Long Distance Romance

I never thought it would be this hard to be so far away from the boat.  The time between visits is getting painfully long.  I have gotten over the fear that she is still afloat.  I am assuming someone would call if she had sunk to the gunnels. Now the frustration is having a list of things to do in abstentia that I know could be better if she was 100' away. We are supposed to go down to the boat in a couple of weeks and I know the girls would be disappointed to drive all that way and not sail, but i could spend 2 days just tweaking all the things on my list.

At the top of the list is re-plumbing all of the mast wires through the deck.  The temp hose is all kinked.  I now have a piece of seal-tite that will work and not kink.  Then I need to make all the final electrical connections for the mast lights.  I also need to make the antennae wire connection which involves soldering the final pin connector.

I am having a drip pan fabricated (above my skill level) to hold and drain the window AC unit that we will use for cooling at the dock.  I made some brackets for a new bed piece that we came up with last time we were there.  This piece will bridge over the aisle between the two side berths and allow us to sleep across the aisle together instead of separate on each side.  Two aluminum supports that will hang over the trim and support a piece of plywood that will hold a 4" foam cushion that ends up creating a bed that is 36"w and 7' long; about the size of a twin bed. Cozy.

The other project I have been working on is a sun shade for the cockpit.  I have an old canvas sunshade that was designed to be used when anchored.  It is a large piece of fabric with internal support from PVC pipe strung across the boom and is tied off along the life lines.  In a calm anchorage or at the dock this would work well.  What we really need is a Bimini.  A more structural sun shade that can be used while sailing.  The boat came with an original Sampan Taxi type cover.  It is very sturdy, small, low and dated.  However, it will do for this first season.  The issue is the low boom height and the end sheeting on this low boom.  It doesn't lend it's self to a nice large open bimini and has to be short off the back end and low enough to clear the boom.

I began by re-polishing all the SS supports and brackets (before and after).  Next, we will install as is and take some measurements.  I think it can be improved in two main areas.  First in the height, I think we can raise the structure 8" by permanently raising the end of the boom attached to the mast.  The goose neck is in a slotted track that allows the boom to raise up when the mainsail is set to it's full height.  The end off the boom is controlled by the topping lift.  I would like to fill the track and keep the boom at it's full height.  If this works I can have extension pieces made to raise the top of the bimini cover.  Second, is the size.  The width is set and the length on the back is dictated by the end sheeting.  However, I think there is room to extend forward on the cover.  With the additional height, it may be possible to extend the cover 12 inches further forward   Since a new piece would need to be sewn to replace the old one extending it would not represent a problem.

  See how much easier all this would be if we ere closer together

What's in a Name?

People always ask me what is the name of our vessel.  To make a long story short, we restored her original name from 1969; AQUARIUS.  However, we spelled it phonetically, əkwâr`ēəs,  which is now confusing everyone.  We did that not to be difficult, just to be different   Here is the long form of the de-naming and re-naming ceremony we used to make everything good with Neptune.  Feel free to plagiarize as much as you like.  We did.


DENAMING

"In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past, and in the name of all who may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the ancient gods of the wind and the sea to favor us with their blessing today.”

Oh mighty Neptune, great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name (Oriental Butler) which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom. As proof thereof, we submit this ingot bearing her name to be corrupted through your powers and forever be purged from the sea. (At this point, the metal tag with the old name is dropped from the bow of the boat into the sea.)

In grateful acknowledgment of your munificence and dispensation, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court. (Pour at least half of the bottle of Champagne into the sea from East to West.)

RENAMING

Oh mighty Neptune, great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, we implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as  əkwâr`ēəs, guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.

In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court. (At this point, one bottle of Champagne, less one glass for the master and one glass for the mate are poured into the sea from West to East.)

The next step in the renaming ceremony is to appease the gods of the winds. This will assure you of fair winds and smooth seas. Because the four winds are brothers, it is permissible to invoke them all at the same time, however, during the ceremony; you should address each by name.

Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel əkwâr`ēəs, the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs.

(Facing north, pour a generous libation of Champagne into a Champagne flute and fling to the North as you intone:) Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.

(Facing west, pour the same amount of Champagne and fling to the West while intoning:) Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.

(Facing east, repeat and fling to the East.) Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.

(Facing south, repeat, flinging to the South.) Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.

Two in a Row

Tuesday dawned beautifully.  The best nights sleep we had all week.  The wind was from the North at night and remained that way all day so we slept a lot better. The hobby horses took the night off.  Time to sail again.  This time with the dog.  All were on board, and everything ready, including new shorter spring lines on either side rail.  Go to start the trusty Yanmar, once, twice, tried but no luck.  Third try ........nothing.  Hmmm.  Switch the battery combiner to both banks.  Try again and turning over but not starting.  Then a bulb in my head goes off.  I check the Engine Stop cable.  Yep, still pulled out an inch; pushed it all the way down.  Starts up this time but why no starter battery??  Should we go or stay in and figure this out. I couldn't remember if I can leave on combine or should I switch back to charge the starter battery?  It could be an all day project.  Lets go sail instead!  If she doesn't start on the way in we will sail back into the slip.  Everyone should do this at least once to refine the skill.  Just hadn't planned on it being my second day out.

Had a wonderful sail in 10 - 15 Kts and headed down the river this time.  The First Mate took the helm again for the downwind portion and exhibited much better control asking questions all the way.  The dog slept peacefully on the cockpit floor wearing a white T-shirt to keep the sun off.  The wind died again after 10 minutes but then built up nicely to stay above 10 all the way.  On the upwind beat back to the creek we saw 6.3 knots on the speed log.  There must have been some current in there as our hull speed is only 6.1.

We made it up to the harbor entrance and had the same issue with the main sticking at the top.  Got everything down and the motor started.  We arrived back in the slip with less effort than the day before, made easier by the shorter spring lines.  With everyone off the boat I began researching my battery/starter issues.  I put a meter on the starter battery and had 12.77v.  More than enough to start the motor.  I put the switch back to Combine and tried to start the motor.  Two clicks and then dead.  I go down below and the entire panel is dead.  Oh no, what did I do.

I empty out all the lockers and start checking wires, connectors and fuses.  The two fuses protecting both battery banks (starter and house) are blown.  They are 125 Amp fuses.  Is there some kind of short blowing these fuses or are they just not big enough to start with.  Come to think of it, how did I determine 125 Amp was enough in the first place?  A little google later I determined the loads on the cranking of the diesel are indeed greater. I am able to only locate one 250 Amp fuse in town and decide to go and get it to verify this is indeed the problem.  Wondering for the next 3 weeks before I get a chance to come back down to the boat was not going to work for me.  The new fuse does work of course and no apparent damage is done.

Sailing Yet?...........Yep

After a very restless night the wind had calmed and the water intake had been reduced on the leaking stuffing box.  As soon as the girls left the boat to get breakfast at the club house I was upside down in the starboard lazzerette with two pipe wrenches.  After much struggle and wriggling around I was able to get into a position that gave me enough leverage to break free the locking nut on the stuffing box.  I tightened down the box ring and the leak stopped.  The rudder still moved freely so I tightened up the locking nut and congratulated myself.  Now all I had to do was extricate myself from this position.  I should have brought the cell phone down here with me in case this didn't go well. It took a while and I could tell I was going to have some bruises in the morning.  As I got out and stood up the girls came up to the boat in a panic wanting to know where all the blood on my head was coming from.  "Beats me, I just got here myself."  It appears I cut my head on the fiberglass while upside down.  No biggie, I had just single handily saved my boat from sinking.  It is appropriate that a little blood be shed during such an occasion.

Time to sail.  This first trip out would be without the dog.  An extra body one the first outing would be more than I could handle.  Luckily a club member volunteered to watch him for a couple hours.  The most stressful part of any sail is the leaving or returning to the slip.  I reviewed the operation carefully with my crew and when everyone was ready we started the motor and back out of the slip.  We motored away from the docks and entered the creek proper heading out to the Nuese River.  The winds were light, forecasted to be 5-10 kts., SW.  We motor sailed out to the main river giving an education along the way about the navigational aids and markers.  What the colors meant, numbers, etc.   We made it out t to the river and shut off the motor in a light breeze.  We were finally SAILING!




Of course the wind died five minutes later but we were out there.  The wind filled back in about 30 minutes later and we had some good upwind sailing. We topped out at 5.4 kts boat speed.  The First Mate was excited and held up her fingers to convey the top speed.  Being sensitive to our dog watcher we did not go too far up river and turned to run downwind back to the club.  The First Mate took over the tiller and did a good job holding here on a relative course and helped by identifying the markers with her super human 10 year old eyes.  We made it back to the entrance and began to douse the sails.  the main hung up at the top on the 2nd or third clip on the track.  A little jerking and pulling until it broke loose.  A big sigh of relief.  We cleaned up the sails and lines and motored back into the harbor   My first re-entry to the slip was not pretty.  A little too hot.  Our dog watcher was there to help and hold us off while I checked the engine at reverse full.  That worked and we stopped.  The fault was mine.  I was too busy trying to grab the long spring lines to hand off and did not realize our drift speed was still high. I plan on shorter spring lines to make this job easier for all concerned.  Maiden sailing voyage successful.  I had an extra ration of Grog that night.

Sailing.........Not quit yet

So we launched on Friday and spent the rest of the day adjusting lines and getting used to a slip.  The wind has been from the S-SW which for our particular slip is very bad.  There is a break in the sea wall that allows all the fetch from the S-SW so it is very rough.  Think "Washing Machine on a Roller Coaster".  We are taking all the waves on the bow which helps but a 10 knot breeze or greater is bad news. I keep meaning to ask why only half of the dock was protected with the sea wall?  It makes about 10 slips virtually uninhabitable.  I am very concerned about the safety of getting on and off the boat for a 10 yr old.  On Saturday, the Admiral woke up early and sick.  She slept in the truck until mid afternoon and then felt better.  It looks to be more of a migraine sickness and less of the sea sickness I was concerned about.  Sunday dawned after another rough night with SW winds but it was Easter  Morning.  Eggs to be found and baskets to secure.

After church we briefly contemplated going out for a sail but I vetoed that with the strong wind conditions predicted.  The wind filled in at 16 knots with gusts to 25 and we got blown around in the slip like a hobby horse.  2  larger boats went out with full crews of experienced sailors but it was way too much for us.

I tried to accomplish some tasks on the boat but the rocking and rolling proved too difficult.  Then the bilge pump started running.  It has been dry since I tightened the prop shaft stuffing box.  Odd.  After much excavating of lockers I was able to identify the leak. The old stuffing box on the rudder shaft had begun to leak. The one I left alone because it had never leaked before and I did not really know how to get at it.   All the banging around had created new forces to push water in.  The bilge was filling up every half hour and being pumped out.  Nothing catastrophic but definitely alarming.  I couldn't budge the stuffing box ring or retaining nut.  I soaked it in PB blaster and let it sit through the night.

And what a night it was.  We stayed up at the club house until very late hoping the winds would drop below 10 knots.  We finally went to the boat for a wild ride.  I laid awake listreningto the bilge pump and the girls fell asleep.  A long night.  The wind died down to a reasonable level about 2 or 3 AM and the bilge pump stopped working over time.  I finally fell asleep.