So we made the final push and got the boat out of Bend and then moved out of our house. The boat moving went smoothly flying, with the aid of a 200 ton crane. San Diego Boat Movers were great and safely moved our “Beach Flea” 900 miles south to Newport Beach, CA. We’ve been busy adding a bow thruster to help with docking, building new cabinets and doors, making countertops, changing out heads (toilets for you landlubbers), ripping out, designing, and installing many new systems, and getting new mattresses and seats built all around.. I never realized how much electronics would cost, so sorry Abby, you might want to focus on soccer for a college scholarship!

We also purchased a new water car (our dingy, aka the Sand Crab) big enough for hauling all of us around with dive tanks, provisions, and beach gear. Pictures coming soon.

Lisa is now a certified pro at painting and the guys at the yard have 2 questions: 1) What type of coffee does she drink in the morning as she is so happy? and 2) How the hell did I get her to show up at a boat yard and work on the boat? She is the talk of the yard.

I’ve been offered a few jobs already to work on others boats, but happy to say “no” as I have my own (many) projects. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Can’t wait to get out on the water.

Luke and Abby have been helping, too. They just need more breaks than us. Abby wanted her cabin blue, so we changed our original plans and surprised her. Luke just wants memory foam in his bed. So easy. Not sure if it was smart to locate the back up (emergency use only!) VHF right near his bed. Time will tell.

Satchel has been guarding the gear and is content sleeping next to it. He will be a great big brown interactive rug when we begin.