Larry drove Independence into the sling at the Demopolis Yacht Basin and we eagerly awaited the lift to see what the last 4,700 nautical miles had meant to the bottom of the boat. We were pleasantly surprised to see nothing out of the usual, a little algae on the paint, but that was it. Considering all of the incredibly shallow water, narrow rivers, submerged trees and flotsam and jetsam, we were very happy that the hull, props & stabilizer fins are all fine. The great crew at the boat yard pressure washed the hull and will sand and put a new coat of bottom paint on her, in addition to new zinks and an oil change. On our return, she will be all set to continue down river and make the crossing to the West coast of Florida and beyond…