Updates from Christmas in Abaco

[RTB]

Well, that was one shakedown for your new boat. Did you have anything break, or quit working since you took delivery? I recall something early on (?), but I guess she hasn't disappointed you.

Ralph

[ErBrown]

Really the only thing that broke was the car for the outhaul on the furling main, on the first leg from Maryland to Abaco. It was caused by the Outhaul line having been replaced by a VERY oversized line for the outhaul, which caused a ton of friction passing through the blocks in the boom and twisted the car to it's breaking point. It wasn't convenient but we where able to jury rig it to finish the trip. We found a replacement for it while we where home and replaced it before our Christmas cruising and the return trip.

Since then we've had no problems and the boat has been pretty much flawless (knock wood). It did however point out some of the upgrades we feel we need. Currently no real chart plotter, radar or AIS. The radar and AIS would have gone a long way to decreasing our stress level negotiating all the oil rigs and shipping traffic in the gulf as you approach Houston/Galveston. Some solar would be nice too.