37 days to blast off – Who’d of thought we’d get this far? Unbelievable - Starting to get kind of shivery nervous – what’s forgotten? What will sink the boat? So many seemingly small things to do that take way longer than expected. E.g. vee berth lights, installing the table, installing the rod holders.
But all those concerns fade away and instant happiness happens when you go sailing in 20 to 28 knots of wind on Lake Ontario. Only got the jib on board. Straight out parallel to the 4 to 6 foot chop. Boat sits on 7 then up to 7.7 in gusts – sails almost straight without helming – nice trick. With the autopilot on, my son, Daniel and I sit on the bow enjoying the ride. 15 degrees of heel and straight as an arrow. It’s a Beautiful Thing. Get the odd spray over the deck to get a taste of the ocean. With the main up in these conditions I expect to sit on max hull speed and reel off them miles.
Major milestones achieved – food menu done and buying to start this week. – good job by Brendan and Stuart – water supply finalized – thanks Stuart, bullet proof poly-carbonate Lexan storm windows bolted on and sealed – good work Doug S. All the plumbing done incl. the manual fresh water galley pump – now have H&C water for the head, galley and the stern shower (our main bathroom) . Flood lights for the cockpit and stern fishing platform – looks like a perfect fishing spot – with a couple of deep sea rods and reels from Captain Harry’s in Miami. And the radar arch stereo speakers complete a great atmosphere in the cockpit when we rip down waves with the Ride of the Valkries blasting, (think Apocalypse Now).
Your suggestions for music during storms, and harbour departures and arrivals will be welcomed.
Jeannette’s contribution– Grand Funk Railroad ‘I’m your captain’ Jimmy Buffett 'Son of a Son of a Sailor, Crosby, Stills & Nash 'Southern Cross'; John B: 'Sloop'; The Beach Boys, Orinoco Flow: Enya, The Downeaster "Alexa": Billy Joel, Cool Change: Little River Band, Beyond the Seas: Bobby Darin, A life on the Ocean Wave by the Band of her Majesty’s Royal Marines.
On the navigation part – 4 c-maps, 40 charts and the 09 Nautical Almanac ordered. - Sextant and Nick deMunnicks book on board (The Celestial Nav course at National Yacht Club by Nick is simply the best).
Epirb, handheld floating vhf radios bought (keep the vhf radio with you at all time so if you fall off you can yell for help. Reminds me of a joke about ’sorry you’re gonna die’.)
The installation of the main table and the cockpit table completes the woodwork by Maestro boat cabinet maker/builder Mr. Johnnie Silverio – He is my finish wood worker saving grace.
On that note complete reverence belongs to Mr. John McInnes who carefully and completely built the interior. Come and see it – we have tried our best to stress it so cracks appear but so far – nothing – looks like molded fibreglass, and the paint job by Gavin Mcinnes is just superb.
And you should check out our electrical system and workmanship – I believe I got the best in Canada – Mr. Paul Thornton
– indicates that Oakville has a core team of boat builders on a par with the best anywhere and most of them work for Bruckmann Yachts-
http://www.bruckmannyachts.com/main.htm
absolutely first class genuine 50 year experience boat builders - see for yourself.
Who else helped me as we near the completion of the boat and our blast off?
Apart from our crew of Brendan, Doug, Doug, and Stuart; there is Ed and Rick at AquaMarine, Paul at Canfab, Doug and Dave at Canadian Bron.
So – next is to knock off some little jobs, clean and paint the bottom, go for as many burns as we can fit in
– hold a ‘BON VOYAGE’ party at the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club
2-5pm Sat October 4th
-then- Blast Off October 14th!
- as my mate Reginald says ‘Hang onto your ass’!
Cheers
John
