So where does all of this stuff go?

We were fortunate enough to participate in the Bluewater Cruising Association “VICE” (Vancouver Island Offshore Cruising Experience) way back in about 2008. We learned a lot of important things about ourselves and our boat regarding preparedness for offshore sailing. This included the importance of power management, self-steering, navigation and watch keeping, and so forth. However, the most important take home lesson was that “the boat is never ready”. So here we are only some days before we intend to sail off from Mexico to the Marquesas and of course the boat is not ready but it is pretty close. A couple more things including a new chain to rope splice on the main anchor rode, a shakedown cruise to recommission the watermaker and test the new anchor roller, and hopefully a fully plumbed foot pump in the head to conserve water will all be in place within about a week to 10 days.

Incredibly however, the Admiral managed to fall on the dock on 12 March and fracture her knee cap into at least 4 pieces. So she is now back in Vancouver waiting for surgery to remedy the situation but even with surgery scheduled for the next day or so, she will not be back in shape to sail for at least 8 weeks. Thus, the other crew member and I will need to decide if we are prepared and ready to do a two person voyage to the Marquesas. If we do, the Admiral will join us in the Tuamotus. More to come in the next couple of days.