It has been ten days since the fellows pushed off from Georgia. My best guess is that they didn`t need that rest in Bermuda, and are pushing their way home to Halifax. No contact for a few days sure gets scary, after a few days. Satelite phone for us or an enabled communication system the next time any of us will be out of contact "for a few days".
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
No Contact After Tomorrow
Tonight Allan called to say this would be his last contact for a least a few days. He and Mac are not sure if they will go via Bermuda for a few days rest (sure!) or hope for a good wind to bring them straight up the Gulf Stream. They are tired, but are glad they had today to get some things done, and to better acquaint themselves with RYEN'S QUEST. I hope they keep a journey log so that I can post.
Unfortunatelyly, the winlink system didn`t get hooked up, so no email from them. Al isn`t so concerned about these as they can be dealt with when he gets back to Halifax.
Attached are a couple of photos of the boys.
Unfortunatelyly, the winlink system didn`t get hooked up, so no email from them. Al isn`t so concerned about these as they can be dealt with when he gets back to Halifax.
Attached are a couple of photos of the boys.
She's Ours!
Friday, April 18th, I received a call from Al who was sitting aboard STARDUST. When I answered the phone, all I got was......"We own the Boat!" The transaction went without any problems.
After four days of listening and learning the systems of the boat, both Al and Mac were very tired, as I am sure was the owner. Al says the hardest part is remembering where all the switches are. When I asked why they were staying in St Mary`s, Al told me the alternator was broke, and immediately quipped "She`s a Boat!". So at last call they were awaiting the mechanic to return to fix the alternator and also waiting for a lady to visit them to show them how winlink works so that they can remain in contact with STARDUST`S owner during their trip back to Halifax.
Saturday`s weather called for Thunderstorms, so they decided to stay nice and close to this welcoming dock until Sunday.
After four days of listening and learning the systems of the boat, both Al and Mac were very tired, as I am sure was the owner. Al says the hardest part is remembering where all the switches are. When I asked why they were staying in St Mary`s, Al told me the alternator was broke, and immediately quipped "She`s a Boat!". So at last call they were awaiting the mechanic to return to fix the alternator and also waiting for a lady to visit them to show them how winlink works so that they can remain in contact with STARDUST`S owner during their trip back to Halifax.
Saturday`s weather called for Thunderstorms, so they decided to stay nice and close to this welcoming dock until Sunday.
Survey Says!
Round one of the survey took place this week. Our surveyor was able to determine that the hull and deck of the boat is sound. What great confirmation! When she goes into the water at the end of this month, the surveyor will go back and do the last part of the survey. Allan can`t wait to fly to Florida mid-April for sea trials and to then bring her home to Halifax.
Allan and Mac left for Jacksonville on Sunday, April 13, just a couple of days earlier than expected. Al`s viewing and the sea trials went perfectly.
Survey Says.....she`s the right one for us!!
Allan and Mac left for Jacksonville on Sunday, April 13, just a couple of days earlier than expected. Al`s viewing and the sea trials went perfectly.
Survey Says.....she`s the right one for us!!
Tic Toc....
Not much has happened since our last post. Lots of communication back and forth with STARDUST`s present owners. The time is drawing near for all of the essential things to get done, like certification for first aid and survival training, and of course updating sea time certification. Al hopes to leave Halifax sometime close to the end of April and take three to four weeks to bring her back via Bermuda. We recently found a blog of another couple on a Vagabond 42, and hope to maintain contact with them.
STARDUST`s owners couldn`t be nicer or more generous to us. They are almost as worried about us getting back to Halifax as we are. Their offer to let us have the essential things that will be needed on the trip home has certainly relieved us of some unnecessary purchases such as pots and pans, cutlery, dishes, etc. Hope the guys remember to buy dish soap. The sellers are doing everything possible to make the transition easy on us. Truly, these are great folk.
Both John and Al are creating list after list of things that are needed on the way home, and which can`t be taken on the plane, such as CO 2 tanks on the life jackets. Al has a list as long as his arm of things he wants to buy at the Marine Warehouse, where he is fortunate to be able to take advantage of wholesale prices. The "Bimford" first aid kit is first on the list.
During the Halifax Boat Show we bought our foul weather gear. We got some pretty good prices, but it sure wasn`t cheap. April 15th will come quickly. We absolutely can`t wait.
STARDUST`s owners couldn`t be nicer or more generous to us. They are almost as worried about us getting back to Halifax as we are. Their offer to let us have the essential things that will be needed on the trip home has certainly relieved us of some unnecessary purchases such as pots and pans, cutlery, dishes, etc. Hope the guys remember to buy dish soap. The sellers are doing everything possible to make the transition easy on us. Truly, these are great folk.
Both John and Al are creating list after list of things that are needed on the way home, and which can`t be taken on the plane, such as CO 2 tanks on the life jackets. Al has a list as long as his arm of things he wants to buy at the Marine Warehouse, where he is fortunate to be able to take advantage of wholesale prices. The "Bimford" first aid kit is first on the list.
During the Halifax Boat Show we bought our foul weather gear. We got some pretty good prices, but it sure wasn`t cheap. April 15th will come quickly. We absolutely can`t wait.
HAM'ing It Up
I guess with cruising comes a lot of responsibility for the safety of everyone on board. Al and I enrolled in a Ham Radio licensing course. It`s not fun. It`s technical, with formulae, inducers, conductors, and other stuff that seems to be falling in a huge black hole in my head. I just want to be able to get weather reports and email from the boat. And, of course, be able to get help in the event something happens.The HAM course was tough for me. It was very technical, and not very interesting. We have opted to buy into the SailMail system. We get to send email via a licensed HAM operator. Cost is approximtely $250.00 per year. Maybe next year I will try the HAM operators course again....but I doubt it.
IT`S SOLD!!!
Some people say things happen for a reason. Shortly after committing to buying STARDUST our house sold. Nice to have that itch scratched. The closer we get to retirement, the less we want to do on land. We are moved into a comfortable two bedroom apartment not far from the Dartmouth Yacht Club. The Canadian dollar is worth more than the American dollar.....how great is that! Hopefully, the dollar will hold strong for the next few months. At least until we, as Al says, have the bill in one hand and a beer in the other.This should be a good opportunity for us to fill the coffers to buy what needs buying for the boat.
Al and Jean.....Who are We Anyway?
Allan and Jean have been together for eleven years. It has been a 20 dream of Al`s to sail a Vagabond 42. After a thirty year career with the Canadian Navy, the plan is to set sail full time with the help of our very good friend, Mac. Between Al and Mac, the two have over 55 years sailing experience off shore and racing regattaes. Jean has little to no experience, but what she lacks in experience she makes up with her enthusiasm. "Arwen" a 30 foot Dufour has been their cottage on the water for ten years and has been a great little boat to cruise the coast of Nova Scotia. The time to push off is slowly approaching, but first we have to get RYEN`S QUEST here to safe harbour in Halifax.
RESUME FOR RYEN`S QUEST
RYEN`S QUEST is a 1983 George Stadel III designed Vagabond.
LOA is 42 ft
LWL is 34 ft
Beam 12 ft 10 in
Displacement 28500
Draft 5 ft 6 in
Bridge Clearance 55 ft
Ballast 9200 lbs
RYEN`S QUEST was originally owned by a dentist from New Jersey who named her Exodus. After five years of sailing her in the Chesapeake Bay, the yacht was sold to a another gentleman who changed her name to Delphinus. Again, five years later, she was bought by a Michigan couple who had intially planned to sail her full time. They renamed her to Stardust, because of their fondness to the Willie Nelson version of the song "Stardust". Because of Transport Canada`s regulations to not duplicate vessel names, we thought RYEN`S QUEST was a beautiful alternative for a beautiful vessel
LOA is 42 ft
LWL is 34 ft
Beam 12 ft 10 in
Displacement 28500
Draft 5 ft 6 in
Bridge Clearance 55 ft
Ballast 9200 lbs
RYEN`S QUEST was originally owned by a dentist from New Jersey who named her Exodus. After five years of sailing her in the Chesapeake Bay, the yacht was sold to a another gentleman who changed her name to Delphinus. Again, five years later, she was bought by a Michigan couple who had intially planned to sail her full time. They renamed her to Stardust, because of their fondness to the Willie Nelson version of the song "Stardust". Because of Transport Canada`s regulations to not duplicate vessel names, we thought RYEN`S QUEST was a beautiful alternative for a beautiful vessel
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