Our “quiet” season of self-quarantining in the Key West Mooring Field came to an end and we decided to haul out in the Key West Boat Yard in May 2020, while the world was still slowed down with COVID-19.
The Haul Out
Technically, the boatyard was on Stock Island, just above Key West. We used 3D Boat Yard, and couldn’t recommend a better option! The staff, owner, and even the contractors working in the yard were pleasant – especially since we ended up seeing them every day for three months!
You read that right. Our 3-week haul out turned into three months as many things took waayyy longer than expected. In our first Key West boat yard video below, we tackle dismantling the hydraulic swim platform and get a glimpse of our delaminating transom wall.
Work Cut Out
We knew we had our work cut out for us, as we set out to close up the two huge holes that the hydraulic platform used, and converted to a fixed platform. Why? Well, from Day 1, we had dumped lots of money, time and effort into getting the platform to work, to no avail.
Because of poor bonding and upkeep, the platform was causing our transom wall to delaminate and weaken, as you’ll see in the video.
Out With the Old!
Our first few days at the Key West boat yard were very productive! We dismantled the swim platform and started undoing our strainers, seacocks and thru-hulls (which were WAYY more challenging than expected).
That pretty much goes for most of the projects, as you can imagine. After all, there are no instructions and few helpful videos for some of these DYI boatyard projects.
In The Video
… you’ll see our trip to the boat yard, the first few “deconstruction” projects, as we called them, and some fun Key West footage of when it was a ghost town during COVID.
2 comments
Comment by Kenny Cloutier aboard the "ISLAND FEVER", Island Bay Marina, FMB, FL
Kenny Cloutier aboard the "ISLAND FEVER", Island Bay Marina, FMB, FL January 4, 2021 at 10:55 am
Team Wiff:
Your videos are GREAT; Exciting, informative, and fun. Sure makes me want to be out cruising and not still tied to the dock.
I have fuel tank problems, suggested by the tank scrubber to not put any more fuel in them due to excessive rust indicating the possibility of serious fuel leaks developing ($50k – $100K to repair). Tanks are mid 1980’s steel – 400 gal each. Soooooo, I nearly weekly visit the Yachtworld ads and attend various boat shows. Other than all that, life in Fort Myers Beach continues on with lots of changes – more & larger homes for sale at much increasingly larger price tags. Tourist season has begun (you know how that is); however, our weather continues to be mostly wonderful.
The virus has, like in most areas, put a hurting on the local business, but the warm winter weather keeps us happy and smiling.
Keep up the loving care of “RUMHAVEN” – you appear to becoming quite the experts on “marine” life (pun intended) and yacht operations and maintenance. If you’re interested in spending a few YEARS in FMB, you can fix my “Island Fever” LOL
Take care, enjoy your sea life, and I look forward to catching up to see you once again. Keep up the wonderful blogging – very enjoyable.
Kenny
“ISLAND FEVER”
Comment by teamwiff
teamwiff January 7, 2021 at 7:45 am
Hey Kenny! It’s great to hear from you. Man, what a “project” it sounds like ISLAND FEVER is involving. Nothing is ever easy, is it? We love that you still follow along with our blogs. We’re getting caught up with our content now that we’re back in SWFL. We called Marie and tried to get back into Island Bay, but she said it was full. Whomp, whomp. So we’re currently at Port Sanibel Marina. Next time we’re on FMB we’ll stop by and see everyone! Looking forward to catching up!
– Will & Tiff