Sail Cutthroat

16 May 2009

Shilshole Marina, Seattle, Washington

Returning to our beloved Cutthroat after an almost 7 month absence filled us with joy and excitement but also a sense of anxiety and the uncertainty of what we would find. Boat health can deteriorate without use and certainly is subject to the prevailing weather conditions. Even though all systems were working great when we departed (except for the little macerator drip that Roger is aware of and working on as I type), everything else was fully operational. Boats however, are subject to the “use it or lose it” theory, so it’s of utmost importance that we methodically go through each and every system aboard just to make sure everything is sound before we take off again. The good news is that we found Cutthroat to be in great shape! We were fortunate to have a superb and dedicated man taking care of Cutthroat. She looks showroom ready and so far (and we’re still early in the process), all systems are a go!

I really believe that just as we needed some “shore leave” after all excitement of our 2008 Adventure from Hawaii, Cutthroat was also much in need of a break from us and the strenuous activities we put her through last year. Yes, we do consider Cutthroat to be a person in her own right – like our child actually…one you don’t have to send to college. Maybe partner is a better relationship to consider, after all we take care of her, but she really takes care of us. Whatever, she needed a break. Now she wasn’t out golfing (like Roger) or taking up quilting and sewing (like Elise – I know, none of you can believe that one, but its true). But she was restoring her karma…finding a better place where she was centered and could regain her mental and physical strength so she can take us on our 2009 adventure. No, I haven’t lost my mind…at least I don’t think so, but the jury may still be out on that one.

So with that being said…where are we? We’re fixing, checking and provisioning. At this point all is going well. The macerator is the official pooper pumper, and is really a critical piece of equipment that we don’t want leaking. This is definitely a “blue” task…a stinky job at best!

We are happy to be back aboard and re-acclimating to the colder northern climate. It was 45 degrees when we woke up yesterday morning and about the same today. Fortunately, it stopped raining and we actually anticipate a sunny weekend up into the high 60’s. This afternoon, we are meeting up with an old Army comrade of Roger’s from his Vietnam days. He and his wife just happen to live nearby. We also plan to get to drive down towards the Columbia River and visit with Roger’s sister, Dot before we leave. And we will hopefully get to link up with my cousin, Christine and her husband Terry before we head out.

One of the best parts of the cruising lifestyle is the opportunity to meet wonderful people along the way. It’s exciting that we remain in contact with so many of them from our Mexico and Hawaii voyages and we’re fortunate that two of those boats will be in this area over the summer. Angie and Bruce Butterfield aboard M/V Desert Venture are rounding Cape Flattery today and we should be able to catch up with them in the next few days. Jan and Corrie van Woerkom from Holland arrive back on S/V Bellatrix located in Sydney, BC and we will link up with them in June sometime. S/V Robyn’s Nest should also be gearing up for another season. They were in Puerto Vallarta with us and we renewed that friendship last summer when we met them at the Island Packet Rendezvous. They also wintered the boat in Sydney, BC. Other close friends not close by, include Jim and Tiffany aboard S/V Blue Plains Drifter. They are currently underway from New Zealand back for another season in Fiji. We got an email from them last evening as they were anticipating the arrival of 45 knot winds and high seas – a nasty low pressure area approaching. Gisela and Eric Gosch are also enroute from New Zealand to Fiji aboard S/V Morning Light. We wish them both safe travels. I know there are many others as well, but it points out what a close knit community the cruising world is. We wish all of them fair winds, following seas and a wonderful season of travel – wherever those travels take you this year. We look forward to hearing their wonderful stories as the season progresses. What a wonderful collective tale we can tell!

Hopefully by mid-week we will be untying our dock lines and heading out for a short sea-trial. We’ll let you know as those plans progress. We can’t wait for Cutthroat to be at anchor in a nice peaceful cove enjoying the beautiful scenery with snow capped mountains around us. I’ll do better at getting more pictures on the website so we can share this beauty with you.

Take care and stay tuned!

Elise and Roger

s/v Cutthroat