What’s in a name and all of the little things that I obsess about.
When people ask what our boat’s name is and I reply Pandora, my answer is often followed by another question. “Do you own Pandora Jewelry?” Another question is often “Do you work for Pandora Radio”, the Internet radio service. Nope and nope.
However, more often than not, it’s a simple “why did you name your boat Pandora?” So, since you asked…
Some ten years ago Brenda and I were on a summer vacation in Maine, anchored in Gilkey Harbor, Penobscot Bay. We met an older couple on a boat, another larger Tartan, who told us of their long summers aboard their boat each year. After hearing their story, I said to Brenda “When I grow up, I want to be like them.”
At the time we owned Elektra, a Tartan 37, a great boat but one that did not have quite the “creature comforts” that Pandora affords and that I knew Brenda would require if I had any hope of her spending months at a time aboard.
So, Brenda and I agreed that our next boat would be one that was capable of long distance cruising and that we’d be able to do so in relative comfort. Thank you Brenda. When we finally acquired a boat that fit our bill for long distance cruising and it came time to consider various names, Brenda quipped…
“Wow, I am really opening Pandora’s Box by letting Bob get a bigger boat.”
So, Pandora became Pandora.
And, here we are so many years later with thousands of sea miles and countless nights aboard and I am still not sure if I should thank her or beg for forgiveness. Actually, it’s probably both.
Thanks Brenda and I am really, really sorry about all this. Well, not all that sorry, actually…
So, back to the newly painted Pandora all ready to hit the water in a few days.
As with most important decisions, and plenty of minor ones, such as what sort of tile to use in a bath remodel, or what color to paint Pandora, I tend to obsess over such things. However, in my defense, after all the “what about this or that option?”, I generally feel like the outcome is worth the effort and Pandora’s new color was a decision that was worth obsessing over.
Recall all the time that I spent choosing a color for Pandora? All those blog posts and Facebook posts about what color too choose? Well, I think it was worth it as her new light grey suits her perfectly.
Folks had plenty to say about color choices ranging from “paint her the color of bird poop” to “exactly why are you asking total strangers what color to paint your boat?” However, the final outcome was definitely better for all the input so thanks for the help.
In addition to the choice of color, which looks marvelous, I really wanted to get the logo perfect, both in design and in size. And, thanks to the work by Mike from Stamford Signs in CT, it really looks terrific. Mike was very patient and even offered to reprint the logo and make it bigger when we put the first printout on the hull a few days ago. We both agreed that it wasn’t quite big enough. Well, perhaps he was just humoring me but I appreciated his willingness to print out one that was about 1/3 larger, a whopping 7′ or perhaps longer.
I think it looks just awesome. 
On the starboard side he switched the stars to the other end of the logo so that they would trail aft in both cases. My artist friend Chris had that idea and I think it was quite inspired. 
The process of actually applying the “sticker” was simpler than I would have expected. Mike sprayed a solution of water, alcohol and a bit of soap to the surface so that he could lift the vinyl if he got a wrinkle. No problem though, it went on perfectly, the first time. 
Nice work Mike.
All done and now it’s time to put Pandora back in the water and bring her back to Deep River where her rig will be reinstalled, new rod rigging and all. There’s still plenty to do before I head south to Antigua at the end of October.
And, speaking of graphics, I am now obsessing over what sort of decoration to put on my little truck. Of course, “TT (tender too) Pandora” is a great option. Or, perhaps “Pandora’s Box Truck”. Too obvious? Yeah, probably.
For now, it gives me something else to obsess about. That’s good. I think it’s a cute truck. Brenda says it’s just stupid. Don’t you just love the new “big” tires and wheels?
Anyway, all this writing isn’t getting my other projects done and the plumber comes Tuesday to do the final hookups on the “new” bathroom that I have nearly finished.
Best of all, we are heading to MD in a few days to see our three grandchildren and their parents too, of course. Our oldest Tori is getting older by the day. I just love this “sassy” picture of her. 
Yes, having grandchildren is wonderful and it’s the one little thing that I don’t obsess over. I’ll leave that to their parents.
As I mentioned, it’s hard to see how perfect the job looks. This angle perhaps better, or not. I think that the stainless rub rail really sets the grey hull off. 
It’s certainly a lot different than her way-dark green hull of yore. 
The next step, beyond a million little things that they will do to clean up any “boogers” in the paint job, will be to have the logo applied. I loved the one done for “old Pandora” years ago and had the designer spruce it up a bit. That version was done by 
The plan is also to put the logo, sans silver outline, on each side of Pandora’s boom as well.
Beyond bills to pay and it seems that they just keep getting bigger, there’s lots to do to get ready for our departure in late October but first I’ll have to finish the remodel job in our guest bath. Yes, dealing with the honey-do list is important. To fall short on that front, well, that would be a CLM (career limiting move), and we wouldn’t want that, would we?
Our arriving skippers and crew last fall. 
And, if you and your crew need some shore-time, the Admiral’s Inn is offering rooms for arriving crew and skippers at very attractive “dawg rates” starting at around $150 per night. Contact 
And, of course, on the “off nights” there will be informal pot luck dinners and cocktails behind our boats in Nelson’s Dockyard.
But best of all, all season long, you’ll see sunsets like this. 
So, there you have it and there’s lots in store when you join us in Antigua.
We settled on 
I visited her in the shop the other day after she was primed, a sort of, light grey. Yep, looks a little like a micro-battle ship. 
So, what will Light Grey really look like , really? I have only the vaguest idea when you come right down to it.
Besides, it’s a timely question as a nod to the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI this November, an artist, as reported in the NY Times, has painted the now retired NYC fireboat, the John J. Harvey in a modified “dazzle” paint job. Actually, it’s a very interesting article. 
Oh, never mind. I’ll just stick with grey. Whatever the color, I am sure that she will come out of the shed in a few weeks, ready to dazzle.
It’s a feast for the eyes wherever you turn, including ruins of a British Navy sail loft and the current home of the aptly named 
We will again have our welcome cocktail party at Pillars. Rally participants at last season’s reception. 
Imagine yourself with an icy rum punch with all of your Dawg friends in this setting. 
The harbor is a feast for the eyes with spectacular yachts from all over the world.
The clubhouse is located in Falmouth Harbor, a five minute walk from English Harbor. Club members plan on throwing a welcome party for us, a special member guest event. They will even provide in some free food and drink to make us feel welcome. 
Last year we were greeted by the Minister of tourism as well as the club commodore. 
The event was very well attended by the Dawgs who had a great time. 
Here’s one of the staff, they love the Dawgs, sporting one of our “Ts”. 
But wait, there’s more, a total of ten special Dawg events, planned just for you. I highlighted these events in another post so
Want to know what happened in British naval history on February 21st, 1885? Mike surely knows the answer. Join the group, and it’s not as easy as it seems, but if you do, you too can get one of the official “Tot club” shirts. I became a member this spring and wrote about the experience, that included a lot of rum tots in some remarkable places including a 150′ schooner, 
Some say that the “real Caribbean” begins in Antigua and Falmouth Harbor Antigua is a great spot to begin your winter season and journey south toward Grenada.
Antigua is wonderfully situated so that wherever you decide to go later in the season, south to Grenada or Trinidad or north to the Virgins to begin your run north in the spring, it’s always an easy reach.