May 25, 2010 – We finished replacing the chainplates. “Thumper” at Pacific Seacraft was a great help. He expedited the shipment of the chainplates and hardware and helped us with install information. Everything arrived in perfect shape and polished to Pacific Seacraft standards. The fit of the new chainplates was perfect. Bolt off, bolt on. Beautiful. The other thing I was impressed with was how thick the hull was at the chainplates. Impressive!

 

We decided to replace just the upper shroud chainplates and do the rest when we get to Seattle. The uppers are the most critical. It took a day each to replace them, mainly because we were working in 20 knot winds with chop and wakes moving the dinghy around while I worked. It feels really good to have new stainless in place.

 

We will be leaving here around June 15th, weather depending. If anyone would like to track our voyage while we are at sea, go to www.shiptrak.org and put my call sign, KGØZC in the call sign field and click “View” and it will show our position track on a world map. Our old Fiji to Majuro track is still there, so don’t get confused.

 

Right now, we are provisioning for a 45 day voyage, trying not to forget anything important (read snacks). We have also spent the last month lightening ship as much as possible and moving what’s left out of the bow so the boat will go to weather more easily. We have managed to remove about 700 pounds of gear, mostly old anchor chain.