The last 27

Well guys I’m on a plane for Argentina in a few hours and I’m having major separation anxiety (Splendid). I love to travel but I’m a home-body at the same time. Kind of like a wondering turtle with his house on his back.

As you know the sea has been calling me hard for years, and now it’s calling Carla .

My morning coffee is either spent dreaming over charts, writing blogs, or battling with my final refit list. My days are spent attending to that list. Splendid was an enormous project but I can see the light on the horizon and taste the salt on my lips. Only 27 more items on a long list that I have been wrestling for years.

As soon as Carla (my wife ) and I return from Argentina We will try to stir-up some charters and knock off this list so we can go voyaging as soon as humanely possible.

If you want to visit the San Blas islands or spend some time on Splendid learning about cruising please let me know and we’ll work something affordable out. If you have an old drifter/Asym (sail) or SSB sitting in your garage that would work on Splendid I’d be willing to trade time in the San Blas for it.

Here is my master list:

Finish refrigerator box insulation and install my new refrigeration system. ($600 50-80hrs)

Install new Foley Teflon engine seals to stop oil leek on main engine. ($300/10hrs)

Order parts for Falkon Windlass & install ($400/10hrs)

Get new house batteries (6, 6 volts, $680)

Get new oars for Dyer ($110)

The monster haul-out project! Install my new Marlon thru-hulls, install new stuffing box, paint bottom (copper coat), paint hull, add new depth sounder. (4k +/- 1 month in yard)

Fabricate a new forplate. ($300/6hrs)

Fabricate new stanchions ($500)

Re-rig triatic stay ($150/5hrs)

Find a used drifter or asymmetrical spinnaker. ($1500-2k)

Fabricate sliding, alternative-propulsion outboard bracket for stern ($300).

New Chain ($800)

Find used BC (scuba) vest ($150)

Repair my Sea 225 SSB radio or replace ($300 repair, thousands to replace)

Panama Canal Transit ($1500)

Order new halyard ($175)

Get spare fresh water pump ($250)

Oder spare Parts for bilge pumps ($120.00)

Order rebuild kit for raw water pump ($80)

Order spare gasket kit for Perkins ($200)

Order spare alternator ($300)

Order spare parts for spear gun ($150)

Build new Medical kit ($300)

Fill Diesel tanks ($1400)

buy grundens fowl-weather gear (his/hers $550)

buy satellite phone with minutes for email/blog updates from the Pacific ($2,200)

Hide a few bucks under the mattress (3-5kish)

Sail across and get lost in the Pacific again (Priceless)

I know this list may seem long but it represents freedom! This list represents a sailing boat that is able to make fresh water from salt.  Freeze, dry, or home-can fish, fruits, and vegetables gathered from extremely remote islands.

As a young single guy I wouldn’t sweat not having a watermaker or refrigeration system. But as I’m getting older (48) I want a bit more comfort, and want to share that comfort with my woman.

If your young and single I highly recommend voyaging on a much smaller and simpler craft. The harder my voyages have been, the more rewarding they have been. Those hard passages are what make the man and sailor you dream of becoming. Only once you have the knowledge on how to survive this way on a simple boat should you consider doing it on a comfortable boat, not the other way around.

I’m confident that if my engine breaks I have the skills to navigate without it. If my watermaker breaks, I know I have the skills to collect, conserve, and find fresh water. If my refrigeration breaks I know I have the skills to home-can and dry my food to take to sea.

I have 100% confidence and understanding of all my systems as I have built most from scratch and carry spares. I have a spare refrigeration compressor and controller. I will have extra gas, soldering gear, a vacuum pump, and plumbing. I’m planning on a few years in the S. pacific islands this time before hitting a major port.

Anyway. I’ll have my spot active for the trip to Argentina and I’ll be blogging from the road. It’s a red-eye to Buenos Aires, we arrive at 6am.

Peace, Love, & penguins.

– alex

Published in Alex Dorsey