05/31/2014 – 21°19’N 157°54’W

Tahiti Trip:

Well, tomorrow was supposed to be the big day: departure for Tahiti! The weather looks good (if a little light on Monday) but we are still waiting on the bimini to arrive. We can’t install the solar until the frame is installed in the cockpit, so we’ve been finishing up other projects in the mean time:

Spinnaker pole hardware installed so it can be secured when not in use.

Spinnaker lines and blocks installed for the topping lift, downhaul, guys and sheets, plus a new halyard. I noticed it was fraying badly where it was misrouted at the mast head, oops.

Wind vane overhauled, welded, sandblasted, painted and lubed, then mounted back on the transom. More blocks installed for the 2-1 purchase recommended by the Sail-o-mat 601 manual.

Electrical traced and prepared for the new solar.

New copper foil laid for a stronger SSB signal (what a pain in the arse!) and now we can talk to baja.

New main sail and track extension installed, new main sheet and new traveler lines.

Fixed the port spreader light so after a year of effort all lights on the entire boat, interior and exterior, finally work.

Fixed the one annoying drip from the ceiling by remounting a small skylight with 4200 caulk. I should have done that months ago for how easy it was!

Unloaded all the crap we won’t need on the trip, and loaded all the cruising stuff we WILL need on the trip.

Inflated the dinghy, checked the fluids on the outboard and went for a joyride. Goods to go.

Ordered a used Iridium 9505A after discovering my SSB radio is not compatible with the Pactor 1 Kam+ modem. Well, I guess it can be made to work, but after a week of soldering and testing it still won’t connect. So I guess SailMail blog updates and email relays will be through the Iridium instead of the SSB.

As for a new departure date, we’re aiming for Jun 4. Or as soon as the solar is installed and the Iridium arrives! Almost there!

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