Page 144 of 628 FirstFirst ... 4494134140141142143144145146147148154194244 ... LastLast
Results 1,431 to 1,440 of 6278

Thread: New Boat 4 Sled

  1. #1431
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Name:  177134.jpeg
Views: 1138
Size:  73.6 KB Name:  216.jpg
Views: 1086
Size:  138.0 KB

  2. #1432
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Capitola,CA
    Posts
    3,338

    Default

    A brief word from our sponsor:

    That cranky, cynical, American writer, Mark Twain, loved cats, keeping up to 19 at a time. Twain would play pool with one of his favorite kittens. The young kitty would be "crammed snugly in a corner pocket" of the pool table, where it would periodically emerge and swat an approaching ball, "spoiling many a shot."

    Name:  Cat Pool.jpeg
Views: 1045
Size:  60.6 KB

    Wrote Twain, "And when it came to cats and humans, cats were the standard that humanity needed to attain, because “If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.” Even though no one could hope to reach this ideal, that doesn’t mean we’re all bad. Twain wrote: “When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction.”

    Name:  Twain.jpg
Views: 1070
Size:  71.3 KB

    I once knew a cat, "Snowball," who raced two Pacific Cups and return deliveries onboard EL TIBURON. The boat was rigged most comfortably in all manner for Snowball, who napped in the top drawer, in amongst the socks, or on deck, inside the dodger.

    El TIBURON's DH crew practiced cat overboards. This technique, perhaps questionable to some, and certainly not taught at SAS seminars, involved one of the crew jumping over after the cat.
    Last edited by sleddog; 05-23-2016 at 07:39 PM.

  3. #1433
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Capitola,CA
    Posts
    3,338

    Default

    Sustaining injury when sailing offshore, by all measure, is to be avoided. There are dozens of ways to get hurt, some highly unusual. Below is an incomplete list of potential harmful situations to be avoided.

    1) Descending a companionway ladder, especially with damp footwear or wet step treads, can cause an injurious slip. Best avoidance technique is to face the ladder when descending, and hold on with both hands.

    2) Burns offshore are common, especially when cooking in the galley. When working around hot food or drink, wear clothing protection and have pot holders handy. That unanticipated wave always seems to tip the boat when making morning coffee. Also, when doing sail handling on deck, turning off the stove beforehand may save burning a hole in a freshly doused spinnaker.

    3) Rope burns take a long time to heal, and are particularly disabling. Anticipate how much strain is on a halyard or sheet winch, keep at least 2 wraps on the winch, and wear gloves.

    4) Falling down a foredeck hatch, breaking ribs, is a common injury. When working on the foredeck, with sails in the area, it's always a good idea to close any hatches beforehand.

    5) Cuts are always happening unexpectedly. Working with knives is hazardous duty. Untaped cotter pins, engine repairs, splinters, anything sharp can and will draw blood.

    6) Personal hygiene, especially butt rash, is important to attend to when first noticed. A clean galley, sink, and head is paramount. Carrying disinfectant and a general purpose antibiotic to prevent potential spread of infection is recommended.

    7) Fingers are always at risk. Two areas to be aware of are a sliding traveler car
    when using the main sheet or traveler track as a handhold, and an electric winch. Electric winches can be accidentally engaged or rotate more quickly than expected when fingers are in harm's way.

    8) Dehydration is debilitating. Stay in the shade of the sails, an umbrella, bimini, or small awning. Use a plant mist sprayer to create "air conditioning. An electric fan at the head of a bunk will keep things cool below while sleeping. Drinking plenty of water, a gallon a day causes the need to urinate, a good wakeup reminder when off watch. Using a hospital urinal obviates the need to use the head or go on deck. As Brian B points out, even available with glow in the dark tops, so you don't mistake it for the gatorade.

    9) Despite best intentions, injuries happen. A well equipped first aid kit and manual can be worth their weight in gold when the time comes for body repair. Don't forget the super glue, good for cuts as well as sail repair.
    Last edited by sleddog; 05-24-2016 at 03:27 PM.

  4. #1434
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Capitola,CA
    Posts
    3,338

    Default

    3.5 hours northeast of Capitola, 17 miles east of Auburn, at 2,500' in the Sierra foothills, lies the rural village of Pleasant Hill, home of the Crawfords.

    I first met Robert and Jeanne Crawford during the 2008 Singlehanded TransPac Race, in which Robert raced his Cal-20 BLACK FEATHERS. Good people, we became friends, and have stayed in touch over the years.

    Robert is a fine craftsman, with multiple talents. One of which is building (and playing) Taiko drums. Taiko drums are not as simple as they may look. All sorts of details have to be dealt with, including initially finding a proper oak wine barrel.

    Once the oak barrel is located, the ends are shortened, and the staves removed to be reinforced with Lamello "biscuits," exactly the same construction used in WILDFLOWER's new rudder. The oak barrel is then reassembled, the inside is carved for decoration and lightness, and 32 coats of varnish are added for both looks and protection against wayward drumstick beats.

    A tanned cowhide (the "head") is then fitted to both ends of the drum, and precisely tensioned involving powerful jacks, and tacked in place. No nail guns allowed. The new drum owner then stands atop his drum and tests the head. This step may cause anguish, if the cowhide should split, as they can do. Once the drum is complete, which may take weeks, the drum is played so to impart the correct resonance and tone into the drum and head. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0msetgl7TY

    Robert building and tuning his Taiko drums is art and craftmanship in motion.Name:  IMGP0002-009.JPG
Views: 738
Size:  252.4 KB

    It was fun visiting with Robert and Jeanne, and hearing BLACK FEATHERS continues to sail out of South Beach Marina one weekend a month, most recently completing a lap of the Farallones on the same day as the SSS Singlehand Farallones Race.
    Last edited by sleddog; 05-27-2016 at 05:22 PM.

  5. #1435
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Capitola,CA
    Posts
    3,338

    Default

    The Master Mariners Regatta on San Francisco Bay is always a bang-up affair. This year was no exception, with half a dozen classes, comprising a fleet of 65 oldies, chasing each other from the pursuit start off St. Francis Yacht Club.

    With 18 knots of breeze funneling in the Gate, it wasn't long before carnage began. The L-36 PAPOOSE tried to port attack the schooner SEAWARD, not a good idea being that SEAWARD is steel and 82 feet long. The resulting "incident" dismasted PAPOOSE and took the bowsprit off SEAWARD.

    I'm not sure marine insurance companies favor the idea of racing older yachts in close quarters, in current, fresh breezes, with unpracticed crews and often skippers who are unfamiliar with racing rules or boat handling situations.

    Aboard our 69 year old schooner MAYAN, all was going well. Navigator Stan Honey had us going the right directions at the right times, and our 20 person crew had the sails and centerboard going up and down with seemingly practiced precision. Never mind MAYAN only points within 110 degrees of the wind. Weighing nearly 35 tons, MAYAN rumbles along, and especially enjoys reaching legs, where the big Advance staysail, a giant quadrilateral sail that hoists to both the mainmast and foremast, helps deliver speeds upwards of 10 knots.

    Name:  Advance.jpg
Views: 910
Size:  56.1 KB

    After the start, we close reached MAYAN to Little Harding, 4 tacked up to Blackaller, ran to Blossom Rock, jibed the kit and kaboodle for Southhampton, then beat back up to R-4 east of Pt. Blunt. Things were looking good until they weren't. We were catching up to the early starters in our class, including ELIZABETH MUIR, RUBY, and the big ketch PEGASUS.

    As MAYAN thundered on the starboard tack layline for R-4 buoy, here comes the 51 foot ketch, PEGASUS, on port. Her owner/skipper later claimed he did not see MAYAN. Which from my point of view would be nearly impossible, especially as our 20 crew were vocal about calling "starboard!" Whatever, port tack PEGASUS did nothing: didn't duck our stern, didn't tack. Nada.

    Had MAYAN held her course, PEGASUS would have been likely sunk, ruining a perfectly fine day.

    Our skipper crash tacked MAYAN, and collision was avoided. With MAYAN's jib aback, we lay hove to on port tack, DITW, unable to tack to round R-4 as the offending PEGASUS sped away for the finish. The only thing we could do on MAYAN was jibe. That didn't go well, as the main boom skied, and hung up on the permanent backstay.

    What had been an orderly ship a minute before, about to make an orderly rounding of R-4, was now a chaotic scene on deck, with sails flapping and the main boom hung up amidships.

    Somehow, we got things disentangled, rounded R-4, and sped off on a reach for the finish east of Clipper Cove on Treasure Island. It's only a 2.5 mile leg. But our crew was rightfully pissed. And MAYAN picked up her skirts, really getting her rumble on. Halfway to the finish, we passed the offending PEGASUS, and were closing fast on RUBY and ELIZABETH MUIR.

    There was no denying MAYAN. Synthia, on the tip of our 9 foot bowsprit, did her best imitation of a figurehead, and MAYAN got the winner's gun by a nose, in a 3 way photo finish.

    Good stuff.

    http://www.pressure-drop.us/forums/c...ing-Up-The-Bay
    Last edited by sleddog; 06-01-2016 at 01:56 PM.

  6. #1436
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    3,688

    Default

    You mean like this?

    Attachment 1513

    #1991 is ELIZABETH MUIR. This photo was taken by Will Campbell, I assume from aboard MAYAN.

    It was "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" on the J/125 going to Monterey. I can tell you from personal observation that CTT's keel bulb is white.
    Last edited by BobJ; 05-30-2016 at 11:35 AM.

  7. #1437
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Capitola,CA
    Posts
    3,338

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobJ View Post
    It was "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" on the J/125 going to Monterey. I can tell you from personal observation that CTT's keel bulb is white.
    Could we have a bit more detail? What were you doing looking at CTT's keel bulb?

  8. #1438
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    3,688

    Default

    Oh, just checking it for kelp. It was easier to do that with the boat on its side. Okay, okay...

    We're pointed at the Ano Nuevo buoy and closing at 16-18 knots on port gybe. The windward checkstay is on and the spinny is cross-sheeted on the primary (a really bad idea in my view). We kinda need to gybe, like PRETTY SOON.

    Boss calls for the gybe and during the bear-away the new sheet manages to wind up with the old one into this glorious over-ride on the big 3-speed primary. The main comes across as we pirouette but the check didn't get released . . . need I continue?

  9. #1439
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Capitola,CA
    Posts
    3,338

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobJ View Post
    Oh, the new sheet manages to wind up with the old one into this glorious over-ride on the big 3-speed primary. The main comes across as we pirouette but the check didn't get released . . . need I continue?
    So the boom hits the check-stay, and the mast stays vertical and the boom doesn't break...I'd say the boat and rig is pretty hardy. Hopefully the sheets in the over-ride didn't have to be cut. And the check-stay was eased, allowing the boat to become more vertical. Wheeeee!

  10. #1440
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    3,688

    Default

    Right, the mast was horizontal. It didn't get vertical until I stepped down into 2 feet of water to release the check. "Big Rick" took the tack line across to the low side primary and tensioned it so we could release it. Between those two the boat started coming back up. The kite had about three feet left at the top, many feet of newly exposed leech lines and the remains at the bottom. At that point it was much easier to unwind the override so no sheets were damaged. The kite, not so much.

    Are we having fun yet?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •