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And Aw a-a-a-a-a-y-y we go!
Well, it's been a very long time coming, but the rehab, repairs and
refit are finished on Flying Pig. Those interested in the gory details are encouraged to go to the log sites, the photo galleries, and perhaps prior emails, but it suffices to say that we've come from a wreck to a gem. New hardware, fittings and other niceties following the structural and hull repairs make our seatrialed vessel seaworthy, comfortable and otherwise a joy to be aboard. Despite the blistering hot temps here, we've survived with fans and a night-time shower. Unfortunately for us in those areas where we may be shortly, if it's 95 out, the fan we have in the aft cabin, where we sleep, won't be used, as it's 110V, and a high drain on our electrical system. That said, we do have household current aboard, and will use it to charge our computers, power some of our internet and entertainment stuff, and, even (luxuries are found, even aboard), grind our coffee in the morning, saving me the 75 strokes on the manual grinder I had used for about a year, until we were given a very high quality electric unit which not only does a great job in grinding, but is so quick as to be nearly meaningless in load on our batteries which supply the unit which translates 12V to 110V. I'll spare you the details on what we have done, but it's enough to say that it's been staggering, and regularly, on the telling of the umpteen acquaintances we've made as a result of our notoriety, goggled and jaw-dropped over and about both the amount and speed of our recovery. In the meantime, lots of new stuff (replacing old) was added, so we should be very good to go for a long time, ordinary maintenance aside. A few days ago, we passed along (to a fellow cruiser) the vehicle which had, right after our wreck been given us by another cruiser, and, as I type this, will return the rental we had, later today. As always with departures, there are last minute runnings-around to attend to, but they're minor and will be accomplished quickly. We've acquired so many new and helpful friends that it's difficult to try to enumerate them, but the significant ones of the moment are Erkki Taada and Phillip Savill. Erkki used to build satellites for the Canadian government, and had a payload on one of the shuttles, among other things. Thus, he's pretty good at electronics, and has been working tirelessly to get us up and running in areas we've not yet had success in achieving. He's also very fully equipped, or has friends who are, where he's not, as a machinist and other very useful skills, and has helped immensely in the accomplishment of many mechanical areas. Phillip is an accomplished power boat captain and master fisherman (delete questionable joke about baiting skills) who just happens to also be a master craftsman in wood, having built his own boat to look like a victorian salon inside, and having done many restorations of Tampa historic buildings. In the meantime, he used to build boats for a living, so knows more than enough to have been very valuable in many other areas aboard. These two are joining us in our initial leg. We'll anchor overnight at Egmont Key, the location of our recent sea trials overnight stays, and head out at first light direct to Key West (nearly a straight shot south), going around there and continuing direct to Fort Lauderdale. In FTL we'll stop at the Seven Seas Cruising Association offices for more charts, attend to any issues which have arisen in our dash (anticipated time minimum 3, more likely 5-6, days from our expected Thursday AM departure) there, fuel and water the boat, and head out again. From there we'll jump into the Gulf Stream, gaining 2-4 knots (half again our boat speed, perhaps), and barring any oddities in distress or weather, not get off until we either get to the NYC area, or, if it's *really* fast, perhaps even Cumberland/Portland Maine. The Gulf Stream, in opposing wind directions, is really nasty. However, this time of year, that's a very minimal percentage of the time, and the prevailing winds are favorable for a very fast passage. The more time we spend aboard, and the more time spent sailing her, the better we love Flying Pig. We'll be out of touch by both internet and phone for the periods of our being at sea, but we're hopeful of being able to do radio-based email in the short-term future. Whether we get it done before we leave FTL is subject to reality, but when we have it, we'll identify how to find us that way, too. We've just had a mini-storm here, washing the decks which are currently in total disarray, as we've not yet stowed all that we took off in our rehab. We also are currently (as I type this) without internet connection, so I'm hopeful I'm able to get it out before we actually leave. If you see this on Wednesday, July 11, you'll know I succeeded :{)) Finally, though I know you've heard it many times before, endless thanks to all who have lent support, work, love, aid and otherwise helped us turn our wreck around into something more positive than we can effectively communicate. We're very blessed, and continue to pay it forward. Obviously, what goes around comes around. Stay tuned for further developments. As we regain connectivity, we'll post new pix in the new gallery "Away We Go - - AGAIN" in the Flying Pig is Aloft gallery - the first one in the link below. L8R Love from Skip and Lydia Morgan 461 #2 SV Flying Pig KI4MPC See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery ! Follow us at http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog and/or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog "You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it however." (and) "There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts." (Richard Bach, in The Reluctant Messiah) |