It’s all wrapping up on Dorade this week. With the delivery south moved up about a week I have been running around trying to get the contractors to finish all of their various projects. The boat is finally coming back together and looking like her old self again. Just a more watertight old self!
Christa has finished her varnishing, both inside and out, and it looks amazing. Getting all the wood to match up with the existing pieces was more difficult than you would think. It is all mahogany but the different years and place of origin yield different grains and colors. After lots of sanding, staining and varnishing, it looks as good as new!
The new secret storage spaces behind the stove and under the starboard bunk are finished. Now that there is plenty of space for dry storage, we can start provisioning and packing the boat. Though the menu for the trip to LA consists mostly of freeze dried, it will be good to have the storage in the future.
Starbuck Canvas is finishing up with their various canvas projects. The new hatch covers look great and durable, ready to go offshore. The shower curtain to cover the inverters, battery chargers and switches, and latching relays is being installed this afternoon, adding another layer of protection to things we most definitely do not want to get wet!
The new carbon spinnaker poles were ordered and should be delivered when we get to LA. They will be painted with a wood-like finish so that the only people who know it’s not original will be the bow team!
The sail test weekend with Kevin Miller, John Hayes and Matt W proved very successful and we were able to place our phase 1 sail order with North. New Dacron sails have been proven to be just as fast or faster than fancy string sails and we will have a full set for the Transpac.
Dorade is sad to be leaving the Bay Area. She has had a great winter out here, doing a little sailing and a lot of modifying. She is excited to get back offshore and stretch her legs for a couple days. With the all star delivery team on board I’m sure everything will be pushed in a race-style practice session. It’s fine and good to sail around the cans but it’s not how we are going to win the Transpac.
If you want to see her one last time, keep your eyes on the bay tomorrow afternoon. She will be sailing out of the St. FYC around 3. One more lap around the bay before heading off to some pretty big adventures!