SHIP'S LOG:
I have been basically house-bound since the height of the storm. True, we only got a little over 2 feet here in New London, but the blowing and drifting snow piled up in many place to a considerable height, making travel difficult. Add to that the fact that while the plows were able to cut paths for two very thin lanes on major streets, the side streets got one lane, if that, and a very thin one a best. The plows also did not get down to the road surface in most places, or did and it was later covered by more falling snow, and as a result, most roads, major or minor, were alleys of ice. It made for interesting and hazardous motor travel, even for plows. The TV showed a surprising number of plows, state. municipal and private, stuck in snow banks that they tried to clear. The big question, once they get them out, is what to do with snow that gets plowed. After all, it can no longer simply be dumped into the river or the Sound, and you can only pile it so high before you can't get it up any higher, plus there are on so many open spaces where you can put and wait for it to melt away. All the monies towns and cities saved the last two years on snow removal is likely to be spent, and then some, before we see the last flake this year.
i have a disturbing feeling that the Bimini on ABISHAG has torn. It is rather old, made of vinyl and had several wear-points where it contacted the frame supports. The heavy, wet snow would surly stress it. The only thing that might save it is the face that the frame is "a kilter!" On of the screws hold one of the supports had backed out once I got her on the hard and the screw was hidden under the "first snow." As a result, I did not put everything back in place and perhaps, just perhaps, the canted angle of the Bimini has caused the snow to slide off rather than gather and , like "mayhem" in the ALLSTATE commercials, fall through. I am not sure how to find out as I am certain that the yard hasn't cleaned out the boat storage areas yet and just might be waiting for the melt. Normally, they would do plowing and snow removal but there is just no place to put the stuff. I'll try to cruise by in a day or so and check things out.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Snow Indeed - Part Two! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
I don't know about where you are, but down here on the coast our 2+ feet is like a layer cake. The top couple of inches is ice, followed by succeeding alternate layers of fluffy snow, then ice, then fluffy snow, then ice, then fluffy snow . . . you get the idea.
Freeing my car was a trip, buried as it had been by the snow plow as well as by the drifting snow. It took a good hour to clear enough so that the P.O.S. - awful in anything by the warmest and driest of weather - could wriggle itself out of its grave. It is also brutally cold and will remain so over night, getting even colder.
To get past the cold and the snow and the howling wind, I went on all sorts of Caribbean sailboat charter sites just to get warm. Would that I had had the money, say Wednesday last, I would have been gone in a shot!!
I don't know about where you are, but down here on the coast our 2+ feet is like a layer cake. The top couple of inches is ice, followed by succeeding alternate layers of fluffy snow, then ice, then fluffy snow, then ice, then fluffy snow . . . you get the idea.
Freeing my car was a trip, buried as it had been by the snow plow as well as by the drifting snow. It took a good hour to clear enough so that the P.O.S. - awful in anything by the warmest and driest of weather - could wriggle itself out of its grave. It is also brutally cold and will remain so over night, getting even colder.
To get past the cold and the snow and the howling wind, I went on all sorts of Caribbean sailboat charter sites just to get warm. Would that I had had the money, say Wednesday last, I would have been gone in a shot!!
Blizzard INDEED! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
Well, it appears that the boys and girls at NOAA got one right. Down here in New London, though the 60 mph wind gusts make it hard to be too accurate, we got a good 2 feet. From what is being reported, poor ABISHAG got hit with even more. And another 2 - 4 inches are due on Wednesday. Winter has shown up with a vengeance!
It is a good day to go boat shopping . . . . on the Internet and see what deals may be had. And deals to be had, there are plenty, and a lot more if you have money. Lots of "toys" are being dumped on the market, newer than ABISHAG and filled with all sorts of doodads that "everybody "wants these days, so I would think that she is unlikely to be sold any time soon . . . if ever. So if she survives the winter, and she should with ease being basically bullet-proof in construction, updating and spring maintenance will begin in a couple of weeks. . . . winter be damned!
Well, it appears that the boys and girls at NOAA got one right. Down here in New London, though the 60 mph wind gusts make it hard to be too accurate, we got a good 2 feet. From what is being reported, poor ABISHAG got hit with even more. And another 2 - 4 inches are due on Wednesday. Winter has shown up with a vengeance!
It is a good day to go boat shopping . . . . on the Internet and see what deals may be had. And deals to be had, there are plenty, and a lot more if you have money. Lots of "toys" are being dumped on the market, newer than ABISHAG and filled with all sorts of doodads that "everybody "wants these days, so I would think that she is unlikely to be sold any time soon . . . if ever. So if she survives the winter, and she should with ease being basically bullet-proof in construction, updating and spring maintenance will begin in a couple of weeks. . . . winter be damned!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Everybody Sing: "O the Weather Outside is Frightful,...."
SHIP'S LOG:
There is a strong possibility that we will be the recipients of an honest-to-goodness blizzard beginning within the next 24 hours and, while everyone else is panicking, the weather people are in 7th Heaven. But since it is my friends at NOAA who are making the forecasts, I'll wait and see. After all, based on past experiences, it could be that we in line for sunny weather and temperatures in the 80's for NOAA tends to get things " just a bit wrong" from time to time.
They have also been known to be spot on and, if they are this time, we are going to get smacked big time. It will be " the blizzard of the century" until the next time and all of the-weather people on TV are just loving it. One of the local channels is opening up their " storm center" and each is trying to out do the other is scaring the crap out of the local populace. They broadcast their dire warnings and ever increasing "prophecies of doom" - weather-wise -with looks of total ecstasy on their faces. They live for this and they are enjoying it totally. And if they are right, they will so happy that they will explode.
There will only crushing disappointment for them if the "storm center turns south" or in any direction that takes it away from here and with it, the snow and blizzard conditions. Truth be told though, I am kind of looking forward to their being right. I missed all the snow in the winter of 2010/ 2011, so it will be "nice" to have the experience again. If it is as bad as the "Blizzard of '78" as some are forecasting, that will be something else again. Then again, since there isn't anything one can do about the weather, I'll just enjoy it.
There is a strong possibility that we will be the recipients of an honest-to-goodness blizzard beginning within the next 24 hours and, while everyone else is panicking, the weather people are in 7th Heaven. But since it is my friends at NOAA who are making the forecasts, I'll wait and see. After all, based on past experiences, it could be that we in line for sunny weather and temperatures in the 80's for NOAA tends to get things " just a bit wrong" from time to time.
They have also been known to be spot on and, if they are this time, we are going to get smacked big time. It will be " the blizzard of the century" until the next time and all of the-weather people on TV are just loving it. One of the local channels is opening up their " storm center" and each is trying to out do the other is scaring the crap out of the local populace. They broadcast their dire warnings and ever increasing "prophecies of doom" - weather-wise -with looks of total ecstasy on their faces. They live for this and they are enjoying it totally. And if they are right, they will so happy that they will explode.
There will only crushing disappointment for them if the "storm center turns south" or in any direction that takes it away from here and with it, the snow and blizzard conditions. Truth be told though, I am kind of looking forward to their being right. I missed all the snow in the winter of 2010/ 2011, so it will be "nice" to have the experience again. If it is as bad as the "Blizzard of '78" as some are forecasting, that will be something else again. Then again, since there isn't anything one can do about the weather, I'll just enjoy it.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
It Is Good To Have Talented Friends!
SHIP'S LOG:
It was a day for mechanical work, though it wasn't on ABISHAG. Originally, Friend Fred (one of the Bucket Brothers) were going to head on down to see Bob (the other Bucket Brother) in Milford. The intention was to have Bob fabricate two stainless steel rods that are a part of the furling system for the mainsail on ABISHAG. These two rods guy the foot of the mainsail into the furling tube and prevent it from snagging and/or tearing as it furl and unfurls. These rods are not what you would call particularly hi-tech, but simple and practical and they work. Unfortunately, one disappeared in the great storm of October 2010 off the coast of New Jersey along with the previous night's gourmet dinner. It would have meant that furling/unfurling would be a task filled with caution had I not luckily had a stainless steel rod from some item that I had pack-ratted away in the "what-not" locker. It wasn't a perfect fit but it sufficed as a temporary fix. However, the temporary fix was now two-plus years old and since Bob was will to do the fabrication, who was I to say "nay" to the offer.
However, at the last minute, Bob's busy social schedule intruded and he had to cancel, so Fred and I still got together but this time the focus was on getting my door handle fixed and my belts adjusted on my P.O.S. Some weeks ago, I broke the outside, driver's side door handle. Actually, with the P.O.S. being over 10 years old now and taking into consideration that i am not the most gentle of door closers/door openers, and considering the thing is made out of plastic, I am surprised that it lasted this long. Fred supplied the grunt work, I held the light, the tools and offered suggestions that showed that I was no mechanical tinkering savant! Truth be told, the hardest part of the process was locating a replace meant part. Advanced Auto Parts, where Fred works, wanted $86 & a day. The local Hyundai dealership want $66 and a day. I found it interesting that dealership price was so much less! A couple of used auto parts stores offered the part from there down to $35 but they also want at least a day. A place in Hartford, Carona's, had one in stock for $40 and we went there. We ended up paying $20 because the part was "scuffed." If it hadn't been scuffed it would have stood out like a sore thumb on my P.O.S.!
Doing this little project made me more eager than ever to get started on the Spring maintenance though the snow storm I ran into from Fred's back to New London was a serious reminder that it is "still" winter. There were several skidding accidents that had to be negotiated a clear indication that others also didn't realize that it was still winter. Driving the P.O.S. in snow or rain or dampness is always an exhilarating experience as control is always an "iffy" thing for some reason. Fred suspects that it is the suspension, that it could be upgraded, but since it has been this way from day one, and since I ain't got the coins to spend on such a project, I'll just choose to drive with care.
It was a day for mechanical work, though it wasn't on ABISHAG. Originally, Friend Fred (one of the Bucket Brothers) were going to head on down to see Bob (the other Bucket Brother) in Milford. The intention was to have Bob fabricate two stainless steel rods that are a part of the furling system for the mainsail on ABISHAG. These two rods guy the foot of the mainsail into the furling tube and prevent it from snagging and/or tearing as it furl and unfurls. These rods are not what you would call particularly hi-tech, but simple and practical and they work. Unfortunately, one disappeared in the great storm of October 2010 off the coast of New Jersey along with the previous night's gourmet dinner. It would have meant that furling/unfurling would be a task filled with caution had I not luckily had a stainless steel rod from some item that I had pack-ratted away in the "what-not" locker. It wasn't a perfect fit but it sufficed as a temporary fix. However, the temporary fix was now two-plus years old and since Bob was will to do the fabrication, who was I to say "nay" to the offer.
However, at the last minute, Bob's busy social schedule intruded and he had to cancel, so Fred and I still got together but this time the focus was on getting my door handle fixed and my belts adjusted on my P.O.S. Some weeks ago, I broke the outside, driver's side door handle. Actually, with the P.O.S. being over 10 years old now and taking into consideration that i am not the most gentle of door closers/door openers, and considering the thing is made out of plastic, I am surprised that it lasted this long. Fred supplied the grunt work, I held the light, the tools and offered suggestions that showed that I was no mechanical tinkering savant! Truth be told, the hardest part of the process was locating a replace meant part. Advanced Auto Parts, where Fred works, wanted $86 & a day. The local Hyundai dealership want $66 and a day. I found it interesting that dealership price was so much less! A couple of used auto parts stores offered the part from there down to $35 but they also want at least a day. A place in Hartford, Carona's, had one in stock for $40 and we went there. We ended up paying $20 because the part was "scuffed." If it hadn't been scuffed it would have stood out like a sore thumb on my P.O.S.!
Doing this little project made me more eager than ever to get started on the Spring maintenance though the snow storm I ran into from Fred's back to New London was a serious reminder that it is "still" winter. There were several skidding accidents that had to be negotiated a clear indication that others also didn't realize that it was still winter. Driving the P.O.S. in snow or rain or dampness is always an exhilarating experience as control is always an "iffy" thing for some reason. Fred suspects that it is the suspension, that it could be upgraded, but since it has been this way from day one, and since I ain't got the coins to spend on such a project, I'll just choose to drive with care.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
And Then There Were Gnats! Always Gnats!
SHIP'S LOG:
Cleaning out the trunk of my car, will wonders never cease, I found one of those web-bags, like you get in the markets, but this one had stenciled on the front, "Charleston City Marina." WOW, I picked that up almost two year ago now on my trip up-&-down the ICW. So inspired, I went back in this Blog and did a little reading of some of the experiences of that journey. i find it almost hard to believe that I actually made the journey and that, except for the first few days with Bob and Fred, the "Bucket Brothers," I made it all alone.
I randomly opened to the section on Georgia on the return trip. Gnats were a big topic. They were something fierce and they were everywhere. I suppose, of course, as I was traveling through marshes and swamps ( marshes are swamps with no trees so I found out), that it would be natural there would be some gnats, some mosquitoes and the like, but down there, there were more than "some." If you didn't use bug spray, you could probably survive just on the protein you got from all the bugs you ingested but then you would loose it all from all the blood the survivors took in return. If that sounds like an exaggeration, you ain't been to Georgia!
Reading what I wrote back then about some of the places I dropped a hook for the night I find many of them surprising when I look at them on a chart or satellite photo. Man, before that trip I would never have stuck the nose of my boat in any place that "imperfect" for anchoring. And after 30+ years of sailing, I docked more times during those 8 months than I did in all the rest of those 30 plus years. Docking doesn't bother me now and I have the dings and scratches and scraps on the hull to prove it. I even got much more comfortable in dealing with bad weather, both anchoring and sailing in it and have a lot more confidence in ABISHAG now than before. I guess it's time to go sailing, too bad the weather and the season is against it. Bah!
Cleaning out the trunk of my car, will wonders never cease, I found one of those web-bags, like you get in the markets, but this one had stenciled on the front, "Charleston City Marina." WOW, I picked that up almost two year ago now on my trip up-&-down the ICW. So inspired, I went back in this Blog and did a little reading of some of the experiences of that journey. i find it almost hard to believe that I actually made the journey and that, except for the first few days with Bob and Fred, the "Bucket Brothers," I made it all alone.
I randomly opened to the section on Georgia on the return trip. Gnats were a big topic. They were something fierce and they were everywhere. I suppose, of course, as I was traveling through marshes and swamps ( marshes are swamps with no trees so I found out), that it would be natural there would be some gnats, some mosquitoes and the like, but down there, there were more than "some." If you didn't use bug spray, you could probably survive just on the protein you got from all the bugs you ingested but then you would loose it all from all the blood the survivors took in return. If that sounds like an exaggeration, you ain't been to Georgia!
Reading what I wrote back then about some of the places I dropped a hook for the night I find many of them surprising when I look at them on a chart or satellite photo. Man, before that trip I would never have stuck the nose of my boat in any place that "imperfect" for anchoring. And after 30+ years of sailing, I docked more times during those 8 months than I did in all the rest of those 30 plus years. Docking doesn't bother me now and I have the dings and scratches and scraps on the hull to prove it. I even got much more comfortable in dealing with bad weather, both anchoring and sailing in it and have a lot more confidence in ABISHAG now than before. I guess it's time to go sailing, too bad the weather and the season is against it. Bah!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Nothing Like A Cold Front ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
Boy, you could make Block Island from TYC in about 2 hours today. . . . if you leave before the wind dies down and you have a death wish! Nice steady 30 with 40 - 50mph gusts! The wind would be coming off the stern quarter and, once you cleared the Thames, it would be a long reach all the way to the Salt Pond. It would be one hell of a ride!
The weather is at it again, heading up into the 50's, melting all the snow and ice and turning the mud into muck. Then again, come the weekend, because of the coming cold front, the temperature will drop precipitously and there will even be some snow. Ah, winter in New England. I would really be happy if Mother Nature just made up her mind!
The "LIST" continues to grow as does the desire to get started. Waiting is a real dag but thank goodness I have all that experience with patience, patience and patience. Still, it is a drag. One thing that eases the "angst" is a blast of really cold air. Nothing like sub-freezing temperatures to cure one's ardor for working on a boat outdoors.
Down by TYC, across from Stach's, there is a sailboat that got blown ashore during Sandy. It basically in the same spot that captures the schooner during Irene a year ago. And like the schooner, there is a squabble over who owns it. The owner of the beach is claiming salvage rights and the owner of the boat is telling him to "stick it," which has led the owner of the beach property to deny access to his beach, and hence the stranded boat, to the owner of the boat. There will be law suits and probably blood as well. Boat ownership has so many fun dimensions to it! ! ! ! ! !
Boy, you could make Block Island from TYC in about 2 hours today. . . . if you leave before the wind dies down and you have a death wish! Nice steady 30 with 40 - 50mph gusts! The wind would be coming off the stern quarter and, once you cleared the Thames, it would be a long reach all the way to the Salt Pond. It would be one hell of a ride!
The weather is at it again, heading up into the 50's, melting all the snow and ice and turning the mud into muck. Then again, come the weekend, because of the coming cold front, the temperature will drop precipitously and there will even be some snow. Ah, winter in New England. I would really be happy if Mother Nature just made up her mind!
The "LIST" continues to grow as does the desire to get started. Waiting is a real dag but thank goodness I have all that experience with patience, patience and patience. Still, it is a drag. One thing that eases the "angst" is a blast of really cold air. Nothing like sub-freezing temperatures to cure one's ardor for working on a boat outdoors.
Down by TYC, across from Stach's, there is a sailboat that got blown ashore during Sandy. It basically in the same spot that captures the schooner during Irene a year ago. And like the schooner, there is a squabble over who owns it. The owner of the beach is claiming salvage rights and the owner of the boat is telling him to "stick it," which has led the owner of the beach property to deny access to his beach, and hence the stranded boat, to the owner of the boat. There will be law suits and probably blood as well. Boat ownership has so many fun dimensions to it! ! ! ! ! !
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