It was in fact a Marathon…
Visibility: 25 ft | Water Temp.: 85F | Current: None
Captain D.J.
Master Instructor
Hi folks!
We FINALLY got the Tropical Voyager back up to Key Largo and out on a couple of dive trips. You might remember, it took us 14 hours to tow it to Marathon, but it only took 3 hours to drive her back! However, not only the trip down to Marathon was a marathon…
We spent almost two weeks longer than anyone ever planned working out the kinks and fine tuning everything. Besides the hull and needing some fresh paint on the deck, she is almost a brand new boat from the inside out. Besides the motor, transmission and fuel system, we replaced all the wiring throughout the boat, cleaned the fuel tank, installed a new steering system, reconditioned the prop, had the shaft straightened, new stuffing box, I mean, just about every part of the boat is new. Even the bridge is completely reconfigured with the new computer screens that dislpay the engine, GPS and depth…
If you’ve been diving with us, you probably remember that she had the Detroit Diesel 6v92 for power, and of course when the motor was not running perfect, it was a bit smoky and didn’t go very fast. That will be a distant memory, she runs out to the reef at a brisk 15kts now, and there is no smell or exhaust what so ever.
Special thanks to Rob King who was there nearly every day helping and sweating alongside of Pete and myself! Captain Dan was down helping for several days as well. I also certainly can’t forget to thank Cherry, Jack, and Whitney who are three interns who now know I wasn’t kidding when I told them�what I tell all internship candidates, which is:�we can’t always go diving and we have to get dirty in the boat yard every once in a while!
Of course we worked so hard to get the boat done before Labor Day weekend, it just figures that the storm was close enough to the Keys to cause just enough wind to make it too rough to dive. Unfortunately we have a lot of divers standing around trying to find something to do..
Enjoy the photos, however, keep in mind, they do not even begin to show you all the hours and sweat that went into this project.��We look forward to taking you out on the all new Tropical Voyager!
