Stormy Weather

We experienced our first stormy weather aboard.  We woke up to this on Monday:  (turn volume up)

The above recording doesn't really give the actual experience justice.  The wind pushing the boat to one side with each gust.  The constant clanging of loose ties and rigging around the port.  Rain hitting the top of the cabin and making different sounds in different areas.

I enjoyed it.

The boat was dry and we were warm and cozy. 

I did take this brief storm as a hint that it is time to order the rain cover for the stroller.  It may be time to find K some rain boots as well.

Ma'alahi Tour - Cockpit -

One of the most invaluable features of our boat is its walk through stern.  We moor stern-in which allows us to load and unload the dog, kids, stroller, and groceries without having to climb up on deck and then step down into the cockpit.  

Swim step is un installed while at dock and stored to starboard.

Buddy, our yellow labrador retriever, lives in the cockpit.  He will not go down the companionway and we are OK with that (think of all the hair I don't have to clean up!).

Steering wheel is stored to starboard when not in use.

The cockpit is rather large and can easily seat six to eight people (four people can comfortably dine using the folding table).  Weather permitting, we prefer to eat dinner here (since we don't have a table in the galley).  The cockpit is set up to be fully enclosed, with canvas, so it can get pretty warm even on a mild/cloudy day. 

Seat Cushions are Bottom Siders - Buddy's bed is under folding table.

An additional feature that Catalina MKII's (and other models) have is the raised stern seats pictured to the port and starboard.  We have enjoyed these while at anchor when the kids are asleep and I imagine we would really enjoy using them while underway ... if we didn't have to constantly worry and watch the kids. 

Photo of the Week - Boat Cake

I had to laugh when I pulled this out of the oven - no explanation necessary.

Side note:  our boat is not listing and we have a gimballed stove.

Turn Island.

I was really hoping to make a weekend trip to Victoria, BC this weekend.  Unfortunately, the weather report was forecasting 20-35 knot winds in the Straight of Juan de Fuca for Sunday (when we would be making the trip back).  T was the responsible one and called off the trip.  (The forecast turned out to be accurate and I would NOT have wanted to be out with the kids in that kind of wind!) 

Instead of sitting at the dock all weekend, Ma'alahi made a very quick and easy trip to Turn Island (County Park).  We untied from the dock in Friday Harbor at 5:50PM and were at an anchor buoy by 6:20PM.  We got the kids to bed by 7:15 and were able to enjoy dinner and drinks in the cockpit while it got dark. 

The sky was very clear and we were able to see a ton of stars and constellations. 

Ma'alahi on the San Juan County Anchor Buoy - $10/night - check out time is 1:00PM

 On Saturday morning we dinghied the kids to the island and walked around for a while and enjoyed the beach despite a distinct fall chill that is becoming the norm. 

(K-making water safety adorable)

 (M- snoozing in his life jacket)

Ma'alahi was back in her berth by 3:30PM with ample time to clean and enjoy the remainder of our weekend in town.

Photo of the Week - Reflections -

Photo of the Week - Bedtime Ritual -

K has her Daddy wrapped around her finger.  Those two are so cute together!  K is just at the age where she gets a total kick out of (and thrives) on patterns and routines.  Every night, before K gets her bedtime bottle, T will lift her up and let her try to hang from the handles that are installed on the ceiling in our "living room".  She will hold on for a couple seconds and then let go and fall to T's arms and laugh hysterically. 

Crab Louie

I made an genuine effort to ketch a Dungeness crab this last week (I released a lot of legal red rock crabs).  I was able to get one legal Dungeness and a larger sized red rock crab (I didn't want to bother with cooking just one crab).

T cleaned the crab and I cooked them in the pressure cooker (in the galley) for 5 minutes on the low setting.  Once the crab was done cooking, I carefully carried the pressure cooker to the stern of the boat and released the pressure (steam) outside the cabin.  I was pleased with the complete absence of crab smell inside the boat! 

T asked for Crab Louie... here is my simplified version:

Crab Louie:

• Iceberg Lettuce
• Avocado
• Hard Boiled Egg
• Cooked Crab (meat picked)
• Tomato
• 1000 Island Dressing

When I shelled the crab, I separated the Dungeness and Red Rock meat so that T and I could see if we had a preference.  Both of us agreed that we liked the taste of the Red Rock slightly better... however, it was still full of shell (despite my best effort).  The Dungeness was much easier to pick and the shell of the crab was easier to crack.  For practical purposes, I prefer the Dungeness.   

Totally worth the effort this time.  Yum. 

Bathing & Showering Routines

Do we shower/bath aboard Ma'alahi?  

T and I have not showered aboard the boat YET.  T goes to the local gym every morning and showers after he exercises.  I take a 9 minute shower every other day at the port building ($1.50 for five minutes and an additional $.25/minute).  

When we were searching for the right boat, one of the things we were hoping to get was a shower area separate from the main head.  Ma'alahi does not have this feature.  

I, thus far, have preferred to go up to the port building because I can get some time away from the kids and I do not have to worry about the electricity consumption of my hairdryer.  

To stay "fresh" between showers, we have used baby wipes (good for just about everything) and I have tried dry shampoo (which is surprisingly refreshing).  We have a solar shower as well but have not used it.  

We are not necessarily adverse to showering aboard, we have just had convenient enough access to other bathing options.  We try to keep the interior of the boat as dry and de-humidified as possible.  

The kids are easy to keep clean.  K and M get their baths every other day in an infant/toddler bath tub that I usually use in the stern of the boat (the weather has been really nice) or the guest head (so splashed water can drain).   The bath tub has a reclined chair on one side (for M until he can sit up unsupported) and an upright chair on the other side (for K).  When not being used, we store the tub in the guest head (which we do not use).