Made for the Shade!

Here are a couple of photos of our new bimini from outside looking in and

inside looking out.

Our canvas smith is still working on the shade cloths which will zip onto the sides of the bimini for angled sun protection. We will be able to fold the bimini back just before mizzen and just in front of the back rail. When open the two folding parts of the bimini are connected with a canvas bridge that wraps around the mizzen sail. When in the folded position, each bimini component will have a protective boot. We wanted our shade to be removable in case of high winds, following seas, and evening star watch.

Looks like our number of vicarious sailors is growing. We are excited that we can keep in touch with you. If you have a digital photo to share of your smiling face, we would love it! Until next time!

Three Months and Counting

I turned in my retirement papers yesterday and stopped my parking...only 4 weeks to get everything off my desk and files cleared up or at least cleaned out. Russ is making arrangements with the optometrist who is buying his practice and beginning to introduce him to the community and patient base. We are both attending meetings for the last time and saying goodbyes. You would think these simple "end" tasks would be easier, but it is surprisingly more difficult than we thought it would be. The last 30 years have been relatively stable with incremental changes like a run-on sentence punctuated with commas and semi-colons. Now it's time to put a period at the end of that sentence and chapter and to start a new chapter by sailing into the uncharted waters.

Russ got the engine started last weekend! Yeah, what a nice sound after seeing the parts strewn about for the last five weeks. There was a slight hiccup when we realized that the water pump wasn't sealed well and we were leaking seawater into the engine compartment. After a mop-up and some moderate adjustments, we started the engine again...and it purred! No leaks, nice and dry, and peace of mind that all the parts and hoses are either new or rebuilt.

The bimini is almost complete. We are hauling the boat out July 6 to replace the standing rigging, new bottom paint, and whatever else we need to do. We got the watermaker two weeks ago and Russ is beginning to lay that out for installation. We already have a saltwater intake thru-hull, so we are hoping not to have to make a second one for the watermaker. The refrigeration expert should be starting that project this month before we haul out and then install the keel cooler components at the haul out.

In the galley, my wonderful little microwave is acting up. My start button gave it up. Now to use it, I have to use one of the special functions. Looks like I will have to replace this unit. I purchased some new silverware, that lays flat and nests together better than what I had. This should save some space and keep things better organized as we sail. I am looking at pressure cookers and solar ovens, and still buying air tight containers to transfer cereals, grains, rice, sugars, and other dry goods to keep the moisture and critters out. That's it for now. I'll be spending the rest of this weekend, sending out invitations to our Bon Voyage party.