Solo Ventures

1) Pump the bilge 2) Acid wash, clean stern gland 3) Replace port chain plate, tie off to shroud chain plate, drill out core, fill with fatty epoxy, redrill, refit new u-bolt, tension shroud. 4) stbd chain plate 5) checks, for bow roller fitting. 6) measiee mainsail slides for Rolly Tasker storm trisail. 7) wire cabin light  

Capt Goodlander has se good advice for those of us that feels mile away from their cruising goal:-     "Do not give up, hold your course."    "Just keep at it. Plug away, baby steps".    " It tales a leap of faith to beliece that you can succeed where so many other well intentioned people have failed - that you can actually be free". I now have a notebook to record that one step, or more, that I have dome each day to walk towards my goal. Unfortunately times two for me though; my boat is 300k away, as a single dad I am bogged down with a house, farm, several cars and the care of three dependents. So on days like today my step will look nothing like sailing, my head buried under the Land Rover. It doesn't directly relate to my sailong dream, but I  am continually rolling my Boat Jobs List around in the front of my mind.   My preferred means of transport. To visit the boat, I have a lightweight inflatable dinghy in my pack. 

A friend and customer of mine passed away after bouts with two types of cancer and a chronic pneumonia. As a nun, she was very adept at encouraging me, and others to do their best and rely on Gods hand to help through difficult times. Imagine my reaction last night when I boarded  Jack Sprat  to find her normally flooded bilge, dry. I actually kept pumping the handle as I could not believe what i was hearing. So I got on my hands and knees to look. Yep, no bilge juice.  OK next job; use penetrine and wire brush to clean off corrosion and try the lock but. Let's say, its a work on progress. Next was the anchor light. Reading Fatty Goodlander earlier today I was well chastened to take on any electrical challenge. But apparently its 99% gonna be a corroded negative terminal. Tos was a 1%er, I discovered the globe had popped out from its spring holders. Squeeze, pop it in, voila!  Job 4, chainplates. I had planned to make and fit external plates but when I looked again, with a positive

OK, I know no body reads this blog but I want to urge the universe, or those interested in learning about sailing oceans and distant harbours; read Captain Fatty Goodlander.  Yes, he's a joker, outspoken and brash (at least in his writings), and american, but don't let a.y of that external stuffput you off. He knows boats, cruising and how to live freely.

I am just in the process of ordering a new suit of storm sails for Jack Sprat . They are offshore quality & will cost less than $2k, which is another bonus of smaller boat sailing.  23-Jan-24: Final payment has been made today & my new suit of storm sails should arrive soon. 

Well, a remarkable day in many small ways. For the first time I rode my motorbike to Avalon and back to see Jack Sprat . Despite being over 500k it was enjoyable, energising and ”affordable", as they say. In my  pack I carried my new $50 dinghy, some tools, coffee and swimming gear in the panniers.  When i arrived the dinghy was quickly bloated and we floated out to Jack. Due to the moderate NE'er blowing, I rowed a more scenic route through moored boats; ooh, there's a green hulled Walker 28 ketch, a nice Top Hat (just like my first offshore sailboat), a Mach II Columbia 28. Bulky, but practical I guess, and a 37.5 high sided racing yacht. They all looked lovely today. A glorious, wondrous feeling came over me, I so want to live this life full time.  Little Jack , was hunkered down into the sea like a sniper, but with powerful lines and a keel to match. She was sitting above her lines. Phew, with a leaky stern tube seal, that's a relief.  The clamber aboard from my Ex

Hungry for ocean sailing information, I've delved back into the "Wave Rover" youtube channel. The old stuff, he has since gone on to build a plywood 5.8m design for solo cruising. His message seems to  simply be to make the boat simple and heavy duty. His   attitude   is about " making it across " an ocean passage. So this rather bland vessel, sealed up like a, well a coffin, goes under self steering, working sails or heaving to, until the voyage passes. Well its a tried and true method but isn't there some joy in spending time on deck? Wouldn't it be too hot down below in the tropics? I prefer the open hatch, bimini/ dodger, care free approach of Garret, Holmes, Boothby, Goodlander and even the Old Man, to be more enjoyable. More wet, raw, scary for sure, but there are few guarantees and many more joys in ocean sailing. 

Much viewing of YouTube videos continues. So far l have watched every video by The Sailing Brothers, most of Sam Holmes Sailing, back to when he sailed to Hawaii on  21 footer, Salty Old Dog, which I handle only in small amounts. Then many solo ocean sailing videos. I am literally flooding myself, a kind of confusing torture. Perhaps selling Bohemian put me on this path? Those four days spent drifting along the coast, the sunburned feet, crashing out in Newcastle harbour and then drifting off Port Stephens meant more to me than I realise. I also enjoyed being able to run over to her on the mooring, carry out maintenance, modify or go sailing. I loved all of that, but this time I want to have electronic charts, Australian Registration and leave port for days and weeks. Apart from anchoring off for a rest and coffee, I don't particularly want to "go" anywhere, i just want to sail. Sam Holmes' video today, 8 days out of LA and more to reach Hawaii, belting along, he'