Ocean Girl

55, Female

Kemah, TX

United States

Profile Information:

Profile Type:
Sailor
Homeport:
Kemah
About Me:
Offshore sailor, single hander/ live aboard, restoring a 1981 (Hull#220) Cape Dory 30 named Ocean Girl. I am also an OR nurse.
Ocean Girl was on lake Texoma from 1981-2001 then moved to the brackish water of Clear Lake Texas where she sat for almost 8 years. The good news is the previous two owners kept her almost like factory adding very little to her simple style, But this does definitely classify her as a fixer-upper (her cushions were 30 years old) She is structurally sound except for a rotted out bowsprit (item # 301 on list to-do)
The first few months of living aboard was from a single extension cord plug hooked to a shop light, no cushions except for the v-berth, and lots of bottled water. Now I have a/c, a hot plate and a dorm size refrigerator! So I am feeling quite the princess.
Parents sailed around the world on a Tartan 37 CB named Tigger, mom wrote a book about their adventures called "The Oceans Are Waiting".
I have a blog now! http://oceangirlcd30.blogspot.com/
Current location:
Kemah. TX
Destinations visited:
Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Belize , Mexico (Caribbean side), Florida, ICW (entire Gulf coast to and across Florida), Bahamas
Looking to:
Sail around the world in a meandering fashion. Meet people who love boats and the ocean like me. See Ireland, round the Horn ( glutton for punishment) and visit New Zealand last because I have the feeling I'll never want to leave.

Also hope to find a little fairy that replaces holding tanks while you sleep.(item #202 on to-do list and the fairy better hurry I'm on #201 right now)

Comment Wall:

  • LOLA

    WELCOME TO THE SITE,,,,,ENJOYED YOUR COMMENTS.

    May 24, 2009

  • LOLA

    Why not join FEMALE SAILORS GROUP...at top of page under groups?

    May 24, 2009

  • Ocean Girl

    Still getting the hang of this blogging/forum web thingy stuff. I am slowly finding my way around. I will definitely join the Girl sailor group, thanks for the input!

    May 24, 2009

  • David Royall

    Thank you for your comments on my pictures.

    I can relate to the issues you face with your holding tank... I will be tackling a similar project within the next few weeks.

    May 25, 2009

  • LOLA

    ..You asked where to see my artwork

    On my page in photos......and

    On the GROUP ARTWORKS OF BOATS...ETC...

    Hope you enjoy them.

    Do you do artwork?

    May 26, 2009

  • Roc2Loc

    Thanks, Erika...I appreciate the feedback...we don't offer alerts for anything other than someone breaching a boat, but we have the others you mentioned being worked on right now. If you'd like more info, let me know...make it a great day! :) David

    Jun 4, 2009

  • zeehag

    am having an absolute blast---is fun scenery is awesome , kat is happy until thunderboomers make him scared and phil is a really cool guy.....boat is gooood too......what isnt to like lol!!!

    Jun 4, 2009

  • Jay

    Good morning Ocean Girl,
    Thanks for your complement on the photo....Jay

    Jun 6, 2009

  • Ladye

    Hope your recovery is going well and you'll be back soon. Yes, that's me - redoing wood. Stop by and say hello. I'll be working on various things ... forever ;)

    Jun 8, 2009

  • Suky Cannon

    I tell you after those food photos and comments, I'd reserve a berth with you anytime ! Hope you're feeling better...
    When you were cruising Belize, did you ever go inland to the zoo... and how about Placencia... it's been 10 years since I was there but it was before the fancy hotels found the place...

    Jun 8, 2009

  • James DePalma

    thanks for your help, I out an offer in on the Flicka this afternoon.

    Jun 9, 2009

  • Suky Cannon

    Hi... sorry for your experience in Belize... fortunately not mine. I was there a while ago from 94 to 99 . in and out.. I was always trying to go farther south but the waters in Belize kept me there. I also spent a lot of time inland up and near the Guatemala border. The Belize zoo is one of my all time favorite...
    Re a meal aboard.. I'll bring the asparagus. And I look forward to your sea stories... happy to be getting to know you and hope your recovery is soon over.

    Jun 11, 2009

  • Marcelle

    Hi Erika...yes, they are more expensive here...and I guess til we get more experience it would be great to already be reasonably close to things ...Australia is just so far away...its not set in concrete yet...so anything is possible...
    sounds like you have lots of experience...and very confident...at the moment our sailing is limited to small boats regularly although we have bare boat hired a number of times...just need to get the youngest sorted and we'll be off...must look your mums book up...thanks...happy sailing..Marcelle

    Jun 14, 2009

  • Marcelle

    Sounds like you are pretty proud of your parents and that they have inspired you in a similar direction...or did you all sail as kids? Marcelle

    Jun 14, 2009

  • Marcelle

    Let me get this right...Texas is land locked ...is it far from the water??? I'm guessing so...would have to have a look at a map to confirm that. I know Houston has a terrific Quilt Festival that I am hoping to get to next year...I know, I know, quilting and sailing are at opposites...its great to follow your passions in life, I hope that we can be great examples to our kids...
    Thanks for painting compliment..a one off so far. One day....

    Jun 15, 2009

  • Jay

    Hi Erika, How's the recovery progressing?
    Hope all is well....working on boat projects in the shade....take care...Jay

    Jul 11, 2009

  • Jay

    I am glad to here you are progressing well ....and that you are making headway on your boat projects....still waiting on my radar mast...should be here Monday or Tuesday....had a birthday party for Tommy tonight....9 guitars 2 mandolins and me on the rubboard....played every song that truck driver knew and then some.....holler if I can help with any of your boat projects...I'm at a stand still on my boat projects....Jay

    Jul 12, 2009

  • Kent Wheeler

    Hi Ocean Girl,Thanks yes this is my Yara a live aboard for almost 2 years now. A Tancook whaler design, I've really been enjoying restoring and fixing her up. I'm still experimenting with my electric orange sailing canoe, the mast wasn't strong enough so am working on a larger one also a spinnaker sock but not sure how carried away I want to go with it. Well I want to get totally carried away with it but then I think it will be so loaded down and might not be able to handle the stress. I had a fire in the canoe on the 4th, cooked up a dozen oysters. there's more pics of Yara at wheelerfolk.org I like your pictures also, that's very kind of you to share your vessel with winged ones~smiles~ Kent

    Jul 12, 2009

  • h

    Erika,

    What material is the row boat? Timber or plastic like the Zodiac?

    Yes, post it in Zen, then everyone can contribute to solve the problem.

    h

    Jul 12, 2009

  • Suky Cannon

    Hi Erika.. thinking of you and glad to hear thru the grapevine////well wall, that you are doing well. !

    Jul 17, 2009

  • john rankin

    Not one of my own. I use my fathers 41' morgan a lot.

    Jul 23, 2009

  • h

    Hi Erika,

    Good luck in your dinghy repair.

    Are you using Epoxy Resin or the Polyesther or Vinylesther Resin? Epoxy is more expensive, but will stick to the other two. Where it may not be the case when the original is Poly and you want to repair using Vinyl (or vise versa, I can not remember which way).

    h

    Jul 23, 2009

  • Jay

    Erika,
    How are you doing? (recovering ???)

    Jul 23, 2009

  • Suky Cannon

    Did holding tank fairy show up ?

    Jul 26, 2009

  • Jay

    Erika,

    Good to hear you are almost recovered.

    I am on my boat till Monday Noon I would be pleased to show you our marina.
    We will start the repair of the marina 8/1, so you could see the before and the after. We have 212 slips and if you count me living hear Thursday thu Monday noon we have 30 to 35 live-a-boards.

    Sometimes when it's convenient I would like to see your Cape Dory.

    Jason came to my boat this Saturday and fitted the Radar mast. I can pick it up Thursday and complete the installation, Hopefully, next week-end.

    Take care.....Jay

    Jul 26, 2009

  • Suky Cannon

    whatever your heart desires ~!~! when is that birthday rollin around ~!*~!* ?????

    Jul 26, 2009

  • Stede

    Hi Ocean Girl. It's taken me awhile to get here from Sailnet, but yet I've arrived.I like your page, and your enthusiasm.I look forward to talking with you. Stede

    Dec 23, 2009

  • Susie Reynolds

    Hi there Erica, love the name of your boat. Many thanks for your help and advice on the Decks. Charles and I fly over to the UK at the end of April/May to see "Freedom" and check her out. There has been a lot of work done to her, decks refurbished completely, rudder dropped and resleeved, topsides redone, electrics and fridge gear restored, engine overhauled, windlass (this had to go up to Scotland to an engineer who was the only chap in the UK who serviced our particular one...!!) etc etc the list grew quite a bit!! so there will be quite a bit of sea trialling to do. The whole thing is very exciting for us, so will be able to add to our story in the not too distant future.

    Are you sailing at the moment, or with winter at your end of the globe, are you laid up? Anyway, thanks again, and check you later. Cheers for now. Susie.

    Mar 9, 2010

  • Jay

    many thanks for you thoughts.....jay

    Mar 13, 2010

  • John Stowell

    Thanks for accepting me as a friend.
    At least you are tied up to a dock, .... I hope!
    I also hope your boat hasn't been damaged by grounding.
    Which makes me worry a bit about how my boat is fairing at Legend Point.
    I'm bouncing around in a ship that's being tossed about like a cork in a demented food blender.
    Still, this means a "relaxing" day for most on board, as we can't work in these seas.
    Hope you make a complete recovery soon. Let's hope for some decent weather too.

    Mar 21, 2010

  • RAY BACHLE

    OMG grounded in your slip.......... Thats just wrong
    We have a 31Spencer. I am working on getting some things fixed on it before the little woman will go out sailing with me. Winter has been a bit on the warm side this year. Will get back to you soon gotta go see my my little grandson right now. Have an amazing evening and keep smiling :)

    Mar 29, 2010

  • Steve Knight

    The holding tank fairie has arrived...

    Mar 29, 2010

  • RAY BACHLE

    The sailing season is year round if you want my input but most people want the sun shining before they go out. I'm trying to get all the kids out of the house and go live on the boat ......... would make me sooooooooo happy :)

    talk to ya soon

    Mar 31, 2010