Finally, things are coming together
 

Talked to my brother Clint in Alaska today, and I now have two crew for the end of April for a Gulf crossing to Florida. Having done many a canoe adventure, and other activities with both of them, I can shove off with a known quanity for crew. Though Kevin doesn't have much experience sailing, and only one leg, he is intelligent, and has a good grasp of how things work. Clint, on the other hand, has offshore experience, as well as great mechanical skills.

All in all, I'm pretty satisfied with the way it's working out. Plus, I have a month to shakedown all the changes I've made, as well as get some more miles under my belt. Dang, it's great to finally have something more definite to plan around.

I figure we can make the offshore run to Port Aransas for a crew shakedown, then head across along the 28th parallel and make for the Dry Tortugas. Makes me glad I didn't push on back in November.

Good luck John... Have fun... let us know how the shakedown cruise goes.

Well, as Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part. But at least now I have a better idea of how long a wait!

PB.
Sounds all good. I'm more than somewhat envious. Where are you now btw ?
TD

Currently, Clear Lake, TX, which is on Galveston Bay. About a day away from the Gulf by sail, half a day by motor.

The Ontario 32 is a good, solid boat fully capable of making this sort of journey. My former dentist, Judy Millard, has sailed one with her husband for years now (http://www.searoom.com/veleda/index.html) and it's an excellent, if compact, vessel. My own dear, soon to be leased out Viking 33 was built by Ontario Yachts, and they made 'em properly.

Fair winds!

There's another couple from Ontario, retired school teachers, that have done a trans-Atlantic in their Onatrio 32. There have been a couple of articles in Good Old Boat about them. Thanks for the well wishes.

What's the rationale behind that ? From Clear Lake TX, PA is away from DT , right ? Remember this is not my neck of the woods. Is this a prevailing winds situation ?

Port Aransas is south of Galveston (where we would enter the Gulf). It's about a 20-24 hour run offshore, with places you can head back in along the way. Then we can either head inshore for a day, or head east from there.

John,

Sounds awesome. Keep me posted.

- CD