SHIP'S LOG:
Actually, yesterday was too, too bad, merely horrible. we were lucky enough to have an on-shore breeze, which meant that because the land heated up faster than the water, the air over it rose, sucking in the air from over the water which was much cooler. Still it was hot, real hot, damn hot, and humid too! But then I guess I am not telling you much of anything new, am I?
Today is supposed to be worse! It is payback for all the winter cold and snow. It is probably what all the locals dreamt about in December and January, forgetting what it could really be like when the hot weather machine gets into full gear . . . and it is only July!
Hopefully there will be enough wind to go out for a sail today. It may end up being pretty much of a float as oppose to a sail but the difference from being on land will be very noticeable. Just walking from the clubhouse to the launch dock takes you out over the water and that drops the temperature a bunch, or at least if feels that way. It's a good day for air conditioning, which I don't have, or at least a swim. Right now the 53 degree Maine Ocean water sound pretty good. O, to be "blue" and shivering!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Lights Went Out In Georgia . . . Actually New London!
SHIP'S LOG:
As I have mentioned many times before, I view electricity as something akin to Voodoo. No matter how hard I try I can not seem to grasp the concept except in the most vague and limit manner. Anything more electrically complex than a flashlight and I am at a loss. And if fixing it requires anything more than replacing the batteries, well . . . . just forget about it.
Thus is was no fun when the lights in the salon stopped working. Damn! If one had stopped, or perhaps two, I could have let it slide, my usual method for dealing with things electric. But all the lights and all at once, no that was a matter to be dealt with. Unfortunately, it wasn't a batteries problem!
All of the electrical items and switches and outlets are all connected to the house battery Bank ( the source of power) panel of breakers at the nav table. The breaker which controlled the lights was also wire to control the propane solenoid as well. Well that worked because I would have been without morning coffee otherwise, not a good thing, but the lights did not. This little bit of information told me that there was juice to the breaker and that was the first place to start. I unscrewed the 8 screws holding the breaker panel in place and checked the appropriate breaker for a loose wire. No such luck.The next move was to check out the wire connection at the light fixture nearest the breaker panel. Sounds simple but it entailed taking down the ceiling. that meant unscrewing the 18 little screws that hold it to the overhead(and not loosing any) and horsing the panel out of its spot and into a place where it would be out of the way. Oh, did i mention that it was 89 degrees and 97% humidity? NO? It was! And no breeze!
After the ceiling was down, I was able to access the back of the fixture and there it was, a wire broken of a stud on the light switch. It seemed easy enough to fix through it entailed removing the fixture so that I could get at it with a soldering iron. this particular fixture was a gooseneck lamp for the nav station and its design made it necessary to not only disconnect it from the ceiling but also to cut the wires connecting it to the power. Then I needed only to re-solder the connection and reconnect the wires and reattach the fixture to the ceiling then reattach the ceiling to the overhead and the job would be done. Simple.
I had a butane soldering iron, a jar of flux . . . . . but no solder. So Call the launch, get ashore, drive to Radio Shack, get the solder, drive back, get the launch out to the boat and fix it. And I did. The light work perfectly as did the other light on the port side of the boat. Darkness still reigned however on the starboard side. Both of the florescent fixture were "non-responsive!" While wired to the same breaker switch, they probably took power from the propane solenoid panel. I say probably because I don't know for sure. I do know that i had to put the ceiling back and to investigate the florescent side of the issue meant taking down another ceiling panel on the other side of the salon, as well as dealing with the back of the solenoid power panel, which, despite my best previous efforts, still bore some resemblance to a bowl of spaghetti. It also meant having to deal with some ham-handed wiring that was even worse than my own.
I hate to say it, but I have pout it off for awhile. It is too bleeding hot and, based on the first foray into the ceiling, which took from about 11am to 5pm, it will be an all day affair of the first water. The prospect is not so much daunting as debilitating, what with the serious heat wave heading our way(actually, already here!). Next week is bound to be cooler, plus it doesn't mean i can't go sailing!
As I have mentioned many times before, I view electricity as something akin to Voodoo. No matter how hard I try I can not seem to grasp the concept except in the most vague and limit manner. Anything more electrically complex than a flashlight and I am at a loss. And if fixing it requires anything more than replacing the batteries, well . . . . just forget about it.
Thus is was no fun when the lights in the salon stopped working. Damn! If one had stopped, or perhaps two, I could have let it slide, my usual method for dealing with things electric. But all the lights and all at once, no that was a matter to be dealt with. Unfortunately, it wasn't a batteries problem!
All of the electrical items and switches and outlets are all connected to the house battery Bank ( the source of power) panel of breakers at the nav table. The breaker which controlled the lights was also wire to control the propane solenoid as well. Well that worked because I would have been without morning coffee otherwise, not a good thing, but the lights did not. This little bit of information told me that there was juice to the breaker and that was the first place to start. I unscrewed the 8 screws holding the breaker panel in place and checked the appropriate breaker for a loose wire. No such luck.The next move was to check out the wire connection at the light fixture nearest the breaker panel. Sounds simple but it entailed taking down the ceiling. that meant unscrewing the 18 little screws that hold it to the overhead(and not loosing any) and horsing the panel out of its spot and into a place where it would be out of the way. Oh, did i mention that it was 89 degrees and 97% humidity? NO? It was! And no breeze!
After the ceiling was down, I was able to access the back of the fixture and there it was, a wire broken of a stud on the light switch. It seemed easy enough to fix through it entailed removing the fixture so that I could get at it with a soldering iron. this particular fixture was a gooseneck lamp for the nav station and its design made it necessary to not only disconnect it from the ceiling but also to cut the wires connecting it to the power. Then I needed only to re-solder the connection and reconnect the wires and reattach the fixture to the ceiling then reattach the ceiling to the overhead and the job would be done. Simple.
I had a butane soldering iron, a jar of flux . . . . . but no solder. So Call the launch, get ashore, drive to Radio Shack, get the solder, drive back, get the launch out to the boat and fix it. And I did. The light work perfectly as did the other light on the port side of the boat. Darkness still reigned however on the starboard side. Both of the florescent fixture were "non-responsive!" While wired to the same breaker switch, they probably took power from the propane solenoid panel. I say probably because I don't know for sure. I do know that i had to put the ceiling back and to investigate the florescent side of the issue meant taking down another ceiling panel on the other side of the salon, as well as dealing with the back of the solenoid power panel, which, despite my best previous efforts, still bore some resemblance to a bowl of spaghetti. It also meant having to deal with some ham-handed wiring that was even worse than my own.
I hate to say it, but I have pout it off for awhile. It is too bleeding hot and, based on the first foray into the ceiling, which took from about 11am to 5pm, it will be an all day affair of the first water. The prospect is not so much daunting as debilitating, what with the serious heat wave heading our way(actually, already here!). Next week is bound to be cooler, plus it doesn't mean i can't go sailing!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Racing Is Fun; Being On The Race Committee - Not So Much!
SHIP'S LOG:
I am not quite sure exactly how it happened but On Friday and Saturday, I got seconded to the Race Committee for the North American "Force Five" National Championship. It is not onerous duty. It is not even very hard. It can, however, be really, REALLY boring!!!!!
Friday I went out with Greg Roth on his Friendship Sloop, FIDDLEHEAD, and that was quite enjoyable. I had never been on a Friendship Sloop. They are old designs, quite over 100 years and were originally workboats in Maine. Gaft-rigged with bowsprits, they have a nice appeal when they sail by. As lovely as they are, they are more work than my ketch to get set up and taken down.. Still they have that certain something that speaks of "real sailboats."
The only true "excitement" for the day was that the leeward mark Greg and I set drifted and had to be replaced. The drift wasn't particularly severe but it meant that since it happened once, it could happen again and so we had to ride herd on the mark the rest of the day. This mean we sailed no further than a couple hundred yards from the mark and then back to check the GPS position and make sure it didn't move. It didn't, at least not for the rest of that day. AT the end of the races, we tried to pick it up on the fly. I took the first two shots at the helm and missed badly both times. Greg took the next two shots and while I was able to snag a line on the mark, one of two, it turned out to be the one that was secured only at one end! We gave it up as a bad idea and turned on the motor, secured the mark and motored in.
Saturday I seconded once again by the Race Committee, this time to be the Windward Mark Boat, though I am still somewhat unclear exactly how it happened. No matter, I suppose. Originally, they were going to assign me a club skiff for the task, but in that hot sun and high temp and humidity, I decided to use my own boat. Floating around in my boat would be a heck of a lot more comfortable, more sun shade, more boat to deal with the rolls and wakes, more GPS power, more radios, just better all-around.
I motored out at about 10 and we waited for two hours for the wind to finally fill in. I set the Windward mark, moved off a hundred yards, killed the engine and drifted. Since the current was running West to East, about every half hour, I would start the engine and motor west, passing the Mark and checking its position, before shutting down the engine and resuming the drift. Boy, it sure was exciting. They were holding a Hospice Regatta, to raise money for Hospice, off of Horseshoe Reef and it was good to see that they had a great turn out. Whenever there is a big regatta, the down hill runs are always great with all the spinnakers flying.
After having moved the mark at the direction of the Race Committee after the second race, two more races went off and finished up by 4:30 and then it was pickup the mark and motor on in. Like I said, not the most exciting of endeavours but a necessary one as without the Race Committee and its worker bees, there wouldn't be any race. And I get to do it again next Sunday for the Governor's Regatta.
I am not quite sure exactly how it happened but On Friday and Saturday, I got seconded to the Race Committee for the North American "Force Five" National Championship. It is not onerous duty. It is not even very hard. It can, however, be really, REALLY boring!!!!!
Friday I went out with Greg Roth on his Friendship Sloop, FIDDLEHEAD, and that was quite enjoyable. I had never been on a Friendship Sloop. They are old designs, quite over 100 years and were originally workboats in Maine. Gaft-rigged with bowsprits, they have a nice appeal when they sail by. As lovely as they are, they are more work than my ketch to get set up and taken down.. Still they have that certain something that speaks of "real sailboats."
The only true "excitement" for the day was that the leeward mark Greg and I set drifted and had to be replaced. The drift wasn't particularly severe but it meant that since it happened once, it could happen again and so we had to ride herd on the mark the rest of the day. This mean we sailed no further than a couple hundred yards from the mark and then back to check the GPS position and make sure it didn't move. It didn't, at least not for the rest of that day. AT the end of the races, we tried to pick it up on the fly. I took the first two shots at the helm and missed badly both times. Greg took the next two shots and while I was able to snag a line on the mark, one of two, it turned out to be the one that was secured only at one end! We gave it up as a bad idea and turned on the motor, secured the mark and motored in.
Saturday I seconded once again by the Race Committee, this time to be the Windward Mark Boat, though I am still somewhat unclear exactly how it happened. No matter, I suppose. Originally, they were going to assign me a club skiff for the task, but in that hot sun and high temp and humidity, I decided to use my own boat. Floating around in my boat would be a heck of a lot more comfortable, more sun shade, more boat to deal with the rolls and wakes, more GPS power, more radios, just better all-around.
I motored out at about 10 and we waited for two hours for the wind to finally fill in. I set the Windward mark, moved off a hundred yards, killed the engine and drifted. Since the current was running West to East, about every half hour, I would start the engine and motor west, passing the Mark and checking its position, before shutting down the engine and resuming the drift. Boy, it sure was exciting. They were holding a Hospice Regatta, to raise money for Hospice, off of Horseshoe Reef and it was good to see that they had a great turn out. Whenever there is a big regatta, the down hill runs are always great with all the spinnakers flying.
After having moved the mark at the direction of the Race Committee after the second race, two more races went off and finished up by 4:30 and then it was pickup the mark and motor on in. Like I said, not the most exciting of endeavours but a necessary one as without the Race Committee and its worker bees, there wouldn't be any race. And I get to do it again next Sunday for the Governor's Regatta.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Well, Wasn't That Exciting! ! ! ! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
Yesterday was another hot and humid day, though there was a mild breeze blowing. According to the boys & girls at NOAA, my favorite government institution, there was to be"a 30% chance for rain," something they actually include in every forecast throughout the summer and the breeze would top out at LESS than "10 knots!" This would make for fair racing for the regular Wednesday Night Race at TYC and the various clubs around the area.
Most of the racers at TYC head out to their boats between 5 and 5:30pm as the racing begins for the first class t around 6:15pm give or take. As they headed out last night, there were some clouds about, but nothing that looked particularly threatening, at least not at that time. I got an invite to go out as crew on "GNAT," a complex and very fast racer but had to decline as I was committed to help the steward get the beach front ready for the Force 5 Nationals on Thursday. It turned out to be a good call on my part.
By the time I had finished up with the "beach patrol," a few dark clouds had appeared north of the Club, looking like something out of the of the "Wizard of OZ." Still, it really didn't look all that threatening. But slowly the clouds overcame the sky and the rain gradually crept across the river and the wind picked up. Of course, by this tuiime the races had all started and, since it had been a beautiful day, few if any of the crews were packing rain gear.
And then the rain rally started to come down, the infamous "firehose effect." The wind didn't seem that bad, blustery but not bad. Those of us who were on the porch having dinner, wondered about just how wet the racers were getting. But then the wind picked up some more an really started to gust. The rain increased cutting down the viability.
The first indication something was wrong was when two, count'em 2 Coastie boats went whipping down the river with their lights flash. I went up to the top porch but couldn't see down the river to see where they were going. One of the members had the radar picture on his cell phone and it showed a bad cell right over us and another behind it racing up the Sound. Not could.
Suddenly I notice that one of the boats, "RANDOM NUMBERS" was being towed in by a lobster boat. Something looked wrong but it was only when see passed a much small boat on its mooring that I realized that the mast had snapped off half way. Along with a couple of others, I raced out through the rain to the end of the dock to catch lines and secure her to the dock. Thank goodness no one was hurt. They had been roaring along , well heeled over, with just a jib up when they got hit with a blast . Before they could get the sail down the mast simply snapped, the top half kept on the boat by the wire shrouds. With the shrouds and sail flapping about, they were fortunate that no one got swept overboard. Something got caught in the prop so they had no engine power and were lucky that the nearby lobster boat was able to tow them in.
RANDOM NUMBERS was followed in by RUSTY NAIL who came in with sails down. They had been shoved over on their side and had broached and really hadn't sufficient crew to deal with the unexpected bad weather.
To make matters worse, along with the wind and rain, was the arrival of lightning. It didn't affect the boats to much as they finished the race and went to their moorings but club rules don't allow the launch drivers to operate when there is lightning. As a result, everyone on the boats had to sit tight. It wasn't much of a problem for some but the poor Ensign sailors really took it bad. Ensigns are pretty much "day sailer" and are very open except for a SMALL cuddy cabin. Not a lot of room for the crew and if they were sailing with extra hands, not room for all the crew. As a result, there were a lot of unhappy and very wet sailors, though all were quite relieved that no one had been hurt on RANDOM NUMBERS. Just another fun day in the world of boat ownership
Yesterday was another hot and humid day, though there was a mild breeze blowing. According to the boys & girls at NOAA, my favorite government institution, there was to be"a 30% chance for rain," something they actually include in every forecast throughout the summer and the breeze would top out at LESS than "10 knots!" This would make for fair racing for the regular Wednesday Night Race at TYC and the various clubs around the area.
Most of the racers at TYC head out to their boats between 5 and 5:30pm as the racing begins for the first class t around 6:15pm give or take. As they headed out last night, there were some clouds about, but nothing that looked particularly threatening, at least not at that time. I got an invite to go out as crew on "GNAT," a complex and very fast racer but had to decline as I was committed to help the steward get the beach front ready for the Force 5 Nationals on Thursday. It turned out to be a good call on my part.
By the time I had finished up with the "beach patrol," a few dark clouds had appeared north of the Club, looking like something out of the of the "Wizard of OZ." Still, it really didn't look all that threatening. But slowly the clouds overcame the sky and the rain gradually crept across the river and the wind picked up. Of course, by this tuiime the races had all started and, since it had been a beautiful day, few if any of the crews were packing rain gear.
And then the rain rally started to come down, the infamous "firehose effect." The wind didn't seem that bad, blustery but not bad. Those of us who were on the porch having dinner, wondered about just how wet the racers were getting. But then the wind picked up some more an really started to gust. The rain increased cutting down the viability.
The first indication something was wrong was when two, count'em 2 Coastie boats went whipping down the river with their lights flash. I went up to the top porch but couldn't see down the river to see where they were going. One of the members had the radar picture on his cell phone and it showed a bad cell right over us and another behind it racing up the Sound. Not could.
Suddenly I notice that one of the boats, "RANDOM NUMBERS" was being towed in by a lobster boat. Something looked wrong but it was only when see passed a much small boat on its mooring that I realized that the mast had snapped off half way. Along with a couple of others, I raced out through the rain to the end of the dock to catch lines and secure her to the dock. Thank goodness no one was hurt. They had been roaring along , well heeled over, with just a jib up when they got hit with a blast . Before they could get the sail down the mast simply snapped, the top half kept on the boat by the wire shrouds. With the shrouds and sail flapping about, they were fortunate that no one got swept overboard. Something got caught in the prop so they had no engine power and were lucky that the nearby lobster boat was able to tow them in.
RANDOM NUMBERS was followed in by RUSTY NAIL who came in with sails down. They had been shoved over on their side and had broached and really hadn't sufficient crew to deal with the unexpected bad weather.
To make matters worse, along with the wind and rain, was the arrival of lightning. It didn't affect the boats to much as they finished the race and went to their moorings but club rules don't allow the launch drivers to operate when there is lightning. As a result, everyone on the boats had to sit tight. It wasn't much of a problem for some but the poor Ensign sailors really took it bad. Ensigns are pretty much "day sailer" and are very open except for a SMALL cuddy cabin. Not a lot of room for the crew and if they were sailing with extra hands, not room for all the crew. As a result, there were a lot of unhappy and very wet sailors, though all were quite relieved that no one had been hurt on RANDOM NUMBERS. Just another fun day in the world of boat ownership
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Remember To Drink Lots Of Water
SHIP'S LOG:
After 9 months of summer, I got my first "summer Headache." I usually get them when I don't drink enough water. humid that I sweated the water out as fast as I could guzzle it and, after awhile, it was a losing proposition. Even laying down to take a short nap in what cool breeze there was out on the boat was of no help and indeed, it was from the nap that I woke up with a real tear-the-top-off-your-skull head pounder. Even getting back to guzzling didn't help all that much nor the ibuprofen.
I tried going out for a sail, more of a float actually, but it still didn't help. Still it was a sail and that was and always is a good thing.
One bad thing is that I have misplaced my wallet. It is on the oat somewhere but just where I can't find. I attribute it to the summer headache but even so, that doesn't find the wallet. It will turn up . . . eventually . . . but sooner is much better than later and so I will have to do a major search mission and soon as I get back aboard. What a pain! Then again, I hope it is lost aboard. If not, well the person who finds it will find out how true it was when old Billy wrote, "He who steals my purse steal trash!" My wallet and its contents will prove that observation more than true.
I will be working the Governor's Regatta as the Windward Mark Boat. Not a lot of work really. Once the Starting line is set, I will be dispatched 180 degrees perpendicular to it for 1 and a half miles, drop the Windward Mark in the water, and then move some yards off, drop an anchor and then make sure the Mark stays in place and everyone rounds it properly, then picking it up after the race is finished and motoring back to TYC. For this, my crew and I get a few lunch, free dockage Saturday and Sunday night, and free access to the Post Race Party and Buffet. Not a bad deal . . .unless it rains, but such are the chances one must take in the Racing Game.
After 9 months of summer, I got my first "summer Headache." I usually get them when I don't drink enough water. humid that I sweated the water out as fast as I could guzzle it and, after awhile, it was a losing proposition. Even laying down to take a short nap in what cool breeze there was out on the boat was of no help and indeed, it was from the nap that I woke up with a real tear-the-top-off-your-skull head pounder. Even getting back to guzzling didn't help all that much nor the ibuprofen.
I tried going out for a sail, more of a float actually, but it still didn't help. Still it was a sail and that was and always is a good thing.
One bad thing is that I have misplaced my wallet. It is on the oat somewhere but just where I can't find. I attribute it to the summer headache but even so, that doesn't find the wallet. It will turn up . . . eventually . . . but sooner is much better than later and so I will have to do a major search mission and soon as I get back aboard. What a pain! Then again, I hope it is lost aboard. If not, well the person who finds it will find out how true it was when old Billy wrote, "He who steals my purse steal trash!" My wallet and its contents will prove that observation more than true.
I will be working the Governor's Regatta as the Windward Mark Boat. Not a lot of work really. Once the Starting line is set, I will be dispatched 180 degrees perpendicular to it for 1 and a half miles, drop the Windward Mark in the water, and then move some yards off, drop an anchor and then make sure the Mark stays in place and everyone rounds it properly, then picking it up after the race is finished and motoring back to TYC. For this, my crew and I get a few lunch, free dockage Saturday and Sunday night, and free access to the Post Race Party and Buffet. Not a bad deal . . .unless it rains, but such are the chances one must take in the Racing Game.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
From Seattle to Beaufort, SC
SHIP'S LOG:
It was a real yuckie day. The cold and damp and breeze of the past week has been replaced by the heat and humidity and no breeze of this week, well at least for Monday. The heat and humidity I don't mind, or I should say, I wouldn't mind if we at least had a breeze. Not much of that I am sad to say but it didn't stop me from getting off the mooring and out into the river in search of some. Alas, there wasn't much there, just barely enough to move the boat and not very fast at that. Still it was cooler than ashore. It is probably the type of weather people were praying for . . . back in December and January. They had forgotten that it can really suck the life right out of you. Every gulp of water got seated out seemingly seconds later. It almost made sense to short-circuit the process by simply pouring the water over my head. The very light breeze makes for interesting sailing in the river. With the light zephers, dodging and avoiding the ferries and subs gets even more entertaining and a little more exciting. The Coasties were just as hot as everyone else which didn't do much for their attitude and if there is one thing you don't need is someone who has an attitude and a machine gun. Good people to keep far away from!
Still summer has been rather good. When we have had breeze, it has been great for sailing. And after a slow start most of the members are in the water and doing their thing. It is great to see people really relax and unwind as I am sure they are much in need of it. There has been a lot of talk about the struggle speople are having and things are hard for many. They need the time and the space and the place to let it al go if only for just a while and this is the place.
Later this week, TYC will host the Force 5 National Championship. The Force 5's are basically racing dinghies and the competition should be serious to say the least. Bob Cullen, from TYC, is a 9 times national champion and looks to get #10 here on "his home ground." Two weeks hence, TYC will host the Governor's Regatta. I will be working Race Committee that day, probably a Mark Boat. I am starting to get a bit of an itch to get ABISHAG rated(PHRF) so that I can(could) sail in some of the events, just to see what it would be like. Nothing serious are aggressive, but I would still have to put together a crew and we would have to do at least some practice as sailing a ketch in a round the buoys type of race will be more work that on a sloop. After all, more masts mean more sails. Who knows, perhaps if I can scare up a crew and we get some practice time and I get a really, REALLY good rating, she might actually surprise people. Of course, I would have to empty her of all the cruising stuff, the extra anchors, the books and charts, etc. etc. to help with the speed, but then it won't be until next year, if then. If I wait long enough, the yen will probably pass.
It was a real yuckie day. The cold and damp and breeze of the past week has been replaced by the heat and humidity and no breeze of this week, well at least for Monday. The heat and humidity I don't mind, or I should say, I wouldn't mind if we at least had a breeze. Not much of that I am sad to say but it didn't stop me from getting off the mooring and out into the river in search of some. Alas, there wasn't much there, just barely enough to move the boat and not very fast at that. Still it was cooler than ashore. It is probably the type of weather people were praying for . . . back in December and January. They had forgotten that it can really suck the life right out of you. Every gulp of water got seated out seemingly seconds later. It almost made sense to short-circuit the process by simply pouring the water over my head. The very light breeze makes for interesting sailing in the river. With the light zephers, dodging and avoiding the ferries and subs gets even more entertaining and a little more exciting. The Coasties were just as hot as everyone else which didn't do much for their attitude and if there is one thing you don't need is someone who has an attitude and a machine gun. Good people to keep far away from!
Still summer has been rather good. When we have had breeze, it has been great for sailing. And after a slow start most of the members are in the water and doing their thing. It is great to see people really relax and unwind as I am sure they are much in need of it. There has been a lot of talk about the struggle speople are having and things are hard for many. They need the time and the space and the place to let it al go if only for just a while and this is the place.
Later this week, TYC will host the Force 5 National Championship. The Force 5's are basically racing dinghies and the competition should be serious to say the least. Bob Cullen, from TYC, is a 9 times national champion and looks to get #10 here on "his home ground." Two weeks hence, TYC will host the Governor's Regatta. I will be working Race Committee that day, probably a Mark Boat. I am starting to get a bit of an itch to get ABISHAG rated(PHRF) so that I can(could) sail in some of the events, just to see what it would be like. Nothing serious are aggressive, but I would still have to put together a crew and we would have to do at least some practice as sailing a ketch in a round the buoys type of race will be more work that on a sloop. After all, more masts mean more sails. Who knows, perhaps if I can scare up a crew and we get some practice time and I get a really, REALLY good rating, she might actually surprise people. Of course, I would have to empty her of all the cruising stuff, the extra anchors, the books and charts, etc. etc. to help with the speed, but then it won't be until next year, if then. If I wait long enough, the yen will probably pass.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday - A Day Of Rest & Quiet
SHIP'S LOG:
Today was a non-movement day. After the fireworks and partying of last night, the massive boating congestion in the river Sunday morning, the Sailing of the fourth Annual Maritime Cup Race in the afternoon, it was a nice day to be restive and quiet.
It was a clear and humid free day which pleased everyone and rather breezy at the start, which pleased the racers, and though the clear skies and low humidity, the breeze did not, disappearing about half way through the afternoon which was also about half way through the race. It's not that it disappeared completely, but it dropped to a sufficiently low value as to make it difficult for some of the larger, heavier boats to go much more than current speed. Still in all it was a nice day to be on the water whether you were racing or cruising or simply sitting on your mooring.
I have been using the Mizzen a lot more of late and decided that it would be a good time to do some maintenance on the rig. I popped and re-greased the winches that control the Mizzen Sheet. I lubed all the blocks that are part of the Mizzen sheeting arrangement. I also lubed the blocks that are a part of the running backstays that are attached to the Mizzen Mast. As is so typical as to be expected, the simple maintenance uncovered a few other things that needed to be attended to and repaired. Actually replaced.
The sheaves(wheels) in the blocks(pulleys) of the port side running backstay are frozen in place and broken. No amount of PB Blaster could break them loose, not that it really mattered as the sheaves themselves were chipped along their edges. Since there is really no way to replaces them, the whole block needs to be replaced. Same is true for a block in the Mizzen Sail Sheeting system - frozen, chipped sheave . . . replacement needed.
Such discoveries during routine maintenance, often tend to bring the routine maintenance to an end, less more stuff to be replaced be discovered. It is not that it won't eventually get replaced, it is just that it is disheartening to find stuff that needs replacing without the means to do the replacing. Sunday however, since I was at work on the Mizzen, I decided to go all the way and repair the tear in the sail I found the other day. It might sound dramatic, but it is rather simple:
1.) Find tear;
2.)Cut appropriate size patch of sail repair tape;
3.) Place flat surface under sail at tear;
4.) Remove Backing from patch;
5.) Apply patch to sail at tear. All Done!
A boat sailed into TYC fresh from Bermuda which means they have to clear through US Customs before the crew can be landed. It was surprising to realize that despite the fact that the US Customs Bureau maintains an office in New London, actually the old Customs House in the Nation, there really isn't any staff here full-time. A US Customs guy had to come all the way from Newport, RI, through late Sunday Afternoon, I-95 Traffic to make sure the crew wasn't smuggling in a nuke or drugs in the US. The process was over quickly and there was no hitch, but it did engender lots of conversation on the porch, about how easy it would be to just sail in from anywhere and not check in. Who would know? This lead to one of the seasoned old guard, whose involvement with the Navy, the Sub base, EB and the City of New London, to inform us, in a very general, non-specific way, of the numerous safety precautions and electronic surveillance in that exists in and around this little strip of America. As he noted, "You have no idea what really exists under the water in the river." I always suspected that the Thames was not as wide open as it seems. What leads one to believe that it is is the total absence of visible surveillance and weapons. Believe me, I have looked but I probably don't know where to look. True, right after 9/11, a whole bunch of sandbag revetment's went up around EB and one both shores but they were rather quickly gone. "Thank goodness too as though pimply-face, 18 and 19 year olds who manned the positions with machine guns, were way too nervous and excitable.)
I am not sure whats the drill for today. Right now it is foggy again but is seems to be burning off. A Seawolf is moving up the river right now. If things go as they did last week, there will be more coming in and out. Not something you want to deal with on a foggy day. After all, there is no specific foggy horn sound for a sub. So if you are in fog and you don't hear anything, it could be a sub!
Today was a non-movement day. After the fireworks and partying of last night, the massive boating congestion in the river Sunday morning, the Sailing of the fourth Annual Maritime Cup Race in the afternoon, it was a nice day to be restive and quiet.
It was a clear and humid free day which pleased everyone and rather breezy at the start, which pleased the racers, and though the clear skies and low humidity, the breeze did not, disappearing about half way through the afternoon which was also about half way through the race. It's not that it disappeared completely, but it dropped to a sufficiently low value as to make it difficult for some of the larger, heavier boats to go much more than current speed. Still in all it was a nice day to be on the water whether you were racing or cruising or simply sitting on your mooring.
I have been using the Mizzen a lot more of late and decided that it would be a good time to do some maintenance on the rig. I popped and re-greased the winches that control the Mizzen Sheet. I lubed all the blocks that are part of the Mizzen sheeting arrangement. I also lubed the blocks that are a part of the running backstays that are attached to the Mizzen Mast. As is so typical as to be expected, the simple maintenance uncovered a few other things that needed to be attended to and repaired. Actually replaced.
The sheaves(wheels) in the blocks(pulleys) of the port side running backstay are frozen in place and broken. No amount of PB Blaster could break them loose, not that it really mattered as the sheaves themselves were chipped along their edges. Since there is really no way to replaces them, the whole block needs to be replaced. Same is true for a block in the Mizzen Sail Sheeting system - frozen, chipped sheave . . . replacement needed.
Such discoveries during routine maintenance, often tend to bring the routine maintenance to an end, less more stuff to be replaced be discovered. It is not that it won't eventually get replaced, it is just that it is disheartening to find stuff that needs replacing without the means to do the replacing. Sunday however, since I was at work on the Mizzen, I decided to go all the way and repair the tear in the sail I found the other day. It might sound dramatic, but it is rather simple:
1.) Find tear;
2.)Cut appropriate size patch of sail repair tape;
3.) Place flat surface under sail at tear;
4.) Remove Backing from patch;
5.) Apply patch to sail at tear. All Done!
A boat sailed into TYC fresh from Bermuda which means they have to clear through US Customs before the crew can be landed. It was surprising to realize that despite the fact that the US Customs Bureau maintains an office in New London, actually the old Customs House in the Nation, there really isn't any staff here full-time. A US Customs guy had to come all the way from Newport, RI, through late Sunday Afternoon, I-95 Traffic to make sure the crew wasn't smuggling in a nuke or drugs in the US. The process was over quickly and there was no hitch, but it did engender lots of conversation on the porch, about how easy it would be to just sail in from anywhere and not check in. Who would know? This lead to one of the seasoned old guard, whose involvement with the Navy, the Sub base, EB and the City of New London, to inform us, in a very general, non-specific way, of the numerous safety precautions and electronic surveillance in that exists in and around this little strip of America. As he noted, "You have no idea what really exists under the water in the river." I always suspected that the Thames was not as wide open as it seems. What leads one to believe that it is is the total absence of visible surveillance and weapons. Believe me, I have looked but I probably don't know where to look. True, right after 9/11, a whole bunch of sandbag revetment's went up around EB and one both shores but they were rather quickly gone. "Thank goodness too as though pimply-face, 18 and 19 year olds who manned the positions with machine guns, were way too nervous and excitable.)
I am not sure whats the drill for today. Right now it is foggy again but is seems to be burning off. A Seawolf is moving up the river right now. If things go as they did last week, there will be more coming in and out. Not something you want to deal with on a foggy day. After all, there is no specific foggy horn sound for a sub. So if you are in fog and you don't hear anything, it could be a sub!
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