Feb. 27, 2013 - Getting Race ready

What can I say... going to do the Southern Straits race! and I heard a rumor that we may go in the Swiftsure race this year as well.

We are all registered to race the race!

Hank is getting me race ready. The main concern at the moment is to ensure that I am well equipped to race at night, and have all the required safety equipment on board... and tested as well.

Battery operated Bow light (red/green)

Battery operate stern light (bicycle light work great!)

Catalytic heater to keep the crew warm in the cockpit

New life-sling

Man-overboard-pole - c/w strobe light, drogue, 50 ft poly rope and life ring.

Hank has purchased my new topping lift and tackle, (to be used in retrieving the person over-board). All Hank has to do now is to climb to the top of the mast and install it.

Last weekend, Hank to us on our first shake down sail, getting his crew (Jason and Alan) familiarized with my layout and sailing abilities. The winds were light, so it was a good time familiarizing with me.
Below is some pictures of the crew...

Alan behind the helm, with Jason looking on.

View from the bow, looking to the stern,
note the snow covered mountains.

Sailing into the sunset.

February 14, 2013 - Getting Race ready! :)

Well not much new with me lately, just sitting around waiting for something to happen.
Hank as had the flu for the last 6 weeks, and now Caroline has got it. That is why I have been sitting around.

Hank has stopped over briefly, to make sure everything is alright with me; still floating and  warms up my motor.

But  today was different... Hank came over (looking a lot better), and started to take off my spare anchor, chain, my old lines, scuba suit, fishing gear, all my electric power tools, plus a lot of other stuff I really have no use for. I would estimate at least 1,000 lbs!
My neighbor sailboat "MoJo", asked me if I am getting a new owner, as all the "stuff" was being uploaded. I smiled and said hell no... just getting ready to the the Southern Straits Race!!! Yup, Hank is going to take me this year. If you can recall, we tried this race three years ago... with winds topping at 70 kts. We made it as far as Passage Island, then decided to withdraw from the race... too much for us. Needless to say the race was cancelled.

We are now getting ready for this race. We will be doing the short race, only 55 nt miles; See website....
Website to Southern Straits Race

Things to do...
Haul out and repaint my bottom
Add battery night lights - bow lights and man-over-board pole.
Continue to lighten my load
Practice Safety drills and crew (Jason Bowen and hopefully Alan)
plus a few other things, I'm sure.

Well that is it for now, so keep posted!

Tarka... out!