Well Namaste has been a proper sailboat, and I a proper sailor for a few days now. I think we are both enjoying the absence of the iron jib to an extent, maybe a bit too much!
Last night I had to do some Northing with the wind and swell, and the night before just drift. It was a “forced”, or natural peace if you will, and nice to sleep by. I would have had the motor on and making way otherwise. I’ve been ultra focused on sail trim, currants, and have been studying the passes to New Caledonia. In my heart I’ve always fantasized about sailing without a motor, I guess this is my chance.
I spoke to my good buddy Aki on the phone, he is in Noumea. The pass is about 60 miles away from the city, but I think he is going to meet me there and tow me in when I arrive. Noumea is not a spot I would choose if I was the kind of sailor to sail without a motor (lots of reef and strong currents). My outboard isn’t working either, the float pin has take’n a dump. I think the Pardies have it right, as well as Annie Hill. KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!! However I’m a big advocate of simple roller furling systems, and love my CDI. I would put another one on the stay and get rid of my club foot. These are my suggestions to Wojtec about upgrading Namaste.
I would also put a good windvane on Namaste and replace my motor with a small 18hp Kubota (Beta Marine) which would double my cruising distance under power and eliminate 300 lbs from the stern of the boat. It is also a low-maintance motor and will make life more enjoyable. The Volvo MD series will run forever but one needs to pay allot of attention to maintance. I would also add a proper stove for bread making, and put a gimbaled single burner cooker in the cockpit. One can easily live on hot water (soup, hard boiled eggs, hot chocolate, coffee, tea,and so on). A little hot water and a spoon of miso paste goes a long way on a frightful night at sea.
With the exception of almost falling off the boat trying to take down the radar mount, cooking in the galley has been the most dangerous thing to my person so far taking several bad burns.
I should be at the pass in about 3-4 days depending on wind. I’m hoping Wojtec can produce a starter motor for a Volvo MD11-C, otherwise we will have to try and ship it to Oz for a fix. I believe he flies in on the 3rd.
Namaste looks like she has sailed through hell and back, but she just keeps pounding away. Before I was going to sell her I got a nice spray gun that attached to a compressor or Scuba tank. I was going to pretty her up by painting up her nails (hull) and giving her a good few weeks at the spa, she deserves it.
The sea can be a hard place for a man, however only a real man can know the sea!
This is what I aspire to be!
“That which does not kill you makes you stronger”!
Peace, Love, and Big Waves!
– Alex
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