Day one

Day one has drawn to a successful close. Richard Widmann arrived last night and spent the night aboard with us. A couple of beers later and Friday became early Saturday. Saturday morning was spent doing last minute shopping for propane, fishing gear, random items at West Marine, and lots of bottled water.

We cast off the lines at noon and motored out of Fort Lauderdale into a light southeasterly wind and proceeded to motorsail North to Lake Worth inlet. We passed a number of big storm cells on the way but we only received light sprinkles and some wind into the teens. We all had fun watching the lightning and abundant flying fish.

On the way into Lake Worth inlet we passed a small (yet large) container ship and also saw a family of 4 or 5 manatees. Lots of cheers erupted as the manatees broke the surface.

We set our anchor amongst a few other cruising boats and enjoyed a BBQ dinner. Cold showers for the kids and hot showers for the adults and now time for bed.

Introducing Tangent

On a rainy morning, we denamed "Monashee" and introduced "Tangent" to Neptune and Aeolus. Plenty of champagne was poured over the bows as well as from North to South and East to West. (And we saved a trickle for ourselves.)

Father's Day

Breakfast at the Moonlite Diner followed by us continuing to stow our possessions. Then a big shopping trip at Best Buy for a laptop, camera, DVD player, iPad case, and kindles for the kids. Ouch. Topped it off with dinner at the Aventura Mall and a late night hot tub and swim.

So much stuff

Today was spent unpacking our boxes while the kids played on the trampoline and swung in the hammock. A quick introduction to dinghy driving before Bob and Lynne Foote visited us and then hosted us for dinner.

Home is now a boat

Cabins have been selected and then a Florida summer storm provided a chance for a shower on the poop deck.

Reunited!

Seafood lunch at Tarks and then off to take possession of our new home.

Reunion a few hours away

Drew and Evelyn and various stuffed animals on their way to South Florida to meet their new home. Up since 5:30AM so early to bed tonight.

Bottom inspection

The travel lift at Harbor Towne had been acting up so we went across the channel early on day 2 of the survey and got hauled out at Broward Shipyard.

Survey - day one

Brian Stetler, Richard Widmann, and Scot and Sara Mountain and I spent the day going from stem to stern. Many systems are duplicated on a catamaran so lots more to test and inspect. Nance & Underwood went aloft for a rigging inspection and measurements.

So far, so good. Tomorrow we haul out for a bottom inspection.

We meet at last

The current owners spent 3.5 hours taking me through all the systems. Looking forward to tomorrow's survey and sea trial.

Arrived!

Safe and sound. Found an awesome falafel sandwich in Hollywood thanks to Yelp. Walked around Harbor Towne Marina and spotted Monashee from a distance.

On the way to Florida

Andy flies Saturday. Heidi and kids to follow on Thursday. Good luck Heidi!!

Our stuff

All of our remaining possessions packed into the VW, driven to the UPS store, and prepared for palletized shipment to Just Catamarans in Florida. Tools, books, medicines, snorkel gear, electronics, galley gear, and on and on. Thank you Paul for putting it all together.

Getting ready to ship our things to FL

Must bring djembe!

Learning essential skills

Drew swinging a club for the first time. I'm sure this will come in useful.

"The Jolly Rogers"

Cake we "baked" for the auction at our last Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquet.