ANCHORING 101

It's always a good idea to stick your head into the chain locker and check out your ground tackle, especially after you've anchored Serenity Now over 260 times in the past 17 years. I've been keeping my eye on our anchor shackle and finally, it was time to replace it.

Time to replace.

The old and the new.

All ready for the next anchorage. Let's go sailing!

POSTSCRIPT TO NESPORADOS 2019

The original plan was for Jackpot to fly in on an all-nighter from Maui and for us to sail to the island that same day. Due to our mechanical issue, that didn't happen. We left a day later. Thank goodness because JP was really tired. El Jeffe and Hooterman (who flew in from Oregon) took the express to Avalon and were waiting for us as we pulled in. We picked them up and it was off to Hamilton Cove. Sailor Jerry and Crewman Matt took the express the next day and used the water taxi to join us. Logistically it all worked out, never a dull moment!

NESPORADOS 2019

All went as planned, the part arrived in the morning and two men worked all day to replace the steering cable. We would be leaving in the morning for Avalon and the 17th Annual Nesporado Trip.

 This gathering was special because it was the first time we had three generations and all the guys together.  El Jeffe and Hooterman arrived on the Express Thursday night while Sailor Jerry and Crewman Matt joined the gang Friday night. Our spot for 4 nights, Hamilton Cove H-9.

It was a great time to catch up with what everyone was presently doing and recollect old times with stories and memories of the past. The laughs, food and drinks were good but the fishing stunk. Oh well, that's why it's called "fishing" and not "catching". Maybe next time!

Crewman Matt with his grandfather Sailor Jerry.

Three brothers.

Two brothers.

Jackpot telling story.

The gang of Nesporados.

U P D A T E 5:11PM TUESDAY

The needed cable assembly is scheduled to arrive by 10:30 am tomorrow. Boat should be "ship shape" in the afternoon. If all goes as planned, we'll be in Avalon Thursday afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed.

DEAD IN THE WATER

While backing out of the slip today for a trip to the fuel dock something very unusual happened. I had no steerage, no way to control the direction of the boat. WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT! So with the prop, I maneuvered the boat out toward the main channel while radioing harbor patrol on the VHF. Three high school aged fishermen in a dinghy helped out too. Harbor patrol arrived and they pushed me back into the slip.

Now what? Checked the steering cable that connects the helm to the rudder and sure enough it's history, needs replacement. Now we're racing against time, ordered a new steering system, overnight shipping and hoping for a fast install.

Tick tock tick tock.

Cable on the right is gone.

Had to move the NavPod and remove the wheel and compass.

SANTA CATALINA WEATHER FORECAST

              It doesn't get much better than this!