As we wrap up work, it seems that there is a never ending stream of new little tasks. I have just a touch more left, but am not officially done working. I guess there will be a bit more to do before I can cast off. Ash has been working daily on the boat and getting things ready while also planning appointments with the doctor, dentist, and optometrist. I try to help when I get off of work, but there is much to be done. We are also trying as hard as we can to be able to see our families before the big truck shows up. Things are moving a good clip now and it seems that any second I will wake on rocking against the dock with the hatches open. Here is to hoping! Dinners are being crammed in, happy hours shuffled, and visits from friends squeezed in wherever we can. In the end I hope we get visitors wherever we are, though I realize it is easier to dream about than do. My thoughts for everyone who says that? IF you think a week in Mexico is tough, try leaving for up to two or three years! In any case, the trip is still on track and we will soon be on our way. I hope this finds you all well,

Elan

Our new plastic lazarette hatch covers are completed. I still need to prime, paint and install them, but they are close to ready to go. I saw some expensive, but nice looking latch hardware at West Marine the other day that will allow us to lock the hatches down as well. It won’t keep out a determined vandal, but it will keep them shut when we want them shut and deter petty theft (something we have yet to have a problem with ).

Best of all the seats are not wood and won’t require the maintenance that the teak ones did. When you see Silver Lining from the dock she looks so much different from so many other Seafarer 38s out there. We have stripped off just about all of the wood except the toe rail, anchor roller, a few handrails, and the cockpit seats. Now the seats are going. A few people have commented that the boat looks colder now. It does. It also is a lot more fun to maintain stainless steel than wood in my view. If I have my way, eventually there will be no wood to maintain on the exterior of the boat. The only big job between me and that goal is the toe rail. I will figure it out someday on a beach when I find a good source of plastic or aluminum for it. In the meantime it stays wood, but at least the seats will soon be devoid of maintenance requirements!