I've Gone and Done it Now

[a64pilot]

Closed on my new to me boat, an 87 Island Packet 38, I've given her the name she had when she was commissioned, "Stargazer". She is in Daytona, going this weekend to get her in shape to bring her around to Panama City second week of Apr.
You guy's sacrifice a chicken to the weather Gods for me please.
Never had a sailboat before, what have I done

[HappyMdRSailor]

Fantastic!!!!!!

A huge congrats are in order for all of you hard work and due diligence...

You definitely have what it takes to avoid the really nasty possibilities of this lifestyle...

I hope the admiral is as excited as you are... Let us know what's going on... when she splashes.. and where you're headed (home) (Alabama, near Orange?)

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

You guy's sacrifice a chicken to the weather Gods for me please.

A chicken normally isn't enough. I have found you also need a bottle of rum, a dance, a sharp knife, and voodoo chant for it to be effective

congrats

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Congrats to the new boat. I'm sure she'll take good care of you.

[a64pilot]

She is in the water now, we will be taking her around to the Panhandle (Panama City) soon. I think we are sort of in shock still. The Admiral doesn't know it, or I don't think she realizes that this weekend she has to fully equip and provision the boat for three people for a ten day cruise, everything from toilet paper to soap.
There is nothing in the boat, no towels, silverware, pots, pans, dishes, nothing.
On my end there is a lot of deferred maintenance that needs doing, and a whole list of things the boat doesn't have, but needs to be legal.
Should I try to lash my 3.10 dinghy to the deck, tow it, or just leave it home? No davits.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

She is in the water now, we will be taking her around to the Panhandle (Panama City) soon. I think we are sort of in shock still. The Admiral doesn't know it, or I don't think she realizes that this weekend she has to fully equip and provision the boat for three people for a ten day cruise, everything from toilet paper to soap.
There is nothing in the boat, no towels, silverware, pots, pans, dishes, nothing.
On my end there is a lot of deferred maintenance that needs doing, and a whole list of things the boat doesn't have, but needs to be legal.
Should I try to lash my 3.10 dinghy to the deck, tow it, or just leave it home? No davits.

ONE MAJOR SUGGESTION!!!!!!!!!

DON'T go overboard... full board... or even 1/2 board... On provisioning and equipment fitting...

You are harbor/port hopping... Not heading to England....

There will be plenty of opportunity to get off the boat and buy what you missed as a need on the past leg...

Minimal kitchen supplies... paper goes a long way too... Lots of kitchen hand towels/even the bags of white terry shop towels... This way ya don't get yelled at when you need it for somethin' nasty... pump dish/hand soaps... lots o jugs of water... Food for a few days, snacks for the duration... Lots of drinks and choices...

Sleeping bags/comforters/pillows and lots of towels... (did I mention towels)

Make sure you got the freshwater and head systems dialed in... The admiral will get major turned off if she loses these conveniences...

Walmart for quickie cheap in date extigishers/flares/pfds... Bring the 3.1, with good weather and under 50 mi runs I would tow...

Tons more, but this is a start!

[The Garbone]

Ding is nice to have. On deck if there is space and you can work out a system to hoist her.

Good luck on the trip. Bit jealous.

[gamayun]

Whooop! Congratulations!! Are you going through the ditch or around the Keys? Good luck with everything :-)

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by gamayun

Whooop! Congratulations!! Are you going through the ditch or around the Keys? Good luck with everything :-)

Lookee there... Ya gotta "Whooop" outta Gamayun!...
She is pretty excitable though....

[letsgetsailing3]

Congratulations!

Enjoy the trip, and let us know how it's going! Should be a fun 10 days.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Closed on my new to me boat, an 87 Island Packet 38, I've given her the name she had when she was commissioned, "Stargazer". She is in Daytona, going this weekend to get her in shape to bring her around to Panama City second week of Apr.
You guy's sacrifice a chicken to the weather Gods for me please.
Never had a sailboat before, what have I done

Congratulations! Whether you own a boat or not lessons are always helpful if you haven't had them before.

Make certain the engine runs good and has new impellers and filters. Make sure the diesel tanks and that the fuel is clean and that you know how to raise the sails and get her moving in case the engine/trans/shaft/prop fails. Keep an anchor on deck to deploy in a hurry.

Have a safe journey. Take some food and some water and some other liquid libation. You can't have enough warm dry clothes.

[Andy73]

Congratulation and fair winds for your trips!

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

She is in the water now, we will be taking her around to the Panhandle (Panama City) soon. I think we are sort of in shock still. The Admiral doesn't know it, or I don't think she realizes that this weekend she has to fully equip and provision the boat for three people for a ten day cruise, everything from toilet paper to soap.
There is nothing in the boat, no towels, silverware, pots, pans, dishes, nothing.
On my end there is a lot of deferred maintenance that needs doing, and a whole list of things the boat doesn't have, but needs to be legal.
Should I try to lash my 3.10 dinghy to the deck, tow it, or just leave it home? No davits.

If there is room on the foredeck or under the mast to lash the dinghy there then do it. If its inflatable then deflate a bit if you have to make it fit. You'll be thankful you have a dinghy aboard.

[Mark1977]

Congrats on the new boat.

[Tayana42]

Great big congratulations! I'm sitting in my cockpit in San Pedro, CA looking across the marina at an Island Packet 38 right now. I think it is a beautiful, purposeful, strong, well built, well designed boat. I hope she gives you happy sailing and fair seas. I also hope your first trip will be an easy confidence builder for your wife. One thought though, rushing to get ready may not be the best introduction for inexperienced crew. Anyway, best wishes for happy voyages.