Norfolk, VA
To see as much of the world as we can,
Using the smallest carbon footprint we can,
Spending the least amount of money we can,
Making as many friends we can.
Yes. I know it's really the tail end of 2024.
Years ago -- in the Chesapeake -- our boat year started mid-May, so we could get out and sail on Memorial Day weekend.
Now. In Florida, we're escaping Hurricane Season; the boat year is December to April or May. So. I'm calling …
We survived Hurricane Ian back in 2022.
We survived Hurrican Milton in 2024.
We still have a lot of work to do. But we should have several months in which to do it. We're thinking about launching in November, 2024. We can then potter about the SW coast of FL …
We started with a big task list. This was based on a great deal of optimism. Optimism that started to look like empty hubris. Optimism that — when it’s gone — leads to some reflection.
The bulk of the tasks were simple: undo hurricane prep. This means putting equipment back on …
This was an emotional two week cruise.
We went approximately nowhere. We fixed a lot of things. I learned some lessons along the way.
Our preparation week had to be extended again. Ideally, we'd like to shove off on Sunday, the 21st.
Launch. The rest of …
There have been times when they put us in the sling and dropped us in the creek.
This was not one of those times.
This is -- in a way -- an After Action Review. Let's start with Intent.
There was a longish list of …
Mr. Lehman's feeling poorly.
To tell the whole story, let's roll back the clock. There are two kinds of end-of-season layup:
Wet Slip Winterizing. Put in antifreeze, take in the sails. Take in the running rigging. Maybe rearrange the stuff on deck so it doesn't collect puddles of water and …
My little heart is going pit-a-pat as we start preparing for our (very short 2024 cruising season.
We have three objectives. First, this is essentially sea trials after Hurricane Ian and a year living in Texas.
I'm confident the solar panels work. The semi-flexible panels on deck are a mess …
The (short) 2024 season is almost here.
We're moving out of Texas, after nine months.
We have some restowing and rearranging at our base in North Carolina. And then we'll have a month or so on Red Ranger.
Stand by.
For now, some pictures of packing the truck.
This is …
We're focusing on April 10th, 2024.
If all goes well, we're bound to arrive Safe Cove Marina on that day.
We've got about three intensive days of commissioning before launch. (I'll share the list, don't worry.)
Then we'll need to spend a some time at their dock, where the potable …
As noted in Looking at the future, it's time to start dreaming again.
For this year, the Gulf Coast of Florida is our aspiration.
Getting out of Charlotte Harbor would be pleasant, if we can do that.
I've updated my planning charts to include the Bahamas (for next year) and …
It's time to start arm-chair sailing again.
Our stay in Texas is drawing to a close.
The sailing season is slipping away from us. It's December to June, more-or-less.
We think it shapes up like this...
Drive from NC to Florida.
Clean and launch Red Ranger. Safe Cove …
From a friend: https://www.finsulate.com/en/
(They're not a boater, but they're interested in preserving our planet.)
https://www.finsulate.com/en/antifouling-products/seagrade/
Interesting. Leaving a note here for future me to look at in two years.
Right now, we're hoping to spend maybe a month in …
Since about 2018, I've been calling myself a "technomad".
(There's a portable speaker system with this brand name. Not related. At all.)
I count myself a member of the group of folks who do high-tech work and live a nomadic life. Here are the two key criteria:
I write books …
Status Report. Red Ranger is on the hard in Safe Cove.
Nothing has changed. Scott looked in on her recently, and reconnected shore power.
We're still in Texas.
Here's a factoid that come up in the Whitby Call yesterday.
Dash-223
Durometer 75
We have 6 fillers. The …
Status Report. Red Ranger remains on the hard in Safe Cove.
We remain in Texas.
We have some potential "plans." But. Without many details, plan is too strong a word.
Meanwhile, here's the Thanksgiving Bloody Mary Bar.
Many fixings. Many levels of hotness.
Celery. Pickles, Cheese Curds …
Status Report. Red Ranger is on the hard in Safe Cove.
Nothing has changed. Hurricane season is still in full swing.
We're still in Texas.
The picture is from Utah.
Status Report. Red Ranger is on the hard in Safe Cove. She's ready for another hurricane season.
We've returned from Rehoboth Beach and are on our way to Ft. Worth, TX, for a few months.
Come November -- and the end of Hurricane Season -- we'll see what the family situation is …
Start with the back-story, Painful Head-ectomy.
And Week 1: Stowage and More Stowage.
Some Details: Horrifying Failure — Averted and Scout's at the Dinghy Doctor. Also, Southbound Day 28-29 Offshore Passage, specifically the "Wed10 — Noon Watch (Noon-16:00; CA)" entry.
Also, see Second (and Final) Head-Ectomy for a non Nature's Head …
Some great questions. And some answers.
I think the sailor (and writer) Beth Leonard said "Cruising is fixing your boat in exotic places."
The ocean is demanding, and mere human ingenuity isn't up to creating a vessel …
Where will we be for the balance of the 2023 Hurricane Season?
Traveling on land.
We've finished all the Hurricane Ian repairs. We're almost ready to go.
Plans for 2023-2024 Sailing Season?
Going to be doing family care. We'll leave Red Ranger high and dry.
Not much …