I forget where I live. I live on an island. I have charters coming up and Panacea is, all of a sudden in an interesting "re-fit' mode. Not a full blown re-fit, it's just when the dominos fall sometimes one thing follows another and another and so forth.
I have a rigger working on replacing the rigging on the mizen mast that got broken and I have a diesel man working hard, as well as a yard crew doing a bottom job and a charter that is on hold until the work is done. I guess sometimes things just happen.
You can click on the photos to get an enlarged picture in a new window.

In my last blog entry, there was a little accident that happened that caused me to go to another yard. I will be taken care of very well there. They are fitting me into their schedule and are doing fantastic work. I was sent to the right place. I'll use them again.
Those Angels that I have are working overtime. I always wonder if I'll get to meet them someday and tell them thanks for all their help and apologize for making them work so hard. They must have a crew working together sometimes to keep me out of trouble.
As you can see by the photos, Panacea is blocked well and they are sanding as of today. They have three quarters of her bottom sanded and have some blisters to fill. Once that is done then they'll re-sand and start painting. They say I should be ready to splash on Wednesday. Now that's what the yard guys say.

As for the diesel guy... He started out pulling the transmission out to fix a leaky seal. Then he found a small leak in the main seal and we decided since the transmission is out it's a good time to go just a bit further and fix that seal. When the shaft was disconnected the end needed some work so we decided to take the shaft out. Once the shaft was being pulled the rudder was in the way, so the rudder had to be removed. When the rudder was being checked out to be removed, it was noticed that the packing gland may as well be replaced. What the hell a good time to do it at this point.
GOOD NEWS! The transmission was pulled, new stuff put in, bench tested and ran for an hour. All is well!

The riggers pulled the pad eye's that were stressed and broken and filled the holes with epoxy and once sanded, the new holes will be drilled and new pad eyes will be in place to replace the standing rigging that got snapped when Panacea was bounced in the sling. It's all looking good.
It's Friday night and the work has stopped for the weekend, so I'll re-do my list and prioritize it so when Monday rolls along, I'll be able to make the right phone calls, in the right order and talk to the right people and move this project along. Everyone is working with me. I'm a blessed man to have the team that I have and am Grateful every moment. Thanks.
Here's just a reminder: The phone is still connected and I'm taking reservations for sailing dates.
Sailing in Fort Myers Beach is amazing this year. The weather is in a zone that I haven't seen in years. Sure we need some rain, but at the moment, and for the past few weeks and the week or so to come, the winds are good, seas are calm and
sailing on the Gulf of Mexico it at the top of it's game for the season.

I also want to say thanks to all of you that drop me emails. You are giving me some great ideas and I'll be introducing some new sailing packages in the near future. You can use the link below to leave comments on this page too, so others can chime in and get discussions going. It's up to you, but it would be nice.
In any case, check the
Availability Calendar on the front page of the website. Pick a date and give me a call. I'm here for you.
Remember: Coming Soon! - Half Day Adventures, Sunset Celebration Sails & Full Moon Voyages. Call now for information.
I'll see you on the dock...
Capt. Paul
FantaSea Sailing
"Sailing the Sun Coast of Florida to the Keys"
623-203-2698 Nationwide Direct
888-582-9046 Toll Free
CaptPaul@FantaSeaSailing.com
http://www.FantaSeaSailing.com
Member:
Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce
N.A.C.O. National Association of Charterboat Operators
Sailing in Fort Myers Beach • Sailing on the Gulf of Mexico • Sailing in Florida

You can leave comments here. I'd like to know a few of your ideas and if you are sailors, or just interested in sailing. Do you own your own boat? Where do you sail?
Thanks for the input...
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Posted by: Capt Paul | March 18, 2011 at 09:28 PM