Saturday, December 15, 2007

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL


Our desire is that everyone has a happy and healthy holiday season 2007. May you find in the New Year that all of your wishes have come true, your loves are manifest, and your zest for life to be buoyant.


Ken and Cindy (aka goose and harp)

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Summer Cruise 2007 Finally, Tatoosh Island to Port.



Summer cruise 2007





Summer cruise 2007

Due to the need to continue working and (with difficulty) accepting that Allymar was not ready for a lengthly cruise, our plans changed to a short month long summer cruise only. The main goal was to get her down to the coast of Oregon where we could more easily do the final fitting out.

Highlights of this summer were the opportunity to tie up in front of the Empress Hotel in Victoria B.C, finally putting Tatoosh Island to port and the trip down the coast dodging storms and crew sea sickness. We stopped at Neah Bay and Grays Harbor Washington to yearn for northwesterlies and wait out 40 knot southerlies. We were allowed to sit around with other storm bound sailors watching the weatherfax and listening to the radio. Of significant help was the one boat with a "router" to give him advise (which we all benifited from). For the first time we were really introduced to the "sailing fraternity" and how everyone helps each other. Do wonder how the trip down the coast was for the big Swan that left on the worst day as they needed to get to San Francisco for the big boat series.

The final 24 hours offshore was in the fog and to see the fog lift and the lighthouse appear as we approached the Unpqua bar was so beautiful and inspiring. We became well versed in Radar and GPS plotting. Seeing those large blips appear on the screen and to be able to plot their course and speed was an experience. You know that the ship was there, but never saw it took some getting ued to and accepting technology. Sure wish that crab pots gave a better radar image, as they are everywhere.
Allymar sits today in Winchester Bay Oregon at the mouth of the Unpqua River awaiting final fitting out.

Employers have been given notice and in late May we will be waiting for southerlies and a trip back up the coast. The plan is to circumnavigate Vancouver Island and maybe go to the Queen Charlottes before heading back down south for Mexico in the fall. We both are not really looking forward to the trip up coast (against the current and prevailing winds) as it has the reputation of being a harsh mistress.

More to come.

Monday, February 19, 2007

February 2007

Although we are not yet on the water (plan is still for early summer 07) the fitting out continues.

Ken spent 5 days on the boat in Jan 07. Got as much done as the wearther permitted.

We purchased the following items:
Monitor Windvane.
Garmin 18 radar and new chart screen.
Viking liferaft.
Honda outboard for the dingy.
Wind and water-towed DC generator.
SSB radio and load the aft stay, and attach dynaplate as counterpoise.
EPRIB.

The potential loose lower rudder gudgeon is being repaired. The extra battery bank will be fitted in April. Hopefully the dryrot on the bulwarks will have been attended to by then also.

Ken will be on the boat for a week in April to do as much as possible to get Allymar ready.

Nothing but dollars flying out of the wallet. Thank goodness for the Seattle boat show which gave us some very good discounts.

Ken