DELAYS HAPPEN FOR A REASON..…

Ted and I have been cruising the coasts of Nova Scotia for over twenty years…on the same boat. Xcelsior handles very well; she’s forgiving and loves the open waters. Three years ago, we were to have headed south…but Mother Nature turned against us. Hurricane Juan, hit Nova Scotia and damaged the marina system at Dartmouth Yacht Club. The morning of Sept 29,2003 Ted and I ventured the quiet streets of Dartmouth, power lines down everywhere. We didn’t speak to much, as we both feared the worst. One had to question, if it were safe driving these roads? I can not describe the eerie quiet…not a bird or a cricket made a sound…I don’t believe anyone, of the few people down the marina, were even breathing. As we tried to shine as much light, as our flashlights would put out, on those like Ted brave enough to try and find their pride and joys, as they climb over the rubble of boats. All I could feel is the loss of our life long dreams vanish before us. Not having any control on the situation. There were a few sinking boats and broken marina in the water, sat amongst the floating debris. While others up on shore, sitting if not on their sides or keels…on top of each other in a giant heap. It was like a chain reaction, once one of the heavier powerboats gave way, it all gave away. There was only one trunk that held up and that was the trunk that Xcelsior was tied to. She sat where we left her the night before. However, one of the other trunks got caught up underneath her. We weren’t sure if it damaged the shaft or not. The cleat on the finger in the middle of the starboard side (right), rubbed almost through the under water hull. This was caused by the boat oscillating back and forth during the storm surge and wind.

It didn’t take long for every available member to chip in and help clear the mess up. Those boats that could be were towed out to safer waters and rafted up to a couple of others. The trunks that could be savaged, were trucked out to property in the industrial park area (owned by one of the members of the club). Then boats that could be safely taken off the shore line and the break water (rock) were then towed to the mooring field for mooring or travel lift camber to be hauled out, which ever was the best solution.

Before long boats were ashore and safely placed in their cradles, to survey the damage and to expedite repairs. Through the fall and into late summer various companies hauled boats away, for repairs. Xcelsior was amongst them, she was trucked out in May and returned mid August. Therefore, another year delayed our departure. Delays happen for a reason, November 4th Ted had a heart attack and in February had a stent repair his artery. Giving us more time to prepare the boat and research our trip. The following year we planned to depart April 5th…the new engine we installed vibrated so bad…thought the vibration might stop once it hit 100 hours of running…break in time. April 5th came and the engine was lifted out of the boat. One year later and we are still living here in Dartmouth. Last week of March first week of April 2006 which ever gives us the best 10 day window will be our departure date…we are now ready.

More Mod's and Seasons Greatings

More Xcelsior Mod’s:

We are now working on building and installing an upper deck propane locker for forward of the mast. This will provide a nice place to sit when at anchor and enjoying a nice full bodied glass of Cabernet and Crimson and Gold sunsets. This box is partly finished on the spare room table very near completion, the cat seems to like to hide and sleep in it and then observe what is happening outside the window from this vantage point.

Over the years we have observed a number of long distance cruisers who have stored spare fuel and water in jerry cans lashed to the safety lines on the upper deck. I never liked this practice as so many boats have been surprised to find every thing they stowed on the upper deck, missing due to sea state conditions at sea or pirates when in anchorages. I hope to make two large covers that bolt to the deck and properly secure our valuables and make it as difficult as possible to lose from either of these problems.

Our next project, we hope, is going to be refrigeration.
I have made the decision,
Refrigeration and that is my final answer. There is no way we will be down south with out ice cubes for our rum.” No way, never, naah, naaahhhaaa”
There is still the possibility we would keep our fresh food, fresh fish, milk, margarine, and the like, in the icebox. There are life support items we will not go with out. Sunsets must be toasted whether you see them or not, they still occur close to the western horizon every evening.

We will throw in a few pictures here to show what is happening.

We also want to pass on to you all, our very best wishes this Holiday Season and the Absolute Greatest NEW YEAR

Topaz the sleeping crew member.....

Topaz the sleeping crew member.....

About five years ago, Topaz our chubby tabby cat, was introduced to the sailing life. Two seconds within coming on board, she flashes forward to the V berth and manages to squeeze her body down the anchor chain hole. I swear this hole isn’t one inch wide. Meow….Meow comes out from under the fresh water tank. No room to turn around, she’s unable to get out of the prediciment she found herself in.

Basically I said to Ted “we have got to get her out of there….I don’t care if we have to cut the bow in half”. We drain the fresh water tank, so Ted can unbolt it and budge the tank in order for her to move out from under it. Through all the noise she continues Meow….I literally thought I killed her. It wasn’t long now before the PURR comes back.

Didn’t take long though for her to get cozy and comfortable on the way to Bras D’or Lakes, tucked up under the dodger. Entertainment continues as she hops from boat to boat….We found ourselves having to get her a strobe light so we’d know where she’s at. With no street lights, only the stars (which believe me can be pretty breathe taking) every now and than you'd can see a movement of a white chest and sometimes catch a glimpes of her eyes. She's like clock work…8 p.m. on the nose Topaz will come to life on deck, almost like a child saying "look ma...no hands" as she leaps from boat to boat looking in all the windows as she passes.

Topaz, didn’t get away without preparations. Besides her annual vet check ups and immunizations, she was fitted with a life jacket. This lifejacket is made of diving wetsuit material, neoprene rubber. It fits right around her chubby body, protecting her vital organs from the cold waters. With a loop on the back, this allows us to retrieve her with the boat hook. Ted is also going to make her a life ring for us to throw from the boat, in order for her to pull herself up, out of the water. It’s not her favorite piece of wardrobe…when jacket is placed on her she’ll fall stiffly sideways with all four limbs out, and lthe look of total discuss. It’s a hoot to watch this performance. Because Topaz gets stressed out with this device, in most cases we only have her harness on.

Xcelsior Gets Upgrades

Xcelsior gets upgrades…..


In order to make our extended journey, Xcelsior (1976 CS27) required a number of upgrades, to make living accommodations more comfortable. After all this is our home for a least the next three years. We started at the bow and worked our way aft. Ted and I built and installed a bow extension with rollers and fittings for our spinnaker sail and stow both anchors. One, twenty two pound "Danforth", with 200 feet of 5/16 chain and the second, being a "Bruce" type with 30 feet of chain and 200 feet of rode. This is required for the Caribbean waters with coral bottoms.

Showing our colours, we purchased a new “A” symmetrical spinnaker flying proudly the Canadian Maple Leaf as seen on the first photo on the first page. The spinnaker is designed for light winds and two people can handle it easily in downwind conditions. While our mainsail shows our numbers 1134 with the two full battens and two half battens. Ted rigged jiffy slab reefing, which is made easy to operate from the cockpit. For those no sailors, reefing the main means that we have reduce the sail size. This is done in heavy wind conditions, stabilizing the boat and making life more comfortable.

The stern doesn’t get away without receiving a new look. Dragging a dinghy can become hazardous; in the wrong conditions the dinghy can over run the boat. Therefore, the rubber dinghy is now lifted out of the water onto the new Davits. One can’t go cruising without the silent third crew members, auto helm and radar. The auto helm attached to the tiller, steers the boat on course, while the radar, used sparingly during fog and night sailing. It acts as an extra eye, more so for Pat while on night watches (one likes their comfort zones). In order to power all the new electronics, a new wind generator was installed. We have two 8 D Deep Cycled batteries lowered in the cockpit lockers.

In the interior of the boat, the old two burner alcohol / kerosene stove was replaced, with a three burner propane stove and oven. Although, we lost drawer space, we gained a much better comfort zone in lighting the stove and oven. Not to mention a better variety of meals offered. Up forward the “V” Berth received 2” foam on top of the existing foam during reupholstering all the cushions. The “heads” washroom facilities were converted into a holding tank. By taking out the bathroom sink and placing the holding tank we didn’t loss any storage space.

Xcelsior Sailing from Halifax Harbour
Halifax, Canada
Pat and Ted Haight have been dreaming of a long sailing adventure on our sailboat Xcelsior. Our daily highlight will be toasting Sunsets from Halifax, Nova Scotia and beyond. We will be departing Halifax southward to Bermuda, and then continuing south to the Virgin Islands. We’ll Island hop to the Southern Caribbean for hurricane season around the 1st of June.

In early November, point west transiting through the Panama Canal. Once in the Pacific, North towards Vancouver Island and Victoria, British Columbia. This cruise will take almost a year to complete the first three legs. With fair winds and seas we should arrive in early May 07. We are looking forward to visiting Pats family and friends we made while in the Navy. From there, no plans are made for what direction we will take to return home, East or West??? Halifax is still Home. The Odyssey will begin April 2006... We hope to keep this Blog current until we are back in Halifax. This first Photo is form this past summer sailing from our home port in “Nova Scotia”. Visit our site often, leave us your comments below, or drop us a note at "xcelsior_ca@hotmail.com"