Book reports

by Chuck February 23, 2006

Went to the library with KT tonight, picked up some boating-related books.

Updated 2009: Way back in 2006 I wrote that I would put capsule reviews up on the Web site. Never actually did that, but what a good idea. I might have to do that, if I remember...

Tags:

Sailing

Pulpit roller

by Chuck February 20, 2006

Today I figured out how to build the bow support/roller for the pulpit.

I changed from using a large piece of 3/4-inch plywood to using two smaller strips. That solved the problem I've been having trying to attach cleats in the right place.

When I went to Coast to Coast to get the bolts I needed I discovered a small cache of boat stuff -- not much but it did include the trailer roller and axel I needed. And since it wasn't West Marine it was half what I thought I'd have to pay.

I only made one -- typical -- mistake: I measured the length of the bolts I needed at 2 1/4-inches, so I bought 2 1/2-inch bolts. Which are, of course, too short.

Oh well, more for the junk box. Not sure what I'll do with three 2 1/2-inch 5/8 bolts. Something will come up, I'm sure.

Tags:

Sailing

Bolts. Again.

by Chuck January 25, 2006

Stopped at the Coast to Coast to pick up three 3-inch bolts for the pulpit roller thing.

Took it off the boat and to the barn. Tried to take pictures for the Web site but the darn little camera won't keep pictures all the way into to house. I left it disassembled so I can paint it some time in the next week or so.

Tags:

Sailing

Gang agley

by Chuck January 22, 2006

Today was the day when I was supposed to step the mast and put up the boom tent.

If only.

It was a beautiful day. Calm. Clear. Warm. The kind of winter day made for getting work done outside. Except I was anywhere but outside. One of those mid-winter colds grabbed me and put me in bed for the day.

Rather than get to work on Odyssey I got to lay huddled under my blankets and suck down Advil. I was even too tired to watch the whole football game.

Next weekend.

I hope.

Tags:

Sailing

We got the boom (tent)!

by Chuck January 15, 2006

I need to set up a boom tent on Odyssey to do some of the work I have planned.

I don't want to use my regular topping lift and jib halyard because I want to protect them from sun and rain damage, so today while out running errands I stopped by Coast to Coast and bought 100 feet of 1/4-inch three-strand rope. I'll use it in one length to provide both the topping lift and the halyard for the bow cover.

Tags:

Sailing

Rain rain, go away

by Chuck January 11, 2006

Tonight I stopped by Odyssey, just to say "hello."

It's been raining for days here in Pugetopolis -- we're closing in on a record for consecutive days of rain. Somehow a maple leaf managed to fall over the cockpit drain and seal it. Meanwhile, the rain kept falling.

By the time I looked the water was only an inch from overflowing the seat hatches and starting to fill the cabin. I calculated that there was about 850 pounds of water in the cockpit.

I poked a stick through the drain to get the flow going. It was quite the fountain flowing out the drain for about three minutes.

All better now.

Tags:

Sailing

Not another boat show

by Chuck January 6, 2006

Today is the first day of the Seattle boat show. For some reason I'm not interested in attending this year.

It may be because sailboats are under-represented again this year. It may be because I've seen many of the new boats before they've gone in (my new job is right across the railroad tracks from Qwest Field).

Mostly I think it's because I'm getting disillusioned about sailing. Opportunities to sail have been few and far between. Places I want to go, at least in my mind, are closed to me going without my family, and my family doesn't want to go.

I also think I'm feeling sorry for myself and need to snap out of it.

Tags:

Sailing

Starting again

by Chuck January 1, 2006

Time to start keeping a log for s/v Odyssey again. I've been remiss for the last year, something about the frustration of not being able to sail often and getting injured.

In any case, here we are. Odyssey is tucked up snug on her trailer. I'm planning some simple projects for the spring.

Tags:

Sailing

And so it goes...

by Chuck September 18, 2005

Here's the summary of the 2005 sailing season. The whole sailing season.

In June I went out with my family on a blustery, cold, rough day. They didn't want to go out again.

In September I went out with Rich and his son Geoff. We had a grand time on a great day for sailing.

And that's it for 2005.

Tags:

Sailing

Prep time

by Chuck April 23, 2005

The weather here in Pugetopolis has been remarkable warm this spring. So warm, in fact, that Dana suggested we go sailing on Sunday. Unfotunately, she made the suggestion Friday night, and we had plans for most of the day on Saturday.

So Saturday morning I pulled the tarp off to take a look at the damage the winter had done. No trees in the rubrail this time, and no bird's nests in the mast, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The cockpit was full of leaves and the anti-skid on the deck was full of dirt, but nothing that time and a scrub brush wouldn't put right.

Unfortunately, when I pulled the mast earlier in the year, I'd pulled the clevis pins from two of the turnbuckles, and now I couldn't find them. I'd put them somewhere safe, but so safe I didn't know where they were anymore. Well, I needed to make a trip to the boat store for spark plugs and a new water pump impeller anyway...

Saturday afternoon I got to start scrubbing. As usual, I started at the bow and worked my way aft, even though the last time I scrubbed the boat I told myself I'd work the other way. But it just takes time, and elbow grease, and soap and water to get the dirt off, and by late afternoon I had the outside of the boat relatively clean.

It wasn't until Saturday evening that I could get inside Odyssey and clean up the cabin. Joe came along to help, I put him in charge of bailing out the bilge with the wet/dry vac. By the time it got dark Saturday night we'd cleaned up the interior and were ready to start loading Sunday morning.

Tags:

Sailing

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