Norfolk, VA
To see as much of the world as we can,
Using the smallest carbon footprint we can,
Spending the least amount of money we can,
Making as many friends we can.
It felt like a graduation day. Everything really worked the way it was supposed to.
The most important thing was a certain lack; a missing gall or burr; an absence of nagging worries.
On Sunday hosted the Previous Owners, Bob and Patty. Their life together -- marriage and three kids -- is …
Making final decisions can be hard. There's a fair amount of "buyer's remorse" from simply making the decision. And it's a religious kind of experience. A chartplotter represents a search for truth in a world of uncertainty. We're seeking confidence that we're doing the right thing. Really.
I started by …
Most folks only get to make one Sailrite Stackpack. We get to make two. Which -- if you like to sew -- might be a delight. We started small (with the 12' mizzen). Then we had to tackle the 16' main. Moving up meant a great deal of problem-solving. More than we …
Two of the Essential Questions are "Where are we?" and "Where are we going?"
Other Essential Questions include "When will we get there?", and "Will there be lunch?" After all, sailing is all about eating in new locations. But you have to get there before you can enjoy your lunch …
Most folks only get to make one Sailrite Stackpack. We get to make two. Which -- if you like to sew -- might be a delight.
The first of anything is a learning process. New materials, vast size, different engineering of the various fabric components. A lot to learn.
The Stackpack process …
Ordinarily, one doesn't care much about this. Until, of course, the current cut of the sail becomes a problem. Then we have to modify things. It's not a big job, and I took a few pictures to show how it works.
Also, we made a few mistakes, which helped is …
Sunday, we loaded the truck with stuff, ready to install the Sailrite Stack Pack cover on the mizzen. Two 10' pieces of 3/4" PVC pipe. Check. Stack Pack kit. Check. Tools. Check. Plan for managing the assembly process. Check.
The pipe is important for supporting the top of the …
Charts are absolutely essential. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Department of Commerce produces the nautical charts that sailors live by.
[Back in '95, crap like this was spewed: "Downsizing Government: Eliminate the Commerce Department". Only a complete idiot could claim that the Commerce Department isn't essential …
We took Hannah out on Red Ranger in 15-20 kt of wind, with waves of 3-4 feet. This was our first trip in conditions that were more than "light breeze" or "gentle breeze" on the Beaufort Scale. We bounced around a bit; had quite a bit of trouble tacking; and …
Saturday was the last day of the 2010 USODA Layline Nationals. Kids left. The place went back to being a sleepy little marina in rural Virginia.
While the Optimists were coming in after a day of racing -- we went out. The wind had died and the best we could do …
The 2010 USODA Layline Nationals are this weekend (and next weekend) in Deltaville VA. The US Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) is the national class organization for Optimist sailing in the United States.
There were boats everywhere in our marina. And we're not the only marina hosting racing.
Jackson Creek was …
My father went on a "booze cruise" on the True Love on Seneca Lake.
http://www.schoonerexcursions.com/index.htm
It's a classic John Alden-designed Schooner dating from the 20's.
Looks delightful. He reported that it was well-maintained and well-handled.
The well-handled, lead me to start looking at a Coast …
Sailing is fun. Teaching sailing can be fun, too. Once you get past the worrying part. And once you get past the culture shock.
For the last 9 years, I've been helping my friend David teach sailing at Skye Farm Camp. They've got about 10 Sunfish of various vintages.
This …
The word "fair" has several meanings. It seems to mean "honest" or "equitable", "adequate" or "acceptable". You have to get way down the list of definitions before you get to the nautical sense of "fair".
Sailors use the term to mean "smooth" or even "helpful".
When we look at phrases …
Here are some pictures of Cricket.
Pam and Ben have been at the marina for several weeks. They're cruising more-or-less full-time.
They've been refitting Cricket while we've been working on Red Ranger. They've been there full-time, however, so they've gotten a lot done in a short period of time.
Their …
Finally.
Getting Red Ranger ready seems like a long, uphill slog. The reality is that it hasn't been all that bad. But it seems painful by comparison with other pursuits. For example, after you close on a house or buy a car, you can use it more-or-less immediately. Clearly, a new …
The look like pulleys, but sailors call them blocks. The one in the middle looks okay in this picture. But it is actually broken, also.
They're part of the mizzen mast. One helps put some purchase on the mizzen sheet. The other two help put some purchase on the running …
Boats have bilges: it's where water inside the boat collects to be pumped out. Modern "fin keel" boats barely have any bilge. Classic designs -- like Red Ranger -- have deep bilges.
We have a Manifold of Bilge Pumps to manage the bilge.
What's important is to try to keep the bilge …
Part of the Red Ranger Mission Statement is "Using the smallest carbon footprint we can" which -- when you think about it -- is too narrow.
In the Red Ranger song, we sing (in 6/8 with a rolling feel)
C C F F
And She'll see just as much of …