The Bitter End

That's Alarming!

By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill

When should you be alarmed? Sounds like a trick or loaded question right? But let us apply Occam’s Razor here, which basically states that the simplest answer most often is correct. Therefore, when you should be alarmed is when the alarm goes off! And so, here we go again folks, down another twisted path that leads to one of Gator’s rabbit holes.

Alarms come in all styles; some are physical, some mental and some are even psychological. Have you met someone and instantly an alarm went off in your head saying, “Stay away! Dangerous! Bunny burner! Womanizer!” We’ve all had those. Although I could go down a laundry list of types of people who trigger alarms, I guess I’m here impart some boating wisdom, instead.

Boats have a myriad of alarms, from internal engine alarms to external alarms, as well as other systems. These can be audible or visual. The newer and more sophisticated the vessel, the more alarms you’re likely to have. (I’m not trying to sound condescending; I know many of you know these things. This one is for the new boaters among us.)

Given that I don’t have pages and pages of space available for this, I better cut to the chase. As vessels get older, a couple of things can occur. One such thing is that alarms can either become nonfunctional or become erratic and inaccurate. Oftentimes when people buy used boats (which accounts for a great many of us) they may not even be aware of what alarms should work or even exist on their “new” vessel. Having someone knowledgeable in these things to consult can save a great deal of money or even a life. Spend a few dollars to either have a survey done, or take it to a competent marine shop. If you know someone you can trust your and your family’s lives with, then have them assist you.

Center consoles with outboards are the most common personal boats here in the lowcountry. First, make sure your oil alarms are in proper working order. Then move on to temperature alarms and gauges; if they’re nonfunctional, get them fixed, or replaced. If that’s not an option then stay vigilant, as either of those can leave you stranded, costing you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Bilge pumps with high water alarms are another extremely important set of devices. Making sure these work before each trip is one of the most important things you can check. Some bilge pumps come with built in floats that trigger the pump to engage, but most often the high water alarm is a separate piece of equipment. They are usually installed at a higher level but not so great that you have a considerable amount of water in your boat before it is triggered. The subject of bilge pumps could be an entire article but some online research should assist you with the proper workings. Let me also offer this handy reminder: make sure your visual aids work and reference them regularly while running your boat. A routine of systematically scanning your gauges is a good habit. I’d like to add one more word about gauges: use mechanical gauges as they tend to be much more accurate.

For bigger vessels much of the same applies. Again check your bilges and highwater alarms religiously. As the size of the boat increases, so do bilge spaces and water line diameters, especially those that bring raw water into the engine for cooling. Some of these water lines can be in excess of two inches, and a two-inch line that blows can overwhelm most bilge pumps in very short order. So a highwater alarm can give advance notice something major is about to occur and give you those moments you need to avert a disaster.

Well that’s about all I have for this month. May your new year be filled with love, health and blessings!

As always, peace and love, shrimp and grits … I'll see you on the water!

High water alarm and bilge pump. Photo by Captain J. Gary Hill

Email: TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com

CONTINGENT

435 Hunt Drive

Burnside Island

Total renovation, 3BR, 2BA! New electrical, plumbing, foam insulation in exterior walls and attic. Interior walls has additional insulation. Open with a fantastic new gourmet kitchen. Huge GR, Sun Room, Covered Patio, Butler’s Pantry and separate laundry room. Wait til you see the master bedroom and bath. Luxurious shower and sitting area in master. Fenced backyard and two driveways with access to backyard for the larger “toys”. Great storage over the carport with a pull down access. Golf cart approved!! $299,000

CONTINGENT

101 Edgewood Road GORDONSTON

Located on a huge corner lot with welcoming open arms. The main home has four bedrooms and two baths. Large open floor plan. Living Room with FP opens to the DR and then Kitchen with breakfast room. A full wrap around screened porch. Beautiful staircase to upstairs with two large bedrooms and a full bath. There is a carriage house that is ready for your guests. Studio apartment on second floor of garage. Washer/dryer hookups for main house on one side and for apartment on the other. Great area for walking and biking. Very close to downtown and the beach. $384,500

1112 Cobb Road WILMINGTON ISLAND

Here is the one that you have been waiting on. Sweet brick bungalow with open great room. A kitchen that is big enough for all the cooks. Eat in area and bar in the kitchen. Large master bedroom with ensuite bath. Two more good sized bedrooms and a hall bath. No carpet in the entire house. Single car garage with laundry on an elevated area at the rear. Lots of storage. The lush backyard with extended patio is ready for your outdoor cooking and oyster roasts. Totally fenced in so you can bring your family pets. Very easy to show. $239,000

UNDER CONTRACT

7108 Walden Park WILMINGTON ISLAND

Special first floor condo! Current owner has redone all the floors and numerous other updates. Split bedroom plan. Each bedroom has its own bath and a walk-in closet. Large open living area open to dining room and kitchen. Eat-in bar at kitchen. Separate laundry room off kitchen area. Screened porch and a separate office off the living area. Wonderful double pool, grilling area, workout room, tennis and a place to use for a common office. Reserve the main building for private get togethers to include a kitchen. A billiards room too. Gated community, close to downtown and the beach. $149,500

SOUTHSIDE

Sold in 24 Hours!

6349 Abercorn St. Savannah, GA 912.352.1222

Find me on:

Lyn McCuen 912.224.0927

lyn@coldwellbanker.com www.lynmccuen.com @lynmccuen

TYBEE ISLAND

Relax and enjoy in this recently converted 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom vacation condo. All new updates including a brand new King-Sized Bed, and a new in-unit Washer and Dryer. The living area features updated furnishings and a well-equipped kitchen with breakfast bar seating for 2, additional table seating for 4, stovetop and oven and full sized fridge/freezer. The living room is furnished with a sleeper sofa and a 32in flat-screen TV, with DVD player. Furnished private balcony with a glimpse of the ocean.

$239,900 GEORGETOWN

!! NEW !!

1217 Bay Street, Unit A 232

Spacious 3BR and 2BA home on corner lot. This neighborhood is located close to all roadways. Shopping and amenites close by. Georgetown amentites very close. Elementary school even closer. This home has a very open floorplan with a separate master on one side and the other three bedrooms on the other. Easy access to the hall bath from all three secondary bedrooms. One has a double entry door which would be a great office if needed but has a closet. The neighbors are looking for some amazing new next door buyers. Great community. $239,000

SOUTHSIDE CONTINGENT

1 Emmet Court

This 3 BD 3BA town home is located in a gated community and is the last remaining duplex lot to back up to woods. Inside the home, no attention to detail was spared. Hardwoods throughout the common areas. Foyer has beautiful wainscoting, chair railing and 2 piece crown molding. Granite in the kitchen, master bath, and secondary bath downstairs. The master bath has a tiled stand up shower with a bench, tile flooring, double vanities and framed mirrors. A covered 12X12 porch will be perfect for enjoying the quiet back yard! $267,000

CONTINGENT

122 Wild Heron Villas Road

THE LANDINGS

This Deer Creek Home Features 10ft Ceilings, Hardwood Floors, Foyer Open to Great Room with Gas Fireplace and Built-In Bookshelves, Formal Dining Room, Spacious Family Room with Brick Hearth, Gas Fireplace Open to Kitchen with KraftMaid Cabinets, Granite Tops, Walk-In Pantry. Master Suite Offers Sitting Room/Study/Nursery, His/Her Closets, Dual Vanities, Walk-In Shower. Upstairs Features Loft Space, 2 Additional Bedrooms with On-suite Bath and Huge Bonus Room. Many Additional Upgrades.

CONTINGENT

We Prepare and Install Living Shorelines

Living shorelines provide a natural and stable alternative to sea walls. Zulu is pleased to offer installation where stabilization and shoreline restoration is needed.

• Assembled with bags of recycled oyster shells • Stabilizes eroding shorelines or failing bulkheads • Plantings of native grasses enhance stabilization • Encourages growth of oysters, which provides water filtration • Provides habitat for multiple fish and crustacean species • Increases resistance to flooding

For more information or to discuss your shoreline stabilization project, email us: rusty.batey@zuludiscovery.com.