Monthly Archives: July 2013

Winter modifications, now in use

15 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by in the boat

≈ 2 Comments

We did so many projects over the winter of 2012/2013. It’s tremendous getting to try them all out, some of them getting everyday use. Gradually the boat is getting more and more workable. Here’s the short list, with some descriptions following:

– More plant racks
– tricolor navigation light and anchor light at top of mast, with a two-way toggle switch (on-off-on) to control them
– AIS – Automatic Identification System – besides the unit itself and its wiring for power, this involved installing a VHF antenna at the top of the mast and a GPS antenna on the top of the cabin, with associated wires. This is the gizmo that, among other things, tells you where the ships are in the fog. Life-changing.
– yuloh and yuloh post – there will be an entire entry devoted to this, after a bit
– port berth leecloth – mesh fabric that works like a hammock on the side of the berth to prevent falling out in big waves
– port berth seatbelt – extra insurance against falling out of the berth while sleeping in big waves, or in stray rowdy boat wakes
– cockpit padeye for safety tether (for when you’re out and about in the cockpit in big waves)
– repair charcoal stove door gasket and latch
– second anchor roller, port side of bowsprit
– modify bronze roller furling rod (welding job) – one more roller jamming opportunity removed…
– new gasket on forward window – no more leaking in big waves!
– gaskets in footwell hatch (eliminating significant water entry in heavy weather sailing – MAJOR improvement)
– installed 6 gallon freshwater tank for wash water and plants – so nice to no longer be dodging gallon jugs in the cockpit!
– installed 3 gallon waste tank – there’s a story that goes with this, which will get its own post
– mizzen rotation stop – sounds small, but makes such a difference. No more mizzen mast twisting when it shouldn’t.
– installed high-capacity manual bilge pump (may we never need it!)
– painted several new coats of e-paint antifouling on bottom – I love this stuff, even though it’s a bit fussy. No worries when you touch it, or when it touches your favorite sandbar.

After launch we did a couple more things, including finally installing a charge controller for the solar panel. Huge improvement, both in charging performance and in removing the daily tasks of “human charge controller.”

That’s the biggest stuff we did. Below, I’m copying my “working list” from our projects, for anybody who would like to see how it really went, in more detail. Looking back, the amount of work seems ridiculous, but living with it now, it feels enormously worthwhile. Once again, so very many thanks to everybody who contributed to this process: Suzanne Jean, Theo Fadel, Henri Jean, Pat Bennett, Carolyn Meher, Michele Meher, and Tom Potter, who all worked specifically on various aspects of this list. What a nice outcome!

Winter Projects

things to be done (items moved to “done” category when complete):

–leak test forward window
–dock lines ends
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS///////////////////////LOAD BOAT!!!!!!!!!!!

. cargo boom (later?)
. design and build junk mainsail (not now)
aluminum mast tab for lightning ground –not now
. storm anchor cradle and tiedowns
. depth sounder

Shemaya
order and splice new dock lines and mainsheet – done

Epoxy List

various holes:

top of rudder – no
battery cable clam–not now

Completed epoxy (these are holes and cutouts, each sealed with epoxy)

Yuloh eyebolt hole – done
yuloh post – done
rudder stop – done
mizzen rotation stop – done
antenna cable clam – done
pump mounting – done
rounded eyebrow corners – done
yuloh pin hole in motor mount – done
GPS mount–done
yuloh eye strap–done
deck fills–done
safety tether tiedown–done
rudder post –done
head tank vent–done
GPS antenna–done
Port cockpit locker water tank tiedown–done
starboard cockpit locker water tank tiedown eyestrap–caulked
name boards mounting holes–done
yuloh post–done

Painting List

tabernacle bracket for battery navigation light?
… forward window–done
… motor mount–done
… rounded eyebrow corners–done
touch up toe rail–done
Bottom paint perhaps??–DONE!

In paint shop
yuloh–done
yuloh post –done
rudder stop – done
mizzen rotation stop – done

Completed
… Theo… round off downhaul tube – done
Epoxy slide board – done
… Theo… tabernacle chewed place – address this – done
… Theo… new plant racks (2, with four holes each), two brackets for new plant racks – done
… Suzanne/Shemaya… mizzen work – remove sail; lash on reefing line ring; check luff straightness – done
… Theo… measure dock lines and main sheet – done
place order for tri-color and bebi – done
… Theo… drill hole for mast lights wire alongside locker divider – done
… Theo… smooth grommets in mizzen sail – done
make motor mount thinner – done
… Theo… forward locker cover modifications – cut, add cleat to narrow piece, drill and countersink narrow piece, drill big piece for rope handle – done, needs installation – done
.. stainless mast pin – done
… Suzanne/Shemaya… wire ties on trailer, check battery – done
order double pole double throw switch for tricolor light – done
order AIS, antenna, cable, connectors – done
rudder stops on outside of hull – canceled (replacing with cockpit rudder stop)
. change out cup hooks – canceled (replacements not small enough)
… Theo… Install plant rack brackets — done
… rudder post epoxy–done
… Theo… round off eyebrow corners–done
… Theo and Suzanne… install cable clam for antenna wire–done
figure out parts for bilge pump — done
– drill for GPS antenna?? –done
drill for yuloh eye strap–done
drill for deck fills — done
drill for safety strap tiedown–done
… install mizzen rotation stop–done
… install bilge pump — last hose connection –done
–install deck fills –done
— order gasket–done
Carolyn
–install cockpit safety tether tiedown–done
–install yuloh eyestrap–done
attach port locker wires–done
… Suzanne… paint motor mount, epoxy and paint rounded eyebrow corners –done
bow eye–make backing plate, install–done
. wash algae off of boat, at stern–done
–install yuloh eyebolt–done
… install rudder stop–done
– Mast – Finish antenna mount–done
…berth seatbelt padeyes–done
…install vhf antenna cable deck seal–done
… Shemaya… get welding done on boom roller rod–done
… mount radio license inside boat –done
install mast antenna wire connectors–done
… AIS vhf antenna – research and order, install on mast–done
install deck plug cylinder –done
— remove incorrect gps ant.–done
… install new gps antenna–done
… lug rig adjustments – photograph rig, remove curved roller furling rod, weld on tab for lift shackle, reassemble everything–DONE!
… reassemble boom roller rod–done
… paint yuloh–done
repair/modify mainsail head–done
…make holes for name and place boards–done
… Theo… repair stove latch–done
adjust yuloh post–done
… interior mounting bracket for AIS–done
Shemaya – order bilge pump strainer–done
… make leecloth–done!
address window leak–done
Theo… Sort out yuloh storage–done
–seizing on yuloh–done
.. finish rubbing strakes — make, install –done
… eyestrap for stern anchor–done
. install water tank–done
. install starboard cockpit locker tiedown brackets–done
… install leecloth–done
. splice and mark anchor rode–done
… Install name board–done
..footwell hatch gasket–done
… Theo – place board bolts–done
put in footwell hatch–done
… eye straps for life jackets on starboard overhead–done
cut out watercatcher fabric–done
receive and install replacement masina light–DONE!!!
–connect mast wire, anchor, and tricolor lights, again–done!
…install water tank vent–done
fold/roll packraft –done
sewing – mesh anchor bags–done
test water pump–done
registration stickers on boat, trailer–done
Birthday cards for nieces–done
nav light brackets – screw or tape onto tabernacle, tape onto top of existing stern light–done
Finish assembling head tank–done
leather on yard–done
put yard back in sail, tie in–done
drill for double busbar mounting–done
pack spare anchor rode into blue bag–done
install head tank–done
finish seatbelt installation–done
put working anchor onto boat–done
load spare anchor rode into boat – Port cockpit locker–done
fill 20 peat moss bags–done
pack peat moss into boat – starboard cockpit locker behind and over water tank–done
– load packraft in starboard cockpit locker–done
put bronze roller rod back into boom–done
organize charts–done
fill charcoal bags – 20–done
load charcoal bags into boat–done
sewing – water catcher–done!
stern anchor line into green mesh bag–done
load rain gear bag onto boat, head end of starboard berth–done
load and tie in forward port black organizer–done
bedding: 2 sheets –done
blue fleece blanket, shiny fleece blanket, green cocoon from daybed, purple sleeping bag (stuffs behind forward black organizer over chicken pies) 4 down pillows, one polyfill pillow–done
heron fleece, purple bed fleece, green bed fleece, red daybed fleece–done
load canvas pockets bag, forward–done
load galley gear, forward end of starboard berth–done
red first aid kit, purple kayak cushion, behind forward black organizer–done
yellow kayak lifejacket, forward of forward black organizer–done
kayak dress-up canvas bag, forward of forward black organizer–done
inflatable lifejackets head of port berth –done
beaching legs–done
awning, 2 boathooks–done
load charts onto boat – starboard berth underneath all cushions–done
organize clothing–done
load clothing into boat–done
drinking water–fill, load–done
load books/cruising guides onto boat (alongside yellow water organizer)–done
check autopilot socket wires – done
… assemble ais power cord – done
install interior antenna wire and connectors – done
.. sew watercatcher udder – done

Stage Harbor to Stage Island Harbor

07 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by in Trips

≈ 2 Comments

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The clever naming wasn’t planned, but it’s kind of fun that it turned out that way! Departed Stage Harbor, Chatham, Massachusetts (at the lower right corner of Cape Cod) first thing on a Tuesday morning. The idea was to go around the outside of Cape Cod, going north, and then see what happened next. Possibilities were Provincetown, Cape Ann, Portsmouth New Hampshire, and Biddeford Maine. The weather forecast for the next several days involved south, southwest, and possibly west winds, with variations on 10 to 20 knots and times with higher gusts. Just fine for an adventure!

The hardest part was getting out of Stage Harbor and Nantucket sound, which all involved tremendous amounts of tacking. It was, however, satisfying to maintain the “motor as decoration” status of the electric outboard, and once into Nantucket sound the motor isn’t sized for that kind of job anyway. Arrived at the south end of Monomoy Island (10 miles south and eight hours later) about an hour after the tide got going outbound, which was good enough to make it work. I have to say that I’ve never seen a tide rip anything like that – it pretty much redefines the term. But it was fascinating. Recreational fishing boats were both using this passage routinely, and hanging out in the middle of the rip, fishing. Seeing that they were doing this without mishap made me feel like it was within the bounds of reasonable prudence for me, now with a nice solid beam wind, to do the same thing. Well, not fishing, but passing around that end of Monomoy close in, rather than going to the west of enormous Handkerchief Shoal. For one thing, tacking the extra 5 miles around the shoal could well have meant missing the outbound tide, which would have involved an immense change of plans as there are no nearby harbors.

So through the tide rip it was! And in a testament to Phil Bolger’s Chebacco design, sitting in the cockpit I didn’t even get wet. And things felt stable enough that taking pictures was an option. Extraordinary. Among other things, the sound was amazing, with all those foaming waves, roaring. My uncle Wright used to take me fishing in a Boston Whaler in the reefs off of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, when I was a kid. Huge breakers on Catumb Rocks, and us right there, fishing rods in hand. I thought of Wright the whole way through that rip.

And then it was out the other side, and a few minutes later through Pollock Rip, which was mild by comparison, probably partly because the tide was not yet in full gear at that spot around the corner. The fog came in, and I never did see Cape Cod’s outer beach from the water. My goal was to go east until outside of the New York to Boston shipping lanes, since I knew that I would be out all night and wanted to get some reasonable rest. This worked out, and as it turned out the AIS never showed a single ship – I’m thinking that this had to do with the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, which was great.

The coolest thing that happened was WHALES! In the fog, about a half a mile of visibility, about 10 miles east of Monomoy Island. I was in the cabin resting, and there was a loud unidentifiable sound coming up from behind. I was thinking “that boat’s awfully close to have snuck up that way.” Once out in the cockpit, it happened again, about 50 feet in back of the boat – whales! With big, deep breaths. No spouts, just the sound, and their backs. The small sort of irregular dorsal fin, on enormous bodies, makes me think it was humpbacks. The wind had died back and the water was almost glassy, so it was perfect for seeing them. First they crossed the stern going north, and then they crossed the stern going south – a total of at least six or seven breaths, and at least two whales that I saw at the same time, one bigger and one smaller. What a lovely, lovely visit.

Night came, more wind, reefing issues and a course change, now turning north well outside the shipping lanes. The boat had been perfectly happy flying along at 5 knots going east – it was a real shame to upset that nice equilibrium, but I felt like I would’ve been really headed for Scotland if I went that way all night!

Eventually a new balance was struck, that the autopilot could live with reasonably reliably. During that process I was thinking “Yup, I’ve advanced to my level of incompetence – again.” But you learn so much during those experiences! Still, while I felt perfectly safe, I was thinking that this “go outside of Cape Cod” idea might not have been one of my best. Comfortable it was not.

Then, back inside, back in my dry PJs, leecloth up on the berth (and seatbelt for good measure) it suddenly didn’t feel the same – I found myself thinking “oh, this is nice!” Now that was a surprise!

The mainsail had two reefs, which is my standard for a fairly stiff wind, and our course would now stay the same for ages, so that was it for sail fussing for the night. The wind was forecast to continue from the southwest, which it kindly did. By morning the fog had cleared, and it was just extraordinary. The wind had died down about when it got light, and after a nice nap I was feeling pretty good.

From the south end of Monomoy to where you would turn for Provincetown is about 40 miles… but in that nice daylight, making that turn seemed downright silly. So on we went, with Cape Ann generally in mind, but I was keeping a course that was actually the straight shot from the outside of the shipping lanes to about Biddeford, Maine. This put the boat substantially east from Cape Ann, which was perfectly doable, but added significant mileage and time if Cape Ann was to be the destination. And what a nice day it was! Mild, comfortable wind and seas, and then, as if that wasn’t enough, hanging out in the cockpit in my accustomed spot relaxing, looking out the stern, thinking about this and that, there off in the distance, directly in back of the boat, an enormous whale breached. It must’ve been well over a mile away (maybe two?) – tiny in the distance, but perfectly clear, arching up silhouetted against the sky. All but its tail came out of the water, and then a couple of beats later, after it was down again, you could hear the boom. Extraordinary.

So that was it – time to stay out where all the fun is. Another night, again with stronger winds, but reefing before dark was much, much nicer. And then in the morning I just had to decide exactly where to come in, somewhere south of Portland. Stage Island Harbor is nice, and so is Wood Island Harbor, in Biddeford. I had hopes of seeing a couple of friends, and some confusion about which harbor was ideal for visiting (it would really help if I would talk with people before arriving places!) But Stage Island Harbor was nearer, and a truly beautiful, special place. At 20 miles out I heard the first boat motor in the last day and a half, and at 15 miles out the tuna boats were a regular occasion. By 5 miles out, Fourth of July on a hot sunny day, everybody was out… The wind had eased off in the morning, so it took until about 4:30 in the afternoon to come into the harbor itself, anchored and all. By evening the jet ski people had gone home for supper (how do you say thank you in 10 different languages??) and the rocks, and the tide, and the sky were perfectly lovely.

Overall, I’d say this first effort at a longer passage came out pretty well. The leecloth worked, the AIS worked, I got reasonable amounts of rest, the stars, so far away from any outside light, were fantastic. And I would do it again, which is the true test of whether or not something really was such a good idea. It was special, and I’m so glad to have had the opportunity.

Best of all, just like that, now I’m in Maine! It’s still hot, but the water is about 60°, so the cabin sole is cool, and last night the inside temperature actually made it below 70. Since arriving in Stage Harbor, and spending one night, I’ve been to Wood Island Harbor for one night, and now at Jewell Island, in Casco Bay. Hoping to stay put for a bit, rest and tinker, and wait for the cooler weather.