I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck and beaten up by a team of ninjas! My back and neck are killing me. ARRRGGGG, I feel like I’m getting old! Darrin and I have been busting ass to finish the cabin house, toe rail and decks by next Friday. He has a friend flying into Key West on the 15th. We will be heading down there late next week, I actually might get the sails up for the first time in the not too distant future, and I think I’ve earned it. The trip to Key West is an over-nighter and takes about 24 hours.
I’ll be in Key West until May. I’ll have to leave Splendid for the month of April as I have a job, but after that I’m planning on visiting Cuba to write an article and document it for my next film. I’m applying for permission this week, thanks Chris. After that I’ll visit the Caymans before heading back down to Cartagena. I’m going to build a hard dodger and Bimini in Cartagena, haul out, and paint the hull. After that I’ll be off to the San Blas for some spear fishing and R&R.
I still don’t know if I’ll go through the canal again or head north and cross the Atlantic for Europe. Europe is a much faster track on finishing a circumnavigation but I really don’t care so much about that any more. It’s much more important to me to travel to the places I really want to see. Sam and Guin haven’t seen the Pacific and I sure wouldn’t mind doing it again. Who knows…, “where the wind blows”, right?
Refitting Splendid has taken a lot out of me. My energy is getting thin and I’m really looking forward to my Keys trip. I hope everything works well! It will be the initial shake down cruise and should tell a lot.
I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend.
Sail far!
– Alex
Published in Alex Dorsey
RELAX my brother. It’s all good, just let it happen.
Are you taking splendid to key west?
It would be nice to see you in the Pacific…we will be making the Puddle Jump next year.
I recall many text messages with you on your last Jump…it got me through many harsh mornings at work. There is a good chance I will be laid-off next month (I can only hope!)…and we will be heading South to Sea of Cortez for some diving and fishing.
Contact me at sea S/V Trim
Ham Call
KI6HAO
and KI6HAO@winlink.org
Alex, I imagine you have consulted, some of the Europen cruising guides. I have been to the Costa Blanca,in Spain, and it seems that sheltered anchorages are very few and far between.The Marina situation appears, that in general is a very expensive option,specially with a large vessel like yours, and in the warmer months, marinas appear to be FULL.I am not sure what the situationis on the Eastern Med, but maybe Turkey, Croatia, Greece, are less yacht developed.In general it seems the Old continent is crowded and expensive.Be well Mark
I think being tired and sore is a good thing. While the football practice advice of ‘No pain, no gain’ is a little too far, the ‘Use it or lose it’ seems to fit the bill. Everytime I’m sore I tell myself I did myself and body a favor. Thanks again for the boat advice. I look forward, like everyone else who is landlocked and reading this awesome site, to seeing you get back ‘Out there’.
Peace,
Oklahoma
We (my office and I) can’t wait for you to get out there again! No prob on the help with Cuba, I really hope you get there I am dying to read about it. If anyone elese needs help with Maratime Laws please feel free to contact me, I have been flying for the Navy for 15 years in the Careb and will help ANYONE with info on just about anything there. Its a nice and safe place to sail, and the people you will run into are awesome. I am just starting to look for a boat to retire on and get down there with my family. Can anyone let me know any “must have” books on crusing and living aboard? I am looking at a 35 ft boat for us this weekend, but we are still 5 years out form retiring and I just want to get alot of sailing experience before I take my family out (I have never sailed beofre). Where do you think you will be in port ythe longest Alex and will you be able to accept care packages in a marinia? Emily is getting a care package togher for the little girl, and I am going to throw some homemade deer jerky that you are going to flip out over. I also re-read all of your ships logs and was wondering if you ever jump started you random acts of kindness stuff? Is that idea on hold? Emily and I think its a great idea! We always pay for the car behind us when going to a toll and tell the person to tell the car they have been hit with a random act of kindness and to “Pass it on”. Just wondering, we have gotten alot of smiles and waves form alot of nice people doing that. Well back to work for me….
Chris
christopher.waddles@navy.mil
Hey remember me? I’m the guy that plans to ship my own canned goods to Florida (inlaws) for our provisioning. ALEX , post that address and I could help you “provision” too. Actually I am making maple syrup this weekend, check out my you tubes on channel blowinganddrifting . The other thing I’ve been wondering, how could you not have sailed her at all???? with all the new rigging??? even in the harbor or something?? You need it bro!!!!!!!!!!
Oh Yeah, I have some friends that have been to Culebra PorteRico(?) visiting an uncle that lives abord there, they stayed a week or so and loved it. After the BVI’s several times, they liked this better. For what it’s worth.
Alex where will you leave Splendid in Key West while you go off for a month? I have a 34 footer in Ga. and want to take her to the keys this summer and leave her to do weekends but can’t find anywhere that I can afford a couple of months dockage. I’m familiar with the mooring feild @ boot key harbor but you can’t leave you’re boat unattended from what I understand. Is their an affordable mooring feild in Key West where you are comforatable leaving you’re boat? Thx
I would be very cautious about leaving a boat unattended in the keys over the summer, as hurricane season can be very unpredictible, and the keys are subject to those storms, so think that plan through. Also summer isn’t good sailing in the keys as winds can be light and variable, and it’s hot. The good news is no bugs unless the breeze is coming down from the Everglades. If I haven’t talked you out of summer in the keys, your best bet might be to find a dock behind a private residence. Your boat would probably be a bit more sheltered, it’s usually a better deal financially, and you might even find an owner who will keep an eye on your boat. The keys is full of former boaters who just enjoy having a sailboat to look at. There are also boat condos, and the owners might not be using their slip during hurricane season, so would be open to rental short term. The Marathon area is your best bet for this, and you might consider advertising in their local paper. Good luck
And I’m also curious where you’ll leave Splendid in the keys. April is a pretty calm month. If you’re in Key West during the Conch Republic Days, be sure you go to the Drag Races where the KW drag queens race down Duvall in spike heels. It’s really fun, and all money goes to charity, as do most insane KW events.
If you anchor around KW be alert for anchor drag as the sand doesn’t hold well and wind and current can confuse things. I put out the 2 anchors, waited aboard for an entire day to make sure things were safe, and as soon as I headed out for the dingy dock, she decided to go exploring. Luckily someone I’d met in another anchorage had come in, anchored near when they spotted Splendid, and did a magnificent rescue. (Those garlic rolls I served made terrific friends out of all my guests.) I liked the area close to the CG station. It sometimes had a smell from a landfill, but the holding was better, and I wasn’t there to stay aboard, I was there for shore leave.
The CG will stop your dingy and inspect, so be sure you have all the safety equipment, including flares. They’re nice about it, but they do use visiting KW as an opportunity to coach safety.
Tammy
Tammy, I will not be in the States for hurricane season. After my April job I’m heading back down to Colombia & Panama (Before July). I have a buddy who is a cop in Key West and he will watch Splendid for me for the 3 weeks I’ll be in Canada working. I’ll leave her on a mooring.
I’ve also upgraded Splendid’s anchor to a 60lb CQR. I’ll be upgrading again to a 80lb Manson Supreame and replacing the chain with 3/8ths as opposed to the 5/16ths proof coil which she has now.
Cheers.Alex
Blowinganddrifting
I remember you. I’ll be at the Key West city mooring from about Saturday, until the end of May. I didn’t sail Splendid on purpose because the first time I sail her I need to be going somewhere, if that makes any sense. I was the same way with Namaste.
Yeah, I get it. 10 tacks back and forth would me nothing compared to “sailing off” When you get back, check for a package at the marina office.
Thanks for the respoonse. Dean
Will you be sailing south thru the Bahamas or will you sail west around Cuba.. and cross to Mx. and belize etc etc
alex your political minded with energy consevation and all, maybe you could review the plight of some of the Cuban people before you make the trip and become political fodder for a Communist Regime?
April 2, 2009
Courageous Activist Needs U.S. Support
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today issued the following statement after his phone conversation with Cuban Democratic Activist Jorge Luis Garcia, better known as Antunez. Today marks Antunez’s 45th day on a hunger strike asking for justice for and an end to the torture of political prisoners as well as for the right of Cubans to publish human rights commitments made to the United Nations by the regime.
“Antunez’s actions and call for human rights for the Cuban people is extremely courageous,” Martinez said. “He represents the peaceful movement urging democratic change on the island. This is the moment we all need to stand in solidarity with pro-democracy activists to bring about change in Cuba. I will continue to bring attention to his activities and those of all oppressed Cubans in order for the world to know of their struggle. It is my hope with this knowledge others will urge the Cuban regime to allow democratic elections and free the Cuban people.”
Senator Martinez also sent a letter to President Obama presenting a letter from 17 pro-democracy Cuban activists, including Antunez, asking him not to change U.S.-Cuba policy.
“These individuals represent peaceful local movements across the island. They represent Cuba’s future more than the aged military elite now ruling the country alongside Raul Castro,” Martinez wrote. “They are asking for the support of the United States, including a policy that does ‘not sacrifice the moral leadership of the United States in the face of commercial temptations
As you can see by the letter from Senator Martinez, he sent a letter to President Obama on or before the second of April, and today is the 13th of April and the President is poised to recind travel and money to cuba. Bear in mind that any money a Cuban family sends home is subject to a 20% tax by the Cuban government.
Just food for thought
Gary