I just read about the T-ring system for attaching sheets to headsails. Its so easy and prevents the need for a bowline knot for each sheet. We all know that when tacking the bowline can catch on the shrouds and prevent sheeting in the sail quickly. Maybe on my next headsail I will get a T-ring. Take a look.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Happy new year
Its been a while since I posted but with a bit of nudging from someone, who will be nameless but you know who you are, I am going to start again over the winter. So here goes with an update.
We have kept Prairie Gold on the water for the winter 2013/14 season. Our goal was to try to use the boat at least once over the winter between Nov 1st 2013 and May 1st 2014. Given that our condo looks over the harbor, we have previously been frustrated during nice weather wishing we could sail. Well, the end of December conclusion is that it was worth it. We have been out five times since November 1st and hope to get out once more, hopefully January 1st. I have managed to get to the "tree house" several additional times and find myself doing little jobs, even turning my computer on and working for a while. On Thanksgiving day I came down to Prairie Gold, just because, and my neighbor Chuck was here with fishing poles. It was really cold, but we dangled lines for smelt. Then Chuck had the great idea of bloody Mary's. All before 10am. Why not!
I didn't quite know when to winterize while being in the water. Near the end of November there was going to be a cold snap and several people who were leaving boats in the water were in a flurry of activity. Given that I had all of the items on the boat I went ahead and winterized PG. This allowed me to test my new electric oil changer. I put the tube down the dipstick hole, attached to the battery and off she went. It took a little more time than I expected. Then I realized that this was a design feature and that the small print mentioned the need to drink an IPA with each oil change. Instructions duly noted, I obliged.
We normally winterize when we get to our destination to take the boat out of the water. When is the right time to do so when you are in the water? Hmmm. the scientist in me is testing this out. Of course the most important thing is to not allow water to freeze. Cold water 32F and sea water 28F. I winterized our fresh water system and the engine sea water cooling system. But was it yet necessary? So I have been tracking many temperatures since then - sea water, cabin temperature, engine temperature, and ambient temperature. The current conclusion is that the sea water temperature dictates the engine, and cabin temperature. However, I will need to keep coming down to collect more data (as well as checking that the beer hasn't frozen). Currently, the sea water temperature is 37F, the cabin and engine temps are 36F. The great thing is that with the refrigerator turned off and winterized I can keep beer perfectly chilled in there with no need to use electricity.
While we are enjoying the occasional sail, it does take a while to prepare to leave the dock. We have 15 docklines attached to Prairie Gold - see some beneath. And there are days when the winds have really got up there that I have been glad they are all attached.
A chilly December day with snow on PG
We have kept Prairie Gold on the water for the winter 2013/14 season. Our goal was to try to use the boat at least once over the winter between Nov 1st 2013 and May 1st 2014. Given that our condo looks over the harbor, we have previously been frustrated during nice weather wishing we could sail. Well, the end of December conclusion is that it was worth it. We have been out five times since November 1st and hope to get out once more, hopefully January 1st. I have managed to get to the "tree house" several additional times and find myself doing little jobs, even turning my computer on and working for a while. On Thanksgiving day I came down to Prairie Gold, just because, and my neighbor Chuck was here with fishing poles. It was really cold, but we dangled lines for smelt. Then Chuck had the great idea of bloody Mary's. All before 10am. Why not!
I didn't quite know when to winterize while being in the water. Near the end of November there was going to be a cold snap and several people who were leaving boats in the water were in a flurry of activity. Given that I had all of the items on the boat I went ahead and winterized PG. This allowed me to test my new electric oil changer. I put the tube down the dipstick hole, attached to the battery and off she went. It took a little more time than I expected. Then I realized that this was a design feature and that the small print mentioned the need to drink an IPA with each oil change. Instructions duly noted, I obliged.
We normally winterize when we get to our destination to take the boat out of the water. When is the right time to do so when you are in the water? Hmmm. the scientist in me is testing this out. Of course the most important thing is to not allow water to freeze. Cold water 32F and sea water 28F. I winterized our fresh water system and the engine sea water cooling system. But was it yet necessary? So I have been tracking many temperatures since then - sea water, cabin temperature, engine temperature, and ambient temperature. The current conclusion is that the sea water temperature dictates the engine, and cabin temperature. However, I will need to keep coming down to collect more data (as well as checking that the beer hasn't frozen). Currently, the sea water temperature is 37F, the cabin and engine temps are 36F. The great thing is that with the refrigerator turned off and winterized I can keep beer perfectly chilled in there with no need to use electricity.
While we are enjoying the occasional sail, it does take a while to prepare to leave the dock. We have 15 docklines attached to Prairie Gold - see some beneath. And there are days when the winds have really got up there that I have been glad they are all attached.
A chilly December day with snow on PG
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
We will stay on the water for the 2013/14 winter season
We have decided after years of agonizing about the winter that we will keep Prairie Gold on the water for the winter. If interested in being added to a mailing list of sailing opportunities ( alternative name - winter therapy sessions) send me a message or leave a comment and I will add you to the mailing list. We expect to sail Saturdays and or Sundays, weather permitting, throughout November and December, March and April. There might be opportunities in January and February too, it just depends on the weather.
Admission fee - strong back, warm clothes, and BYOB for afterwards.
Admission fee - strong back, warm clothes, and BYOB for afterwards.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Boston Islands Race
Our intention was to sail to Scituate for the weekend. However, the winds were low and as we started out past Hull we were just to slow for it to be pleasant. Consequently we headed back to George’s Island and picked up a mooring ball and barbequed burgers and ate them with a salad. On Saturday there was the annual Boston Harbor Islands sailboat race that took a course from Spectacle Island, down the Nubbles (between Long Island and Nixes mate) south of George’s island and then a 180 degree turn up the Narrows and back to Spectacle. The winds were low, sailing was slow, but it was a fantastic sight.
Here are some scenes.
Masses of Sailboats jockeying for position between Long Island and Spectacle Island.
At this point the boats are tacking down the channel from the Nubbles past George's Island
From the mooring at George's looking SE we can see the top of the mast of the boat "Shout" that is leading the race and is heading north on the eastern side of George's island heading up the Narrows.
Others are in hot pursuit
Here are some scenes.
Monday, September 23, 2013
57nm, 11hours solo, winds to 30 knots. What a great Sunday
Sailing on Sunday included a diversity of conditions and lots of winch grinding. I woke at about 6am to torrential rain and high winds. So as not to get soaking wet at the beginning of a long day I waited until about 7am to cast of from the mooring ball. For the next 6 hours, all weather predictions were wrong.
Here is the old faithful red daymarker #2 which is the meeting point for the Salem water taxi so that they can show you to their transient moorings. When I arrived on Thursday, the lady on the launch said “Oh Prairie Gold, you know where the transient moorings are, go ahead and pick one up”. I guess we head here often.
As I headed out I took a picture of this sorry sailboat. Apparently it broke free of its mooring in Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and washed up on shore. The Salem people brought it back to life, and reattached it to a mooring ball, but the owner doesn’t want to pay the fees. So it is sitting there in limbo. Its companion way is open, its batteries must be flat, and is presumably accumulating water. A launch driver told me that everyone is just waiting for it to sink so that something can be done. So sad.
After the storm front passed there was an immediate drop in winds to about 6 knots ☹ and they shifted from south to west instantly. This was not in my plans that were based on Sailflow predictions. I motored out with the main up past the Miseries and went on to Stellwagen bank. I was heading straight into 6 foot swells at 6kts and was dying to use the head. In my rush to get sailing I forgot to “go”. Any way, after bouncing around a little, I managed to gain relief and get back to the helm – I will check for bruises. I hunted around Stellwagen for about 45 minutes but found no sign of humpbacks. Later on channel 78 I heard one of the Boston high speed whale watching cats bemoaning their lot that they hadn’t seen anything either. Well I guess I can go back, and I am sure I will.
Brunch consisted of bbqed bacon wrapped steak (health food) salad made form our veggie share including beetroot, corn on the cob, and homefries plus a glass of red wine. Life is good.
As I headed back from Stellwagen I was able to get close hauled and sail at a reasonable pace. However, my course was pretty much back to Salem. With time the wind turned further to the south allowing me to slowly turn towards Boston. As the winds subsided again I decided to change headsails. Remember, I had put the 90% headsail on last Friday morning in preparation for high winds. I started to lower the 90% and when it was ¾ of the way down I decided that this might not be a good move on my part as I was solo – seas were still quite bouncy - so I hoisted it again and just decided to sail a little slower. What a great decision it turned out to be.
On VHF the Boston coastguard kept giving weather announcements about a line of storms (see my previous post for the Doppler radar), that the storms were producing winds of up to 30kts, thunderstorms and after the storm passed there would be a wind shift to the west. Well this was great information, however, they didn’t start providing it until after the storm had passed and continued to provide it until the afternoon when it was beautifully sunny. I guess the good news is that there was little else for them to do on this Sunday.
When I was a few miles east of the NE Graves lighthouse the wind really kicked up again. It is now that I was pleased that I had not changed the headsail. I was close hauled sailing all the way back to Constitution marina with sustained winds of 20 kts, gusting to 30kts. I quickly reefed the main sail and was able to work beautifully in these winds. There was almost no weather helm and I was flying. I have been told before that you pick up speed when you reef because the rudder is no longer acting as a brake. I was passing every sailboat, most of them with full sail and really having problems dealing with the wind.
As I entered Boston harbor 4:15pm came the start of the Americas cup race in San Francisco. Oracle US (with one US sailor) was trailing 8-3, with the Kiwi boat only needing one more race to win the cup. I had an ear piece in my right ear connected to my phone listening to the commentary. The excitement of the race together with my own racing was awesome. In the harbor, winds were changing direction and speed, sometimes 6 knots sometimes 25 knots and with wind shifts of 30 degrees. Then in addition I had to avoid a cruise liner backing out of the port into the main channel, avoid one sailor from a collision because they don’t now that starboard tack is the stand on vessel – I should have asked for a penalty - and then had to avoid some tankers as I was tacking across the channel. This is what makes Boston sailing so fantastic, changing winds, lots of traffic, narrow channels, and I forgot to mention I was tacking against the current.
I arrived back to Constitution marina after 11hours of solo sailing for 57nm. A little tired. I decided to have a second glass of wine from the bottle, talked to my better half who is away, and decided I needed to head home soon otherwise I would fall asleep on Prairie Gold.
The fall is here, the winds are up.
By the way, Oracle won both of the races on Sunday – it is now 8-5. Tune in at 4:15pm eastern time today Monday for the next race. Go Oracle. I love their fighting spirit and unwillingness to buckle when their backs are against the wall.
Now I should go to work so that I can sail again soon.
Here is the old faithful red daymarker #2 which is the meeting point for the Salem water taxi so that they can show you to their transient moorings. When I arrived on Thursday, the lady on the launch said “Oh Prairie Gold, you know where the transient moorings are, go ahead and pick one up”. I guess we head here often.
Brunch consisted of bbqed bacon wrapped steak (health food) salad made form our veggie share including beetroot, corn on the cob, and homefries plus a glass of red wine. Life is good.
As I headed back from Stellwagen I was able to get close hauled and sail at a reasonable pace. However, my course was pretty much back to Salem. With time the wind turned further to the south allowing me to slowly turn towards Boston. As the winds subsided again I decided to change headsails. Remember, I had put the 90% headsail on last Friday morning in preparation for high winds. I started to lower the 90% and when it was ¾ of the way down I decided that this might not be a good move on my part as I was solo – seas were still quite bouncy - so I hoisted it again and just decided to sail a little slower. What a great decision it turned out to be.
On VHF the Boston coastguard kept giving weather announcements about a line of storms (see my previous post for the Doppler radar), that the storms were producing winds of up to 30kts, thunderstorms and after the storm passed there would be a wind shift to the west. Well this was great information, however, they didn’t start providing it until after the storm had passed and continued to provide it until the afternoon when it was beautifully sunny. I guess the good news is that there was little else for them to do on this Sunday.
When I was a few miles east of the NE Graves lighthouse the wind really kicked up again. It is now that I was pleased that I had not changed the headsail. I was close hauled sailing all the way back to Constitution marina with sustained winds of 20 kts, gusting to 30kts. I quickly reefed the main sail and was able to work beautifully in these winds. There was almost no weather helm and I was flying. I have been told before that you pick up speed when you reef because the rudder is no longer acting as a brake. I was passing every sailboat, most of them with full sail and really having problems dealing with the wind.
As I entered Boston harbor 4:15pm came the start of the Americas cup race in San Francisco. Oracle US (with one US sailor) was trailing 8-3, with the Kiwi boat only needing one more race to win the cup. I had an ear piece in my right ear connected to my phone listening to the commentary. The excitement of the race together with my own racing was awesome. In the harbor, winds were changing direction and speed, sometimes 6 knots sometimes 25 knots and with wind shifts of 30 degrees. Then in addition I had to avoid a cruise liner backing out of the port into the main channel, avoid one sailor from a collision because they don’t now that starboard tack is the stand on vessel – I should have asked for a penalty - and then had to avoid some tankers as I was tacking across the channel. This is what makes Boston sailing so fantastic, changing winds, lots of traffic, narrow channels, and I forgot to mention I was tacking against the current.
I arrived back to Constitution marina after 11hours of solo sailing for 57nm. A little tired. I decided to have a second glass of wine from the bottle, talked to my better half who is away, and decided I needed to head home soon otherwise I would fall asleep on Prairie Gold.
The fall is here, the winds are up.
By the way, Oracle won both of the races on Sunday – it is now 8-5. Tune in at 4:15pm eastern time today Monday for the next race. Go Oracle. I love their fighting spirit and unwillingness to buckle when their backs are against the wall.
Now I should go to work so that I can sail again soon.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Rain rain go away
Its been raining like crazy for the past hour. Just had my first cup of coffee for the morning, getting my thermos of coffee ready, then will head out. The wind is from the south at 20kts, and will turn SW, to W to NW during the day. So the current plan is to head out close hauled in a SE direction then keep close hauled and circle back to Boston with the change of wind direction. Good news is the radar is not showing thunder cells
Saturday, September 21, 2013
So what's next?
You may ask, "where did you go today?" I didn't. I got back form the retreat late and by the time I was ready to sail it was 3pm and based on wind direction the earliest that I would reach a destination would be 10pm, or later. So I decided to sit tight, relax, drink a beer, cook dinner, and take an early night. My intention is to be up bright and early tomorrow, Sunday, and head to Stellwagen bank to look for whales. However, the wind looks to be gusting 30kts out there so I will wait and see conditions in the morning. Fortunately, I already put the 90% headsail on Prairie Gold before going to the retreat. So I am ready. One more beer, then sleep time.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Boston to salem ready for the retreat
After finishing my meeting at BioPharm in Boston yesterday I sailed - well motored - over to Salem.
There was about an hour of decent sailing but then the winds just died. However, the wind projections suggested that I wouldn't be able to sail at all, so I take it as a good day. Dinner was at Finz - oysters and IPA - then back to the boat for a good night of sleep.
Work started at about 4am and then I went up to watch the sun rise. Not a bad way to work. Realizing that I can connect my computer through a personal hotspot on my phone has changed my life. Doesn't matter where I am I can get the work done and enjoy the ocean too. Do you think there might be even more time on the boat next year? At noon, I will go to land for the Tufts Neuroscience retreat.
This morning there is no wind and I will take the opportunity to change the 135% genoa to our 90% headsail because tomorrow and Sunday, when I will be sailing, are projected to be high wind days. Since I am solo I will pull back on sail area for safety.
Work started at about 4am and then I went up to watch the sun rise. Not a bad way to work. Realizing that I can connect my computer through a personal hotspot on my phone has changed my life. Doesn't matter where I am I can get the work done and enjoy the ocean too. Do you think there might be even more time on the boat next year? At noon, I will go to land for the Tufts Neuroscience retreat.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Solo weekend sail ahead
Tomorrow, Thursday afternoon I will sail solo over to the Beverly area where we have a work retreat Friday and Saturday. Noonish on Saturday I will then spend time sailing solo to a destination or two before returning back to Boston. Wind predictions are for ~20kts at the weekend, so it should be a fun time.
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