Hard Times
Feeling like neglectful parents, we left Snowcat "on the hard" in a Maryland boatyard this summer. Parked at the edge of a boat parking lot and supported by blocks and stabilizers, we closed her up and headed back to Colorado.
Our favorite haul out facility is in the north end of the Chesapeake Bay at the top of the Sassafras River - the Georgetown Yacht Basin. We discovered them twenty years ago while needing to haul out our first catamaran (the original Snowcat). They are one of the few places with a Travelift that can lift our wide cat and they will let us live aboard while the repairs are underway.
Boat List
This year our list of repairs and maintenance was a long one. Some projects we did ourselves and others we hired out while we were back in Colorado. Here's our summer list:
- Put new lettering on the front of our boat so that fellow boaters know who we are - Snowcat II!
- Paint the bottom with ablative paint so that gross stuff doesn't begin growing down there
- Replace the zincs on our engines so that stray electrical currents will erode the zincs and not our engine props
- Reseat our portlight (watertight boat window) so that sea water doesn't make our starboard hull a saltwater lagoon when we are underway
- Replace the damaged 30 amp electrical plug so that we can reliably plug into the dock and not melt anything (or anyone)
- Figure out why our heads (toilets) stopped working. (Never mind on that one. We just remembered turning a valve while exploring our water system and not turning back to its original position…our bad.)
- Replace a broken alternator
- Replace corroded bow sprit
Carol says
Love seeing the update on Snowcat II. We have a new appreciation for being on a comfortable boat after our recent stay on a friend’s motor-sailer on Bainbridge Island, WA. Snowcat II looks even roomier. Looking forward to your next post!
Mitchellchell says
That picture from the top of the mast is really cool! Getting some good content up here 🙂
Karen says
Thanks for the comment Mitch! Hanging from the top of the mast certainly got my full attention. My trip up the mast was while we were on dry land and in good weather. Dean has had to go up in rough seas...definitely no fun.
Nancy says
All so exciting! Huge cat......larger than Snowcat I ?
Are you enjoying beautiful weather and seeing beautiful sights? SHARE MORE!!! Sending hugs and love.
Karen says
Wonderful hearing from you Nancy! Snowcat II (our current boat - Balance 451) is very similar in size to our first Snowcat (Catana 451). We feel like we have more space because we’re no longer sharing the space with two kids.
Nina says
Looking good! How high is the lettering?
CJ says
Sounds like ranching! One step forward and 2 back. Hang in there. CJ
Karen says
We’re in the water now...life is good!
Millie and Ben says
Help me to make my lists and get them done so fast! New sign = 15 seconds. Launch Snowcat 11 = 28 seconds !
You guys are awesome!
We are going to explore CatLife this year for the first time. Belize in January. Perfect vessel for those waters, right?
Will touch base.
Karen says
Everything we do on our boat is slow and deliberate. I had to experiment with time lapse photography so people will keep watching!
You are going to love seeing Belize from a boat! Let me know if you need recommendations on what to pack(and what not to pack.)