A visit from Down Under

A visit from Down Under

Thursday February 11, 2021

This morning, somewhat to our surprise, we had a visit from Down Under.  Their logo is “your bottom is our business”.  Are you grossed out yet?  We had been told that the diver would arrive on Friday to clean the bottom of our boat.  He was a day early—okay then.

In addition to cleaning the hull, we asked him to install a new sacrificial anode (zinc) on our propeller.  There were lots of strange bubbling noises coming from around the hull as he got started.  After some time, we heard a knocking sound.  It was the diver who told us that the main zinc on the hull was also shot.  Mike dug out a spare of that one and handed it over.  Once he was finished with the cleaning he showed Mike some pictures of “haloing” around the zincs, the prop and the bronze plate that secures the rudder-post.  He told us that this type of paint loss and bubbling is usually a sign of electrical problems.  We’ve been trying to track down a marine electrician.  Finally, someone called back this afternoon and will hopefully come to the boat next week.

Cotinga was launched in mid July so we are a bit disconcerted that the large zinc on the hull was 90% destroyed in such a short time.  This has never been the case in previous years. Overall we think one of the big changes has been using shore power while on the dock both here and in Vero Beach.  The only other change of substance was the installation of the new windlass.  We will feel a lot better if we can get this guy to check over our electrical system. In the interim we have disconnected from shore power.  

This morning we also saw a manatee swimming alongside the dock. There is quiet a lot of marine life within the marina – we have seen several tarpon approaching 5 or 6 feet in length and yesterday a shark. 

Gloria 

24 42.220 N, 81 06.131 W

Another Hibiscus photo to add to the collection. Confession time ... I plucked this flower off the shrub and placed it in a glass and photographed it in the cockpit of the boat. Much easier angles, no breeze, no waving around .. ! This is one of five images that I took of this flower - each one based on stacking of 40 individual shots shifting the focus.

Backlit palm leaf - shot at Hemingway's home yesterday

Curious little lizard peaking out of a plant pot in a small shady park that we visited this afternoon