Jump Delayed A Few Days

The Bad News:

Today is the day we were supposed to leave, but due to circumstances beyond our control, the Raymarine auto pilot that we just paid beaucoup bucks for isn't working.  So much for their quality control.  GRRRRR!  We are trying to find a solution to this problem, including a fly back to the states to get a quick repair, or uninstalling the @###! thing and re-installing our old auto pilot which was limping along but still working.

We are still waiting for our spinnaker to clear customs. 

The Good News:

Garyn arrived yesterday and is already making himself useful as a crew member.  The To do list is almost completed.  It's great to see him.  The weather and weather conditions are beautiful for sailing this week, including a full moon.  We still are going to try to leave later this week.


We will keep you posted.

The To Do List

We have six days left before we cast off.  Garyn arrives in five days.  Thought you might be interested in seeing the To Do list before we leave or as we can on the fly:

Provisioning

• Defrost refrigerator and freezer (Saturday)
• Finish provisioning - get fresh produce, cheeses, eggs, coffee, (Monday)
• Clean and store provisions (the shopping is easy!) (Monday evening)

Screw down, secure, install:

• picture frames in V berth, lower saloon, and master stateroom
• latches for floorboards and setee lids
• hooks for bungee cords across bookshelves lower saloon and master stateroom
• additional fans in galley, lower saloon, master stateroom
• two additional DC plugs, upper saloon, master stateroom
• coffee mug racks
• all software on backup computer
• straps for floor bags and shelves
• foam sponges in cupboards to prevent rattles

Fix, clean,  and re-glue:

• magnetic shade catches
• bug screens
• kitchen, undershelf light
• clean boat interior - dusty from all the sanding and polishing
• do final laundry (Monday)

Sewing projects:

• thermal hatch covers for bow (these are almost done)
• covers for 4 fuel cans (today-Thursday)
• cover straps with snaps for cushions on cooler (today - Thursday)
• stow sewing gear and sewing machine

Outside projects:

• remark 50 foot sections of chain
• attach block for new gennaker
• convert wind generator to water generator
• pump out heads (scheduled for Thursday - today)
• refill propane bottles (scheduled for Friday)
• fuel up (scheduleds for Tuesday)
• clean bottom (scheduled for Monday)
• pickup cutter sail (reefing points for storm sail being installed)
• clean, fold, and store bicycles
• clean, foldup, and lash down porta-bote
• lashdown flopperstopper and fuel cans
• take down and stow sunshades

• check out with port captain and immigration

As you can see, I've got to get off the computer and get busy.

Pacific Puddle Jump Article

The March issue of Latitude 38 is out with profiles of all of the Puddle Jumpers and boat profiles.  Check out page 114.  Just a little over three weeks before we cast off for the South Pacific.