First Sail in Two Months

Brett worked on the engine on Sunday while I was at work and after he picked me up in the afternoon, we took the boat out for a motor cruise to test the engine. It was beautiful and warm and calm. We got back and I begged him for us to go out sailing in the 3-5 knot winds and 70 degree temp. After an hour, he finally succumbed and we spent only 15 minutes prepping the boat to go out. There wasn't a lot of wind and I did most the steering while he messed with the sails. Benny actually came out into the cockpit while we were sailing!! He was SO brave! Both the animals did really well. Brett had me "tack" back in the channel upwind. Very hard to do so it was good experience.

It was absolutely beautiful and I felt so much better doing what we came to do. SAIL. I am hoping it will be nice again this weekend so we can maybe go out again.

Update

I have really had to struggle even more with the internet since we moved aboard Benevolence. We need to find an external antenna to boost our signal. It's been difficult to log onto the blog to enter posts...

I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but I was able to get foul weather gear off of Ebay for $100 awhile back! It's a $350 set. It's almost brand new, only worn once. I had trouble getting it from her but when I did get it, I was very happy. It's in excellent, almost new condition and fits me really well with clothes on underneath. I also ordered a pair of used binnoculars from them and they are ok. It's nice to have things slowly checked off our list. I can't believe how unbelievable I felt when I received the foul weather gear and tried them on. I am unsure if they are made for offshore but they are really really nice and didn't break the bank. We'll see how they perform soon enough.















Living aboard has been really nice. I am struggling with all the cat hair everywhere but it's nice to have so much more space. Benny and Jack really really like it too. Benny gets to hang out outside all the time as long as he stays on the boat. He is loving it. Jack is happier now that he has three sunny sides of his cage to look out. Although he stays covered up a lot due to his squaking. :)
























































I talked to my friend, Pam, yesterday, finding out her kemo didn't work this time... My heart broke when I heard it from her. No one has been telling me what is going on and I finally called her and talked to her. Her spirit and her confidence in God during this time are amazing and I hope she realizes her strength is very inspiring through the pain I feel for her. I'd give anything to be back in Oregon with her...The cancer hasn't been growing or shrinking so we just keep praying for her strength and to have strength in God's will...


Yesterday Brett and I took a break and drove to Freeport to check out the marina and get away. After Freeport, we headed into Lake Jackson and went shopping. I picked up a sail repair book and foot pump spout we needed for the boat on clearance at West Marine in Freeport. The book is awesome and way cheaper than the one I was going to get online. Brett then let me cruise through Hobby Lobby and we went to Lowe's to pick up some wood. We also breezed through Walmart and I forced him to get some new jeans for eight bucks.

We spent WAY too much money on our card but we really needed to get away and it was great. We got a few things we needed, a few things we wanted and had a great drive.

We sold our tv/dvd combo unit a couple weeks ago and have been using the computer Eddie gave us to watch tv on the tv tuner with cable. It's worked out alright. The volume isn't loud enough so we're going to pick up some cheap speakers and the reception is poor due to the free cable we got but at least Brett still has his tv.

We have to take the boat to the pump out station again today. We ordered a small holding tank so we have to empty it more often. But Brett thinks it is good experience for me for us to motor to the pump out station every week. Last week we had problems with the prop and the wind driving us almost into a boat. This morning would have been perfect to do it with a North wind but Brett went to work and now we're getting a South wind which means we'll be blown into Tom's boat again. We'll see how it goes.

Last week we got a call from Brett's daughter. It was soooo cool. We hadn't talked to her in a long while, not being able to locate her in California while we were there. She had gotten our phone # and called us. It's the best thing that has happened to Brett in years, I think. She is in college, studying Graphic Design, just like what I wanted to do.

Last weekend, we watched a beautiful little boat cruise in and out of the marina. It looked like so much fun. The wind was averaging 10 knots. I encouraged Brett to take our little dinghy out so we pulled out the sail and he scooted around the marina area for a bit.

We've been making meals using our crockpot since we still don't have propane hooked up. It's been a learning experience with it. But I am having fun cooking with it- Not a lot of dishes and easy and cheap.

Well I just wanted to get you up to date. Hope you are all well. Love y'all.

New Experiences

We have been working on the boat every day as we live on it. Yesterday we attempted to move the boat to the pump out station in 10-15 knot winds. As we plunged forward with the wind, passing the pump out station and heading toward Tom's boat, we realize that the prop has once again folded closed during reverse and we had no way to stop the boat. As Brett wrestled the boat to a stop, I brace for impact but he stopped the boat in time. The dock line was over the lifelines and the pressure popped the stern pulpit and wind generator out of their mounts. Luckily, they had not been bolted in yet or it would have been bent. We discovered that the prop was once again folding on us when we put it in reverse and then we have no control.

We pumped out the boat and then pulled her forward and flipped her around using the wind. Then I steered her back to the marina and Brett steered her into our slip with the wind on our back.

We left her bow into the dock instead of having our cockpit to the dock and went to buy another hose so we would reach the dock.

Benny had been sick at night so we took him to the vet Friday. They suggested Benedryl and a nightlight to see if it is seasickness. She also gave us antibiotice for this week just in case. I gave him 1/2 Benedryl on Friday night and left a nightlight on and he hasn't thrown up since. He must have been seasick.

We had a storm come through last night. My first big storm inside the boat. It was kinda nerve wracking because I don't know where all our little leaks are and the rain is pounding. The leaks weren't bad though. Just a few drops from some windows. Definitely things we need to fix BEFORE we actually go offshore. Brett says that any leaks you have at dock are 10x worse at sea.

This morning it is absolutely gorgeous. Calm and sunny.

Brett and I have been discussing what it would take to get us moving. We made a list last night of what things needed to be done and bought for going down the ICW and what things needed to be done and bought for going offshore. It's a big list but it is a lot smaller than what it was a few months ago.

We still don't have our propane hooked up to the stove so I have been cooking in our crockpot (Thanks Shannon and Nathan). We're having slow cooked chicken and potato soup tonight. It's been nice, and cheaper. Less dishes, too.

It's been slowgoing trying to make our boat look more of a cruiser than liveaboard but we're making a little bit of progress every day.

SOME OF OUR LIST...
Water Tanks
Name on Boat
HIN on Boat
Change Prop
Haul Out- Bottom Paint, Check Inducers, Strut
Oil Pressure Gauge
Fuel Gauge
Hot Water Radiator Hose and Fittings
Cabinets installed
12v lights
Depth Sounder Transducer
Dodger and all canvas pieces made
Engine shut off cable
Engine Spare Parts + other
Charts
GPS antenna
Shelves in Lazarette
Flare Safety Kit
Fire Extinguisher
Air Horn
Binnacle and Bulkhead Compasses
Tethers and Harnesses
Offshore Sail Repair Kit
Radar cable and install radar
EPIRB
Sail Chaffting Gear
Light Rule
LifeSling
Netting?
Drogue
Inflatable Life Jackets
First Aid Kit- Offshore
Spot Light
Lee cloth
Radar Reflector
CQR anchor would be nice
Batteries (2)
VHF antenna spliter
Dinghy Mounts
Rebed portlights
Replace opening port lense
Storm plugs
Corks/wooden plugs
Larger inverter
Backflow device on engine bilge pump
Seal chain plates
COckpit cushions
gloves
cockpit table
foot pump spout and hose
hook up solar panels
battery charger?
shore power cord- 50 ft
Red lights installed
Macerator pump?
Another vent o mate installed
wind scoops made
MOsquito screens made
latches and catches installed
straps/chocks
Propane hookup list
hook up auto pilot
Wind VANE
Table for salon
Fishing Gear
Stove fiddles
Small propane tank
Harness for galley
Clock/Barometer
make flags
Snorkeling gear for Kyla
foul weather boots
boat shoes for Brett
Cable cutters
Bolt down stern pulpit
Repair sails
emergency tiller replaced
Fasten teak in cockpit

We MOVED Aboard!

Last Sunday, February 3rd, we moved aboard Benevolence. It has been wonderful to have so much space and a home. We still have a lot to finish to make the boat fully functional but we are happy to be aboard finally. The animals seem to like it a lot, too.