LED conversion

After performing our power consumption testing we decided, like many have, that we should replace our incandescent bulbs with LEDs to reduce the power consumption. Since each incandescent lamp is using about 1Amp/hour and there approximately 10 onboard, huge energy savings can be made given that LEDs will only use about 10% of the power of the equivalent incandescent lamp. We went to SuperBrightLEDs.com and purchased some LEDs for testing - G4B-CWHP 10-D and G4B-CWHP 10-D. Installation was as simple as replacing a bulb and the power savings were huge. However, be careful to make certain that you select the appropriate orientation of the connectors – from the side or from the back – depending on your bulb housing. Since we have avid readers onboard, this energy saving will make for some happy crew members.

We used the cool bulbs and they emit a “blueish” white light. We will try some warm for comparison, as well as get a couple of red LEDs for night time illumination.

Next project – replace running light bulbs.

First Sail 2010!

On Friday afternoon we got to take the first sail of the 2010 season to bring Prairie Gold back to Constitution marina. But before the fun started we had a few things to take care of on the boat. We put up the main and head sails, installed the new anchor and chain, bimini frame and bimini, the bbq, checked winches, halyards, sheets, and jacklines, electronics and autopilot, and through hulls, flushed, filled and primed hot and cold water tanks and systems and started up the fridge.

Phil and Dustin attaching the clew to the main sail outhaul, it was very exciting to see the sails going up!

Check out how happy Phil looks to be sailing again!!

Despite the cloudy skies, and spits of rain, it felt great to be sailing again!! And of course we were making big plans for what trips the coming weeks might hold!!

In Boston harbor and close to home...you can see Boston's Zakim bridge sticking up from the horizon.

Boat on the Water!!

Say the title loud while thinking of the Deep Purple song!!

Duh-duh-duh duh-duh-daduh duh-duh-duh daduh!!


Today the boat went into the water at Marina Bay.....the sailing season has arrived! Woooooohooooo!

A picture Phil took of the crane used to put the boat in.

Prairie Gold resting easy, ready for adventure!

Boat Food - Basic Edition

Now that we know we can chef up some deluxe items in short time, we also wanted to evaluate what non-perishable, rapid-to-prepare items were still tasty enough to warrant stocking the boat with them. So Dustin picked up some economical canned goods and we had a canned-lunch!

Some of the canned vegetables we tried.

We also tasted two canned meats.
For us the canned meat seemed to be more important, as these items could be a bit suspect if not carefully selected!

Dustin diggin' on some carrots!

Yolande gives the canned chicken two thumbs up!

We came to the decision that the chicken was excellent (considering that it comes from a can!) and would be very versatile given that it does not have a sauce. We did not prefer the beef & gravy. We also decided that the veggies of the economy brand were a bit soft and bland, and decided to go for the name brand, Del Monte, instead.

So next, a trip to the local BJ's http://www.bjs.com/!! After Yolande endured a line-up and delay at customer service to get our card, we got some excellent items!!

Trunk full of goodies!

Some of the water provisions stowed.

Boat Food - Deluxe Edition

A few weeks ago Dustin came up with the idea to have a "boat compatible" Iron Chef competition. The rules were simple: two dishes, 15 minutes or less, all done with supplies that could conceivably be available on the trip to Bermuda!

Yolande and Phil sitting in the judges chairs of Hines kitchen stadium, where amateur cooks pit their culinary creations against one another!

In 3, 2, 1.....

Dustin was first up and made good dishes to warm you up in foul weather: Egg drop Hot and Sour Soup, and crispy fried udon noodles with shrimp in a spicy-sweet sauce. Dustin got extra points from the kitchen stadium judges for practicality and time, particularly since he finished both dishes (and a bonus dessert) in less than the allotted 15 minutes!

Dustin's crispy fried udon with shrimp sizzling away.

A view of Dustin's udon and Soups plated for presentation to the judges.

Phil was next up, and prepared his locally famous tuna tartare with avocado and tomato, followed by the comfort food faves - breaded fresh cod, peas, and mashed potatoes. Phil's dishes again scored big with the judges on practicality, and he too finished in less than 15 minutes!

Phil at work in the kitchen organizing his ingredients...potato buds, a must on the trip!

A key to Phil's rapid time was the double-knife-chop technique he employed on the tuna for the tartare!

Phil's favorite, baby peas!

Yolande was next to put on a spread for the judges with asparagus frittata followed by sea scallops in a lemon marscapone on a bed of black spaghetti. She also wowed the judges with a bonus appetizer of burrata drizzled with balsamic vinegar (burrata is an Italian cheese composed of a sheet of thin mozzarella filled with fresh ricotta and cream)...ooooh this was good! The judges scored Yolande's dishes highly, and they certainly were the most gourmet.

Yolande putting some of the black spaghetti on to boil.

Yummy burrata!

Yolande's scallop dish, very impressive looking with the black spaghetti!

Rochelle was last to compete and prepared dishes of bocconcini, basil and tomato salad made with fresh home-made cheese, and veal with asparagus. Hard not to score points with the judges with these simple but delicious ingredients. Rochelle also pleased judges with a bonus desert from Backpacker's pantry.

Rochelle's bocconcini salad.

Veal and asparagus to end off the night!

And of course we had to try out some beverages to see what might be boat worthy!! This competition was so much fun, and it was amazing to see what excellent dishes could be created in as little as 15 minutes!

One week to water!!

We got the weekend off to a good start with a stop off at Phil's favorite store: West Marine! We had to pick up a few random supplies (crew knives, inclinometer, multi-tool), as well as the new chain that Phil had ordered.

Typically Phil and Dustin are not so keen to shop, but out front the West Marine they are looking pretty excited!

Phil and Dustin loading the chain into the trunk.

The weight of 250 ft of chain adds up pretty quickly! But now we will be able to anchor in 50 ft of water!!!

After that we got to work on our tasks. Yolande worked with diligence of her wax-on/wax-off routine, and she also developed novel methods for keeping the hair out of your mouth on windy days while covered in wax!! Good work, the boat is shining like new!!

Yolande waxing with wind!

Rochelle did some work under-deck scrubbing and cleaning out the cupboards and surfaces to get things fresh before loading up provisions that will be needed for the new season.

Fresh and clean!!

We are feeling pretty ready, the majority of things that needed to be accomplished while on land are done, and the boat scheduled to go into the water next week.......wooooohooooo!!

A Minor Victory

Yes! Finished cleaning the smooth fiberglass! Next task will be inspired by the Karate Kid - wax on, wax off (those of you who shouted out: "Catch a fly with chopsticks!" see me after class).

Phil made some additional purchases today. On the advice of one of the salesmen at West Marine in Braintree, he bought Sta-Set polyester lines for the new spinnaker and storm sail. Size? We'll let you know when we retrieve the receipt from the boat. He bought some blocks to attach at the stern of the boat for the spinnaker and some flag hooks and a new flag halyard as he noticed yesterday that one had mysteriously disappeared. Yolande found some Kap Savers (?) to tether your cap to the back of your T-shirt to prevent it blowing off into the water. Ingenious, huh? Only if it works.

Note: Yolande will be spending this evening looking on Craig's List for a cat o'nine tails ready to flog anyone who leaves a scuff mark on the boat, unless it's herself.

Easter Update - the Sunshine Edition

Well, Rochelle and Dustin abandoned ship this weekend using the old: "We have to go to Ottawa to join friends for Easter," excuse. This all sounds highly suspect.

Phil and Yolande went out to Prairie Gold to enjoy the beautiful, sunny weather. They started their afternoon with a sumptuous repast from a chic little restaurant decorated with golden arches. Phil then checked the anchor locker to try to ascertain if this was the source of the water in the bilge. Yolande cleaned smooth fiberglass. Phil went on to change some engine filters, tidy various lockers for optimal storage and decide how the nav station should be organized. Yolande cleaned smooth fiberglass. Phil stored some of the existing spare parts and determined what other spare parts would be needed for the season. Yolande cleaned smooth fiberglass. She's now finished the cockpit and most of the starboard side.

Question for those of you playing at home:

How much smooth fiberglass is there on a Catalina 350 MKII? Answers in square inches/yards only, please.

Ship Shape

A look at all of the boats in a row, waiting for spring!!

With nice weather just around the corner, we have been busily preparing the boat to go back into the water, set to happen on April 19th!!

For the past two Sundays our crew has made the voyage down to Quincy (Phil has made a few extra trips as well!) to work on Prairie Gold to ensure that everything is ship-shape for the new season.
We started thing off by un-wrapping her. Phil and Dustin were especially keen on this part, like kids with presents!!

Dustin (top) and Phil (below right) carefully yet excitedly unwrap Prairie Gold.

The hull was then taped off, scraped down (Phil did the hard work!), and re-coated with anti-fouling paint below the water line.

Phil geared up to scrape and paint the hull with anti-fouling paint - note the difference between the hull to his left (already scraped) and to his right!!

We also used fiberglass cleaner and wax to clean up and shine above the water line.

Dustin was able to see his reflection after the cleaning and waxing!

Top-side Yolande used some old fashioned elbow-grease (and fiberglass cleaner) to polish up the cockpit area. And Rochelle took a lift up the mast to inspect the stays, lines, and take some photos so that Phil can plan for the spinnaker rigging.

We have also been using this quality time at the boat to make plans and schemes for other things required for offshore cruising that have not been so important for coastal cruising. Some of the issues that we have been working on include life raft and ditch bag stowage spots, and general stowage considerations, locations for fire extinguishers and other safety/first aid equipment, the making of lee-cloths and a cover for the companion way which will be needed for foul seas.