Holiday Preparations
/After a fair amount of trial and error… we have successfully found a few “cat approved” holiday decorations!
Boat Projects in Port Townsend (2023)
/We hauled out for bottom paint, annual rigging inspection (with Port Townsend Rigging) and a few communications upgrades…
After pressure washing and scraping a few barnacles, we prepped the props for sanding/cleaning and propspeed, removed the zincs, and began sanding the hulls. Boat Haven is a “clean” and dry yard so we’re using a debris catchment system (5 inch Dewalt sander attached to a Dust Deputy that’s attached to a 4 gallon 5.5 hp ShopVac). In total, 7 gallons black Seahawk Biocop on the hulls. Special thanks to John McCallum for bringing our cat food order and for staying to help sand.
For the updated communications, we replaced our Wave WiFi MBR550 with PepLink Max BR2 Pro connected to a Parsec Great Pyrenees 11-in-1 antenna. 7 sources - 4 cellular SIMs, 2 WAN (ie Starlink, hotspot) and 1 WiFi as WAN (ie marina WiFi) - with support for 5G and WiFi6, source prioritization, direct app/device traffic, and more. Also installed a PepLink Speed Fusion Cloud Relay so when abroad some of our traffic will appear to come from home address vs using a VPN service (ie Surf Shark) which streaming companies may block.
Emme and Zoe enjoyed hanging out at the Blue Moose and being spoiled by the staff.
Port Townsend Rigging - Coho Ho Ho Field Trip (2023)
/Field trip to port townsend rigging with the Coho Ho Ho cruising rally… fun morning seeing the shop, equipment and learning about how rigging is made!
Ending the NOISE!!
/Moved to a more robust system to keep the dinghy control and winch covers on… no more vibration noise!!
It's the Little Things... Getting a Dishwasher/Sanitizer Unit
/The Loch Electronics Capsule Dishwasher uses far less water than hand washing plus it can sanitize devices and fruit.
Special thanks to Mike & Sue Pail on SV Mira for the recommendation!!
2.5ft Additional Space!
/Scoff if you will but it’s pretty exciting to have 2.5ft of additional surface when space on a boat is so scarce you have to create it…
Treasure Seekers Shell Tours - Marco Island
/We took some time away to visit family in Florida and had a fantastic time shelling with the team at Treasure Seekers Shell Tours in Marco Island... was a great experience, great crew, amazing beaches and tons of shells! We can’t wait to travel back and do another tour!
Check them out: Home | Treasure Seekers Shell Tours
Port of Bremerton Fall Newsletter (2022)
/In case you missed it… we were interviewed by the Port of Bremerton. You can read the short article on us in their fall newsletter: https://www.portofbremerton.org/fall-2022-newsletter
Tacoma Narrows Bridge
/Our first time under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge…
BYC 2022 Commodore Cruise
/In July we joined several members of the Bremerton Yacht Club for 2 weeks on the 2022 Commodore Cruise. Our 197nm cruise included: Blake Island, Port Townsend, Roserio, Sucia, Friday Harbor and Kingston.
We encountered our first rough crossing of the Strait of Juan de Fuca surrounded by fog as we headed to the San Juan’s. Great sailing from Sucia to Friday Harbor as well as Friday Harbor to Kingston.
Bremerton Bridge Blast 2022
/Food, crafts, beer, bands… and fireworks!
Snow Day in the PNW
/Although rare, it does snow occasionally… making things a little more challenging.
Generator Auto-Start
/Today’s project is installing an auto-start for the generator…
Port Gamble (2021)
/With COVID restrictions easing, we planned a flotilla to Port Gamble along with 3 other liveaboards on C-Dock (Terry, Caitlyn, John, Karen, Steve, and Nicola) and our guests Nate and Kris.
We hosted the arrival dinner and drinks, had a shore excursion into Port Gamble, flew the drone, enjoyed fireworks set off on the beach by a local first nations tribe, and enjoyed dinner and drinks hosted by Karen and John our last night at anchor.
A Working Fridge/Freezer
/After being unsuccessful in repairing the Virtifrigo DW210, we replaced it with the Isotherm CR-200. The unit uses less power and does not ice up - making deicing as easy as wiping the freezer walls.
1st Haul Out (July-Aug 2020)
/We hauled out 18-July-2020 at Boat Haven in the Port of Port Townsend Marina.
Living on the hard in a dry yard during COVID was a challenge… but we were able to get the bottom sanded and painted and install underwater lights. When we were back in the water we worked to reseat the skylight window and found a rigger to inspect our rigging and replace our halyards with stronger line (dyneema).
We enjoyed our time in Port Townsend. The mates enjoyed walking the docks and riding in the wagon to provision at Safeway, get treats at Pane D’Amore Artisan Bakery, help with laundry at Mom’s Laundromat, help the captain search the shelves at West Marine or take in the breeze at the Sunrise Coffee Company.
San Juan Islands 2020
/Before the COVID lockdowns we were able to get out and explore the San Juan’s.
8 Bells Milo - We've Got The Watch
/Today we bid farewell to our first mate Milo. Milo unfortunately, after a 3 year remission, lost his battle against lymphoma. We were fortunate that Milo was able to and loved spending time onboard. He is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
8 bells little buddy… we’ve got the watch.
Bremerton's Rock the Dock 2019
/The Port of Bremerton hosts annual summer concerts on Saturday evenings called Rock the Dock as well as a number of other events… and we’re lucky that our slip provides us with a backstage pass! We enjoyed a several concerts (July-Aug 2019) and hosted a many friends onboard.
Daring Greatly Band - Aug 17, 2019
Sharing Our Story - Leopard Blog
/In 2019 catamaran sightings in the PNW are increasing but rare. After taking delivery, Chris Pendl (a fellow Leopard 45 owner) approached us as he thought our story was an interesting one that should be shared with others… the result of that discussion was a interview conducted by Chris’ company, Nomadics, for the Leopard Blog,
Link: Setting Sail for an Early Retirement at Sea (leopardcatamarans.com)
