Make sure you see all our photos posted under extras!

After an exhausting day of finishing touches, scorching sun and general frustration, Lady Puchica pulled away from the dock for a sunset cruze. Due to gail strengh winds, 7-10 ft seas and 6 passengers the sail was wasn’t raised.

The seas were not a problem for Puchica’s sturdy hull, but she did break her motor mount. All thats left to complete the Lady Puchica is repairing the motor mount and installing the deck!

Weather is not looking great for the next couple of days. Not great for extended journeys, but perfect for break testing. (NOAA Weather Chart - 24 hours)

Last night, it was made official, we christening our fair lady-Lady Puchica. Many of our good friends were made it out to the La Ceiba Shipyard for a little party. It was great to see all those who have helped us make Lady Puchica sail. We’ll have her in the water today for those who want real proof that she floats. The effect of the party is making us a bit slow this morning. Joe and Michelle-please follow la hora hondurena…see you soon! 

For those who have not spent extended time in Honduras, Puchica is a common Honduran phrase used in place of saying worse words. So some examples…

Puchica! It is raining!

Puchica! The mast broke!

Puchica! The boat has a leak!

Puchica! I just nailed my finger with a hammer again!

Puchica! The Shipyard crane is blocking my internet connection!

Puchica! Puchica! Puchica!!

We’re launching the boat today and plan to set sail to distant places very soon. On this account, we are having a christening party this evening at 5pm at the Ceiba shipyard. Bring your friends, your good luck and your lifejacket -if the weather holds we’ll go for a sunset cruise. Everyone is welcome whether you helped or not, but you’re especially welcome if you sport an eye patch, fake mustache and boat drinks.

The boat currently looks like this (900 hrs, Tuesday):

The gallion shown above, formerly known as Princess Anna, will henceforth be known as Lady Puchica. It’s official. Please update your address book. Fueled by the wildly successful test run on Friday, we worked all weekend on suping up our ride. We built a new stronger mast for mad wind, longer bowsprit for speed, moved the motor forward to plane faster, hatches on the outrigger, windows in the main cabin, ground effects, sex lights, etc.
More photos of Friday’s first test with the sail:

check out Photos-3 for more hot pics.

The boat-building is still going well, but slow as mashed beans. We’re doing our first sail-test tomorrow in the early-morning calm. It gets crazy windy here in the afternoon. That means we’re still in Ceiba and unfortunately haven’t yet had the opportunity to taste Guatemalan prisons. But, I do have ringworm, yaaaaargh!

The harbour water is said to be dirty. Probably because people like us always end up swimming in it.

We’re messing around on the docks waiting for Atruro to return so the four of us can take the boat out and test it in the waves. The wind is raging. It’s too big to test our sail for the first time, but motoring in the waves should be exciting. If all goes well, we’ll head out tomorrow mornng’s early glassy water, hoist the sail and wait for wind. If all doesn’t go well, we’ll be fabricating the rest of our blogs.

Yesterday we prepared everything to go sailing this morning. David finished a new rudder, I rigged the sail, Anna mounted the Bow Spurt.. all that´s missing is the water.

¡VAMOS!

It is late in the afternoon, later then desired as always, and we are preparing our vessel for the water. We have given up testing the sail today and settled on a motor and water test in the harbour.

Gathered at the La Ceiba Shipyards with us are several friends whos opinions of us vary from ‘crazy fools’ to ‘insperational’. Among the ranks are our constant supporters Joe and Michelle Haller, fountain of advice Tony Stone and friends Ricardo Flores and Carlos Martinez.

At the launch ramp, a few hundred meters from our work area, I am preparing the outrigger (ama and yakas) for the launch. Watching with a mixture of interest, disbelief and scorn are a group of fisherman from the other boats in the area. Their opinions that are mostly shared amongst their group in Gariffuna, but frequently peak to questions about the exact purpose of mission or the origins of our design. I can only imagin that they vaguely recognize the main hull as the type of cayuco they sailed at their home villages, and the ama as the small fishing vessel they use for lobster fishing.

With all the lashing in place, Arturo slowly backs the traller with the main hull into the water as we support the attached yakas and ama. When the boat starts to float, Dave and I climb abord. Anna ops to let us take it out first this time. Her first experience has left her with a little more caution.

The boat moves easily away from the ramp with paddles, but I am eger to try our newly repaired and mounted motor. After a few more pulls then I apprechiated, and a few jeers from the shore, it starts!

After picking up Anna, Joe and Michelle at the dock, we have a highly successful cruze around the harbour, venturing as far as the edge of the breakwater. Due to the number of passengers and the stinging rain, we decided against exiting into the waves at this point.

While we only ran the motor at low speed due to it’s recent overhaul, it performed very well. We may need to get a larger propeller, but we will do some more testing first. Stay tuned for photos of the journey!

Leaving a sad crew and a hungover afternoon in her wake Hope has returned to Chicago. Her diversions from boat-building and jive-talk will be missed by all. Ok, most.