And we’re back from a month on the east coast! The boat is as ready as a boat can be! Some new upgrades – washer & dryer, refrigerator, a larger alternator, some new plumbing, new inverters, fixed air conditioner, and a gaggle of other bits and bolts done… The larger alternator has allowed us to run the boat (so far) without using our generators, which will help with the fuel management plan as we start planning longer passages.
Our return trip was delayed a bit by a big storm system coming down from Alaska. Although the boat would have probably been fine in 20 foot seas and 40 knot winds, our crew and personal effects would have taken quite a beating… we opted to sit snug at the dock for an extra couple of days to let things settle down. Our weather window opens up some time very early Thursday (10/3) morning. Our expected departure is about 30 minutes before my first conference call…. about 5am local.
Departing Sidney, BC and heading to San Francisco, by way of Port Townsend (Pick up the family and some food) and Port Angeles (Pick up some fuel). Port Angeles is where Jamie parked the boat for the first time! She’s had a lot of practice bossing around an oversized and slow moving object for the last 15 years, and that experience helped her conquer this challenge like a champ!
We are currently underway making a speedy 7.2 knots towards Neah Bay with Claire at the helm. We are seeing 6 foot swells or so, and nobody turned green! We will spend the night there, and then venture into the Pacific Ocean for about 90 hours of continuous running! This will be our first time running a 24×7 operation, with everyone taking shifts driving the boat! Jamie worked out the schedule and also volunteered herself for the overnight shift We are all happy about that!
With Halloween coming up, we decided to spruce up the boat a bit. The crew named him Captain Jack! Time will tell if he becomes a permanent resident…. I’m sure Jamie will have this place looking like a haunted house in no time! We expect to be in San Diego for Halloween!
Everyone is settling back into boat life nicely. School is in full session. Work continues. The Starlink continues to function with amazing realiability. It is truly incredible technology!