Sawat-Dee-Krap

[Laughing Buddha]

Greetings from Thailand.

We are Jim and Nancy aboard S/Y Laughing Buddha, a Hans Christian 41T. Its been a while since we departed the US (1996), and a slow journey to get 1/2 way around. And, a lot has changed since we left. Route was Annapolis to L.A. (Truck), Mexico, South Pacific Islands and Atols, NZ, FIJI, Vanuatu, OZ, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Some back and forth, and long term NZ (became Residents too!)

After arriving in South East Asia, we took a 4+ year pause in our travels when Jim took a recall to Active Duty in the USAF. We stored the boat in Malaysia (Langkawai), friendly and safe location if needed. However, on return, we found much work to be done. During our first season back critical to launch was; build a new bowsprit, clean fuel tanks, rewire, and recover from having had a rat aboard. Then the engine needed attention - cooling system - which if yo have a turbo Yanmar - can appreciate what a chore that can be. Try that with little access to "real parts." Got all that done, tossed the old inflatable, and gave away the dead OB. The aging Pro-Furl would no longer tolerate another rebuild, so replace with an Alado and added the same to the stay sail. Engine operational, minimum coms and nav, we set off to Thailand for the next phase of rehab/recovery.

This past year has been a re-varnish and repair of the interior following 26 years of ownership and use. That included new foam and fabric (thanks to Ziggy-Rat we finally got some of the Baja Sand out), a redesign of the Nav Station - a project that began in our minds on passage in 1999! The "long pole in the tent" was remove the teak decks (lower decks) and replace with nonskid, and add new teak to cockpit seats and sole.

On tap; we are planning a passage to South Africa, and some necessary upgrades prior. Radar is toast, as are the instruments, freezer, and RO maker. Upgrade also includes the Autopilots (WH and backup CPT), and add a Steering Vane. Been lurking for a bit and finialy jumped in. Much good information here and has focused some of our purchase decisions - Thanks to Rich for working with us on the freezer, and Tellie on RO maker choices. Following closely the PC Radar approaches and N2K installs.

Looking at the list - it is almost as if we are re-doing an initial outfitting! We will be focusing on those new projects - but as a long time SCCA members, willing to share anything we can.

Sorry - no website (had one for a few years in '96-98) and we don't tweet. Planning on sharing here and some via a dropbox.

Cheers - Jim & Nancy
Laughing Buddha

[Cormorant]

Welcome aboard, Jim and Nancy! You guys are truly living the dream. Can't wait to hear more about your adventures.

[Laughing Buddha]

Thanks for that! We'll try and get some of the details of our journeys up.

BTW - that is a typo - long term members of SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Association) but also members of SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). Cruis-heimers I guess.

[jldunn86]

Thanks for your service. Following.

[Jim Cate]

G'Day LBs, and welcome aboard. Nice to have some more "lifers" on the forum, and we look forward to following your progress.

Cheers,

Jim

[skipmac]

Hi Guys and welcome to the CF funhouse.

Seems like you aren't in a big hurry to make it around. Not only stop to smell the roses but I think you had time to grow them first.

Any plans after South Africa? North to EU? Caribbean?

[Laughing Buddha]

skipmac -

Seems like we got stuck in a few places doesn't it. We have no one favorite place - but certainly none we didn't like.

Post SA we'll be crossing the South Atlantic. Routing TBD. Could include South America, the Caribe, maybe even Cape Verde. Too soon to plan that segment. We are closely watching departure from SEA and the tasks to accomplish. Our plan is still this next season - but not "rushing in" we could take another pause, and jump next season.

Long Term - our US home base is in the panhandle of FL, so anywhere on the US east coast will be a much shorter "commute!" [Preferably close to some race tracks.]

Cheers - Jim

[SSgtPitt]

Really looking forward to hearing about your exploits and seeing a few pics. We're in TX figuring out how to get to Thailand.