This isn't the only upgrade I'm doing this autumn. I'm having the boat detailed and ceramic coated, which will protect the paint and finish and prevent fading. It'll also increase the marketability of the boat when it's time to sell. The ceramic coating should last at least five years, especially if I continue to stow the boat in my garage every winter.

The cost of this entire upgrade should be covered by charter revenues for the end of September and October. (3/3)

I just ordered most of the parts necessary to upgrade the #solar on my #boat from 160 W to 400 W. I'll be pulling off the old panel and replacing it with two marine grade 200 W panels. I'll save the old panel for installation on a future RV or maybe my utility trailer, which has batteries and an inverter. The solar upgrade is going to be done by Martin, a fellow Ranger Tug owner who runs the Channel Surfing channel on YouTube. #boating (1/3)

The crazy thing is that the marine grade stainless steel brackets I need to hold the panels in place cost more than the panels. Costs so far:
Renogy Solar Panels 400 Watt N-Type $352.99
Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller 150V, 35A $152.90
8 Hinged split side rail mount w/hex head bolt, 1" $418.03😳

Martin will build out my existing panel rack with more materials and bill me for that and his labor. With 400 W of solar on the roof, I should never need shore power again. (2/3)

Here's a money saving tip to anyone who needs to bandage/re-bandage a wound or a splint with the stretchy stuff that sticks to itself. You can go into Walgreens and buy 2 yard rolls for $7.99 or you can go into the local feed store and buy 5 yard rolls of vet wrap for $2.99. And the vet rep comes in cool colors.

I had already decided that I would try charging at a public charging station if it was convenient. I would have paid for this if it wasn't free. But it doesn't seem to work. That's why I think it's the original Tesla charger. Weren't they offering free power forever to Tesla owners at the beginning?

All this charging stuff is new to me. My car is a plug-in hybrid so I don't have to charge. Some parking spots had regular 20 amp outlets, but I worry about my charging cable being stolen overnight.

The hotel here has a free Tesla charger. I have a Tesla charger adapter. I plugged everything in but it doesn't seem to be charging. Could it be because this is a first version charger? I know my car's charging system is not compatible with that.

I'm curious: if you have an EV and have taken it on a road trip, what does the average charge along the way cost?

I really need to adjust who I follow again and who I want to see boosts from. There is so much hateful angry shit out there. I am so fucking sick of seeing it. Why are people sharing this? We are not brain dead. We know what's going on. Do you really need to shove it in our faces every fucking day? Do you understand what that is doing to mental health? Just fucking cut it out.

I navigatied to a canyon that I followed down, maintaining sight of the canyon wall until I could see the ground at the bottom. Then I headed inbound toward the airport, breaking through a wall of smoke into perfectly clear air.

It's flights like this that a pilot remembers for their entire life.

I would never have attempted anything like this in an airplane. But in a helicopter, things are different. Slowing down and stopping in midair are all possibilities. #AvGeek #flying (2/2)

The smoke is so bad that a #firefighting #helicopter just flew past the side of my house, maybe 1000 yards away. I remember flying my helicopter from Wenatchee Heights about 6 miles down to the airport in bad smoke back in 2012. The airport AWOS claimed visibility 10 miles, but it was barely a quarter mile where I was. I took off and flu low level, staying within sight of the ground. (1/2)

Do you live near a data center that makes a noise loud enough to bother you in your home? If so, please DM me. Also, please boost this so I get some responses. I need some information.

This is one reason to teach math in school.

No laptop on this trip — just an iPad, iPhone, and earbuds with shared AC and DC chargers. My journal is big and I sure hope it fits. The bag, which came with a padded laptop insert I won't bring, is well-designed. I think I've only used it once in the 15 or so years I've owned it.

I sure miss the old days at Lynda.com. It was a professionally run organization turning out high-quality content. But I can't blame Lynda for taking that big paycheck. (2/2)

The miracle I will perform this evening is to get a week's worth of clothing and electronics gear and toiletries into this messenger bag.

I received this for Christmas one year from Lynda.com, which is a company I created video content for. When Lynda still owned the company, they were very generous to their authors and it was a real pleasure to work with them. Now that LinkedIn owns them, not so much. (1/2)

I have been on hold with ReserveCalifornia for nearly an hour now. Every 20 to 30 seconds they play a record recording that says:

"All of our agents are assisting other callers. If you would like for us to hold your place in line and call you back when an agent is available, press star at any time."

My question to the #grammar nerds out there, including @grammargirl:

Is the word "for" appropriate in the sentence? I'm thinking it makes the sentence grammatically incorrect. Thoughts? #writing

It looks as if the Superbloom is just beginning to get started in Death Valley. Read the update at the top of this page for more information. I need to hang in here near Holtville for as long as I can to delay my arrival; things will be better by mid month.

https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/wildflowers.htm

Hey, fellow Americans! Instead of whining on social media about what's going on between the US and Venezuela, why don't you pick up the phone and make three calls? Don't you think it's worth five minutes of your time? This link will help you get started.

https://5calls.org/issue/trump-venezuela-extrajudicial-murder/

I bought an air fryer over a month ago and I'm think I might actually try to use it this evening. Maybe then I'll understand what all the hoopla is about. My oven goes up to 400°, too.🤔

Took a walk to the Tree of Life Cuban Bakery and Restaurant. Got a large flan, regular pastry, and large sandwich (guapo y fajao Cuban) for lunch later. Bill might share it with me, but John's the kind of guy who would rather eat McDonald's than try anything new. 🤷🏼‍♀️

In my mind, it makes no sense to #travel if you don't explore and try out what communities have to offer.

And because of our communication gap when ordering, I'm reminded that I really do need to finish learning Spanish. #boating

Yesterday, I bought my client a gift to cheer him up after all the boat problems he's been dealing with. The boat came with really crappy dock lines that were very stiff three-strand nylon twist. I suspect the previous owner left the crappy lines behind and took the good ones for his next boat. He needed nylon double braided lines, which are very easy to handle, feel nice in your hands, and are strong. Unfortunately, they are also expensive. (1/2)

Fortunately, I have a Pro account at West Marine that gives me a discounts at stores and online. So I bought him a set of six 5/8 inch dock lines, one for each cleat on his boat. The whole thing came to about $140, which is nothing compared to the amount of money he's been bleeding on this trip.

When we got to the marina, the marina owner said, "I'm glad you got some good dock lines. It looks like the last owner left you all his old shit."🤣

https://www.westmarine.com/new-england-ropes-premium-nylon-double-braid-dock-line-P05253174.html (2/2)