The date is set

[chrisncate]

I know I have not been updating the forum much anymore on where we are at with things or what I've been up to, but the time has finally come - the boats ready and so are we. The date is set.

I have been really debating with myself whether or not to share this here for a couple of weeks now, but in the end I figure that since I have been posting on S/N since the beginning of all this, it's only right that I follow through and let you guys in on where we are at, and how it all goes ultimately.

For the record, we are going to go ahead and go 100% motorless out of the box (no bracket, and no o/b), and see what happens. Many of you know the saga regarding this, and now that the time is here I feel as though I must know for sure. I just can't bring myself to put the bracket on. I still believe in my heart that a pure sailing vessel is right (for us), and if it means going on the outside instead of the ICW en-route south (and it does), then so be it. If it just doesn't work going without a motor, again - so be it - the bracket will always be there waiting for us. We must know for sure or we'll always wonder.

Regarding blogging - I think (think) I have learned "how" to blog it the right way finally, and I'm going to try to document our experiences the right way this time with no platitudes, no ideology and no dreamy Sterling Hayden quotes.. just an honest account of what it's actually like to get rid of it all and just go for it on a simple boat with no motor.

So here it is, my new blog. Come be a part from the very beginning - The Razor Clam Chronicles

So that's it.. it's time for me to put up or shut up. I really don't know how it's going to go, but it'll be interesting either way. We are "all in" at this point, no turning back now..

March 1st is the date, and it's not tentative or dependent on anything. It's the real date that we move aboard and start the adventure.

Here we go..

EDIT: We are shaking the boat out here until Fall - We're not leaving for distant ports yet. March 1st is the move aboard date where we begin living on her, learning how to live small, working out any bugs and preparing for our departure..

[chef2sail]

Congrats....let the venture begin. Fair winds always

DAVE

[chrisncate]

Thank you sir!

[BentSailor]

Congrats, CnC. Remember to update the blog, mate, as I know I'll be checking it... if only to see how you go motorless

Fair winds and good sailing to you, mate.

[jameswilson29]

Will you stop at the entrance to the Potomac River on your way down the Bay so you can sell your fiberglass dinghy to me?

[JonEisberg]

Congratulations, and best of luck...

I presume you won't be heading south immediately thereafter, correct?

If you are, be VERY cautious going outside around Hatteras in the late winter/early spring... IMHO, March and April can be potentially the riskiest time of the year out there, some very unpredictable and nasty stuff happens when those violent, tornadic systems that tear up trailer parks from Arkansas to the Carolinas draw a bead on Hatteras...

That's no place to be on an engineless boat that time of year, in my opinion...

[BubbleheadMd]

The nice thing is, he's not on a schedule so he can hang out in NC until May, if needed so that he can make a safe passage.

[flyingwelshman]

It is not correct to say 'good luck' (or you would be required to punch me to reverse the 'curse') so I will say "Fair winds" and

[LandLocked66c]

Engineless? That's like rounding the Horn in a Hunter! Can't be done...

You know how I feel bro! May you enjoy warm beer and fair winds!

[killarney_sailor]

Enjoy your adventure.