SHIP'S LOG:
Well, I am firmly ensconced in the woods of Griswold and will hibernate here until the spring. I am hoping that it will be a pleasant winter, not a lot of snow or severely cold temperatures but since our "hurricane season" hasn't been one, I just get the impression that winter will be rather nasty. I have no conclusive proof or supporting data, just a feeling. It is just that we haven't had one for two years and we are do for a "smacking!"
Getting used to living ashore again is a bit of an exercise. Not going to bed when the sun goes down and sleeping in a bed that doesn't move, not worrying about the weather and especially the strength of the wind, not being overly concerned about the rain or whether the docklines or mooring lines are free from chafe, these are all good things but it takes awhile to re-order one's mind. Getting up in the middle of the night - thanks Mr. Prostrate - can be painful as I haven't quite got the position of the furniture clearly mapped out, but I am getting the hang of it. At least when I step outside I don't have to worry about falling overboard.
There is a new Robert Redford movie out about a sailor cross the ocean, Pacific I assume, who comes to grief when his 39 foot boat is holed by a UFO - unseen floating object - in this case a container off a ship. His boat sinks and he has to save himself through the use of all of his nautical skill. I am not sure if I want to go see it. Watching movies like that for a sailor turn into a "critique fest" wherein you tend to pick out all the flaws and mistakes rather than just enjoy the movie. Another movie out now called "GRAVITY" has been getting all sorts of grief from space oriented scientists who point out all the flaws that you could attribute to "artistic license." In some cases, you just can't separated the movie from reality. So it is that you never really enjoy the movie. Oh well, it is nice not to have anything really serious to worry about for awhile.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
It Could Be Winter Already
SHIP'S LOG:
Since winter actually begins the moment ABISHAG is lifted from the water, it could be winter already! With friend Fred, I brought ABISHAG from New London to her winter home in Portland over the weekend. It was a two day trip, not because it needed to be but because it was part of the TYC cruise, the last one of the season. As a part of that cruise, the boats from TYC stopped for Saturday night at Hamburg Cove. There we had a potluck supper and a Birthday Party for Morgan, the 9 year old nice of one of the members. The sail into Hamburg Cove from New London was what you might call a "rollicking" good time - 17 to 20 knots of wind and 6 foot waves. Since the tide, the wind and the waves were all heading down the Sound, we made excellent time and the ride was pretty comfortable, at least until we tried to get into the breakwater at the mouth of the Connecticut River. Making that turn put the waves on our Starboard stern quarter, giving ABISHAG a pretty good roll and slapping her stern around. It was of course at the moment that somebody with a large boat, lots of money and not a lot of sense decided that he wanted to get inside the breakwater ahead of us. Since he was motoring and we were sailing, we technically had the right of way but he acted as if we were not even there, so we didn't push the point. However, what goes around comes around. As we approached the Lyme Railroad Bridge, it was in the raised position but the tender announced that it would be closing in one minute. The large boat "idiot" called the tend er and ask if he would hold the bridge as he was only 1/8th of a mile away. Truth be told, he was closer to a mile away and the tend, who could see him from his perch simple said "No." So Mr. Large-Boat, Lots-of-Money, No-Brains had to wait around just like everybody else.
I went up to Portland Tuesday to take the sails of the boat and get my clothes out. It was a beautiful day and that made the tasks, if not pleasant, at least a great deal less onerous. Everything will remain on the boat until she is hauled and up on stands. Then I intend to strip her completely, taking absolutely everything out. This will give me an opportunity to clean and repair everything I remove and to discard everything that I really don't need. A Boat is sort of like that "what-not" draw everyone has in their home. It attracts all sorts of items you use once and then don't want to throw away less you need them again. There are also bunches of spare parts and a surprising amount of stuff you didn't even know you had. Once I get it all out and get done all the repairs that are needed, I can "carefully" select what goes back aboard and what goes to the TYC tag sale. In addition, getting all the stuff out will be necessary for the work that needs doing, including removing the overhead. I vow that the deck leaks will be found and corrected this spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since winter actually begins the moment ABISHAG is lifted from the water, it could be winter already! With friend Fred, I brought ABISHAG from New London to her winter home in Portland over the weekend. It was a two day trip, not because it needed to be but because it was part of the TYC cruise, the last one of the season. As a part of that cruise, the boats from TYC stopped for Saturday night at Hamburg Cove. There we had a potluck supper and a Birthday Party for Morgan, the 9 year old nice of one of the members. The sail into Hamburg Cove from New London was what you might call a "rollicking" good time - 17 to 20 knots of wind and 6 foot waves. Since the tide, the wind and the waves were all heading down the Sound, we made excellent time and the ride was pretty comfortable, at least until we tried to get into the breakwater at the mouth of the Connecticut River. Making that turn put the waves on our Starboard stern quarter, giving ABISHAG a pretty good roll and slapping her stern around. It was of course at the moment that somebody with a large boat, lots of money and not a lot of sense decided that he wanted to get inside the breakwater ahead of us. Since he was motoring and we were sailing, we technically had the right of way but he acted as if we were not even there, so we didn't push the point. However, what goes around comes around. As we approached the Lyme Railroad Bridge, it was in the raised position but the tender announced that it would be closing in one minute. The large boat "idiot" called the tend er and ask if he would hold the bridge as he was only 1/8th of a mile away. Truth be told, he was closer to a mile away and the tend, who could see him from his perch simple said "No." So Mr. Large-Boat, Lots-of-Money, No-Brains had to wait around just like everybody else.
I went up to Portland Tuesday to take the sails of the boat and get my clothes out. It was a beautiful day and that made the tasks, if not pleasant, at least a great deal less onerous. Everything will remain on the boat until she is hauled and up on stands. Then I intend to strip her completely, taking absolutely everything out. This will give me an opportunity to clean and repair everything I remove and to discard everything that I really don't need. A Boat is sort of like that "what-not" draw everyone has in their home. It attracts all sorts of items you use once and then don't want to throw away less you need them again. There are also bunches of spare parts and a surprising amount of stuff you didn't even know you had. Once I get it all out and get done all the repairs that are needed, I can "carefully" select what goes back aboard and what goes to the TYC tag sale. In addition, getting all the stuff out will be necessary for the work that needs doing, including removing the overhead. I vow that the deck leaks will be found and corrected this spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
In The Past Few Weeks . . . .
SHIP'S LOG:
It is sad to say but I have moved from wearing shorts and flip-flops to wearing long pants and shoes. It is sooooooooooooo depressing! It gets cold enough at night on the boat where two blankets are need to sleep through the night. I hate that.
Another boat has left TYC and is underway to Miami via the ICW. Right now, it is somewhere in the Chesapeake, having made the run on the inside, getting a bit beat-up in the Delaware Bay, which actually isn't that much of a surprise. Delaware Bay is the home of "square waves" and even at the best of times is simply an awful piece of water. Another boat from the club is due to take off soon for the same run making three going south for "fun in the sun." I hope that they get there safely and that it is all that they expect.
I don't have any regrets, at least right now, for not making the trip south. ABISHAG certainly could make it but I am not sure that I would. I just don't have the "umph" necessary for the trip, not so much the one down as the one back. Perhaps next year.
This past weekend, five boats left TYC to get hauled for the winter. The exodus has started and will pick up speed in the weeks ahead. I went up to Yankee Boatyard in Portland and made a down payment for winter storage. TYC is sponsoring its last cruise of the season on Columbus Day weekend. The cruise will be from the club to Essex on the Connecticut River. We will cruise to Hamburg Cove just outside of Essex on that Saturday and moor for the evening. There will be a pot-luck supper and then Sunday, those of us going to Portland to haul will go up river, while those who are still going to milk the sailing season will head back to TYC.
My little blue P.O.S. is no longer mine. It got sold for part to an auto graveyard and netted me a few, and I emphasize "few", bucks. My new ride is a 1989 Ford Tempo that belonged to the elderly aunt of a friend. She can't drive anymore and just wanted to dump the car, so it became mine. It only had 24,274 miles on it and seems to run fine. At least it should get me from here to there without the soon-to-be-expensive-due-to-their-number small problems I was facing with the Hyundai. But after 12 years, it owed me nothing.
The search goes on for "lodgings" for the winter months. I am sure something will turn up but there will be anxiety until that happens. Til then, I will enjoy the weather here and keep sailing. It is supposed to be a long, cold, bitter winter. Ugh!
It is sad to say but I have moved from wearing shorts and flip-flops to wearing long pants and shoes. It is sooooooooooooo depressing! It gets cold enough at night on the boat where two blankets are need to sleep through the night. I hate that.
Another boat has left TYC and is underway to Miami via the ICW. Right now, it is somewhere in the Chesapeake, having made the run on the inside, getting a bit beat-up in the Delaware Bay, which actually isn't that much of a surprise. Delaware Bay is the home of "square waves" and even at the best of times is simply an awful piece of water. Another boat from the club is due to take off soon for the same run making three going south for "fun in the sun." I hope that they get there safely and that it is all that they expect.
I don't have any regrets, at least right now, for not making the trip south. ABISHAG certainly could make it but I am not sure that I would. I just don't have the "umph" necessary for the trip, not so much the one down as the one back. Perhaps next year.
This past weekend, five boats left TYC to get hauled for the winter. The exodus has started and will pick up speed in the weeks ahead. I went up to Yankee Boatyard in Portland and made a down payment for winter storage. TYC is sponsoring its last cruise of the season on Columbus Day weekend. The cruise will be from the club to Essex on the Connecticut River. We will cruise to Hamburg Cove just outside of Essex on that Saturday and moor for the evening. There will be a pot-luck supper and then Sunday, those of us going to Portland to haul will go up river, while those who are still going to milk the sailing season will head back to TYC.
My little blue P.O.S. is no longer mine. It got sold for part to an auto graveyard and netted me a few, and I emphasize "few", bucks. My new ride is a 1989 Ford Tempo that belonged to the elderly aunt of a friend. She can't drive anymore and just wanted to dump the car, so it became mine. It only had 24,274 miles on it and seems to run fine. At least it should get me from here to there without the soon-to-be-expensive-due-to-their-number small problems I was facing with the Hyundai. But after 12 years, it owed me nothing.
The search goes on for "lodgings" for the winter months. I am sure something will turn up but there will be anxiety until that happens. Til then, I will enjoy the weather here and keep sailing. It is supposed to be a long, cold, bitter winter. Ugh!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
If It Weren'tFor Bad Luck I Would Have No Luck At All!!!!!!
SHIP'S LOG:
This past weekend was something special. It was the Schooner Festival in New London and while not all the schooners advertised actually showed up, those that did were spectacular. I got drafted to work race committee for the Saturday "Schooner Race" and had a wonderful vantage point to watch these marvelous boats sail. The smallest schooner was about 30 feet and the largest was over 160 feet. They all were gaft-rigged and there were more lines on them than you would believe. Among the bigger vessels, while BRILLIANT was the classiest looking, VIRGINIA at 122 feet was the most impressive. Even as a sailor, I am always impressed at vessels so large can be moved by the blowing wind. And they move well, too. In about 10 knots of wind, VIRGINIA put up a respectable bow wave, not quite "a bone in her teeth," but respectable nonetheless.
This morning, my P.O.S. blew a tire. this was not unexpected as the steel belt had begun to show through in a spot, but I was hoping it would hang in for another few days. So much for hope! All it really means is that I have to "dance with the DMV" in the next few days, as well as switching insurance coverage and "disposing of the "new" car. I say "new" car because my new ride is older than the P.O.S. . . . by a bunch. The new ride is a 1989 Ford Tempo with 24,173 miles on it. It belonged to friend of mine's grandmother and she literally only drove it to church and the super market. it got checked out and repaired by another friend and so it should last me for awhile. Heck, 2 more years and it will be an antique and then the taxes on it will all be disappear.
Speaking of insurance,I actually go insurance on ABISHAG. Well, not so much on her as for what she might do. She gets hauled out after Columbus Day weekend and her insurance is liability, to cover any damage she might cause if she should say fall of her stands and hit another boat, damaging it. I am not worried about her as she is built like a tank but she could do some serious wreckage should she fall on another boat. I didn't get any coverage for damage to her as it would entail a survey and I both can't afford it and don't want an "official record" of her deficiencies. If someone decided to purchase her, they get to pay for a survey.
It is getting bleedin' cold at night. The days are not much better with the wind out of the north. If this keeps up I will be forced into shoes and long pants. I just hate the thought!
This past weekend was something special. It was the Schooner Festival in New London and while not all the schooners advertised actually showed up, those that did were spectacular. I got drafted to work race committee for the Saturday "Schooner Race" and had a wonderful vantage point to watch these marvelous boats sail. The smallest schooner was about 30 feet and the largest was over 160 feet. They all were gaft-rigged and there were more lines on them than you would believe. Among the bigger vessels, while BRILLIANT was the classiest looking, VIRGINIA at 122 feet was the most impressive. Even as a sailor, I am always impressed at vessels so large can be moved by the blowing wind. And they move well, too. In about 10 knots of wind, VIRGINIA put up a respectable bow wave, not quite "a bone in her teeth," but respectable nonetheless.
This morning, my P.O.S. blew a tire. this was not unexpected as the steel belt had begun to show through in a spot, but I was hoping it would hang in for another few days. So much for hope! All it really means is that I have to "dance with the DMV" in the next few days, as well as switching insurance coverage and "disposing of the "new" car. I say "new" car because my new ride is older than the P.O.S. . . . by a bunch. The new ride is a 1989 Ford Tempo with 24,173 miles on it. It belonged to friend of mine's grandmother and she literally only drove it to church and the super market. it got checked out and repaired by another friend and so it should last me for awhile. Heck, 2 more years and it will be an antique and then the taxes on it will all be disappear.
Speaking of insurance,I actually go insurance on ABISHAG. Well, not so much on her as for what she might do. She gets hauled out after Columbus Day weekend and her insurance is liability, to cover any damage she might cause if she should say fall of her stands and hit another boat, damaging it. I am not worried about her as she is built like a tank but she could do some serious wreckage should she fall on another boat. I didn't get any coverage for damage to her as it would entail a survey and I both can't afford it and don't want an "official record" of her deficiencies. If someone decided to purchase her, they get to pay for a survey.
It is getting bleedin' cold at night. The days are not much better with the wind out of the north. If this keeps up I will be forced into shoes and long pants. I just hate the thought!
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
I Hate Winter! ! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
True, it is not winter . . . yet, but it is coming fast. It arrives sometime the week after Columbus Day Weekend for that is when ABISHAG gets hauled out of the water in Portland and sleeps for the winter. Winter arrives the moment her keel clears the water.
It is also true that the weather is beginning to turn. I tend to sleep "sans apparel" but for the last few nights, I have actually had to dress and even use a blanket. In September, this is unacceptable! And if you believe "The Farmer's Almanac," (not "The Old Farmer's Almanac") this coming winter is to be characterize by biting, brutal cold! Now who wants that?
Much to my distress, and undoubtedly theirs as well, Publisher's Clearing House is having a devil of time finding me. Of course, if they would find me, I would be long gone and hard to find. Not really, but it sounded good, didn't it? I suppose that I could spend a month or two in the BVI, but I would fly there and not sail. Then again, since PCH hasn't found me, hte whole idea is moot.
Chuck the Launch Driver is on his way to Florida. He left Friday with Rich Weber and as of this morning's phone call, they are off Sandy hook, NJ, on their way to Manasquan where they will stop for the night. The weather is deteriorating which means their next leg, to Atlantic City and Plum Cove, will be wet. If the wind is bad, they will stay in Manasquan until it moderates but they hope to be in the Chesapeake by the weekend. Ah, it brings back memories, mostly of square waves and deluging rain and Fred and Bob puking. . . . . but it is those memories of 80 degree temps and constant sunshine Miami and Key Largo that make you deal with all the crap. Still, I am kind of glad that I am not going. It is not so much the trip down but rather the one back. That on seems interminable. And how bad could the winter really be?
True, it is not winter . . . yet, but it is coming fast. It arrives sometime the week after Columbus Day Weekend for that is when ABISHAG gets hauled out of the water in Portland and sleeps for the winter. Winter arrives the moment her keel clears the water.
It is also true that the weather is beginning to turn. I tend to sleep "sans apparel" but for the last few nights, I have actually had to dress and even use a blanket. In September, this is unacceptable! And if you believe "The Farmer's Almanac," (not "The Old Farmer's Almanac") this coming winter is to be characterize by biting, brutal cold! Now who wants that?
Much to my distress, and undoubtedly theirs as well, Publisher's Clearing House is having a devil of time finding me. Of course, if they would find me, I would be long gone and hard to find. Not really, but it sounded good, didn't it? I suppose that I could spend a month or two in the BVI, but I would fly there and not sail. Then again, since PCH hasn't found me, hte whole idea is moot.
Chuck the Launch Driver is on his way to Florida. He left Friday with Rich Weber and as of this morning's phone call, they are off Sandy hook, NJ, on their way to Manasquan where they will stop for the night. The weather is deteriorating which means their next leg, to Atlantic City and Plum Cove, will be wet. If the wind is bad, they will stay in Manasquan until it moderates but they hope to be in the Chesapeake by the weekend. Ah, it brings back memories, mostly of square waves and deluging rain and Fred and Bob puking. . . . . but it is those memories of 80 degree temps and constant sunshine Miami and Key Largo that make you deal with all the crap. Still, I am kind of glad that I am not going. It is not so much the trip down but rather the one back. That on seems interminable. And how bad could the winter really be?
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Winter Is Just Arund The Corner! ! !! !
SHIP'S LOG:
This is the last week of summer! Actually, if you think about and drive by schools, summer is already over. There is something just "wrong" with kids going back to school before Labor Day. The weather is cooperating with the "end of summer theme" as it is actually cool-so-much-as-tobe-almost-colf' at night and the wind, whenever it blows has an underneath seam of cold in it. Just as in the spring, there is in every breeze warmth that promises summer, now the wind carries te dire promise of coming winter.
We had a nasty rain storm overnight. No real wind to speak of but lots of rain and it was cold rain too. Bats are calling in to get mooring space for the Off-Soundings Weekend that is coming up. There is on such race weekend in the Spring and one in the Fall, and we have already had the spring version. It is just another harbinger of the coming winter. I suppose it would be such a traumatic thing if I had an idea where I would be spending it , here, or between here and Florida, or in Florida, but as of right now I have no clue. I am still eternally hopefully that something in the "higher realms" will; work out and I will go back to work, but as of right now nothing seems to be percolating in that direction. It is a question of wait and see.
This is the last week of summer! Actually, if you think about and drive by schools, summer is already over. There is something just "wrong" with kids going back to school before Labor Day. The weather is cooperating with the "end of summer theme" as it is actually cool-so-much-as-tobe-almost-colf' at night and the wind, whenever it blows has an underneath seam of cold in it. Just as in the spring, there is in every breeze warmth that promises summer, now the wind carries te dire promise of coming winter.
We had a nasty rain storm overnight. No real wind to speak of but lots of rain and it was cold rain too. Bats are calling in to get mooring space for the Off-Soundings Weekend that is coming up. There is on such race weekend in the Spring and one in the Fall, and we have already had the spring version. It is just another harbinger of the coming winter. I suppose it would be such a traumatic thing if I had an idea where I would be spending it , here, or between here and Florida, or in Florida, but as of right now I have no clue. I am still eternally hopefully that something in the "higher realms" will; work out and I will go back to work, but as of right now nothing seems to be percolating in that direction. It is a question of wait and see.
Friday, August 23, 2013
SHIP'S LOG:
The summer is slipping away fast. The weather continues to be confused. We had what could have been a great thunderstorm yesterday but it petered out and, aside from a rumble or two f thunder and the odd lightning bolt, it was pretty tame. We could have used the rain for it is rather dry, but it didn't come. The humidity remains but isn't as noticeable as the temp isn't as hot as it should be. August has not delivered on real hot, hazy, humid days and nights. Like the rest of summer, it has been confused trying to be some other month.
The Block Island-to-Newport-to New London cruisers are due back today. They will probably get in late in the afternoon. The weather has been good for them, especially the wind which has been strong and steady. It is the last cruise before the last cruise, the one on Columbus Day Weekend when several of the cruisers will end up in Portland for winter boat hauling. It is another sign that "the end" is near.
The summer seems to have passed with much greater speed this year, over even before it seemed properly begun. and while I enjoyed almost all of it, it is amazing how quickly it passed by. I do not look forward to long pants and shoes and blankets and jackets and all such things. I am just not a winter person and "Winter" comes when the ABISHAG is hauled out of the water.
The summer is slipping away fast. The weather continues to be confused. We had what could have been a great thunderstorm yesterday but it petered out and, aside from a rumble or two f thunder and the odd lightning bolt, it was pretty tame. We could have used the rain for it is rather dry, but it didn't come. The humidity remains but isn't as noticeable as the temp isn't as hot as it should be. August has not delivered on real hot, hazy, humid days and nights. Like the rest of summer, it has been confused trying to be some other month.
The Block Island-to-Newport-to New London cruisers are due back today. They will probably get in late in the afternoon. The weather has been good for them, especially the wind which has been strong and steady. It is the last cruise before the last cruise, the one on Columbus Day Weekend when several of the cruisers will end up in Portland for winter boat hauling. It is another sign that "the end" is near.
The summer seems to have passed with much greater speed this year, over even before it seemed properly begun. and while I enjoyed almost all of it, it is amazing how quickly it passed by. I do not look forward to long pants and shoes and blankets and jackets and all such things. I am just not a winter person and "Winter" comes when the ABISHAG is hauled out of the water.
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