Drift Away: June 2016

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Haunted By Buzzards

Those of you who have been reading this blog for years know that I have a history with buzzards. They follow me, starting at the C&D Canal. They must think death is imminent. No one lives forever, but I certainly hope they're wrong. Well, they're back.

Pamela, mother-in-law Judi, and I went to Salt Springs for a picnic on Memorial Day. They were swimming and I laid down in a lounge chair to take a nap. I was alerted by nearby people saying "Buzzard! You have a buzzard!" I opened my eyes and saw this guy about six feet away, eyeballing me. I guess I didn't move much.

Drift Away Specs

Drift Away is a 1980 Cheoy Lee 46' LRC (long range cruiser). She has twin 120 HP Ford Lehman diesels, 15 kw and 7.5 kw generators, and carries 800 gallons of fuel and 400 gallons of water. She cruises at 8 knots and has a top speed of 9.5 knots, plenty fast enough for this old sailor.

She is somewhat unique in that the inside helm staion is on the main level, along with the galley and saloon. There is also a helm on the flybridge. The lower level has three staterooms, each with a full head, plus the engine room.

Drift Away sat on the hard for many years before we bought it from an estate. She has suffered considerably from neglect, but we are amazed at all the things that work, like the two Ford Lehmans, and the Naiad stabilizers. There was and is much work to do, but we will return her to ship shape condition. Eventually. As long as it doesn't interfere with having fun.