An appropriate quote:
“You don’t get something for nothing. You cant have freedom for free, you wont get wise with the sleep still in your eyes no matter what your dreams might be”.
– Neil Peart
I forget who said it but another quote is “ Don’t pray for lighter burdens, but for stronger backs”.
Well as you can see from the photo my facial hair is going totally gray. I’m frustrated, yet focused. I really, REALLY want to cross an ocean and start voyaging again next March’ish!
I want to get out of the Caribbean and most likely cross the Pacific for Asia, or if money is tight and I can’t get through the canal I might cross the Atlantic. not so much for Europe (too expensive) but I have been talking to some cruising friends from S. Africa. I think the trip to Cuba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Azores, Portugal, Canery islands, Western Africa, Cape Verde Islands, then back across the Atlantic on to Patagonia would be a blast and affordable. At some point I’ll have to move my diesel heater into my aft cabin or get another one.
My chain plate project got a little bigger and I decided to redo / fair / pull up all of the stanchions and pulpits. I want to do it once, and do it right! This is the port aft quarter, I’m trying to knock this project out in quarters. I’m starting with the stern to ensure my cabin is as watertight as a frogs bumb for the onset of the rainy season. This will look a hell of a lot better with a coat of paint :)
As you can see from the photo I have removed the stern pulpit & stanchions and ground off all of the bases for the stansions & chain plates. The blue tape is covering the hole where the other chain plate for my mizzen goes. I tried out some of Gliddens green primer (its okay but not thick enough for me) and now I’m fairing with epoxy & cabosil. I HATE fairing with epoxy as it is a real bitch to sand. I’m going to go broke buying sandpaper for my new makita (love it) orbital sander.
If I stay focused I think I can knock out a quarter of the deck (Stanchions, chain plates, fairing, non-skid, priming & painting) in about 12 to 15 days each. So I’m looking at 6 – 8 weeks of really busting my ass on this. This schedule is taking good weather into account ???? I’m thinking to quit drinking for a while, not that its a problem, but it certainty decreases my performance & focus. It’s really hard to work hard in 90+ degree heat :(
After all this I need to sand & paint the hull. All other projects (refrigeration, water maker, yadda, yadda, yadda) are going on hold till Splendid looks Splendid and is ready for the sea once again.
After this project I need to re-fabricate the stainless piece that connects the boat to the forestay and I will feel 100% comfortable with my rig. At that point with the addition of a drifter I’ll go anywhere in the world with Splendid as everything else is just fluff.
If anyone is interested I came across a really cool boat for sale in Panama, it’s a Whitby 42. I haven’t seen the boat but they are really well made cruising boats.
www.yachtworld.com/boats/1975/Whitby-Ketch-2302713/Panama
That’s it for today, I have a hell of a lot of sanding to do!
Cheers
Peace, Love, and Sandpaper
– alex
Ha, I just picked up two sherwood Alum 80 SCUBA tanks for $150.00, one is current the other needs a vis & hydro :) I cant wait to post a pucture of this deck after I hit it with the spray gun!
Well there you have it Alex… That project will keep you on the straight and narrow for a while. I like the opening statement about backs. Mine is screwed right now. That sure slows down the projects.
A for your facial hair… I’ve got the same problem with mine. Thinkin’ of entering the Hemingway contest in Key West. Mines getting a little white myself.
In any case, keep up the projects and know there’s light at the end of each tunnel. Love the focus.
Take care my friend and stay in touch.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Paul,
You have some white hair for sure :) I was talking to my other friend Paul last night and he swears 50+ is the way to go, sez its the “I just dont give a $hit anymore” era. I cant believe I’ll be 46 in July. That’s what getting Splendid was about tho, spending the rest of my days cruising in comfort, Namaste was a lot easier to handle but not nearly as comfortable inside, or at sea, I’ve got a bit longer of busting my hump but will burn up the ocean soon enough :)
No doubt in my mind. I love this heavy (33,000 pound) boat. She rocked and rolled in the 5 to 7 foot seas last week going to the Tortugas, but with the center cockpit and her lines, it was a pleasure. Sure I had messes to clean, but didn’t break anything but some skin here and there. Learning how t pack her a bit better. ;o)
Splendid is a great design. Fix the leaks (I’m on that to, you can check out my blog later tonight to see the pictures of the leak I found today, arrgggghhhhh.) and she’ll be great. Seems like that’s my goal, keep the water out of the boat. Seems reasonable. BUT the comfort. Never had it before so I’m digging it.
My back is pretty much out right now, so handling her is a challenge. Lucky I have a good buddy that likes to sail and is working as a good mate.
So my best to you. Time for a rum something and put my feet up. Drop me a line and let me know if I can send you some photos of the project. I’d like to start on it tomorrow and could use some quick advise.
Later…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
P.S. July What?
No doubt in my mind. I love this heavy (33,000 pound) boat. She rocked and rolled in the 5 to 7 foot seas last week going to the Tortugas, but with the center cockpit and her lines, it was a pleasure. Sure I had messes to clean, but didn’t break anything but some skin here and there. Learning how t pack her a bit better. ;o)
Splendid is a great design. Fix the leaks (I’m on that to, you can check out my blog later tonight to see the pictures of the leak I found today, arrgggghhhhh.) and she’ll be great. Seems like that’s my goal, keep the water out of the boat. Seems reasonable. BUT the comfort. Never had it before so I’m digging it.
My back is pretty much out right now, so handling her is a challenge. Lucky I have a good buddy that likes to sail and is working as a good mate.
So my best to you. Time for a rum something and put my feet up. Drop me a line and let me know if I can send you some photos of the project. I’d like to start on it tomorrow and could use some quick advise.
Later…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
P.S. July What?
Sorry Alex about the duplicate. The page was in the background and re-loaded. Go figure…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Greying beard? – Thats good! It shows wisdom, experience, and of course taste! ONLY 46 in July?, I’ll be 50 and still havent left the dock (or even bought the boat!)
Love the projects mate, and the plan. I read somewhere to write your plan backward. Start with your goal, and then write the final step to achieving it, and then the step before that, until you get to where you are. Voila! a perfect step by step plan. If you want to transit the canal plan how to get the $$$, and let your friends know early ’cause we want to help.
Hoping to see you in Australia soon, or meet you on the seas!
Hey Alex
You have mentioned your breathing issues. Both my daughter and myself have asthma. We have always held to the idea a plant in every room makes better air. Turns out we were right and NASA even did a few test on various plants. We have mostly peace lillys and ferns but plan on getting a few spider plants too. The plants we have are pretty tough because they usually only get water once dad notices that the leaves are wilted which at that point means the dirt is dry and hard as a rock. I attached the link to the article for you to review, maybe you can pick up a plant that eats harmful chemicals that you use to work on your boat. I love your site and soon hope to have some extra money to buy a video.
Take care and keep living the dream!
http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/stories/15-houseplants-to-improve-indoor-air-quality