ClaireWe haven’t gone anywhere . . . literally or figuratively. We are shaking off the winter doldrums and thought we needed to update our progress.
After our journey down the ICW last summer, the boat (now unofficially named Wabi Sabi) went straight to the boatyard. These committed “Do It Yourself-ers” acknowledged there are just some things that need to be left to the pros. So we made our wish list of projects. 
The list was huge and the budget . . . well . . . not so huge. We prioritized, and it was fascinating. John’s #1 priority . . . air conditioning. Claire’s #1 priority . . . a functioning head that didn’t have a leaky holding tank. I was little confused by why our priorities didn’t align. In my completely unscientific polling (of mainly a female population), the head won . . . hands down. Let’s just say that the quote on the cost of various projects ended the debate on the priority fixes. AC was not going to be in the budget (which also means there is no heat). The holding tank repair made the cut. So in October, budget drained and head repaired, Wabi Sabi pulled into her new slip at River Dunes.
Not long after, we were finally ready for our maiden sail, a day out on the Pamlico Sound in the late fall sun. For better or for worse, the dogs were with us for this new adventure. The pups that normally hunker down in the cockpit as soon as the engine ignites decided to be “brave” and explore the entire deck of the boat . . . while we were underway. 
Thankfully a dog overboard drill was avoided. We fumbled a bit learning to raise the sails, but once set, she sailed beautifully. I think we were both a little down as we pulled back into the marina at the end of the day, knowing it would likely be a while before we were back out on the water and we were facing what seemed like a never ending list of boat projects. Maybe it was that state of mind that made for the less than stellar docking attempt. The boat made it in the slip after a few stressful moments, and no other boats or people were seriously injured in the process. So we chalk that up to a win.
Since then, it’s pretty much been an endless stream of projects. Again with the priority list. First up, the fresh water plumbing system. We want to get the boat ready to anchor out for weekend trips as soon as we can. That means we need the water to work . . . and by work . . . we should clarify that we also prefer for the water to run clear (as opposed to brown) and not smell like rotten onions.
I know nothing about plumbing and can’t even try to fake knowing what all John has planned or is working on. I do know that we get lots of plumbing pipe and parts delivered to our house by the UPS man. And I also know that we never go to Lowe’s without checking out the plumbing section. Let’s just say, I have a lot to learn about how our plumbing system works. Important thing to know.
Here’s the progress. The tanks have been cleaned (no more brown, onion water), the leak under the galley sink fixed and the locker under the sofa in the salon no longer fills with water from some mysterious source. Major wins!!!! Next up is to re-plumb the lines so that the water runs from the tanks through a filter system before hitting the sinks and showers. But as I’ve learned, there are always a few stumbling blocks along the way. Example . . . the water pressure pump decided to call it quits at the end of the last day of plumbing projects. Add that to the list. UPS man will be making a delivery soon.
Meanwhile, spring means we will also be able to start some of the topside projects. The old, worn teak decking in the cockpit is coming up and being replaced. The remaining teak is being scraped of all the old varnish and will be cleaned and oiled. Soon we will start repairing the gelcoat and fiberglass. I hear I am in charge of this. 
As the weather starts to warm and we see spring and summer just on the horizon, we are feeling positive. We are working on our goal of balancing play and progress and enjoying the benefits of each. In the true nature of all things Wabi Sabi, we embrace the journey as the destination and settle in.
Until the next installment, see the beauty.
