What’s the saying everyone uses? …”A cruiser’s plans are written in the sand.”
Um, yeah that totally holds true for us. 😉 We thought we would be off sailing by the end of January. Turns out, certain boat projects (one in particular) take much longer than expected.
 ^^just another day at the office for these two. lunchbox in hand and all.^^ So here we are. It’s February 7th and we are still happily docked in Naples. And I’m still working, full-time. Ugh.
But don’t worry! We are feverishly working on a few final projects so we can blow this joint. So to speak.
And I’m squeaking out a few final days of work before our paychecks come to a screeching halt. And boy will that be weird! Both Jereme and I have always held full-time jobs ever since college. So both of us not having any job (or a steady source of income) will just be the most bizarre feeling.
Our original “never-ending boat project list” was started way back in June. And then we updated the list in October. And just last month, we gave another quick update on our project progress. At that time, we had made great strides, but still had a somewhat hefty list to left to tackle.
It was a little daunting, let’s not lie. But, I am happy to report that Jereme has been working day and night to hammer (literally in some cases) through our list. And here’s where we currently stand…
Flares & flare gunCheck fire extinguisher expiration dateShower curtainFloat switch bilge pumpExtra bilge pump under quarter-berthWine bottle holder affixChange boat nameRegistration sticker dinghyMaroon paint for boat stripeLight bulbsFix shelf/cabinet in head Wing nut drawer guides quarter-berthSized rope with clasp for ladderStereo speakersNew fendersCharts Florida/Bahamas *Ordering Explorer charts Chafe protection for anchor linesFix hatch latch on anchor lockerPropane tanks and locker claspClean raw water strainerChange oil; oil filters Fiberglass 4th side of engine oil catch tank Jib sail needs restitchingGenoa furling drum serviced-
Crack in bobstay *Removed bobstay and it is currently in Miami getting fixed.
Bow port window leak Quarter-berth port lightOverhead hatch leaking- Autopilot needs to be fixed
Fix/replace water tankService seacocks- Spreader lights *Have the lights, one of us (who knows how to do electrical work) needs to go up the mast.
Soft spot on anchor lockerCockpit LED lightsToilet/vent for waste- Fix wind instrument/tridata *We bought some stuff and now have to return some stuff. Typical.
- Enhance anchor/chain; check what exists *We have our new awesome Mantus anchor and are working on getting chain.
Wax boat Oil leaks from timing gear-
Install solar panels, charge controller, and inverter *These are (hopefully) shipping on Monday (they are a hot commodity, let me tell you), but will still need to be installed.
Replace plumbing to headFix shower sump pumpWaterproof canvas top- Fix/replace fridge *New fridge ordered, delivered, and waiting to be installed.
- Replace reef and topping lift sheaves
Bathroom sink faucetRebed chainplates in head- Install WiFi booster *We haven’t decided if this is happening before we leave.
Replace dinghy valve and address minor leak- Replace all the running rigging
Replace the corroded windlass circuit breaker fuse and battery wire terminal lugs- Maintenance on dinghy outboard motor (including carburetor cleaning) *We brought the engine home to work on it in the garage, where it’s a lot easier.
- Replace raw water hose
- Replace shower drain
-
Deal with broken seacock *We’re getting on the waiting list for a quick haul out at the one spot closest to our dock.
As you can see, we’ve almost officially crossed everything off our list (or at the very least started the line item in some fashion or another)! We really only have a few things to finish up, while waiting on our solar panels to get here (man those suckers are in high demand, sheesh!).
Soon we will just need to thoroughly clean the boat (since it’s basically been Jereme’s work site for the last few months), move our things aboard (which I am so dying to do…and make that boat feel like a cozy little home), sell one car, and provision. It’s getting real people! We CANNOT wait to cut those dock lines!
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing.
…Learn more about us and our sailing and cruising adventures.
Okay, so this might fall into the category of “boring touchy feely posts.” If it isn’t your cup of tea (or should I say diet coke?), I get it. Believe me. It’s not usually mine either. But I’m going for it anyway.
I recently pinned a quote that really struck a chord (and hence the need for a “feelings” post)…
^^There’s no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.^^
Right now, I’m kinda sorta dealing with one of my own imperfections…that of being so terribly new to sailing. If I’m being honest, I really don’t have much of a clue when it comes to all the technical jargon and mechanical workings of our sailboat. Much less how to expertly sail. I don’t feel confident at all. If anything I feel rather incompetent. When I get asked a sailing related question, unless it’s something super basic, I turn to Jereme for help. Lately, I’ve felt like the dumb kid in class (as un-PC as that may sound). And I’m pretty sure I’ve never been “the dumb kid!” (Minus Mr. Merchant’s senior year advanced calculus class where I had a short stent in “loser row” based on my grade in the class. A few of you know what I’m talking about. 😉 )
But seriously, this whole sailing journey has really thrown me for a loop. That feeling of being such a beginner and not knowing everything…well, it totally sucks. I hate it.
Yet, we have this great blog where we are putting out our thoughts and life experiences, mostly sailing related, to the world as we embark on this sailing journey. All with the possibility of being judged, both positively and negatively, for it.
Don’t get me wrong, Jereme and I have always been very honest about our rookie sailing status. And, in reality, Jereme knows WAY more than he lets on and oftentimes way more than some of those so-called “experienced sailors.” Yet, he is always so willing and so eager to learn from others and to soak up every ounce of knowledge he can.
I, on the other hand, have never professed any desire to become a world-class sailor. It’s just not on my bucket list. Never has been. Probably never will be. You will never hear me referred to as “Kimberly Young, expert seaman.” Sounds pretty hilarious just typing those words.
Yes, I do love the water. Yes, I love sailing. Yes, I want to be knowledgeable enough to safely sail through the Bahamas and Caribbean, and hold my own on this sailing journey. But do I need or want to be the foremost sailing expert? Um, no.
What I would love is for folks to follow our story and maybe even find a slice of inspiration because of who we are as people. Real people. With as many strengths as weaknesses (okay fine, hopefully a few more strengths). Because that’s what life is all about. We’re not the world’s best sailors. We don’t have the most equipped boat around. We are living on a shoestring budget. We know we’re not perfect, and we don’t need to be. Just like our blog header says…the good, the bad, and the hilarious.
Let me tell you what’s really on my bucket list. Experiencing life, that’s what.
I want to travel and see new places. I want to live more simply. I want to learn new things.
And I want to document those experiences because that’s what I truly LOVE doing. I’m a storyteller. Documenter. Photographer. And if anyone else wants to follow along for those reasons, well then we sure are happy to have you!
As our adventure unfolds, I realize we will continue to grow leaps and bounds, and I will likely feel a helluva lot more confident in my sailing ability and technical know-how once we are full-time cruisers. But even then, I won’t know everything, and being imperfect is simply A-Okay by me.
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing and cruise the Bahamas + Caribbean.
…Learn more about us and our sailing + cruising adventures.
Since recently posting about all the stuff I”ll surely complain about missing after we hit the high seas, why not talk about all the stuff that won’t be so bad leaving behind? There’s gotta be a few things, right? 😉
Surprisingly, it was rather easy to compile a list of the crappy things we’ll be thrilled to say goodbye to when we leave.
 ^^we CANNOT wait to do *this* full-time!^^ So, in no particular order…
- Having to work. Um, hi, that’s a no brainer.
- And having to wear work clothes (not to be confused with workout clothes). Peace out professional attire!
- Alarm clocks. We won’t really need to rely on such a thing once we’re gone.
- Snowbird traffic (and tourist season here in Naples). I definitely won’t miss those crazy snowbird drivers. They are horr-i-ble!
- All the crap we sold before we left. So thrilled it took something like this to finally say sayonara to our junk.
- Connectedness to technology. Or more so, social media. It will be a welcome relief to have some forced disconnectedness (is that a word?) to these social platforms. Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to stay up to date with friends and family, but seriously, these mediums have gotten way too addictive and have been known to suck me in from time to time.
^^lots more of *this* in our near future.^^ Once again, I asked Jereme the same question, and his response…
- Having to be places at certain times (i.e work, appointments, etc.).
Okay, that’s more of a normal answer this time and I totally feel the same way. That’s really the beauty of what we are about to undertake… we have no agenda, no schedules, no rules! And, let me tell ya, it freaking ROCKS!
Although I’m sure we will experience our fair share of ups and downs on this adventure of ours, I’m hopeful that the “highs” will far outweigh the “lows.”
We are so ready to travel and fill our little ole sailboat with treasured memories that become our story for life.
Now if we could just get going already… 😉
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing.
…Learn more about us and our sailing and cruising adventures.
^^oh you know, just hanging out on the dinghy while we try to remove the bobstay.^^
- How crappy was this year’s superbowl? I mean, really Peyton?
- But those Budweiser clydesdale commercials? Those folks sure know how to market!
- So this weekend,
we Jereme removed our cracked bobstay and I helped. And by “help,” I mean handed him tools and paper towels as needed. It took 3 hours to remove the bobstay and I got sunburned in the process.
- Said bobstay is presently on its way (and should be delivered today) to Miami, where the jaw fitting will be replaced with a fresh new one.
- And thank you to the nice gentleman who brought my credit card into the UPS store (while I was trying to mail that same bobstay) after I apparently dropped it in the parking lot. It’s always something isn’t it?
- Meanwhile, my Amazon cart is currently locked and loaded with 18 galley-related products (plus a pair of Havaianas and a Gorillapod for my point-and-shoot). But I’m wondering what I’m forgetting? Pretty please let me know if you have any favorite-can’t-live-or-cook-without-must-haves!
- Speaking of must-haves, one of the 18 items in my cart is a Koldfront Ultra Compact Portable Ice Maker!!! I didn’t even know portable ice makers (this small and usable on a boat) were a thing until Jereme kindly suggested we purchase this amazing invention. And you better believe I thought we should make the $100 investment! Can you say wonderful frozen cold delicious on-demand ice cubes…on a sailboat?!! In less than 10 minutes, no less. My diet cokes will taste much better now that I know we’ll have ice.
- So just when I thought we were done paying for Oliver’s medical prep before we set sail, I get a surprise phone call informing me that his USDA-endorsed health certificate is $100 more expensive than a regular endorsed one because of the Titer/FAVN Rabies Blood Serum Certificate being included. Um??? Not cool. Especially when I am starting to doubt how much we will really even need a USDA-endorsed cert (although a few countries in the Caribbean “say” they require it). We shall see.
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing.
…Learn more about us and our sailing and cruising adventures.
Let’s not lie, I feel like Week 4’s spread is a wee bit boring. Although we had a ton going on this week, I didn’t really manage to snap enough photos of our “everyday.” Suprising, I know!
So, since I didn’t have a ton of photo content to work with, I kept this week’s spread pretty simple, using lots of pretty filler cards and my usual favorite Ali Edwards brushes and a few Paislee Press stamps too.
WEEK 4 SPREAD:
Week 4 was filled with a few visitors — first our good friend (and future Naples resident) dr. wally came for a quick work trip. On Friyda night, we hit up Jereme’s favorite bar/sandwich spot — Lansdowne Street. And on Saturday, Jereme’s sister and niece Olivia drove over to Naples to hang out. The rest of the week was filled with more of the usual >> boat projects for Jereme and work for me.
WEEK 4 LEFT SIDE:
I hardly ever use ^^this^^ template with the one super-sized photo, but I kinda love that shot of Ollie on our new Tower paddle board, I couldn’t resist. Have I mentioned how excited we are to start using our awesome new inflatable Paddle Board?! 😉
WEEK 4 RIGHT SIDE:
The right side layout was mostly photos that I had already posted on Facebook, with a little Chipotle highlight! Jereme was working at the boat late one night, so I picked up a tasty burrito bowl to enjoy while watching American Idol. 😉
*products used: lots of ali edwards brushes (always); pictures+words No. 5 photo templates from Paislee Press; and a few things from the Jade digital PL kit. (I get zero kickbacks from any of these links, just fyi.)
*project life is a memory-keeping system + lifestyle. In 2014, i’m creating a digital spread for every week of the year. You can view all of my project life posts here.
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing and cruise the Bahamas + Caribbean.
…Learn more about us and our sailing + cruising adventures.
|
Hey, if you ever watch you tube you might enjoy this video. It’s all about the list. Check them out they make some good vid’s:
S/V Delos “0 to cruising in 20 days”
See you all tonight, Russell
[…] understand the need to address even the smallest of issues like this, so this item made the project list early on since we knew we would need to get it fixed before setting sail for the […]
[…] (and realizing we would need to get it in proper working condition) is at the very top of our project list. Jereme and his buddy Chris took the dinghy (along with the engine, obvi) out for a test run a few […]