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We arrived back in Myrtle Beach, and Osprey Marina, on Friday 5/30.  We had some great sailing from St. Augustine up.

We plan to stay here for a month to do some projects and for me to travel.  Yammy will be repainting one of the condos as well.

On the way up, we saw something we have never seen before. A school of Sea Rays.  Many times you will see a single one jumping out of the water and once we saw two together.  This was a school of at least a dozen swimming just under the surface.  They were right next to the boat, but the camera only saw the reflection from the water.  The beauty of silently sailing our oceans.

Battery Update:

It has been nearly 6 months now and we have not seen any degradation of the the battery yet.  In a single summer season, on Lake Ontario, we saw degradation of our new AGM bank from Lifeline.

Out biggest load is the coffee maker.  It draws 90 amps while heating the water.  At a 90 amp draw, our battery voltage only drops to 12.5.  This is always done in the morning when we are at least 40 AH down.    We still have a steady state voltage of 13.2 with up to a 10 amp draw.  The deepest we have pulled is 80 AH, with an average of about 45 AH.  Remember, this is only a 138 AH battery.  Our solar and wind has us re-powered by noon at the latest.

One thing I forgot to mention is, when the old house bank died, the one mounted in the engine compartment was the first to go.  The heat accelerated its demise.  Since the Valence battery is so light and only a Group 27 size, you can easily find a space anywhere to mount.

          French Built Catamaran

        South African Built Catamaran

        Florida Redneck Built Catamaran.  Yes, that is a pontoon boat with sails added.  The engine is still on the back acting as his rudder.  If you look close, you can see his arm hanging out the "window".  Guess he wanted to tan the other arm when sailing.  Have to give him points for ingenuity.