I checked the weather when I woke up about 7am ... decided that I was going out today. Other than perfect conditions, but what the hell right, no rain until the afternoon. Well, that's what it said anyway.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Welcome aboard!
Several weeks ago, I bought a Tartan 34C, vintage, 1974. It was an exciting moment, to actually find a boat that I felt ... well, home in. I bought the boat, and got to work, and holy hell, was there a lot of work to do.
First thing was first, get power. The first night I was on the boat, the engine was in pieces, battery disconnected, and cold. So extremely cold. I had a little chihuahua and yorkie mix, named Mattie to keep me company. Me and her both we shivering under the tiny little towel that I had for a blanket. We ventured off to Walmart in the middle of the night to get heaters because there was still shore power, but that's a completely different circuit from the lights.
Mattie and I discovered that around here, Walmart closes at about 2am. I happened to run into the manager as I was walking up and he was walking out. I explained my situation and he actually let me in the store and opened a register for me.
So that night was still very cold, but in the end, it worked out. Over the next couple of weeks, I was busy helping to rebuild the engine, restore lights, install a monoxide alarm, rebuild a sink, and figure out how to work the toilet.
I went out very rarely to actually have fun, I took a break here and there and made a couple of friends. Making friends has always been pretty easy, its finding them that's the hard part.
All in all, the never ending list of things-to-[fix/do/diagnose] finally started to get an ending about a week ago. It is a relief to know that soon, very soon, the sails will be up with the wind taking me to where ever I want to go...
Actually, the sails were up today. I was re-rigging the jiffy-reef system. A jiffy-reef is basically a line that makes it relatively easy (or faster) to reef the sails. I enjoy the challenge of working on this boat.
I'm glad I got a project boat instead of a full working boat. I probably spent more money than I would have if I had gotten a working boat for this same condition. But I know my boat. I know it in and out. I know where every damned wire goes and every little hose ... I wouldn't have that if I had done it the other way.
But anyway, the laptop is near dead, it was a cloudy day so I can't charge it. I just wanted to start this: make it easier to update the universe on the ins and outs of my life for my family and friends.
- Robert
S/v Blue Macs
First thing was first, get power. The first night I was on the boat, the engine was in pieces, battery disconnected, and cold. So extremely cold. I had a little chihuahua and yorkie mix, named Mattie to keep me company. Me and her both we shivering under the tiny little towel that I had for a blanket. We ventured off to Walmart in the middle of the night to get heaters because there was still shore power, but that's a completely different circuit from the lights.
Mattie and I discovered that around here, Walmart closes at about 2am. I happened to run into the manager as I was walking up and he was walking out. I explained my situation and he actually let me in the store and opened a register for me.
So that night was still very cold, but in the end, it worked out. Over the next couple of weeks, I was busy helping to rebuild the engine, restore lights, install a monoxide alarm, rebuild a sink, and figure out how to work the toilet.
I went out very rarely to actually have fun, I took a break here and there and made a couple of friends. Making friends has always been pretty easy, its finding them that's the hard part.
All in all, the never ending list of things-to-[fix/do/diagnose] finally started to get an ending about a week ago. It is a relief to know that soon, very soon, the sails will be up with the wind taking me to where ever I want to go...
Actually, the sails were up today. I was re-rigging the jiffy-reef system. A jiffy-reef is basically a line that makes it relatively easy (or faster) to reef the sails. I enjoy the challenge of working on this boat.
I'm glad I got a project boat instead of a full working boat. I probably spent more money than I would have if I had gotten a working boat for this same condition. But I know my boat. I know it in and out. I know where every damned wire goes and every little hose ... I wouldn't have that if I had done it the other way.
But anyway, the laptop is near dead, it was a cloudy day so I can't charge it. I just wanted to start this: make it easier to update the universe on the ins and outs of my life for my family and friends.
- Robert
S/v Blue Macs
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