7/21/2017. Hilton Head, SC – the leak, Belfast, Savannah, Beaufort

Yes, we are still in Hilton Head.  Our original plan was to only be here for a week.  That changed when I decided I needed to spend a week in Maine with my brother.  We had hoped to move the boat, Tim and Maggie to Beaufort, SC since there would be more for them to do that is within walking distance.  Unfortunately everything in Beaufort was booked up for their annual 10 day Water Festival.  Once we pay for 2 weeks dockage, we are basically paying for the month.  So we decided to take advantage of the whole month and use HH as a hub for exploring Savannah and Beaufort.  We also have used it as a maintenance stop.

Our number one maintenance job was finding the source of the leak along side the aft door exiting the salon.  With heavy, extended downpours we have had water dripping in the side wall and under the door frame.  It as been agonizing to watch the wood in that area discolor even as we search every possible area we can think of that water may be leaking in.  

With boats, finding the source of the leak is a real challenge.  Rain water can run along stringers quite a way before appearing inside.  We tried fixes while at Seabrook and we tore through lazarettes searching for potential sources while at Marsh Harbor.  We scraped off old caulk, cleaned and recaulked suspicious areas when we were in New Smyrna.  Still, we had a leak.  Our frustration level has been building and we decided NOW was the time to stop that damn leak once and for all.  In the past, we started our search in high, forward areas like the eyebrow.  Then we worked our way back to the lazarettes on the upper helm.  This time we decided to start with the leak and move to areas where the water would flow downhill toward the rear door.  Using the drill, Tim bored small holes in the bottom of the platform that covers the port side.  

We figured if we drilled a hole and the core was dry, we were going in the wrong direction.  If we drilled a hole and the core was wet, we were heading in the right direction and needed to keep going.  The first hole Tim drilled was a wet one.  So we kept going.  The second hole was a drainer.  Brown water drained out of the hole.  Pay dirt! This told us that water was definitely getting to this spot and had been for a while.  The next couple holes were also wet.  We finally drilled a dry hole about midway as we worked our way up the platform.  That put us just forward of the arch.  This is the area where our new bimini was attached to the platform.  Our old Bimini had been snapped down, but when Banks Sail installed the new Bimini, they used a bolt rope and track.  Surely, surely when they took out the snaps and installed the track they sealed the snap holes.  Right?  We had to be sure.  I unscrewed the track and we had our answer.  They did use silicone to secure the new track screws, but NO they did not seal the old holes from the snaps.  I cannot begin to tell you how angry we were when we discovered this.  

It would have taken a minute to seal the holes.  Tim used 5200 to seal the old holes and we resiliconed the screws for the track.  And then we waited.  We waited for the next rain. When it finally came we cheered.  Finally, no water ran down the wood or under the door.  I think we found the source.

Tim and Maggie held down the fort while I spent a week in Maine with my older brother, Dennis.  Two years ago, Den was diagnosed with a glioblastoma.  Many of you know that John McCain has recently been given the same diagnosis and Ted Kennedy and Beau Biden passed away after suffering from the same disease.  Glioblastoma is a very aggressive type of brain cancer and unfortunately there are very few survivors.  My brother has fought hard against this disease.  He has undergone 2 brain surgeries, immunotherapy, radiation and chemo.  I am so very proud of him and his strength to keep going.  His wife, Karen has been beside him cheering him on the entire time.  Despite all of this, they were told that the cancer is growing and even the wonderful doctors at Dana Farber in Boston who have been treating him do not have the answers we desperately wish for.  It was wonderful to be able to spend time with Den, Karen and many family members who were able to get to Maine to see Den.

We did a little touring of Savannah.  One day we took Maggie for stroll through the historic district.  Uggg it was almost unbearably hot and humid.  We didn’t last too long, but took a few pictures.  We returned with George and Jacola Bolger and took  the Old Trolley Tour of the area.  Since it was a rainy, overcast day, it was much cooler and more enjoyable.  But, we didn’t take any pictures.  Oh well.  

   After our trip to Savanah we remembered that the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,  had been filmed in many of the areas we visited.  So Tim downloaded the movie for us.  It was fun recognizing fountains, gardens and houses that we saw while visiting Savannah in the movie..Strange movie by the way.

George and Jacola also joined us on a trip into Beaufort for the afternoon.  It is another one of the beautiful, historic towns along the South Carolina waterfront.  We were told that one of the old mansions along the waterfront played a role in the movie, Prince of Tides.  And its author, Pat Conroy, grew up in the area. So……. yes, we downloaded that movie too.  The house we were looking for only appeared for a minute, but we sat through the entire movie.  Hmmmm…Not a good film if you want a “pick me up”.  Next movie may be The Big Chill.  Jacola told us that it too was filmed in Beaufort.

We will be in Hilton Head until the 27th.  Then it is back on the ICW for us, heading north toward Charleston.