[captkris]

Well, yes it is the same captkris.
Thank you for informing me about such a thread. Just minutes ago I learned about it. Ufff, I should say - hard to read.
Anyway, it is too late to respond to it with all the facts that really count. As always there is another side of the medallion. Kacper as a new member of the sailing community was very enthusiastic and he truly wanted to sail Transatlantic. Today I have feeling that he expected on the sailboat room similar to Holliday Inn with bathroom and all the service. He is right that vessel was not prepared for the trip at the time he arrived. We were late with all the work about one month due to the NY cold weather in April. Our idea of sailing across was crazy to begin with, however you know how it is we made the decision and we make it to sailing. Out there are many boats that are ready to sail and very nice boats. Most of the real time sailing boats are kind of old or simply used and do need constant repairs. My crew was informed about this situation in mid April and I did not want anyone to fly in before I will be ready, as I knew then that we will be very short on time. My original date of sailing was May 15-th with high chance to postpone it not later then May 21-th.
I know my boat as the owner for 20 years and I made high number of miles on her and tons of repairs - as it is a part of sailing. She was and still is very seaworthy. General appearance of any boat during any shipyard work is kind of messy. To some, cosmetically it looks like the boat will never leave the boatyard. There was only teak work on the boat not painting the boat (?). Kacper and two other crew members (all freshmen) the facto did help with replacing the engine a lot. By personal choice Kacper was on board for 10 days and the other crew members for a week. I am truly thankful to them; however I did not ask them to help me with replacing the engine. They insisted to help me and I am really glad they did.
They were doing great job which I would not be able to do without them. Thank you all.
Now! The vessel was ready to sail on May 21, just the "real good crew" under the influence of the two "strangers" who joined us last minute and made a total stress for everyone, decided to leave home on May 20 as they lost believe that we will sail as I said. It was hard for me to acknowledge it, as I knew we can do this trip.
Generally that’s all, and I may understand Kacper’s frustration (note: he wrote it on May 22 and since then we friendly spoke several times) as the trip was for him and others the trip of the life time and this tread was his reaction on the lost trip. It was not easy on me as well. It did not work out and perhaps it was meant that way. Just some of the crew does not believe that impassible is possible.
Since then vessel is fully functional and ready to sail, new engine is fantastic and anyone is welcome to inspect it and sail before going with us on the ocean.
Well, there is some work to be done :-) . We need to wash the underwater part of the boat and we need to reset all the stays for ocean cruising as well as get all the necessary food! Sorry, can not sail without it having done.
:-)
I always say: there is nothing bad happening that could not serve for the good. We will all always learn and perhaps it should be also a lesson for the boat owners.
Fair winds to all and I will sail south regardless.
captkris