Our First Day Out

So, we finally left San Diego on Thursday at 3 pm. It has been an unbelievable amount of work and running around to get things done. West Marine and the San Diego Marine Exchange are the boat owners Home Depot. If I had not been into one or the other at least once a day it must have been an unproductive day. But, now we are on our way to our first stop, Cabo San Lucas.

It was a little weird not having anyone at the dock to wave goodbye to us but as we headed out of San Diego bay we were greeted by an aircraft carrier coming into SD bay flanked by a couple of helicopters. It I think they planned that just for us. Anyhow, I think our delayed departure was a blessing in disguise as the last few days has seen a ton of wind with big seas and today we have had a very comfortable and calm sail. I am writing this during my 1 am to 3 am watch as I am now on duty for part of the graveyard shift. It is pretty cool -- full moon, clear sky and gentle seas. I can see Orion and its brightest star, Rigel, perfectly.

Earlier, before sunset, we saw two cruise ships pass us a few miles away and were approached by a Mexican coast guard boat who came by, circled to check us out, and then headed off. Wasn't sure if they were going to want to board us or not, were looking for fishing gear or were just kind of board.

Our crew, Karen (who sailed on a 53 foot catamaran with her husband and two kids for five years) and Mark (who crewed with Karen off and on for two years and single handed a trimaran to New Zealand) are working out to be great crew. They are really knowledgeable and easy to have around.

More later.

My First Dinghy Trip

Yesterday I went on our dinghy for the first time and I even got to drive it. I was very happy that I got to drive the dinghy, but I was also nervous. Our friend, Caren, was the person that taught us to drive the dinghy. We went onto San Diego Bay and went full speed. When we went back home, I jumped onto our catamaran and caught the dinghy. I had so much fun!

Glossary:
Catamaran: double-hulled boat
Dinghy: small blown up boat with 8 hp motor

Up The Mast

Yesterday we had all our crew (Caren, Mark and John) down to the boat to help get it ready for the Baja Ha Ha.  Its only 13 days away!  Given that one of the lights on the mast was not working, I took the opportunity to go up the mast in the bosun's chair to fix it.  You get hoisted up using one (or more halyards) and sit/climb up in the chair.  It gives you a whole new perspective on your boat.  Danielle and Harrison were very excited about going up the mast as well -- I think they have found a new activity in lieu of rock climbing -- given their weight and size its an easy hoist up.

Yesterday we also went out to do some sailing and practiced our tacks and flying the spinnaker.  The spinnaker is run through a "sock" so you hoist it in the sock and than raise the sock -- that way it is much more controlled.

Earlier in the day we saw a aircraft carrier depart San Diego Bay and while we were out sailing we also saw a few whales in the distance.

Today ... more work on the boat and anchor drills.

A New Beginning

I'm beginning to feel at home in this new space. We have two more weeks until we set sail on the Baja Ha Ha. I'm so excited! I'm sure we'll meet lots of people and see many amazing sites. I know I'll miss things in the Bay Area, but I'll also be able to see many amazing things that most kids don't get to see.

Home-schooling is bringing many opportunities. If you need a longer day then you have it. If you work quickly than you're done by noon. Since you can have a short day, you can do two days in one (if you're up for it). I'm excited to see the adventures we'll have home-schooling!

Today someone came onto our boat for a private class on first aid. We learned how to save someone when they're drowning, do CPR, and take care of fractures and breaks. I became CPR certified!

I'm excited to take on the challenges of sailing. I know it'll be a great experience!

School On A Boat, San Diego

Have you ever done 3rd grade on a boat? Well I have, on WhatCha Gonna Do, our cruising catamaran sailboat. On the first day, I was nervous because I didn't have my friends. After awhile, it got better. I get a short day and to be with my mom. My favorite subject is science. School on a boat is great so far!

Welcome

Well, we have pretty much moved into (onto) Whatcha Gonna Do, our 46 foot Fountaine Pajot Bahia Catamaran. We've decided to take our kids out of school for the year and rather than look for a job (in this fun market) to spend a year sailing in Mexico and possibly Central America. The last few months have been very chaotic -- in one week alone, we went firm on buying our boat, became US citizens, signed a consulting agreement, signed a lease on our house and moved! Boy will we need time to recover, but alas, not right now. We have much planning and preperation to do before we can depart on October 26th on the Baja Ha Ha, a cruisers rally which takes about 200 boats from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. From there we will head up into the Sea of Cortez.

Last week our boat was hauled out of the water to have the sail drives serviced and to have a ground plate put in (for a Single Sideband Radio). We lived on the boat "on the hard" and that was quite an experience.

Barb, Danielle and Harrison have all been settling well to our new home and we are all adjusting to home schooling. Friday night we had our first dinner on the boat and enjoyed excellent, home made, challah.