A BIG CHANGE IN PLANS

Ocean View Marina
Samal Island, Davao
Mindanao, Philippines

First, after a long five months of LIVING ON THE HARD, we have now been back in the water for the last week. It is very nice to once again be afloat even though here in the marina we barely rock.

KATHY'S STAIR ARE REMOVED

SETTING THE TRAILER UNDER THE CRADLE

TA-TA SUPERVISING

CHECKING THAT THE CRADLE FIT IS CORRECT

NOW WE WAIT FOR THE TIDE

All went as planned for the launching till I started the faithful Miss Perky. The raw water pump was frozen so instead of Kathy backing us out and into our assigned berth lines were used to warp us around. The next day I changed out pumps and Miss perky was again a happy girl.

Lots was done during our five months on the hard including several unplanned things. The bottom was stripped to gel coat, faired, epoxy barrier coated and new anti-foul paint just before launching. The mast removal, stripping of old paint, new paint, all new standing rigging was a major undertaking. Removal and re-installation of the cabin brow rail and hand rails to stop leaks was totally unplanned. We had some problems with the paint on the cabin top which was just done last year so that was also re-done.

Once back in the water our plan was to finish things up and head east across the Pacific, first to Palau then the Marshall Islands and finally back to southern California. That is still the plan but first we will be flying back to the States in early March. My arthritic right knee continues to plague me with lots of pain, stiffness and swelling. I have visited the Doctors here, had fluid drained, gotten steroid shots with no real relief. Today's decision was to fly back to visit the Doctor who has done my hip replacements as I have been led to believe that would be the next step toward pain relief and happy living.

For those of you in Southern California we should be there in the first week of March.