We finally have our new baby at home. It was a tough sail home from Tampa, four days of into the wind sailing or should I say motor sailing.

I still need to get used to the heat and sun but other than that it was a smooth run.

There were a few hiccups of course. We had a mega diesel leak on the first day with diesel flowing over the salon floor. Luckily we have a pretty handy skippy on board and within an hour the problem was temporary resolved.

The fridge and freezer also crapped itself on the second night. The generator needs a lot of love. Showers don’t drain. Other then a few leaks we were ship shape.

Carl even thought he’d try his luck catching us dinner and I was quite surprised when he hauled in a live one and not a dirty old boot.
I faced stern screaming while he repeatedly hit it on the head the winch handle. The bloody thing wouldn’t die!

I’m not too sure what a tuna looks like on the inside but it had weird worm things in it. Better google it. We fed it to the sharks thinking its not a good time to get food poisoning.

The highlights of the trip would definitely have to be the phosphorescence and dolphins. But I also shouldn’t shy away from the brilliant natural showers we got from mother nature. Wouldn’t have been so beautiful if you were within sight of two unfit naked bodies soaping down and screaming. Brrr next time we’ll invest in a solar shower!

We have just spent the last four days on board our new boat. And what have we learnt? The thing leeks like a bloody sieve!!! But we had a very enjoyable weekend despite the drips… and waterfalls! The ex owners came to visit to show us how to work some of the gadgets which was helpful. We were going to go out for a sail around Tampa Bay but a storm blew in and those plans were cancelled. When the rain started hammering us a the dock we used every towel and tea towel we had on board to put under leaks. Cali thought it was great that there was a gusher coming out of the mast. That amused her for 30 minutes or more.

Once the rain cleared we thought screw it, we’re taking her for a spin.

The sun isn’t touching those lips

There were looming clouds but we took our chances. We motored out of the river and finally got out to the bay. We were doing 4 knots in 5 knots of wind without the main sail up. We aren’t very qualified sailors so what did we do??? Put the mail sail up of course. NOT A GOOD IDEA. I think the boat rotated around about 3 times trying to get the blasted thing up. Then the wind dropped to 2 knots with us cruising at 1 knot. The kids weren’t happy, it was hot, humid and dinner time. Down went the main and the other sails and the motor went on.
We were almost at the dock when we knew we might be in a bit of trouble. The thunder and lightening was right ahead of us. We went from 2 knots up to 25 knots in about 10 minutes. We needed to dock the boat. Hmmm 51′ of boat in a slip with no port pilings and a $500K+ yacht to the port of us.

…. We did it! With grace! And with a 15 month old hanging out the cockpit. Smooth!!! We were extremely wet and tired but felt like we could enter the next Syney to Hobart.

Just ordered my new pressure cooker. Can’t wait for this baby to arrive. I haven’t cooked with a pressure cooker since high school with my mums from the 70s. Didn’t realize you can cook bread and desserts in them.


Fagor Futuro 6 and 4 quart pressure cooker

I’ll definitely have to read the directions. I remember submersing the vegetables in the water but there’s a steamer basket. Very confused. I got one without the long handle, it will sit more compact on the stove.

I have hit the issue of child harness’. To harness or not to harness.Or just to simply duct tape!
I was having trouble looking for harness’ that would fit such young children but came across one for 18 month – 4 year old. Don’t think I like the idea of a crotch strap, going to the bathroom would be bothersome.

Got a couple of these puppies. Crewsaver Venturer Child Harness from Landfall. They look simple and comfortable and can be worn under a life jacket. Bought some netting online from West Coast Netting – great help over the phone. Slowly working towards the goal!

I would like to thank Carl for showing Capri how to use a hose. I now have a bunch of water inside the house and a wet Cali. At least she’ll be helpful when it comes to rinsing the boat.

Well its officially official! As of last night we are the new owners of a 1981 Skye 51. We are still trying to work out how to go down and get the boat. The ex owners were going to deliver it for us with me on board but now they have other obligations. We would like to fly down with the girls and kid proof the boat and deliver it ourselves but with the business and Carl’s dad it’s really hard to get away. Don’t really want to pay someone to deliver it because it will be oober expensive.
Booked flights to go down to Tampa this weekend but looks like Ed will be getting out of hospital today or tomorrow. Guess we’ll have to reschedule for another time. Just want our new toy home with us.