Lifestyle & Inspiration Sailing Sailing Tipsy Gypsy Travels

Florida – Prepping the Boat in Green Cove Springs + What’s Next?!

If you haven’t seen our post of boat projects, check it out here –> A List of Boat Projects + Helpful Planning Documents

Living on the Hard

Living back on the boat has been a breath of fresh air compared to living on the RV but our surroundings are not as beautiful as we’ve known on the boat previously. We are currently living in the middle of the boat yard, on the hard. Yup, we’re still at Green Cove Springs Marina but we are getting work done like it’s our job! Since our lives are still revolving around boat projects, I figured we would show you the after effect of being here for two weeks.  Here’s a look at a few of the many projects we’ve been taking care of while we’re waiting for paint to dry. 

Our original list did not include painting the topsides but was a project we ended having to take on after putting a tarp over our previous Awlgrip paint job. Apparently that is NOT what you’re supposed to do because we had blisters all over where the tarp was tight against the hull. We’re resourceful though and decided to paint the boat ourselves. We spent $250 on paint/materials plus our time. If you decide to hire someone to paint your top sides, at 36 feet, it can cost $6k+ depending on where you are and what paint you’re choosing. Before we launch, we’ll paint the bottom coat too but here’s a look at the progress. We’re happy with our results and saving money!

We have not yet completed our list of projects, nor were we planning to finish it. Boat work is continuous and always strive to take the best care of Tipsy Gypsy.

Oh yeah. We are still working full-time alongside the boat projects so we are pretty exhausted from a very full-time schedule. Tharon put in 40 hours and I was able to create a website for a client from start to finish. It’s been very busy and our excitement to launch is building. Here’s the deal, we’re hoping to splash on Friday this week!

So, what’s next?!

Next up, St. Augustine to live for a couple weeks. Tharon’s family is coming to visit for Thanksgiving and we will continue to work on projects while enjoying this beautiful, historic city.  Then, onward to West Palm Beach to prep and provision for our upcoming Gulf Stream Crossing! 

We’ve got our Explorer Charts  out today and we’re looking over our travels throughout the Bahamas. It’s hard to know where we’ll actually end up because we always need internet to work. Our trail goes from West Palm Beach to Abacos, to Eleuthera, to Exumas, and over to Long Island. From there, who knows!? We might head North along the East coast OR keep heading South to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Internet and clearing the dogs at customs may be difficult at times but either way, it will be an adventure. 

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If you’d like to follow our voyage, be sure to subscribe to our Website, Instagram, and YouTube! If you’d like to know where we are along our travels, view our Travel Map

Cheers and thanks for reading!

 

 

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  • Josephine
    November 8, 2017 at 11:17 am

    What an interesting post. I’ve never done any sailing – but I would love to try it. Especially if I can bring my dog 😉

    • Mary Rodriguez
      November 8, 2017 at 7:03 pm

      Aww yeah! Having our dogs along the way is so much fun but also a bit more work to get paperwork together country to country. Safe Travels 🙂

  • Isadora Koller
    November 8, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    wooow you guys are cool!! I always watch a tv show here about a family who sails and I find it so amazing, but I dont know if I would have courage because I`m kind of afraid of ocean. Having a boat might give you alot of freedom to travel, but I know there is alot of work to do behind the scenes!

    • Mary Rodriguez
      November 8, 2017 at 7:02 pm

      I’m still scared of the ocean, hahaha! It’s a lot of work but so rewarding to liveaboard a sailboat 🙂

  • Suzy
    November 8, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    This is awesome! Sounds like a lot of work to get a boat ready, I haven’t the first clue about where you’d begin! Your travel plans sound wonderful, I hope you have a safe and happy trip ahead!

    • Mary Rodriguez
      November 8, 2017 at 7:04 pm

      Lots of work but so much fun once we’re moving place to place! Thanks for reading the post, safe travels.

  • Kris
    November 8, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    It sounds like you guys are setting off on a great adventure! It sounds like you’re really working hard to get things ready to go with your boat. I’m sure that the experience will be well worth all of it. I can’t wait to see more of your sailing travels!

  • Kristen
    November 8, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    Wow this is so interesting and sounds like a fun, but sometimes challenging, way of life! It’s neat to see how you make it work!

  • Nerissa
    November 9, 2017 at 5:54 am

    Wow, I’ve just learnt a lot! I’ve never been sailing before it sounds great!

  • Haley
    November 9, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    Ooh I can’t wait to see it once you’re sailing. That sounds like quite the adventure!!!

  • Brianne
    November 9, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    Wow this is SO cool! Sounds like such an adventure to travel long-term by boat!

  • Janine Good
    November 10, 2017 at 10:40 am

    My sister’s dream is to sail across the world. This post would be so helpful to her. I will show it to her so she can prep for her next trip!

  • Karen
    November 10, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    Sailing is on our list of things to do next year in March. Looks like such a fun way to explore.