S/V Passage - Refitting a Classic (& Building Our Skills) Before Cutting the Docklines

We are working toward our dream, one step at a time, and are prepared to make mistakes and learn from them so we become better cruisers every day.

Vessel Name: Passage
Vessel Make/Model: 1980 Pearson 365 Ketch #324
Hailing Port: Chicago, IL
Crew: David Cole & Brodi Cole
About:
We started sailing in 2004 when David's dad bought his first sailboat, a 30' Hunter on Lake Michigan. David spent many hours on Lake Michigan and when his dad upgraded to a 42' Hunter, even made several multi-day crossings between Florida and the Bahamas. [...]
Extra:
In early 2010, we made a 5-year plan to pay off our debt, save money, buy a sailboat and take off for the adventure of a lifetime. One year into that plan, Brodi discovered an amazing deal that resulted in us acquiring "Passage"-a 1980 Pearson 365 Ketch-three years ahead of "schedule." We hope this [...]
Home Page: https://www.ouroffbeatlife.com
Social:
14 March 2019
30 May 2012 | Chicago, IL
19 March 2012 | Chicago, IL
16 February 2012 | Chicago, IL
03 January 2012 | Chicago, IL
13 December 2011
12 December 2011 | Chicago, IL
09 November 2011 | Chicago, IL
02 November 2011
01 November 2011 | Chicago, IL
19 October 2011 | Chicago, IL
13 October 2011 | Chicago, IL
12 October 2011 | Chicago, IL
11 October 2011 | Annapolis, MD
10 October 2011 | Annapolis, MD
02 October 2011 | Chicago, IL
20 September 2011 | Chicago, IL
12 September 2011 | Chicago, IL
11 September 2011 | Chicago, IL
04 September 2011 | Chicago, IL
Recent Blog Posts
14 March 2019

A New Adventure!

It's been a while since we posted anything because kids add an unexpected spice to life and our implementation strategy for leaving the rat race has changed a bit. We still plan to 'cut the docklines' and travel the world, but sadly it won't be with Passage.

30 May 2012 | Chicago, IL

Back on the Lake!

The blog may have been quiet lately but we sure haven’t been slacking! After receiving the spring bridge schedule (we can only put the boat in and take it up river on certain days approved by the city), we had a mad rush in April to cut our [...]

19 March 2012 | Chicago, IL

Big News!

We weren't kidding when we said in the last blog post that March would be full of big news...as you may have guessed from the photo, our crew is officially expanding to three! Baby Cole should be joining us around September 2, 2012...just in time to help us winterize Passage! In case you're wondering, [...]

16 February 2012 | Chicago, IL

Winter Update

We haven't been MIA because we're busy with boat projects...sadly it's been the exact opposite. While winter in Chicago has been a bit more temperate that usual, it still hasn't exactly been ideal for boatwork. So we've been focusing on home projects that were neglected throughout boating season...how [...]

03 January 2012 | Chicago, IL

Too COLD for Cruising

We truly thought more boatwork would get done this winter, but now that the holidays are officially over it's hard to motivate ourselves to willingly spend significant lengths of time outside doing boatwork when it's already skipping the freezing point entirely! It's official, January is NOT a good time [...]

13 December 2011

Cool Website

I just found a cool new website, and wanted to share. Love the pic/quote on his main page, too!

12 December 2011 | Chicago, IL

A Month of Updates

It's been a rather crazy month for us, without really any time to even sit down and log our updates. The weekend after our last (and only) post in November we did head back down to the yacht yard to get some more stuff off the boat, and try to figure out our head/plumbing system. Our biggest challenge [...]

09 November 2011 | Chicago, IL

MOTIVATION

Motivation. That one little word has so much "baggage" associate with it, but in my mind truly defines the doers from the dreamers. Ever since Daylight Saving Time ended over the weekend I've struggled to maintain my level of motivation. Between the [...]

02 November 2011

Hump Day, Quote Day!

Well, he wrote the quote anyway...

01 November 2011 | Chicago, IL

Not MIA!

We went down to the boatyard to see Passage on her cradle last Sunday, and it was amazing that it took just 20 minutes to get there! When we got to the boat, we packed up a few things to bring home for the winter as well as started to look at the holding tank to determine how we will remove it. We also [...]

Thinking Ahead to Cold Weather Boat Projects

08 August 2011 | Chicago
Brodi / Rainy (boo)
Over the last month or so, our "to do" list has had very little crossed off it...which is a little frustrating because a small part of me fears the major stuff won't get done...especially when the list keeps growing as we learn more about our future full time floating home. I've had a BLAST this summer improving my sailing skills and enjoying all this time outdoors. We've even managed to do something some cruisers still haven't done...great pics of our boat under sail! However, I'm still a bit nervous about all the things I want to get done before the weather gets too cold and snowy for us to even do work while Passage is on the hard. I've been shopping around for winter storage closer to home than the Chicago/Indiana border, and think I've found one...(details to come when the contract is signed!)

What's on this mammoth to do list? Well, what isn't?!
1)Repair accelerator on cockpit steering unit (David broke it during the mystery sail he refuses to blog about...which I missed so I can't fill in the blanks)
2)Remove/replace marine head with compostable system...either Airhead or Nature's Head
3)Convert holding tank to storage locker
4)Buy/install wi-fi booster
5)Rebed all deck fittings
6)Recaulk/silicone mast at deck level
7)Repair/replace cockpit emergency bilge pump
8)Finish cleaning out bilge (David found clip on sunglasses in there last weekend!)
9)Replace/rebed cockpit engine gauges
10)Replace engine alternator
11)Sand off all leftover varnish from exterior teak
12)Repair starboard rub rail
13)Fix or replace shower sump pump
14)Replace old, waterstained wood in galley and main cabin
15)Repair pullout double berth in salon
16)Repair/replace weather stripping on all hatches and portholes.
17)Finish making vberth window coverings
18)Install shelves in both oversized hanging lockers
19)Convert huge clothes hamper in head to additional storage locker
20)Install hammock hangers on/between mainmast and forestay
21)Install mast steps on mainmast (and maybe on mizzenmast)
22)Get radar working (or get rid of it!)
23)Buy/install SSB
24)Repair or replace anchor bow rollers
25)Remove/replace ENORMOUS starting battery in port lazarette
26)Fix interior cabin doors (they don't currently close due to minor warping)
27)Fix plumbing/water pressure
28)Install new storage lockers under galley stove and nav station
29)Refinish interior woodwork
30)Properly rewire bilge pump so manual isn't automatic anymore
31)Buy new sails (basic, storm, light air)
32)Buy/install swim platform for "dog overboard"
33)Repair/replace "man overboard" whisker pole
34)Buy Sailrite sewing machine
35)Repair sailcovers
36)Finish salon settee covers
37)Repaint hull (including removing 30 years worth of layers) with modern antifouling paint
38)Replace internal lighting with LEDs, add several new fixtures to brighten cabins
39)Add/wire 12v fans to vberth, head, salon and galley
40)Finish edges along installed lifeline netting
41)Buy/install windvane
42)Create electrical wiring map
43)Install GPS/chartplotter
44)Remove plastic covers from standing rigging
45)Remove water heater from starboard cockpit lazarette
46)Inspect standing rigging-replace mizzen backstay, others as needed
47)Choose/install teak storage/shelving on internal cabin walls
48)Replace Datamarine cockpit gauges
49)Rewire cockpit to mount autopilot and wind gauges on central steering column

Typing it all out actually made me feel a bit better about a list that seems to have taken on a mind of its own. Basically, we have our work cut out for us this winter and beyond...if anyone is up for a boat work party after Passage is on the hard, we'll supply the pizza and beer! And if you don't know where to find us after Monroe Harbor empties out in October, check the boatyard...we'll be beautifying Passage for more fun times (and hopefully some longer jaunts aboard) in 2012.
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