Sorry I have not had any updates for a long time. To bring you up to date in short form, a lot of work has been done. The boat is not completely done but we launched her anyway so we could enjoy the season with her. I still would like to paint the spars. The bowsprit needs painting, (it wont stop raining here) and the deck needs pollishing and detailing.

We did the John Vigor de-naming ceremony on Mabel. Waited about two days as I continued to work on her and put the new name/graphics on. Then we christened her Kumu in the Queen Elizibeth fashion. (except that we poured and sprayed the champagne on her rather than smashing a bottle on her.)

We chose the name Kumu for several reasons. One, we like the Hawaiian culture and language. This is our first true blue water boat and a step in the right direction for our future plans. Kumu is Hawaiian for teacher, beginning, starting point or foundation. The graphic's were designed by our daughter, Shayla, who is 10 years old. We don't take the changing of a boat name lightly and we feel we have done all we could to do it properly with all due respect to the gods, previous owners and the vessel that served so well under her previous name.  

Here are a few photo's...

This was taken by Jack Gray, Great Salt Lake Yacht Club Commodor, while on Kumu's maiden voyage. It was a beautiful Sunday morning between rain storms. I was working my way upwind singlehanded. A few miles out, I turned downwind and set the cruising spinaker. I had an amazing downwind/broad reach sail back toward the marina. I set the auto pilot, made a drink with Pussers rum, toasetd my father who was a great sailor but passed away in 1996, saluted Kumu and sailed for about an hour hitting 4.7 knots.  As I neared the marina, there was a big thunderstorm brewing. I doused all sail and started in under the power of the little Yanmar diesel motor. At the end of the deep water channel, I passed a friend that was going out on his Erickson 27, "Salty Nuts", with my wife, Kim, on board. She was going to get on Kumu at that point but the storm was looking quite fierce and I noticed that there was no water coming from the exhaust of Salty Nuts and I told her captain, Jarod. He confirmed he was overheating. So...I threw Salty Nuts a line. Kumu, and her little engine that could, towed that Erickson 27 through 20 to 25 knot headwinds and driving rain for about 1/3rd of a mile into the safety of the marina. What a great little first adventure!

Maiden voyage. 

Almost ready for launch.

The name and graphics designed by 10 year old Shayla Smith.

Nice, like new interior.

I have more pics but left my camera on Kumu so I will post more later. Paul