20100204 Epilogue for Angel Voyage

20100204 Epilogue

After a week back on land, perspective on the Voyage of Dark Haired Angel is clear.  I have not slept well since arriving back in Charleston.  I miss the gentle motion of the V-berth and the coolness of the boat’s interior.  I also miss the physical regimen of hauling anchor and sheets for the sails; as well as wrestling with the tiller to keep Angel on course in confused seas. I especially enjoyed all of this. 

Most of all, I miss being with Cathy continuously and working toward a common goal.  I am convinced; this is the basis of successful long term relationships.  We now have to set new goals, with measurable milestones and schedules for the second half of our lives together.

I am very proud that we traveled aboard a 48 year old sailboat for ~2,000 miles during our 10 week adventure, most at 5-6 knots often under sail, using the motor when necessary.  The boat performed well both mechanically and under sail.  The electrical problems encountered on our 1^st day out of Charleston were traced to the only wiring NOT replaced during the refit.  The AC shore power lines were not marine grade multi strand & tinned copper wire, but instead consisted of house, single strand wires.  One of these single strand wires had fatigued with the motion of the boat and broken, arced and took out the circuit breaker and charging fuses.   Replacing these shore power wires will take top priority for repair.  The genoa luff (following edge of the roller furling genoa) came unstitched during the heavy winds encountered on the way home and also needs repair at a sail loft.

Overall, this was basically a 10 week camping trip.  The cabin was lit with kerosene lamps, cooking over a 2 burner propane stove,   refrigeration only when in port, sleeping in cooler weather, in a sleeping bag.  We ate well, creating new, simple dishes with pasta or rice and cans of butter, cheese, chicken, turkey, beef and pork brought from home;   adding fresh vegetables, eggs, fruit and bread along the way.  Delicious meals shared in exotic places are important memories for us.  We brought back two big plastic totes of canned and dry foods, which have overfilled our pantry.  Cathy & I will reminisce over boat meals at home, well into the future.

We used less than 20 pounds of propane during the trip for cooking & heating.  I am amazed by how little we consumed.  We did not try to conserve propane at all, lighting up the burners whenever we needed a hot cup of tea or a little warmth to chase off the chill of winter. 

The images of wildlife, star formations, rising and setting suns (some preserved as digital images) will remain with us a long time. 

There are many that I need to thank for making the trip possible and comfortable.  In no particular order, many thanks go to:

1)       John Sr., John Jr. and Marilyn Jordan, who allowed me a leave of absence from ems and encouraged us to have a great adventure.  Their understanding, during my father’s physical deterioration over the last two years and especially, during his illness and passing, was beyond  compassionate. 

2)      John Jr. donated two fishing rods and reels.

3)      Don Hacker donated an old tank of propane, with obsolete valve fittings that fit the ancient heater and old propane stove.

4)      Walter Spalviero created a new suite of clothes for Angel, consisting of dodger, bimini, sail cover and stern shade, which not only dressed up the old girl, but also served us well to protect us during inclement weather.

5)      Local cruisers Walter, Chris, Jay and Lance from the Harborage at Ashley Marina provided much advice, through many discussions on where to go and how to get there and what to take, based on their experience in the Bahamas.

6)      My father, William S. Tucker, Sr. provided the spark and inspiration for adventures over the horizon, with his stories as a 17 year old US Navy volunteer in WWII.  I am especially fond of his trip, sponsored by the US Navy in 1944, driving Higgin’s (landing craft) boats up the Intercoastal Waterway from the training facility in Ft. Pierce, Florida to Norfolk, VA, preparing for the allied invasion of Japan.  Thankfully, this never occurred.

7)      Most of all, I want to thank my lovely wife Cathy.  I had no doubt that she would enjoy the tropical paradises, but did not know her response to more difficult times.  This adventure is WAY outside of her comfort level.  Roughing it for Cathy was previously defined as staying at a Super8 hotel.   Giving up home comforts…her blow drier, heated mattress pad and whirlpool bathtub for a couple of months were a big sacrifice.  In retrospect, I can now better appreciate her trust, confidence, courage and efforts.  I again realize how much I value her willingness to explore and experience the world with me, sometimes in uncomfortable situations, which stretch both of us physically, mentally and emotionally.  This Bahamas voyage will be added to Germany, Panama Canal, Bermuda, Key West, New Orleans, Banff, Tahiti, Anchorage Curacao…non-sailing vacations.  We need to buy a bigger memory card for our video picture frames to hold all the digital pics

It has been my hope that the readers of this blog should share our experiences, both good and otherwise.  The great times were many, the hard times few; but we learned from both.  Cathy and I need to rebuild our sailing kitty, make repairs to Angel, take weekend coastal sailing trips and make plans for the future together.  Our adventures with each other out into the world continue…stay tuned.

Take care & travel safely,

Jim