Thinking Ahead for Summer

There's always something on Red October that needs to be attended to whether it is a simple maintenance or a big repair.  Recently, we replaced the old A/C unit with the new.  So, why did we bother with that kind of repair in the middle of the winter?  Everyone is looking for work, especially an AC guy at this time of the year in New England.  Cheap labor and discounted unit.  Yea, love it (thumbs up).  :) 

While we're on the subject of thinking ahead and finding ways to keep the hot sun out in the summer, we contemplated and finally decided not to buy a windshield cover for the large windows outside of the cabin. We have enjoyed the views and do not want anything to obscure them.  We found an alternative way to allow the new unit do its job efficiently.  Window tinting!  After researching the idea, we found that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines wanted to impact fuel efficiency with an environmentally friendly, energy saving film product that would tolerate salt water environment and preserve the views in all common areas of the vessel.  With the installation of the Huper Optik window film material, it literally turn them into "super windows".  They reportedly were able to reduce fuel cost and save the interiors from sun damage.

Armed with lots of new information and knowledge , I searched the internet for a local company who carries the same or similar quality of window films for yachts.  The consultation went well and we were given 3 samples with various degrees of privacy as well as sun blockage.  We settled with the one-way mirror effect that offers maximum privacy without altering our view (see second photo with 3 samples, the one on left).  It also blocks 84% of the sun's heat and 99% of the sun's damaging U/V rays.  And it was also....the most expensive.  Sigh...but he did throw in one of the windows for free after I haggled on the quote price.   Good job, Pammy (another thumbs up). 

Update on Snow Removal project

Update from the previous post on 2/5/11:  It appeared to have worked its way through the snow and a layer of ice at the bottom.  While the sun was out for most of the morning, Tom took advantage of climbing up to the sundeck roof and cleared most of the snow and ice blocks into the water.  Odd how we could toss them overboard!  I think we've altered the tide chart by a few min....

Snow Removal

How do you remove heavy snow from the rooftop?  There are lots of solutions, but we heard of one suggestion that might work for us.  Fill the panty hose with rock salt (the same kind used for snow and ice) and lay it on the roof.  Oh, a bright idea indeed!

So, we went to Target for a few things including one white control-top panty hose.  I felt pretty silly since I haven't bought one of those in ages.  We opted for that color since we didn't want our "science project" to look very obvious from the boardwalk--it would blend with the snow.  Aren't we clever?!  I had to laugh pretty hard watching Tom fill each leg with rock salt. :)  Without further ado, it was laid out on our flat-top roof.  Well, we had to improvise....and hope that it works.  Stay tuned for a follow-up photo tomorrow. 

February!

A big welcome from Mother Nature!  We are enduring through this snow/ice storm and cabin fever since yesterday.  RO is now covered with ice like an igloo. This morning, I made it to the ramp and barely walked 2' on the boardwalk before I turned around to return to the boat. The boardwalk is nothing but a skating rink.  I'm not risking this for the gym today.  At the same time in Punxsutawney, the groundhog didn't see his shadow!  Thinking to myself, should I trust him?  It doesn't matter--I like good news!  :)  Yes, spring is right around the corner.