Well, it’s that time of year again. I’ve never been a big fan of Christmas but the New Year is when I sit down to write, think, and ponder the events of the previous year and the one ahead.
Splendid has been a huge project. If I think of the amount of work I’ve done in the past 4 years it blows my 
mind. However when I realize that I purchased her for 15k (Sold Namaste for 30k) and now have a solid, 40’, center cockpit ketch, it equally blows my mind. How many years would I have to work and save in the system to afford such a ship? Also the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired over the last 4 years are priceless. I feel competent and confident that I can handle anything Splendid demands of me and I’m able to take full responsibility for her. This is quite important given the cruising destinations that run wild in my thoughts & dreams.
The starboard side, aft deck, and after cabin house on Splendid are done for all intensive purposes. They are just awaiting nonskid and a few stanchion bases that need to be repaired. Once I’m finished with the topside in the upcoming weeks I’m going to take a break before tackling 
the hull. I don’t mind Splendid looking a bit rough as long as she is solid as a rock and watertight. She is not a “Cheoy-Leeky” anymore. Splendid was designed by famous marine architect Bill Luders to be a solid and nimble world cruising yacht. In my humble opinion she is just that. The only thing I will change in her design is I will move the chain-plates to the hull when I can afford to. The amazing thing about Splendid is she performs ridiculously well for her comfort level. Performance boats are not usually comfortable, and comfortable boats don’t usually perform well. Splendid is splendidly balanced between comfort & performance. She is not built as heavy as lets say a west sail (wet-snail), or a steel boat, yet she is immensely more solid than 95% of boats being built today. For her size she is a modest 10 tons and moves through the water with direction & conviction. She has a modified full keel, and I’ve really grown to love the ketch rig. I’m really looking forward to putting some miles under her keel in 2012! When I sail I’m hard on my boats and I really need peace of mind at sea. I know Splendid like I know the back of my hand now!
In the past few months I’ve also pulled my shit together as far as my health. I don’t really drink anymore, eat crap, and mentally & spiritually I’m feeling centered. My experiments with time left me in a better place and I’m more cautious with my time and the people I let into my world. As a result of this I’ve also broke a musical barrier I’ve been fighting for years and I’m writing and playing my own music. I still don’t like to share my music but I know I’m well on the path I wish to be with my guitar and this brings me endless joy. I wish to grow old on Splendid, playing my guitar, and sailing her throughout the world. Aside from my health this is all I ask from life. I don’t know why it is, but I am such a 
lucky man, and I am very grateful for my will and vision.
Thank you to everyone for reading and commenting throughout my obscure life. It is my hope that some of you will find inspiration through my openness and find a path out of the system that leads you where you need to go. Life is a journey and we only have one shot at it. I know my path isn’t driving the same stretch of road, to the same job, and returning every day.
Break some rules in 2012. Loose some friends and make some new ones. Rebel, scream, and demand freedom! Smile, forge dream into reality, love, feel things deeply, take what you want, give, ask for little, use little, repair, restore, and measure your time on this earth as a quality not a quantity. Don’t be afraid, take responsibility for everything in your world, Sail as far as you can, live slowly, and make this year count!
Peace, Love and Coconuts!
– alex
By the way, I did something really cool yesterday, I made home made mayonnaise, wow was it better than store bought!
Hey Alex,Splendid looking great in the photos. Top job on the aft deck fella! May 2012 be what you want and your wake wander happily over the seas. Don’t forget to do a video tour of the boat once you get to the san blas. We’re hoping to have Emerald finished how we want her in the next 5 months to complete our refit of our 32year old gal. Then I’m sure we’ll cross paths at some point and share a bottle of home made wine. Slainte Colin
I need another Video Alex, can you at least post a small update video on how your boat is shaping up?? Give us something.
-Jer
Alex,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I enjoy the feeling of giving that Christmas is suppose to represent. I don’t mean the cheap china crap giving but giving of oneself to another human being. I hope your reflections and thoughts on the new year and past year are as wonderful as mine, as it is a wonderful time of year.
Jeff
That’s some big boat.
Any chance you’re compensating for a personal inadequacy?
Anyway – I’m very impressed
All is well in LA lA Land.
EB
Funny Eric ,’actually she is not
That big, she ‘s just right :)
Just spent the whole day working on the motorcycle, man I’m glad I got rid of the dive compressor, One less motor to maintain!!!!
i remember when 28′ was just right……next you’ll have all roller furling, and hydraulic winches…..happy hollidays……G
Gary,’truthfully if I were ever to move out of Splendid I’d move down a notch to 34-38 but I have no inclination to do such a thing. Splendid is really comfortable, stable, and nimble, and once I’m finished with my exterior work she will be Lo maintenance as well :) She’s my girl :)
Happy New year all!
Happy New Year Alex I agree with 34-38 ft being the sweet spot. We just sold our 41 ft boat after 6 years of fun and lots of work/expense to maintain her. Looking back if we had had to spend less time and money on the boat we could have spent more on us….
Looks like dry weather for you today so finish one more project this year. ))
Best JM
Thanks a JM, Splendid was an initial investment of time but once I’m done she will not demand so much, that’s why it would be so hard for me think of anothe boat. I carry much gear for wine making, cooking, tools,’and have a small library aboard. She has just enough room for me to be totally self sufficent, and comfortable. After I get the watermaker going (16 GPH) I will also put a washing machine I’n the aft head, doing laundry is really expensive In marinas & yacht clubs, it will be so nice to unplug from that :)
And I’m taking the day off today. Im making a nice chicken stew, reading, and contemplating/mediating on the following year. I am so greatful to be working on Splendid here I’n Panama,’it’s still my favorite place I’n the world :)
Cheers
Chicken stew, mmmm….. I’ll be over at 7!
Hey Alex, I wish you and everyone else here a happy new year.
Looking back at this year, being pretty much crummy ( Dad gone, country bankrupt (Greece)), I would like to thank Project Blue Sphere for putting many things in prospective. It has brought new hope and goals to my life and the courage and optimism to carry on.
Thanks ever so much.
Cheers y’all and healthy coconuts,
Peter
Happy New Year to you and Splendid. Let it be a good one!
alex, what happened to the sloths?……………….G
Hey Alex,
Hey man Happy New Year… I have been trying to get a plan together, but have my resolution set to get all my debt in order and also to minimize “My Cost of Living” finding ways to cut back on things, but my biggest challenge is to quit smoking, which i think it will be a lot easier when i am on the water… There is just something about it, and I cant really explain it, but being on or near the water is very soothing, calming…. Most of you, if your on here reading and replying, know exactly what im talking about…
Take care My friends and Happy New Year!!!! Make it count!
Oh and BTW Alex I decided to buy a 6 gallon wine kit im so excited all im waiting on is the juice…. im starting off with a Peach / Pear wine mix… so ill have to let you know how that comes out and maybe even send ya a bottle when its done. if ya got any good and interesting recipes id be glad to try them out also…
Take care
Peace, Love, And Greenland???
Steve
Steve, I used to be a heavy smoker, then on and off the last few years, it’s a tough battle for sure. I finally quit when I left Panama for the Marquesas and a 6 week journey. I didnt bring and cigarettes, and by the time I got to the Marquesas didn’t even think of them. Now I have one or two a year to remind myself how utterly disgusting they are, not to mention they will kill you. I spent a few weeks I’n a terminal cancer ward watching my mother die of lung cancer and she didn’t smoke, her boyfriend did. Point is give that shit up any way you can, how much do you spend a month on a habit that is killing you?
Wine making is fun for sure. you’ll order some juice kits I’n the beginning but later you’ll learn to make it from scratch. The favorite wines I’ve made were a chocolate port, and a hard cider, yummy ;)
Happy 2012
Alex, may the new year bring the open ocean you so desire, and the destinations you can fulfill your dreams in.
Greetings from SW Florida…
Alex, nice to get your note. Looking forward to the New Year too. My back is starting to heal. The doc found my right leg was shorter by 16mm so put a 7mm lift in and new exercises as well as moving a lot and ti chi. So all is coming together with the health.
Panacea is coming along. Chain plates need some new bolts and I’m working on a non-skid solution too. So all is well.
Charters where killer between the holidays now it’s time to fix a few things and finish up the varnish as well.
So Happy New Year… I always enjoy your thoughts and am grateful you jot them down. The responses on this blog are enlightening and have knocked those blinders off many times this year, so THANKS to everyone that puts in the input here. Your ideas are appreciated and help me along my journey as well.
Keep playing you music brother and we’ll continue to support your endeavors this year too. You’re a good investment for my Spirit.
Stay in touch…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Thanks Capt Paul, really. When are you going to come check out Panama?
I’ve been reall quiet lately but an uber-productive machine. I wake up, work my ass off, and quit 5-6 ish. Today is a big day. I’ve filled the last of the screw shaft holes. I’ve cut about 1300 screw shafts out of my deck with a plug cutter, and filled with epoxy. It’s been a $&/)?!!! Of a job. Big day tomorrow too. I 5200 up the last chain plate. I have pulled all 12 (ketch) chain plates, ground off the base that brought them up level to the old teak deck, and re-beded with 5200, and replaced the bolts.
I’m off to panama I’n a few days to have a few Stansion bases repaired and look for the grit sand I want for my nonskid.
I think it would have been easier to build a boat from scratch 4 years back. I have come so far with splendid.’shortly I will only be into cosmetic work which will keep me busy but I’n a more relaxed way.
I love this boat, I really do!
Happy new year! I havent been here in a while, so its good to hear you are doing well. Question, do you have sonar? Is gps and ship to shore enough for you or do you have more electronics than that. I want to price a completly new system for my first boat. It has nothing. About all she has is a couple of anchors and one mainsail and one jib, a fair weather at that. I am trying to build my sail boat with as much forethought as possible, so I thought I would ask an old pro. If you were to buy a electronic system for safety and communication, what what you spend your money on? I hope that anybody who wants will awnser this for me. I am really only a ordinary seaman if that. Thanks.
Alex, Thank you for being Alex. The more I listen the more I realize what I must do. I wish I was in panama to help you with Splendid. I can’t wait to get my boat and begin my travels…. and the butt whippin I know I must take to gain the expirience. My guitar is my best friend, so I understand… I have only owned speed boat in my life but one of my favorite pictures of me is one where I am sitting on the bow playing my guitar on Lake Beriessa in the napa valley. I can remember the serenity of the time…. that was 28 years ago and was the last boat I owned. I have spent, no squandered my life in the business world and I am done! My last years on this planet will be used to celebate me!
-cheers!