SS Pacifica

by Coleinger, Ronnie

  When Becky turned around with a plate of toast, she said, “A penny for your thoughts?” I smiled and said, “Actually, I was day dreaming of you swimming in the sea that you so love.” She giggled, but said nothing; she simply sat down at the table and began eating her breakfast.

  An hour later, we were standing on the deck of the Pacifica-Two, rolling up the dinghy so we could store it in the cabin. As Becky climbed down the ladder to the cabin, she asked, “If you pass up the sails, I will begin hanging them.” As I handed her the sails and tackle, I heard Becky softly singing. When I stepped up beside her to lift the telescoping masts into place, I felt the cool westerly breeze begin to blow into our faces. I told Becky that it felt like stormy weather brewing. Becky said, “The weather maps show a heavy rain front heading our way. We will have plenty of time to move out into deeper water and test this vessel. We can submerge and run under the surface if necessary, that will give us some firsthand experience with the new control systems. We can even set her down on the bottom and spend the night if we wish. That way we can see if we have everything aboard for housekeeping. The time will also allow us to make an accurate food list for our final trip to the super market.”

  Once the sails were rigged, we raised the anchors and set the sails. As the wind filled the sails, we slowly turned towards the northwest using the rudder. Once we appeared to be on course, Becky headed to the cabin for her handheld GPS. When she returned she located some of her save waypoints and said, “Stanley, we need to do a port tack to correct our heading. We should be able to see the first lighthouse in about an hour.”

  As we sailed, the sky to our west got darker as the cold front moved toward us. I kept watching the coast on the starboard side of the vessel, and spotted a lighthouse; at least I thought I had spotted one. Becky looked to where I pointed and said, “Yes, that is it.” She watched the light a few moments and said, “That lighthouse is northeast of us and is called Point Arena. In the clear air, it looks close, but it is actually twenty miles to our northeast. When the lighthouse is at the seventy-degree mark on our compass dials, we should be directly over the sandbar. If not we will have to travel due east or west to locate it, however, I believe our course is true and we will find the sandbar in another ten miles or so.”

  I continued to watch the coast and my compass. When the lighthouse appeared to be about in the right position, I walked over to the edge of the deck and looked down into the water. Sure enough, I could now see the bottom. I could see large rocks and other debris down there, but the sand cleared as we moved north. Becky was looking at her GPS and said, “We have arrived.” We quickly lowered the sails and securely tied them to the mast. I went down into the cabin and retrieved the fathom rope we had created. We had tied knots in the rope every six feet to indicate fathoms. On one end, we had secured a one-pound lead weight. I fastened one end to the ladder and threw the lead weight into the sea. When the weight settled onto the sand bar, I put my hand near the water and began pulling up the rope, counting knots as I raised the rope. When the weight cleared the surface of the water, I did the math in my head and said, “We are setting in water about one hundred and ten feet of water.” Becky helped me return the rope to the cabinet in the cabin and then put the coffee pot on the camp stove to perk.

  I went back up and dropped the bow anchor. The Pacifica-Two slowly swung around so the anchor chain was tight; the anchor held fast in the sand. Becky came up on deck in her white two-piece bathing suit. I whistled at her and made her blush. She was beautiful and always looked incredible in white. I watched her climb down onto the swim platform and look down into the water below us. Then she laid face down so her head was over the edge and put on a swim mask. She could now see everything below us. I saw her jump up and quickly climb the stairs up to the deck, and then head down into the cabin. She was only gone a couple of minutes until she returned with a short heavy fishing pole and a small tackle box. She tied a swivel and short line to a heavy sinker, and then tied a hook to another short line to the swivel. Then I watched her slide a bacon flavored artificial worm on the hook and drop it overboard. I knew that she had seen fish below us or she would not have been in such a hurry to get the pole rigged and baited.

  Becky sat down on the swim platform and patiently jigged the pole, trying to entice the fish below us into biting her bait. She had only fished for five or so minutes until I heard the drag on the reel begin to chatter. Becky quickly stood up and began to fight the heavy fish. I grabbed my towel and climbed down onto the platform to help her land her catch. Ten minutes later, Becky was yelling at the fish to give it up, she was having him for supper. The fish did not hear her words and continued fighting. Finally, she began to gain ground and found she could turn the handle on the reel. As she wound line onto the reel, we finally were able to see the fish. We both hoped we could get the fish onto the swim platform before a shark or other predator fish stole our supper. When the fish got close to the surface, Becky quickly slid it up where I could get my hands on its tail. With the towel wrapped around the slippery fish, I managed to get a good grip. When the fish started to flog around, Becky threw her towel over it and sat down on it. The fish was about thirty inches long and was very fat. I quickly carried the fish up onto the deck where no blood would run into the water.

  Becky went down into the cabin and returned with two pails and her fillet knife. She made quick work of filleting the firm flesh. As she cut the strips of meat, I placed them into one of the pails. When she had all the meat off the carcass as she could get, we cut the remaining fish carcass in two and placed the parts into the second five-gallon pail. We would dispose of the carcass when we were ready to leave this area. Until then, we would attempt to keep everything that would attract a predator out of the water. The sharks normally remained off the warm water sandbars, they preferred colder water, but if they tasted blood, their predator instincts would quickly take over. Becky’s Father had lost a leg to a shark, so she was extremely careful and respected the shark’s ability to make a meal of a careless human.

  It was getting late, so I began bringing up the camp stove and equipment needed to cook supper. The rain clouds were getting closer and we figured we only had a couple more hours before the rain would ruin our outdoor party. By then, it would be dark anyway, so we would take the party down into the cabin for the night. We had rainwater jugs that needed filling, so we would have plenty to do. Tomorrow, if the sun came out, I would bring up the solar panel and try charging the batteries. The solar panel system had not been tested as of yet, since there was very little sunshine inside the boathouse.

  As we ate our fish supper, we discussed if we wanted to take Susanne and Charlie on a short adventure. I said, “We kind of promised Charlie we would. Maybe we need to discuss this with Susanne and see when she could get some time.” Becky nodded and headed to the cabin. When she returned she sat back down in the deck chair and called her niece. I heard Becky telling Susanne where we were and some information about the Pacifica-Two and then heard her ask if Charlie still wanted to sail with us. The two women talked for a few minutes and then Becky hung up. She put her phone in the case on her belt and said, “Charlie is visiting his father for the remainder of the summer. Susanne said that the courts awarded Charlie’s Father another three months of each year to have his son. Susanne is devastated, but understands that Charlie’s Father loves the boy just as much as she does and he has every right to see him as much as possible.”

  Becky turned to me and started to speak. I heard her choke on her first word and then she tried again to tell me something. She finally stood up and went down to the swim platform for a few minutes to calm her emotions. I decided to leave her be. She would talk to me when she could manage to speak the words. Right now, she needed alone time.

  As I cleared the deck for the night, I felt the first drop of rain hit my arm. I looked out into the evening sky and saw a tiny flash of lightning. I hoped the lightning would pass us by. I wanted to remain on the surface f
or the night, if possible, and collect rainwater. As the rain started falling harder, Becky joined me on the deck and wrapped her arms around my neck. She kissed me and said, “Sorry about the tears. This whole situation with Susanne and her family disturbs me. I cannot image how Charlie feels as he copes with two feuding parents.” I pulled Becky into my arms and held her. Then I said, “I am sorry your family is struggling. I have been in that situation and it is not fun. Fortunately, I maintained a good healthy relationship with my daughter. I hope Charlie is so fortunate. Maybe, just maybe, his father is wise enough to speak honestly with his son and explain that he does not hate Charlie’s Mother, that they just simply cannot live together.”

  Now, the rain began to come down hard. We scurried down into the cabin and closed the hatch doors. We opened the small hatch and began collecting rainwater. The new water collection system worked great. Within a few minutes, we filled three, five-gallon containers with water. We would continue collecting water until all fourteen 5-gallon containers were full. As we moved the containers into the cabinets and secured them with nylon straps, we heard the first clap of thunder. Becky walked to the stern and turned on the marine radio. She did not find any storm warning in the area, but she did discover that the weathermen predicted heavy rains for the coast of California in the next twenty-four hours. Becky laughed and said, “I have said it before, the best time to do a shakedown is in foul weather.”

  We made hot chocolate on the camp stove. We had to use powered milk mixed with rainwater, but you cannot ruin Hershey’s cocoa. The hot chocolate turned out great. I climbed up into the bow hatch and looked out the viewing windows. The storm was rapidly approaching us, but the lightning did not seem to be a problem. The vessel was gently rolling in the rough seas and Becky suggested that we add some more ballast water to lower the Pacifica-Two down in the water. That should keep the vessel from rolling around in the rough seas. By this time, we had filled and stowed away all the water jugs. We knew that Becky and I combined, needed around two gallons of drinking water each day. Now that we had ample water for the next month, we crawled into bed and giggled until we fell asleep.

  When I woke, the sun was shining in the hatch viewing windows. I got up and looked outdoors. The rain had passed and the skies were clearing. I chuckled over the weatherman’s predictions of a twenty-four hour rain, but I was glad to see it pass. I opened the hatch and climbed out onto the deck. The air was warm and smelled of fresh rain. The rain had washed all the dust off the Pacifica-Two and her metallic paint job glistened in the sunlight. I heard a noise behind me and realized Becky was joining me on deck. As we stood looking out over the Pacific Ocean, we both felt the magic of the sea deep down in our souls.

  Becky said, “Let’s set the sails and head north for a few hours. We have never ventured any farther north than this. We could cruise the coast and see the sights.” I headed down into the cabin to pass up the sails and rigging. Within minutes, the sails were set, the anchor was stowed and we were sailing the high seas in search of a new adventure. We had no real deadlines or schedules to keep. Charlie and Susanne would not be joining us, so we could leave on our trip to New York whenever we were ready. Today, we enjoy our new home on the sea. Tomorrow, we would stock the vessel with the last of the groceries. By midweek, we planned to set sail towards the Panama Canal.

  Chapter 28 – We Set Sail to Panama

  When we anchored the Pacifica-Two on the sandbar a few hundred yards from the boathouse, we left the sails in place and just tied them securely to the masts. Then we used the dinghy to go ashore. The sea was calm and this time we did not get wet; well a little wet. Becky could not refrain from splashing water on me while we paddled. She sees some humor in getting me wet.

  After we carried the dinghy into the boathouse and stood it up against a wall to dry, we headed towards the house. We were both excited to be home for a day or two before we headed out on our adventure to New York. We planned to make a store run for fresh fruit, vegetable and some other nonfood items we had missed. That is what the shakedown run was for, to make certain we had not missed anything important. One thing we had skimped on was small flashlights and batteries. We wanted to find some of the lights that have headbands attached. Wearing the lights on our heads would free up our hands and allow us to aim the lights were light was really needed.

  Becky and I got to laughing as we loaded the vehicle with the groceries and supplies we purchased. I told Becky that if we kept this up, the Pacifica-Two would sink before we made it out into deep water. Becky turned to me and said, “Not to worry, Stanley. When I increased the physical interior size of the vessel, that change increased the buoyancy factor. We should be able to carry whatever we desire. The only thing that drastically changes by adding weight is the depth the vessel runs in the water. However, we can counter some of that reaction by pushing water out of the ballast tanks and replacing it with air.”

  I looked her in the eyes. I saw my stare begin to work on her emotions. She began to giggle again, and then said, “You spoke an incorrect statement, stating that my creation might sink. I had to state the facts and educate you.” Before she could get angry, I kissed her hard on the lips and said, “Yes, Captain.” She doubled up her fist, but quickly released it. She looked at me and said, “I am not certain if I do or don’t want my bare butt spanked. I will refrain from punching you until I have worked that out in my mind.” Now it was my turn to giggle like a two year old.

  When we got to the boathouse, the wind was calm. We decided to take advantage of the gentle waves washing ashore and take our purchases out to the Pacifica-Two. We loaded Becky’s small boat, placing the weight in the center between the seats. As we rowed out to the vessel, Becky said, “This would be a wonderful day to be sailing. I love sailing in calm seas.” When we got to the vessel, we tied the stern of the small rowboat to the swim platform of the Pacifica-Two. Becky climbed up onto the platform and I began passing the cloth shopping bags we had purchased at the grocery store up to her. Within a few minutes, we had all our purchases on the Pacifica-Two and began carrying them down into the cabin. Once we had completed our task, we locked up the hatch doors and returned to the boathouse.

  Becky asked to see the list we had created. I located it in my day planner and handed it to her. She read the list carefully and said, “I would like to sail in this calm weather. Would you be willing to begin our trip today?” I thought a moment and said, “I have a few electrical things that I need to retrieve from my luggage that is stored in my bedroom. Once I have gathered them up, I could be ready in about twenty minutes.” Becky looked at me and said, “With the calm weather and the full moon tonight, we could take turns with the watch and begin our adventure.” I leaned down and kissed her hard on the lips. She laughed and said, “Then let’s get underway, you are holding up your captain.”

  I headed for the house to gather what I needed. Once I found the items from my luggage that I wanted, I grabbed a stack of bananas off the counter, knowing they would be rather wrinkled and nasty after sitting on the counter for nine months or more. When I got to the boathouse, I realized that Becky had the dinghy in the water and was waiting for me. I set the security alarm for the boathouse and headed to the water’s edge to join her.

  As we paddled out to the Pacifica-Two, Becky kept looking at me. I finally asked her what was up. She smiled and said, “Mother Nature has released her monthly hold on me and I am now able to swim in the ocean.” I said, “I am glad to hear those words.” Becky giggled and said, “I am not so certain you still love me. You may have to prove your love tonight if the sea remains calm.”

  As the dinghy bumped up against the port side ladder, Becky quickly climbed aboard and dropped the rope down to me with one of the cloth bags attached. Once I filled it, Becky pulled it up onto the deck. I hooked the rope to the dinghy and climbed the ladder. Once everything was properly stowed, we untied the sails and set them. While Becky worked with the sails and rudders, I raised the bow anchor, pinned it
securely with a hitch pin, and then inserted a hairpin with a wire retainer, so the pin could not slide out of place.

  When I returned to where Becky was working, she was turning the vessel with the rudder so we could head southwest. She looked at me and said, “I have drawn lines on the map in the cabin where I intend to sail. If there is anything along the way that you wish to visit, write notes on the notepad beside the map. I am game to visit as many places as we want. The only schedule we have is to enter the Long Island Sound when the shores are not frozen over.” I said, “There is a marina that I have used once before and their harbor will remain open year round. I have the information and a VHF radio frequency to contact them so we can moor in their harbor. New York is a beautiful place to visit and you will thoroughly enjoy your time there.” Becky asked, “Exactly, where did you live.” I explained that I lived a few blocks from Central Park. Becky said, “I think you told me that once before, now that I think back,” Becky commented.

  The sun was now beginning to set. Both Becky and I made certain our GPS units had fresh batteries and began getting the vessel ready to sail through the night. The sunset was beautiful, but the sky quickly turned dark. I had not sailed in the dark in many months and those old claustrophobic feelings crept up on me. I went down into the cabin and found one of the headlights I had purchased and made certain it worked. Once I got the straps properly adjusted, the light fit nicely on my head. Having the light with me seemed to calm my mind. I stood on the bow and felt the Pacifica-Two as she followed the small rolling sea waves. Becky walked up to me and put her fingers in my back pockets as she stood looking out ahead of us. The moon was rising and reflecting off the calm water out ahead of us. Becky said, “The air is cold tonight. I may need a jacket.” I pulled her close to me, trying to warm her a little. She said, “I am going to pitch the new tent and tie it to the hooks in the deck. Can we sleep in the tent and take turns at watch. The weather is gorgeous and I want to enjoy it while we can. Once we get down closer to the equator, the humidity, heat and insects will drive us into the cabin to stay cool.” I looked at Becky and said, “Where did we put those screens we built to cover the hatches. I hate bugs in the cabin.” Becky giggled and said, “They are stored in the compartment under your bed. Just lift your mattress and you will find them with the bed sheets. The blankets are stored under my mattress if you need them.” I went down into the cabin and located the screens. I put one under each hatch ladder, knowing I would want them in the near future.