An old girlfriend just called.....

[Frank]

Getting an arch built as we speak for radar, TV dome and cell tower.
Can’t leave home without it! (Not 🤣)
Will be blasting straight down 81, then 95.
Will be getting late and just wanna get launched and over there!
Thanks tho
Return trip will be more relaxed..

[Frank]

Getting close...
Dodger back today from canvas guy. I just have to ad fasteners...
Outboard ready with remote shift/throttle attached
New CDI furling on new fore stay.
Just need to put the mast up on cradles once dodger set and removed.
A final once through my parts bin for various ropes and spares...
November 8th I’ll be south bound.

[CapnK]

I think you should go ahead and add an oculus on there before you take off...

[Frank]

Now... wouldn’t that be cool! 👍

[Frank]

Had an upholstery lad just around the corner do the dodger. He was nervous as he’d never made one before. It’s not “perfect” but turned out very good for a first attempt. Nice to support a neighbor as well.
The ole girl is looking pretty good for pushing 37.
I fell in love back then and still like her lines and interior layout.

[CapnK]

Nice job it looks like to me, especially for a first try!

Did you ever sell that other dodger you had a while back?

AFA lines, that's how I am with the Ariel. :) Working on that interior layout now. Finished getting it roughed in/mocked up today so I can try it out for a few days and then pull measurements for the build. Aiming to get the aft bulkhead, watertanks, and main bunk in and glassed in place before it gets too cold for resin. Found a wee snake living under laz hatch this afternoon. Evicted him. Sorry pal, will share space with canines but not serpents! ;D

[Norman]

Frank, you must be getting very close to departure!

Smaller details finished up?

The reality of life is that all the details are never finished, you have to go when the more important ones are done, and in the islands, a Bimini is essential for the bad days (or nights).  Much more ventilation is possible with that additional shelter for the companionway.

Chill weather is beginning to arrive east of the Appalachians, and I am sure that your local temperatures are urging you south.

Honk your horn as you pass through Maryland on I 81!

[Frank]

Kurt, yep, it turned out pretty good. I was happy. He really tries.

That shark dodger was sold to a friend with an Alberg 22. Similar narrow beam and it worked out surprisingly well for him!

Norman, most things are done. Mast is up, boat strapped, bearings greased. A few things to do once in Florida, but not much. So look forward to being afloat and returning to the Abacos! So many fellow cruisers are returning this year. Will be awesome seeing them and locals too.
I’ll “beep” going by 👍🤣

Cute foot note.  I sold her in 89 to a couple up river here at home. Every time I was up there, I’d leave a note to let me know when they were ready to sell. She would always call and say “we still love her”. It was 30yrs later I got the call. Arthritis had caught up to them. A few days ago they called and asked to see the work I’d done restoring her and to say goodbye one last time. Yesterday they showed up. Was a sweet moment with them reminiscing about the original sale and the years since...

[CapnK]

Awesome. Always good to hear a happy love story. :)

[Frank]

Kurt
Look forward to seeing progress on the Ariel
Start a thread and lotsa PICTURES! 😄
Git atter

[Tim]

I am also looking forward to seeing your progress on the Ariel. I Put my head forward also, but of course it is setup to be pumped out, and vented to the side. So forward hatch will be the venting for yours?

[Frank]

With US land borders finally opening Monday, I left at 10pm Sunday to be at the Prescott-Ogdensburg bridge to NY State early, figuring my arrival around 12:30am would be before any big line ups...
WRONG!
The line up was 3/4 way across the bridge on to the customs booths.
2-3/4 hours later I was handing my paperwork to an officer.
I paused for an hours nap shortly after and then carried on for 5 states and 1438 kilometres...about 892 miles, before getting a room in NC.
Geez I slept!
Easier day Tuesday... NC-SC-Georgia- Florida.
Grabbed a room on the south end of Jacksonville to avoid their busy morning traffic.
Lazier day today and made Port Salerno boatyard about 12:45.
Unhooking 6700lbs behind never felt more freeing!
Will start loading and prepping tomorrow
Mast hopefully up Friday
Tired and relieved to have made it.
Norman...did you hear me honk? 😄

“Geriatric hauling”:
a 64yr old towing a 36yr old boat behind his 14yr old truck 🤣

At home before leaving
Line up on the bridge
Hauled late..
Finally made the yard!

[Frank]

Big day!
Mast up
Boom on
Solar mount reinstalled and panel up
Dodger up

New jib sheets, Main sheet, boom vang line, back stay adjuster lines and rudder slide/lift line purchased

Tomorrow will be install the new running rigging and mount the outboard and controls.

Getting closer but crossing weather looks bad for a while..

[Norman]

I did not hear you honk, Frank, but it was a windy day here, so......

Just one big backup for a trip that long is a winner, and that one might have been worse later in the day.  A lot of pent-up Canadians wishing to reach freedom (from cold) and warmth on the Gulf coast!

How did traffic on the US Interstates compare to the last time you went south?  Around here, it continues to be lighter than in the past.

Those short naps make a tremendous difference in strength and alertness, and pay off without us knowing as we continue on our trips.  A minor lane change or early braking that goes without any special notice could put us in the ditch or worse if we had our eyes closed for one of those slow blinks that sneak up on us when tired.

The same is true sailing, of course.  Any projection of when a window might open for the crossing?

A full winter of sailing puts a lot of wear on running rigging, so nice to have new at the start, good plan there.  With the damage that storms have left in the infrastructure, will you be stocking up on a larger supply of staples before crossing?  Canned goods equals ballast for the crossing, too.

Your geriatric rig sure looks good, considering the age they have.


Norman

[Bob J (ex-misfits)]

That's pretty funny.  Glad you made south!

"Geriatric hauling”:
a 64yr old towing a 36yr old boat behind his 14yr old truck 🤣

[Tim]

Well done Frank, giving me further inspiration for hauling "Mariah" up north this spring.

[Frank]

Norman, I did find traffic a bit less than on past trips south. Jacksonville was surprisingly busy!
I’ll be stocking up on items that are expensive there. Well... I guess they all are, so items a lot more expensive there. :)
Some nice “treat” foods and beer. Rum isn’t bad there but beer is expensive so a few cases will be aboard.
This is only a 24’ hull so storage is limited.
Hope to splash Tuesday and stick around a bit as at this time there is no window in sight.
Will hope some point next week. I love Manatee Pocket so it’s no burden being here while waiting.

[Frank]

After stepping the mast, rigging, problem solving and provisioning… déjà Vu was splashed yesterday.
Felt so good to be floating again and had a nice night at anchor.
Awaiting a crossing window… maybe next Thursday
All good

[CapnK]

Aaaahhhhh.....

:)

Where do you stash truck n trailer while out aboatin?

[Frank]

Kurt...
One way trip (hopefully) for the trailer.
Truck n trailer will be stored at Indiantown marina.
Listed the trailer with the broker there...
I’ll be paying duty and importing déjà vu to Bahamas.
One way trip for her too.
Will be so nice to simply fly in next years, clean, provision and launch.