One thought on “Island Swan”

1. We have been chasing “gremlins” for some time. Tom Holland at Green Cove Springs undertook “fixin” during January and made major advances on the crowd of Gremlins that had accrued aboard the “Swan”, including a crowd of fleas that infested our cat Bindi and the boat. Thanks to a number of bombs, and much spray, plus $150.00 in vet fees– we seem to have won that war. Also the smoky aroma from cooking Gremlins permeated for awhile. We took good advice from a GH’r at Jekyll Island Marina and “nursed” the Swan, on one engine and the bow thruster, down to Holland in January. After a months work on props, shafts, Maretron, etc, we brought her down to Titusville where we cruised locally while testing various things. We discovered that the Maretron addition for reporting on Battery status was improperly programmed; Tom learned that, not withstanding his beliefs, you cannot “lean” on the Bow Thruster without concern that you may blow a fuse (He refused to pay for the fuse he blew, but the one he provided was only $18.00 vs the $31.00 I had to pay at Isle of Palms for the fuse the Swan Blew at Georgetown. That one blew when the Bow Thruster expressed her “artistic tendencies” and converted a new 35′ line into a 3′ work of art– doesn’t help the operation of the Bow thruster when one allows a dock hand to drop a line in the water instead of throwing it back on board- What one learns while boating — ain’t it swell!!!). These problems seem to be all behind us now. We have cruised from Titusville, and arrived at Cobb Island yesterday. I cannot give sufficient thanks to all of the folks from GHTA who have provided advice and assistance during the Swans first year. She now appears to be everything we hoped for. I would like to add a fly bridge with a second chart system (Garmin), but Barb allows it won’t fit in our budget, especially with the present cost of fuel. Sure has gotten expensive down FL way.

   If all goes well, I would sure enjoy joining a gaggle next spring to go over to the Bahamas — got to get back to Nippers some day. It’s going to be fun to follow the adventures of the three folks testing the rivers all the way to Pittsburgh. Makes for different cruising, especially since so much of that is “upstream.”

   Our various siblings, relatives and friends enjoy keeping track of us on our “spot”. We consider that a good investment, for fun and hopefully, like an e-perb, not for critical necessity.

   We will be having a new “restored, redecorated, or whatever” Cobb Island Marina renamed “RIVAH!!” doing its initial opening next week. Initially it plans to provide an “upgrade” sea food menu (while still retaining it famous Friday Steak Nights either at the ScuttleButt restaurant, or included at Rivah. LIFE JUST DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS!!!.

   Ta! To all — Catcha Wherever and Whenever. May the breezes be nice, sand soft and bottoms well below the keel!

   Don and Barbara Thayer “Island Swan”

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