New Year's Update: Still on the hard

Kay and I made a trip to RI to check in on Atalanta this weekend and to pick up our 4 person offshore life raft from Life Raft Survival Equipment in Tiverton.  It is now inspected and certified for the next three years.  Hopefully, it will sit on the deck of Atalanta and never need to be deployed.  It's one of those items you want to be of high quality and never use.  Thanks to Scott.

Upon entering Atalanta for the first time since she had been covered (November) the interior is pretty much torn apart as the new generator is being installed.  We are looking forward to having it up and running for the new season.  It will provide us with the juice to be able to run the existing AC and heat as well as to make water and charge batteries without taxing the Perkins diesel.  Thanks to Bristol Marine for their work with this job.

We are continuing to refinish the teak and holly sole.  Fortunately, 90% of the sole (floor) comes up and can be worked on in the basement at home.  We are using Epithane high gloss for the first 8 coats and a matte finish for the final two.  Thanks to the high quality of the Little Harbor, we are able to sand out all the imperfections as the sole is not a laminate but instead a solid teak and holly.  Once finished, the interior is going to look great.

Thats it for now.  Stay posted as we continue winter preparations.

A few pics from last summer aboard

Intro Posting

Kay and Richard are retired educators planning an extended cruise aboard their Little Harbor 44 CC.  The goal is to set out for points south starting in September 2013.  This blog will eventually cronicle that trip but first there is a great deal of preparation which we are currently involved with.  We have sold our house and are renting from fellow sailors that are away for two years.  By renting, we have the opportunity to thin out all that will be stored while we are away.  Our winter planning includes upgrades to Atalanta, development of possible itineraries, identifying safety needs, addressing communication requirements, research regarding customs and visitation requirements and much more.  This blog will explore our preparations and ultimately our journey.  We hope to spend time with family along the East Coast prior to launching into the Caribbean.  Eventually we hope to reach South and Central America.

Richard has been sailing most of his 61 years while Kay has been going to sea for the past 6.  Kay prefers the rank of "vice captain" and so she is.  Her knowledge and skills are amazing given her relative short time on the water.  Together we are a great team, well prepared for the adventure of sailing south together.

Atalanta is a strong and capable blue water boat that has seen her share of East Coast ports.  She is 44 feet, 34,000 lbs, sloop rigged and carries a scant 3 sails.  Once Ted Hood's Robin Too, she has sailed primarily along the coast.  Recent upgrades include a gen-set, watermaker (to be installed), new windlass, life raft, EPIRB, engine repairs, upgrades to navigation software, and more.  She currently (winter 2012-3) sits on the hard in Bristol, RI awaiting warmer waters.  

This blog will initally focus on our thought and preparations for the trip and eventually the trip itself. We hope you will use it to follow and communicate with us as it all unfolds.  Best always, Richard  and Kay