I find that I am part of a trend. This is disconcerting. It is unnatural for me to be a part of anything. But the preliminary census data released last week proves what has been obvious: people are leaving California and people are moving to The South. Even worse I am part of two trends.
A few miscellaneous thoughts about the recent out and back sail in no particular order.
The improvements made to the new model Velocitek ProStart proved their worth. It was so useful to go on deck at night and turn on the unit and have the red backlight come on automatically, and not to have to change batteries. I did remove it from the mount once to recharge it. The tiny plastic cap over the recharging port somehow became deformed. I used the essential duct tape to hold it in place. Since my return I’ve gone to Velocitek’s site and found they sell replacement caps for $2.00 each. I expect they cost maybe 2 cents each to manufacture, but like all boat owners I am rich and ordered two.
Perhaps the most surprising experience of the sail was the difference when we were in the Gulf Stream between our compass heading as shown by the Velocitek and our actual course as shown on the iSalor chart in my iPhone. The difference was sometimes more than 60º. If you just followed the compass, you would eventually be in for quite a shock.
The new pipe berths are wonderful. Kevin’s workman put a thick layer of foam in them. On the old berths I could feel the corners of waterproof boxes stowed underneath. Sleeping on the new ones I can’t.
The most vivid impression of the sail is when I was on the port pipe berth while GANNET was lying ahull under bare poles in the gale and I began to wonder if the wind would press us beneath the surface of the ocean. GANNET has only 2’/.6 meter freeboard and a short mast. There is not much for the wind to get a grip on, but it did.
I tried several of the new to me AlpineAire meals and most were by my perhaps low standards excellent: Chicken Gumbo; Tuscan Chicken Alfredo; Creamy Beef and Noodles; Al Pastor with Cilantro Lime Rice. I did not care for their Three Cheese Lasagna. And there were other meals I did not have the chance to try.
Of destinations, I don’t believe I will ever set out without one again. After Carol retires and can fly there and join me, I might even sail to Bermuda.
As is inevitable after sailing about 900 miles my GANNET to do list is longer. Again in no particular order.
inflatable cushion—when heeled I wedge myself in at Central with flotation cushions and an inflatable one. The inflatable has sprung a leak.
Velocitek battery cap
snatch block—I used one attached to the toe rail to keep the jib sheet from rubbing against the shrouds when I backed the jib. The one I have was very difficult and sometimes hazardous to remove and switch from side to side. I find I only have one and will buy two more from Garhauer so that I don’t have to go forward to move them.
main halyard—the main halyard is slipping several inches when under load. It has been doing this for a while and is getting worse. I do not know if the halyard has stretched and narrowed or if the clutch is worn. I will end for end the halyard and see if that results in improvement and then go from there.
oil interior wood
Windex—it is loose. I need to find a useful rigger.
new spray hood—one has already been ordered and I learned today will be made later this month rather than in July as originally scheduled.
nonskid—the rigger who lowered and raised GANNET’s mast in Panama ripped some of the non-skid. I’ve glued the ripped parts and will see if I can buy replacement material.
lower rudder and inspect bearings—this has been on the list for years. I need to find a good boat yard.
leak forward hatch—this too has been on the list for years. I have removed and rebedded that hatch twice. A third effort should be made. Sigh.
Steve Earley has built a new mizzen mast and is off today on his annual spring cruise.
I have a suspicion that Steve’s traditional spring and fall cruises are now going to be joined by a winter cruise in the South. He offers no denial
https://maps.findmespot.com/s/5PLS#history/assets
I hope that Pat who lives in Queensland, Australia, will not take umbrage when I say that he is about my age. Like several of you Pat is a builder. He can and has built boats and houses and furniture and much else. He recently sold a boat he had built and he has bought another. This GBE catamaran.
Pat tells me that she is 26’ long, but designed to be 28’, and he is going to lengthen her to 30’. Don’t ask, I don’t know.
I observed to him that that is not an old man’s boat. He replied that indeed she isn’t. Pat has the right stuff.
5 comments:
"like all boat owners I am rich so ordered two" : priceless!
any belief in the Bermuda Triangle after your experience?
What would be the result of wind pressed submerged hull? Wouldn't the boat pop back up? I felt a chill when I read that in your original voyage log.
No.
I do not know that the wind could press the boat beneath the water, but at the time that is what it felt the wind was trying to do. I am aware that the wind is not sentient was not ‘trying’ to do anything. It was just wind. GANNET is a light cork. She should pop back up, but if part of the companionway was forced under, even when closed some water would make its way below. If held down too long, too much water could find its way below.
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