Lisa and I flew from Maryland to Puerto Rico after the Annapolis Boat show. We had about a month to start getting Unwritten Timeline ready to start sailing. It always takes a little bit of time to commission a vessel that’s been sitting stationary for a long time. You have to get ready to be without unlimited power and water. You have to refresh how to just turn the boat on sometimes. If you don’t you may end up forgetting the raw water seacock for the engine. Burning up an engine as you depart the dock is no way to start a long voyage. There are inevitably things strewn around the vessel that make your vessel a home that are not secure for sailing. The coasters you have out on the table. The keys you’ve gotten use to lying on the countertop. The dishes you have now started storing in the sink. All of these little things become airborne underway. That usually ends in something being broken.
Making the vessel secure for sailing isn’t the only thing that had to be done when we returned from Annapolis. The anchor light was out when we first sailed into Puerto Real 6 months ago. So that was first on the to-do list. We also wanted to wrap up some of our projects to make life at anchor a little more comfortable. We completed the dodger before I left for Alaska but we still had to finish the full enclosure and sun shade for the rumble seat. This would allow us to stay dry from squalls while at the helm. The sunshade would allow us a little respite from the blaring Caribbean sun while we lounge at anchor. We needed to commission the water maker and service the engines. The tasks to get underway are seemingly endless. Eventually you have to prioritize and get done what you can or you’ll never leave the dock.
We had only intended to be at Marina Pescaderia for a week before continuing on through the Caribbean. It was almost 8 months later when Unwritten Timeline would be outside of the Puerto Real bay again. While I was away in Alaska working on whale watch tour boats Lisa stayed in Puerto Real and made some great friends. The constant moving and leaving friends is something we have grown accustomed to in the military. We never really say goodbye anymore. We just say we’ll see you guys next time.
Check back next week when we have an illuminating experience.
Making the vessel secure for sailing isn’t the only thing that had to be done when we returned from Annapolis. The anchor light was out when we first sailed into Puerto Real 6 months ago. So that was first on the to-do list. We also wanted to wrap up some of our projects to make life at anchor a little more comfortable. We completed the dodger before I left for Alaska but we still had to finish the full enclosure and sun shade for the rumble seat. This would allow us to stay dry from squalls while at the helm. The sunshade would allow us a little respite from the blaring Caribbean sun while we lounge at anchor. We needed to commission the water maker and service the engines. The tasks to get underway are seemingly endless. Eventually you have to prioritize and get done what you can or you’ll never leave the dock.
We had only intended to be at Marina Pescaderia for a week before continuing on through the Caribbean. It was almost 8 months later when Unwritten Timeline would be outside of the Puerto Real bay again. While I was away in Alaska working on whale watch tour boats Lisa stayed in Puerto Real and made some great friends. The constant moving and leaving friends is something we have grown accustomed to in the military. We never really say goodbye anymore. We just say we’ll see you guys next time.
Check back next week when we have an illuminating experience.