More Details in Port Townsend

We are sitting in the marina in Port Townsend enjoying the convenience of everything at our fingertips. I have been working on fairing the dagger board, but after applying a good coat of fairing compound, I am frustrated about not being able to sand it, but I understand the concept of nearby boaters not needing to be coated in purple dust. I contacted a local boat builder this morning, and he will be fairing and painting the board in the next couple of days.

 We had thought we would be sailing out on Wed., but things always move more slowly than you think. On about Thurs. or Fri. we plan to sail up to Neah Bay by the ocean to wait for good weather in the Pacific.

Sold the big dinghy and engine on Craigslist. Took the buyer for a ride and it made me sad to see it go, until we got back to the marina and it wouldn't idle. He took it anyway and got a good deal, and I have no time for playing with redundant stuff. The dinghy had been on the starboard tramp for a month or so and it really looks good to not be so overloaded.

I had a mount for the outboard motor built by a local shop. This will give me a convenient place to store the motor out of the way, and also a chance to use it as an emergency backup if needed. The mount pivots down to allow the motor foot to reach the water, or up to get it completely clear of the water. We will store the hard dinghy on the front deck to keep the tramps clear and balance the boat

I replaced the other big tramp on the boat today and it took pretty much a whole day. I cut the other front tramp off afterword, getting ready for tomorrow. We should be able to finish up the tramps by Wednesday. I feel like one of those old time fishermen mending their nets all evening to get ready for the next days fishing. Hand cramps and charley horses abound.

The other main project will be to mount the other battery set under the floor boards, to get them out of the way, and also to help trim the boat. I have built and epoxied a couple of shelves which I will mount in the bilge and then get some wires made up. Not having a bulk charging system like a big alternator means much smaller wire can be used, another benefit of solar power. We put it in slowly and use it up slowly most of the time. Time for a glass of wine, some dinner and a good nights sleep, and we'll roll the boulder up the mountain again tomorrow. We really are approaching the gate, but it seems like a long uphill process.