Here is Splendid as she sits in Key West. I’ve got the mizzen up to battle the current and point into the wind so I can sleep at night.
I spent the day running cable and wiring the windlass. Chuck, you were right, it took more than a day. We are supposed to have about 20kts of wind for the next 4-5 days and there is no protection in Key West. I may be stuck on the boat until it cools off.
Believe it or not I’m still getting used to sailing a big boat. I’m really dependant on the windlass (or the lack of one) and I don’t have as much control as I used to have on Namaste. On Namaste I could “Man handle” everything. I could get by without using a winch, windlass, and could get the anchor up and “scoot” quickly if I had to. With Splendid I need to be a bit more cautious of where I anchor and who I anchor near. Different hulls react differently to wind and current conditions. That is why I have the mizzen up, I point more to the wind like a fin keel boats around me. I’m going to build a riding sail as soon as I come across the material.
I can’t tell you how nice it is to jump off the boat and go for a swim every morning.
Oh yeah, I sell rescue tape now. It really is amazing tape (self amalgamating silicone). If you don’t have any on your boat you really should. I use red and black on all my electrical connections, white on my rigging, and clear on all my pluming. Click on the link to the left and check out their site. You know me, I’m not a real commercial type sales person, but rescue tape really is something everyone should have on their boat. I really do believe in the product.
Peace everyone.
– Alex
