free boat, act one, scene five

[sailormanbigd]

First before anything...i know what happenned to act two and four? Just didn't label those posts. This was the fifth day working on s/v Natasha. To start with i wanna thank all of you for your much thought out advice, and well intended. I will be leaving the Davis island slip very soon. My float plan is to make as good a time as i can, maybe egmont key by mid afternoon-depending on departure time. Then depending on rig, weather, the temperment of the captain, might continue on until? I feel very comfident in the vessel to get me home. Motor and bracket mounted today, let go the docklines (first time in over 3 years) ansd motored about 100 yards before i ran agrond in the middle of the channel. The p/o told me to stick close the the wall until i got 90 degrees off the bridge before making the 90 degree turn to the south. Well i got too close to the wall I guess. Backed her off after 20min-incomming tide, and turned around and back to the slip. Natasha was so happy to be finally set free. She moved better than expected, turned slow though. But if i had to i could motor her home-good motor that yamaha. I will be sailing her, not motoring. I need to get my provisions together. Thanks to all, i have thought long about everyones advice, it has most definetely added to my knowledge base. Special thanks to Ross. Let you know when i get home. Oh, i have a new handheld vhf, mine did'nt power up, new flares, towwing insurance from boats us, and ........../////Sincerely, Patrick Davis, RN

 

[Dave C - pearsonowners.co]

Good luck Patrick

Patrick,Like a whole lot of others, I've been watching (but not so much responding) to your posts... I wish you the best of luck, as I'd hate to see anything bad happen to one of our own!Your story makes my petty little winter projects seem tame, but does give me the incentive to finish! Heck, I don't have to put in bulkheads, I just have to figure out where to put my propane tank! Best of luck and good sailing my friend!Dave Crowleys/v Wind Dreamer IIP303

 

[Rich (P303)]

I agree...

with Dave!If it was a Pearson... I know you could make it.It's been a hoot!Post some photos... and Merry Christmas!Rich (P303)

 

[Mike]

God speed, Patrick

I too have been reading your posts, and several times felt like giving you some encouragement. I also got both of my boats in a condition most people would have given up to the junk yard. I put a lot of sweat equity, and some money, and got two boats that were rigged to my liking, and sailed well. I also know more about a Catalina 22 than most other owners ever will. So, I'm wishing you good weather and a safe trip, and wishing that someday I can have a big adventure like yours.

 

[Stillraining]

Well personaly

Im thru with adventures like yours. But you know that I want you to make it. After all we all want scene 6&7&8.....and hopefully get to Act 2... ect. Just keep up on your journal of time and expences so some of us can say "I told you so". Unless you really do go for that couch and Lazy-Boy, then you can say to us the same thing.God Bless and Merry Christmas

 

[Big Joe]

Patrick

After following your story for a while now I wanted to tell you I am impressed with how you just keep going like the EverReady Bunny. Very admirable! Good luck I will be following your saga.Regards, Big Joe

 

[Sanders]

It's not a question of "IF"

But a matter of "when" every sailor runs aground.Just happens more often in Florida....Been there. Done that. And a friendly cruiser with a well-powered dinghy pushed me off the sand and back in to the channel at Cayo Costa. I thought the local guy said stay 50 YARDS off the magrove, and he said 50 "FEET!"Ah well. Life's an adventure, and you are living it well.Fair winds...... Sanderss/v Good News

 

[Ross]

Patrick, Do you have the means to cook?

If yes. Then take pasta and red sauce in addition to the other food you are planning. Be sure to take a pot to cook in! They don't spoil and if the trip takes more time than you plan you won't go hungry. Take a lot of water in jugs.

 

[Manny]

Have a safe trip Patrick

nmManny

 

[sailormanbigd]

cook??????

Ross, the majority of my time, 25-30 hours has been to clean the bilge and build temporary bulkhead, and getting it sailable. I hav'nt even wiped down the galley counter. So, you might imagine how sticky/dirty it is! I have camp gear to cook with-but i'm not bringing it. Hell, i don't want to set nothing down anywhere. My provisions are simple, pb&j,2/3 loaf wheat bread, trail mix, one tube of pringles, a cheap premade walmart sub, 1/2 can cashews, one 12 pack walmart water, maybe a handfull of christmas cookies if i can sneek them from my gf. I am binging so much stuff to try and cover the "what-if" this happens or that, that i feel i'm leaving for the bahamas or something.  Thanks everyone for the encouraement, its 0330, just can't sleep.

 

[Ross]

When you get time you need to read

Jimmy Buffets story "Food Chain". You need 2000 calories per day and you aren't packing that much and you have no reserves.

 

[Stillraining]

Another thing

if you never got all that clorine and comit out of the bilge, dont use anything with amonia in it on your trip. The mix can ceate cyanide gas! You probably knew that already being an RN but just thought I'd mention it. Windex and the likes has amonia in it.

 

[Ross]

Stillraining, You got part of it right but the

toxin is wrong. Any alkali mixed with chlorine base bleach releases a gaseous chlorine compound that is toxic but it is not cyanide. Even baking soda will react with the bleach.Edited to correct spelling

 

[Stillraining]

Thanks for the

correction Ross. I guess he better not do any baking on his trip

 

[Rich (P303)]

anyone...

taking odds or bets?

 

[Rich (P303)]

I hope not...

He made it!He is a better man than I.

 

[Ross]

We had a parish priest who would say of a

party, " Nothing got broke and nobody got hurt! It was a complete success!!" And that is the report on patrick's voyage. I would not have attempted an all nighter but different strokes for different folks. When I was younger I was up at 6 am to clear Kessler AFB , Biloxi, Miss. Couldn't leave before midnight and tried to make Spartanburg before I slept. I got as far as Anderson S.C. and had to stop. About 60 miles from home. No interstates in those days.