Weather: Sunny turning to overcast. Winds: 0-5 becoming stronger and gusty. Waves: <1ft.
First sail post refit.
Day dawned bright and sunny. Had 2 solar amps going into the batteries by 0700! Took a couple strolls on the island and chatted with a couple of folks and learned about the camp visiting raccoons inhabiting the island. About 1000, readjusted the starboard ama and pushed, touring counter clockwise around the island. Dipped into the west cove, checking out the boats and anchoring possibilities. Guide books say it is a tricky anchorage, locals say because of strong currents.
Departed around the south side of the island and headed east towards Skyline. About a mile into Rosario, vicinity of Belle Rock light, winds picked up enough to give sailing a try. Up went the main!
With about 5kts of wind, made about 3.2kts on a reach. Enough to put some pressure on the port ama and ease the pressure on the starboard. Both looked good! Decided to up the pressure by turning more into the wind. With 8kts wind apparent and making 3.8kts, everything still looked good. However, Strider does not like pointing without the jib, just not enough balance and she wants to head up into the wind more. So, unfurled the jib and made 4kts. Amas still looked good! Turned to a beam reach, keeping the sails depowered. Made 4.5kts. While not flying, the starboard ama was really unweighted and the waterstays did not sag. Port side looked solid, with no grunts or groans or moans!
Granted, very benign conditions, exactly what I wanted for first tests, but all looked good! Next step is to check the tension again as the dyneema will continue to settle into its tensioned position. Then, just keep pushing the envelope...bit by bit.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Saturday, 27June2015, Skyline to James Island
Weather: Sunny and hot. Winds: Weak. Waves: Nil.
First test post refit! Motor only in easy conditions.
Loaded aboard, double checked the waterstay tension and net tension. All looked good so we motored out into Burrows Bay and made a right turn towards Rosario Strait, intending to go to Spencer Spit. About 3 minutes out of the gate, ran into a big powerboat wake. Starboard side ama looked good but the port side moved too much. We pulled over and spent 10 minutes readjusting the waterstays. Pressed.
About 1/2 across Rosario, noticed the port side was rock solid but the starboard side was moving a tad. Decided to go to James Island State Park, partly because it was closer and partly because we had never been there. Pulled directly into East Bay and found 2 (of 4) brand new mooring buoys available. As we pulled in, witnessed someone from the boat on the adjacent buoy jump into the 61 degree water. Nuts! Later, I asked how it was. "It lets you know you are alive" was his response!
James Island was nice. Several pit toilets and campsites. Burn ban was in affect because of the dry weather. Nice trails to wander on with some great overlooks. Dogs were excited by something as they kept their noses to the ground and pulling us. Found out via some campers there are raccoons on the island who scattered some trash and kept another dog on alert all night. Saw a river otter and a couple babies on Sunday morning. Kelly said she would go back!
First test post refit! Motor only in easy conditions.
Loaded aboard, double checked the waterstay tension and net tension. All looked good so we motored out into Burrows Bay and made a right turn towards Rosario Strait, intending to go to Spencer Spit. About 3 minutes out of the gate, ran into a big powerboat wake. Starboard side ama looked good but the port side moved too much. We pulled over and spent 10 minutes readjusting the waterstays. Pressed.
About 1/2 across Rosario, noticed the port side was rock solid but the starboard side was moving a tad. Decided to go to James Island State Park, partly because it was closer and partly because we had never been there. Pulled directly into East Bay and found 2 (of 4) brand new mooring buoys available. As we pulled in, witnessed someone from the boat on the adjacent buoy jump into the 61 degree water. Nuts! Later, I asked how it was. "It lets you know you are alive" was his response!
James Island was nice. Several pit toilets and campsites. Burn ban was in affect because of the dry weather. Nice trails to wander on with some great overlooks. Dogs were excited by something as they kept their noses to the ground and pulling us. Found out via some campers there are raccoons on the island who scattered some trash and kept another dog on alert all night. Saw a river otter and a couple babies on Sunday morning. Kelly said she would go back!
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Major Overhaul 2015 Part 1
Just what is a major overhaul/refit? I'm not sure. Is it over X dollars spent? How about the number of tasks completed? I asked a buddy and he did not know the answer, but suggested Strider's winter 2015 projects fit his definition: "I know it when I see it." So, a major overhaul/refit for Strider in winter/spring 2015. It all began with fiberglass fatigue/failure on the amas, which kept leading to more...naturally.
In addition to the external repairs, additional support was added inside. OEM included an athwart support, centered on the pivot bolt. This did fine supporting the structure while extended, but did nothing while folded. There is now an additional fore and aft support (fiberglass with wood core), reinforcing the structure while folded.
I contacted the manufacturer and was quoted about $2200 to replace all, but the material was not in stock, would have ordered, then manufactured, then shipped. I decided to attempt something new with a local rigger and machinist.
We were able to salvage the 3/4" double jaw toggles from the hull side end and the 20mm stud terminal from the aka side. Had a machinist bore out the cable from the 20mm stud and tap the stud for 5/8in-18 T-bolt toggle, like the bottom half of the turnbuckle in this picture.
Locally fabricated 1/2in Cortland Plasma 12 strand synthetic line is used along with thimbles to replace the cables. Weight reduction is 28 pounds. Material cost was about $500. Machining was $300. Labor, including consultations and learning how to assemble the system (watching the rigger splice and sew) was $600. $1400 for new waterstays and done using local talent and material!
UPDATE: This did not work out as planned. The combination 20mm stud and the 5/8 t-bolt toggle was too long and interfered with the ama folding. Fortunately, Plan B was too use the 5/8 t-bolt toggle solo, inserted into the 20mm receptacle. Eliminating the 20mm stud also removed 5 pounds.
Replaced a couple aluminum, 75mm, ball bearing Frederiksen sheaves, worn through by the stainless steel steering cable with a couple 50mm Ronstan RF50000HL sheaves. Though slightly smaller, the sheave is a direct replacement and the Nylatron material is good for cable.
Ama
Fiberglass
Strider is folded most of the time. Folding creates a long lever between the ama and the forward aka with the force focused on the pivot pin. Wind and waves combine to force a scissoring action between the two, fatiguing the ama fiberglass. After several years and possible previous repairs, the ama fiberglass was collapsing. |
| Port Ama Extended |
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| Starboard Ama Folded |
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| New fiberglass repair area |
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| Area Repaired. Black UHMW was selected for the rub rail/skid plate for its alleged UV resistance |
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| Internal Reinforcement |
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| Simple scissor preventer. Eye nut on top, 3/16 dyneema with snap shackle in the middle and a U bolt on the ama. Tails at the top are for adjusting the length. |
Solar Panels
I've made mention in previous posts I was not satisfied with the 100 watt solar panel placement. Too far aft and partially shaded by the stays and the net. So, moved them forward, just aft of the ama hatch. This move necessitated the repair of the bolt holes, which were completed with a bit of fiberglass. But since the non-skid color could not matched, the grey, gelcoat non-skid was sanded off and new, off-white, polyurethane/bead non-skid applied. Only the exposed ama top, aft of the panel, got the non-skid. The area under the solar panel is plain off-white polyurethane.
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| To move the solar panel forward, a folding padeye, mounted 6 inches aft of the hatch for the ama in-haul line, had to be removed. This roller's axle was replaced with a bolt and eye nut for the in-haul line. |
Aka
Hinges
Were out of round at the pins allowing the ama/akas to flex while underway. It is a bit disconcerting to see them flapping around in the waves. So, the hinges were removed and brought to a machinist who has fabricated seemingly massive collars/bushings to bring the hinges back into round.
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| Note the large bushing. It was pressed in and then welded. |
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Forward half installed. |
Shoulders
With the amas off and the hinges removed, the shoulder cracks on the vaka were more visible and and more extensive. |
| Forward Starboard |
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| Aft Starboard |
Swing Wing Cables
These cables are inside the aft aka and used to extend the amas, pulling the ama forward via a line integrated in the net. A couple broken strands were found on a cable indicating replacement is due. So, removed, cleaned and polished the brass aka sheaves abraded by the stainless cables. Used a rubber drum for a sanding wheel chucked in a drill press. Clamped the sheave assembly in a vise and pressed the sheave onto the rubber drum, causing the sheave to spin. Used stiff sand paper to smooth and polish the sheave. Then, replaced the stainless steel cables with 1/4 inch amsteel using heavy duty thimbles. |
| 1/4" dyneema aka cable with red 3/16" dyneema soft shackle. |
Waterstays
With the ama off, was able to inspect the waterstays, the cable preventing the amas from collapsing upward while in the extended position. The waterstays were about 7ft of 14mm stainless cable with a 20mm stud terminal at one end and an eye terminal at the other. One eye terminal had extensive cracks. With one close to failure combined with the manufacturer's recommendation to replace all every 5yrs, I decided to replace all.I contacted the manufacturer and was quoted about $2200 to replace all, but the material was not in stock, would have ordered, then manufactured, then shipped. I decided to attempt something new with a local rigger and machinist.
We were able to salvage the 3/4" double jaw toggles from the hull side end and the 20mm stud terminal from the aka side. Had a machinist bore out the cable from the 20mm stud and tap the stud for 5/8in-18 T-bolt toggle, like the bottom half of the turnbuckle in this picture.
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| Salvaged 20mm stud with new 5/8in t-bolt with terminals |
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| New Waterstay Assembly |
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| The results: Purple is the plasma, blue is 1/4" dyneema lashing. |
Windscreen
Replaced the silicon sealed 1/4" plexiglass with weather stripped 1/8" polycarbonate. The thin polycarbonate was relatively easy to work with. The difficult part was removing all the old, black silicon sealant. |
| Weatherstrip |
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| New Windscreen |
Rudder Assembly
Removed/cleaned and replaced the bottom fitting, bottom half of the rudder support assembly. Assembly was sloppy in its holes, with about a 1/2 inch swing. So, created a couple stainless bushings by modifying spacers to fit over the assembly bolts and redrilled the fiberglass hull holes to fit the outside diameter of the spacers, now a very tight fit. Used butyl tape with countersink method detailed in this Compass Marine article.Replaced a couple aluminum, 75mm, ball bearing Frederiksen sheaves, worn through by the stainless steel steering cable with a couple 50mm Ronstan RF50000HL sheaves. Though slightly smaller, the sheave is a direct replacement and the Nylatron material is good for cable.
Monday, 9Mar, 2015: Skyline to Anacortes Marina
Weather: Sunny and cool. Winds: Negligible. Waves: Negligible.
Simple motor on a pretty day from Skyline to the east side of Anacortes to begin what would become a 2 month, major overhaul at Marine Servicenter (sic). 5 miles in 1.5hrs against a slight ebb.
Simple motor on a pretty day from Skyline to the east side of Anacortes to begin what would become a 2 month, major overhaul at Marine Servicenter (sic). 5 miles in 1.5hrs against a slight ebb.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Spencer Spit: 21-22Sep, 2014
Sunday, 21Sep
Weather: Sunny and warm. Wind: S 5-10. Waves: <1ft.A simple, gorgeous, sunny day! Took Strider out to shake off some of the cobwebs: Kelly, the dogs and me. This was Kelly's first time out for the entire year and we kept it easy. 7.4nm to Spencer Spit State Park. Made 7.5kts across Rosario Strait to Thatcher Pass. We were sailing(!), airing out the main, screacher and genoa. Then the islands blocked the winds. We motored through the pass to the south side of the Spit and discovered mooring buoys had been added (or replaced) since our last visit. Picked up an open one and made our way ashore, landing about half way down the Spit. Walked nearly 3 miles, through the woods, the campground and along the shore, just enjoying the day.
Getting back aboard, the winds were creating some chop and since some of the north side buoys had opened up, we moved to the north side. Much better! Just sat back and relaxed, no boat chores, no have-to-dos. Dinner was mozzarella alla caprese with tomatoes and basel from our garden. After dinner, took the dogs ashore for a run to the end of the Spit. Chatted with a couple of lads enjoying a beer on the beach. Ran the dogs!
Slept well!
Monday, 22Sep
Weather: Overcast and rainy. Wind: Negligible. Waves: Flat.Woke to the above weather, but we knew it was coming, so no surprise. Rain was gentle. While Kelly slept in, I took the dogs ashore for another run. Sheltered in the log cabin as a couple showers passed by. Back to the boat and an egg and fried potato breakfast - a hot one on a cool morning!
Used the rain to give Strider a much needed bath, delaying departure in case of fog in Rosario. Around 11am, could see things were clearing and we departed. Kelly motored us all the way back and into the slip!
A very nice, relaxing excursion to a great place close by. Kelly enjoyed being out on the water and shed some worries, if only temporarily! Got an opportunity to check out the Navionics IPad Navigation app (thank you Cindy!) and liked it. Now I need to install a 12 volt outlet on the cockpit dash....
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Aboard S/V Sarita: Friday Harbor to San Francisco: 3-8 September, 2014
Richard (Brit), Jude (Aussie) and their daughter Katya (artist) have been living aboard their Hallberg-Rassy 46 center cockpit Sarita for a few years now, home basing in the San Juan Island area. Usually home schooling Katya, they don't hang around long. Available on their website is an extensive write up of their travels to Alaska the summer of 2013. They repeated the journey the summer of 2014.
However, fall is approaching and they desire warmer climes for the winter and have decided to take their home to Mexico for the winter. Since they left their automobile here, everyone assumes they will be back...hopefully.
Getting to Mexico though can be a challenge. WNW out the Strait of Juan De Fuca then south, off the coast in the Pacific Ocean. Open ocean and not the protected 'inland' waters of the Salish Sea or the inside passage to Alaska. Off shore passages are not necessarily easy or comfortable or relaxing or without angst. Adding to the angst is there are limited opportunities to duck into a safe harbor and not all the harbors available are easy to get into as many have sand bars with breaking waves blocking the entrance! To relieve some of the angst, Richard and Jude asked me to come along! How could I pass up the opportunity to get away and exercise some skills?
Initial intent was to do 3hrs on and 6hrs off watches. Potential stops were Neah Bay, WA for fuel and Newport, OR for fuel or a break. Note: A day is dawn to dawn.
Weather: Sunny and warm, clear and a million, great day for a picnic. But with no wind, bad day for sailing.
Took the 0900 ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. Arrived around 1000. After some last minute errands and goodbyes from their marina friends, Sarita was underway around 1300. Motored out through Cattle Pass and headed NNW. Had ATT cell phone reception until just west of Port Angeles and chatted with Kelly a few times. Still 5 hours from the open ocean, easy, 4ft ocean swells started to greet us. Discussed pulling into Neah Bay and opted to bypass knowing Newport, OR was available in a couple days. Watched the sun set, looking for the green flash. Nope. I hit the rack just after sunset in anticipation of the mid watch.
Around 0030, felt a change in the motion and knew Sarita had just changed course, making the big left turn southbound around Duntze and Duncan rocks, NW of Tatoosh Island, NW of Neah Bay. We were on the Pacific! 0100, up and about, geared up: Life vest, foulies (cold out there), harness and life line. Grabbed a box of cereal and an apple. Relieved Richard who stated he was queasy and Jude was out for the count. Making 7.5kts in FOG, no horizon, with an 8ft Pacific swell from the stern, though gentle, was not helping. Running on radar and GPS, enclosed in a cockpit...I hoped for the best. I ate the apple and then munched on the cereal wedged into a corner where I could see the radar, GPS and have cold, outside air blow on me. Didn't help. Less than an hour later, my stomach rebelled. Don't fight it! My abdominal muscles were well exercised. The good news was what came up was fresh and tasted nearly as good as when it went down! Feeling much better, resumed my position and the watch. Apparently there was a tiny piece of apple left and an hour later, made its escape. Feeling much better again, resumed the watch.
And that was it. No more excitement. No traffic, no maneuvering, no sail changes as Sarita was motoring. Richard relieved me at 0400 and I was off to an exhausted sleep.
Relieved Richard at 0700. About 60nm off shore with no traffic making 7.5kts motoring. Just 'for noon, NNW wind was up to 14kts sustained and out came the genoa and main! Wonderful broad reach! Sailed along smartly through until afternoon on Friday. A mixed pod of 15 Pacific White Sided and Common dolphin escorted us for about 45min. At times, Sarita seemed surrounded! The crew had a party, hooting and whistling. Out on the bow, I tried to teach them The Victors, but don't think the dolphin got it.
The rest of the day and night was spent clipping along at 7.5kts under sail! Watched the sun set, looking for the green flash. Nope again.
On an early morning watch, saw the moon set. Then Orion rise, then the sun rise! An entertaining phenomenon occurred in the predawn light. Looking west at a faint horizon, with all the waves together, the sea looked pretty flat, almost like a field of grass the wind was blowing. But every 30sec or so, a larger wave, could be seen speeding along, like a lump. The lump reminded me of an elephant's back. Suddenly, I could see cartoon elephants trying to sneak by. Trying, but not succeeding, by hiding (or not hiding) in the grass!
Richard tossed a line in and caught a 5lb tuna! The tuna must have been there for a while as it did not struggle. But because their shape is so streamlined, no one could tell the fish was on, even when retrieving the line!
Discussed going into Newport, OR. I could think of two reasons. First was to refuel. Sarita carries enough fuel for an 800nm range: Exactly the distance from Friday Harbor to San Francisco. But since we had sailed for nearly 1.5 days, there was plenty of fuel, and therefore, no need. The second reason was Jude might need a break from the motion. However, she was finally becoming acclimated. Going in would give her a break, but risk a set back. Richard decided to continue on.
Watched the sun set, looking for the green flash. Nope again.
Simple day in the sun. Motoring about 30nm off the coast. Passage past Cape Blanco and Cape Mendicino, potential rough spots, were uneventful. Tossed a line in the late afternoon, but did not catch anything. With Jude doing watches, 3 on and 6 off is easy!
Attempted to find the Michigan vs Notre Dame football game via XM. Could find the MSU vs Oregon game and heard the Michigan halftime score of 0-14. Did not want to listen to the MSU game in hope of hearing a score. Kelly kept me apprised via Sailmail and the 0-31 shellacking. Glad I could not find the game.
Another simple day! Motoring 30-10nm off the coast. Off all things, got cell phone reception about 10nm off Point Arena, about 100nm north of San Francisco. Better yet, my old flip phone was able to reach those 10nm! Made some calls letting everyone know things were going well! Attempted to sleep, but the confused waves and attempting to sail kept the berth...well, shall I say, moving in odd, random, sometimes jerky ways. Did not sleep well.
Assumed the mid watch, just north of Point Reyes light, and actually had something to do instead of just monitoring! Approaching San Francisco, there is traffic, there are lights, there are buoys and other navigation challenges! Sarita was motoring with the genoa mostly furled.
First off, Sarita has two GPS systems aboard. A Garmin and an IPad running Navionics. The IPad seemed to be more accurate. The Garmin positioning was good, but showed buoys, buoys not on the IPad and upon close inspection, did not show up in real life.
So, that sorted, there was an intermittent light, off in the distance, at 11 O'clock. Seemed fixed, as in not a boat, but something ashore. House? Were the waves making it intermittent? One of the nice things about being on a boat is things slow down. Sarita was making 6.5kts, about a mile every 10min. As such, there is know need to make quick changes, just need to spend some time looking at the situation.
Richard had pointed out another navigation hazard, at 9 O'clock and named it S/V Northern Lights. Said he had spoken to someone aboard. Radar showed a target, about 2nm off at 9 o'clock. Radar is nice, range set at 6nm, giving an hour's warning, but I guess I'm spoiled. This radar did not plot the target's course, no speed, no CPA (closest point of approach). Fortunately, I know how to do these by hand...or Mark I eyeball :). Got the binoculars out to check out the target. The waves didn't help and I could not get a steady look. Was I seeing the boat's green light? White light? Both? At this point, the wind died, the sail was furled and course was changed a bit to the east to parallel, outside and to the west, the northern Vessel Traffic Lane (VTL). Bumped up the throttle to make 7kts.
Radio crackled, "Vessel to my west, this is Northern Lights." It could only be us. "Northern Lights, Sarita, go ahead." "This is Northern Lights. Have you changed course? I'm seeing just red light." "Affirmative. Have you on radar and no collision danger." "OK. What's your vessel name again?" "Sarita." "OK, Sarita, Northern Lights out." Seriously? Makes me smile. Northern Lights out. "Sarita out." Northern Lights' radar blip started slipping aft, no longer a factor.
Bright light glowing, beyond the horizon, lighting up the night, at our 1130. WTF? Everything is moving slow. Just keep an eye on it.
The light on the beach is clearly rotating now. 'Tis Point Reyes Light. On course and on track for a 0830 slack tide arrival at the Golden Gate.
Big vessel moving fast, coming from astern, at our 6:30. Looks to enter the VTL. AIS gives a name and it is a freighter bound for San Francisco. Northern Lights is now 4nm aft, between Sarita and the freighter. Radio crackles again. Northern Lights trying to contact the freighter. No response. Another attempt. Still no response. Should I let Northern Lights know the VT Service (VTS) is on channel 14 and the freighter is probably on channel 14 and not monitoring 16? I decide to let Northern Lights figure it out on his own. With two radios aboard, I tune the hand held to channel 14 to monitor the VTS. Over the course of the watch, there was a lot of chatter, but mostly inside San Francisco Bay and nothing affecting Sarita.
Glow in front of us is getting brighter. Freighter is charging up from astern. The freighter is fast, making about 18kts, about 11kts closure. AIS alarm goes off warning of a danger vessel with a CPA of 1nm. It is the freighter, in the VTL. Sarita is outside the VTL, should not be a factor. And it wasn't. The freighter just zoomed right up, went right on by and became another light on the horizon forward, nearly disappearing in the glow.
There was a, for lack of a better word, a phenomenon I'm associating with the freighter, the radar and waves. When the freighter was 2nm aft, a small blip appeared on our bow at 2nm. Over the course of the next 20min, the blip was there and then not. Wave action hiding something? No lights out there...debris? Changed course to starboard, away from the VTL. There was no appreciable change in the blip's bearing drift. Slowed Sarita to 4kts and changed course again, significantly, to port, towards the VTL. At this point, the freighter was approaching our beam and the CPA of 1nm. As was the blip. On the radar screen, sea clutter, radar reflections off the freighter, began to spread around Sarita. The sea clutter got larger, engulfed the blip and then surrounded Sarita. I kept an eye out for a real object ahead. The freighter moved past and beyond, the clutter went away. No real object was spotted. After 20min, enough time for an object to be spotted, avoided or just plain no longer a factor, course and speed were resumed. I can only conclude the blip was a reflection off the freighter and waves and there was no real object.
At this point, the Point Reyes light was aft of abeam, the freighter was disappearing forward, Northern Lights had dropped well aft and the glow began to take shape: A very bright set of lights, on the bow of a northbound vessel. Ultimately, as the vessel came abeam, I could see it was around 90ft. I could not tell if it was a fishing vessel or perhaps coast guard. But man, the lights were bright, illuminating the sea for a long way in front of the vessel.
All of the above happened in the first 2hrs of the watch. The last hour was...quiet. Richard, looking like something the cat dragged in (not having slept because HE was enjoying the sailing earlier in the night), came up to relieve me. I used the aviate, navigate, communicate form for the turnover brief and hit the rack for a couple hours.
Arose about an hour before bridge transit. Grabbed a breakfast and headed up on deck. Everyone was up. Well, except Katya, who could probably sleep through a hurricane if it were sometime between 6am and noon. She was rousted out! Once under the Golden Gate, I started pointing out landmarks: The Presidio, Transamerica Pyramid (The SF Iconic Building), Ghiradelli Square, Pier 39, I'm not going to Alcatraz, Treasure Island.
Motored under the Oakland-Bay Bridge to the South Beach Harbor Marina, a block from Giants Stadium, and into slip A79. Voyage complete!
Friends of Richard and Jude from Colorado flew in for a visit and came aboard for an arrival beer. Since they had wheels, all piled in and took a tour of the city, up the Embarcadero, past Fisherman's Wharf, through Russian Hill, west on Union and into the Presidio. Stopped at the Golden Gate overlook and then back into the van for dinner at Pier 39. Lobster bisque in a sour dough bowl, calamari and an Anchor Steam beer. Except for Ghiradelli chocolate, all the SF requirements were hit!
Flew out on Wednesday. Steve, Richard's friend from Colorado, offered to take me to the airport. Both Richard and I gave him a lot of opportunities to change his mind as he and his wife were staying in Bolinas, about an hour north of SF and my flight was out of San Jose, about an hour south. He was determined though and arrived about 45min prior to the agreed time. Traffic was not as bad as we thought it would be and he got me to the airport at 0830! 0830, early enough for the 1000 flight, with a window seat on an exit row! Thanks Steve! Flight was painless, lots of room, a sunny day with an excellent view of SF, the bay and the bridges. Into SEA by 1200 and aboard the 1300 shuttle to Burlington where Kelly picked me up. Mission complete.
I'd like to thank Richard, Jude and Katya for the opportunity and the adventure. 'twas most excellent! Just wish I'd gotten to taste the tuna :)!
However, fall is approaching and they desire warmer climes for the winter and have decided to take their home to Mexico for the winter. Since they left their automobile here, everyone assumes they will be back...hopefully.
Getting to Mexico though can be a challenge. WNW out the Strait of Juan De Fuca then south, off the coast in the Pacific Ocean. Open ocean and not the protected 'inland' waters of the Salish Sea or the inside passage to Alaska. Off shore passages are not necessarily easy or comfortable or relaxing or without angst. Adding to the angst is there are limited opportunities to duck into a safe harbor and not all the harbors available are easy to get into as many have sand bars with breaking waves blocking the entrance! To relieve some of the angst, Richard and Jude asked me to come along! How could I pass up the opportunity to get away and exercise some skills?
Initial intent was to do 3hrs on and 6hrs off watches. Potential stops were Neah Bay, WA for fuel and Newport, OR for fuel or a break. Note: A day is dawn to dawn.
Wednesday, 3September, 2014
Weather: Sunny and warm, clear and a million, great day for a picnic. But with no wind, bad day for sailing.
Took the 0900 ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. Arrived around 1000. After some last minute errands and goodbyes from their marina friends, Sarita was underway around 1300. Motored out through Cattle Pass and headed NNW. Had ATT cell phone reception until just west of Port Angeles and chatted with Kelly a few times. Still 5 hours from the open ocean, easy, 4ft ocean swells started to greet us. Discussed pulling into Neah Bay and opted to bypass knowing Newport, OR was available in a couple days. Watched the sun set, looking for the green flash. Nope. I hit the rack just after sunset in anticipation of the mid watch.
Around 0030, felt a change in the motion and knew Sarita had just changed course, making the big left turn southbound around Duntze and Duncan rocks, NW of Tatoosh Island, NW of Neah Bay. We were on the Pacific! 0100, up and about, geared up: Life vest, foulies (cold out there), harness and life line. Grabbed a box of cereal and an apple. Relieved Richard who stated he was queasy and Jude was out for the count. Making 7.5kts in FOG, no horizon, with an 8ft Pacific swell from the stern, though gentle, was not helping. Running on radar and GPS, enclosed in a cockpit...I hoped for the best. I ate the apple and then munched on the cereal wedged into a corner where I could see the radar, GPS and have cold, outside air blow on me. Didn't help. Less than an hour later, my stomach rebelled. Don't fight it! My abdominal muscles were well exercised. The good news was what came up was fresh and tasted nearly as good as when it went down! Feeling much better, resumed my position and the watch. Apparently there was a tiny piece of apple left and an hour later, made its escape. Feeling much better again, resumed the watch.
And that was it. No more excitement. No traffic, no maneuvering, no sail changes as Sarita was motoring. Richard relieved me at 0400 and I was off to an exhausted sleep.
Thursday, 4September, 2014
Weather: Initially cool in haze/fog then the sun came out with the winds. Winds: Zero increasing to 20kts NNW in PM. Seas: To 8ft @ 10sec. Off the Washington coast, about 60nm out.Relieved Richard at 0700. About 60nm off shore with no traffic making 7.5kts motoring. Just 'for noon, NNW wind was up to 14kts sustained and out came the genoa and main! Wonderful broad reach! Sailed along smartly through until afternoon on Friday. A mixed pod of 15 Pacific White Sided and Common dolphin escorted us for about 45min. At times, Sarita seemed surrounded! The crew had a party, hooting and whistling. Out on the bow, I tried to teach them The Victors, but don't think the dolphin got it.
The rest of the day and night was spent clipping along at 7.5kts under sail! Watched the sun set, looking for the green flash. Nope again.
Friday, 5September, 2014
Weather: Sunny and nice! Winds: NNW@20, dying to zero in the night. Waves: 8' @9sec. 40nm off the Oregon coast.On an early morning watch, saw the moon set. Then Orion rise, then the sun rise! An entertaining phenomenon occurred in the predawn light. Looking west at a faint horizon, with all the waves together, the sea looked pretty flat, almost like a field of grass the wind was blowing. But every 30sec or so, a larger wave, could be seen speeding along, like a lump. The lump reminded me of an elephant's back. Suddenly, I could see cartoon elephants trying to sneak by. Trying, but not succeeding, by hiding (or not hiding) in the grass!
Richard tossed a line in and caught a 5lb tuna! The tuna must have been there for a while as it did not struggle. But because their shape is so streamlined, no one could tell the fish was on, even when retrieving the line!
Discussed going into Newport, OR. I could think of two reasons. First was to refuel. Sarita carries enough fuel for an 800nm range: Exactly the distance from Friday Harbor to San Francisco. But since we had sailed for nearly 1.5 days, there was plenty of fuel, and therefore, no need. The second reason was Jude might need a break from the motion. However, she was finally becoming acclimated. Going in would give her a break, but risk a set back. Richard decided to continue on.
Watched the sun set, looking for the green flash. Nope again.
Saturday, 6September, 2014
Weather: Sunny and nice. Winds: Calm. Seas: 1-2ft.Simple day in the sun. Motoring about 30nm off the coast. Passage past Cape Blanco and Cape Mendicino, potential rough spots, were uneventful. Tossed a line in the late afternoon, but did not catch anything. With Jude doing watches, 3 on and 6 off is easy!
Attempted to find the Michigan vs Notre Dame football game via XM. Could find the MSU vs Oregon game and heard the Michigan halftime score of 0-14. Did not want to listen to the MSU game in hope of hearing a score. Kelly kept me apprised via Sailmail and the 0-31 shellacking. Glad I could not find the game.
Sunday, 7September, 2014
Sunny and motoring. Wind picked up a bit towards dusk. Waves: 1-2 but became confused north of Point Reyes.Another simple day! Motoring 30-10nm off the coast. Off all things, got cell phone reception about 10nm off Point Arena, about 100nm north of San Francisco. Better yet, my old flip phone was able to reach those 10nm! Made some calls letting everyone know things were going well! Attempted to sleep, but the confused waves and attempting to sail kept the berth...well, shall I say, moving in odd, random, sometimes jerky ways. Did not sleep well.
Assumed the mid watch, just north of Point Reyes light, and actually had something to do instead of just monitoring! Approaching San Francisco, there is traffic, there are lights, there are buoys and other navigation challenges! Sarita was motoring with the genoa mostly furled.
First off, Sarita has two GPS systems aboard. A Garmin and an IPad running Navionics. The IPad seemed to be more accurate. The Garmin positioning was good, but showed buoys, buoys not on the IPad and upon close inspection, did not show up in real life.
So, that sorted, there was an intermittent light, off in the distance, at 11 O'clock. Seemed fixed, as in not a boat, but something ashore. House? Were the waves making it intermittent? One of the nice things about being on a boat is things slow down. Sarita was making 6.5kts, about a mile every 10min. As such, there is know need to make quick changes, just need to spend some time looking at the situation.
Richard had pointed out another navigation hazard, at 9 O'clock and named it S/V Northern Lights. Said he had spoken to someone aboard. Radar showed a target, about 2nm off at 9 o'clock. Radar is nice, range set at 6nm, giving an hour's warning, but I guess I'm spoiled. This radar did not plot the target's course, no speed, no CPA (closest point of approach). Fortunately, I know how to do these by hand...or Mark I eyeball :). Got the binoculars out to check out the target. The waves didn't help and I could not get a steady look. Was I seeing the boat's green light? White light? Both? At this point, the wind died, the sail was furled and course was changed a bit to the east to parallel, outside and to the west, the northern Vessel Traffic Lane (VTL). Bumped up the throttle to make 7kts.
Radio crackled, "Vessel to my west, this is Northern Lights." It could only be us. "Northern Lights, Sarita, go ahead." "This is Northern Lights. Have you changed course? I'm seeing just red light." "Affirmative. Have you on radar and no collision danger." "OK. What's your vessel name again?" "Sarita." "OK, Sarita, Northern Lights out." Seriously? Makes me smile. Northern Lights out. "Sarita out." Northern Lights' radar blip started slipping aft, no longer a factor.
Bright light glowing, beyond the horizon, lighting up the night, at our 1130. WTF? Everything is moving slow. Just keep an eye on it.
The light on the beach is clearly rotating now. 'Tis Point Reyes Light. On course and on track for a 0830 slack tide arrival at the Golden Gate.
Big vessel moving fast, coming from astern, at our 6:30. Looks to enter the VTL. AIS gives a name and it is a freighter bound for San Francisco. Northern Lights is now 4nm aft, between Sarita and the freighter. Radio crackles again. Northern Lights trying to contact the freighter. No response. Another attempt. Still no response. Should I let Northern Lights know the VT Service (VTS) is on channel 14 and the freighter is probably on channel 14 and not monitoring 16? I decide to let Northern Lights figure it out on his own. With two radios aboard, I tune the hand held to channel 14 to monitor the VTS. Over the course of the watch, there was a lot of chatter, but mostly inside San Francisco Bay and nothing affecting Sarita.
Glow in front of us is getting brighter. Freighter is charging up from astern. The freighter is fast, making about 18kts, about 11kts closure. AIS alarm goes off warning of a danger vessel with a CPA of 1nm. It is the freighter, in the VTL. Sarita is outside the VTL, should not be a factor. And it wasn't. The freighter just zoomed right up, went right on by and became another light on the horizon forward, nearly disappearing in the glow.
There was a, for lack of a better word, a phenomenon I'm associating with the freighter, the radar and waves. When the freighter was 2nm aft, a small blip appeared on our bow at 2nm. Over the course of the next 20min, the blip was there and then not. Wave action hiding something? No lights out there...debris? Changed course to starboard, away from the VTL. There was no appreciable change in the blip's bearing drift. Slowed Sarita to 4kts and changed course again, significantly, to port, towards the VTL. At this point, the freighter was approaching our beam and the CPA of 1nm. As was the blip. On the radar screen, sea clutter, radar reflections off the freighter, began to spread around Sarita. The sea clutter got larger, engulfed the blip and then surrounded Sarita. I kept an eye out for a real object ahead. The freighter moved past and beyond, the clutter went away. No real object was spotted. After 20min, enough time for an object to be spotted, avoided or just plain no longer a factor, course and speed were resumed. I can only conclude the blip was a reflection off the freighter and waves and there was no real object.
At this point, the Point Reyes light was aft of abeam, the freighter was disappearing forward, Northern Lights had dropped well aft and the glow began to take shape: A very bright set of lights, on the bow of a northbound vessel. Ultimately, as the vessel came abeam, I could see it was around 90ft. I could not tell if it was a fishing vessel or perhaps coast guard. But man, the lights were bright, illuminating the sea for a long way in front of the vessel.
All of the above happened in the first 2hrs of the watch. The last hour was...quiet. Richard, looking like something the cat dragged in (not having slept because HE was enjoying the sailing earlier in the night), came up to relieve me. I used the aviate, navigate, communicate form for the turnover brief and hit the rack for a couple hours.
Monday, 8September, 2014
Weather: Cool and overcast. Winds: Negligible. Waves: 1-2ft.Arose about an hour before bridge transit. Grabbed a breakfast and headed up on deck. Everyone was up. Well, except Katya, who could probably sleep through a hurricane if it were sometime between 6am and noon. She was rousted out! Once under the Golden Gate, I started pointing out landmarks: The Presidio, Transamerica Pyramid (The SF Iconic Building), Ghiradelli Square, Pier 39, I'm not going to Alcatraz, Treasure Island.
Motored under the Oakland-Bay Bridge to the South Beach Harbor Marina, a block from Giants Stadium, and into slip A79. Voyage complete!
Friends of Richard and Jude from Colorado flew in for a visit and came aboard for an arrival beer. Since they had wheels, all piled in and took a tour of the city, up the Embarcadero, past Fisherman's Wharf, through Russian Hill, west on Union and into the Presidio. Stopped at the Golden Gate overlook and then back into the van for dinner at Pier 39. Lobster bisque in a sour dough bowl, calamari and an Anchor Steam beer. Except for Ghiradelli chocolate, all the SF requirements were hit!
Afterward
Relaxed aboard Sarita on Tuesday while Richard, Jude and Katya played tourist. Met them for dinner in Chinatown. Had crispy garlic shrimp. Hotter than expected, but not so hot as to kill the flavor of the shrimp. Good! Got back aboard just before the 7th inning of the Giants game hearing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" sung by the fans in the stands.Flew out on Wednesday. Steve, Richard's friend from Colorado, offered to take me to the airport. Both Richard and I gave him a lot of opportunities to change his mind as he and his wife were staying in Bolinas, about an hour north of SF and my flight was out of San Jose, about an hour south. He was determined though and arrived about 45min prior to the agreed time. Traffic was not as bad as we thought it would be and he got me to the airport at 0830! 0830, early enough for the 1000 flight, with a window seat on an exit row! Thanks Steve! Flight was painless, lots of room, a sunny day with an excellent view of SF, the bay and the bridges. Into SEA by 1200 and aboard the 1300 shuttle to Burlington where Kelly picked me up. Mission complete.
I'd like to thank Richard, Jude and Katya for the opportunity and the adventure. 'twas most excellent! Just wish I'd gotten to taste the tuna :)!
Summer 2014 in review
It has been a slow year for Strider and since the excursion to Poulsbo on Memorial Weekend, she has sat in the marina, patiently waiting. Kelly's hip was replaced in early June and while the initial recovery was slow, it has picked up and everything is going swimmingly! The surgeon has finally cleared Kelly to get back aboard and she is looking forward to it!
So, while there was no summer aboard Strider (and no crabbing), we did get a lot done around the villa and estate, things we had put off for a while. The encroaching forest got cut back. Lighting and plumbing throughout the garage have been enhanced. Junk has been off loaded. Retaining wall built. Deck railings begun. Prepped for garage drywall. Garden planted (onions, garlic, shallots, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and lettuce). Cherries, plums, peaches, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, figs and Asian pears have been harvested! Apples and European pears are on the way. Wine grapes look fantastic with this exceptionally hot year. Made blueberry and peach jams!
I know, this is supposed to be a sailing Strider blog. Still, shore bound life affects time on the water and needed explaining. While time aboard Strider has been dock bound, maintenance must still be accomplished, so she has been visited and TLC applied.
This water baby however, has gotten out a bit in other ways.
Test sailed a Beneteau Oceanis 45 on Lake Union with RT. RT was looking for a new boat. Impression of the Oceanis? Great acceleration, wonderful accommodations, fantastic tailgate, but a leaner, really. Also, will stall in irons under the main only.
Test sailed a Lagoon 39 catamaran on Lake Washington. Impressions? Too heavy, the boat speed was underwhelming. Under the same conditions, the Beneteau was faster! Nice on interior space, but the cabinetry was too bland, gave me the impression of particle board slapped together. Lived up to Lagoon's charter barge reputation.
Took the previously test sailed Oceanis, now dubbed Freestyle by RT, out of Lake Union, through the Ship Canal and Ballard Locks and into the salt water of Puget Sound. I'd never done that before!
Then the big event, taking Sarita west out the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and making the big left turn.
So, summer at home, enjoying the cycles of life with the changing seasons.
So, while there was no summer aboard Strider (and no crabbing), we did get a lot done around the villa and estate, things we had put off for a while. The encroaching forest got cut back. Lighting and plumbing throughout the garage have been enhanced. Junk has been off loaded. Retaining wall built. Deck railings begun. Prepped for garage drywall. Garden planted (onions, garlic, shallots, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and lettuce). Cherries, plums, peaches, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, figs and Asian pears have been harvested! Apples and European pears are on the way. Wine grapes look fantastic with this exceptionally hot year. Made blueberry and peach jams!
I know, this is supposed to be a sailing Strider blog. Still, shore bound life affects time on the water and needed explaining. While time aboard Strider has been dock bound, maintenance must still be accomplished, so she has been visited and TLC applied.
This water baby however, has gotten out a bit in other ways.
Test sailed a Beneteau Oceanis 45 on Lake Union with RT. RT was looking for a new boat. Impression of the Oceanis? Great acceleration, wonderful accommodations, fantastic tailgate, but a leaner, really. Also, will stall in irons under the main only.
Test sailed a Lagoon 39 catamaran on Lake Washington. Impressions? Too heavy, the boat speed was underwhelming. Under the same conditions, the Beneteau was faster! Nice on interior space, but the cabinetry was too bland, gave me the impression of particle board slapped together. Lived up to Lagoon's charter barge reputation.
Took the previously test sailed Oceanis, now dubbed Freestyle by RT, out of Lake Union, through the Ship Canal and Ballard Locks and into the salt water of Puget Sound. I'd never done that before!
Then the big event, taking Sarita west out the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and making the big left turn.
So, summer at home, enjoying the cycles of life with the changing seasons.
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