The boat is ready to go and so am I. The new spreader was installed this afternoon after which I tightened up the rig and we are all good to go sailing. Today I have been playing around with the Iridium Go. The first test call home went through without a hitch, followed by SMS... Continue Reading →
ELECTRIC DAY
The weather this morning was nasty and the forecast just as bad. So stayed tucked up in Scottie Bay and got stuck into the electrical jobs that I can't find an electrician to do. First I set about the easy job and fitted a new light over the chart table, it works but just need... Continue Reading →
I CAN WAIT NO MORE
This morning I checked again at the marine office for my packages from NZ. NOTHING! Fourteen days since they left New Zealand, that’s snail mail. That’s it! I can wait no more. I am moving out, I feel trapped at Canoe Cove. I will check back from time to time by phone and maybe get the... Continue Reading →
ENGINE READY TO GO
Finally, the engine parts arrived from the USA. Big event, the engine has been serviced and the new exhaust mixer was fitted this afternoon. Engine wise we are all ready to go. I took a trip into town this morning to pick up some additional antenna cable and connectors. This afternoon I installed the AIS... Continue Reading →
SHORTS AND T SHIRT DAY
Wonderful day, bright sun and no wind. Broke the shorts out today. Another day rummaging around the boat. I have now found everything and been in every space possible. Also set up and tested the autopilot ran OK after I cleaned the contacts. I topped up the fresh water today and found where the overflow... Continue Reading →
SPREADER REMOVAL DAY
Woke up this morning and it was warmer, did the breath test and only a bit of steam came out. Turned out to be a sunny and warm day, could have worn shorts but I was too busy to get changed. I turned out the lockers under the cockpit today and laid everything down in the... Continue Reading →
WET, WINDY AND OVERCAST
A wet windy and overcast day today. The sort of day when you never can get warm. I sorted out a number of charts that the previous owner passed on to me, some are very old but interesting. Also did another rig inspection today as the port spreader is bothering me. I was considering doing... Continue Reading →
BOAT ALONE
Today was my first day on the boat alone. I kept busy stowing all my gear and finding all sorts of new discoveries in every nook and cranny. At first the contents of my three large bags appeared to voluminous to fit the available space. However, everything go stowed neatly away with space to spare.... Continue Reading →
HECTIC TIMES – PRE PURCHASE INSPECTION
I left home in Auckland on the 26th March, one day before my sixty fifth birthday and official retirement and flew into Vancouver on the same day thanks to the date line. Then I hired a car and took the ferry over to Vancouver Island where the pre purchase inspection was to take place at... Continue Reading →
FATE OR CIRCUMSTANCE – BUYING A BOAT
Many people don’t believe in fate, some consider fate an alignment of coincidences, others don’t believe in coincidences. As a seaman I am super suspicious, I never walk under ladders, I have lucky numbers, never sail on Friday the thirteenth, constantly touch wood and know that fate and circumstance are realities of life. Late in... Continue Reading →
The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson 