After securing Kailoa in Hampton, VA for safe storage during hurricane season, we returned to Marblehead in August. The 2024 hurricane season was reported to be significantly above average with 18 named storms. Most notable were Hurricane Milton which caused widespread damage in Florida, and Hurricane Helene which caused a record $53 billion in damage to North Carolina. Oddly, record dryness was experienced during the fall in the mid-Atlantic states causing an unprecedented number of fires and drought conditions.
Preparation for Leg 2 began immediately upon our return to Massachusetts with improvements that included the search for a low energy water purifier, spec-ing a marine diesel generator, purchasing Starlink, solar panel support on the Bimini, and the design/build of reinforcement panels to secure extra fuel canisters to the lifelines.
We also began to familiarize ourselves with the Bahamas archipelago comprised of 700 islands and 2400 cays. Since about 30 islands are inhabited, it was important to do our research on those islands that accommodate fuel resupply and provisioning. We read books and cruising guides, mapped out the distances between islands while making note of marinas, moorings and anchorages. Our planning mapped out about 30 passages, including the legs down the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
The Bahamas Archipelago
Scott made two trips back to Hampton to check on Kailoa and speak with Blue Water Safe Harbor staff about the generator retrofit project. During the summer voyage we were finding that Kailoa’s solar panels were not able to keep up with the energy demands of our refrigerator, freezer and instruments. At night our batteries would drain necessitating that we run our engine for several hours when moored or at anchor.
An analysis of energy demands revealed that a dedicated generator to charge batteries was a worthwhile investment. The installation of a generator would allow us to avoid running the main engine at low RPMs for extended periods. Scott identified Fischer Panda diesel marine generator as the best option in the Hanse 458 and hired a contractor to begin the work in early October, well in advance of our planned departure in mid-November. The retrofit project involved adding through hulls, fabrication of a custom frame, wiring, plumbing, duct work all in a small, confined space.
Our few months on land were action packed as we caught up with friends and family. We attended Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, and Megan Maroney “Sun Goes Down” at Gillett. We celebrated Mandy’s birthday in Shelburne Falls and our 42nd Wedding Anniversary in Boston.
Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
We visited Ari’s family cabin in Idaho and built memories during a family trip to a Montana dude ranch. We spent weekends hiking and leaf peeping in Maine with friends and family.
Family Cowboys & Cowboys in Whitefish, Montana
Kim and her sister Amanda were able to complete their trip to England to visit with their sister Julie and her family in October. The trip had been delayed due to a knee injury Mandy suffered last February. We were able to spend precious time with family and meet our three grandnephews Franklin, Jesse and Jude.
Family Visit, England
On November 3rd, we felt the love and support of our family during a brunch send off for us in Marblehead. We savored this time knowing that we will miss being together over the high holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
McMillan Clan sendoff
After seemingly endless months of preparation, the stunning 2024 election result, and the waning hurricane season we loaded up a rental car and headed south.
All for now!!
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