Things are cooking in our kitchen.

We found O2 to be in mint condition thanks to our boat buddies, Marc and Serena. They have kept a vigilant eye on her, preventing her mooring lines from chafing during her relentless dance on the water. Apparently, rather out of proportion swells kept entering the Marina during Baja California’s winter months. At times, it had felt as if the entire pontoon itself was undulating like a wave, to the point that one of our heavy-duty mooring line shock absorbers failed to absorb: the spring ruptured in 4 different places. Replacement is on its way. O2 has had enough and is eager to set sail already. So, the ultimate puddle jump preparations are in full swing now. 

To start, there’s the crucial concern about the veggies. Drawing wisdom from seasoned sailors of the South Seas, we know that’s what will be lacking the most: carrots & things. Not just during the 3000 mile-passage but also after dropping anchor in Nuku Hiva. That’s why we are filling our bilges with canned tomatoes and why an entire freezer shelf has been dedicated to neatly vacuum-packed, grilled bell peppers and parboiled green beans.

While I’m taking on the role of chef in the kitchen (behind! corner!), the true Chief is gearing up O2 for her most demanding voyage yet. Custom-made connections, hammered and bolted on both ends, fortify the steering pole, seriously reducing the already well known and infamous risk of wear and tear during the upcoming 3000 nautical mile-passage. Line jammers and extra blocks have been strategically added and rearranged for the halyard, reef lines and sheets (=the different lines that handle the different sails and sail positions) simplifying their deployment directly from the cockpit. A new halyard (= line handling the main sail) has been introduced for our new Code Zero sail. The logic behind all of this is to control the sails from a comfortable position and to be able to keep moving towards our goal, regardless of the wind direction. We expect a lot of broad reach to downwind sailing , which the Code Zero is made for. Moreover, unlike our asymmetric Spinnaker and our Parasailor – aka the Jurassic Butterfly – the Code Zero sail can be readily furled and unfurled as needed. No need to fight it back into its cocoon when squalls come blasting out of nowhere all of a sudden. Which they will.