Sirena Gorda has been delayed in Neah Bay, basically on the northwest corner of Washington state. I had hoped to make it to Oregon by Tuesday to fly out of town for a business trip on Wednesday, but it looks like those plans will have to change. My new to me boat has some issues that need addressing; a hard to start diesel, a non-charging alternator, no starboard running light and a basically non-functional VHF radio. It's definitely a mixed bag when you take a new Craigslist yacht cruising. If I wasn’t on a tight schedule with other commitments this week then I would just set sail for Astoria and fix things there, but since I am on a schedule, I think it makes most sense to post up here for a few days and try to get some things sorted. First, i’ve removed the alternator and am taking it to be tested/ repaired. It’s in my backpack now as I type this from a bus between Neah Bay and Port Angeles, Sirena’s last port of call. My friend Aaron joined me from Seattle for the week, but with the trip halted, he’s flying back home. So now it’s just me and my boat in a tiny little Indian fishing village that is a 2.5 hour bus ride from pretty much anything.

Sirena Gorda at Makah Marina in Neah Bay, WA. One of only two sailboats in the entire harbor. This small, isolated Indian fishing village wasn't exactly my idea of cruising paradise, but i'll take it. Viva la crappy boat with broken stuff.

Read more...

My new to me Cal 2-27 "Sirena Gorda". Just picked up this little gem of a yacht 2 days after arriving in port. Planning to leave in 2 days for a few weeks of cruising Puget Sound and the Washington, Oregon and Cali coasts back to San Francisco. Go the Cal!!!

You know when things fall into place and just work? That’s kind of how this summer has been and it still continues to be. Unfortunately, I was forced to sell my beloved home and cruising boat Chippewa just days before Singlehanded Transpac. With that, I decided that I would race the Moore to Hawaii, deliver Champ home and then purchase another cruising boat upon return to the left coast. I figured that would give me a potential chance to buy a boat in Seattle and sail home, or just fly home to San Fran and buy a boat. Right when hitting port, I scoured Craigslist and all of the other classifieds and spent the last two days looking at three different cruising boats. And.... after just 56 hours in port, I purchased the Cal 2-27 Sirena Gorda (fat mermaid...). With this, an all new adventure has been born. I plan to leave in just a couple of days to cruise Puget Sound and then sail to Astoria, Oregon on the Columbia River. From there I have a quick business trip and then will resume sailing Sirena Gorda to San Francisco. One of my old roommates from when i was in college is flying out to join me for the first leg and I think Walt may join for the final few hundred miles with about 500 miles of singlehanding in the middle. Should be an epic trip! Stoked!

The boat is in Tacoma right now, about 25 miles south of Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle. I will leave at first light for Shilshole. Longer blog to follow, it’s a kinda cool story how I found the fat mermaid. She really is a lovely little yacht. Right now i’m listening to Bob Dylan, drinking a Modelo and enjoying my first night on the Cal. 

This sailor is now home :)

s/v Champ resting in her home port of Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle. 23 days and 3,100 nm from Hanalei Bay, Kauai. :)

S/V Champ is safely tied up in Seattle! After a gnarly yet very educational approach to Seattle, we finally made it to the marina at about 10 AM on Sunday morning. Pretty darn happy about this trip. It was long, sometimes boring, and a lot of work with just 2 people on the boat, but in my mind the trip was absolutely fantastic. This was my first paid delivery as captain, and it’s safe to say that I have found a new line of work. I really, REALLY like delivering boats and am going to begin seeking out a lot more deliveries. Also, this was my 6th crossing of the Pacific Ocean in the last 27 months. Stoked on that! This was also my longest sailing trip ever, both in terms of time (23 days) and mileage (3,100 nm). 

Read more...