Lots to write about - All mostly good

The generator installation was delayed by a week but is now near completion.  A pilot boat ride was fun and informative.  We've met potential crew members.  A marine flea market jaunt was successful.  Our taxes are done!

It was quiet for about a week with us continuing to practice sailing, learning the boat, and doing taxes (I'm now a fan of Turbo Tax) so not much to tell.  Since we're considering buying a chartplotter, Captain Bill invited us to go for a ride on the Pilot boat to check out his system.  Ryan drove the boat and showed us how the chartplotter and radar work together.  It's a great set-up that tells you where you are at all times as well as what is around you (buoys, ships) in real time.  We sped along eight miles out to meet the container ship that Bill boarded on a "rope" ladder.  The seas were calm, but I cannot imagine climbing that little ladder in 10-foot waves.  Nor can I imagine how he pilots and docks such a huge ship.  We appreciated the ride and tutorial and now are researching if and what we might buy. 

A couple, Brook and Terrie, drove up from Gainesville to meet and discuss the possibility of crewing with us.  We learned a lot about each other and really enjoyed their visit.  They had a lot to offer in experience and mechanical skills but a few days later had to take themselves out of the running because they needed to pitch in in a family situation.  What was amazing to me is that they were really spunky for being in their early/mid-sixties and just had their first GREAT grandbaby.  Best wishes to these positive spirits.

The new generator arrived, but it took a week for the installation to begin - not sure why.  This week we've not been able to be on the boat during the day.  It's nearly done, but we cannot go sailing this weekend because it's not bolted down.  Frustrating, but that's how it goes.


On Wednesday, we drove to Jacksonville to take care of some business and stopped in St. Augustine to visit Sailors Exchange, a shop for used marine goods.  As imagined, it's a dusty shop filled with everything nautical and well organized - a sailor's dream.  It didn't take long for me to notice that I was the only gal in the shop.  The guys who run it are a kick and very helpful.  I found the fuel gauge sending unit I was looking for and Dave found a winch handle and a rod and reel that he didn't buy but liked.  We then continued south to Dania Beach where we spent the night so we could get up early and attack the annual marine flea market.  Except for a few cockroaches, it was a good plan.  At first walk-through, we didn't see much that we could use, but then, as if things came into better focus, we saw several things:  a gaff (hook for landing fish) for Dave and a book (the bible for marine mechanical and electrical systems) for me, in addition to sun shirts and a hat.  Dave continued scouting rods and reels.  I observed that 50% of the men had enormous guts.  Hate to say it, but methinks that they were the trawler guys.  We then headed over to Sailorman, another marine surplus store, in Ft. Lauderdale and found more useful stuff including small hammocks for fruit and other things.  Unfortunately, except for two, we were unable to find decent used charts - one of our goals.

Perhaps our best find was our potential new crew members.  A few weeks back, they found us on the "Find a Crew" website.  We emailed and Skyped with them in the British Virgin Islands.  From the BVI, they recently sailed north to deliver a catamaran to Florida.  Sarah and Alex are a young couple with good sailing experience.  Between the two of them and on several trips, they have sailed from Maine to Grenada.  On Wednesday, on our way south, they called to say that they'd arrived in Pampano Beach, near our destination.  The timing was perfect, so we met them the next day and all drove north to Fernandina Beach.  On the long drive north, we shared our stories.  Alex mentioned that he really missed Mexican food, so around dinnertime, we had a mission.  Find...Mexican...Restaurant!   We were near Daytona Beach so drove toward the city passing the MASSIVE Daytona International Speedway but none were to be found.  Stomachs growling, we were about to surrender when there finally appeared among the lineup of plastic signs, "Maria Bonita, Authentic Mexican Food!"  Gracias a Dios!  The delicious fare, along with more stories, was savored by all.

Since we had to be off the boat again yesterday, we all took care of errands in town and began provisioning in earnest.  When we got back, it was like a tornado of activity with Alex diving into the storage nooks and crannies and organizing where to put the food and better organize what we've got.  Sarah suggested we store the giant anchor under the settee in the bottom of the bow locker, so she and Dave worked on that.  This gives us more space for food inside.  Full of gumption and good suggestions, they are a welcome addition.  As the days go by, they and we will decide if we are a good match for each other for the upcoming journey south.  We appreciate the good energy they have brought to Wayward Wind.