Preparing for a “shakedown” cruise. We are heading to San Francisco Bay for a few days this weekend. It has really opened our eyes to how much we really need to do before leaving. This week has been a busy week anyway, so in the evenings we are cleaning, installing reef hooks, radio, filling water and fuel tanks, Food, ice, clothes, GPS, books, tools, and the list goes on . . .
We added water to the tanks the other night, and turned on the water pump. Yahoo! We hear water gurgling in the pipes, we may have water pressure. Wait, it is still not coming out, hmm, I hear water somewhere. Oh, it is in the cockpit, close that drain. Still none coming out of the sink, WAIT the hot water line in the head is leaking big time. OK one more thing to fix, but we are happy to have things go wrong in port or at least close to home. I would rather have things go wrong here than “out there”.
There is a bit of stress involved with all of this, we wanted to leave Thur. night, but just don’t think that is going to happen. Friday morning it is. Tides, winds, it all factors in.
Before going to Mexico we still need to get the dingy motor up and running, sew weather cloths, put grommets on the sun tarps, and install an inverter, auto pilot. So many things and so little time. But it is good to work really hard now so we won’t be trying to do it all in the last 2 weeks.
It is said you will never be ready, but you have to do the best you can and go.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Refrigeration, we don't need no stinking refrigeration
8/24/09
So why can’t I have refrigeration anyway? Technical aside: When you are on a boat, not at the dock, you are relatively self sustaining. If you want to run things like lights, computers, refrigerators and such, you need a power source. We have batteries that allow for lights, but you must use them judiciously as they will eventually die. You can recharge the batteries with the engine, but that takes diesel. And I personally don’t want to be a slave to running the engine 2 hours a day to charge up everything. Picture a quiet bay relaxing, enjoying the day, then add the chug of an engine for several hours instead of the chirp of birds, and the lapping of waves.
We wanted to have solar panels that would recharge the batteries and give us much more flexibility in what electrical equipment we have onboard, but money rears its ugly head yet again.
So continues the search for information on what needs to be refrigerated, and what doesn’t. Instead of buying huge quantities of mayonnaise, jam, cheese, and the like. Smaller containers will be used quicker and less likely to go bad.
One of my favorite blogs for the past year has been http://svpisces.blogspot.com/
Jacob and Julia did almost the same trip we are planning at the same time and in a similar sized boat. It was so great to hear about events, good bad and ugly, along the way. It helped me get a feel for what to expect.
So why can’t I have refrigeration anyway? Technical aside: When you are on a boat, not at the dock, you are relatively self sustaining. If you want to run things like lights, computers, refrigerators and such, you need a power source. We have batteries that allow for lights, but you must use them judiciously as they will eventually die. You can recharge the batteries with the engine, but that takes diesel. And I personally don’t want to be a slave to running the engine 2 hours a day to charge up everything. Picture a quiet bay relaxing, enjoying the day, then add the chug of an engine for several hours instead of the chirp of birds, and the lapping of waves.
We wanted to have solar panels that would recharge the batteries and give us much more flexibility in what electrical equipment we have onboard, but money rears its ugly head yet again.
So continues the search for information on what needs to be refrigerated, and what doesn’t. Instead of buying huge quantities of mayonnaise, jam, cheese, and the like. Smaller containers will be used quicker and less likely to go bad.
One of my favorite blogs for the past year has been http://svpisces.blogspot.com/
Jacob and Julia did almost the same trip we are planning at the same time and in a similar sized boat. It was so great to hear about events, good bad and ugly, along the way. It helped me get a feel for what to expect.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Treasures
One of the challenges we have had is money, or lack thereof. One year ago I would have never considered leaving without refrigeration. We are, of course, civilized people. It is as if we remain safe, and warm (or cold) as long as ice cubes are intact. But as I realized the complication of living onboard with all the “things” I considered essentials, I began to understand that if I held tight to the stuff of civilization, as I saw it, we would never leave the dock. Either that, or we need to tow the Queen Mary.
We have gone from over 2000 sq. ft. to a 32ft boat. Someone described it as living in the hall of your house. To suggest we are heading for a minimalist lifestyle may be an understatement.
Simplicity leads to freedom, and that is a revelation to me. I who surround myself with stuff and things. I am a clutter-bug by birthright. My Father is a surrounded by things, my Uncle Carl is the keeper of the past. My Grandparents and beyond did not let go easily. I have passed this legacy on to my children; although in some, lucky for them, it has not taken hold.
But, if I give away my treasures, I find joy in that, and freedom. How nice it is not to have to find a place for this and that: to try to find the other thing, to dust this award or that memento. How wonderful to see my crystal proudly displayed at my daughter’s home or to see a casserole arrive at a family event in my beautiful dish.
Money can control us, and dictate our lives; if we let it. I am discovering what is important to ME. Not what TV or society thinks is important, but what do I value. Now that is a treasure.
We have gone from over 2000 sq. ft. to a 32ft boat. Someone described it as living in the hall of your house. To suggest we are heading for a minimalist lifestyle may be an understatement.
Simplicity leads to freedom, and that is a revelation to me. I who surround myself with stuff and things. I am a clutter-bug by birthright. My Father is a surrounded by things, my Uncle Carl is the keeper of the past. My Grandparents and beyond did not let go easily. I have passed this legacy on to my children; although in some, lucky for them, it has not taken hold.
But, if I give away my treasures, I find joy in that, and freedom. How nice it is not to have to find a place for this and that: to try to find the other thing, to dust this award or that memento. How wonderful to see my crystal proudly displayed at my daughter’s home or to see a casserole arrive at a family event in my beautiful dish.
Money can control us, and dictate our lives; if we let it. I am discovering what is important to ME. Not what TV or society thinks is important, but what do I value. Now that is a treasure.
Friday, August 21, 2009
3 months and 7 days, but who's counting
It is difficult to say exactly when this journey started. Was it when I went sailing in San Diego that summer and met the interesting Aussie crew that was delivering a beautiful yacht to Alaska? Was it the first time I picked up a Latitude 38 and read the stories of tropical coves, fascinating cultures, and sailing adventures? Was it the time Marcus and I laid on the foredeck of our soon to be first sailboat dreaming? Maybe it was the week we spent aboard the Benateau 47 "Caca Fuego", with our new found friends in the BVI? I know we were well on our way when we joined Western Grace with John and Joanne, Harry and Sailor Dave for an amazing trip down the coast of California and Baja.
After much searching and aiming at the moving target of the perfect yacht, we took the plunge (wait, plunge may a poor choice of words). In December 2008 we became the proud, if not a bit nervous owners of Quiet Moon, a 32 ft Fuji ketch. THAT purchase is another story.
So here we are after a slowly evolving journey of research and discovery buying the essentials at a breakneck speed. Our list of "absolute's" are being crossed off rapidly. It seems more things are being crossed off now because of lack of funds than due to purchasing of said items. The criteria now is, what is required for us to sail safely to Mexico.
I have lived and learned so much through the generous sharing of so many other sailor's experiences, I feel it is a responsibility to share our experiences in this process. Hopefully those who are on a similar journey will find vision, encouragment, information or comfort through our adventures.
After much searching and aiming at the moving target of the perfect yacht, we took the plunge (wait, plunge may a poor choice of words). In December 2008 we became the proud, if not a bit nervous owners of Quiet Moon, a 32 ft Fuji ketch. THAT purchase is another story.
So here we are after a slowly evolving journey of research and discovery buying the essentials at a breakneck speed. Our list of "absolute's" are being crossed off rapidly. It seems more things are being crossed off now because of lack of funds than due to purchasing of said items. The criteria now is, what is required for us to sail safely to Mexico.
I have lived and learned so much through the generous sharing of so many other sailor's experiences, I feel it is a responsibility to share our experiences in this process. Hopefully those who are on a similar journey will find vision, encouragment, information or comfort through our adventures.
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