SHIP'S LOG:
It was actually sunny yesterday and working on deck produce an honest-to-goodness sunburn! It must be summer!I actually had to take the time to untangle the anchor line which had more kinks and twists and turns in it than a spastic colon. Most of those who don't boat don't realize how careful you have to be with lines to keep them straight and running free. A unintended loop or twist and foul a line an make a situation dangerous and it pays to take the time, when you are re-coiling lines and storing them to make sure they are ready to run free. Embarrassingly, I didn't do this Sunday after the race with the anchor line. It just got stuff back into the anchor locker and was now a twisted, kinked-up mess. It literally took an hour to unwind, untwist, unkink the line and re-coil it. It was then put very carefully back into the anchor locker, ready for instant use the next time the hook is to be dropped.
Strange day weather-wise. It alternated between very foggy and bright, clear skies. The only down side was that when it was bright and clear there was no wind and when the wind began to blow, it blew in a blanket of fog. Sailing in the Thames River area in the fog, what with the ferries, tankers, barges, and the odd submarine, can be a bit nerve racking on a clear day, it the fog it is absolutely frightening. I never did get off the mooring. I had to contend myself with maintenance work . . . like the anchor line.
The inverter, a device which magically coverts 12 volt DC power to 110 volts AC power ( so that you can run home appliance . . . like the micro wave and the blender on the boat) has decided to take a vacation. It worked fine last week but now it is non-functioning. I was hoping that it was merely an internal breaker that was trip but resetting the breakers on the inverter produced no joy. Neither did resetting the GFI's - Ground Fault Interupters - those little red & black button you see on your outlets at home - that keep you from becoming a human charcoal briquette. So I called Don the Magic Boat Electrician from Mystic Shipyard. Don seemed fascinated with the electrical set up on ABISHAG - it really had him shaking his head - and volunteered that any time I had an electrical question that I should call him. So I did. He walked me through the list of all the stuff I had already tried and a few additional steps, and it came down to two last options: 1.) that somewhere on the wires from the battery banks to the inverter, there was another fuse or breaker that had blow and needed to be replace or reset, or 2.) the inverter was dead and need to be replaced. I didn't have time to check it out yesterday for sure but anyone want to hazard a guess as to which option it is going to be? Hummmmmm?
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
Another great day on the water. It doesn't look particularly good for the rest of the week, but what the heck, it is summer. Unfortunately, I developed a crick in my neck sleeping a a draft last night so I am sort of tilted to the right. God seems to like to toss these little things in every now and then just to keep me on my toes. Nice to know that he is thinking of me, though I can think of a number of other ways he could do the same thing. Still in all, it is nice to be thought of.
ABISHAG is taking on a more homey atmosphere as more and more "stuff" gets transferred back aboard. I must now begin the process of mentally moving abaord as well. It is a very different mind-set and it takes a bit of time but I look forward to it. Nice, sunny, days of 12-15 knots of wind would make it a lot easier.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sailing Weekend! ! ! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
It took Friday and Saturday to get ABISHAG ready for her job as the "WEATHER MARK BOAT" in the 2009 Governor's Regatta on Sunday. It was mostly clean up and arranging things in the boat so that it wouldn't look as though a tornado passed through. Getting the boat up to speed and really ready to trip, doing all sorts of little jobs consume a lot of time but with not much effort. That is a good things as my right knee isn't feeling well. It seems slowly getting better and, though it hurts, the good point is that it makes me forget about my hip. Strangely, the outlets that run the 110volt tools and chargers have stopped working. It took me two days to figure out that perhaps one of the local thunderstorms that have been passing through the area, somehow trip the circuit breaker in the inverter. Hopefully correcting the problem will be as easy as flicking a switch to get everything back to where it should be . . .a new inverter is 3 marine units and I really, REALLY don't have them.
Being a "Mark Boat" for a sailboat race can be both a lot of fun and a total bore. You got out to the area where the race will be held hours before the start of the race and wait as the race committee monitors the wind to see if it is clocking around in one direction or if it is oscillating back and forth. When the have a handle at that, they will send the "weather mark boat" . . . . in this case ABISHAG . . . dead up wind for a couple of miles and once there, we dropped a large, very orange tetrahedron tied to an anchor. This mark will be raced to and round twice by the fleet. After dropping the mark, the mark boat anchors a 100yards off the mark and watch the boats as they round the mark to make sure 1.) the go around the mark; 2.) that no one hits the mark; 3.) if a boat hits the mark, make sure that they do the penalty turns required; 4.) take note of any contentious incidents between boats rounding the mark in case they is a penalty challenge so that we can provide evidence for the hearing following the race.
It sounds exciting and it is, so long as boats are rounding the mark, but that doesn't happen for the whole race. In fact, the first boat didn't even approach the mark until the race was already an hour old. It took about 30-45minutes for all the boats to round and then it was a 2 hours wait before they all came back to round again. In between there isn't much to do. If the weather is clear and you are armed with some decent binoculars, you can follow the race around the course. Sad to say, the weather alternated between foggy and hazy which limited one's vision to about 150-200yards, so watching the race was all but impossible . . . . except when the boats were rounding our mark. Aside from those moments, it was like living inside of a light bulb for all you could see. Of course, stationed near the ferry dock at Fisher's Island, we were several times honked by the ferries going in and out. Sitting in the foggy weather, you could hear boats all around, along with gongs and bells and horns and whistle marks going off like a bad nursery school band.
It wasn't the most exciting race committee work I have ever done but the party afterward was well worth it. Plus we didn't get rained on, which is always a plus. Mount Gay & Tonic!!!!!!!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It is hard to described how great this weekend was, sailing wise. It is funny that with all the motion of the boat, which everyone seems to think will complicate moving about on a bad hip (and knee). Truth be told, I have really not had a problem moving about. In fact, because it is a sailboat, ABISHAG has been designed with all sorts of multiple handholds all over and one moves from handhold to handhold in safety. And for some reason, the hip really doesn't hurt like it does on the hard. The weather for the coming week is not predicted to be all that great, so I will take it day by day, sailing on the good days, restocking the boat and doing maintenance work on the bad. How bad is that?
It took Friday and Saturday to get ABISHAG ready for her job as the "WEATHER MARK BOAT" in the 2009 Governor's Regatta on Sunday. It was mostly clean up and arranging things in the boat so that it wouldn't look as though a tornado passed through. Getting the boat up to speed and really ready to trip, doing all sorts of little jobs consume a lot of time but with not much effort. That is a good things as my right knee isn't feeling well. It seems slowly getting better and, though it hurts, the good point is that it makes me forget about my hip. Strangely, the outlets that run the 110volt tools and chargers have stopped working. It took me two days to figure out that perhaps one of the local thunderstorms that have been passing through the area, somehow trip the circuit breaker in the inverter. Hopefully correcting the problem will be as easy as flicking a switch to get everything back to where it should be . . .a new inverter is 3 marine units and I really, REALLY don't have them.
Being a "Mark Boat" for a sailboat race can be both a lot of fun and a total bore. You got out to the area where the race will be held hours before the start of the race and wait as the race committee monitors the wind to see if it is clocking around in one direction or if it is oscillating back and forth. When the have a handle at that, they will send the "weather mark boat" . . . . in this case ABISHAG . . . dead up wind for a couple of miles and once there, we dropped a large, very orange tetrahedron tied to an anchor. This mark will be raced to and round twice by the fleet. After dropping the mark, the mark boat anchors a 100yards off the mark and watch the boats as they round the mark to make sure 1.) the go around the mark; 2.) that no one hits the mark; 3.) if a boat hits the mark, make sure that they do the penalty turns required; 4.) take note of any contentious incidents between boats rounding the mark in case they is a penalty challenge so that we can provide evidence for the hearing following the race.
It sounds exciting and it is, so long as boats are rounding the mark, but that doesn't happen for the whole race. In fact, the first boat didn't even approach the mark until the race was already an hour old. It took about 30-45minutes for all the boats to round and then it was a 2 hours wait before they all came back to round again. In between there isn't much to do. If the weather is clear and you are armed with some decent binoculars, you can follow the race around the course. Sad to say, the weather alternated between foggy and hazy which limited one's vision to about 150-200yards, so watching the race was all but impossible . . . . except when the boats were rounding our mark. Aside from those moments, it was like living inside of a light bulb for all you could see. Of course, stationed near the ferry dock at Fisher's Island, we were several times honked by the ferries going in and out. Sitting in the foggy weather, you could hear boats all around, along with gongs and bells and horns and whistle marks going off like a bad nursery school band.
It wasn't the most exciting race committee work I have ever done but the party afterward was well worth it. Plus we didn't get rained on, which is always a plus. Mount Gay & Tonic!!!!!!!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It is hard to described how great this weekend was, sailing wise. It is funny that with all the motion of the boat, which everyone seems to think will complicate moving about on a bad hip (and knee). Truth be told, I have really not had a problem moving about. In fact, because it is a sailboat, ABISHAG has been designed with all sorts of multiple handholds all over and one moves from handhold to handhold in safety. And for some reason, the hip really doesn't hurt like it does on the hard. The weather for the coming week is not predicted to be all that great, so I will take it day by day, sailing on the good days, restocking the boat and doing maintenance work on the bad. How bad is that?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Maybe It's A Sign?
SHIP'S PERSONAL LOG:
I got down to ABISHAG again yesterday, moving load of mostly navigational stuff down to her. I am now "charted" to run from the Maine/Canadian Border to Venezuela. That is the "BIG" picture. Truth be told, I would like to be able to leave New England in the Fall (safely) and go South (safely) and just enjoy how that feels.
More little projects completed. The radar reflector that is attached to the ensign hoist on the port spreader of the Mizzen got repaired. The "radar reflector" is basically three circular pieces of aluminum fitted together in a "ball-shape" this is "supposed to" reflect back any radar signals that hit it to its source making ABISHAG visible on radar. Fiberglass is not a good conductor/reflector of such signals and considering all the boats running around out there, it is a good thing to be seen. The "ensign hoist" is simply a line running through a small block that allows one to raise and lower flags. The "port side spread" is one of two(2) metal tubes exiting the mast through which runs a wire that helps to hold the mast upright and in place, and in this case I am referring to the one on the left side of the mast. The mizzen is the mast at the rear of the boat. Everyone clear on that? The radar reflector had been hoisted and held in place with cable ties and light line which was unsatisfactory as it rubbed against the shrouds (wires) and came apart allowing the reflector to swing crazily, making an horrendous noise every time it stuck something, which was constantly. A couple of clips, some stainless steel seizing wire and everything was put right. Hopefully this new approach will be successful and long last.
The second little project concerned the "Genoa blocks." The "Genoa"/jib/ front-most sail on the boat is controlled by a line that runs from the back corner of the sail - the clew - through two(2) blocks (pulleys), the "Genoa Sheet Block" and the "Turning Block", to the winch so that one can taken and let out the sail as wind and desired course dictate. The "Genoa" , in 15 knots of wind, puts a strain of something like 4,500lbs on the sheet and without the blocks and winch would be uncontrollable. These blocks are shackled to slides on the "Genoa track" that allow for position adjustment - you can move them around. On ABISHAG, the edge of the deck is surmounted by a a cap rail a few inches above the deck. Sometimes, when there is no tension on the sheets, the block flop over and get caught under the rail. I had to come up with a little tie up system that keeps them sort of in place, still allows movement and yet will keep them from banging on the deck or getting caught under the cap rail.It involves just a bit if light line tied to the top of each block and then to the lower cable of the lifeline. I doubt that it will last to long as the lifeline cable should saw through the light line relatively quickly, but it is easily replaceable, so who cares?
These two projects, along with cleaning up the navigation station and arranging charts and the like, plus a short nap(hey, all work and no play, your know), consumed the afternoon and as I had an evening appointment, I left ABISHAG about4:30PM, just ahead of the influx of Wednesday Night Racers.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
The maybe "sign" happened getting onboard. As I stepped up out of the launch onto deck, I pushed off with might right leg and something happened in my right knee. I jammed it when the accident happened last week, as my right leg was pressing down, straight and stiff, on the brake when contact was made. That made it sore for the last few days but nothing all that bad. True, it would stiffen up if kept in one position for too long, but it wasn't a big deal. This seems a little bit more. Straight or bent it is fine, but getting into either position is a bit painful. The knee is stable but painful on the outside, just below the joint. I think I pulled/strained/partially tore a tendon or ligament. I went and procured a a knee support and it seems to help some, but as I said, the knee is stable, just painful, and one when I bend it for an inch or so from full extended. It doesn't hurt to walk on it so long as I don't bend it or don't full straighten it. So I'll stay off it, and the boat for a day or so, and allow it to heal up a bit. I am not sure what this is all about, what sort of message God is sending this time, but I am sure I will find out in time. Until then, its Advil, heat and elevation. AH, the joys of boat ownership!
I got down to ABISHAG again yesterday, moving load of mostly navigational stuff down to her. I am now "charted" to run from the Maine/Canadian Border to Venezuela. That is the "BIG" picture. Truth be told, I would like to be able to leave New England in the Fall (safely) and go South (safely) and just enjoy how that feels.
More little projects completed. The radar reflector that is attached to the ensign hoist on the port spreader of the Mizzen got repaired. The "radar reflector" is basically three circular pieces of aluminum fitted together in a "ball-shape" this is "supposed to" reflect back any radar signals that hit it to its source making ABISHAG visible on radar. Fiberglass is not a good conductor/reflector of such signals and considering all the boats running around out there, it is a good thing to be seen. The "ensign hoist" is simply a line running through a small block that allows one to raise and lower flags. The "port side spread" is one of two(2) metal tubes exiting the mast through which runs a wire that helps to hold the mast upright and in place, and in this case I am referring to the one on the left side of the mast. The mizzen is the mast at the rear of the boat. Everyone clear on that? The radar reflector had been hoisted and held in place with cable ties and light line which was unsatisfactory as it rubbed against the shrouds (wires) and came apart allowing the reflector to swing crazily, making an horrendous noise every time it stuck something, which was constantly. A couple of clips, some stainless steel seizing wire and everything was put right. Hopefully this new approach will be successful and long last.
The second little project concerned the "Genoa blocks." The "Genoa"/jib/ front-most sail on the boat is controlled by a line that runs from the back corner of the sail - the clew - through two(2) blocks (pulleys), the "Genoa Sheet Block" and the "Turning Block", to the winch so that one can taken and let out the sail as wind and desired course dictate. The "Genoa" , in 15 knots of wind, puts a strain of something like 4,500lbs on the sheet and without the blocks and winch would be uncontrollable. These blocks are shackled to slides on the "Genoa track" that allow for position adjustment - you can move them around. On ABISHAG, the edge of the deck is surmounted by a a cap rail a few inches above the deck. Sometimes, when there is no tension on the sheets, the block flop over and get caught under the rail. I had to come up with a little tie up system that keeps them sort of in place, still allows movement and yet will keep them from banging on the deck or getting caught under the cap rail.It involves just a bit if light line tied to the top of each block and then to the lower cable of the lifeline. I doubt that it will last to long as the lifeline cable should saw through the light line relatively quickly, but it is easily replaceable, so who cares?
These two projects, along with cleaning up the navigation station and arranging charts and the like, plus a short nap(hey, all work and no play, your know), consumed the afternoon and as I had an evening appointment, I left ABISHAG about4:30PM, just ahead of the influx of Wednesday Night Racers.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
The maybe "sign" happened getting onboard. As I stepped up out of the launch onto deck, I pushed off with might right leg and something happened in my right knee. I jammed it when the accident happened last week, as my right leg was pressing down, straight and stiff, on the brake when contact was made. That made it sore for the last few days but nothing all that bad. True, it would stiffen up if kept in one position for too long, but it wasn't a big deal. This seems a little bit more. Straight or bent it is fine, but getting into either position is a bit painful. The knee is stable but painful on the outside, just below the joint. I think I pulled/strained/partially tore a tendon or ligament. I went and procured a a knee support and it seems to help some, but as I said, the knee is stable, just painful, and one when I bend it for an inch or so from full extended. It doesn't hurt to walk on it so long as I don't bend it or don't full straighten it. So I'll stay off it, and the boat for a day or so, and allow it to heal up a bit. I am not sure what this is all about, what sort of message God is sending this time, but I am sure I will find out in time. Until then, its Advil, heat and elevation. AH, the joys of boat ownership!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Rain, Rain and More Rain! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
The rains came just as NOAA predicted. It's amazing that they got it right. Then again, even a clock that is not running is right twice a day! Rather than spend the day bobbing around in the rain, I took the opportunity to take the vane off the self steering apparatus to have a new cover made, or I should say, to make a new cover. The vane came with a nylon sheath, intended to catch the wind like a sail and turn the rudder on the system to the proper course and hold it there, relative to the wind. Nylon is not the best item for long term exposure to sunlight (UV rays) as it deteriorate after a rather small amount of continuous exposure and literally become "brittle." A good puff of wind or a stray poking finger, and a hole is made and after that the vane sheath just falls to pieces. The one that came with the system lasted about a year, and though they included a second one when I bought the system, it was made of the same material and naturally would last about as long. A new sheath of a different material was needed.
I went to my old friends at the sail loft, where I used to put in some of my free time - in exchange for free sail repair - to help me with this project. Biker John gave me some extreme sail-cover material - stuff that is made to be out in the sun and wind for extended periods of time - and put me to work. I had not done anything like this in quite a while, but it was a rather simple project. Think of make a narrow, three foot long pillow case and you get the idea of the complexity, or lack, of the project. Between the yacking and catching up, it took about two hours but it got done and it will be fitted on the ABISHAG today. . . . . in between the predicted thunderstorms. Along with the endless supply of "projects" and maintenance, the day shall fill up nicely.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
O I do love not having to go back and for to Black Rock Harbor. Got the car "adjusted" by the insurance company. I was afraid that they would total it. But the good thing about drive a P.O.S is that they don't cost that much to fix. $2,100 and four days, mostly to wait for the paint to dry, and I'll be back on the road. Sadly, may name throughout the insurance industry must be a source of horror and disgust. O well, such is life. I get to be a mark boat for the Governor's Regatta on Sunday - free food, Mount Gay & Tonic, a day in the sun - life could be worse!
The rains came just as NOAA predicted. It's amazing that they got it right. Then again, even a clock that is not running is right twice a day! Rather than spend the day bobbing around in the rain, I took the opportunity to take the vane off the self steering apparatus to have a new cover made, or I should say, to make a new cover. The vane came with a nylon sheath, intended to catch the wind like a sail and turn the rudder on the system to the proper course and hold it there, relative to the wind. Nylon is not the best item for long term exposure to sunlight (UV rays) as it deteriorate after a rather small amount of continuous exposure and literally become "brittle." A good puff of wind or a stray poking finger, and a hole is made and after that the vane sheath just falls to pieces. The one that came with the system lasted about a year, and though they included a second one when I bought the system, it was made of the same material and naturally would last about as long. A new sheath of a different material was needed.
I went to my old friends at the sail loft, where I used to put in some of my free time - in exchange for free sail repair - to help me with this project. Biker John gave me some extreme sail-cover material - stuff that is made to be out in the sun and wind for extended periods of time - and put me to work. I had not done anything like this in quite a while, but it was a rather simple project. Think of make a narrow, three foot long pillow case and you get the idea of the complexity, or lack, of the project. Between the yacking and catching up, it took about two hours but it got done and it will be fitted on the ABISHAG today. . . . . in between the predicted thunderstorms. Along with the endless supply of "projects" and maintenance, the day shall fill up nicely.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
O I do love not having to go back and for to Black Rock Harbor. Got the car "adjusted" by the insurance company. I was afraid that they would total it. But the good thing about drive a P.O.S is that they don't cost that much to fix. $2,100 and four days, mostly to wait for the paint to dry, and I'll be back on the road. Sadly, may name throughout the insurance industry must be a source of horror and disgust. O well, such is life. I get to be a mark boat for the Governor's Regatta on Sunday - free food, Mount Gay & Tonic, a day in the sun - life could be worse!
Monday, July 20, 2009
SHIP'S LOG:
ABISHAG is on her mooring off TYC in New London . . . . at least she was when last I saw her. I didn't get down on Saturday. I woke up with a hell of a headache and aches in every bone and muscle in my body. Thinking back on it, I probably dehydrated myself on the way up the coast on Friday. Looking through the log, I realize that I drank a little less than a pint of water the entire day. It should have struck me sooner as a certain bodily effluent was of a very dark color and small volume. Saturday it felt like somebody had drained me of a pint or two of blood and I had absolutely zippo energy. The most I could do was the begin to arrange stuff to be taken down to the boat over the next few days. There are sails and books and clothes and tech manuals and other assorted items that need to be be placed back upon her and it should take a few days to get them all back into their proper place. It will be a chance also to do some more culled of things that I really don't need to drag down and store on the boat. I actually had too much stuff on her last year so I have to take more seriously "simpler is better."
Sunday was a beautiful day but family commitments kept me ashore but as Monday has dawned bright and clear (it looks like it will be the one rain free day of the week), I get to haul the first load to ABISHAG. I will install the new GPS antenna and then both stations will be up and running. It is time to make the trek to Bridgepor . . . . . I mean New London. Thank goodness, I don't have to make that trip again! ! ! ! ! !
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
I am not sure just how much I'll get done today. I have a funny feeling that it will be just too much fun being aboard to really do anything else but enjoy!
ABISHAG is on her mooring off TYC in New London . . . . at least she was when last I saw her. I didn't get down on Saturday. I woke up with a hell of a headache and aches in every bone and muscle in my body. Thinking back on it, I probably dehydrated myself on the way up the coast on Friday. Looking through the log, I realize that I drank a little less than a pint of water the entire day. It should have struck me sooner as a certain bodily effluent was of a very dark color and small volume. Saturday it felt like somebody had drained me of a pint or two of blood and I had absolutely zippo energy. The most I could do was the begin to arrange stuff to be taken down to the boat over the next few days. There are sails and books and clothes and tech manuals and other assorted items that need to be be placed back upon her and it should take a few days to get them all back into their proper place. It will be a chance also to do some more culled of things that I really don't need to drag down and store on the boat. I actually had too much stuff on her last year so I have to take more seriously "simpler is better."
Sunday was a beautiful day but family commitments kept me ashore but as Monday has dawned bright and clear (it looks like it will be the one rain free day of the week), I get to haul the first load to ABISHAG. I will install the new GPS antenna and then both stations will be up and running. It is time to make the trek to Bridgepor . . . . . I mean New London. Thank goodness, I don't have to make that trip again! ! ! ! ! !
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
I am not sure just how much I'll get done today. I have a funny feeling that it will be just too much fun being aboard to really do anything else but enjoy!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
"ARRR! Jim-Boy, Thems that dies bes the Lucky Ones." Long John Silver
SHIP'S LOG:
It is no easier getting up at 3AM on the second day than it was on the first! Still it had to be done. A simple check of the marine forecast indicated that it would be a perfect day . . .there would be a storm until after midnight (That's a perfect day for this summer!) and there would be sun and there would be wind. It was a perfect opportunity to make the trek from Captain's Cove Seaport in Bridgeport to the Thames Yacht Club in New London. The move was further inspired in that I have been waiting for this since they hauled the boat back in December (has it really been that long), plus I don't have the money for another night on the transient dock and i am getting far too comfortable ashore. there is an old sailing proverb that good harbor ruin boats and sailors. It was time to shove off.
It didn't get off to an auspicious start as I trip coming downstairs and dropped the anchor light I was carrying. I busted the chimney but the rest of the light was intact, so another purchase awaits on the horizon. The ride to the boat was quick and uneventful and I got to the boat by 6AM!!!!!
A half-hour of prep - checking the engine oil, turning on the various systems, firing up the engine, undoing the docklines, and I started backing out at 6:31AM. Thankfully there was no wind at that moment. In addition, the boat that had been tied up directly behind me, and I mean DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, either sank, got blown out to sea or was moved, so there was nothing impeding my backward departure. I cleared the harbor without hitting anything - a notable achievement considering my recent history - and at 7AM I was off to New London.
There was no wind at this time of the morning and the sky was cloudless, though there was a bit of a haze. I got to a particular buoy outside of Bridgeport and set a course of 078 degrees magnetic which would take me safely - if I stuck to it - to a buoy outside of New Haven. Due to the fact that I was motoring, that is not as simple as it sounds. The prop push water against the rudder tends to make turning the rudder - that is called steering - a bit of a chore and since the prop turns in a clockwise direction, it tend to push the stern of the boat to the right making the boat want to do left turns. I have to constantly turn the boat back on course which is a bit of a chore because it is called steering.( See previous sentence for explanation.)
I passed "the Gulf" at Milford where I had my one and only successful anchoring on last year's trip. Approaching New Haven, I was looking for a large Red & White Whistle Buoy and I missed it in the haze. I thought I saw it but it turned out to be a boat. While the GPS had me in the general direction and area, I didn't want to get too dependent on it as the can lead you astray as anyone who has one in their car can testify. I finally punched up the "NAVIGATE TO" feature only to find that I had already past it. In truth, to compensate for what I thought was bad dead reckoning, I had actually gone way outside of it by a couple of miles and was looking for it on the wrong side of the boat!!!!
Since there were any number of reefs and rocks along the shoreline from New Haven to Old Saybrook, I used the "NAVIGATE TO" feature and kept a better look out. The next buoy was a Green GONG off of Falkner Island off of Guilford. It is fronted on the West by Goose Island which is mostly underwater and is a place best avoided . . .especially by anyone sans insurance . . . like me. I located the buoy on the GPS, hit the "NAVIGATE TO" button and a "magenta Highway" appeared on the screen. As long as I kept the little boat on the magenta highway, the BIG BOAT and I were safe. It was a two hour cruise, still no wind, and I hit the buoy - figuratively - spot on. I did the GPS thing again, aiming for a bell buoy off the Old Saybrook breakwater and two and a half hours later, there I was off Old Saybrook. . . . like magic. Boy, you can see how boaters can get addicted to using the GPS. It is quite accurate and some systems can even interface with other systems on your boat, including your auto-pilot. You can have the thing run your boat and be safe and sound . . . so long as you program it correctly, you don't run out of power, and it doesn't throw some kind of electronic hissy fit. One has to be carefully not to get too dependant on this one system or you can end up on the rock. Heck, i can do that all by myself!!!!
After Old Saybrook, the next stop was the Tower/Horn at Bartlett two miles off the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant. IT was a 90 minute trip. Now I was getting back into home territory. It even seemed comforting to see the large red and white tower of the power plant. from there, it was another hour to my mooring at TYC. I was feet dry by 4:30pm. Huzzah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People ask how it went. It was a boring, dull, uneventfully, wonderful trip. The engine worked like a champ as did all the systems I used. I couldn't have been happier. I was absolutely exhausted though, having been at the wheel from 6:30 AM to 4PM.y good friend, Ray, picked me up and we journey BACK TO CAPTAIN'S COVE SEAPORT in Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport to get my car. As a final expression of farewell after so may months there, the local seagull visited my car . . . . the bastards! Then it was a two hour drive back home, for the last time, dinner, a little bit of Red Sox, and of to bed to sleep the sleep, if not of the just, then of the truly tired.
CAPTAIN'S PERSONAL LOG:
I don't want to say that I was scared to death but I surely was anxious. . . . . at least at first. I had visions of going aground in Black Rock Harbor and having to turn around an put back it. But it didn't happen. Aside from the fact that there was no wind until after I was secured to the mooring in New London, it was a great trip. Lots of time to think and pray and look around and simple enjoy. It has been a long time in coming but well worth the wait! ! ! ! !
It is no easier getting up at 3AM on the second day than it was on the first! Still it had to be done. A simple check of the marine forecast indicated that it would be a perfect day . . .there would be a storm until after midnight (That's a perfect day for this summer!) and there would be sun and there would be wind. It was a perfect opportunity to make the trek from Captain's Cove Seaport in Bridgeport to the Thames Yacht Club in New London. The move was further inspired in that I have been waiting for this since they hauled the boat back in December (has it really been that long), plus I don't have the money for another night on the transient dock and i am getting far too comfortable ashore. there is an old sailing proverb that good harbor ruin boats and sailors. It was time to shove off.
It didn't get off to an auspicious start as I trip coming downstairs and dropped the anchor light I was carrying. I busted the chimney but the rest of the light was intact, so another purchase awaits on the horizon. The ride to the boat was quick and uneventful and I got to the boat by 6AM!!!!!
A half-hour of prep - checking the engine oil, turning on the various systems, firing up the engine, undoing the docklines, and I started backing out at 6:31AM. Thankfully there was no wind at that moment. In addition, the boat that had been tied up directly behind me, and I mean DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, either sank, got blown out to sea or was moved, so there was nothing impeding my backward departure. I cleared the harbor without hitting anything - a notable achievement considering my recent history - and at 7AM I was off to New London.
There was no wind at this time of the morning and the sky was cloudless, though there was a bit of a haze. I got to a particular buoy outside of Bridgeport and set a course of 078 degrees magnetic which would take me safely - if I stuck to it - to a buoy outside of New Haven. Due to the fact that I was motoring, that is not as simple as it sounds. The prop push water against the rudder tends to make turning the rudder - that is called steering - a bit of a chore and since the prop turns in a clockwise direction, it tend to push the stern of the boat to the right making the boat want to do left turns. I have to constantly turn the boat back on course which is a bit of a chore because it is called steering.( See previous sentence for explanation.)
I passed "the Gulf" at Milford where I had my one and only successful anchoring on last year's trip. Approaching New Haven, I was looking for a large Red & White Whistle Buoy and I missed it in the haze. I thought I saw it but it turned out to be a boat. While the GPS had me in the general direction and area, I didn't want to get too dependent on it as the can lead you astray as anyone who has one in their car can testify. I finally punched up the "NAVIGATE TO" feature only to find that I had already past it. In truth, to compensate for what I thought was bad dead reckoning, I had actually gone way outside of it by a couple of miles and was looking for it on the wrong side of the boat!!!!
Since there were any number of reefs and rocks along the shoreline from New Haven to Old Saybrook, I used the "NAVIGATE TO" feature and kept a better look out. The next buoy was a Green GONG off of Falkner Island off of Guilford. It is fronted on the West by Goose Island which is mostly underwater and is a place best avoided . . .especially by anyone sans insurance . . . like me. I located the buoy on the GPS, hit the "NAVIGATE TO" button and a "magenta Highway" appeared on the screen. As long as I kept the little boat on the magenta highway, the BIG BOAT and I were safe. It was a two hour cruise, still no wind, and I hit the buoy - figuratively - spot on. I did the GPS thing again, aiming for a bell buoy off the Old Saybrook breakwater and two and a half hours later, there I was off Old Saybrook. . . . like magic. Boy, you can see how boaters can get addicted to using the GPS. It is quite accurate and some systems can even interface with other systems on your boat, including your auto-pilot. You can have the thing run your boat and be safe and sound . . . so long as you program it correctly, you don't run out of power, and it doesn't throw some kind of electronic hissy fit. One has to be carefully not to get too dependant on this one system or you can end up on the rock. Heck, i can do that all by myself!!!!
After Old Saybrook, the next stop was the Tower/Horn at Bartlett two miles off the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant. IT was a 90 minute trip. Now I was getting back into home territory. It even seemed comforting to see the large red and white tower of the power plant. from there, it was another hour to my mooring at TYC. I was feet dry by 4:30pm. Huzzah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People ask how it went. It was a boring, dull, uneventfully, wonderful trip. The engine worked like a champ as did all the systems I used. I couldn't have been happier. I was absolutely exhausted though, having been at the wheel from 6:30 AM to 4PM.y good friend, Ray, picked me up and we journey BACK TO CAPTAIN'S COVE SEAPORT in Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport to get my car. As a final expression of farewell after so may months there, the local seagull visited my car . . . . the bastards! Then it was a two hour drive back home, for the last time, dinner, a little bit of Red Sox, and of to bed to sleep the sleep, if not of the just, then of the truly tired.
CAPTAIN'S PERSONAL LOG:
I don't want to say that I was scared to death but I surely was anxious. . . . . at least at first. I had visions of going aground in Black Rock Harbor and having to turn around an put back it. But it didn't happen. Aside from the fact that there was no wind until after I was secured to the mooring in New London, it was a great trip. Lots of time to think and pray and look around and simple enjoy. It has been a long time in coming but well worth the wait! ! ! ! !
Thursday, July 16, 2009
YES! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG: WEDNESDAY
Wednesday I ended up 110 feet from the water's edge. The boat yard crew never quite got the batteries out of the boat and so that they wouldn't invalidate the contract, the moved the whole boat lock, stock and batteries to the nearest 30amp out let and plugged her in. They did all the things to the batteries that they were obligated to do and ABISHAG hummed as her batteries filled.
Wednesday also saw the transfer of the anchors. Moved one of the plow anchors and replaced it with a danforth style anchor. It is not important that you necessarily know the difference between the two, suffice it to say that with two different anchors I have improved my hold capabilities over different bottoms . . . less chance that I will mess up again. So it is a good thing.
Finding a good place for the second plow anchor proved fruitless so now it rest, at least temporally atop the deck house aft of the mast, secured to the handrail. Not the best place, but the best I could come up with on the spot. Another may present itself later.
Aside from little things like whipping some lines, and cleaning and stowing, everything else awaits the splash awaits the splashing of the boat.
THURSDAY
Three o'clock in the morning comes awfully bloody early!Three O'clock? Yes! In order to be at the boatyard in Black Rock Harbor by 7 AM, I had to give myself a good 2 1/2 hours to make the 108 mile trip. Taking in to account the vagaries of traffic (and accidents) at that time of the morning, and giving myself time for my regular morning ablutions, four hours seemed about right. I ended up getting to Captains Cove Seaport at 6:30AM , which gave me sufficient time to unplug the boat . . the batteries were fine . . . .check the engine oil and take a short nap before paying the final yard bill . . .almost 2 marine units. ABISHAG splashed at 7:40Am and was nestled in her comfy transient slip by 8AM. The engine ran like a champ, the water stayed outside the boat, she went where she was steered and though extremely short, the first trip was a rousing success.
I spent a few hours checking all the systems. they all worked excepted for the GPS unit in the nav station. For some reason the antenna shorted and despite following the very detailed instructions from the tech people at Garmin, no fix could be found. The unit worked, it just didn't receive via the antenna and so a new one must be purchased (at a mere $43).
Bending on the sails was more of a project, something akin to herding cats. Thanks goodness there was little in the way of wind, but the little there was was enough to make it a frustrating pain in the butt. All the sails went on and furled like there were supposed to, though I did catch the main on something a put a small tear in it along a seam. The sail is old and had it been newer, it probably would not have torn. I am going to have to look into purchasing a new one ( Oh, will the expense never end! ! ! ) But everything that can be done, short of hauling down all the stuff I took off when the boat went on the hard, has been done. The trip to New London awaits only the rising of the sun on the morrow.
CAPTAIN'S PERSONAL LOG:
I couldn't believe how nervous I was an the ABISHAG went into the water. Paranoia reigned supreme. Would the engine start? Would she take on water from somewhere? Would all the wiring and plumbing that was done hold up? The quarter mile trip from the boat launch to the transient slip went like a breeze. It was as if I had only helmed the boat yesterday. The again, I hadn't done such a great job yesterday! ! ! !Still it was like the old saw about riding a bike. It was quite indescribable to express what it felt like making that short trip. At the marker in the channel, a left turn led to the slips and a right turn led to the Sound, and it was hard not to make the right turn . . . . though the boat yard crew guy who was with me might have raised an objection or two. Getting the sails on and the systems checked to longer than necessary as I enjoyed just being on the water again. I even took a short but well deserved nap to celebrate. Tomorrow should be great, come rain or come shine.
Wednesday I ended up 110 feet from the water's edge. The boat yard crew never quite got the batteries out of the boat and so that they wouldn't invalidate the contract, the moved the whole boat lock, stock and batteries to the nearest 30amp out let and plugged her in. They did all the things to the batteries that they were obligated to do and ABISHAG hummed as her batteries filled.
Wednesday also saw the transfer of the anchors. Moved one of the plow anchors and replaced it with a danforth style anchor. It is not important that you necessarily know the difference between the two, suffice it to say that with two different anchors I have improved my hold capabilities over different bottoms . . . less chance that I will mess up again. So it is a good thing.
Finding a good place for the second plow anchor proved fruitless so now it rest, at least temporally atop the deck house aft of the mast, secured to the handrail. Not the best place, but the best I could come up with on the spot. Another may present itself later.
Aside from little things like whipping some lines, and cleaning and stowing, everything else awaits the splash awaits the splashing of the boat.
THURSDAY
Three o'clock in the morning comes awfully bloody early!Three O'clock? Yes! In order to be at the boatyard in Black Rock Harbor by 7 AM, I had to give myself a good 2 1/2 hours to make the 108 mile trip. Taking in to account the vagaries of traffic (and accidents) at that time of the morning, and giving myself time for my regular morning ablutions, four hours seemed about right. I ended up getting to Captains Cove Seaport at 6:30AM , which gave me sufficient time to unplug the boat . . the batteries were fine . . . .check the engine oil and take a short nap before paying the final yard bill . . .almost 2 marine units. ABISHAG splashed at 7:40Am and was nestled in her comfy transient slip by 8AM. The engine ran like a champ, the water stayed outside the boat, she went where she was steered and though extremely short, the first trip was a rousing success.
I spent a few hours checking all the systems. they all worked excepted for the GPS unit in the nav station. For some reason the antenna shorted and despite following the very detailed instructions from the tech people at Garmin, no fix could be found. The unit worked, it just didn't receive via the antenna and so a new one must be purchased (at a mere $43).
Bending on the sails was more of a project, something akin to herding cats. Thanks goodness there was little in the way of wind, but the little there was was enough to make it a frustrating pain in the butt. All the sails went on and furled like there were supposed to, though I did catch the main on something a put a small tear in it along a seam. The sail is old and had it been newer, it probably would not have torn. I am going to have to look into purchasing a new one ( Oh, will the expense never end! ! ! ) But everything that can be done, short of hauling down all the stuff I took off when the boat went on the hard, has been done. The trip to New London awaits only the rising of the sun on the morrow.
CAPTAIN'S PERSONAL LOG:
I couldn't believe how nervous I was an the ABISHAG went into the water. Paranoia reigned supreme. Would the engine start? Would she take on water from somewhere? Would all the wiring and plumbing that was done hold up? The quarter mile trip from the boat launch to the transient slip went like a breeze. It was as if I had only helmed the boat yesterday. The again, I hadn't done such a great job yesterday! ! ! !Still it was like the old saw about riding a bike. It was quite indescribable to express what it felt like making that short trip. At the marker in the channel, a left turn led to the slips and a right turn led to the Sound, and it was hard not to make the right turn . . . . though the boat yard crew guy who was with me might have raised an objection or two. Getting the sails on and the systems checked to longer than necessary as I enjoyed just being on the water again. I even took a short but well deserved nap to celebrate. Tomorrow should be great, come rain or come shine.
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