One of many lists

This to-do list is from a page in our ship's log.  It is the list of projects and things to buy and figure out between trips 3 and 4.   We leave for trip 4 at 4:30AM tomorrow.

First three trips

We have now been the boat twice as a family, in June and July, and before that I had gone out in May just to get a grip on things.  It takes a while to get a grip on it all.  We have come to figure out that our favorite spots are anchorages at the little islands south of Stonington.  We are also figuring out that the less we try to fit in a day, the happier we are.

Possibly the most important endorsement is that the kids are looking forward to going back to the boat for our third 10-day trip of the summer.

Initial boat projects

I feel like I am getting carried away with boat projects.  Maybe I can get by without running backstays, without secondary winches, without a windvane and with a dysfunctional traveler.  Maybe I should just sail the boat the way she is for a couple years and not just spend money because I can.  I fear that I may be loading up my expectations by changing a bunch of things right away.  Am I building up expectations that this is my dream boat and that my family is going to love this venture.  Maybe I should find how I actually use the boat, allow myself to really bond with my boat and just get a better feel for things.  I certainly want to do things that are necessary to have a safe passage, but I get carried away thinking that I have to have everything on the boat just how I want it before going down to the Caribbean.  I think a valuable conversation might be how to prioritize some of these things.  

So far I have spent a bunch with Morris, attending the anything that the inspector noted.  I am still looking at having Morris rebuild the head -- I tried to rebuild it the day before I was leaving and if they don't fix my mess then my family will arrive to a leaky toilet.  The holding tank also seems to be stinking worse than it did when we inspected the boat.  Apparently the holding tank was taken out, but they couldn't get this stink out of it, and the decision was made to just put it back in.  Morris thinks the holding tank is fiberglass, but it sure looks like metal on the top.  I also had asked Morris to replace a vent fitting which I'm not sure was done and I wonder if I should do that and hoses before replacing the whole tank.

Then there are dinghy considerations.  I have a small rowing Trinka which I like but I'm not sure how it's going to work with the whole family.  I would really like a rowing and sailing dinghy.  The Fatty Knees dinghy seems appealing but it's expensive.  I would still need an inflatable as a chase boat when the kids are sailing.  I would want to get a roll-up for storage so been thinking about the Achilles.  Then I would need a motor.  

There is also the windvane consideration.  I love the idea of having one.  But as I was trying to do the measurements for the installation it came to my attention that I really didn't know how the thing works at all. I thought the quadrant was oriented horizontally while it is oriented vertically.  Now I have read more and better understand how it all works but I still wonder if I should be proceeding with something of this nature without really understanding.

Six-weeks notice

I had not considered the extent to which quitting my job would feel like a tangible step to spending time with the boat.  Today is the day that I gave my 6 week notice.  The talk with the CEO went well.  It made him smile that I was going to spend more time on a boat.  People feel good about what I am going to be doing rather than angry about me leaving, it seems.  To me it feels like a real tangible step to making this venture a reality, a feeling that is still sinking in.

Staying organized

I feel like I really have to stay on top of things with this new boat to make it all work out.  And doing it while involving but not overwhelming Kate who is going along with all this lifestyle adjustment, which nearly amounts to having a new member in the family, but Kate is interested in different priorities (relationships, living simply and structure for the kids).  The fairy-tale ending is still pending and I can still screw things up.  
Paul Exner has been advising me on refit priorities which is great because he and I spent time at sea together so I trust him and he knows me.  At this point I am having Morris do the cutlass bearing, change from shaft seal to stuffing box, engine mounts (just need paint), rudder stuffing box, service the steering and install t-terminals on the mast for running backs (at the advice of Mike Meer).  I have been talking to Eric and Yves at Cape Horn about a windvane, but just put that project on hold until I actually start going to the boat.  I am thinking about going the sat phone route rather than the SSB.  (I do have a ground imbedded in the hull that Morris assures me is good in case I decide on SSB.)  There is a list of work I am hoping to get done myself.  My list, alongside costs, is on an Excel document with a running total that is about $30K for the year so far.  Since I am planning on cutting back at work, I need to be careful with finances.
I’ll be out there for a week every month before the Carib1500, from May to November. Hopefully I will be able to find some exotic places in Maine to anchor and do boat work.  It feels like this all requires detailed attention to get organized and negotiated, though the boat is basically is great shape.  I will have it in Annapolis mid-September to mid-October and I was thinking I should save some work for people there as that might help defray dockage costs.  I have no idea what I am going to do with her after we reach Tortolla.  And I think we are going with a new name, yet to be determined.

Photo on mooring in Bass Harbor, Maine

This picture was taken by the previous owner

Windvane

I am giving some thought to putting off the windvane until I actually get to the boat.  I would be passing up on the 10% discount they offered for ordering now.  I would also possibly put myself in the position of not getting it done before the Carib 1500.  I think I would buy myself piece of mind.  Last night I got to thinking that I should be nervous (which I wasn’t) about making changes that altered the boat before I actually have taken possession of the boat.  I am excited to own this boat, but I do not yet feel the affection for this boat that I feel to Captive Heart, my J/27.  I think when a person loves a boat, that person will make the best decisions for a boat.  I need to fall in love with this boat before I start making these decisions.  It will be cool to be able to do things like measure the stern wave at various speeds and sailing angles and to be more a pat of the process in getting this right.  I am fine leaving periodic maintenance, esp for things in which I have little expertise, to the service yard, but I would like to be more involved in designing and installing sailing stuff like the windvane.  Hopefully I can make it one of my first projects so that I get a chance to practice and adjust if necessary.  I will keep it in the budget.