The Voyages of Felix Felicis

Vessel Name: Tardis
Vessel Make/Model: Not yet purchaced
Hailing Port: New Bern, NC
Crew: John Mayton and his daughter Marina
About:
Marina was born under water in Southern California and spent her first night in this world onboard our 40 foot O Day in Newport Beach harbor. She is 20 years old and can't wait to head out to sea. [...]
Extra: We are on a 2 and a half year plan to get a sailboat and go cruising. If you want crew for day sails or an overnight we would be willing to share expenses and laughter if you are moored in NC. Email me at jmayton@coastalnet.com
20 April 2011 | Oriental, NC
28 February 2011 | Goldsboro, NC
06 February 2011 | Goldsboro, NC
13 January 2011 | Goldsboro, NC
Recent Blog Posts
20 April 2011 | Oriental, NC

Boat Show

Saturday morning, 4/16/11, we headed east to Oriental, NC to spend the day at the boat show. Weather was not promising, but we figured if we got there early then we could beat the gust front. It is a small show and our interests are limited to a certain sized sailboat so we figured we could make it. A two hour drive after breakfast at a local I-Hop put us on board the first boat by 10:00 AM. Marina had brought along her boyfriend, Justin, who had never been aboard a boat before. At any rate it was fun explaining everything to him as we went from boat to boat. We even went aboard a large MV to visit with Mike Wood, our broker. By noon the wind had piped up to near gale force and the tornado warning were getting more frequent so we said good-bye to Mike and headed ashore to get some lunch and drive back home. Once home we discovered that the power was out. I waited an hour and then rigged up the emergency generator to power up the house. However, sadly the internet was to remain off line until the power was restored the following afternoon.

28 February 2011 | Goldsboro, NC

growing the fund

We are making a bit of progress towards getting a sailboat to go cruising in. Since making the commitment to do this thing I’ve put $10,000 away in savings. Now if the tax man leaves me some of this after April 15th we will be at least a good bit closer towards the goal. Rented out a room in the house to save a bit more and I got a longevity bonus (10 years with the state) and that went right into the boat fund. By the way, we are gratefully accepting donations to the project. We are, of course, not a nonprofit organization, so there would not be any tax advantage, only the satisfaction of helping a young girl and her dad get underway.

06 February 2011 | Goldsboro, NC

Putting Money away for the dream

We continue to save money toward buying a boat in two years. Reading blogs of those who have already made the transition has become one of my favorite pastimes. It is odd, sometimes to read how other sailors manage their cruising experience. I find myself commiserating with some of the challenges [...]

13 January 2011 | Goldsboro, NC

making progress

For Christmas, or Winter's Solstice, as my anti convention daughter prefers to celebrate, I got a couple of nice books; one on anchoring and another one on diesel engines. I must admit that I'm pretty comfortable with anchoring, however, I believe that enhancing my knowledge on all things nautical is [...]

Boat Show

20 April 2011 | Oriental, NC
Capt. John
Saturday morning, 4/16/11, we headed east to Oriental, NC to spend the day at the boat show. Weather was not promising, but we figured if we got there early then we could beat the gust front. It is a small show and our interests are limited to a certain sized sailboat so we figured we could make it. A two hour drive after breakfast at a local I-Hop put us on board the first boat by 10:00 AM. Marina had brought along her boyfriend, Justin, who had never been aboard a boat before. At any rate it was fun explaining everything to him as we went from boat to boat. We even went aboard a large MV to visit with Mike Wood, our broker. By noon the wind had piped up to near gale force and the tornado warning were getting more frequent so we said good-bye to Mike and headed ashore to get some lunch and drive back home. Once home we discovered that the power was out. I waited an hour and then rigged up the emergency generator to power up the house. However, sadly the internet was to remain off line until the power was restored the following afternoon.

growing the fund

28 February 2011 | Goldsboro, NC
81 and about to storm
We are making a bit of progress towards getting a sailboat to go cruising in. Since making the commitment to do this thing I’ve put $10,000 away in savings. Now if the tax man leaves me some of this after April 15th we will be at least a good bit closer towards the goal. Rented out a room in the house to save a bit more and I got a longevity bonus (10 years with the state) and that went right into the boat fund. By the way, we are gratefully accepting donations to the project. We are, of course, not a nonprofit organization, so there would not be any tax advantage, only the satisfaction of helping a young girl and her dad get underway.

Putting Money away for the dream

06 February 2011 | Goldsboro, NC
clear and cool. Winds lite and variable
We continue to save money toward buying a boat in two years. Reading blogs of those who have already made the transition has become one of my favorite pastimes. It is odd, sometimes to read how other sailors manage their cruising experience. I find myself commiserating with some of the challenges they face, having faced some to them myself, on the other hand I find that I learn something new as I follow along their adventures. Admittedly, after 18 years of absence from sailing much of what I'm reading brings back memories of skills long rusted away. I find myself wondering how well I'll be able to do when we finally get our boat.
By the way, if anyone in the NC, VA, or SC area would like to help my daughter, Marina, get her sea legs, please drop me a line. She is desiring a female or a married couple to mentor her, give her a chance to do a bit of galley work (she is a great cook) and discover how a big boat handles.

making progress

13 January 2011 | Goldsboro, NC
John The weather is freezing
For Christmas, or Winter's Solstice, as my anti convention daughter prefers to celebrate, I got a couple of nice books; one on anchoring and another one on diesel engines. I must admit that I'm pretty comfortable with anchoring, however, I believe that enhancing my knowledge on all things nautical is just good sense and even though I think I know about a subject I'll always be open to more information on it. Marina got a full set of Rosetta Stone Spanish language CDs. She feels that having Spanish as a second language will help with our cruising experience. I like the way this girl thinks.
We are taking steps to simplify our lives as we prepare for our sailing adventure. Marina has initiated a menu/provisioning system which she thinks will reduce our food costs and help towards saving money for the boat. I'm almost to the point where we will get rid of our satellite TV service. News and weather are available on the internet so that is covered, however I'd miss NCIS and I'm still reluctant to let the TV go. When we sailed on Nightrainbow we didn't have a TV for over five years, listened to the radio for news and weather, and got along just fine.
I've been doing a lot of reading on the internet on boats that are for sale. We are looking for a ketch rigged vessel with cabins fore and aft. Marina and I both need our privacy so that kind of set up is preferred. I think I could get along with a quarter berth for myself if it wasn't just a tube to slip into. However, I'd prefer a separate cabin.
If any of you are in North Carolina and wouldn't mind having my daughter visit aboard for a couple of days sailing, please drop me an email. She wants to find out if she can handle cooking aboard and would welcome the experience. Marina has some one design experience and knows port from starboard, but she was just an infant when we lived aboard Nightrainbow and only has vague memories of that. If you are a couple or female who would be willing to do a bit of mentoring with Marina as she prepares for life onboard a sailboat let us know.

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