So many times I've thought about all the 'things' and systems aboard Adagio. It seems sometimes like the boat is more of a self-contained city than a pleasure craft and keeping everything up to speed is often a challenging task. Every sailor has the "to-do" list and often times the list gets longer instead of shorter when you set out to fox something but discover a couple more layers of effort are now needed to solve adjacent problems. Boats are like Ogres, we joke making reference to Shrek's analogy about onions and many "layers" of complexity.
Today we are running a bunch of the boat's systems as we make progress toward the Azores. Since we have very little to absolutely no wind, we are motoring along. As the motor, transmissions and drive train hum along spinning the propeller, we are using the time under power to make electricity for charging the house batteries, and making fresh water from sea water. The D.C to A.C inverter is charging laptops and phones and we are heating water for a round of evening showers for all the crew. All these 'trappings' of a comfortable cruise come with filters, belts, brushes, fuses, membranes, hoses and fittings and innumerable moving parts all experience wear and degradation unlike the equivalent systems in a common stick and brick home. Pretty much everything aboard is fighting the elements; salt water, humidity, heat, vibration, stress and strain, pounding of the sea. I dare say a regular house would go out of commission (not to mention quit floating) in short order :)
Boats are amazing. They exist in the harshest of environments and continue to function under some really amazing circumstances. Of course, with all that success comes the maintenance, both scheduled and surprise, that a regular house doesn't normally need. To that, we tip the hat to the low-maintenance condo where maybe you have to mow the grass from time to time. On this boat, however, there will be oil changes, new filters (water and oil) and several tasks that need to be done in Horta before we can really settle back and enjoy the brief respite between Rally legs. It's OK' it is what we signed up for and as often as I find myself challenged by the 'to-do' list I remember what's at the end of the next sail, or think back to the amazing sunrises, starlit skies, rainbows, whales and dolphins and so many other incredible things that the average Travel Channel viewer only dreams of.
It's been a good day aboard Adagio. We saw whales off the port side this morning and the huge red sunrise through the slot between the horizon and the clouds was simply awesome. I simply HAVE to remember to keep the priorities straight and count the amazing blessings of being at sea with good friends and loved ones instead of ever letting the "to-do" list get me worried or stressed.
We don't have any wind to speak of, so we're burning diesel and making the most of it. The water id calm, we have hopes for good winds in a few hours and we are starting to think about landfall in a couple of days.
Yep, if I had to sum it up I'd just have to say "Livin' the dream"
Gary
Adagio