October 17 2012, Iuka, MS

Well, we are still in Iuka, MS, at Aqua Yacht Harbor Marina.  We had another "surprise" with the boat and we had to order a part over night.  It was here by 13:00 and Terry, our marine diesel engine expert was here right away and everything was working by 16:00.  There is a storm heading this way for this evening so we decided to get an early start on Thursday AM and try to make it to Midway Marina which is 55 river miles and 3 Locks away.  We are thinking positive thoughts to make this happen.  It is not that we don't like it here but we have been here since September 4th and we are really ready to start cruising.

We have met some interesting people/boaters since we have been here.  The other day at the marina laundry I met 2 young girls, age 23, and they are doing the loop in a 27' CAT sail boat called Louise.  They left from northern Michigan and are also blogging.  We exchanged boat cards.  Very impressive young girls, they even change their own oil.

CO's comments:  The CO is ready to go!

Katie and Jessie aboard Louise.  They are cruising with a dog and a cat.

October 13, 2012, Iuka, MS

Our maiden voyage; the first time out just the two of us.  All went good.  We just drove around for a while just to get the feel of everything.  Got a pump out on way back to our slip.   We changed all our lines to get ready to start cruising.

We are waiting on our name, Kim Jo IV, to be put on back and both sides and for Terry will put clamps on the starboard side turbo on Monday afternoon, 10-15-2012.   Otherwise, all is good to go except for a few little minor things that we can do while traveling down the river.  The plan is to leave here on Tuesday afternoon and anchor out in Zippy Cove across from Grand Harbor Marina and meet up with RoyEl and Eagle One; anchor for the night and start down the Tenn-Tom on Wednesday AM.

CO's comments:  On our old boat we used to call people with bow thrusters cheaters.  Now that we have a bow thruster, and it is on a 50'+ boat, they sure work good.  I wouldn't be without one.

N34.99220 
W88.25016

October 7, 2012; Aqua Yacht Harbor Marina

It has been very hectic these past few weeks. It is a lot of work transfering from one boat to the other and finding places to put everything. On top of moving, we have had maintenance and mechanics coming and going on a regular basis.

When buying an older boat you know you will have some things to fix but we had one unexpected surprise happen last Tuesday when we moved the boat from Grand Harbor to Aqua Yacht Harbor. We have had the boat out several times and the sea trial went good We started both engines just fine but a few minutes later the port flexible exhaust pipes came off and we started to take on water. Luckily we were at the dock and got all the water pumped out. I guess over time the exhaust hose shrunk and it blew off. The first part of this week we are getting new exhaust pipes put on along with our scheduled oil, filters, impellers, etc. work. By the end of the week we should also have our new radar and chart plotter hooked up and the Kim Jo IV put on the back. Then it will truly feel like our boat. It will be nice to get everything done and I can put the boat back together and we can get going down the Tenn-Tombigbee Waterway.

CO's comments: When purchasing an older boat expect the unexpected. We had a boat survey done by a surveyor that was highly recommended and had all the credentials but he evidently missed the exhaust pipe.   Oh well, life goes on.


N34.99220
W88.25016

GREETINGS FROM KIM JO IV

 

 Taken during our sea trial; 49' Gulf Star

 

 

 

In slip at Grand Harbor, Iuka, MS

 

 

 

Jim Angel and Keith worked very hard at getting the dinghy on top

 

 

Master State Room

 

 

Galley, much larger than the Sea Ray

Forward State Room

Mid State Room

Salon-Port side

Salon-Starboard side

Bridge

CO's comments:  WOW! Twin Perkin's diesels.