A lot of changes have happened since my last post, but what hasn't changed is my love for sailing, my love for the independence that sailing affords me and most of all, my love for the sea. I purchased a new boat, a larger boat, but still a single handed manageable boat.  My boat is still my home, my source of comfort, my sanctuary.  My new boat's name is Aeolus.  She is a 34 foot custom built islander/yachtcraft.  The builder did an excellent job, Aeolus is comfortable, easy to sail and beautiful.

During the past few years I've moved from port to port around the Puget Sound area and the San Juan's. My last home port was Port Angeles, which is a nice little marina with excellent management.  But because of access to the airport, I work a lot on the road, I moved to Shilshoe Bay Marina in Ballard.  So far I like living there and there is a thriving sailing community.  I do have the need to keep water passing under my hull so I'm not sure how long I will be there.

I've been working on Aeolus in order to make myself self sufficient.  My goal now is to retire in 13-14 months and finally launch on my journey.  My near term goals is to participate in the Coho Ho Ho and sail south this  summer.  I'm not sure if I will be able to take the month off that I need to make the journey, but I'm working on it; routinely, the summer months are my busiest times.  I really want to install a self-steering windvane and upgrade my radar/chartplotter before the trip, but it is not a show stopper.  I would love to single hand Aeolus and make the journey myself but the reality is I will have to take on another crew member.  This is not only the practical thing to do, but the safe thing to do.  It will be the first time that myself and Aeolus, as a team, will be in the great big blue Pacific.

I will try and update this blog as the month of August approaches.

Good sailing, fun sailing!
Harry

Back In the Water!

After all this time, Angelina is back in the water. A lot has changed in the past year or so. My Mom died which really hit me hard. My son has joined the Marines and is training for a deployment to Iraq in October. I have been to Maryland and Puerto Rico for work, now I am in Guam.

I was able last month to spend 5 weeks at home working on and sailing on Angelina. I have to say that Freyja Boatworks in Port Townsend did an outstanding job repairing the decks and mast of Angelina. I was able to rewire Angelina and put some electronic "toys" onboard. But I was also able to sail around the San Juan Islands and do some slamping (Sailing/Camping). Angelina handles like a dream. I found myself in some weather on a couple of occasions and Angelina plowed through the waves and the wind and almost seem liked she enjoyed it.

Now I am back in Guam and looking forward to my next home vacation. The count down has started up again and I am counting the days until I can make a break from shore and head out to sea!

Awesome Vacation

I just got back from 20 days with Angelina, they were awesome. I got a lot of work done. The deck is painted, the oil is changed, the fuel filters are new and the wiring is better. Port Townsend was fun; just a bit overcrowded. Now I'm back in Maryland working and it looks like this particular job will not be finished until December or January.

Back in CONUS

Back in the continental United States. I'm currently in Maryland working and it looks like I'll be here for awhile.
Work on the boat is going very well and costing me a fortune! I would really like to be doing alot of the work myself but my job intrudes. Frejya Boatworks is doing a fantastic job and most of the major items should be completed in the next few weeks.
I'm hoping to take a look at the boat in about three weeks and see the progress.

Peace, Love, Joy and more booze!

Vieques, Puerto Rico

I've been in Vieques, Puerto Rico since the end of November. Angelina is in the boatyard at Port Townsend Washington. So far the deck has been repaired, with all the teak removed, and currently the glass port lights are being replaced with 3/8" Lexan. I haven't been able to work on her myself because of my job here and I have had a lot of sleepless nights wondering if all them money I've been pouring into the project has been worth it. But last week I was on home leave and I saw her and immediatly change my mind. The work is beautiful. Freyja Boatworks is doing a terrific job.

I really don't know how long I will be working here but I am hoping soon to be able to work on Angelina again. The time I've spent in Port Townsend has been great. The city is nice and the people are friendly and helpful.

That's all for now.

Stuck in New Mexico

I'm now stuck working in New Mexico for the next couple of weeks. On my return to Angelina I plan on moving her to Port Townsend; provided they have room.

Stuck Working

I'm sitting here in Madison, IN, where I have been working for the past week. I have a couple of weeks left here before I can return to Everett and Angelina. I am having strong withdraw feelings being this far away from Angelina but I do need the money to complete the repairs Angelina needs to be completely seaworthy. The things that need done are going to take at least several months to complete along with several thousand dollars.
I'm torn between working several more months or taking what money I have and starting the repairs. The prudent thing would be to work several more months, save some more money and complete the repairs in the manner which Angelina deserves. On a good note; I had Angelina out on the water by myself, the night before I left for Indiana. It was a blast! The wind was 10 knots out of the west and I had the leeward rail in the water on a close haul. It was outstanding!
Anyway, I am missing prime sailing weather in Puget Sound and I am bored out of my mind!