B.O.A.T.

Supposedly, "Boat" is an acronym for "break out another thousand." So far, we haven't spent too many thousands. A lot of "hundreds," though. And a couple of thousand on the horizon.

For us, "Boat" stands for "break our @$$ trying." So far, we have been painters, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and mechanics, not to mention sailors. For every hour we have sailed, there have been several more spent on maintenance and repairs.

Putzing around on the boat can actually be rewarding. After spending our work days doing endless paperwork, it is refreshing to look at a tangible finished product. But doing tedious work, working in cramped spaces, and looking at a seemingly never-ending task list can get aggravating. Especially in the hottest part of the summer.

Right now, here is my todo list:

Cheap fixes:

1. Reattach the door inside the cabin.

2. Replace a broken guide so I can raise the main from the cockpit.

3. Fix the lazyjacks.

4. Redo much of the DC wiring. The salt water has corroded a lot of it. Also, there has been a lot of splicing on over the years. And we need some conduit. Some of the wires run through storage compartments and are subject to damage.

5. Replace the cracked fitting to the vent on the waste tank (move this to No. 1)

6. Wash the sails

7. Replace the shackles on the main at the battens with cloth fasteners so the main won't "hang up."

8. Put on bow lettering.

9. Re-register in LA and place that lettering on bow.

10. Buy a sailcover for the foresail so we can store it on deck.

11. Carefully inspect the shore power wiring and connections to make sure the saltwater hasn't corroded them.

12. Stain the brightwork again. Alternatively, I am considering replacing the railing with brushed aluminum. Tired of staining, and we can always put the teak railing back on if we decide to.

The expensive stuff:

1. Have the boat hauled out and have the bottom sanded, faired (?), and painted. Ouch!

2. Paint the deck, cockpit, and cabin top (what a pain in the butt!)or have it painted.

3. Fix the tear in the mainsail or replace the main. Haven't figured that one out yet.

Wish list:

Paint the hull above the water line.

I have probably forgotten a few things. This list is daunting.