Unpacking, upgrading and repairing.

We've been setting up Sunny Ray to be a comfortable, safe and functional ride.  Lot's of work.  We will likely be here in Port Aransas Texas until late May.  Then we'll start to boogie out of the Gulf before hurricane season.  A sample of things to do;  Clean barnacles off hull, replace all standing rigging (stainless steel cables that hold up the mast), build cabinets and a toolbox/workshop area, etc.  Just yesterday a new repair item landed on the list.  Our wind generator is starting to make a scratching sound when it spins and it's providing less amps so I get to take it all apart and soup it up.  I love this stuff.  Right now the only uncomfortable aspect is that we have unpacked boxes all over the place.  We brought too much stuff with us and now we have to figure out what to do with it all.  At least the boat can carry it all, the water line still looks acceptable, but we have trouble walking around inside with all the stuff in the way.
The kids want to keep buying more toys with their allowance, but their bedrooms are already full.  Last night some buddies of mine back in Tucson called.  We chatted for a while and it left me feeling a little sad about not being able to spend time with my good friends from Tucson.  We want to have visitors...  NOT YET, but soon.  We'll find some gorgeous tropical locale with an airport handy, pick up our guests and spend a week playing on the water.
Boat life rocks.  Friday night the kids and I walked a few hundred yards over to the city park to listen to a free concert.  The band was playing old surfing songs from the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet.  While we were enjoying the songs, the kids and I walked along a sea wall and got the latest fishing tricks from some local fishermen.  Then a little later we walked along the docks to look at the mega yatchs, and other unusual boats.  We met a crusty old sailor who was drunk as can be stumbling around on his boat.  He was telling us how he has sailed all over the world and lived on his boat for 25 years.  This guy was lean, tan and muscular and looked as healthy as can be.  Gray hair all over him and leathery skin.  He suggested we rig up the bosuns chair  and raise people up the mast to get a better view of the harbor.  I was a little concerned because this guy was loaded so I said "I don't need a bosuns chair" and I shimmied up the mast and sat on the spreader.  I love a good chance to show off.
Until next time...

Yours truly, Dan

Dan