Hurricane Ian - Boat Repairs

[@jenniferrueger1694]

I'm impressed with your know-how! No waiting in line to get repairs. Great job! Prayers to SW Florida 🙏

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

You either need to learn and do or have deep pockets. I’d rather the latter but have to settle on the former. Lol

[@Pyle81]

@@AdventuresofHappyOurs Amen brother.

[@robbiddison8652]

I am very impressed with your knowledge of boats and your skill set. Great work correcting all of the issues on your boat as a result of the hurricane. I enjoy your videos. Keep up the excellent content!

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Thank you! Much more to come!

[@mayhem035]

Man, that boat is so nice! Really glad that it didn't get that much of damage from the storm! Boat repairs can get really expensive! Glad for you !🙏

[@JBAutomotive794]

meridian makes a heavy duty boat. ive always been impressed with their quality. glad to see yall are doing well. cheers 🍻

[@joerockme7485]

Moving right along looking good . See ya on the next .

[@tjborekvideo]

You got Happy Ours looking pretty fresh by the end of the video. It would take me weeks. Your videos are making me realize how much I have to learn before I become a liveaboard boater.

[@sharond7512]

She's in amazing shape, very happy for you. Praying for strength to all in SW Florida in their on going recovery. 🙏❤

[@kingchristopherpaul477hutc8]

Such a beautiful boat, Stay Blessed!!!

[@angelatutino6789]

We love watching this beautiful Meridian being restored...how can we not since we own the same vessel here in Montreal. Thanks for sharing and sooo happy she didn't sink. ❤

[@jb-il3vh]

screen looks great.. very nice job from my end!

[@karenbush5229]

I can tell she is your baby, thank goodness she weathered okay and you and your family

[@paulbrancov7037]

Great job Tommy ! Boats looking great… keep up the good work and videos

[@iamgabriel5823]

Wow, great cleaning job. She's lookin' beautiful.

[@windwardartgalleries]

Glad to see the progress you have made. Much hard work I’m sure. Looking forward to Florida adventures once you fully up and running again. Good luck with the home repairs as well.

[@abiv9821]

We really enjoy watching your videos you ability to share knowledge and keep it entertaining is refreshing. Wishing you and the Admiral a happy healthy and safe New Year.

[@azphilip1960]

Thank God all is well and not to much damage. Good thing you are very handy and knowledgeable!!! It sure helps!!! 🙂👍

[@skyblazer9137]

Very interesting, i am a plane guy. Nice to know about a big boat. Looks like things are all ok. Nice........ 🤗🤠😎

[@Godofthemoon1]

Nice job that pressure washer is nice !

[@knightscoach777]

I just came across your channel. Sorry this had to happen but it looks like you've got the repairs under control. I also have a Meridian 341 moored in Boston. It's fun to see you work on the exact same boat. I also found water under the shower sump. I think the pump cycling while taking a shower causes the reservoir to overflow. It could also simply be water sloshing around when out to sea. My winter project is to build up the sides and see if it stays dry. Good luck on your repairs. Dave

[@drctrl9341]

I lived and worked as an electrical engineer and waterman in Florida for twenty years…small buildings to skyscrapers, (Apollo) launch towers, overhead and U/G distribution and transmission, electrical substations, traffic signals, plus the power and sailing yachts that I and friends owned. Lightning is the killer of people and equipment that must be circumvented, by design. (Lost three acquaintances…to an FP&L transmission line strike in North Biscayne Bay….due to no ground plate(s) on hull. But there was also a Hinkley 49 that took a helluva lightning strike and survived intact except for some scorched electronics. But few yachts are as well detailed as a Hinkley…and bonding and grounding details really matter.) Your rudder through-hull fitting is electrically bonded to the yacht’s internal ground bonding bus via a green/yellow wire, as it should be. I would have two bonds on it, however. In the event of a lightning strike, the stroke must be borne as effortlessly as possible to ground, normally (definitely in a locale like Florida) a dedicated grounding plate (or two) on the underside of the hull, and all other underwater metal or metal in contact with water, or the hull and it’s occupants. I’ve surveyed vessels (and buildings) after lightning strikes….it ain’t pretty when the bonding & grounding system is inadequate…and even worse when it’s non-existent. The impedance of these bonds must be as low as possible. An ohmmeter can verify low-resistance conductivity between all these metal components. That rudder bond looks like perhaps #8…very good, BUT that “cute” coil, or curlycue, has a very high (reactive) impedance in a transient voltage rise….like a lightning strike. Bond wires, to provide sufficient protection against damage from lightning discharges, must be low impedance as well as low resistance….run as straight as possible with gentle turns and no coils or coiling. Whoever the wireman was who made this installation, flunked ‘Lightning Protection in Florida 101.” IMO. Bond cables, braids, and bars must be run straight and must be redundant on all important gear. The last thing you want to have happen is to survive a lightning strike only to have a vital through-hull fitting blasted by the bolt….because of something stupid like “wire management” issues…that can literally sink the ship. You live in Florida. Take lightning protection more seriously…there’s a vast difference between “bonding and grounding” and “good bonding and grounding.” I wouldn’t normally comment on what I see in a video because I’m not aboard to scope out the entire installation, but what I saw really creeped me out…so I thought that I’d be negligent to not comment.

[@drctrl9341]

I’m at [e-mail] if you want further details.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

That curly q is from the factory. I’ll keep an eye on connections and replace bonds(and eliminate curly Qi’s) when possible. I was considering a ground plate but for a different reason - SSB radio. I have my fcc amateur radio license and considered installing an HF radio and antenna system which needs a good ground also, and the ground plate assists with transmissions. I’m guessing that does double duty for lightning protection too. Thanks for the tips!

[@drctrl9341]

The ground plate must be copper so that it won’t need to be coated with anti-fouling paint. (Copper is inherently anti-fouling.) I haven’t shopped for one since I left Florida, so I don’t know what’s available. You might need to have one fabricated.

[@drctrl9341]

That SSB antenna, and your HF radio whip, act as lightning rods. A ground plate and good bonding is needed for safety in regions with a high frequency of lightning days per year. The SW Florida coast is ten times more active that the Hudson River Valley.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Copper grounding plates are common for boats with ssb radios.

[@edwinbest9256]

You are amazingly lucky! Sad to see all those boat owners who weren’t. We have been in their shoes and it’s an awful experience

[@vickidotson1522]

hurricane sally took our sea ray out completely nothing salvaged you were very very lucky!!!

[@drumsjt]

Ive got goofy design stuff with our 3388 Bayliner, I feel your pain!

[@DIYDaveT]

A man and his boat. Love it.

[@lisawaters2585]

Well, you really made out with the little damage you sustained. Lookin good.

[@davide2723]

Set up a keel pump in that lower sleeping area,you could mount it next your shower drain in that little hatch.They work great and not too expensive

[@alstuckless8642]

Great video

[@pvalentin214]

One day at a time . She's looking good

[@MegaBait1616]

Having a place in C.C. for years I sold my NJ large fishing machine and went to a smaller "bust out another thousand". With the tides n sandbars in this area n good weather my larger boat didn't make sense.... Good Luck going to be in C.C. in a couple weeks once everything is fixed n back to normal........

[@skipperrichman1785]

Hello Happy Ours, As I see you clean up from the storm I noticed your sump pump box. I see only the shower line is connected due to it being below waterline. Your sink is not connected I'm assuming due to it being above water line. My boat as we have sold it now was plumbed with the head sink draining to the sump box, even though it is above the water line. Any thoughts as to why they plumbed it to the box and not directly drain out ? Thanks

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Not sure why it’s different. You have the same boat? My sink drains to the common drain which was deleted in later models due to issues with drainage and CO leaking back into boat.

[@raybame5816]

Your effort has certainly improved this already clean boat. That bilge floor you replaced still looks really good. I noticed @3:16 on the pan, seems y'all had minimal home damage; lanai screens etc. SIL at Rotonda West lost more it seems; trees, screens, roofs, windows. Your thinking?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Yes our house sustained minimal wind damage. We took 6 inches of water in house however. Our screen is very new which helped save it. I also removed the doors to the enclosure so the wind can blow through easier.

[@raybame5816]

@@AdventuresofHappyOurs 6 inches doesn't sound like much but I know better. Muck, slime, oil, critters, mold, etal; yuck. really sorry about your (communities) loss.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Insurance adjuster said 6 inches is the same as 4 feet. Everything wet has to go.

[@Jeff-kw8jj]

Concrobium lightly sprayed EVERWHERE will help keep spores to a minimum...Use it here in Seattle on my Meridian...

[@joshjwebster9]

Wishing you the best for Nicole - you guys should be ok looking at the track! We’re due on vacation in Cape Coral in a couple weeks - see you and Happy Ours out on the canals maybe! I’ll give you a wave if I see ya! 👊🏼

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Thanks! Keeping fingers crossed!

[@610boating5]

Looks like luck was with you. Would you consider the 341 a possible loop boat for a couple? Hope all is well.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Absolutely a great looper boat. Not sure if you watched my videos but the boat did a half loop trip from NY to Florida. Relatively economical at looper speeds, comfortable and very easy to maneuver with the dual thrusters. Not all the videos are out yet but the trip playlist is here: kzbin.info/aero/PLuI_46PEIPiXbd0fD4b0LwmQ5G6yY2a21

[@cardio10101]

Avoid gas if you can and purchase with diesel engines.

[@bunoo9549]

Wow..looks great! You'll have her up and running in no time. Sea trials soon?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Oh yes. Next video try attempt to head out. As with all things boating. Not everything goes as planned.

[@floridabornoutdoors]

Another reason those water scuppers clog is because wasps and other bugs will nest in them. It's best to get grates to keep them out of those on both sides

[@gomezadams9900]

What about structurally? Do you need to get her surveyed?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Full checks will be done when it’s out of water

[@Drtoetag01]

Whats that surging in the back ground at the generator part?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

I was having gen issues. Needed choke adjustments.

[@Shopweasel]

Looks like a lot of water around there is turning green from growth of algae.hows the smell in the air? disappaiting any?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

No smells around my canal. On certain tides, I do see small algae pockets. But nothing terrible.

[@tomm2271]

Hello from Ohio, stumbled on your video of the boat being lifted off of the grass. I was curious of your background. I don't believe you put that in the "about" section. Are you retired? From NY/NJ area? If you left the North permanently, I 100% understand. Complete and utter disasters....both states. Go Ron D! How long have you been in FLA... Thanks Tom M

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Retired from Verizon in NY after 32 years with them. Moved full time to Fl last year. Loving it here.

[@garyjohnson6097]

isn't Meridian a "glorified" Bayliner? Tom, you did an amazing job, and looks like you take great care of your vessel.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Meridian is Very similar to larger Bayliner motor yachts but I think better quality overall.

[@garyjohnson6097]

@@AdventuresofHappyOurs i agree 100%

[@bobcochran1925]

So, did/do you have any hoops to go through because of the storm to get your insurance renewed/

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

None at all. Geico/BoatUS has been amazing insurance. I’ve used them for over 30 years and have had several major claims with no issues.

[@NickBeek]

I'm sure you probably know this, but maybe some of your followers don't. If moisture is suspected of being in your engines, main or get set, after cleaning out as you did the generator, they should be run up to full operating temperature for a long time to heat any remaining moisture to the boiling point so it will evacuate the engine fully.

[@j.maxwell8764]

Terrific ADVICE and explained so well!

[@jamesblanchard3772]

Where is this place looking good

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Cape Coral florida

[@michaeldemaio3601]

Tom, how did you clear out those drain holes on the cockpit roof on your boat?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Shop vac.

[@michaeldemaio3601]

@@AdventuresofHappyOurs Thank you sir!

[@joeybayer4460]

good job! Do you have any background in mechanics? You're doing a great job.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Jack of all trades, master of none. Lol.

[@skyblazer9137]

How was the rudder and props?😀

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Time will tell. Haven’t pulled out yet.

[@dwaynebodzenta7994]

great job on the recap. Nice boat. Coming from Ohio, quick question..... Who pays for these cranes to come out and pick these boats up and place them back in the water? Your insurance or FEMA or what?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

I have insurance so they picked up that tab. So many others don’t and I’m guessing all those totaled boats will be picked up by some government entity for scrapping.

[@Pyle81]

You're correct Sir, Thank You Governor DeSantis. With his leadership Florida is on track to recovery from this devastating strom.

[@robingreene8167]

You are very Fortunate That it wasn't worse

[@richardmullon5233]

Boats coming along, power washing made a difference…

[@davidsharpe426]

Evidently you are well versed in boat machinery.

[@hildablanco1591]

Always dry dock your boat when a Hurricane is coming and WD 40 your engines and all metal parts

[@jasonellis5202]

Design floors I doubt it was designed to sit at 45 deg !! Lol

[@Shopweasel]

Little shop vac pulls debris from scruppers.

[@GM-qh2ki]

A boat is nothing more than a hole in the water you pour all your money into!

[@lutomson3496]

money pit boats..even my RV is less money never stops

[@user-zl1bh2gk1b]

F Desantis

[@OutOnTheReef]

Captain you're very lucky the boat came out really good after the hurricane very little damage now you can get back to fix in your house soon⚓️👍🛥