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I’m a paramedic and my husband was one for 45 years. We both discussed having an AED onboard since we both know they are excellent devices and save lives and we could easily obtain one. Then we talked about how to run a code with one. With one person down and one working on the victim. Who’s...

OK, Cheating a bit on a 43 footer When the COVID lockdown hit the Florida Keys on St. Patrick’s Day 2020, we were pretty thrilled. NOT about COVID and the horrible effects of it, but because we’ve lived aboard for 6 years mostly on a mooring ball. We added solar, we have a water maker, fuel was...

Hahahaha! I’d forgotten about that! When we bought her, we had to replace the selenoid for the winch, so that was addressed before we pulled her away from the dock. I can’t remember exactly why they had it wrapped up like that. Shaved a few bucks off the price and a pretty easy fix. Always...

I love my galley down. Can’t figure out how to post pictures, but here’s the listing from when we bought our boat. https://www.edwardsyachtsales.com/boat/1985/marine-trader/labelle/1924/

Twice, so far. First time was trying to dock at a boatyard. I tried to hop off the boat onto the dock to secure lines and slipped on the wooden dock. Bounced off the boat rail (breaking a rib) and then the dock. Luckily, under the dock was open so I swam underneath and to shore. Hubby was...

Here’s the link... https://theboatgalley.com/boarding-steps-for-a-big-dog/

We bought a the 3 step Taylor made boat steps. Drilled a couple of holes in the side, suspended them off the side stanchions with a fender behind for support. I call them “redneck dog steps” and when we are at a dock, they are just regular dock steps. Yeah, they look funny. But, both my old lab...

I’ll second that. It’s absolutely unbelievable how fast salt water and air eats at everything!

They are electical and more than likely your sending units. There should be access panels above each tank that will allow you to access the sending units inside you tanks. The sending units are available at any West Marine or other supplier

We have a 1985 LaBelle. Love her. The only real documentation I have found was an engine room schematic. It lists the builder and yard but my command of Taiwanese is far too limited to make much more sense of it.

Boot Key Harbor/living in Marathon We are currently living in Marathon and have been since our last cruise to the Bahamas in 2016. Each Key is a bit different. Islamorada (BTW, pronounced as I-la-morada by locals) is dedicated to fishing. Marathon is for cruisers. Key West is party central...

Carolyn and Dave are friends of ours. Her information through books and web made setting up and provisioning SO much easier!

Mooring balls do take a bit of practice and even those of us well practiced look like morons from time to time. We live on one in Boot Key Harbor right now and if you visit, you will find the group here very happy to help if you are having issues. Normally, we don’t laugh... we remember THAT...

We currently have a 12’ West Marine RIB. Before Hurricane Irma, we had a 10’8” Mercury RIB that came with the boat when we bought her in 2015. We LOVED that Mercury. Beamy as hell and easy to get on and off over the tubes. The West Marine, not so much. But, dinghies were damn hard to find after...

Weaver davits will work to keep it level and in the water at anchor. Make damn sure you get some “whips” to tension it away from the back of the transom. (Don’t throw away the ones you find on the boat that you can’t identify, like I did. ��)

We have the twin TAMD40B’s on our ‘85 Marine Trader. Our starboard engine was doing the same thing. Apparently the solenoid needs the electricity required to shut down the motor. Replace the solenoid and verify contacts, no more issue. The hubby is the diesel mechanic and he explained it to me...

Ours was definitely 14 foot seas on a passage from Rodriguez Key to South Riding Rocks in the Bahamas. Forecast was 2’-3’. Spray flying over our fly bridge Bimini top, 18’ above the water. I quickly learned how unsecure some things were and had to crawl on hands and knees to lash items down...

I do but can’t figure out how to post it.

100 lb. Labrador on Trawler When we were choosing boats, we had to take into consideration our 2 100 lb. labs. Because they are “Velcro” dogs and we wanted to make sure they could be with us all the time while underway (among other things), we bought our 1985 Marine Trader LaBelle ‘44. Yes, she...

After waiting for over 4 months on a generator repair with All Keys Diesel (DO NOT use them!) in Marathon, we should be headed to the Bahamas in about a week and a half, depending on weather windows. Was just thinking of you yesterday! Hope all is well on G dock and you are staying warm! This...

I am definitely not a musician, too! ��

Rough life! I was totally enjoying the sunset... Until the Captain yelled that he needed help stringing wires for the new solar panels. *sigh*

We finally got our ranch in Texas sold and bought a 1985 Marine Trader Labelle 44. The first few months have been all about cleaning, checking engine systems, digging through this old beast and figuring out where everything is and what it does and most importantly whether it's doing what it...

Thanks, George! We have been working on this for several years... since we both had cancer in 2007/2008 and have been touring every boat we can find. Have owned both power and sail boats in the 20 - 30 ft. range and are pretty handy. I'm ready to leave the mud season behind. How do you like...

Hanging up my spurs and slippin' on the deck shoes! We are right behind you! We just listed our ranch in Navasota last week and have multiple offers... guess we will be in FL in about a month. We are going to stay with my parents in Sarasota while looking for our new liveaboard. We plan to...