It’s just over a week now since we returned from Cabo and I must say it has been nice to be back in San Diego. I’m really starting to like this place with its beautiful weather and everybody is so friendly and happy. It was opening weekend for the yacht clubs this weekend and I got the chance to go racing with Chris Busch on his Etchel. It was nice to sail on another boat for a change and not have any responsibility and just enjoy the sailing.
Currently Dorade is still at Driscoll Boat Works on Shelter Island and I am getting the snag list from Cabo worked through and various maintenance tasks completed. With the race crew flying into Newport Beach next weekend I want to get as much done this week before delivering the boat up there on Saturday.
The spinnaker poles returned yesterday having been painted so as to look like they are made of wood and not carbon. Now we are clear coating them to protect the paint from getting damaged when the pole is being used.
A lot of varnish got damaged on the way to Cabo and back, I have it all touched up now. The companion way steps are at Fernandos shop getting spray varnished as they were in a terrible state. When we return from the next training session I have my varnish team from Rhode island flying in to do the whole boat properly inside and out.
The purpose of the next training session is to look at a couple of new sails and practice the Trans Pac start a couple of times. We will be doing a full systems check and some boat prep before we sail back to San Diego.
As always I am looking forward to getting offshore again with the guys.
Ben