"Ragtime" is looking gorgeous

We wish all our friends a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous 2010.

We are still in Brisbane giving "Ragtime" a final "spit and polish" before we leave for San Diego on the 16th January. "Ragtime" is looking gorgeous and it is sad to be leaving this beautiful yacht. She has certainly done us proud and has kept us safe and we have lots of wonderful memories of good mates, special friendships and countless good times.

The "Salacia" project is currently a two pronged attack. We are frantically planning from afar and our friends Jeff and Eric from JK3 Nautical Enterprises Inc (www.jk3yachts.com) are working on the ground in San Diego. It is amazing the things that you have to take on a Pacific crossing. Our study and spare bedroom are currently full and we are wondering how we are going to fit everything onto "Salacia" for the voyage. It will be easier when we are on site and we are in San Diego for a week before going to ski in Telluide and Vail with the kids.

When we return to San Diego it will all hands on deck with winches, back stay, genset and other equipment to service, spares to buy, provisioning ... a million tasks !!!

Ron Pilgrim, Dian and Ross Jones are coming early to help us out and they will be joining us on the maiden voyage along with Jeff and Eric from TK3 and John from North Sails.

Typical "Everett No pressure" has us doing a race from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico as the maiden voyage ... Of course the dodger, binimi, solar cells, air con units, dinghy, outboard and the rest of the cruising gear will be shipped to Puerto Vallarta.

After a few days exploring Puerto Vallarta we are planning to cruise down to Acapulco where we hope to leave "Salacia" for a few weeks to return to the real world for some work and a wedding.