Life has never been better.
I proudly have .62 cents in my bank account. I’m waiting on some cash from running the house and some insurance money for saving that boat from sinking a few months back. But at the moment I have .62 cents in the bank and $38 bucks in my pocket. Guess what, life is grand! Also the car doesn’t run, my motorcycle doesn’t run, and my outboard is shot. My buddy 
Hanz is a good outboard mechanic and is looking into it. I’m so looking forward to splashing the Dyer and rowing, rowing, rowing my way to the shore, minimalism, and health. A rowing dinghy is really the only way to go for me! I’m sick of all the technology, mechanical crap, and complications.
I’m taking this opportunity to restore my old Dyer midget sailing dinghy. The wood under the bumper was completely rotten. I pulled off the rub rail and the wood on the inside, and outside of the fiberglass hull. I pulled out the seats and oarlocks and cleaned her up 
today.
I couldn’t find teak, but found some really nice almond wood. It’s very hard and according to local carpenter very strong and will last in a wet marine environment. As you can see in the photo I’ve wetted the wood and I’m bending it prior to instillation.
I’m going to make a few modifications to the midget. There was foam under the two seats and I’m going to fibraglass them solid and put watertight access to both of them so I have some storage for a 
light, some fishing gear, or whatever.
I’m going to sand, prime, and spray her in the coming weeks. I’m thinking of going with a black hull 
Carla, my bride to be, is in the states visiting her brother for 4 days and returning with the 5/16bbb gypsy for my new/used Lofrans falkon windlass, and the Glacier Bay Micro HPS refrigeration system I scored on eBay. As soon as I can afford the refrigeration foam I’m going to continue building my refrigerator box.
Oh how I cant wait to go voyaging again. I’m sooooo ready to leave Panama and continue on my path with Carla. My list is getting quite small now. I still need a drifter (sail) and to replace my stantions and life lines. The haul out is a big expensive project but I’m sure it will happen in the not too distant future. I need to fix blisters, re barrier coat, replace all the through hulls, and fabricate my sea chest. I’m also thinking of building a keel cooler. Still seems a bit intimidating but my project list is diminishing quickly and Splendid will voyage as soon as humanly possible!
Peace, love, and coconuts guys.
Sail far and live slowly.
– Alex