Dois and I have been “evaluating” (debating?) our needs for a safe crossing of the Atlantic to the Carribean in December. In the end, it comes down to our safety equipment which has been steadily marching towards oblivion, one at a time, for the last year or so, culminating in the list that follows. Most items are what we call necessary. Some may be replaced by a better technology or by combining their tasks. Maybe not the life raft... I've never wanted to put one on the boat, seems like you're just asking for trouble.
Number 2. The SSB radio Automatic Tuner (radio shown here) failed last year, possibly by stray lightning in Indonesia. Dois opened it up and saw capacitors were melted. This radio has been our way of receiving weather forecasts and emails from anywhere on the globe as well as conversations from the edge. The radio requires an Auto tuner, its not an option. We tried to get the tuner fixed, but it was a no. A 2nd hand replacement costs +/- $300. Number 3. Our reliable Inreach SE Satellite communicator and tracking device allows us to send and receive texts and sends our tracks to anyone who wants to know where we are including the Coast Guard rescue folks. It has become unreliable and has been failing to take a charge. I can work with it to get the connection to work, but its a sign of failure to come. This particular unit is no longer available but a mini version is offered as a replacement for $400 or less. Number 4. Our AIS device is a vital piece of kit as it displays ships on our chart plotter for collision avoidance. It is also supposed to send our position to those same vessels but you guessed; it does not. New $700? We are still looking for a better price. This one was $400 purchased in 2013 Number 5. Our sails are a bit ragged. I repaired this Genoa sail while in the Suez Canal but I broke the machine in the process. I need to find a sewing machine repair guy as well as procure more sail cloth. Guess-timate cost $200 - $400? Number 6. Our water cooled muffler gave up its water intake "nipple" back in Djibouti, it rusted off. Dois has been the McGyver of Ashika, but his welding putty/fiberglass tape fixes have reached their estimated kluge lifetime and a new one is a must. Estimated cost? Any good guesses out there? We think a welder might be able to do it here for $300 to $400 Number 7. I really appreciate a man who wears out his life jacket. This jacket just plain wore out from use. It no longer holds air and will have to be replaced. Replacement est. $100- $200 Number 8. With the growing lack of safety equipment onboard, we are becoming woefully aware of our lack of a life boat. Est. $1000 (we are actively looking for a 2nd hand raft, unused of course, in the boating communities here in the Mediterranean. There are indeed other boat related repair and maintenance issues as well as a constant need of diesel to further our move in the limited time left on our 90 day visa in Europe. However, our pensions have been enough to maintain our frugal cruising lifestyle and friends and family have been enormously supportive when we got stuck along the way. In trying to imagine a way out, around or beyond the predicament in the Med, we realized we have to cross the Atlantic. We cant just abandon ship, not only do we not want to but it's illegal. Jail is a threat and we could never get on the airplane without proper boat papers of where she's laid up. Our only hope is by putting our heads down and believing we can do this too. We also hope that Turkey does not go to war with Greece any time soon, as they threaten to. We would be way too close for comfort. We also pray that the price of fuel comes down from $9/gallon. Ashika carries 180 gallons, although we rarely put in more than 100 gals in for obvious reasons. We also believe that our breakage will slow down as we give Ashika a little love. Repairing and strengthening Ashika is the way home. Peace$4000 FundRaiser Goal
Thank you so much! We're gettin there!
Dear Friends, Family and Patrons, We are beginning the 6th year of our circumnavigation and after a 2 year Covid19 lockdown in Indonesia and the last year of extreme travel to get to the Mediterranean, we find we could use a little help with updating our slightly worn floating home. As we are planning Atlantic crossing in December 2022, it has become painfully obvious we needed to start a fundraiser to get Ashika a safe for this ambitious journey. We have a goal of $4000 to get her back in shape for this leg into Caribbean waters. In an effort to support your generosity, we will regularly share our plans and progress. If you have been following our travels and want to help, or just want to send a bit of love, any help on our journey ahead would be enormously gratefully appreciated. Thank you, Lauri and Dois Brock Please note the link button will take you to "SEALION MARINE", my paypal account for business that used to be stateside. If you got that far, another enormous THANK YOU!
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