Posts from the ‘SAILING STUFF’ Category

Winter’s coming………..

Although the cruise south to warmer weather got postponed to next year, being an optimist by nature, the final steps in winterizing are deferred till serious freeze warning are issued. That said, the process got underway this past weekend. Except for cushions, all the fabric materials came off the boat, as well as all the non-dried food supplies. Battery levels were checked, antifreeze was pumped through the fresh water system, and a heater set up for possible chilly nights on board. Bimini and dodger are home for cleaning and repairs.
To make access easier for when the tarp goes on to cover the cockpit, Valinor is now in her slip stern first.

Water depth is a concern in this slip, but it measured 4.3′ at low tide leaving about 6″ of clearance. Likely she will rest on the bottom at an occassional very low tide. 

When all prospects for sailing are gone, sails and cushions will come off and brought home to clean for next season.

Each year the SOS club decorates a boat for the Annapolis ‘Parade of Lights’. They do a very professional job and always have an imaginative design. I got a ride on the Parade boat a couple years ago, and signed up for the work crew this year. So Sunday afternoon was spent hauling supplies from storage, cleaning up from last winter’s work and begining the process of putting together this year’s light deisgn. Lots left to do, but it looks to be another great boat!  Pictures later…….

Looking forward to next season, I spent a half day attending a weather seminar presented by the Bermuda Ocean Race committee. Early preparation for those who plan to particpate (or might). The instructors were professional meterologists from the Naval Academy. Lots of good information! Finally learned how to interpret the 500mb chartsL The BOR starts just off Annapolis, goes down the Bay then off shore to Bermuda – start date is 8 June 2012.

A Work in Progress

As this season comes to an end,  I’m taking stock of past improvements and consideringplans as I  look forward to next season……..

Everyone who owns, or has ever owned, a boat knows it isalways a work in progress! Some is simple maintenance, some major ‘renewal’ ofcritical components or repairs, but some is investment to improve comfort,performance or safety.

I decided to add a C80 chart plotter to thehelm – and later a wheel pilot.  To makeroom and accommodate the new wiring, the old single, straight 1” guard was replaced witha new 1 1/4” double bend guard and two new instrument pods to provide for theplotter and the X5 wheel pilot control. The old, cranky windex system has also been replaced.

Batteries – More electronicsand longer cruises placed greater demands on my single, limited 12V housebattery.  The standard two 12v batteriesand switching were replaced with two 6V in series for the house bank and astandalone 12V starter controlled in such a way that only a dead starter wouldrequire connecting to the house bank. Upgraded to a new 20A Xantrex charger. This season we added a Xantrex batterymonitor to track usage and provide real-time information on battery state ofcharge. These changes raised the house capacity from 80ah to about 180ah,and the related changes in wiring (heavier gauge and shorter run) greatly improved starting power.

Cockpit (table andstern seats) – Finding so much time spent on deck, a cockpit table wasessential.

After choking down the cost of a ‘convenience’ like the stern seats,we’ve come to appreciate that nicety, and wondered why not sooner.

End of the season chill…….

Always a sad day when we come to the end of the season.

The weekend turned out pretty nice (given days at about 50F and the night around 40F) with plenty of sunshine.  Saturday winds were nicely behind us at 8-10kts most of the way south to Galesville. Made for a pleasant, and quick ride down at 5.5 – 6kts under head sail alone. We tucked into a smallish slip, hooked up shore power and turned on the cabin heaterJ

The Blue Lips party lived up to its name

As a bonus treat, we got to meet and visit with a sailing friend from Maine on his way south. Roger (just right of ‘Hook’) is a retired naval architect whose credentials include the research vessel Rachel Carsonoperated by the U of MD lab at Solomons. SOS friend Ron (left) and I know Roger from the Sailboatowners forum and appreciated the chance to meet in person..

The guy with the hook was a stranger …….

We got a little lift from the mainsail on the way back home into light NE wind — all in all a great end of the season cruise!

 ….. that remind us of coming changes. It’s the momentarychill that blows across the water on an otherwise warm, sunny day. It’s thatfirst slate gray sky. Pumpkins appear in the fields and birds flock withapparent purpose and orientation. Leaves change color first then cover theground on increasingly blustery days. Ever notice how easily we put on weightwhen the days begin to shorten – in apparent preparation for less pleasantweather?  Perhaps we were hibernators inour distant past?

Each hint by itself might go unnoticed, collectively theyare ominous.

 The little note on the calendar or in our log says it’snearing time to ‘winterize’ – what an ugly word. Those of us who can’t be headingsouth say a temporary ‘good bye’ to friends who are. It’s that trip to thestore for antifreeze, arrangements to get sails down and cleaned and stored;finding the cover tarp and emptying the cabin of those supplies and furnishingsthat don’t winter well.

 Finding time on the water becomes more compelling. A senseof urgency takes over. Quick, get to the boat and grab that 10-15kt day beforethe bite of winter and the spray of icy water turns fun into challenge. Blockedon the hard or isolated in an ice-bound harbor with the bubbler running in theslip will soon foreclose that option — for a time.

 Reviewing the season’s log,beginning to plan for the new sail, repairs and upgrades, and a long weekend atthe boat show are also hints of the impending down time, but also offerhope.  Spring is, after all, just aroundthe corner! The off-season gives us the chance to recall why we missed thatmark or made the start line a second too soon. We can imagine exactly how wewill fix that next season. It’s sitting in a warm place with sailing friends lookingforward to more proper weather that is only a few short months away. I for oneprefer to imagine a season of prefect weather, precisely timed starts, excitingfinishes and long passages with great sailing friends. Winter is only a minorpause in the important stuff of life….

Halloween’s coming ……..

Just a few days early, but the Chesapeake Catalina Yacht Club celebrated with great food, imaginative jack-o-lanterns anda few wild costumes.

While several of the boats remained in slip(with heat!), three of us braved the cool temps in a small raft just off themarina in Mill Creek.  (CCYC photo)

A pleasant evening of conversation andsharing of stories, a still night with a clear sky produced the predictableresult – temps in the 40’s by morning. The ‘intrepid three’ were up with thesun to enjoy the view on the creek.

Columbus Day

We were joined by sister ship Cinnamon Bay for a quiet raft of two Catalinas. Great food and good conversation with Robyn, Dean and the crew of Cinnamon……..

Early morning arrived with crab boats heading out to check their pots.

We had a pleasant ride home back around Bloody Point …

Crew did a great job getting the boat back in shape for the next cruise!

Chili it was!

The “Chili Cookoff” cruise lived up to the name! 
With an on-off cold rain and northerly winds blowing 12-18kts, it was time for warm/foul weather gear. That said, the sailing was great! It was a deight to be able to sail (rather than motor) to a destination after all the warm (hot) summer cruises with wind on the nose.

           

After the 25 boat raft came together, numerous varieties of chili, and extras, were offered in a friendly competition. Everyone had the opportunity to wander around the circle and sample every pot of chili (if you could) – a great taste treat each!!

Labor Day

Wow! Wind for a change – and mostly blowing in the right direction.  Click on the Spot tracker (right, bottom left corner to toggle between pages) to see the long broad reach course on Saturday from Annapolis north to Rock Creek, and the less direct runs on Sunday to Gibson and Monday home.
Saturday, was warm and sunny and we made 5.5 to 6.5kts for most of the 26nm trip. Made a wide turn around White Rocks with Key Bridge in the distance,

We joined a raft of 10 other SOS boats at Rock Creek for a pleasant evening of good food and company.

Sunday meant a short, but up-wind sail south to Gibson Island – good practice for tacking through crab pot waters! Six of our SOS friends followed suit and we made two rafts  near Graveyard Point — not an encouraging name for an anchorage 😦

Monday was another story. The forecast called for isolated T’storms and heavy rains through much of the day with 15-20kt wind from the south – directly on our nose going home. We made an early start, but still caught one of the squalls. Passed by a Tow making much better headway than we were. 
Fought the head wind and 3-5ft chop most of the way home – worst of it at the Bay Bridge brought us almost to a stop for an uneasy moment………..

Cruise ended at Boat Yard Bar & Grill with a cold brew and a great crab cake sandwich.

Kudos to the crew, Pam & Dane!!

Haul out

Monday (22^nd) was haul out day, always a fascinating process to watch … and this time, by chance, we’re on the hard just as hurricane Irene is headed our way 🙂

After two years in the water, only a little slime, except for the propeller and shaft which were covered with barnacles. Managed to complete several repairs best made out of the water. Changed out the raw water thru hull valve and added a water hose adapter for winterizing; all other valves lubricated, changed out the alternator belt and heat exhcanger zinc (almost gone), and finally re-fastened the bowsprit stay properly.

                                                        

The team at Diversified Marine worked quickly and the hull got cleaned and waxed and bottom got two new coats of paint – now to keep her this pretty! 

While all the work was going on, we got hit with a 5.9 earth quake, and with hurricane Irene predicted to come up the Bay by Sunday/Monday – exciting times !

Ready for Irene – all the canvass, sails and anything else that might be blown about was removed and/or tied down …………….

After 50+kt winds and a lot of rain …. the sun comes out again!

Sail to MRYC for the seafood fest

    Sailed to Miles River Yacht Club this past weekend with crew from the SOS club (Pam and Carl), along with about a dozen boats from the Chesapeake Catalina Yacht Club. It was a terrific feed with clams, mussels, shrimp, fresh corn on the cob and baked potatoes plus a whole lobster — all prepared and served by the watermans association – what an incredible meal, and what a lovely location!  We settled in on anchor just on the east side of the club where we found good holding and pleasant views all around.

                                                                                                                                                             We made the trip on Friday, a day early, to take advantage of ideal weather and a following wind making it a pleasant trip down the Bay to Bloody Pt    

Kids Day out……

Saturday (8/6) turned out to be pretty good sailing weather despite the T’storm warnings- It was a sunny day for Lily, Greg and Sarah (Mom) with south winds from 8-18kts. 

Subtext here is turning grandkids into future crew! I think I have quick learners – just need to be a little bit taller 🙂

Greg                                                                                                                     Lily

…………………. From an earlier outing with Addison………..