You Know You’re a Red-neck if:

“Your lawn furniture used to be your living room furniture.”

The seventh habit from Stephen Covey’s 90’s management book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, is “Sharpen the Saw.”  His premise was that just like a carpenter sharpening his saw; one has to take time out to improve your tools whether that is more training, or just refreshing your outlook.

 Head bolts torqued and valve adjustment on the 12.5 kW generator

His concept of continuous improvement transfers nicely to the cruising lifestyle and boat maintenance.

Exhaust hose replacement on the 5 kW generator

A good time to practice sharpening the saw is during hurricane season in Grenada. After a winter of cruising, we usually approach Port Louis Marina in Grenada with a long to-do list.  Last year I learned that playing and relaxing in Grenada does not get the work done, and you can end up scrambling to check items off the list as departure time approaches.

Transmission fluid and filter change

Most of the items on the to-do list are standard maintenance items that are easier accomplished while laid up in Grenada.

Replacement of a broken chain peeler

Other items are a little more complicated.  The primary windlass had a nasty habit of breaking off (expensive) chain peelers.  After talking with the windlass manufacturer and exchanging photographs, their engineer determined that the angle of the chain pipe allowed the chain to strike the chain pipe before contacting the peeler at the gypsy.  The chain pipe has been modified by a local machine shop.

New entertainment center cover

Other items on the to-do list were not as critical, but more on the aesthetic side.  The original VHS/DVD system was updated requiring some cabinetry work.

Varnishing a new fold-out computer desk

The dated and worn salon upholstery is being replaced by a local shop.  While we were at it, we had a local woodworker fabricate computer desks that will attach to the underside of the ottoman cushions.

Habit #1:  “Be Proactive.”  Now that my chores are done, I am headed to the pool.