We have also used a couple of hours each day to work on details of Esoteric. Boats need constant TLC.
The wildlife is little more sparse in the fall and winter, but the sunsets (and sunrises) are spectacular in a different way than those of the summer. There were some wonderful dolphin shows, but they are VERY hard to capture with a camera. We are always a second too late.
We replaced the four main batteries just before the last trip and everything aboard the boat worked much better. The only problem was getting the old batteries out and the new ones in. Those suckers are heavy! After 48 hours the refrigerator and all lights were still going strong.
On the last couple of trips, we have enjoyed a new Merlot, "Jacobs Creek", economical, unpretentious, but good, from Australia.
On the last return, a friend radioed that he had just run aground in the main channel. Sure enough, we did to. That's what reverse is for!