History

We saw a bit of history Monday morning when the schooner "Friends Good Will" arrived at the shipyard and was hauled out for some quick service. After a little investigating we learned that this schooner was built in 1811, captured by British and recaptured by the U.S.. It is the schooner referred to by Commodore Perry (War of 1812, Battle of Lake Erie) in his now famous dispatch, "We have met the enemy and they are ours: Two Ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop." That sloop was Friends Good Will. Read more about her at: http://www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org/friendsgoodwill/. Very cool.

Departure prep is slowly progressing. We placed our order for all the additional safety gear we are required to carry to participate in the Caribbean 1500. We will get most items Friday but we have to wait 10-14 days to get the Revere Offshore Elite 6-person life raft.

We now have almost all charts (paper and electronic) on board for all aspects of the entire trip including charts if we possible need to deviate from the planned route for some emergency or other compelling reason.

Dodger windshield had blown out zippers and those are being repaired as I write this. Hope to pick up and get it back on today or tomorrow - before it starts raining again.

Far Niente's galley continues to set a gold standard for meals aboard. Hats of to my wife the sailing gourmet!