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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.

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.

So it has been a constant theme of our work on this boat to say ¨the day after tommorrow we will be sailing.¨  It began with ¨in two days from today¨ fading down to one and today we hope that our words come true.  Dave and Jeremy are out at the Shipyard putting the finally touchs on.  I just picked up a heavy 2 x 6 and carried down the street to the mall, where I am waiting for a cell phone shop to open (the first one didn´t survive the first test in the water).  We will then call all our anxiously awaiting friends to come out and see how she does.  Our friends, Joe and Michelle, will be watching out for us this afternoon from boats, planes, and helicopters.  By the way, can someone pick up a couple lifejackets?? 

Soy Zenia, la persona que estoy asesorando a estos jovenes para que sea un mejor resultado y el trabajo sea todo un exito, espero que su aventura sea de lo mejor.

I´m Zenia, the person advising these kids so that their boat is the best and all the work is a success.  I hope that their adventure is the best!

Jeremy’s 29th birthday did not leave breaking from our ‘the day after next we can get the boat in the water’ goal.  We spent the day glassing the sides of the boat.  As most things involved in constructed a boat, I had no idea how much fiberglass work would have to be done.  It is sticky and leaves you feeling like glass is stuck everywhere in your body. We are lucky to be in the fiberglass shop with a woman, Zenia, who is quite good, helping us along and making sure we have a pretty boat.  It is a fun place in the La Ceiba hood with whole extended family running around. 

So we ran out of there to meet with some good friends for a birthday dinner.  While waiting for the food to show up, the conversation naturally turned to the boat.  It took a dirty turn tonight though.  Some things were said and decided that make me question the trip with the Crane brothers.  It had been predetermined from previous debates with our friends Tony and Hope that I would be the best one to eat if we found ourselves in a desperate situation.  Apparently, Jeremy and Dave are just too skinny and any meat they have would just be too tough.  I was chosen the one with the most meat and the best meat as a mostly healthy vegetarian eater. The decision was made official by our friend David, who made us draw straws.  I drew the short one…