Ed Robinson's Blog, page 5
July 20, 2018
Florida’s Toxic Water
The area we live in is becoming uninhabitable. The dangerous state of our ecosystem is beyond alarming. We don’t just live near the water, we live ON the water. Lately, it’s gotten hard to stand. We’re suffering respiratory issues. We cough through scratchy throats. Sometimes our eyes are irritated as well. The death and destruction all around us are sad to witness.
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That’s Boca Grande, playground of the rich and famous.
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This was from Lemon Bay, Englewood, Florida.
We have a combination of severe Red Tide and Blue-Green Algae. The Red Tide has been hanging around for months. Locals say it’s the worst they’ve ever seen. From Boca to Venice, the beaches are off-limits. The best thing about living here is going to the beach, or was anyway.
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Further south, the problem is thick and green. Who wants to get anywhere near that?
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The fish died first, but now we’re seeing dead manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles. These animals don’t have gills. They don’t directly breathe the water. They do breathe the air just above the surface though. It’s clearly toxic.
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Everything in the water is dying. The local economies will follow if something doesn’t change.
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I don’t have a solution for Red Tide. There is no easy answer. The algae is a different matter though. It’s a man-made problem that can be fixed. So far, the political will to address that problem hasn’t existed. All of this will continue throughout our rainy season. Come winter, the waters will clear and the problem will be forgotten while the snowbirds bring money into the local economy. Finding solutions will be put on the backburner once again, and it will happen all over again next year.
We love this place. Bad water is not the sole reason for us wanting to leave. For those that remain, I hope for a real solution in the near future.
July 2, 2018
Stunning Turn of Events!
Wow. Sometimes when change comes it comes really fast. As most of you know, Kim and I are moving to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Our guy up there is the owner of Eagle Ridge Log Homes. His family has owned “McGuire Mountain” for generations. We went up there to meet with him and look at what he had to offer. We made a deal in principle on a cabin. We put down a deposit, but did not finalize the paperwork. That was scheduled for August 1.
We announced our plans and began preparing for a new life, and lifestyle. We saw another cabin up there on the same mountain, but were told it was promised to someone else. That deal apparently fell through. So Mr. Log Cabin builder calls us to offer the second cabin for our consideration. He said he’d happily transfer our deposit. He said he had someone who really wanted the first place, so he wouldn’t be put out at all. I had some pictures of the second cabin, and then got a lot more. We’ve never stepped foot inside. Kim and I talked it over at length, and decided we liked the second place even better.
Sooooo, scratch the first cabin. We’re pleased to introduce you to the NEW, new cabin.
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We like it better for several reasons. One is its proximity to the creek. Wow, love this.
Another reason is having a fireplace instead of a woodstove. It doesn’t provide as much heat, but it’s more romantic and allows more space in the living area.
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The kitchen is much nicer as well.
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Overall it has slightly less square footage. The difference is in the loft and the second bedroom.
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But it has a garage underneath that the other didn’t have.
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The lord works in mysterious ways. We’ve made a good relationship with this builder. We’re bending the rules here changing course in mid-stream, but he seemed eager to please.
The view is also much nicer.
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Just upstream is a little waterfall.
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Amazing. It has two bedrooms and two baths plus the loft. It has the same whirlpool tub as the other one. It has much more property, more privacy if that’s possible, and the creek right there in the yard. Our move-in date remains August 1, just to a different address. I thought Kim was excited before, now she’s off the hook.
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This is still really happening, just slightly different than our original plan. It’s a good thing, trust me. I think the word “serendipity” applies here.
Anyone want to buy a boat?
June 9, 2018
What are We Up To?
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As soon as we announced that Leap of Faith was for sale, the questions started. What are you guys doing next? Are you getting a bigger boat? Are you buying an RV? Are you okay? Just why is Miss Leap for sale?
I’ll post more in-depth thoughts on the whole subject later in this post, but here’s the deal:
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We are moving into this log cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. We take possession August 1. It’s east of Banner Elk, near the ski lodges at Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain. There’s an honest-to-goodness babbling brook running through the property. It’s very private.
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We’ll be doing lots of “porch sitting.” You can hear the brook from the back porch.
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It’s nothing extravagant, but it’s cozy. Looking forward to burning some wood.
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Kim is looking forward to that tub!
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The loft will become my new writing space, plus extra bunks for guests to visit. My daughter and grandkids are already making plans to stay with us for Christmas.
What brought this about? I’d say it was a combination of factors. It likely started with Hurricane Irma. We spent a ton of money and hundreds of hours putting the pieces back together afterward. It was worth the effort as Miss Leap is better than ever, however, we started questioning things. First, we considered a bigger boat. We are spending much more time in the marina these days, appreciating the electricity, unlimited water and swimming pool. Why not get a nicer, newer boat? We looked at several, but I had a hard time coming to grips with parting with Leap of Faith. We put the search on hold.
Skin Cancer: Somewhere during that time I got the first hunks of flesh removed. Six months later there was more cutting. A few more months and I had to do it again. This time Kim had to have some spots cut out. I felt more and more affected by the Florida sun and heat. What’s the point of living on a boat if you have to stay out of the sun all the time?
The Cruising Life: The past seven years have been the best of our lives for so many reasons. It was truly a Leap of Faith that worked out for us. We did it. We conquered it. Sometimes we felt like we owned it. We made a name for ourselves in the cruising community. We overcame our fears and ventured out on one adventure after another. We put many miles under our keel. It’s been a very rewarding growth experience for us, but we’ve lost our wanderlust. We have no desire to travel to foreign ports in the Caribbean or elsewhere. We got the most out of our experience, and now it’s time to move on to something else. We want to thank all the special people we’ve met over the years who’ve enriched our lives. We’ve met our share of bums, but overall the cruising world is full of quality folks.
My Writing: Between boat projects and an active social life, the distractions are many. I’m not the most disciplined worker to begin with. It’s easy to neglect my work with all of the activity going on around me. My plan is to seclude myself in the loft and write prolifically. I even hope to write a more serious novel that won’t include Breeze. I’d like to do a children’s book for my granddaughter, about a pirate dog! Who knows what I’ll come up with. I’m a writer when I’m actively writing. Otherwise, I’m just a guy who wrote some books. Look forward to lots of new stories from me in the future.
Seven Year Itch: Kim and I have talked this through quite thoroughly. We’re both ready for a change. We’ve proven that change is not something we are afraid of. It worked out great seven years ago, no reason it won’t work out great again. If we find that the cabin life doesn’t suit us, well . . . we’ll just do something else. Ain’t scared.
Once again, we both thank you all from the bottom of our heart for the support we’ve been given. You people help us keep our faith in humanity. Now excuse us as we go hide from you all in the mountains!
Love to all,
Ed and Kim
June 1, 2018
Leap of Faith is For Sale!
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1980 Oceania 36
LOA: 39′
Beam: 12’6″
Draft: 4′
Asking $60,000
Some of you know this vessel. She’s not just a boat, she’s arguably the most famous boat in the cruising community. Leap of Faith is a true classic, Europa style trawler who gained her notoriety through the novels of her owner, Ed Robinson, and a large Facebook following. Her price reflects her place in nautical history, (somewhat negotiable). Contact us at Kimandedrobinson@gmail.com
Power: Single Ford Lehman 120 with 4100 hrs. This is a bullet-proof workhorse that will last forever.
Transmission completely rebuilt in August, 2017. New oil cooler on both the engine and the transmission.
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All new battery bank in June 2017. 8 Trojan T105 (6 volts)
500 watts of solar with a Kidde MPPT Controller
Xantrex 1500 Inverter/Charger
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Mid-size gas stove with four burners. Oven is big enough to cook a turkey.
Full-sized, Frost Free Refrigerator!
Portable Ice Maker
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Custom built settee with built-in storage. (You could hide a body under there)
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My workspace/computer table is removable. The space could support a recliner or additional cabinetry.
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Pullman berth, lower port side.
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New Vacuflush head July 2016 (new vacuum generator also).
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Stand-up shower
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Awesome lounge on the flybridge. The furniture conveys.
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Garmin 4212 GPS Map/Chartplotter
Sitex Autopilot
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Aft Deck sitting area with sun screen
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Covered side walkways
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Rear entry door and flybridge ladder
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Freshly painted transom with new decal.
Cabin and bridge also recently painted.
Miss Leap, as we like to call her, is solidly built, stable and steady. Her seaworthiness has been proven many times. They just don’t build them like this anymore. She’s heavy, (and slow) and extremely reliable. Fuel burn is 1.8 gallons per hour at 6 knots. She holds 300 gallons of diesel giving her incredible range.
70 gallons fresh water (poly tanks) with an additional 65 gallons if desired on the bridge.
40-gallon poly holding tank with macerator.
An assortment of lines, anchors, fenders and accessories are included in the sale.
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Brand new 10′ RIB with 3.5 Mercury four-stroke also included in the sale. (August 2017)
Honda 2000 portable generator also included.
Kim and I have loved this boat since the day we took possession. We’d love to sell her to someone who would love her as much as we do. We’ve made many memories aboard, from the west coast of Florida, through the Keys, and throughout the Bahamas. If you’re seriously interested contact me at –
Kimandedrobinson@gmail.com
January 18, 2018
November 4, 2017
Pound of Flesh
Ed spent a lifetime in the sun. If he was on a boat or on a ballfield, he never gave much thought to protecting his skin. One day he quit his job and moved on to a boat. His amount of exposure to the sun increased exponentially. He loved the beach. He loved fishing. He was happy to have a nice dark tan.
Ed would sometimes scoff at folks who protected themselves from the hot Florida sun. What’s the point of being on a beach if you’re going to sit in the shade? Look at that goober with the white zinc all over his face! It’s too hot to be wearing long sleeves.
As he aged, he gained new wrinkles around his eyes. He also gained something else. Ed has skin cancer.
Don’t be like Ed.
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That is my latest wound thanks to the dermatologist. It’s a good one, ain’t it?
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I also got this chunk hacked away at the same time. Both spots tested positive for Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This is a much milder form of cancer than melanoma. The doc says I have no reason to be concerned. If caught and treated early it won’t present a problem. The thing is, the big wound you see there didn’t present gradually. It virtually popped up overnight. If I wasn’t a regular visitor to the dermatologist, it could have been much worse. If you see a suspicious spot, have it checked.
A few months ago I had a smaller spot removed:
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That doctor was a sloppy stitcher. I won’t go back to him. The new guy is great.
Below is what this newest wound looked like after the biopsy:
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It looks big, but the actual cancerous growth was much bigger, under the skin. Hence the pound of flesh.
Sometimes, I get the nitrogen treatment. The doc will zap anything suspicious looking, often called pre-cancers, with liquid nitrogen. It freezes the area and hopefully kills off any coming cancer before it can develop. It also leaves you blistered on every spot that the nitrogen touches.
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I’ve been going through these treatments too regularly for my liking. Just when I heal up from the last episode, I’m back to the nitrogen or under the knife. I have found a great dermatologist whom I like, though. I really have no choice but to stay on top of these things.
Most of this comes from damaged sustained a long time ago, but the ferocity of the Florida sun only exacerbates any latent pre-cancerous spots one might have. I’m trying to learn to avoid the sun more and to protect myself when I have no choice. Living on a boat isn’t conducive to avoiding the sun, especially in Florida. I can’t take back the ignorance of my youth either.
So that’s my personal PSA. Don’t be like Ed.
October 11, 2017
The Beauty of Don Pedro Island
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Just north of Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande, is a jewel of a beach. It’s only accessible by boat. The state provides small boat dockage for 12 vessels only, so it’s never crowded.
There is a covered pavilion with picnic tables, restrooms, and even grills. The Gulf is a very short walk from the docks.
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The unspoiled stretch of beach is great for shelling, surf fishing, or just hanging out and soaking up the salt and the sun. [image error]
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We love out of the way hidden gems. Our favorite is Cayo Costa, but as we’re currently waiting on a new transmission for Leap of Faith, we can’t get there. Don Pedro is a short dinghy ride from our marina.
You can anchor nearby, in Kettle Cove. Take your dinghy under a low bridge into Rambler Hole and you’ll see the docks to your right. As you pass under that bridge, look to your right to find a Leap of Faith sticker on the concrete. It survived hurricane Irma!
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One of the great things about living on a boat is finding places like this. It’s nice to know that even in Florida, there are still some undeveloped places to enjoy.
September 25, 2017
Interview with Jim Baugh Outdoors
Jim Baugh Outdoors TV was interested in how we fared during Hurricane Irma.
Find out at the link below:
http://jimbaughoutdoors.blogspot.com/2017/09/riding-storm-out-irma-and-leap-of-faith.html?spref=fb
August 15, 2017
Restless Breeze Now Available at Amazon
Breeze’s dreams are haunted by Bobbie Beard, as he tries to come to terms with what he’s done. Holly and Tommy have found their treasure, but need help to recover it. An old smuggler seeks out Breeze to help him get rid of his dope. A young Marine needs guidance.
Can our hero stay busy enough to keep his demons at bay? Can his relationship with Brody survive the chaos?
In the ninth installment of the Trawler Trash Series, the predicaments pile up faster than any normal man can handle, but Breeze is no normal man.
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Click this link to order:
August 9, 2017
Hurricane Plan
In over six years living on a boat in Florida, we have not had the displeasure to experience a hurricane. Our plan was dependant upon where we were and where we could haul out or hole up. Our ground tackle wasn’t sufficient. We basically didn’t have much of a plan at all. We are changing that now.
The first step was to purchase a storm anchor. Our shiny new 73 pound Rocna arrived today, along with 200 feet of 3/8″ high-test chain. (33 is kilograms)
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We plan to use it in a tandem anchor rig, in the event of a hurricane.
tandem anchor rig is where two anchors are somehow connected in line with each other, on a single rode which is deployed from the boat. “Rig” refers to the entire system deployed in the water, i.e. anchors and rode, including shackles and/or swivels.
There is no standard for this, but for this article the terms will be defined as follows. The primary anchor is the aft-most anchor, i.e. that closest to the boat. The tandem anchor is the forward most, i.e. that out in front of the primary.
The rode is split into two sections, the primary rode and the tandem rode. The tandem rode is either attached to the front of the primary anchor or is simply an extension of the primary rode. We’ll use our primary anchor as the tandom anchor in this setup. It’s a 44 pound Bruce, which will give us a total of 117 pounds of anchor down there. For more on the tandem rig see this link:
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/tandem-anchoring.php
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Our new chain is larger, heavier and stronger than our old chain. Almost half of the old chain was rusted so bad it was no longer useful.
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We cut away over 75 feet of rusted links and saved the good section.
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We then stretched out the new chain in order to mark it every 25 feet.
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I purchased load-rated shackles to tie everything together. (supposedly the best money can buy)
We’ve identified a likely cove to anchor in if a hurricane comes our way. I can’t tell you where it is, as I don’t want everyone else getting in there and ruining it for us! Kim and I took a handheld depth finder and sounded the anchorage in our dinghy. It has ample depth and enough swinging room for our use. It could support one more boat if both cooperated.
We actually hope that we never have to execute our hurricane plan, but if it happens, we’re now much better prepared. Both of us feel better about the situation now. There are more steps to take to prepare a boat for a big storm, but there’s plenty of info out there from experienced owners and captains. Here’s a helpful link to The Boat Galley’s advice:
https://theboatgalley.com/hurricane-preparation/
Are you ready for a storm?
