Boat renaming ceremony

The boat needed to be renamed.....and you MUST please the sea gods to do this!  This is serious business!


The previous name (which, according to marine lore should never be mentioned again!) had already been removed from the boat.

This is the step at the back of the boat.  Perfect place to put the US Coast Guard required name and home port.

We had the appropriate label shipped to us.

All done with the actual labeling.....it was time for a small party!!

Fellow Manta owners came over -  James and Crystal from Tex Pie and Cookie from Cool Change helped us celebrate.  (Sorry to have missed Jay from Cool Change - he was out of town).  Ready to toast the "Sea Gods" and ask forgiveness for renaming the boat.

Here is the text that was read and toasted.  Hopefully we'll be safe in our travels now!

 

Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as Sojourn, guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.

In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court.

(open the bottle of wine, pour one glass for the Captain and one glass for the First Mate but don't drink yet, now pour a portion over the bow into the sea from West to East, then drink your wine, attendees can also toast the boat at this point)

For this part you will need another bottle of wine and a small glass.

Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel Sojourn the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs.

--(Facing north, pour wine into the glass and fling to the North as you intone.)
Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.
- (Facing west, repeat and fling to the West.)
Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.
- (Facing east, repeat and fling to the East.)
Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.

- (Facing south, repeat and fling to the South.)
Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.
And to the greatest of all, mighty Aeolus guardian of all winds and all that blows before them, we ask your favor and kindness for fair winds and smooth seas in our endeavors as we humbly pass through your kingdom.

 After we all had our toasts, it was time to "reveal" the name on the boat! 

Duane did the honors.

Ta'Da!!!   Sojourn.....

noun

1.

a temporary stay:

 

verb (used without object)

2.

to stay for a time in a place; live temporarily:

 

Fun to have a boat name that's "ours"....

In case you're interested...here's a few shots during the installation of the lettering on the side of the boat.  Simple process, but a bit tedious.  Tape the label in place, peel off the "sticky" side....press carefully in place trying to avoid any "air bubbles".

Then peel the backing away - all done!   

Just a few more chores

Getting really close to finishing the list of items required before we shove off! 

Finally received a shipment that included a replacement bulb for the steaming light.  So, up the mast we sent Duane again!  

While he was up there, he installed a couple of flag halyards.   Now I can fly my American flag!

The upholstery folks (David's Upholstery) have been to the boat several times - hopefully they will finish up with the windshield tomorrow. 

Nice folks but a little hard to communicate since my Spanish is about zippo!  We make do by pointing and smiling!

Beautiful weather here - will probably head out to sea on Tuesday after just a few more items are complete. 

Making jerry can sun-covers from Sunbrella

We have a couple of "jerry cans" to carry extra diesel.  I read about why they're called "jerry cans"....apparently it refers to it's origins in war-time Germany.  And the nickname for Germans was "jerry".  I didn't know that!

For safety, we don't want the cans full of fuel anywhere near us inside the boat....so we need to store them tied out on the deck of the boat.  But the sun is terribly harsh on everything, plastic in particular.  So I see lots of folks with covers to block the sun.


Trusty sewing machine was whipped out again and the design began.

Just made a paper pattern.  Again, just had to be functional, not an exact fit.

The sewing setup - using special UV resistant thread.

Basically, I just started with a simple bag.  Fabric folded and straight seams up the sides.

Then I loosely fit it inside-out - and made a seam on either side to take up the "slack" and make the bag "boxy".

Slipped on correctly now.  (The sun must have been at a different angle since the color looks washed out on this photo...weird).

 Then trimmed the bottom and  added a nice zigzag hem.   I added the patches on both side to reinforce where we are going to put grommets.

All tied in place for the voyage!

Each one tied to a life-line stanchion. 

And while I was at it, I decided that the dinghy gasoline spare tank needed to be covered too.  For this one, I really did just make a bag.  Again, precision is not required.

The spare tank just sets in the dinghy (the actual fuel tank for the dinghy motor is in the compartment under the steering wheel. 

That's it for the sewing ventures for now!!

Tracking feature

I've added a map showing our real time location to the blog.  I don't know how it will work out - we'll see as we start moving.   It's currently showing the old boat name "Double Wide".  We're trying to get that changed with the authorities.  The signal is being sent from our on board radio's AIS (Automatic Identification System) so that other boats (everyone, including cargo ships will be able to see us).  It sends a signal every few minutes.

So until the radio is changed, the name is probably going to show "Double Wide".  But rest assured it's actually us!  You can hit "More Info" and it will let you pan in/out on the map.

Storage bag for extra line

We have too many lines on this boat!!  We had brought some from home since we weren't really sure what was left on the boat.  We really shouldn't have!!  There are many sets of dock lines and old halyards, etc on board.

So this box of lines really didn't have a "home" on the boat.  And space is at a premium!

There is a space at the aft end of the boat, but this box is too big to fit....the solution would be something more flexible.  Like a bag.

Fortunately, the previous owner left some old mesh material window covers on the boat.  I was going to throw them out, but they were perfect for making a big bag for these lines!

Duane gave me the approximate measurements.  I took a couple of the old window covers and just started cutting out rectangle pieces.  Nothing had to be precise since this is just a utility bag.

 I just started sewing the pieces together using my heavy duty sewing machine and extra strong thread.

Making the "box".

I doubled the zig-zag seams for durability.

Turned inside-out

And installed some beefy handles.

The finished bag in use.   It worked well and best of all, it was basically free!

More chores!

Progress is being made! 

We spend every day getting things checked off the list....

Loading up the boat with groceries is quite a chore!   We're trying to have staple provisions on board for a couple of months.  It will be a pain to lug groceries to the boat as we travel without a rental car.

This is the first of 3 cartloads!

This is the picture of the dinghy from the ad for the boat.  We were given the bare dinghy without the "chaps" (the sunbrella fabric UV cover).  The chaps were in a cabinet on the boat. 

So I pulled out the chaps and looked them over.  Unfortunately, they're a little worse for wear since this photo! 

There was a large area that was worn thru. 

Fortunately, the previous owners had left some extra matching sunbrella fabric on board.  I made a long narrow patch.

And sewed it in place.  I'm sure I'll be doing more of that as some of the fabric looks pretty worn.

But overall, it will be a nice method of transport!

Another chore

The to-do list is getting smaller!

The slip-resistant area at the boarding ladder was worn out....luckily we already had the solution from the previous catamaran.  So, for once, a chore that didn't require a trip to the hardware store!  Just taped off the shape.

Painted a couple of coats of the rubberized "Skid-No-More" paint with "sand".

Eight hours later - cured and ready for traffic!!

Another chore

The previous owner was from San Antonio....per US Coast Guard regulations, the "home port" must be displayed on the vessel.

Of course, we'll be changing this to Oriental, NC....so San Antonio must go!

We lowered the dinghy and prepared to remove the emblem.

Using a heat gun and a bit of finesse, the letters started disappearing.

All gone!  You can still see the "shadow" of the letters - hopefully time and some rubbing compound will make it completely disappear.

Maintenance

Lot's of little things that need taking care of....one was the galley sink.  The faucet was leaking a little.  Duane tried to disassemble it, but it was corroded and refused to come apart.

So, we ordered a new one.  And a soap dispenser too since I've decided I can't live without that!

Unfortunately, the leak had gotten the countertop a bit wet...so the sink had to come out and repairs made.  (Nothing is EVER easy).  We applied some "rotten wood hardener" and some Bondo to fill some voids.  Many trips to the hardware store for supplies.....

The countertop is now dry and firm, good as new!

The new faucet.  Very nice with the pullout spray spigot.

Left to right - new faucet, filtered drinking water, and soap dispenser.

One project down, several more to go!

Just more organizing

We're busy, busy....but nothing much worth photographing.

Washed the entire boat and the dinghy.  They had not had much attention over the last 6 months!

You can see a little more of the boat now! 

 Lots more to do - getting some spare parts rounded up.....important to have them for repairs at sea!  (Hope not to use them, of course!)

Getting organized

So we're just a few days into making this boat our temporary home....and it's a bit overwhelming.!  Lots going on.  We've got a couple of contractors doing some repairs, plus we're getting everything organized in all the different lockers. 

One of the activities today was to sort out all the forward lockers.  There is an amazing number of dock lines stored....

But we'll get thru it...enjoying the 80 degrees and sunshine!!

To the boat!

We spent a few days getting everything organized for our trip back to Galveston in the rental car.... it's just amazing how much "stuff" you need on the boat.

We started piling everything we thought we would need in the basement.

And we started whittling it down to just the items that were absolutely necessary.  Amazing how quickly a Ford Edge fills up!

I won't bore you with the details.  We drove 18 hours straight thru from Pittsboro to Kemah, TX!  That included 2 significant traffic jams and 4 gas stops.  Arrived at the boat at 3AM.  We were pooped!!

Spent today just unloading the rental car - and loading up the boat!  There are several maintenance items to be taken care of.  First one was to haul Duane up the mast to remove the inoperative  steaming light.  Then, of course, a trip to West Marine for the replacement.   

Really, really love the electric winch that lets me pull Duane up the mast at the touch of a button!