Well I’m off to Splendid today. I need to clean up and get off the dock before I need to pay more money. I’m going to cross back over the southern tip of Florida (SHALLOW) between Marathon and the Gulf, and back up to Ft. Myers for a few weeks to get my canvas done. Then I’m off ASAP! There is a new fly in the ointment though.
A friend called and asked If I could deliver his boat from Brisbane Australia, to Thailand. I’m talking to Sam about it now. We would have to the end of the year and He’d cover expenses. It’s not a money making thing, but he has a beautiful boat “Contigo” and it really would be a cool trip. The dilemma is I’d have to leave Splendid though. I’m really torn. However I’m leaning towards getting Splendid done and moving on. The idea of just going to the other side of the world and sailing for a few months really appeals to me. We could do the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Micronesia, and Thailand, ARRRRGGGGG! Man that sounds like fun. I’m going to think about it over the next few days. Splendid is ready to sail I just have so many projects…, I want them all to be done. It’s going to take me years to get her where I want her, but when she’s done, WOW!!!
Come on guys, give me some input here. Do I take 3-4 months to deliver a great boat for a friend, or do I go back to busting my ass on Splendid???
The videos and photo gallery on the site may be a bit wonky over the next week. David and I are doing some upgrades.
And remember if you have any Grolsch bottles (flip top style) laying around don’t toss them.
Cheers
– Alex
Published in Alex Dorsey
Phuket, Thailand man, just do it.
Oh yes, check out the posts on this sailblog for the last few months:
http://sailblogs.com/member/sora/
Alex i think you just answered your own question. you mentioned that splendid will take years to finish. well then what is a few more months? as long as you can have the girls with you when you deliver the boat then i think you should do it. it would be an amazing experiance for every one, and perhaps none of you may ever get a chance like this again. Also when you look at the expenses being paid and perhaps a little bit more money then it seems like a opportunity notworth passing up.
i have been looking on line for dvds in regards to sailing in thialand and the solomon islands and there are so few resourses to choose from. if you were to make a dvd of this area then i am sure the sales from it would more then help with the upgrades for splendid.
so yes do it while you can as long as you can take the girls with you. if not then the lonliness of missing them would be too great .
peace love and thai food.
If you can go sailing for several months without spending a dime then yeah absolutely its worth it!
But if its gonna take anything at all away from your cruising kitty (will spendids slip/mooring fee’s be included expenses?), dude, you have a boat and can go sailing right now! if you’re in need of adventure, go cruise the mosquito coast for a while on your way to panama :)
Just my opinion, but there is not gonna be any shortage of good times and adventure in this half of the world aboard splendid…
Of course, if you can make a few bucks, or if its atleast not gonna cost anything, then its probably well worth the time.
go sailing on your own boat now, nevert a better moment than the present!!
Stay home, bust ass. Hurricane season is just a couple of months away. If it’s a paying job that will fill the kitty, then do it. Otherwise work first, play later. You’ll have more to show for it in the end.
// $0.02
I was just thinking the same thing.
Didn’t typhoon season just start over there? and hurricane season here… hmmm
10 degrees north sounds pretty appealing to me!!!! :D
Sorry I had it backwards, cyclone season is Nov to April, so its just ending.
Alex, go to the far side…of the world.
Man I say do it. Sounds like you could use a break and a new adventure..
Man I say do it. Sounds like you could use a break and a new adventure..
Stay here until you can put Splendid up for the Hurricane season and position yourself to write the next chapter (of your life). Your deal is the most important deal – that’s your priority. Position yourself to get what you want out of the next few months. Make sure you achieve what you need to get done, then if you can, go for the “vacation”…….
Imagine how you would feel doing a delivery (for no income) when you could be sailing Splendid. It may work for you but I think you know the answer.
To Splendid or not to Splendid, that is the question;
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of not much fortune.
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing, end them.
I say, to Splendid.
Splendid is ready to sail now Alex, you’re just adding the frosting, which can be done as you go. If you wait until everything is perfect you’ll never leave. Most people leave with much less boat, and without all the equipment you’ve already added. If you leave her now you’ll almost have to go back to storage in LaBelle to leave her safely during hurricane season. There isn’t a dock in FL that’s safe if a surge comes in, as the boats get lifted up and crashed onshore or impaled on pilings. You’ve put too much of yourself into her recovery to allow that to happen. If you store her, it would be a chance to touch up the bottom paint. Most of us don’t have such nice choices to make, as which ever you chose will be perfect. Follow your heart, it’s gotten you this far. You can take Splendid wherever you want to go when you’re ready to sail her off into the sunset.
Tammy
hey all, sam here.. seriously, what a total conundrum. This is my dealio.. i am totally on the side of keeping the kitty- our home is first priority and she is in complete sailing order, no issues(well except that we are not yet completely solar/wind) esthetics aside,which is the only reason leaving her is even considerable. Coming back and continuing our gypsy life is a must! To be honest, both alex and i are get your eggs in a row kinda people so our immediate inclination is to suss out splendid.. but.. one can’t help but consider… First- contiga sp? is a really good friend of alex’s home, the friend who got him the recent job, she is a beautiful boat- what an honor to be trusted with…and …wow, what a trip(though i’m sure we will plot our own dream in the pacific one day) Mostly it is a question for us of :to vacation or not vacation, because that is what cruising on contiga will be. Of course we will continue to perfect our sustainable living and save our dollars, but this trip would be a break- from the fiberglass and grind but i suppose in the end, like all vacations in all types of lives, we come home, and, wow, home is splendid.. so…the vote rolls on…
Alex, I say, considering hurricane season is nearly here, and you will be back before it finishes,and I am sure you will be nervious about leaving splendid, you should stay, complete what you need and get the hell out, away from any hurricanes. Perhaps see if your mate can wait untill mid/ end july then go. But most of all don’t go without the girls.
Ian
It’s cool to see everyone here supporting you no matter what they vote…. you are building a nice little community here Alex.
Even if all the tabs are picked up on this trip, you are still going to be spending money. A little here, a little there, so on and so forth.
A vacation would be nice, no doubt about that, but you live on a sailboat. That in it’s self is a ‘vacation’ to most of the world. What happens if someone on this trip gets ill, or you accidentally drag anchor and ram someone, or one of a hundred unforeseen possibilities that could in one fell stroke drain your kitty to zero? You are going to have to find someplace safe and free to store Splendid while you are gone. Otherwise more money is being spent. Even in the best of places, if storm season comes around while you are out, you are screwed if you get hit. Having to depend on others to not just keep your vessel safe, but your home…… that’s a tall order. Having to fly home in an emergency, with not just yourself, but two others in tow will for sure sink the kitty.
It would be nice to repay your friend for getting you work, but I think a case of home made wine would do just as well too.
The grass is always greener on the other side, but most of the time it’s that way because that’s were the dogs are taking a dump.
There is no way you have gotten this far because you are an idiot… you got this far because you took the time to do things right. Take the time now to finish as much more as you can before you take off to Panama.
Even though I don’t know you, never met you, and probably won’t for years to come, I would be utter heart broken to see you set back, or worst crushed because you wanted to help a friend and have a vacation.
Because you have let us all into your lives, you now have a responsibility not just to yourselves, but to us… you fans and followers.
Live the Elvis motto – TCB. Take Care of Business.
Alex, Sam
Splendid is ready to go you should go this is what you’ve been working for. If your frend is a true frend he will understand and still be your frend.
Sail the world sail the blue sphere.
Tim.
Alex, the fact that you have doubts should be your answer… and I’m sure you know that… it’s Splendid!
Cheers, Wojtek
Find somewhere comfy to keep your boat, Pack your bags and GO! What kind and how big of a boat would you be on?
You deserve to take a break and enjoy life for 3-4 months. This will get the batteries recharged and you are on your way. When life presents you with a door I was told to open it.
Hi Alex, If you all go for the trip, Where I keep my sailboat is safe in the hurricane season, It is between both locks east on the river from Ft.Myers no storm surge, Let me know and I can give you the Phone # to my friend I rent my slip from,
It is in Alva,Fl.
Ian
Alex,
You hear that sound?………. Listen really close?……………… Know what it is yet? ……….want a hint?…………… Your being sucked right back into all you fought so hard to deny, …….Money………Commercialism……….Name brands…………Work and Vacation……..WTF Dude, you have all you NEED or could ever ask for, a life free of the everday 8-5 trudgery, keeping up with the joneses , the I NEED this, I NEED that. You have everything WE want, and your giving it back 1 day 1 dollar at a time. You have been blessed with a family to share your love and your life with. You will forever be challenged by decision and indecision, remember where you have come from, where you took all of us, you have worked hard to get your kitty back up, you have alot more everything, than the last time you were in the San Blas, maybe its time to get back to the business of living.
Contigo sounds like a nice boat, sounds like a great detour from the Everyday, our everday not yours.Your adventure is bigger and better , once Splendid gets to sea. Sure would suck to be reading this log next year talking about when Slendid will be leaving Ft. Meyers.
For all its worth, my 2 centavos
Peace Love and the Kuna Indians
Drifter Joe
Alex,
I have taken the last 6 to 8 months to read every log & comments, watch every video, and buy both DVD’s. and I must say a few words as a follower of your dream BlueSphere. After today I read everyones feed back, and I see both sides of the fence, but I took the time to review your original reason for Project Bluesphere one more time before I worte these words. Please over look any bad spelling or bad english. Alex, I speak for myself only, I truly believe you want to see Splendid finished and move on to your next dream of crossing the big deep blue. As I’ve reviewed your pass last night and today I’ve heard you repeat the desires to full feel your life long dreams and this vacation doesn’t seem to fit in all that I’ve read, listen to or watched. Your closer than you’ve ever been to see the other half of your dream to come true. Through out your passed few years people (us) the followers, helpers, supporters, investers, etc.. we’ve watch you get close to the true mission in which this project was based on. As I set here be hide a desk, typing these words, I say to myself, I wish I had the chance to walk in your shoes, but that wasn’t the life I was given. And what is so amazine, I was just losing myself into the world of the internet and came across your web site. Well I must say, Alex you’ve taking me places that I’ll never get to see or set sail. I know this may seem long but, I must let you know how I feel about my dreams through you and you alone. Others say go, I say review your original dream as a child, all you wanted to do was to sail around the world. It’s time, it’s time for you to set sail. Don’t give into this request of your freind. One said early in the comments, if he is your freind, he’ll understand, it time for you to set sail yourself. Also we the followers haven’t seen much in the last year and a half. I’d hate to see you lose your focus, you belong on open waters, and I hope I can say this, but we as the followers would love to see it as well. I’ve never seen the sun rise on the other side, so please know one thing, I very proud of all you done, and your Dad would be too. Show him that your ready for roll two, take us with you, send us new logs from far away, Show us video of the unseen waters, and tells us what it’s like, Please keep us dreaming through you and you alone.
I hope your new family will understand my words, thou I speak of them softly. Be safe, and don’t ever forget why you started Project BlueShpere in the begining. It’s time, it’s to drawn up your own sails and set sail to the other half, it’s waiting for you &your new family and maybe even us the followers as charters.
Thank you for your time. Rodney
Wow, I’m diig’n all the input!!!
Sam and I arrived on Splendid yesterday, and I must say, she seemed to have open arms. Our Chocolate/Orange port is cooking and everything just feels right. Port Supply delivered 300′ of new chain this morning and Sam and I painted links in 50′ increments with white nail polish.
I must say I love Contigo. Chris and I spear fished in the San Blas, and on the other side of the canal in the Las Pearlas Islands. Chris really got me started spear fishing and guided me in the right direction. When I crossed the Pacific alone (30 days) Chris was the voice on the SSB, and checking in on me from the Galapagos every day. He also supported me in Tahiti when I had the crazy notion of selling Namaste and getting a bigger boat. I must say I’m flattered that he would trust me with his baby. Chris is one of the only guys I’d trust behind the wheel of Splendid.
Man…, I’d love to deliver Contigo but I don’t know if it would be financially viable. I need 3 tickets to Australia, and 3 from Thailand. Money to put up Splendid, a food budget, and enough to come back with the same amount of money I have in the bank now. I just don’t think I can make it happen.
Another good thing about doing the delivery is my good buddy Chuck is going cruising in October with his wife and two boys. Guin loves the boys and it would be great if we could tag around for a while.
Anyway, it’s really nice to sit here on Splendid and type a log while Sam reads stories from Latitude 38, and Guin runs around looking at all the rays and needle fish. Life is really good.
Peace everyone.
– Alex
Very well said Rodney. Alex, just think about how much is sucks to be in love with sailing as much as you are, but being stuck in Norther Lake Michigan with only a couple months of warm weather. I’m sure youv’e heard enough.
Crazy thought, get all drunk on the goodies in the package and just cast off the lines in a fit of crazy drunkiness!!!!!
GO ENJOY LIFE
Dean
Alex,
Shouldn’t Guin’s father have some input into this decision? I believe he and Sam share custody – but Australia is a long way off – not easy to arrange for daddy daughter dates. And I know you know Mike is a devoted parent. His heart has been trounced on a lot this year – -taking Guinnie so far away would be sort of delivering a a coup de grace…do you want that on your conscience?
Hey Alex,
Having just bought my dream boat, and putting all my marbles in just one bag… I have a hard time sleeping being so far away from her! Knowing that a number of things could happen to her while I’m not there and set me back from leaving and enjoying my DREAM!!! What the hell are you thinking? Unless you are making good coin, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DREAM! Sure its sucks to work all the time but remember there is nothing sweeter then reaping the rewards when you’re done!!!
So this should not even be voted on… Get on Splendid and go on vacation!!!
Jason
Valker,
My conscience has nothing to do with it. We have all had heart strings pulled this year. Sam wants to travel with Guin and show her the world, I support her 100%. Mike does have 1/2 custody and how they decide to share it is their business. All I can do is Love Guin and support Sam and Mikes decisions.
– Alex
One phrase to reflect on…….return your mind to May 10th 2003……
Best of times Bro,
Brad, Niki, Dawn, and Bernard the cat.
Refitting our own boat, 1976 Islander Freeport 41
geez. I thought you said all expenses were paid. If you have to buy your own airline tickets I change my vote to forget it. Buy your own tickets: thousands$$, sail Splendid to Thailand: priceless.
My .02.
Just do it (sail Splendid!!)! Man, recognize the difference between grasping low-hanging fruit along your path and losing you way into the dark forest.
-R
If you wait until Splendid is “Finished” you will never leave.
ALex.. I’m down on the Rio Dulce in Guatamala..will save you a spot here in Paradice.. splendid will do much better here than Ft myers.. You could be here before huricane season.. 8 Q to the dollar..great prices on canvas and everything else…………SANDBAR SAM
I just read “parts” of the emails you got after that “question”. Guess the can of worms got out.
Just follow your heart, don’t let other’s sway you.
Good luck deciding……ya got a 50/50 chance to get it right……………and you’ll never know if you got it right…………..life is great……ha ha
well Alex, as someone who has had 2 sailing lesions, and has convinced his wife to “accept” the cruising life style. There is a old saying that says it all. “HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE” I know you are not married but…………well she will figure it out for you. Good luck buddy!!!!!!! She is about to teach you a lesson that your parents could only warn you about. I ant wait to read about this one……………….
Sending good vibes
Chris and Emily
Seriously, think this over. Last night I was thinking of all these posts urging you to go, and I thought about what I will have to do today, go to the gas station, get a couple cans of gas, come home, fill up the mower, cut the grass for 3 hours or so, then weedy and REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT ALLL SUMMER LONG
How would you like to have that crap in your schedule. Or should we snorkel and fish?
Dean
SV Rubiayat
(in the barn)
Hey Alex, an ole power boater here. The main thing is if you can really let go of all your projects pending on SPLENDID go out of your mind . If you can & not think a moment about them hanging over you, then by all means take the trip.
If it were me I couldn’t but thats just me ole ANAL gary. Once I start a restore its all but impossible for me to walk away. I just hope when I die I don’t have any thing pending…… HA HA HA…….. Good Luck
Hey Alex, an ole power boater here. The main thing is if you can really let go of all your projects pending on SPLENDID go out of your mind . If you can & not think a moment about them hanging over you, then by all means take the trip.
If it were me I couldn’t but thats just me ole ANAL gary. Once I start a restore its all but impossible for me to walk away. I just hope when I die I don’t have any thing pending…… HA HA HA…….. Good Luck
stay with splendid
Chris and Emily,
The good thing about Sam is she is always happy. She is excited at the possibility of sailing the great barrier reef, and Micronesia. And she is equally as excited to get going on Splendid. I’m really quite fortunate. “Happy Life” is defiantly the way to go. I really want to get started on the 3rd film and make a really good “Family” cruising adventure.
Cheers.
– Alex
ALex, Call me a “Bluesphere Junkie” but I’ve been following your adventures since the beginning, I would hate for you to leave what Project Bluesphere has evolved into. Maybe I’m being selfish here but man you’ve really accomplished alot and I’d hate to see you leave the dream that a lot of us have been living through in your adventures. Your boat, your timeframe, your dream. Of course it’s your call… but I vote SPLENDID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow I wish that I had the opportunity to have to make a decision like this rather than cut the grass or fix stuff around the house. The good thing is there is no wrong decision. Which ever you choose will be good. But as I am beginning to discover in life opportunities are presented to you that some times alter your original course for a while. This could be a great adventure for you and the girls and like one post said another video project. In my mind the deciding factor would be the costs associated with taking this adventure. The projects on Splendid will still be there when you return and what is a few more months. Having followed your adventures from the beginning your path has always been flexible and created some great adventure and memories for you. One of the great things about the life style you have chosen is that you don’t have to stick to a rigid time table (other than hurricane season lol). Unfortunately will all do have to consider economics from time to time regardless how we chose to live. Sometimes a change is as good as rest. All the best Alex. Ron
Breaultt5
I’m the biggest “BlueSphere Junkie” of all If I went to Oz & Thailand Id still be blogg’n, tak’n pix, and video.
I’ll be doing this till the day I fall off the earth :)
– Alex
My vote: Splendid!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you guys coming back to Ft. Myers or just to the beach,Alex?
sandbarsam, how did the delivery work out?
Peace,
James
My vote: Splendid!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you guys coming back to Ft. Myers or just to the beach,Alex?
sandbarsam, how did the delivery work out?
Peace,
James
HHmmm, How’d that happen?
HHmmm, How’d that happen?
IT DID IT AGAIN!
James, I think I’ll be back in Ft myers for 2-3 weeks. It is closest for our canvas person and sam needs to get some things out of the house, sell the car, crap like that. I was thinking maybe charlotte harbor maybe???
Charlotte harbor for what?
Hey Alex: I wish I had the opportunity to have to make a decision like this rather than have to cut the grass or work on my house. I am a practical guy and think the deciding factor would be the financial costs associated with this adventure. I agree with a previous post that this would be an opportunity to create another video and perhaps some written articles. I have been following your adventure from the beginning and your path has never been from point A to B and has created some great adventure and memories for you. The great thing about your life style is that it is not rigid and subject to strict time tables (other than hurricane season lol). Adding a few months to projects on Splendid in the overall scheme of things doesn’t sound like a biggy to me. Some times a change is as good as a rest. Unfortunately regardless of the life style we chose we have to consider economics. I have come to discover that some of the best opportunities in life are presented to us when we least expect them. All the best Alex. Ron
Hmmm…
Let me think.
Although I feel quite indebted to Chris for hooking us up with this job, I would like to believe that the work I have done on Splendid for the last 6 months or so were not so you could go on vacation on a boat that wasn’t Splendid.
Life is a vacation.
You still have to give me Chris + Maggie’s email address. I owe them a bottle of somethin’ delicious!
I’m still stuck in Manitoba, where my parents live. My bank account has been blocked, or some such nonsense, so as soon as I scream at a few more fools at my bank, I will be back home.
Get home DARREN!!
man……. what boat do I sail this year… what part of the world do I hang out on the beach at …make some more wine or beer….mmmmmm . alex I would hate to be in your shoes.. if you ever wear them?? your living our dreams. what ever you choose we will be with you.
Shoes? The first thing Sam and I did when we got to the keys was to get nice flip-flops for all 3 of us, and I bought a new shortie wetsuit, and one for Sam, and Guin too. She looks so darn cute in her little wetsuit. I also got her snorkel, fins, and a mask for xmas. Well actually santa got them. Sam looks pretty damn good too in her wetsuit. I wanted to get the 3 of us in a wesuit picture but Sam had to go back to Ft. Myers 2day. I think i’m off in the morning. I just have to figre out how 2 get untied and out of this tight slip by myself. Hoping for no wind in the morning.
On your trip back to Fort Myers, I hope you get to sail Splendid. So far you’ve worked on her, and motored her around. You need a real sail on your real boat.
Tammy
Tammy, I should have good wind!
Go for it! I live here in Papua New Guinea–near Madang on the north coast. Let me know if you need any help with a Land Cruiser to haul any food or supplies you might need to buy! You will Love PNG. There is WW2 stuff and active volvanos (Manam and Karkar) –and it is very far off the beaten path of cruisers. I have seen very few cruisers in 2 years. Have fun, you know your going to do it…………….
Stay safe young blood.
I just, not five minutes ago, got my bank crap dealt with and will be joining you in Florida within a couple days. You’ll be getting canvas work done though. I will be waiting in the Keys.. I think I will give Marathon a try. I don’t particularly want to pay for a mooring, but will if I absolutely have to. I like the idea of being able to shoot a few fish in the morning, and something tells me that they would frown upon that sort of thing in Boot Key harbor.
I will have to make a few purchases for Alas, and will require the dinghy dock (sigh) for a few days.
On our way to our dock, I spied with my little eyed, a few reefs that I would like to visit. Perhaps I will take a vacation from my vacation and go shoot fish for a couple days.
I hope your wind is fair, and I will talk to you in a couple weeks (aside from on the phone).
Say hi to Sam for me, and tell Guin that weird uncle darrin is coming home.
Deliver the boat! You will have a great trip, come back refreshed with cash in your pocket, and ready to continue on with Splendid!