29:59.03N 81:38.85W Green Cove Springs FL
Pipedream
Thu 12 Feb 2009 02:52
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Launched Pipedream at Green Cove Springs marina in
Florida around mid- February after a two year refit. Trucked the boat to
the marina from our boat yard in Orange Park in mid-Feburary.
Although we had a slip reserved since October, we had to wait over two weeks to
get into the water as there was no space available. Had one leaking valve
pulled the boat back out and re-bedded it in the travel
lift.
Set the mast the next day and were allowed to
hang around at the travel lift for about a week were we could drive up to
the boat with the truck and just drop part and supplies onto it. We
were assigned a spot at the end of the dock where the water was deepest -
we draw 6.5 feet.
About two days later we were told that the dock had
been condemned and had four days to 'get off the dock'. A little suspect
after the marina property had been rezoned about a week earlier. Not to
mention that these docks were originally built by the Navy during WW2 out of
concrete and steel and could still take a direct hit by a destroyer.
We had to switch gears from getting the interior finished and load
fuel and start the diesel after not being run for four
years.
Fortunately we had reserved space at a marina
about 35 miles up the St. Johns river, and my wife Mary and I were able to move
in a bit early. We were in much better shape than most of our fellow
boaters who had lived at the dock for as much as fifteen years and had to move
on such short notice.
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