S/V First Step

01/19/2019

05/07/2018

Instructions for getting weather and tsunami information via low bandwidth email

04/19/2017

Getting ready and provisioning for our crossing. It's not big to some, but it's our first. We tried last year, but were stopped by overheating issues. We figured out quickly that you can't set plans in stone as sailors, so we hope to drop anchor somewhere in the circle. We have no definite plans because...The sea wind and boat have plans of their own. Look forward to more posts soon.

03/07/2017

This past weekend, we were planning on going out for a short day cruise...not far...just to get out of the slip.....NOPE!!!! Even at the highest tide of the day, we were stuck in our slip!!! No budging!!! The depth meter was reading 4'-5' and we draugh 6'!!! Resting on her keel, we were forced to just stay put and hang out with frineds insted (OH DARN!!!) Plenty of beverages of choice were enjoyed, but the rum would have been much sweeter anchored in the bay. HOPEFULLY next time!!! I REALLY want to try out my Christmas present (still never used...the water has been too cold). Hoping for the Nautical Gods to smile upon us in a couple of weeks!

02/27/2017

It was a real work weekend. Putting on the new slider blocks and rub rail (gunnel rubber). Lots of hard work but worth it!!!

02/19/2017

10/11/2016

Soooo now that I have the blog up and all of our old Facebook updates put on...I can give an update from this past weekend!!!!  (Continued...)

10/11/2016

 (Continued...)

10/11/2016

I have created a blog for The First Step. Now you can follow our adventures on FB or our blog!!!  (Continued...)

10/04/2016

I can't BEGIN to explain the ultimate sense of joy and relief I felt when I finally saw Our Beloved First Step standind tall and proud. There was no really obvious signs of damage as we walked around below her. We were prepared (or as prepared as you could ever be) to see the rudder, prop or hull cracked, with a hole punctured in it, or worse. THANKFULLY, there was none of this. Our radar pole was tilted, but a screwdriver and 5 seconds fixed that. Then it was time to splash. I am NOT a patient person...especially not when I REALLY want something. I REALLY wanted to see my 11,000 pound baby floating!!!! I never did take pictures once she splashed. Cruisers know that when you first put a boat back in the water after a few months of storage, it's work, work, work, WORK!!!
Putting a boat in storage, you stow everything you can, take sails down and stow them, prep winches, make sure valves are closed, yadda, yadda, yadda. When you splash, you have to do the reverse. It's alot of work!!!
We cheated a little bit this time when we got her into her slip.Before we did any of that, while the deck had NOTHING on it, we paid a local to clean her. This guy always does such a GREAT job getting her pretty and clean. And I have NO CLUE what he uses for the stainless steel parts, but they never shine as bright as when he cleans it!!!! Besides....while he was doing that, we got to sit at one of our favorite spots and have an icy cold cerveza!!! Yup...it was worth it!!!
This past weekend, we didn't get to take her out to play...but we got her in the water where she belongs!!! We got to sit in the cockpit, Jimmy Buffett on the stereo, and the stars shining bright.
This coming weekend, and weekends coming up, we will be OUT. Maybe not very far...but out on the water, where the stars are countless, and so is our happiness.
~~Shells Sink, Dreams Float, Life's good on our boat~~ Jimmy Buffett~