Where is Jennifer’s Car and When are we leaving?

Lee’s Landing, Lake Union, Seattle, WA, 14-Aug-2019 – A fast status as we’re finishing up getting ready to leave.

There is a heavy and unrelenting feeling of pressure to get everything done, but as I sit to write this fast and hurried post, I realize that there are five days to go and there is no need to feel this pressure. Everything on critical path is easily accomplished. Yes, the list is unending, but that it is because it is a boat, just like a house, there is always more to do.

Jennifer and I have been reflecting on the real tragedy that could have happened if the car had been stolen a week earlier. In it, then, were a sail bag with our 90% Genoa and parts of the windvane self-steering unit. The only thing of value that was in the car was a spare VHF radio – brand new and in the box.

The police came by yesterday – when did police start introducing themselves by their first name? I do like it very much and have always tried to get on a first name basis, but it surprised me. The police in Port Townsend do the same, but PT has a Mayberry feel about it.

The feeling is that the car will show up when it runs out of gas. Jennifer can’t remember how much gas is in the tank. The registration is expired on the car, so that may help it get picked sooner rather than later. The officer, after speaking with Jennifer and our marina mate, Bill, is considering moving into our marina. It is always nice to have a cop as a neighbor.

The shakedown was mostly light air. Our friend John Riley joined us. I’ve written about John before. He is recovering from a stroke and is trying hard to learn his new limits and how he will get back onto a boat. His attitude and bravery in this sets a very high bar that I doubt many of us could achieve.

We used the windvane for the first time. Thousands and thousands of people use self-steering windvanes, but it was our first time. It is a very magical experience. In complete silence, with nothing apparently happening, the boat stays on course.

Today and tomorrow, I’ll be lubricating it and finishing the final set up.

Here are the critical path items:

  • Windvane – Service, finish final installation
  • New water bladder – one of the connections is leaking, repair
  • Provision
  • Repair hinge on Port Anchor Locker – We could leave as is.
  • Jennifer to finish sewing webbing for harnesses, Portland Pudgy straps for rudder and lee boards, dog ear for second reef in main (sailmaker installed in first and third, as opposed to second and third as requested).
  • Spend more money – We still have more to buy, including a personal AIS beacon; thousands of dollars of stuff will arrive today and tomorrow including:
    • Set up exposure cover on Portland Pudgy
    • Install Nav software on second waterproof tablet that arrives tomorrow
    • Install bilge pump start counter, so that we can tell if the bilge pump has been running – it shouldn’t.

And so it goes.

On our shakedown, John Riley took us to a little tiny anchorage with a beautiful view of Seattle. The Puget Sound is a great place to sail.

We’ll return in fall 2020, if everything goes as planned.

We’ll be posting at CaroBabbo.com and instructions for contacting us once we lose cellular service are at: http://carobabbo.com/#iridiumtexts

We’ll be hosting a potluck breakfast this Sunday, rather cooking as we normally do. If you’re around please stop by.

Author: johnjuliano

One-third owner of Caro Babbo, co-captain and in command whenever Caro Babbo is under sail.

4 thoughts on “Where is Jennifer’s Car and When are we leaving?”

  1. Hi John,

    A free breakfast? Look for me about 8:30 AM. Never miss and opportunity to free load. I like eggs over medium with sausage …if you don’t mind. Thanks. You wouldn’t by any chance have a selection of cheeses with some corn Pumpernickel bread by any chance. No? well I’ll just take a little of everything, thank you.
    No Champagne? That’s fine, I’ll just have make do with some blue label Johnny walker Scotch. I still remember the first time you introduced me to it in England. From that. point forward I knew what ” The nectar of the Gods” was. For that I will forever thank you.

    So the time is near for you to take the voyage of your dreams. I wish you so much happiness on this voyage and I know just how long you’ve dreamt of being a “blue water” sailor. To say I’m proud of you is a gross understatement. BTW who’s the graybearded ol’ coot who keeps getting in the way in your pictures. I just can’t find a picture of you in your Jesus beard anywhere.

    I like the blond chick very much..Good taste John!!

    Ciao, A Dio, Go with God.
    Much Love

    Dad

    1. Drew,

      It is good to hear from you.

      Yes, the dinghy is a plastic, roto-molded Portland Pudgy. We like it quite a bit and have written about it.

      Earlier this week the exposure enclosure arrived completing everything needed to make the Pudgy a complete life raft – It is rated as a SOLAS life raft.

      David Hudley is the company owner and boat designer. He is very accessible and very willing to speak.

      If you search Portland Pudgy in our website, you’ll find many articles.

      Tomorrow, I will post pictures of the Pudgy with the exposure canopy in place. We’ll be putting her back on the foredeck. We leave Monday (day after tomorrow) for Hawaii, via San Francisco and San Diego.

      Thanks for following us, Drew.

      http://PortlandPudgy.com

  2. “Good News”. I’m copying text below that I sent to Carly and Harrison today. I’m still in San Juan’s for another week. From Bill O’Brien

    Hi, Seattle Police just called and they located Jennifer’s suburu. It’s located at 8851 20th Ave SW in Seattle. (White Center Westwood area). It has both plates and appears driveable. They recommend picking it up as soon as possible as whomever stole it knows how to steal it and may take it from that location. If it’s gone when you get there please report immediately to police so they can turn search back on. Case # 19-300111. Please let me know status. I’ll copy and past this to their internet text account they sent to us.

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