A Documented Boat!

Over four months ago I wrote about the costs and application process for getting our boat documented with the US Coast Guard.  Last week, we finally got our certificate. 

We were getting worried when we hadn't heard anything from the Coast Guard in 4 months.  When I called about 2 or 3 weeks ago, I was told that they've been behind and the turnaround time is about four months.  They said they had received our application and that we should be hearing something shortly.  I don't know if my call prompted anything, but just a couple of days later I received a letter from the Coast Guard.  It said that they needed clarification of the title, and it included a form that they needed us to sign and get notarized. The very next day we had the form signed, notarized and faxed back to the Coast Guard.  We hoped it wouldn't be another four months before hearing anything.  To our surprise, we had our certificate within a week.

I really didn't know what the certificate looked like, and what do ya know ... it looked like a certificate!  I also kind of expected that we'd also receive some sort of sticker or something.  Nope ... just the certificate with instructions to add the document number somewhere visible inside of our boat.  Also, the number had to be added in a way that would result in damage if removed at a later time.  They want this thing permanent!  

When I called to check on the status, I was told that our boat had been previously documented.  They were able to tell by the hull number of the boat.  We were surprised to hear that our boat had been documented before, because we've never found those permanent numbers anywhere in the boat.  I guess the previous owners never got around to it ... or maybe they were drug dealers living on the edge!  That makes for a better story anyway.

Since I knew the boat had been previously documented, I "googled" our document number once we received it to see what I could find.  It turns out that it had been documented under the name of "Synteny".  We knew the boat had been named that at one point from old papers we had found on the boat.  When we bought the boat, she was named "Warwick", and we re-named her "Nirvana", which means eternal bliss ... that's what we're looking for!  I looked up the meaning of "Synteny" and it's some sort of scientific term meaning "two genes that occur on the same chromosome" ... is that like two peas in a pod?!  I doubt it, but I like that better ... Ken and I are the two peas in the boat pod!   I also looked up "Warwick", which made me think of spells and witches ... wait that's "warlock".  "Warwick" actually means a dwelling by the river-dam.  That makes more sense.  I guess I don't have to worry about evil spells after all.

So, if you want to get your boat documented don't wait till the last minute!  It takes a while, but it's not difficult.  Basically, just pay them the money ... isn't that what they really want?

Now to figure out where to put the numbers in the boat.  I don't want it to interfere with my future decor!

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!

The Laughing Buddha!

The Laughing Buddha With Two Thumbs Up!

Ever since our renaming ceremony for Nirvana, I've been wanting to add a decal to our sailboat to complement the name.  "Nirvana" is a Buddhist term meaning eternal bliss, happiness and enlightenment ... achieving happiness without the need for material possessions.  Since I've always loved the Buddhist teachings and have a strong belief that happiness can not be found in material possessions, "Nirvana" seemed to be the perfect name for our sailboat.  After all, once we sell everything and achieve our dream of cruising I think we'll have achieved our own Nirvana!

I don't know if I want a decal on the transom (near the name) or on the side of our sailboat, but I do know that I want something fun!  Something that describes Nirvana's meaning, but with a twist.  I don't have the finished product, but I've got an idea!  I want a laughing Buddha with either a thumbs up or "hang loose" hand symbol, and I want him to be in a tropical setting.  I'd like him to be sitting under a palm tree ... maybe with flip-flops, an umbrella drink and an anchor tattoo (thanks for the suggestions on our Facebook page).  Another great suggestion from the previous owner of Nirvana (formerly Warwick) was having the Buddha blowing wind into our spinnaker ... that would be cool too!

A friend of mine (thanks Jo) sent me the above picture, which is a great start!  When I thought about a laughing Buddha, I had no idea one already existed in Buddhism!  Legend has it that nothing makes the "Laughing Buddha" happier than to see people's problems, worries and sadness transform into happiness.  His inner smile is so strong that it radiates throughout his entire face and he brings happiness wherever he goes.  The "Laughing Buddha" is a symbol of wealth and happiness ... innocent and contended joy!  

Again, this symbolism seems so appropriate for us!  We've already overcome so many obstacles in working towards our cruising dream, so I think this symbol on our boat will be a great reminder of our life's transformation!  We'll be "innocently happy" and wealthy ... not financially but spiritually!

I've been kicking around this idea for over a year now, but I'm not a graphic designer so I haven't put my picture together just yet.  We've got too much going on to put much time into this right now, but I'd like to have it done around our "Bon Voyage" party!  Here are some ideas that I'd like to combine.

The Dalai Lama approves ... is he being finger printed?!

A couple of Facebook friends suggested the Kurt Cobain idea.  Most people that don't know the reason behind our sailboat's name often assume we're big fans of the band.  We do like their songs, but they can't take the credit.  Here's one guy's suggestion ...

I do have a sick sense of humor and have always loved the warped smiley faces.  I've had a t-shirt for years of a smiley face with a safety pin through its head (the 80's), and my motorcycle helmet has a sticker on it of a smiley face with a bullet in its forehead and blood running down ... yeah, I'm sick! 

We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions about Nirvana's decal.  Also, if you know someone who is pretty good at graphic design that would like to help us for a free "plug" on our site ... let us know.  We'd really appreciate the help!

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!

Boat Renaming Ceremony

This past Friday night we finally had our denaming and renaming ceremonies.  After our boat almost slipped off its stands earlier that day we thought it was the perfect evening to have a drink!  I searched the internet for ceremonies, and chose Vigor's Denaming Ceremony (John Vigor is a boat writer and editor) and Commander Bob's Boat Christening Ceremony.  We're not superstitious people, but we figure it's better to be safe than sorry!  We don't want to do anything to upset the gods, and we need all the good luck we can get!  Before the ceremony I went through the entire sailboat to make sure that I removed anything with the old name (Warwick) on it.  The prior name was also removed from the boat and the area sanded well.  Our life ring has the old name on it, so I will sand it off and paint it before it goes back on board. 

We brought two bottles of champagne, as one bottle of champagne is for the boat only and not to be shared.  We gave the best bottle to the gods, as this is not the time to be stingy!  We used our scaffold for Ken to climb on and pour the champagne over the bow.  (With the brand new paint job, he actually poured the champagne on the bow spread).  Once the corks were popped and the champagne poured into glasses, I began reading Vigor's Denaming Ceremony: 

"In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past, and in the name of all who may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the ancient gods of the wind and the sea to favor us with their blessing today.  Mighty Neptune, king of all that moves in or on the waves; and mighty Aeolus, guardian of the winds and all that blows before them:  We offer you our thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past.  We voice our gratitude that she has always found shelter from tempest and storm and enjoyed safe passage to port.  Now, wherefore, we submit this supplication, that the name whereby this vessel has hitherto been known ____, be struck and removed from your records.  Further, we ask that when she is again presented for blessing with another name, she shall be recognized and shall be accorded once again the selfsame privileges she previously enjoyed.  In return for which, we rededicate this vessel to your domain in full knowledge that she shall be subject as always to the immutable laws of the gods of the wind and the sea.  In consequence whereof, and in good faith, we seal this pact with a libation offered according to the hallowed ritual of the sea".                                                        

 

After the denaming ceremony Ken poured half of the bottle of champagne on the bow, and we all raised our glasses to a toast.  After a few drinks of champagne I began Commander Bob's Christening Ceremony:

"For thousands of years, we have gone to sea.  We have crafted vessels to carry us and we have called them by name.  These ships will nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and so we affectionately call them "she".  To them we toast, and ask to celebrate (name of boat)".  Then everybody raises their glasses and shouts "To the sailors of old... to (name of boat).  Everybody takes a sip.

Then follow with: "The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent.  We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on.  The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea."  Again the glasses are raised, and everybody shouts, "To the sea...to the sailors of old...to the sea!"  Another sip.

Then: "Today we come to name this lady (boat name), and send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for the (name of family) family.  We ask the sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea to accept (boat's name) as her name, to help her through her passages, and allow her to return with her crew safely".  Again, raise the glasses and shout, "To the sea...to the sailors before us...to (name of boat)."  A long, last sip.

Ken then poured the last half of the god's champagne onto our sailboat's bow spread and we enjoyed finishing off the rest of our own champagne.  Ken also layed a branch of green leaves (from our friend, Ted's,  place) on the deck to ensure safe returns.  The following morning Ken put on the new name and port.  Our Catalina has her new name, Nirvana!

This past weekend Ken also sanded and painted the areas where the stands had originally been, installed the swim ladder on the stern, re-fiberglassed the interior over the strut bolts (under the fuel tank), and painted our new 3-blade prop.  The prop did not include the castle nut that we ordered along with it, so yesterday we looked all over town for a brass castle nut with no luck.  We're having Catalina Direct ship us the nut and hopefully we'll have it by tomorrow afternoon.  All we need to do now is attach the prop, re-install the fuel tank, lightly sand and repaint the life ring (to remove the old name) and wait for the rain to stop!  We should be back in the water just in time for the 4th of July!  

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!