Blog entry two: 5/9/08

JACK: The various upgrades to the boat including computer systems and electronic charts are now completed and we will clear customs on Monday morning, Tuesday your time, and hopefully depart Coronado, San Diego the same day, after refuelling to make up the 2050 US gallon capacity.  Ian Smith from Burraneer Bay Marina previously confirmed that in metric terms one US gallon is 3.79 litres whilst our Australian gallon (imperial) is 4.54 litres, either way it is a lot of diesel however we should arrive in Honolulu with a 10% margin for error.

This adventure has been under consideration for many years and was a dream beyond practical reality when you take into consideration the exchange rate $A to $US and only the recent variance nearing parody made purchase of a US vessel a consideration.

The ancient Greek historian Thucydides stated that the secret to happiness is freedom, however I believe the real secret is to be surrounded by loved ones, friends and close acquaintances.  I am already missing this contact and will have to come to terms with this aspect of the journey during the 7000 Nautical mile trip home.

This said I must add that with out the support of my wife Elaine, son Russell, plus the support and huge effort put in by Erin and Leon who visited the US with Roger and myself on the first occasion to purchase the vessel and returned with daughter Danni to fully stock the vessel for the initial trip to Honolulu.  It was unfortunate that Danni arrived with severe influenza and spent the time in the hotel room so it wasn’t much fun for her.

Our new friends Peter and Mary Rose, previous owners of Speedbird have been of considerable assistance and we thank them for their efforts and opportunity to purchase their much loved vessel, which incidentally they are replacing with a new Nordhavn 64 which confirms their view on the product.

 

The Nordhavn broker Steve Miller accurately compared Speedbird to a new vessel and he is spot on, also giving us assistance above and beyond normal expectations.  Nordhavn are indeed fortunate to have a man of his calibre on the team.

Our young crew member Scotty is of great assistance with our nav computers and we even got him to sit still for an Andre rieu DVD, and yes Erin and Danni he must have enjoyed the experience as we saw him twitch twice during the program.  He is enjoying the trip, eats like a horse, and is happy with the fact that he can claim the hours for his coxswain certificate and later no doubt for his Master 5.

ROGER:  Hi, the more I see of the US reminds me that Tasmania is a great place to live even if Jack maintains that four cars and a dog at a roundabout in Howden creates gridlock.  I would like to say however that when I walk into a store in the US with preconceived ideas of my requirements I always find something better.  I’m like a boy in a lolly shop when I walk into a ‘West Marine’ superstore catering for all boating requirements.  No doubt the multiple sales people in the store are on commission, which makes them really willing to help. Thanks to my wife Maureen for your support and regards to my old friend Mac and thank s for his assistance.

SCOTT: We continue to prepare ourselves both mentally and physically. 

Now that we have the DVD hooked up, it has been a nightly ritual to get comfy in the theatre el Speedbird with mega bass pumping sound and giant plasma vision.    On the first occasion we watched ‘The bucket list’ with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman… it kinda seemed appropriate, anyone who has seen that movie will know what I mean ha-ha.

The second night I was introduced to the sights and sounds of Jacks colourful DVD collection.  Andre Reiu live in Dublin was one I had heard all about because Jack is a big fan (and he sits in his bunk late at night and watches it on his portable DVD player) but until this point had never witnessed it.  To tell you the truth, and as Jack already said, my foot was tapping, I had fallen asleep and my leg was having intermittent spasms that’s all.

  Last night it was Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood in the 1960s western comedy ‘Paint Your Wagon’, some very good laughs were had as the boys built up the ‘Town with no name’ and then brought it back down again.

 

The theory we have adopted as far as physical prep is concerned is quite simple you see, if we gain enough body fat stores through dining till bursting point at all the best restaurants in Coronado and then back that up with a cup of ice cream from ‘Moo time’ as big as your head then we will all be right in the case of hypothermia and also if we need to spend several weeks in a life raft.  

Jack advised me that the next report will be loaded mid next week.  We will write about leaving the US and the first few days at sea.

Untill next time, thanks for stopping by.