Oriental, NC

 One of the last things on the departure checklist was to dive down and scrape the growth off the prop.  Our props don't have much anti-fouling paint on them since our experiment last year didn't work too well....most of the paint has worn away leaving the brass blades exposed and a favorite for barnacle growth in the murky NC waters.

But never fear, Duane with his trusty scraper blade will make quick work of it.  All suited up with SCUBA gear - ready to step into the chilly water.

 

It only took a few minutes  -  he came back to report that there was almost no growth on the props so we should get full power in a couple of days when we depart!

 

I did some cooking and organizing in the afternoon.  In case you're wondering, this is what a pound of bacon looks like "mostly" cooked and vacuum packed.  (I've got the freezer completely full and needed to reduce volume as much as I could).  I'll open these packages and re-cook-to-crispiness individual pieces as needed.  

 And in the late afternoon, the two Manta crews relaxed by the creekside until a rainshower ran us to shelter!