Progress?

The boat is back in the water now. The new Monitor windvane hanging off the back of the boat, almost complete. We just need some good weather to go out for a test sail before we put the finishing touches on. We also put a fresh antifouling on the bottom, and even had the prop finished with "propspeed"(antifouling for props and shafts). While the boat was hauled I discovered a hole in the water trap for the exhaust.(main engine cooling system) Thankfully I found it and we were able to get it welded up and reinstalled with new anodes without losing much time.


With the boat floating we are again working on putting the interior back together, shedding a few pounds in the process. When we left seattle we loaded everything we thought we might need for cruising on the boat. Now with a little bit of experience(and some new technology) we have decided that we don't need so much stuff on board(100lbs. of books..really?) This will make room for some other items we think are necessary for the next leg of the cruise; A drogue, a third anchor, and a water bladder.

We are currently hoping the weather improves enough that we can get our outside projects complete, namely touch up painting and varnishing(the fun stuff). Regardless of weather, we are planning on participating in the local wednesday evening beer can racing. Even if we aren't the fastest boat on the course, I do believe we get some style points for racing with: A dodger, a windvane, an outboard hanging on the pulpit, 300ft. of anchor chain, solar panels, wind generator, and all the other things that boats have when you cruise them around the world, that boats don't ever have when you are racing!