Cloud 9

I’m Back in the USA for the first time in about 7 years. Believe it or not I’m still happy after having strangers ruffle through my personal belongings, pat down my privates, and radiate me with scanners 3 times upon entry.

New York is my home, I was born at doctors hospital (Manhattan) on July 14th 1965. I grew up here in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. When I was a teenager I was the king of New York, nobody else knew it though. I knew this city inside and out, it was my playground.

So much has changed. You can pay your bill at Starbucks with your phone, there are parking meter robots on every street eating debit cards, and I paid $15.32 to send an 8 page fax from New York to the Coast Guard in Virginia and didn’t even have the help of a human being. It all seems a bit cold to me and I’m not referring to the weather. I know I can’t survive in this world…, “reality” some people call it.

However we are the proud new owners of a WestSail 42 cutter rigged ketch. I’m so excited I can’t see straight. I know I can speak for my wife, she is on cloud 9 as well! This home came to us with pure love as Carla and I only had $600 to our names.

I’m a little lost at the moment. The yard I’m at (on the hard) says I need to leave by the 15th “NO EXCEPTIONS”. Sea Tow wants about $800 to tow me 7 miles to a marina that costs $1000 a month. There is a cute little sailing club a quarter mile down the river (Hook Mountain) and when I went to enquire about a mooring and access to the dock for a few hours the commodore or who ever he was could not have been more crass and rude if he tried, “you’re just a liability”, even though I inquired as to the price? It’s really hard to find a little help around here, these are not the kind of sailors I’m used to dealing with, I feel like an alien.

My brother in law is here, he rented a car and is helping me get everything done. We got a come-along (2 ton) at Home Depot for about $30 and we are going to boom the engine out of Rocinante tomorrow. We are going to put in a new cutlass bearing and pay the yard to paint the bottom. They are going to splash me on the 15th and I have no place to go at the moment where I can put the engine back in, its all a big mystery!

I did stop by the Nyack yacht club and met some really nice folks. They are having a regatta on Sunday and asked if I could come back after Monday. It really would be the perfect place for me. They have a crane on one of the docks and there is a really good vibe about the place. I really hope I will be able to stay there for 6 weeks or so while I get ready to go. I desperately need a friendly place to stay.

My main priority at the moment is getting the engine on a pallet and shipped to the shop in Florida that will do the rebuild. I should have it back in 3 weeks and I can start putting some miles under the keel, start sailing home, and back to my wife. Carla will come for a visit mid November so we can be together for our first wedding anniversary on November 22 thanks to some friends on Facebook, thanks guys :) I also have to thank Nick the previous owner (with the smart car) for making this possible and being so cool and helpful. Two of his four children were born aboard this boat and blessed it with life, I can feel it in her bones.

I’m over my head on this thing but in my element if you know what I mean. It’s adventure for me . I’ve had so many friends come out of the woodwork and offer loaner cars (got to get a license), free airfare, and thanks to my brother and my friend Martin we have this amazing new floating home. A home to start my new life with Carla and get back to dreams of the sea with my best friend, wife, and the soundest craft a captain could ask for.

I am no longer the king of New York, I am just the most fortunate man to ever sail the sea. I’m so in love with everything in my world, really!

I am amazed at all the good food here. Most people seem to eat crap and there are fast food restraints everywhere. It’s so nice to have blueberries and strawberries. It’s been so long since I’ve had a peach too, yummy!

The following months are going to be hard. There is a lot of work to be done, my finances are minuscule and winter is coming fast. I haven’t tied to a dock in over 7 years and freedom to me is being able to live on the hook and not be tied to the system, or people thrusting their fists deep into my empty pockets at every corner.

I’ll be so happy to get under way and start my trip south. It’s 275 miles to Norfolk where I can start my 1095 mile trip down the ICW. My plan is to be in Panama late December. I think it’s a pipe dream and January/February is more likely, but I am going to push as hard as possible. I want to get to Splendid so we can move out and shine her up for sale. If you want to come along for part of my trip south and are willing to cover fuel for the days your here let me know.

I can’t believe I’m back in a west sail. This is a difficult move but will be so worth it in the end.

Today was a big day. Nico (my brother in law) and I pulled the cutlass bearing, prop, he went aloft and ran some halyards and unfroze the roller furling bearing. We also pulled the cable steering system and pulled up the cockpit floor exposing the engine to the sky and freedom. We pulled out the water heater, starter, alternator, all the wires and electronic bits on the motor. And it was a 2 hour process but we got the transmission separated from the engine as will. The motor mount bolts are off and the engine is ready to go up, up, up, and out of the boat TODAY!!!

Does anyone in the area have a cheap dinghy or bicycle for sale?

I’ll be amazed if I can pull this whole thing off. This boat however is not really a project boat at all. She needs a rebuilt engine but is in lovely shape otherwise. She can use some new canvas (good thing Carla does it), and a rigging bit or two, but once the engine is done She is ready to rock & roll!!!

Peace everyone.

Sail far and live slowly.

-alex