Old man winter

Growing a little weary.

I’m really ready to start heading south. The cold is nipping at my heals, and the wind biting the back of my neck. It’s good my buddy Bruce has been here with me this last week. He has been a real help in getting this project off the ground, or should say, in the water?

I had to buy a new block and crank for the engine which took more than every dime for this crazy project. That being said the engine is going in next week and hopefully I can get this show on the road and headed south. 

Eleanor came from the west-coast and wasn’t used to the cold. She had never been winterized and the engine block expanded and cracked with the freezing water inside of it as did the fresh water pump, and much of the plumbing. 

I’m looking for crew. I’m looking for crew because I won’t have an autopilot and need some helmsmen. Some able men who can take shifts at steering and can help with fuel costs. Men who won’t get sick and can handle a little cold. Once I make the 275 miles or so to Norfolk, then I can take a few guys who can’t necessarily handle the sea as we will be in the inland protection on the ICW moving south.

I’m trying to get the flemming auxiliary rudder / windvane that came with Eleanor installed and working. It is an amazing looking windvane, hope it works as well as people claim. I did bring a little tiller pilot to hook up to it in case I couldn’t afford an autopilot which seems to be the case.

I had an okay time in Peterson’s boat yard despite the fact the owner was a completely psychotic angry man and treats everyone around him like garbage as he yells at the top of his lungs. It’s hard to believe that characters like that exist outside of “B” movies but apparently they do. The guys who work there however were fantastic, helpful, and kind. I met a sailor from New Zealand with a beautiful Choy Lee ketch that I really hope to keep in touch with. He is just one of those guys you want to be friends with.

Luckily I also made some friends at the Nyack boat club where I now float on a mooring.

The club has nice facilities, not to mention I am surrounded by sailors which isn’t a bad thing. 

I should get the engine back early this week. I still need to fabricate an exhaust system, and figure out my fuel tanks which I don’t know if I will use. I bought a 125 gallon fuel bladder to ensure feeding the new iron jib some clean fuel.

I also bought a used racor 1000FH fuel filter with heater on eBay for $100. The thing is designed to handle about 300 GPH. I put one in Splendid as well and never have filter issues.

The other big news is we just released a new version of Project BlueSphere. I’m re-branding it to Project BlueSphere’s “The Minimalist Sailor”.

It’s my intention to build a community of men dedicated to the pursuit of sailing and living on the sea by minimal means. After all my years of sailing this is what is really important to me, what I wish to promote, and peace and freedom the goal. 

Minimalism I what brings me the most peace. Practical sailing, no frills, and dependability are the keys to a fulfilling voyaging experience. 

You may also notice that my first film “California to Colombia” is available on the main page for free. I’m doing this in hopes of having more people watch it and possibly raise some more donations to keep this website alive, not to mention fuel in the tanks and some staple items in the pantry.

Well that’s it for this frozen morning. As I write this blog I can see my breath, burrrrr!

Peace.

Sail far and live slowly.

-alex

 

 

Published in Alex Dorsey