The Dorade and crew had another positive week, which was marked by two productive sails, and it being the last full week for the Dorade in San Diego. As I mentioned we spent some time this week on the water. This was in order to test out our new mizzen spinnakers and staysails, as well as a new jib. These two outings happened on Monday and Tuesday with the help of Kevin Miller who came down from Costa Mesa with the new sails. During both of the outings we tested these new sails, but on Monday we also invited some guests, as a way to say thank you. We had Greg Stewart, Dougie and Debra Jones, and Dynamic Dave, all of whom have helped us tremendously over the past months. Besides some minor adjustments, including changes to the tack line of our new mizzen spinnakers Kevin was happy with how they came out. We still have a few more sails to take a look at once we arrive in Newport Beach next Wednesday.
That brings us to this past Wednesday, when we had the boat hauled out, and wet sanded. The bottom was wet sanded down to 800-grit, which is a very smooth and fast finish. Before wet sanding the crew here at Driscolls had to do a few touch ups around the rudder flaps, and other spots. The work paid off, and the boat is looking as we have come to expect it too, excellent. Ben and I where forced off the boat while being lifted out though, so we took a quick trip to REI, in order to pick up some waterproofing, and a few things for the galley. The waterproofing was for our fresh washed wet weather gear. Ben and I had some other small organizational jobs that where handled that afternoon, which included the decision to wax and buff the topsides. That job proved to be a very tedious and tiring one, as it required us to first hand wash the boat and then to wax it. This was done on the hard, with the help of scaffolding, which allowed us to do a much better job than would have been possible from the dock. It was a good decision though, as the boat now has a mirror like finish, which compliments the bottom in helping to gain time during the Transpac. In the second half afternoon we had a new topping lift and mizzen spinnaker tack purchase system made up. We also gave the boat a needed wash down after sitting in the hot sun of the dusty boat yard for two days. Today, to finish off the week we are organizing the provisioning, putting finishing touches on the mizzen and stocking the boat with the sails that Kevin has indicated we will be talking for the Transpac, these jobs are amongst
others. This week was a pleasant one through and through, with sailing, which is always enjoyable aboard the mighty Dorade, and gratifying work, bringing us only closer to our end goals.
This is not to say we are there yet though, as we have our busiest week coming ahead of us. While it will undoubtedly be busy, Ben and I are confident that it will not be frantic. We plan on putting in hours this weekend, to get things like delivery sails and provisions sent off, the interior protected and our spares organized. This will leave us time to focus on pressing matters like the serving of winches, track car pins, oil changes, and the instillation of our new wind wand. Yet again these are only examples, with our list being much longer, and much more boring!
Max Lewis