Log book

The last two years we've used a log book that we purchased from the Mystic Harbor gift shop. But in practice I crossed out many of the headings and put different information into the columns. So this summer I was motivated to create my own log book. Fay and I discussed what information we wanted to have and used the same general format as the Mystic Harbor book, but with columns for what we wanted to record. Then we added some additional pages for frequently requested general boat information, emergency communications, the location of through hulls, and our abandon ship procedure. We printed it on our little HP printer, had it bound at FedEx Office, and then Fay grafted it into the Mystic Harbor book so that it had a nice hard cover. If you'd like to make your own log book, you're welcome to start with ours which you'll find on the Downloads page. A year from now I won't be surprised if we revise it again.

Carte de sejours

Yesterday, on a balmy November day, we visited the French consulate in San Francisco and received our "long stay" visas for French Polynesia. Technically they are just 90 day visas with a request for a "carte de sejours". But our documents have been sent to Tahiti, and approved, so we are told it is just a formality to receive our "carte de sejours" or "residence card" which will allow us to spend more than 90 days in French Polynesia. Our plan is to spend all of next season there (May - October) and leave New Morning in Raiatea. But you know about cruising and plans....

Yanmar service manual and parts catalog

I was able to find the Yanmar service manual and parts catalog on the web. The parts catalog covers the Yanmar 4JH4-TE and 4JH4-HTE. The service manual covers all the 4JH4 models, including the 3JH4-HE, 4JH4-AE, 4JH4-TE and 4JH4-HTE. Verbosity for the benefit of Google. You'll find them on the Downloads page.

Use your sunscreen

For the last month I've been treating my face, neck, chest and arms with Fluorouracil (aka Efudex or 5FU). This is what I looked like yesterday, a week after I quit applying the treatment and definitely past the peak of the reaction and inflammation. It not only doesn't look pretty, it feels miserable. Most of the last two weeks my skin has been on fire, alternating with an intense "pins and needles" sensation that makes me want to rip off my skin. Application of a topical steroid and liberal applications of Aquaphor create a mess, but ease the discomfort.

I tell this tale so that you will be encouraged to use sunscreen every day. Sun damage is accumulated from sun exposure over your entire life. Ten minutes six times a week is the same as one hour on one day.