Now that we’ve sailed the boat a few times we have the shared vocabulary

Thursday May 26, At the Dock (what am I chicken with 20 knots of wind?)

Now that we’ve sailed the boat a few times we have the shared vocabulary, (not necessarily right, but mutually understandable) we declined to go out in 20 knots even though the boat can easily handle it.  I’m still sore from my solo performance at the mast and we have other things to do.   Like try to find the connecting wire for the Seatalk cable.   If anyone reads this it is just a female to female seatalk wire that we need.  That took up a half a day (with breakfast at Rozies). 

The rest of the day was spent inspecting the boat and brainstorming the things that we should be doing.   In no particular order this is the high lights of the work that we should complete before August 1 (my imposed deadline)

• Raise dodger above the companionway (This is a priority.  I’m too tall)
• Fix the mainsheet cheekblock on cabintop.  Consider a double cheekblock to bring more function to the cockpit for short handed sailing
• Latch to keep forward box /seat cover closed
• Fix 1^st reef line clew inside front of boom
• SSB radio to fix
• Clean and sort davit lines and motor lift.
• Change the topping lift shackle
• Varnish gunnels
• Apply teak deck caulking
• Fix compass light
• High frequency antenna for weatherfax
• Check sink drainage.  It’s substantially plugged likely with coffee grounds
• T Install seatalk to NMEA2000 cable
• VHF splitter for the AIS
• Dinghy/Outboard, pickup and send serial #s to insurance
• New cockpit cushions
• Fix seat cushion on forward box seat
• Apply for MMSI (VHF, Epirb)
• Register the boat federally
• Check Windlass and test methods for dropping both anchors
• Install line for pennant on starboard side of mast
• Wash solar panel
• Fix Sail Cover
• Adjust permanent dock lines. 
• Obtain temporary dock lines for visiting ports.
• Fix leaks in Port Aft deck hatch in the salon
• Shine 2 mast winches
• Wipe clean stations and safety rails
• Tighten Allen screws in cockpit cover.  Get plastic washers 3/8 hole
• Exercise all hands on anchor raising and test the process
• Clean under the cockpit sole
• Find and test emergency tiller post
• Add and connect eye hooks to floor boards
• Create MOB lift harness
• Install seizing wire to relevant blocks
• Install cotter rings where necessary
• Wash fenders
• Organize mast ropes with fresh elastic knobs

That’s a lot but we have time and this is guide of stuff to do.  Do I have 30 minutes to do one task or 2 days to do another? 

Took apart the compass to find out why the compass light was not working and we now understand.  This will be a 20 minute fix if we get the right bulbs and machine screw.  GAK! 

Tomorrow, they forecast rain so we’ll shop for small stuff in the morning and then join Pierre for an all you can eat sushi afternoon.  Jeff goes back home on Saturday and I go back to being a single boat owner.  Jeff has been an incredible help in logic, knowledge, and effort.