The Big Trip Begins!!! (with modifications)
It’s been months in the making, and lots of work but the boat is finally ready to roll, or rock… or something so long as it doesn’t sink.
The new Gori propeller tested good, the new electrical systems are all working, I finally got the GPSVHF integration running, and the stereo is in and working. Oh yeah, we managed to replace the toilet, and holding tank and all associated plumbing, making the system much more usable for long term cruising. Despite the massive pain involved in fabricating a holding tank system it is well worth it.
Here is the finished Head.. The holding tank and all plumbing are hidden behind the curtain but still leaving about half the space back there free for storage…
Saturday morning we launched the dinghy, immediately finding a leak in the keel, repaired it and relaunched it. Steve and I were hoisted up the mast a different times of the day to replace the spreader lights and attempt repair on the Anchor light. Somehow the anchor light worked when I was 40 feet up, but not when I was standing on deck. 4 of us spent 14 hours at the marina that day just finishing everything we could. I ended up with 3 parking tickets and a boot on my Explorer. But the BarBQ got installed too…
Anyway, it’s as ready as it’s going to be, that’s the point.
Sunday was departure day for crew #1. It took 3 hours to pack the boat chock full of food and supplies for 4 people for 7 days. It all fit.
Some were already tired..
Others were already seasick..
Just before departure, the cabin looked almost perfect.. Amazing work..
At 3:00pm Sunday, the Farymann Diesel was fired up; the GPS, sounder, VHF, knotmeter all powered on and Sleipnir backed out of it’s slip for the first multiday trip since the purchase in December. Here she is motoring away with Verity in tow.
Due to the day late departure, and the already short schedule, our original plans of Crew exchange in Lund, BC has been changed. There will be no Desolation sound cruising on this trip. Instead we’ll crew exchange on Saturday either in Sydney or Victoria, then spend the next 8 days cruising the Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands. Excellent cruising grounds to be sure. Desolation can wait till we have more time.