A Kansas Girl and an Arizona Boy Head to Sea

With all the major projects completed, we are down to our final preparations, such as provisions (last chance for fresh produce), standard maintenance (oil change, battery check), and boat prep (stowing the dinghy & anchor, checking all gear, etc.). We replaced the inner forestay and Art drilled another hole in the boat (what? again?! keep that man away from the drill!!)--this time to re-plumb the heavy duty bilge pump. Its exit plumbing was lengthy and convoluted, and we felt it would be prudent to ensure that if it ever had to be used, it would work most efficiently.

Beyond the physical preparation, there is also the psychological preparation. Though we know what to expect "out there" and as long passages go it's relatively benign, it is still a very small boat on a very big sea. In fact, when Latitude 38 magazine (organizer of the Pacific Puddle Jump network) interviews crews arriving in Tahiti, one of their questions is always "What broke?"--not "did anything break", because it's a matter of what, not a matter of if. Every year there are some boats that have to turn back due to major system failures (rigging, engine); others limp in to the Marquesas with substantial problems. Fortunately most boats arrive having either fixed or jury-rigged solutions to whatever went wrong; we are expecting to be in that category.

Of course, we all ask ourselves what could go wrong, and how we can prevent those things from happening or be prepared when they do. We believe we have gotten Second Wind into the best possible shape, yet we do know we will have answers to the question of "what broke?". So a certain amount of wariness--not concern, but wariness--is present about the impending times of difficult seas and boat problems.

That said, we are thrilled to be doing this! We are excited about the challenge, about getting back to wide open water, about the rhythms and beauties of living on the ocean. Of course we're eager to explore South Pacific islands, but this Kansas girl and Arizona boy are lured by the song of the sea...