Weather forecast for March 26, 2017:
Turner Marine, Dog River, Mobile, Alabama
Mostly cloudy, low 65 high 74.
South winds 13 to 18 knots.
Choppy, becoming a light chop, chance of isolated thunder storms.
Captain’s Log: March 6 – March 25, 2017
After eight years, seven months and six days of blood, sweat, fortune, doubts and dreams my beautiful boat is once again in her natural element, salt water. Our life on the water officially began on March 14th.
The travel lift picked up the boat at 11:00am and moved her over to the launch pit. She sat in the straps while we performed the necessary rituals to appease the great Poseidon and the four Gods of the Winds.
Name Purging Ceremony:
“Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name Mechaya (the old name of the boat) which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom. As proof thereof, we submit this ingot (a scrap piece of steel) bearing her name (written with a sharpie) to be corrupted through your powers and forever be purged from the sea (at this point, the prepared scrap of metal was dropped from the bow of the boat into the sea).
In grateful acknowledgment of your munificence and dispensation, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court (at this point about half of a bottle of Champagne was poured into the sea from East to West. The remainder was passed among the witnesses).”
Renaming Ceremony:
“Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as Perfect Love, guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.
In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court (at this point, one bottle of Champagne, less one glass for the master (me) and one glass for the mate (Shirley) were poured into the sea from West to East).”
Appeasing the Gods of the Winds:
“Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel Perfect Love the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs”.
(Facing north, I poured a generous libation of champagne into a champagne flute and flung it to the North as I intoned:)
“Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath”.
(Turning to the west, I refilled the flute and tossed it to the West as I proclaimed:)
“Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath”.
(Rotating to the east, I reloaded the flute and threw it to the East as I announced:)
“Great Euros, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath”.
(Looking to the south, I topped off the flute and offered it to the South as I shouted:)
“Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath”.
The Christening:
(recited by the XO, standing at the bow of the boat with a new champagne bottle in hand)
“O! Poseidon, God of waters great and small,
On this vessel allow these sons and daughters all,
to pass from port of hailing to their port of call,
And on these sailing subjects make your blessings fall.
Aeolus, whose mighty hand doth charge the wind,
To this vessel gentle zephyrs send,
And we who sail within will bend
Our heads in tribute, never end”.
"I hereby name this ship Perfect Love. May she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her." (at this point Shirley broke the bottle on the bow of the boat and the crowd broke into applause)
After all of the congratulatory salutations, hand shakes and back slaps, Perfect Love was gently set into the water. She floated with the straps still in place while we checked all of the seacocks, ball valves and thru-hulls for leaks. Once we were satisfied that she was watertight, a towboat slowly pulled us to our new home in the water at the end of the west wall. As the sun set a tremendous fatigue overcame both the Captain and the Executive Officer and we were very anxious to hit the sack and savor the events of the day. Our view from the Master's Cabin was spectacular.
As I have mentioned previously, progress towards our ultimate goal of getting under way has been two steps forward and one step back. Moving forward, several major projects have been completed since our last post. The bow pulpit has been fabricated and installed as has the support for the hard top. Also, we finally found a reliable canvas shop that can fabricate the dodger and, now that the hard top is installed, work can begin on that as well.
Moving backward, our mechanic, Brent, delivered some bad news. While trying to align the engine he discovered that the stern tube was not installed properly. This mis-alignment has to be corrected so, unfortunately, we have to haul the boat out, drop the rudder, pull the stern tube and re-install it. All of this is due to the fact that the tube is about 0.5 inches out of alignment. More expense, more delay and back on the hard for one week; nothing is easy!
But who am I to complain? I am living in paradise on a big, beautiful sailboat with my XO, my perfect love.
Until next time, may your tomorrow bring fair winds and following seas!