Focus

Sunday was a good day.

I got a number of projects done but it was the quintessential Panama spring day. About 95 degrees, sunny, 5 knots of breeze, and the hammock had my name on it. My toe rail took a bad hit in Jamaica and I did manage to glass it up. I just bought some Irwin Quick Grips at the hardware store ($25.00 each) and worth every penny. I’ll get a few more.

I spent a good amount of the day putting my thoughts, dreams, and aspirations together. As many of you know I’m crippled with ADD (Alex Dorsey Disease). I’m often my own worst enemy and I have a tendency to drive myself crazy!When I sit down and look at all the projects I have I think I’ll be in Panama for three more years, If I rationally think about what “needs” to be done I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The reason I cant focus on what “needs” to be done is because Splendid looks like crap. I cant see past her bad paint. She is a hodge-podge of paints, primer, and bare glass. I watched my friend Eric paint his little 29 foot boat in three days, hull and all. Blue hull, everything else white. It’s not nearly a “yacht” finish but it works with my shrimp boat theory. If Splendid isn’t all shiny and has a “shrimp” boat finish , she is less of a target. I’m really familiar with cruising in this part of the world and the South Pacific, but don’t know what Asia will bring. What I do know is “humble” is always good. Many people already treat cruisers as walking ATM machines or opportunities, I don’t want to be either. American cruisers are really pre-occupied with being shiny and it just isn’t that important.

First thing on the Splendid checklist, cover all exterior surface with fresh paint, no matter the finish! I’m going to think of this first coat of paint as a “primer” coat, it can always be sanded off. I’m not going to drive myself mad with fairing.

I’m going to the Gliddon store to talk to them about two-part polyurethane this week. I’d love to buy the Alexseal but just cant wrap my head around $300.00 a gallon no matter how strong and UV resistant the paint is, or the fact that I actually could afford it. I’m also going to get a gallon of two part zinc-chromate for my main engine, kubota, and secondary anchors.

Actually my first order of business it to find a mattress/foam. The foam mattress that I bought in Jacksonville 18 or so months ago is falling apart and its killing my back! Why do people feel the need to produce such cheap crap? Cheap tools & equipment is just a waste of time, money, and natural resources. If your putting a boat together think about this. Quality doesn’t necessarily mean expensive, I’ve outfitted so much of Namaste and Splendid through eBay and craigslist, I’ve got some really good deals. Also if you decide you like my “shrimp boat” cruising mentality, you can get a boat much cheaper and get cruising much faster. Alex’s shrimp boat theory = rough, tuff & sound! 

Alex “paint the boat” Dorsey is my name :)

June and July here are the months to go to Cartagena (Colombia). The trades are light or non-existent, and its a fairly easy motor. I may load up on backpackers and make a run to Cartagena. If I do that I’ll probably haul out, paint the bottom, and maybe the bottom of the hull (above the waterline). I don’t mind painting the hull in the water but near the waterline will be a pain for sure. I will be shooting the hull as opposed to rolling. Bringing the backpackers will pay for the cost of fuel, check in, haul-out, paint, and splash. And the good thing is coming back to Panama I can bring another load of backpackers.

If your looking for a cruising boat, don’t look at the paint & varnish. So many people focus on what is unimportant. You can find a solid cruising boat really cheap in the states if your not afraid of a paint brush or roller. You should be looking at the ugly ones :)

What is it they used to say about opening a store, the three most important rules to success are location, location, and location? Well for cruising the three most important rules are Sound, Sound, Sound! Attitude and common sense go a long way as well. Splendid is sound for the most part. I don’t like her chain plates, but it is a relatively easy fix. That being said she is a lot more “sound” than most of the new “cruising” boats being sold and manufactured today.

Its good having a few bucks in the bank. I was a bit “stuck” before not being able to buy paint or supplies. The seasons of cruising I suppose, and tiz the season to paint, paint, paint!

If I say “paint” enough will it get done faster?

Another beautiful day outside.

I usually write my blogs over morning coffee then go for a swim, and its time for my swim.

Peace, Love, and PAINT!!!!!

– alex

Published in Alex Dorsey