It seems like keeping a blog about our adventures with Wilparina is a good idea. But most of the adventures in these first few months have to do with motoring her back and forth to the boat yard. It's important to remember that this is part of a much bigger adventure that has already begun.

Wilparina is a 1984 Tayana 37 Cutter. We found her in Portland early in 2011, but there was a sale pending, and so we kept looking. But the classic, flowing lines of the Tayana, and the warm feeling of the lush woodwork below, certainly caught my attention. We were specifically looking for a full-keel boat that could eventually do some long distance cruising. The pending sale fell through; the broker called us and we said, "yes."

She's had several owners in her long life. And while her hull and deck are in solid condition, her systems are a bit messy. And thus, our first adventure is mostly about catching up on a lot of deferred maintenance, and replacing old electronics.

This can feel a bit overwhelming at times. One step at a time. It's important to remember that we don't leave for Mexico for another four and a half years.