Little by Little Progress is Made

I got back to the cold weather on Sunday after spending a week down on Skylark. The weather was fantastic and it was really nice being in the warm sun after a few weeks of freezing temperatures. It actually felt like spring but I know the cold stuff is still on it's way. Between now and then though, there are a few things that are in the works and I hope to have it all done by the end of  January.

Good Old Boat Shirt Pic

As I mentioned previously, the engine work is basically finished although there are a few things that still need to be tweaked. That should be wrapped up this week though and I can officially cross the Atomic 4 refurb off the list. Skylark already seems happier that her innards are back together. She sits so much better now that the 400 or so pounds are back where they belong. When the engine was out, we bobbed like a cork in any bad weather. But between the engine and a full fuel tank, she is so much more stable. It's amazing what adding a little weight to a boat will do to her feel. 

In addition, my buddy Trevor will be painting the deck, an item on the to-do list that desperately needs to be done. I have decided to go with white on white since the light blue got so hot in the summer, it was crazy. So after a recommendation from someone who has cruised all of the Caribbean, white on white it is (thanks Ralph.) I am really excited to see how she turns out. The hull had recently been done right before I bought Skylark and still looks good, so once the deck is clean, she will look real great.

On top of that, the fresh water tank will be fixed or replaced, so my water woes will finally be behind me. If all goes to plan, the next time I get down to the boat, I will be ready for the first cruise of the year. I know you can't see it, but I am smiling from ear to ear. Trevor and I have already figured out a few places to buddy boat  while running sea trials. It's been way to long not being on the hook. I can't wait.

I also got lucky and found someone selling brand new, in the box 75w solar panels for a great price, so I picked one up. I don't have a cold plates at this point, so my power requirements are really low. A 75 watt panel should do me just fine until I replace the refrigeration sometime later in the year or next. I will post pics once it's installed as well as the type of controller I go with. Something simple should work for now.

So that's the update. I will post more pics of everything once I get things a little more sorted. 

Fair winds...

Never Know What You Will Find

While looking around in an antique store today, I came across this watercolor which I thought was very cool. Of course I had to get it. Just a reminder to sail more...enjoy.

Ready for the Count Down

I certainly hope you all had a wonderful Holiday with family and friends. I was fortunate enough to have vacation days left that needed to be taken or lost, so I took off this week to spend with Zachary here in NC. We have been having a very good time and I look forward to the rest of our time here.

The plan now is to head down to Florida on Monday, Jan 2 to get Zachary back for school on the 3rd. I am going to stay a while as the engine work is complete and Skylark is now ready for sea trials. Yes, you heard me right, the Atomic 4, gas tank and wiring work has been completed, and we are good to go. Talk about the best Christmas present ever. I will post pictures of the new engine along with pics and footage from the sea trials. I am very excited to say the least.

Since we are approaching the new year, one of the resolutions I made was to sail more and worry about boat projects less. My on going list of "to-dos" is huge and unrealistic. I cut the list down to only a few essentials for this year and plan to enjoy rather than to be constantly working. I will pull Skylark out of the water and try to do everything in one shot, most likely in early to mid March. A bottom job is really needed anyway, so it made sense to complete everything while she is out of the water. I am thinking it will take about a week to finish the new list, a time-frame much more workable. Everything will be ready for the wonderful Spring sailing. If you are interested, the list now consists of:

• Bottom job, zinc replacement
• Fresh water tank replacement or cleaning
• Tiller pilot install
• Solar panel install
• Adding 2 new batteries to house bank

Not too bad, right? Once that is done, I will be ready for some serious time on the water. I can't wait.

So with that, I hope you all have your to-do lists ready for the new year. Keep them short and sweet and get out on the water, there is always next year to work hard...or is that the year after. :)

Happy Holidays from NOAA

Found this on one of the sailing boards, made me laugh. Enjoy!

Love this song...

How great is this. A little something for those of you battling the cold.

Disappointing 2011, looking forward to 2012

I guess life really does get in the way sometimes. In my case, this years sailing season came and went with little progress on my part. I did get a few small things done, and of course the 3 months I spent on Skylark with Zachary over the summer was fantastic. But in reality, it was still rather disappointing working through engine rebuilds and not getting away from the dock. Fortunately, the friends I have made make staying at the dock a lot of fun and good place to be, but as you can imagine, being out there is where we all want to be. Hopefully, this spring is my time.

It makes you think about that oh-so-fragile balancing act between "real" life and life on the sea. It's very difficult to have both sometimes, but I always feel it is very much worth the fight. I talk to tons of people who feel the same way. Generally speaking, most everyone is waiting for one thing or another to start, finish or disappear before breaking away and starting their life at sea. And most everyone has a number they are working towards, the number of years before they can cast off the lines and not look back. 1 year, 5 years, 10 years. Whats your number, I know you have one. :)  Of course there are the lucky souls that have hit their number and are out there doing it. They are the inspirations that keep us going and striving for that number. A warmth thanks to all of you!

But as a lot of folks know, life itself is one of the best anchors out there, it holds firm in all conditions and is extremely hard to break free once set. But it is worth the fight and we keep doing it and bottom line, it's all we can do. You hear all the time, "Go Now!"  Unfortunately, reality isn't always that simple.

So now it's mid-December and we are on the door step to another year. I plan to do a lot of sailing this year. Good, bad or ugly, Skylark is getting off the dock and will be putting miles under the keel once again. It's the way it should be and I look forward to the adventures that are in store. (Needless to say, I have renewed my membership to BoatUS :) I will be sure to wave as we see you folks out there. If you see me anchored off somewhere, come on by, I can guarantee there will be a sundowner of one kind or another on board with your name on it.

And thanks for following along. There have been over 9,000 new visitors to the site from all over the world, it's wonderful to know you folks are out there. This coming year, I really hope there is more interesting stuff to keep you entertained. Thanks as always and if we don't chat in the next couple of weeks, have a very Happy New Year.

Back on Skylark

...and it feels really good. Can't you see the excitement in my face? Came down, for a short visit so I can see Zachary's last baseball game of the year. Very much looking forward to it. Will be back before and after Christmas as well. Engine will be done by then so very happy to put that behind us. 2012 is looking good for some sailing. But with my luck, the Mayans will be right and we will all be dead anyway. Again, see the excitement in my face?

Happy Thanksgiving

Santa's Vacation Pics...

Been a busy couple of months, but I wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Can't believe Christmas is right around the corner and this year is coming to an end. It's been a quick one to say the least.
Good news is the engine will be done by the weekend, so maybe, just maybe, I will be able to get out at least once this year. Being able to spend so much time on Skylark has been fantastic, think all together its been about 4+ months on board, but it's not the same. We both are longing for miles under the keel. Here's hoping to an agreeable 2012.
Enjoy!

Skylark has a New Atomic 4

Just a quick update, the new Atomic 4 is back aboard Skylark and being installed as we speak. There are quite a few other tasks that need to be done as well, but hopefully, all should be good by the end of the week. I am excited to say the least. More info and pics to come.

Florida Nor' Easter

Wow, it started Friday with sustained 15mph winds and rain. Today, we are getting creamed with 25-40mph winds and heavy down pours. Supposed to be just as bad tomorrow and Monday, they are calling for 50+mph winds and gusts. I tell you right now, these winds and waves are worse than the weather we got from the passing hurricane a few weeks back and we get the pleasure for 4 days straight.
Welcome to October weather in Florida.

Theres a Small Boat made of China, Going Nowhere on the Mantelpiece

Challenge! What band sang the lyrics "There's a Small Boat made of China, Going Nowhere on the Mantelpiece"...No Google allowed.


Out with the old, in with the new



Well, Skylark is still not going anywhere either, but there has been a lot done over the past few months to get us where we need to be. Lets start with the question everyone keeps asking. Whats up with the engine? Well, the short answer is that it has been rebuilt and its ready to go back in. I have some pics that show the progression of what was done and then the final product. Wanted to be sure it was done right while it was out on the bench rather than deal with additional problems after the fact. Because of that, Scott changed out quite a few parts as well as all of the gaskets we could get our hands on. It has been a lot of work, but the end result is pretty darn nice. Now we just got to get it in.

 

In addition to the engine prep, my Australian buddy and neighbor Ralph helped me finally get running water on Skylark. I am still in shock not having to fill my jug everyday, but I am sure I will get used it very quickly. We had taken a small road trip to St. Augustine to hit the mecca of used sailboat parts at Sailor's Exchange. If you are in the area and have not been to Sailor's Exchange, you really need to go. Check out the website for an idea of what they are all about.  Sailor's Exchange. The deals you can find there are unreal. Among other things, I found a new single feed kitchen faucet which I got for $10 bucks. New, this faucet would have been north of $150. I don't know where they get their stock, but for these prices, I really don't care. They have anything and everything you could need. Worth the drive and the gas for the savings you will get.

Anyway, I now have running city water while at the dock. I still need to work out the fresh water tanks, but that is on the short list for the fall. In the meantime, no more water jugs.

Weather is starting to turn a bit cooler. We got down into the low 50's last night and only into the low 70's today. It's been a brutally tough summer, so the change is welcome. Hopefully I will be able to get out soon and enjoy some of this great weather. If all goes to plan, it should not be long now.