We are still alive and kicking! Alberg 30 refit coming soon!

We are still here and doing well. Unfortunately we have been very busy, and as a result have not kept up with the blog. There are a few reasons for that; the first being that my computer is limping along after having coffee spilled on it. I have it up and working but it is not very easy to use (requires an auxillary keyboard, an auxillary fan for starters). Another problem is that someone stole my Canon T2i. I admit that I was careless in leaving it on the dock the day I motored Sal around the corner to the next marina to be hauled. When I remembered that I had left it on the dock about 30 minutes later, I went back to look and it was already gone. Some asshole at Bay Point Marina had stolen it off the dock. I put signs up asking for it to be returned and informed the office in case it was turned in...but of course it has not found its way home. After these 2 electronic setbacks I took a break from posting. It has been on my mind but I just never could get myself around to it. I hope to replace the camera soon but for now I'm just using the cell phone for photos. Fortunately, they're pretty hi-tech these days:

This stunning photo was taken with the camera on my phone. It's a beautiful sunset across the Elizabeth River, which is a pretty typical view during my shift on the ferry.

The first mate and I have been busy learning and testing for additional new skills that will hopefully help us earn a small living when we set sail on Salacia. The first mate completed her personal trainer certification, which will complement her yoga teaching, and allow her to coach others toward health and wellness. She enjoys it, and hopes to find a way of sharing the love of physical activity with others. 

And I have finally completed my captain's license. I am now a 100T Master Near Coastal with Sailing Endorsement Inland. This is a big accomplishment for me. I worked for quite a while getting all the paperwork straight, not to mention the years at sea beforehand. I had quite a bit more sea time than what was required for the license. It finally came in last Friday. I hope to continue working the ferry and possibly even assume a shift as a captain soon. In the meantime, I have been working a lot of weekends as a deckhand to put money into the refit fund.

I'm legit!

The unfortunate part of us being so busy is that we have not done very much with Sal in a few months. She is patiently waiting for her refit to begin. I hope it will begin soon. I am working now to procure all the parts to build a 14'x40' shelter over her. Getting her under shelter is priority one! This will allow me to refinish decks, hatches and just about any other work that will require her to stay dry.

 I have been thinking a lot about where to start. I think I am going to tackle the interior, then the deck and finally the hull, in that order. At least that's the plan for now. I am still pondering repowering her, and I have noticed that her rudder needs some attention....so basically a complete refit will be in order. This is just fine with us because we have the time and spreading the work out will allow us to fund the project. When she is complete we will have a better-than-new Alberg 30.

Tall Ship Godspeed docked at waterside near mile marker zero on ICW a few weeks ago.

I will be posting more often and I hope to get the electronic situation under control here in the next month (it's yet ONE MORE unexpected expense added to the pile...ugh).

New Year = Alberg 30 Refit, or something like that

With this new year coming in with quite a chill I thought I'd take the the time to let everyone know what 2014 has in store for us and Sal. 

    We will continue to go to work and live everyday life (EXTREMELY frugally). This will help us move towards freeing ourselves of the soul-crushing imprisonment of debt. It will also give us time to work on skills that will help us sustain our cruising lifestyle when we finally do go. First mate is now a 200-hour Registered Yoga Instructor and she will spend 2014 sharpening her teaching skills. We hope she can use this to earn an income while cruising. I will be working on finishing my documentation and submitting my 100-Ton Master package to the USCG. I will also be busy..very busy....because:

   We are pulling our Salacia out of the water and putting her on the hard here at the house to begin a refit. (The neighbors are going to love it) <*snicker*>. As with any other plastic classic, Sal has some issues that need to be addressed. And beyond that she was never meant to be lived on, so we will be working to turn her into a capable cruiser/live-aboard vessel for the two of us. We will not be completely gutting her and starting over but rather working with what is already there, as she is still in fairly good condition. 

The last time we had her hauled nearly 3 years ago

Some of the major concerns and minuses:

• Delamination and soft deck issues, needs new electrical, she has some compression in mast beam area from water intrusion
•    Strengthening of forward chainplate knees
•    Water Tankage
•    Rebuilding and mounting our Lofrans Manual windlass
•    Adding inner forestay and running backstays
•    Rebuilding Toe rails and securing hull to deck seam
•    Painting and freshening up of all areas
•    Dodger/sun shade for cockpit
•    NO SAILING : (
•    Add Boom Gallows
•    Upgrade ground tackle
•    Mounting chainplates for drogue
•    Add ventilation
•    Recondition original 4 forward opening portlights
•    Adding heat source
•    Build deck chocks for our dingly

Some areas that are pluses or already done:

•    Rigging- Both standing and running rigging are only 2 yrs old
•    Already reconditioned mast and mast hardware
•    Head- fairly new Lavoc with a new holding tank
•    Electronics are new and not even installed yet
•    Own dodger 
•    Own windlass
•    I can do almost 99% of the work myself
•    Save money on slip fees
•    Build or sew a drogue
•    Already own new ground tackle, just need to build anchor storage on Sals bow-maybe a small bowsprit.
•    Already own  new ABI porlights
•    Own trailer
•    Aux power-while gas, like new including shaft, cutlass bearing and prop
•    Have Dingy

As you can see, this list is quite extensive and lots of work will be involved. This is one reason we decided to refit her at the house. Traveling to and from the marina wasted time and fuel. I was able to purchase a trailer that I will modify for her. That project is now under way and I will be updating you all on the blog here soon.

I am also going to try to be more attentive to the blog. I am hoping that you all can provide some constructive feedback as I know some of you have experienced a refitting.

Picking up trailer and towing it home about 45 miles. She is made with 2 6,000 lb axles and 4x6 x.375 steel angle. Plenty strong to hold and carry Sals 9,000 lb bottom

I will be adding a keel support and boat stands to keep her upright. 

One other important thing to note is that we know the work involved, I have the time for such work and we have no rigid deadline. I have a goal of 12-18 months but if it takes longer so be it.

Please stay tuned and follow along!

Congratulations to my first mate!

 Congratulations on your graduation of 200hr Yoga Instructor training. I am very proud of your hard work and dedication to your practice! One step closer to going cruising!

 Crystal and her instructors AJ and C'Mae

Physical Fitness, She's got it!!!!

    Many of you who know us and for those of you who do not, my wife is a fitness fanatic. It is not just a hobby but a way of life for her. She is by far the most dedicated person I know when it comes to working out and eating right. I will have to admit I am jealous because I just cannot keep up with her. She has endless amounts of drive to keep pushing herself to her physical limits. She has participated and trained endlessly for  triathlons, duathlons, ½ marathons,  1mile swims, yoga(almost daily)and crossfit and everything in between. By the way, all this after recovering from ACL tear over 10 years ago! She is a machine!

All warmed up and ready to ROCK!

    Well yesterday was no different. This was a new event for her, an event that was short in duration but would challenge her limits of physical fitness! It was called MetroDash. This event was a series of obstacles, one right after the other. This included tire flips, farmers carry, 12ft wall climb, rope traverse, concrete ball carry, monkey bars, sand bag carry…… I believe there was 15 all total. For more details check out www.metrodash.com.

Final Obstacle........scale an 8ft wall! No Problem!

    So how did she did she do? She killed it! As usual she was nervous! I never know why because I have seen her train! She kicked some serious butt out there completing obstacles many fit men could not complete! She did awesome! I am proud of her and even prouder to say she my beautiful wife! You are an outstanding athlete my dear and you should proud of your accomplishments!!

Here she is recovering with some cold water! She kicked ASS!

    What does this have to do with our sailing adventures? As many of you know and for those who don’t, sailing, especially offshore, requires a certain level of fitness and physical health. When you are hundreds or even thousands of miles from shore you can only depend on yourself and/or your crew members to handle whatever comes your way. These types of events and training for them prepare you, your muscles and your mind to be able to handle anything that may come your way. I have jumped onboard with training as well. I am nowhere near my beautiful wife’s fitness level, but I have been eating better and training 4-5 times a week for a few months now. I feel a lot better and the pounds are coming off. The wife and I have teamed up for an upcoming Toughmudder event. We will compete as a team! Check it out at www.toughmudder.com, so stay tuned! I hope I can keep up!