Category Archives: General

It was  a surprisingly touching experience the night we said goodbye to Stray Catz. The name not the vessel that is. Yes it’s true, Anna beat me arm wrestling and we are changing the name.

It was an extremely tough decision. There have been so many experiences with Stray Catz. Some exciting and some were downright terrifying. Some joyful and some sent me cussing, screaming and ready to shoot a hole in the bottom and sink her. (luckily I don’t have a gun) Some may know the stories of how many times I’ve been ready to sell, only to experience more paradise and decide to keep going.  For those who don’t I’m happy to share in person. So yes it’s like saying  “adios” to a true and trusted friend. Even though the vessel body is still in tact.

With a brand new paint job, new galley, updated cushions, sail bag and trampoline it will be almost like a new boat, and that is what led to the final decision. When we re-launch our boat with her new name, we will be starting fresh and with new focus, respect and appreciation for a vessel that has proven herself  time and time again.

Not that I’m superstitious, but in true superstitious form we held an official De-Naming ceremony to purge the name Stray Catz from the ledger of the deep. The name must be properly forgotten by the nautical gods so as not to bring bad luck to the newly named vessel. Everyone on their boat in the yard, some of the workers, and guests from out of town all showed to say good bye and give last wishes to Stray Catz.

Good Bye Stray Catz. Thank you for your wonderful and faithful service.

For a short period last year we were blessed with visitors. All the kids came for a bit, and Jordan and Lyra even cruised most of the way up the Baja coast line.

At one of the anchorages we freed a trapped octopus. It ended up in the dinghy which almost sent Lyra over the side and into the water. Unfortunately we didn’t  get that on video, or we might have had a $10,000 winner.

We did get a little video of the release. The release was quite the challenge, because try as I might, that little critter did not want me to pick it up. I finally got it to stay on the oar long enough to get to the outside of the boat. Obviously by its departure, it was not happy with it’s treatment. Oh well, you can’t please everyone.

Here is video of it’s release;

We have been back at Stray Catz almost full time since the end of January. We returned to some problems that expanded into more problems. Nothing unrepairable. It just messed up our cruising season.  It has also allowed us to do some upgrades and repairs that we would have otherwise had to do on the water. Stray Catz is also getting a new paint job. After more than 25 years of being out in the sun, the shine was starting to fade.

With a slightly new/

different color scheme,   Anna

thinks we should also give Stray Catz a new name.  One reason being we have met a few other boats named Stray Cat which has caused some confusion in various locations.

We are still the only

Stray Catz that we know of.

I of course would never allow a name change with all the history we’ve already made with her, but I have considered the nickname Strayz.

I am curious what others might  think. Just because she has a new look do we give Stray Catz a new name?

Fiberglass dust is messy