Work is taking longer than we expected on Adventuress, the 1 yr mark is coming close before Papa retires and our adventures on Adventuress begin. We knew when we bought the boat it had years on her and updating was going to be an every day thing, we did not expect all 3 batteries and starter to go at one time(in Oct. 1 yr after purchasing her). I learned that buying batteries for a boat were not the same as batteries for a car or flash light, these need to run for days with out a generator to charge and not corrode. The search for the right batteries started in Jan. 2012 as I started my search for curtains and updating the main cabin,quarter berths and head. The galley is the galley and there is not much you can do there. While Papa was searching battery options he looked at 2 other Bayfields being updated in the Annapolis area and got an idea of what needed to be done to Adventuress. He had already fixed the water tank problem we had the entire yr. we lived on board so we thought we were ahead already. The work began to build a battery box and make an opening in Ava's cabin to easily access the cockpit locker when we discovered a battery box had been built, but was covered due to the previous owner buying to large of batteries to fit. Me, not knowing anything about the workings of a boat,could not understand what was taking so long. We knew the cost was going to be around $2,000.00 or more for the batteries we needed for our planned lifestyle, Papa being the sole supporter in this venture searched every nook and cranny for a better deal. The deal was 2 miles from where we are now residing. The work began on installing the batteries, with a side job of de nesting while putting up the Main sail. I can say, 1 month and 2 nights mixed with a lot of aggravation on my part, we should hear Adventuress purring by Friday night. In the meantime, we had a wicked storm 2 weeks ago that has done minor damage to the wood and fiberglass on the exterior of the boat. When the storm came up it sucked the water out of the river ad had the boats laying on there Starboard sides, as the water returned many of the boats hit the dock being right sided ours being one of them. I plan on stripping all the wood on her withing the next month so this has given me a head start. As for the fiberglass and chipped paint she will be pulled at the end of the summer for cleaning and new paint. Our plans for travels on Adventuress were cut short this Season with maybe a couple day sails planned but our outlook for the future has not. In closing, I can't blame storms or previous work for our delay. . . .the blame falls on us not realizing the upkeep on a boat is an every day project. . .we got to comfortable living on land again. Thank You Captain Kevin for your Diligence, your Patience and Your Love. . .We May Not Have it All Together, But.. Together We Have it All!