The "To Do" list... revisited

From the sidebar:

1. Cabinetry

2. New roller furler

3. New canvas

4. Refrigeration

5. Radar

6. Repower

1. Cabinetry - In process.

There is now a door under the galley sink / counter, and the framing for the new cabinets above the engine box is complete. However shelves above the engine box remain on the list, as well as my spice rack.

2. New roller furler - picked out, but not yet purchased.

I wanted the ProFurl because I like the open drum, which allows for easy visualization of the reefing line, as well as access for frequent fresh water washes. However, the experts (read SS's rigger friends) discouraged this choice stating that it wasn't worth the $. They recommended, and we settled on, the Harken. Unlike the older Harken model which had a curved piece of stainless wrapping around the drum, this is an open model, which means it meets my requirements!

3. New canvas - In process!

I decided to start with a new sail cover for the mizzen. I purchased a kit from Sailrite for what I call a sail cozy - others call a lazy bag and Sailrite calls a SailPack. Unlike regular covers this cover is unzipped and remains in place, attached to the boom and hiding the foot of the sail while underway. Then when you want to drop the sail- it - in combination with lazyjacks constrains the sail - and poof! it's furled and stowed. I decided on this system because the end of the mizzen boom extends far over the transom requiring leaning and stretching and swinging and acts of gymnastics each time the sail is stowed. Now I'll be able to pull a line attached to a zipper and poof! stowed.

I received the kit in record time and except for the usual cursing which occurs whenever the sewing machine and I meet it went really well. I am waiting for the final fitting once the sail is on the boat.

I also purchased all the materials needed to design a similar mainsail cover. Sailrite doesn't sell a kit large enough. Due to the oddity of the gaff I am waiting to take measurements once the sail is bent on.

4. Refrigeration.

Done! Yippee! Clap clap! (photos to come)

5. Radar. We decided to remove this from the list. If we were staying in Maine it would be a must have. But a chart plotter will be more useful anywhere South of New England.

6. Repower.

Done! Yippee! Clap clap! (see Winter Work)

Now... what was missing from the list?

1. Domestic hot water heater.

Done! Yippee! Clap clap! (photos to come)

2. New stanchions and lifelines.

Almost done.. stanchions mounted.. lifelines in the process of having ends attached. It's a long story - involving a nice friend... and the problem with perfectionists...

3. New chainplates and standing rigging.

- In progress (photos to come)

4. Running backs on the mizzen.

Umm... must remind SS.

4. Inside upholstery.

First I purchased enough batik in matching blues with different prints to sew 10 throw pillows, using pillow forms from Sailrite.

I also purchased enough yardage of Ultrasuede Ambiance Fabric in a light grey / stone (can't remember the exact name of the color) to cover both of the settees. I had plans. However - after asking SS's friend - who is employed creating such marine canvas and upholstery works of art - a LOT of questions - he offered to sew the covers at a discounted rate... so they are in the works.

Finally I created fitted rugs for the forepeak and starboard side of the salon. I cut up an old rug in a color similar to the Ultrasuede and hemmed it with scraps of the batik.

So. That's where we stand. I think. Not bad on the "To Do" list. Plus there are lots of small projects which didn't get a number - but which have taken time. Repainting the hull - painting a bootstripe - sewing a cover for the forward hatch and making it lightproof - creating and attaching the eyebrow - the dodger! - new jaws on the gaff - a new mizzen boom... all complete or in progress. So lots of photos to come.

The plan:

Launch the boat in mid August and head to warmer climates in the beginning of October.

Stay tuned!

Winter Work II

The shower...

Despite may hours of work this project doesn't shorten the list.. because it never made the list. Just wasn't a sexy enough project. But very important none the less.

The boat didn't have a shower sump or grey water system. The water simply drained into the bilge.. and after floating through the whole boat was pumped out aft of the engine. Yuck.

Just about the hardest thing to take a picture of. This picture is of the sole of the head and to the right the aft bulkhead. (Ignore the weird hole in the bottom right hard corner this is for the air intake for the diesel heater). The square on the floor is the new sump and the triangle to the right is a channel leading from the low point into the sump. Not quite complete (since there isn't actually a drain in there yet). But you get the idea. There will be a grate covering the sole once complete.

Here is the view under the head sink with the door open and drawers removed. You can see the seacock in the middle. To the right of the red hot (!!) water hose is the accumulator (expansion tank) for the fresh water and above that the fresh water pump, a diaphragm pump. In the upper right is the sump pump after an inline filter.

Winter Break

Back In February we went on a little car camping trip to warmer climates. Being ocean-centric we couldn't head South without bringing a boat along ... so we towed a 12' aluminum skiff.. from Maine to Florida. We camped at GA and FL state parks with the trip culminating at Bahia Honda State park in the keys... here are some photos to excite your own water-centric side...

WINTER WORK

... aka everything that needs to be done before we move aboard!

It has been a hard winter here on midcoast Maine. Lot of snow - and lots of work. We haven't been enjoying the usual winter sports and activities. Instead SS has been working every weekend - all weekend - on the boat and I have been picking up lots of hours at work. However we have (SS has) put an impressive dent in our to do list. This is the first in a series of photo heavy posts chronicling the Winter Work!

The to do list (as written on the side panel..which most likely doesn't match the list in SS's head) reads:

1. Cabinetry
2. New roller furler
3. New canvas
4. Refrigeration
5. Radar
6. Repower

So, to start: REPOWER!

Our new engine:
A Universal M25xPB 25hp diesel from Hansen Marine.

We (SS) spent a great deal of time considering the options.

Our requirements:

1. Absolutely not a Yanmar
2. Low RPM

Yup. That's about it. We looked at Beta, Westerbeke, Nanni, dreamed of Perkins (too big). Alas every 25hp engine uses a Kubota block which would not meet criteria 2 (low RPM). So we settled on the Universal, designed for 3000 RPM vs everyone else's 3600. A classic workhorse, now manufactured by Westerbeke we knew we could get parts - and that she would stand the test of time.

ooh shiny!

Despite trying to find the heaviest (read sturdiest stand the test of time-iest) engine available the Universal looks light and tiny in comparison to the retiring Sabb with it's massive fly wheel (which, for the record runs at 1800 RPM). The Universal weighs in at 295lbs vs. the Sabb's 425lbs.

She looks a little bigger swinging from one chain fall to another in midair!

Before the engines could be swapped out glass work was required. The old engine came out, and SS moved the stringers to fit the new smaller footprint.

One of the big problems we had sailing last year was the mizzen mast step. It just wasn't secure enough and flexed.. a lot. The design calls for the shaft to run under the mast step, so with the engine out SS glassed in lateral supports.

The bilge got a lovely new coat of paint at the same time!

There she is, in place. So cute! Behind and to port you can see the new 27 gallon diesel fuel tank, and with it came more glasswork in the form of a secure base with tie down straps. Plus the fuel fill was moved from the starboard to port sides.

The new engine came with a 55 amp stock alternator. Luckily the Sabb had a very nice 100-120 amp Balmar alternator- be it with an archaic external regulator. SS built a new bracket for the larger alternator (see photo) and purchased a new external regulator. He chose a Mastervolt Alpha Pro 12V regulator. He chose the Mastervolt in part because it uses a negative field, however the Balmar was positive field. SS opened up the alternator and changed the field. He explained that in his experience negative field regulators were longer lasting.

Finally the new bronze 3 blade prop from H&H Propeller was placed on the new 1'' Aquamet 22 (really fancy stainless steel) shaft.

Phew! And that only crossed one item off the to do list!

5. Repower

2010 Cruise.. the slideshow!

Long time no see...

The Fall cruise was a great success - so much so that I had written the post-cruise post in my head.. it was titled something like "On puffins and hurricanes." Yet after sorting through the photos - and starting a second "winter" job - I was so overwhelmed by the prospect of the post - that I ignored the little voice in my head... until it became.. December. So here we are three months later... and I am going to try to catch up.

Abridged Fall Cruise:

View Fall Cruise. in a larger map

1. Belfast to "A Little Harbor Northwest of Bucks Harbor"

2. Motored down Eggemoggin Reach. Anchored Opposite Wooden Boat. Nasty storm.

3. Up early - Fog. Motored over Bass Hbr Bar. Shut off engines before Petite Manan. 4-6ft. swells. Beautiful sail in afternoon - with fog lifting. Anchored SW of Knight / Mistake Island.

4. Explored Mistake lighthouse.

5. Sailed downwind to Cross Island, Northernmost home of Outward Bound.

6. Explored trails on Cross Island.

7. (Monday) Sailed Cross I. To Roque. Walked on white sand beach. Listened to forecast of hurricane to arrive on Thursday.

8. Roque to Jonesport - spent 3 hours on dock - got ice and diesel. Motored to Great Wass, anchored in Mud Hole.

9. Great Wass to Baker Island (Part of Acadia National Park).

10. Baker - South of Long Island - East side of Isle au Haut (crazy currents!) Merchants row - to Seal Hbr on East side of Vinalhaven.

11. Preparation and Preparedness

12. Hurricane Earl

13. Windy! Remained in Seal Hbr.

14. Seal Hbr to Duck Hbr. on Isle au Haut (Part of Acadia National Park)

15. Duck to Warren I.

16. Warren I. to Belfast.

So you can see this was an amazing trip full of long sails in open water, and exploring new horizons - past the "normal" cruising grounds.

The "To Do" List

The list as it read after the Shakedown Cruise:

1. Screen drop board

* In progress. Finally. I built the frame, took it out to the boat, fit it, and am now staining it. Hopefully I will have time to attach the screen tomorrow.

a2. Foam dog pillow for the cockpit.

* Took measure -ments, and found an old cockpit cushion which works perfectly.

a3. Non-skid on the sole and locker in the v-berth for paw traction

* Placed an "Oriental" carpet and non-skid rug mat on the sole for improved traction. Immediate results. She happily jumps up onto the v-berth now.

a4. Need mclube for the centerboard turning block

*This was accomplished. Think we used silicon grease rather than spray.

5. Repeat math to determine length of lazy jacks - and purchase line for the 4th lazy jack - which I somehow forget about when rigging the other 3.

*Measured. Then readjusted the existing lazy jacks. They work beautifully, catch and flake the sail. I am thinking about changing overall plan and only bedding 3 eyes (and therefore lazyjacks) per side when we rebuilt the boom this winter.

a6. Put chafe gear on bowsprit at bow roller as shackle tends to bind up.

*Instead of chafe gear I spliced the chain to the line (see below).

a7. Line to chain splice for anchor line.

* I used this tutorial for the splice. Then I used waxed sail thread to whip both ends. Rather a mess over the chain, but effective.

8. Get a smoke bell for the oil lamp to protect the overhead.

* In progress. Smoke bell is purchased, bracket to position bell above the lamp is still in progress.

a9. Rebuild the lavac pump.

*Rebuilt kit acquired and implemented.

a10. Remember to bring handheld GPS onto boat.

11. Get a pencil.

*Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to complete.

a12. First aid kit.

*Updated old first aid kit. Plans to purchase new kit next season.

a13. Boat hook.

*We brought the old hook on the boat, and despite massive corrosion it worked wonderfully. However we are now the proud owners of a brand new boat hook, free of corrosion and cracks!

14. Stopper for the sail slides on the mizzen.

*I think we finally ordered this...

a15. Grits.

a16. Hand soap for the head.

Out of 16 items I completed 11, 2 are in progress, 1 is postponed and 1 is pending. Not bad.

The big item which has been completed, and which missed the initial list is MORE REEF POINTS!

We have learned a lot about sailing a gaff rigged ketch this summer. The wind has reminded us far more of the Caribbean than Maine, with constant winds of 15 gusting to 30. How to minimize sail, and remain balanced. That is the great question. The boat came with one reef point on the main, the roller furler (reefable) and the mizzen.We have tried:

*Main and jib, no mizzen,

*Reefed main, reefed jib, no mizzen.

*Jib and mizzen, no main.

Those were all of our options. We attempted to beat West past the Southern tip of Cape Rosier with reefed main and jib. Each time we tacked her head would blow off without the balancing action of the mizzen. We had to slack the jib let the stern come around, then attempt to gain the tightest angle on the wind. It was frustrating.

We unbent the mizzen took it home, and I added TWO reefs!

An adventure involving much cursing, (mostly at empty bobbins) and cramped backs. I copied the tack and clew reinforcements, created a pattern, cut out and sewed on the new patches. I chose to place 3 diamond shaped reinforcements for the intermediate reef points. Then SS installed 10 grommets.

We bent the mizzen back on last Saturday. In time for the most beautiful sailing day of the year! (5-10 knots, perfect for a full complement of sail.) So, the new sail plan options remain to be trialed. The winter plan involves adding a second reef point to the main, and looking into the advisability of bending on a storm sail if the need were to arise.