Category Archives: Eric’s Posts

Eric's Posts, Experiential, Prepping Kandu

On The Hard in Ventura

Kandu’s outsides are getting cleaned up: her 42-foot white and forrest green hull waxed, two coats of red copper bottom paint applied to her 6-foot draft, her reconditioned 3-blade Classic Max Prop installed and painted with zinc, 4 sacrificial zincs replaced, 17 seacocks lubed (replaced as needed), a new speed/depth/temp meter installed, and her 54-foot mast overhauled: 5 new halyards, 8 new sheaves, a new spinnaker crane at the masthead, 2 new jumper stays, corrosion and chafing abatement, a new 4G broadband radar, a new hailing speaker, a new antenna, a new wind speed and direction meter, a new LED tri-color masthead light, 2 new powerful LED spreader lights, a new LED steaming light, a lightning dissipater, and more.  Next week, Kandu goes back in the water.  The electronics installation will hopefully be completed soon and batteries added so we can close up all the interior walls and cubby spaces lifted open and exposed to run the cabling.  The family can start moving on board.

Our stay at the Ventura Marina and Yacht Yard has been pleasant.  Prior to owning the yard, the owner, Sam, studied whales for several decades, getting his Ph.D in the study.  He now owns and operates the boat yard, the adjacent restaurant/piano bar, and fuel dock.  With one of his two colorful Macaw parrot on his shoulder and a cigar between his fingers, it’s not uncommon to hear him offer maintenance solutions for the boat on his way to dealing with a fuel dock issue.  Then spot him seating guests in his elegant seaside dining room/piano bar.

On the Hard 1 On the Hard 3 On the Hard 2 Mast on the Hard

Eric's Posts, Prepping Kandu

Ship’s Flag

1 Comment

Kandu Flag v3

Kandu:  The Genesis of Her Flag

Background:  A ship’s flag seemed a great way to celebrate our future home afloat, an emblem by which to identify her and possibly her crew.  The flag would therefore have to depict meaningful symbolism, telling her story and our journey with her.

Shape:  Traditionally boat flags come in one of two shapes: triangular or swallow tail.  Triangular is more common, especially among yacht clubs, so we chose to go with it.

“K”:  The letter “K” seemed an obvious point from which to begin, representing the boat’s name, Kandu.

Color:  Maritime tradition offers a series of signal flags that represent, among other information, the alphabet.  Letter “K” is a square comprised of two equally sized, vertically positioned rectangles: yellow to the left, blue to the right.  Incorporating the two-color split, we replaced yellow and blue with Kandu’s hull colors: white with forest green trim.

Circle:  The circle represents the globe and our intention to sail around it, during which our sailing vessel, Kandu, will be the center of our world.

Stars:  The stars depict the driving force of our journey—Kandu’s crew, the family: Trent, Bryce, Leslie, and Eric.  The fifth star represents Uncle Bill, and is in outline because, although he will not be aboard the entire trip, after years of preparing Kandu for our voyage, enhancing nearly every inch of her, his influence and spirit will always be felt.

Educational, Eric's Posts, Prepping Kandu

Cruising World Hall of Famers

For more than a score of years I’ve been reading articles and, more recently, books from some of the best known and prolific writers on the subject of blue water cruising.  Two weeks ago, Leslie and I attended four days of seminars at the Pacific Strictly Sailing event in Oakland, California.  Many of the seminars were conducted by several of these English language icons: Jimmy Cornell, John and Amanda Neal, Liza Copland, and Kathy Parsons to name a few.  I was such a groupie, such in awe of these people.  When I told Jimmy Cornell that were this a rock n roll convention, he’d be Paul McCartney (his daughter, Doina Cornell, an author in her own rite, seemed unamused by the comparison).  Leslie and I spent a whole day with John and Amanda Neal as they discussed in precise detail the many facets surrounding successful voyaging in their “Offshore Cruising” seminar, certificate and all.  The following day we listened the whole day intently listening as Jimmy Cornell instructed us on he in’s and out’s of “Long Distance Cruising.”  We met many wonderful people, gathers some great information, and bought a few pieces of hardware including a 65# Mantus Anchor.  I even had the chance to stand beside the America’s Cup Trophy.  The four-day experience was uplifting and invigorating.  We’re so excited about our adventure. Check out the photos:

Jimmy Cornell   John and Amanda Neil  Liza CopelandDoina Cornell  Americas Cup