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CHAPTER 1
Houston, Texas
CHAPTER 2
Kemah, Texas
CHAPTER 3
Kemah, Texas
CHAPTER 4
Galveston, Texas
CHAPTER 5
Seabrook, Texas
CHAPTER 6
Seabrook, Texas
CHAPTER 7
At Sea - Gulf of Mexico
CHAPTER 8
At Sea - Gulf of Mexico
CHAPTER 9
At Sea - Gulf of Mexico
CHAPTER 10
At Sea - Gulf of Mexico
CHAPTER 11
Port Fourchon, Louisiana
CHAPTER 12
Cut Off, Louisiana
CHAPTER 13
Cut Off, Louisiana
CHAPTER 14
Cut Off, Louisiana
CHAPTER 15
Houma, Louisiana
CHAPTER 16
Houma, Louisiana
CHAPTER 17
Houma, Louisiana
SHIPS INVENTORY
The following is a partial list at best. We include it here only to give some of you an idea at just what is exactly involved, the depth and scope of outfitting a boat and getting her seaworthy. This should give you an idea.
Electronics
To us, part of being really seaworthy means getting backups of just all kinds of things. First came five new heavy duty bilge pumps. We have a wind generator mounted on the aft of the boat, and a brand new spare down below. We have three handheld VHF marine radios and a base station. We have two binoculars, one a night vision. We bought ten flashlights, five kinds, two of each. We have lantern cell flashlights, rechargeable ones and rewindable ones also. That is not to mention regular AA and D cell flashlights. We got two solar powered radios, and two rewindable ones. We bought solar battery chargers and solar panels, 6 in all. We bought over 500 batteries, AAA, AA, C, D, and 9 volt. Half of these are rechargeable, the other half are alcaline. We bought CD Walkmans for all 5 of us, as well as Cassette Walkmans, 2 VCRs, a TV/VCR combo and two small LCD TVs. We have three laptop computers aboard, two scanners, one external CD burner, and three digital cameras.
Galley
For the galley we bought new Swedish alchohol stove. A microwave, blender, set of Corelle dinnerware, a set of heavy stainless steel pots and pans, silverware, and sundry accessories completed the equipping of Spindrift's galley.
We bought sleeping bags, sheets, pillows and pillowcases for all aboard.
We got enough freeze-dried food to last us up to three months in a survival situation. It has a shelf life of 20+ years. (!!!)
Tools
We bought new Craftsman tools, everything we would need for the systems we have on board.
Zip Locks
We were able to find 6 mil zip lock bags in 9x11 and 11x14 inch sizes. These we will use to store everything from clothes to books. We hope they will protect our things form the high humidity you have with so many people, gear and equipment cramped into such a small space as a boat.
Sewing
We bought a walking foot sewing machine capable of sewing up to 9 layers of sailcloth, accessories, enough thread and needles to last probably several circumnavigations. We have enough sailcloth, and Sunbrella (marine grade "canvas") for anything we might need. We also have a new Kenmore machine for regular sewing.
Tools
We got two guitars, an acoustic and an electric, two dozen sets of spare strings, and also an electronic keyboard. We don't know how to play that but look forward to playing around with it.
Stainless
We have six large tackle boxes of stainless steel nuts and bolts, cotter pins, clevis pins, terminals, setscrews, and boxes of shackles, swivels and thimbles for our ground tackle.
Head (Bathroom)
A most complete medicine chest, three dozen deodorants, same amount of toothpastes, shampoos, twice as much soap, as well as countless other things in the way of hygiene and grooming are on board. We have 500+ shaving cartridges, and both aerosol shaving cream as well as the old timey shaving bars. The girls also have everything they could ever need for the next 3 - 5 years. No joking! They also they have enough lipsticks, mascara and eyeliner etc. (the expensive kind!) and all in a waterproof Pelican case. Perfumes too.
Cleaning Products
We have a vast assortment of cleaning products underneath the Gally sink, and a collection of every glue and tape in existence, two to a dozen of each. We have the 1000 sheet/roll toilet paper so as to make the most of space, and baby wipes.
Provisions (Food)
We bought 300+ protein bars. Pasta, instant mashed potatoes, peanut butter and rice are staples in abundance, also microwave pop corn, and jam, honey and chocolate for our sweet teeth. We have every tea, and instant and ground coffee. Canned goods include tuna, corned beef hash, boneless chicken, vegies, smoked kippers, baked beans. We found that summer sausage keeps perfectly well for up to a year after it expires, and without refrigeration if it isn't opened. We were able to find canned camembert cheese, and have whole Gouda (from Holland) cheeses on board. And eggs. Eggs last for up to 6 months without refrigeration if coated with vaseline. Ah, such is the boat life!
Bar
We have wine in 5 litre boxes (5 in all), and a modest collection of bottles so as to be able to offer guests something they might desire. Our favorites include Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Tia Maria, Courvoisier, and Frangelico. We now have a collection of 285 DVDs, and a lesser amount of video tapes.
Books
Four hundren and twenty books are stowed on board Spindrift. In numbers we have more boat books and computer books. But we also have American and English classics, poetry, short stories (O'Henry, A. Conan Doyle, Robert Lewis Stevenson etc.) and joke books. We have books about television production, electronics, and caligraphy. Also recipe books.
Fishing
We have fishing rods, reels, and many accessories. Masks, snorkles and fins will permit diving. Hawaiin slings (spearguns) are stowed on board.
Security
We have a security system including an alarm with infrared sensors, as well as hidden cameras to catch on tape (well hidden and inaccessible) anyone who would try to infringe upon Spindrift's integrity.
"Rocked in the cradle of the deep."
Emma Millard
(1787-1870)
(1787-1870)