EYE ON THE PRIZE

Scrimshaw

1990 Grand Banks Classic

We are long overdue for an adventure. Early spring we cast off Scrimshaw's dock lines, and head north! Our New Year Resolution is, "EYE ON THE PRIZE", as we prepare Scrimshaw for her journey to the Salish Sea. Scrimshaw will arrive via Sevenstar Yacht Transit in Victoria, B.C. Canada.

We bought the Gulf Island Charts and two guidebooks today. We will spend most of our first year in this neck of the woods, and most likely make the Poulsbo-Port Ludlow area near the Hood Canal in Washington our home base. Jumping for JOY!

We are making lists for getting her cruise-ready, paper charts, an upgraded depth sounder, a new anchor bridle, perhaps an Ultra Swivel for the anchor like we had for El Tiburon, and who knows what else, the list continues to grow daily. We have decided to ship her from Ensenada, Mexico to Victoria B.C. I have spent the last 40 some years waiting for good weather windows to sail to from Point A to Point B.  Exploring new idyllic cruising spots requires waiting for safe passages. Cruising the Mediterranean, an Atlantic crossing, transiting the Panama Canal to the Caribbean, or simply sailing from Baja across to Sea of Cortez to Puerto Vallarta, have been worthwhile endeavors that required patience and endurance. BUT, I have had enough waiting. We want to be in San Juan Island the first of May for the Grand Banks Rendezvous, not waiting out weather in some distant port. I've earned it, 30,000 Bluewater miles and at 68-years old, I wanna BE THERE NOW! We had to postpone our trip north last spring, but nothing is stopping us now. If we decide it's too flipping cold and drizzly "Up There", we will enjoy a season, and turn tail south to Mexico.....on Scrimshaw's very own bottom with D and me at the helm. Not likely, but anythings possible.

My favorite varnisher.

While Darrell freshens the varnish, I have been attending to cleaning the decks, hands and knees work. UGH. We have re-caulked much of the deck and the windows, re-organized drawers, and scrubbed and sanded until our fingers scream for relief. The main salon and forward berth have new upholstery. New carpeting. New electric heads too! The galley has a new refrigerator and stove, and the bridge deck has new cushions and pillows. Next on the list, a wax and buff job will be done at Marina Coral in Ensenada. And then, Let the Cruising Begin! "Eye on the Prize" helps us to plow through all the seemingly never-ending list of to do's.

Looking like home.

Our glass is half-full.

Sparky's job is to get well-rested and ready to romp.

Spark is a good old boat dog. He was just 8-weeks-old when he was introduced to boat life aboard our Tayana '47 on San Francisco Bay. He's sailed to Mexico twice, cruised up and down the California coast and out to Catalina several times. Nearly 11 years after his maiden voyage, he says he's ready cruise the Pacific Northwest in a trawler. We are all beyond ready!