Dream fulfilled, pretty much

On Friday it was sunny and windy from the West. The forecast said the winds would taper to 10 knots in the afternoon, then 5 later. I rigged the boat with a reef in the main and went out to find very large waves and lots of wind. Not quite ready for that on a winter day, I turned back. Turned out that soon after I tucked back into the slip the wind died completely, and the water was flat calm as I walked home.

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Except for not actually sailing, that was the fulfillment of the dream!

The dream I had before I found the boat was that I could walk from my apartment along the waterfront walkway to the boat, step aboard, and go for a sail—and this was the first time I did that.

The sailing part will come. Unpredicted (but surely not unpredictable!) details came to life, like having a home-made sandwich in the sun in the cockpit, and brewing an espresso right there as well.

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 The daggerboards are now sticking slightly in their slots after a number of layers of glass cloth were added in the area of the trunk. Except for buying some anchor rode for the 5 kg claw anchor, I think I've got most everything sorted out for sailing. And it's winter. So I've begun to organize the interior.

Since I cut out some of the bulkhead at the forward end of the port bunk, I can lie full out on it now. I used to keep the daggerboards on that bunk, but I've found the new boards store neatly against the cabin side to starboard, making a good back rest. Suddenly there's lots of horizontal surface to sprawl on!

Now the drawers and bins are getting re-arranged, paddles have a spot, rope is hung up and not piled up on the floor, and I made a retainer board for the forward shelf contents.

The gas can is there only temporarily. Although the seal on it is excellent and I don't smell gas at all in the cabin, I still want it out. It didn't fit in the seat lockers in the cockpit, so I need to figure out another spot for it. That spout is the problem. It's a great spout: turn the can upside-down over the engine, press down and it flows, stopping immediately when the can is lifted. I've not spilled a drop using it. But the spout won't fit in the cockpit lockers attached to the can, and I haven't yet found a cap to replace it with that fits the can!

Turning my attention to what to do for a galley. Here are most of the things it needs to house—with the exception of a couple of the cups. (I have a soft spot for cups and mugs.)

Two plates, two dishes, a pot, an espresso maker, some flatware. Missing from the group shot are a basin and the Whisperlite stove. The open space to the right is a bin in which I'm storing extra clothes, and something else that I haven't figured out yet.

Sailing Knife!

I thought a Spyderco knife might be good, but for the cost. When I was in Mountain Equipment Co-op recently I found this one that made a lot of sense and didn't cost so much. MEC changed their brands; mine is an Aqua Lung, but the same thing, a stainless squeeze-lock sheath knife:

I made the belt because the knife won't fit my fanny pack belt. The idea with the squeeze lock is that it's a positive click and it's locked in; squeeze the handle and it's released. The blunt tip is so you don't stab yourself when you're freeing yourself of something wrapped around you.