Heading to Mexico!

Stay tuned as Rick, Me and Harley embark upon a journey we have been attempting for the last 3 years. We plan to set sail on Sunday, October 18th.
      
We will be sailing on our Rifiki '37, Notre Isle, that we purchased in 2012. She was in sad shape when we first saw her, since no one had attended to her for over 12 years. We fell in love with her even knowing that we had our work cut out for us. But she was exactly the type of boat we had been wanting to go cruising in and to one day cross oceans with. She is a full keel cutter rig and weighs around 30,000 lbs. So she's very sea worthy!

Notre Isle's first trip out after getting new sail covers….still have lots more to do!

We have been working on her non-stop up until this point.  First thing we did after we took ownership was to take off all of the junk on the boat that the owner left behind! That was a feat all on it's own. We think the previous owner may have been a hoarder! A thorough cleaning was the next step. We even cleaned out the fuel tanks (which had some scary looking goop inside). Next, we replaced the dodger, purchased a few used sails (but in better condition than the ones that were on the boat ). Had Hood Sails install a stack pack, which is very handy! We then took up the teak deck and re-caulked it all (that was a goopy mess!) Then we sprung for a Monitor Wind Vane, replaced the life lines, added dog netting, had new cushions made down below (twice). 

Dickerson Diesel Heater

Purchased a beautiful used Dickerson Diesel Heater, refrigerator, and recently added a Engel portable freezer. We've took Notre Isle out of the water twice for bottom painting at KKMI. 

We've Cetolled all of the wood on the outside of the boat. On the deck, Rick made two cool wooden boxes for storage and one to put over propane tanks, that he varnished to perfection! He also made a nice platform out of Ipe (sounds like e-pay) off the boom-kin to make for better access to the wind vane.  Rick replaced all the electrical wiring & plumbing hoses. Replaced the head for an Air-head. The biggest undertaking was replacing our Volvo engine with a Beta 38! There are other items and projects I know I'm forgetting. But when owning a boat there is never such a thing as a finished project! There is ALWAYS something to do or to work on or to repair.
We are looking forward to doing that work in warmer and in more beautiful surroundings. 
We do love our Marina though and feel fortunate to have found a real diamond in the rough here at Brickyard Cove Marina in Point Richmond. We will miss it here.

Notre Isle in the middle

We are excited to take this journey and a little apprehensive as well…what with El Nino and all. But we will take our time and check the weather often!
We will miss our kiddo's and grandkids so much. But thank goodness for technology we can keep in touch!
I hope to have some more exciting posts for you after Sunday!