Sailing a Willard 30

After all the work we've done, we felt we had the right to rename her. Sea Turtle seemed to fit. We started sailing around Thanksgiving, and took her down to Gibson's last week for a bottom job, hull paint (including lettering) and re-bedding all the life-line stations which were leaking. The rebuilt Perkins 4-108 is purring like a kitten, thanks to Jay Knox. While on the hard, we noticed catastrophic wood rot in the bow pulpit where the chain plate goes through. That MUST be replaced and no using the Genoa until it is. Still a lot of work to do, but at least she's out and about and we're enjoying that!!

Well, we limped into Jacksonville at the end of April and have been on the hard ever since. Isn't that always the way when you get a 'new' used boat? We pulled the motor out, and have taken every single part apart, rebuilt EVERYTHING, put it back together, and after playing with the timing for a couple of days, she is finally purring. I had just about given up hope. And the reality is, we spent more on the rebuild than we probably could have bought a 'new' rebuilt motor. What's done is done, and I'm just hoping and praying we get many years of uninterrupted service from her. While on the hard, we got the leaking fuel tank taken out and totally rewelded and cleaned (it was coated in thick black gunk on the inside), $1,600 ouch! Cleaned and painted the bilge, all new wiring, fixed the jib, which had blown out, took out the leaking hot water tank, and installed new plumbing hoses, and threw a coat of bottom paint on. The steering cable plates were rotted through, so we had some stainless ones custom made and got those back in. Haven't hooked up the helm yet. Oh, I forgot the rudder...had to get a whole new rudder shaft and rudder, since the original was completed corroded through. And, the prop couldn't be saved, so we had to get a new one of those and a new cutlass bearing, shaft, and stuffing box. So, all in all, we have spent more on repairs than we did on the boat. Again...oh well. This seems to be a bad habit with us. We're scheduled to get the motor in this Tuesday. I can't even dare to hope we'll be back in the water soon after. Hope with us that our next post will be from the water! Maybe I can nurse this tiny bit of hope of joy back to health yet.

Great day sailing up the Indian River with steady 17 knot winds. Images sailed at 6 knots easily with a very easy and stable heel. We're still sans motor at 8pm clipping up to Cocos. We were honored for M.C. to come out to the Rt 192 bridge in Melbourne and wave to us as we passed by. Our goal is to make it to Titusville tonight.

Pulled the hook up at Ft. Pierce and headed north on the ICW this morning after a nice dinner at Hatbor Cove overlooking many beautiful yachts at the marina. (None more beautiful than Images, though.) Walked to stores for provisions, and ready to go. We're not roughin' it, folks!

Rough weather expected for tomorrow, so sadly we're heading into "the ditch" (ICW) tonight at Ft. Pierce Inlet. So far today, we've seen 4 very green sea turtles and a whole school of dolphins joined us for a while. It's hard to get a picture fast enough! It's so beautiful out here!

We left the Jolly Rancher blue waters of Key Biscayne and headed north later than hoped Saturday. We had fantastic southeast winds and calm seas all night lit by the full moon. It was a magical first overnight, offshore cruise on Images reaching speeds of 8 knots with the help of the Gulf Stream. Today, Sunday, winds are blowing from the north, so we're tacking and not making as much progress. Still enjoying the journey!