Time

Time for sailing South is getting thin. I can feel hurricane season knocking on the door. I still have a few more weeks work but feel comfortable leaving at the end of June or early July. I left Jamaica in early July and had a nice run to Cartagina back in the day. I will leave the girls here and have them fly south, it’s just too late in the season. I’m toying with the idea of sailing up to the Chesapeake to visit family until November. If I did that I could get a fresh start South in December and do the Virgins and eastern Caribbean. I kind of missed all that the last time I sailed South.

The material for the new bimini and dodger came in yesterday so we should be starting on that project shortly. I also took the windlass apart and sent the motor in to Ideal to have it rebuilt (about $400.00 ouch!!!). I inspected the windlass closely when I took it apart. Basically it has a main gear that resides in an oil bath which is connected to a shaft that turns the gypsy and capstan. It all looks to be in perfect condition. The windlass is over 30 years old, as well as the electric motor. My thinking is with a rebuilt motor it should last another 30 years, time will tell!

I also sent my SSB back to SEA/Data Marine to get fixed. It stopped transmitting after I found a corroded ground in Namaste back in Tahiti. If you key the mic on an SSB with no ground you blow it, I believe that is what I did.

The next 7 days in Fort Myers look to be polluted with squalls, thunder, and lightening. Not the best conditions to be working in but I feel quite confident in our new anchor. We have renamed her D.R. Frankenstein. Sam’s vote was for Diana, mine was for Frankenstein, and Guin wants to name everything “rainbow”. So we came up with Diana Rainbow Frankenstein. I think we’ll call it “Dr. F”, or “the doctor” for short?

I’ve also invested some of my money. I didn’t make as much as I had hoped on the last job and It’s going to be gone quickly. I’m spending it as wisely as possible. I bought a small inverter welder on eBay, as well as a diesel transfer pump and large Racor filter (1000FH). I’ll be able to weld stainless on the go as well as have a mobile fuel polishing system. I cant tell you how often I find people stuck somewhere with fuel problems, or a broken “something” that needs to be welded.

Sam and I will also be learning sewing, zippers, and sail repair in the upcoming weeks. These are all important skills to becoming a “self-sufficient” cruiser. That was the whole point for me moving up to a larger boat in the first place. On Namaste I just didn’t have room for the tools I needed, storage for mass amounts of dry and canned goods, and the real-estate for the solar cells I want to be able to live off of. I will be mounting my 2 130watt panels on top of the new bimini. When I get the money I’ll buy 2 or 3 more, as well as a good wind generator. Splendid is also a hell of a lot more comfortable :)

Well guys, I’m off to working on the boat. What else is new right?

Cheers.

Peace, Love, and Freedom!

– Alex