Another new years blog

Once again I find myself facing a new year and my own reflections. This is the time of year I keep myself in check to make sure I don’t slip from my objectives and loose sight of my path.

How was my 2013 I ask myself? Well, quite honestly it was F’n amazing. I spent a lot of time sailing in the San Blas which are my favorite cruising grounds in the world, got married, and traveled in Patagonia. How much better could my year have been? well, I suppose I’m broke, but truthfully don’t give a damn : )

Carla has been working the sailright machine overtime and made us a new mattress cover for the master bedroom and is knocking out a new satee for the main salon. I have been working on the refrigerator instillation and focusing on painting the hull. The starboard side of Splendid has been sanded back down to the original gelcoat, and I’m in the process of patching/filling nicks & scratches.  We decided to roll & tip with Sikkens 2-part polyurethane using a slow hardener and a slow evaporating thinner with a white primer. We will also paint a black sheer stripe with gold-leaf filigree. She is going to look AWSOME!!!!

I ask myself, have all the years I’ve had to pour into Splendid worth it? The answer is yes. I NEVER would have been able to afford such a fine yacht and will retire in comfort sailing the world on the ship I’ve always dreamed of with my wife, priceless!

I did however get myself into a little bit of a pickle. There is an access panel to the engine room on the cockpit sole and I decided to open in. Well, for some reason it is designed in such a way that it is structurally part of the binnacle and now I’m in the process of redesigning the whole thing. I ended up having to cut it out with a sawzall. I’m thinking I’m going to put a 1/2” iron slab (top & backing plate) under the binnacle for structural support and build an easy-open access hatch for the engine room. It will have to be water tight so a bit tricky. My engine room is an embarrassment and I need to organize and paint. Having easy access will allow me to do just that. I tend to get a bit claustrophobic in the engine room, especially when I’m straddling a hot engine in a 10’ sea trying to change a racor filter or something, ARRRGGGG. 

Splendid’s (our) main objective is to transit the Panama canal as soon as possible and make our way to wherever it is we are going. I’m growing old & weary working on boat projects and need to burn up the ocean for a few years and put some miles under the keel, 2014 is the year I’m going to do it in!

Happy New Year everybody, don’t forget about your dreams and making them happen NOW!

Peace.

-alex