PiZZA π Launch

It's official!  After over two years in the making, PiZZA π's grand opening is Saturday, November 15, 2014! 

Where did we go?

We bought a 37' aluminum sail boat that had been abandoned in Antigua.  The interior was gone but the hull was sound. We decided to quit our charter jobs and focus all our time and energy on creating a home for ourselves.  

Keep tabs on us as we start this new chapter.   

Our new blog is :  aluminuts.blogspot.com

Soterion Haulout and Summer Work

As summer rolls around again, it is time to haul Soterion out of the water for her annual stay on dry land.

She sits on special "hurricane cradles" as well as wooden blocks under the keels.  Nylon ratchet straps connect the boat to 6-foot long steel screws that have been driven into the ground.

Here we share a screw with a custom 40' carbon fiber catamaran named Soma.   With any luck our boats will stay where they are for the summer.

Soma is quite possibly the fastest charter boat in the world.  We'll have to see about that.

It's not all fun and games and rest and relaxation this summer.  Soterion will get a new set of chainplates - these beautiful pieces of custom-machined stainless steel are what will allow the cables that hold up the mast to connect to the boat.  The current ones are showing signs of age, so we had a new set made.

We have the new chainplates polished up, ready to install.  Just have to take out the 10 bolts that hold them to the boat.  If you look closely in the photo below, you can see a couple of them peeking out at the back of the galley cabinet.  The rest are conveniently located behind that bulkhead, and in the space on the other side, behind where the oven usually is.

We'll let you know how it goes.

New Equipment

Today, Soterion got a couple of new pieces of essential gear.  

First, as required by BVI Shipping Registry law, two new 24" commercial life rings with SOLAS-grade reflective tape, and the name SOTERION in 4" high letters.  I can't think of anything I'd rather have thrown to me if I were to fall off the boat (besides a cold beer).  Only thing it is missing is the beer holder.

Also upgraded the trolling gear, this appropriately named "Charter Special" made by Shimano boasts 4 ball bearings and a lever that allows you to set the drag to the precise level required for the fish you are fighting.

New Bilge Pump System

Bilge pumps are important.  So when the bilge pump float switch failed in the engine room, I decided to replace the switch and the old pump (which was getting squeaky anyway).  I went with a new pump with an integrated solid-state (capacitance-based) water sensor.  In case that failed, I installed a secondary float switch located higher in the bilge.  At that same level, there is another float switch which activates a high-pitched alarm in the crew cabin which is also audible at the helm.   Here is a picture of the new system.

Clean Gear

Guests always look at me when I hand them a mask and snorkel.  They usually don't say anything, but I can see the look in their eyes, which betrays the question that I know they are afraid to ask: "How many people have sucked on this before me?"  

Well folks, rest assured, we replace the gear regularly.  Furthermer, I personally soak the masks and snorkels in a solution of degreaser and bleach after every charter, and then rinse them off well and let them dry in the sun.

So snorkel on, and don't forget to use defog on the inside of your mask!

Sunset St John

Soterion at anchor in Waterlemon Bay, St John,
with the lights of St Thomas in the background.

My Winnings from Good Moon Farms

Please excuse the hot pink shirt and the sheen of sweat across my brow...  we were on a 24 hour turn from Christmas to New Years charters.  A prize from winning the appetizer division in the culinary competition at the BVI Charter Yacht Show was a gift certificate from Good Moon Farms here on Tortola.  I used the gift certificate to help put a dent in my provisioning bill for the NYE charter who were instant that they wanted a large green salad for every lunch and dinner all week.  My fridge was packed with the freshest produce I could get me hands on-- thank you Aragron and the crew a Good Moon Farms!

 

Stow Away!

This little guy was not at all happy about being escorted off Soterion.


We found him on New Years Day-- he snuck on while we spent the nigh on the dock at Scrub Island.  

Soterion on Soggy Dollar Webcam

Another beautiful day in paradise!!