From the East Coast of Florida to the West Coast of Florida

By Captain Tom Martin

ORTONA LOCK FLORIDA

The captain’s pay would be twice as much as I was currently making as a rigger and would include health insurance. Having worked as a private yacht captain before, I knew well the physical demands on my body would be far less. I was currently employed as a sailboat rigger and a rigger’s job is hard work. One day you’re in the shop manhandling cable, running a swaging machine the next day you’re swinging at the top of a 100 foot mast changing a light bulb. Hey, don’t think there isn’t any pendulum effect dockside. Captain’s work, when you’re the only crew, encompasses all aspects of maintaining the vessel; those duties never seemed as hard as a rigger’s.

My new job was to be a Captain on a 59 foot Motor Yacht out of St. Petersburg Florida . The owner was semi-retired and was an active cruiser. Since I was currently living on the east coast of Florida in Ft. Lauderdale I would have to relocate to the west coast for the job. Motorcycle, dog and my home, a 28 foot Morgan sailboat had to be moved. All my land side belongings were to be moved in a rental truck and stored in a friend’s garage.

Boat preparation requires a bit more thought and listing of details since I hate breaking down. All things mechanical, sails, ground tackle, electronics and navigational equipment that are not usually given much attention when living aboard and working full time must now be looked at in preparation for a sea voyage.

The City of Miami website currently has some information at http://www.waterwayguide.com/cruising_p.html

Two navigational routes were available to get to the west coast of Florida from Ft. Lauderdale . Take the Inter Coastal Waterway (ICW) North, then go across Lake Okeechobee, then the canals and locks and then back on to the ICW, on the west side of Florida, North to Tampa Bay. The other way is to head south to the Keys and across Florida Bay than up the west coast to Tampa Bay . I chose the ICW and Lake route since Jack my dog would need to stop on solid ground each night for a run and dump.

Ocochobee MAP

Note: The Okeechobee Waterway consists of two parts: 1) the St. Lucie Canal, which connects Stuart , Florida , (just north of West Palm Beach ) to Lake Okeechobee , and   2) the Caloosahatchee River which enters the Gulf of Mexico at Fort Myers .

This waterway uses a system of locks and dams to maintain a navigable channel to Lake Okeechobee , which is 14 feet above sea level.  In seasons of very dry conditions, the Lake Okeechobee channel is subject to reduction in the depth of the navigable channel, and restricted schedules for lockage.  This waterway is about 140 miles in length.

Read the rest of this article at the Yacht Club on Lyndale Island.

Custom Non Pop-Up Headlights on C5 Corvette

Installed BPP Non Pop-up headlights on 2001 Coupe. Lately we’re getting asked by some people, “Is this a C6?”

TUTORIAL – Installing Headlights

We  installed the Breathless Performance Products non-pop light kit in a 2001 coupe. Here’s a step by step documentary tutorial showing the entire process from removing the stock lights to installing and adjusting the lights. If you are considering upgrading for what ever reason, here’s a chance to see what’s entailed. (24:00) Video Documentary.

J R Martin

Captain Tom

by Captain Tom Martin

The art of living aboard a boat is one that has been perfected by many enthusiasts. We’ll take a look at everything that has to do with living aboard a sail or motor boat. Sleeping, cooking and taking a shower are among the myriad of topics. Interviews with the rich and famous as well as the folks on the house boat.

“I believe, “I could do this forever,” came out of my mouth the morning after the night before, of my first successful overnight cruise, aboard my first ocean going boat. That’s when it all started. A perfect anchorage, great tasting food – even though it came out of our little galley, sunset, some wine and of course a million stars in the sky that night. Sunrise was even better accompanied by the smell of fresh coffee drifting through the morning mist.

Ultimately overnights turned into longer cruises, and a week of “bare boating” in the British Virgin Islands ( BVI’s) just encouraged me more. For those of you unfamiliar with the term “Bare Boating;” Bare Boating is charting a boat without a crew; captain or cook. Although, you never know when there will be a bare bottom getting that total tan. View entire article.

A Floating Home

Aboard The HMS Bounty

We visited the Replica of the HMS Bounty that was built in 1960 to be used in the film MGM production of  Mutiny On The Bounty and has been used for a number of films since. The ship is currently owned by HMS Bounty Organization, LLC. We found it visiting Lyndale Island via Tampa, Florida a few years ago. To view a documentary interview with the first mate at that time click: HMS Bounty Interview First Mate.

J R Martin

Super Charger

ProCharger Centrifugal Supercharger systems are made by Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI). A kit can be purchased for Corvettes which includes everything needed to install the system.

Two models of Superchargers are available for Corvettes from ATI; the ProCharger P-1SC and the D-1SC. The P-1SC kit is usually installed on a stock engine whereas the D-1SC tends to be used for custom installations on modified engines. The P-1SC can boost horsepower at the flywheel on a stock engine to significantly depending on the PSI setting used. At 5 PSI installation would bring the horse power up from stock 350 to 490 HP. At 7 PSI the horse power increase is 540 HP according to ATI brochure.

J R Martin

To View the entire article click here.

By Captain Tom Martin

Choosing between a diesel or gas engine for your sail or motorboat can be a tough decision. Here are a few things to consider. An auxiliary diesel engine Recently I had a conversation with another boater; it started when he mentioned rebuilding his Atomic Four gas engine. I was a bit surprised, why rebuild? “It is a good little engine and diesel re-powering is too expensive” he replied. He makes a good point, yet some years ago when faced with the same question I went with diesel. There really isn’t any controversy about gas versus diesel because each person’s choice is usually based on their needs and budget. What I’d like to here is discuss some of the priorities we should consider when choosing one type of engine over the other.

To view the entire article go here.         If you have some experiences you like to share please Comment   on this blog.

Lyndale Island Auto Tuning Center

The Lyndale Island Auto Tuner’s Corvette Center is a major part of Lyndale Island with articles, videos an links to After Market Tuning of Corvettes Information. In addition in the 3D area you may drive a number of “Vettes” around the Island then stop at the Drag Strip or one of our shops. Then drive to the Yacht Club or the local airport. You can also browse the non-3D side of Lyndale Island’s Corvette area.

LYNDALE ISLAND YACHT CLUB

Lyndale Island Yacht Club Website has many resources and features that parallel and support the 3D Lyndale Island Yacht Club. There’s a growing library of articles and documentary videos about all aspects of recreational boating. Learn what it takes to have boat survey done, how to fix blisters on a fiberglass hull, and view and read about the latest marine electronic equipment.
JRMartin
Lyndale Island