Almost 2009!

Wow! It's been awhile since we have posted to our blogspot. It is December 27, 2008. Only a few days until 2009. We have been planning on 2009 as our sail away date for nearly 10 years and now it is almost here.

Here is a quick catchup since our last post in 2005. Worrall Wind has been continually receiving a readiness make over. Russ has redone all of the electrical and plumbing. We have installed a bow thruster, folding prop, and dripless packing gland. Our shower no longer drains into bilge and then out, but directly out through a pump. As a result we always have a dry bilge and there are now no foul odors coming from bilge or hoses. Yippee!

We have installed new window coverings and a single sideband radio. We are currently studying to get our technician level ham license. On the fantail , we are raising the mizzen boom 33 inches and installing a new furling sail. We did this so that we can install a semi-permanent bimini shade cover in the back that can stay up while we are sailing and that we can walk under. Previously our boom was too low for a sailing shade cover. As we head south we are going to need to get out of the sun.

This winter, our final preparation plans include redoing the the standing rigging and adding some saftey lines on the fan tail, the sailing shades, purchase of water maker, generator, hydrovane, wind generator, solar panels, and installation of a new chest freezer/refrigerator sytsemt under one of the seats. Money, money, money.

We are curretly planning on signing up with some other sailing friends to become a part of the Baja-ha-ha class of 2009. The short list is getting shorter, but so is the time! Will keep everyone posted as the time draws near. We are planning our bon voyage party for August 2009. More later.

Labor Day at Half Moon Bay

September 2-5, 2005

Worrall Wind and her crew of two, set sail for Half Moon Bay on a cold and foggy morning. This was our first cruise with just the two of us. It turned out to be quite manageable with our new furling boom and sail. Our departure was delayed by a minor repair that put us in a flood current. Nevertheless, we navigated out the Gate and raised our new sail for the first time. What a joy! It went up smoothly and immediately started to work in a light wind. We were actually moving with only 5 knots of wind. Usually, we need about 10 knots to move! We had a great sail with south westerly winds. We rafted with the Berkeley Yacht Club group (12 boats). We hiked in the bluffs above the Mavericks, did some geocaching, enjoyed some Maverick brews, lots of great food and company. The sun came out on Sunday afternoon and graced us all the way home. We had a nice breeze until we got close to Seal Rock. We needed some engine power until we got through the Gate. Sailing north to Angel Island, we gybed with a great run-free angle all the way to Emeryville at 7 knots!

Furling Boom and New Sail

August 21, 2005

We completed the installation of a Furl Boom and full batten main sail on Sunday afternoon about 1600. Russ and son Garyn spent the weekend before climbing up and down the mast installing the new track. It was too late to try out the new boom and sail, so we will have to save a trial sail for another day. But it sure looks great! Of course, that's not the reason we got it. It's a safety precaution so that either one of us is able to single hand the ketch if necessary. Eventually, we will be installing an electric winch with the lines into the pilothouse.

Our next outing is planned for Labor Day Weekend. We will be cruising with the Berkeley Yacht Club to Half Moon Bay.