Sailing Ichiban

What's done was done and it was time to chew what I bit off.  Like I said - I'm starting this blog late - so let me begin by apologizing for what I haven't done: documentation - photographic, video, or written. I've just rolled up my sleeves and started the work. I'm trying to remedy this lack of documentation, as I know some of the most helpful information that I get is from documentation of other sailor's experiences. I'm very thankful that not everyone documents as little as I do - otherwise a lot of good information would go unshared. So I'm sorry. This stops now...maybe. Well - at least I'll try. Now that I've cleared the air, let me summarize what I've done (maybe I'll further detail it in future blogs). First, I purchased Ichiban out of the water with the hope of moving her to my property. Covid, my job, weather, and an ongoing family situation quickly ruled that option out. Goal 1 - Get the boat in the water  By the time I realize...

It had been a hot, long Texas day - the second Thursday in June of 2020. Restricted to work from home because of the pandemic, I set up my 'office' on a table outside in the shade. With 5 kids homeschooling, my crowded house was far too noisy for the remote meetings I connected to each day. I chose heat over havoc. At the end of this particularly hot workday, I was thankful to escape into the air conditioning - drenched in sweat and desperate for a tall glass of cold water. I quickly shot towards the kitchen, stopping only to empty my pockets into the basket on the nearby bookshelf.  My wife, Misty,  headed to greet me, immediately veering away: "You stink!" I shrugged. I was tired, mentally drained, and more than ready to jump into the shower. While setting down my phone an email notification caught my eye. I froze as I re-read the line - making certain I was reading it correctly:  ' I have a 1978 37ft Crealock (cutter rig )aka Pacific Seacraft 37 that may fit yo...

For as long as I can remember, sailing has been my purpose. This may sound hollow to some, romantic to others - but it is the truth to me. I don't know how or why, but I have always felt an unquenchable need to head to sea.  I'm starting this blog late, not because of the fact that blogs are 'so two thousand and four', but because we purchased the boat 7 months ago. Although I (purposely not 'we') have done a bit since then, it is not much in the scheme of what 'we' need to do.  The purpose of this blog is to document tasks completed, tasks planned, ideas, and general thoughts while restoring Ichiban. She is my current purpose. Or, quite literally, my ship with a rudder - but without pretty much everything else.  Although I am only one in a family of seven. As the patriarch pusher of all things sailing,  most of the work will fall on me. At least until the boat is 'sailable'. Part of the reason for this is me not wanting to make the boat a '...