So ends our first summer with Dakota.We had a few great holidays this year...not without our usual 'dramas' but all went well and we always got back to dock with no injuries and the boat still floating.
Let's see what did go wrong?....a few hoses let loose filling the bilge with sea water, the heat exchanger stopped working, we had difficulty unfurling and furling the foresails, and the oven wasn't working...oh and we are still having trouble with the 'fridge. But most importantly what went right this summer....we had great sailing weather, we always made it back to the dock, we ate well even without the oven for a 5 day outing, we have met tons of new people at the marina...and even had a dock party, and best of all we are still excited about our boat and our 'retirement plans' of sailing around the world.
Dave has the wind generator up and working, the engine purring more like a kitten rather than an asthmatic tiger, the new propane switch is great...the oven works now, and more little things done that make outings more comfortable for me.
We've got her weather proofed for the winter and Dave has a list of things to do this winter...I am not looking forward to being a 'boat widow' but next summer when we are trying to plan a month sailing holiday we will have the boat more in the 'bristol shape' that the previous owner had told us she was in!
So this winter we will be attached to the dock but dreaming of sailing in warmer climates and reading everyone elses adventures on sailblogs.
Cheers!