While working, it dawned on me to start yet another discussion. I was pondering over all the things I learned while sailing this year and, unfortunately, it didn't take long to run down the list. But here are a few and feel free to share your own experiences.
1. While I mostly sail solo, I learned that sharing the boat with another really adds spice. I was fortunate to take my best friend Kathy out for her first sail and we were able to get out for a second one, too- with a lot more wind! She did great and sharing something you love to do with a friend makes it all the more enjoyable. I still like solo, but I like to talk a lot and so does she so it worked great.
2. Ditto when Sean and his daughter Emily joined Koinoina and I at this years Barnegat Bay Bash. Sure, it was a little tight because I'm used to having the boat to myself but I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. Again, sharing the boat is what it's all about. In a real sense, we are just caretakers of our possessions, ayuh?
3. The third is kind of the opposite of the above. The few lone overnights I had were restful and recharging. I get a lot of time to think and read. I like the quiet which in our society, seems to be getting rare. Many folks are uncomfortable with long periods of silence. I don't wish to join that crowd so I need to indulge in some contemplative silence once in a while. No phone, stereo, and especially no dang TV!
4. Putting ones sailboat in the water the week before Labor day is a bad, if not morally wrong thing. She warned me: do that again and I'll be looking for a new skipper. I think she means it.
5. And this I just learned (or relearned) today. When stepping on the deck when it's been below freezing, don't step in a shadowed area. I did and almost went for a swim.
I learned a lot at this years CLR, my first but hopefully not my last. The things that come to mind are:
*I had close friends that I'd never met! When Mike Greene and I met on the dock, we felt we'd known each other for decades. Might have something to do with the lengthy exchanges here on the site. And the virtual dingy race, that I lost. The same is true for most everyone I met.
*14 hours is not too long to drive to meet up with kindred, wacky spirits who accept you as you are. You all know who you are.
*When Carl starts telling one of his hilarious stories, it's good to have a seatbelt on or you are likely to roll out of your seat! No lie!
*When Joan wants to steer, better hand over the tiller or she'll grab it out of your hands!
*Jason and Ginger are a wonderful couple who enjoy life and one feels instantly at home with them. Ginger makes a concoction that could be used as fuel for dragsters- so good it should be illegal!
I could go on and on, like I usually do- babbling incessantly especially about all the wonderful folks at CLR but I'll hand it over to whoever steps up to the plate!
Bob23
Good post Bob.
This year was my first year with my Compac and I didn't get her until late in the year. Once I got her I had to do a bunch of quick repairs but I was able to get out for one cruise.
I started this season by transporting my Catalina 30 to Deltaville. I did it in rough conditions and I hit double digits surfing down the waves in 25 knots of wind. That was a wild ride and it was a good way to finish with that boat. I dearly loved my Catalina 30 but her maintenance costs were getting out of control. There were other factors in the decision and I will leave it at I dearly loved that boat and I miss her.
I picked up my Compac 23 and I immediately had to spend $1000 on fixing the brakes and other things on the trailer. It killed my boat budget but I was able to add a few things, like a new GPS (Garmin 441s) and a stereo on the boat. I also did a big repair (added a solid bobstay to replace the bobstay cable that had a broken wire on it). I added a larger anchor (Lewmar 22lb claw) and a few other small additions. I also found the perfect cooler that fits.
So I did my first cruise on the boat. I learned a lot from it and I have a prioritized list for next spring. The prioritized list is the most valuable lesson from this season.
Next Spring:
1. Replace and relocate the water tank to the original location.
2. Move the battery back to the original location.
3. Do some re-wiring to finish the battery move.
4. Bottom Paint (If I decide to keep her in a slip for the summer)
5. Add a second Group 27 battery in parallel to add more capacity that is needed for my extended cruises.
6. Replace my broken deck pipe for the anchor rode and chain.
7. Replace the anchor chain with 30' of 1/4" chain.
8. Add an egg crate mattress that I will custom cut to the V-berth to make it more comfortable. (the new mattress that is in there is too firm for me).
This was my first full season with the 16. Here is what I learned.
1 Barber haulers give me about 5 degrees to windward.
2 After fishing for 2 hours with not even a nibble, the minute you put you butt on the bucket the line on the real starts to spool off. And no you can't reach the pole that is now stuck in the outboard from the companionway!
3 The CLR is as much fun as Bob says it is. I had the best time and I met the best people.
4 Although small, the 16 camps pretty well if I keep the junk to a minimum.
5 When sailing in rough water and rain a lot of water pools on the low side, it likes to run below during tacks.
6 The La Mans start of the "Big Race" at CLR was really a hoot, deciding on how to get off the line brought a whole new set of options. The fact that the wind went left the whole time really buggered things up!
7 The loose footed main needed more outhaul than I would have though, it does not look like a typical shelf, and subsequently I tended to under tension the main giving a bit of lee helm.
Overall a great year, once again meeting great people and having a great time on the water.
I learned that used wag bags don't fully contain the smell, I will be bringing a lid for the 5 gallon bucket next time.
I can't understand this whole wag bag thing. Sorry guys, I am a firm believer in using a marine sanitation system of some sort. A porta potty is better than wag bags any day of the week. Put lots of deoderizer in it and empty it often.
Having a holding tank is nice but it is a pain in the butt. Having to pump out can be a hassle and there is always the threat of spilling or having old hoses permeate smell. That being said, it is probably the best possible scenario if you do longer trips. Pull up to the marina, get fuel, pump the head, take on water in your fresh water tanks, and you are good to go.
I won't put a head in my boat because it would be a big deal to get a tank installed and do all the plumbing for it. I will stick with the porta potty for now.
What in the world do you do with a big bag of poop!?!?! It is bad enough when you have a dog and have to deal with the poops.
i've spent weeks at a time in a 19' boat and i try to avoid human contact.
anchoring out instead paying for a slip, the porti-potti fills in a matter of days, even if you urinate overboard.
the wag bags i use have two zip lock bags. the outer one being quite thick.
after a one time use, i close it up and place it in a plastic container with a secure lid in a cockpit locker.
once you make landfall, it is perfectly legal to place them in any trash receptacle.
i've never noticed a smell.
with the porti-potti, i had to empty it after every trip, day or week long. then at the end of the season, there's the cleaning and prepping it for winter storage.
another plus, my wife has some difficulty pulling the heavy porti-potti out from under the companionway step, but an empty bucket is quite light and can be used for other purposes as well.
CC
I learned;
- I really liked having the boat in a slip all summer. Not having to rig and unrig every weekend made sailing even more enjoyable.
- Brenda may be more addicted to sailing than me.
- A little more headroom in a boat is a good thing.
- Brightwork is never actually done.
- Pabst Blue Ribbon beer is just as bad as I thought it was going to be. Although a shot of good tequila with a friend is pretty nice.
- Watching a sunset from a sailboat never gets old.
- I miss the friends I have made at the CLR events.
- Bob is exactly like you would expect him to be. Funny, very talkative, interested in everything, half a bubble off center and just plain fun to be around.
Mainly I learned to value the time I get to spend with my friends and that I need to tell them that more often.
Mike
I learned a lot this year.... More than I can list possibly....
For #1, to enjoy time with friends, but especially with my wife, who has been there for me through a lot of things, when she could have been like most folks nowadays and just gave up.
2: I learned this year at the end of our sailing time, that my wife's breaking point is now faster than mine, so next year maybe we will push the boat further together. It was fun.
3: Despite the issues I have had from the lightning, I found that I still have some problems, like facial paralysis, bodily disagreements, but the worst is Stress/Anxiety, and at a recent concert, I learned that I do indeed have a breaking point....... and meeting that point is not enjoyable.....Nor do I really need to put myself in those situations, especially without my wife to help me through it.....
4: Stress management is a great thing.... I cut out Television and the politics from my FaceBook feed and I felt a TON BETTER!! Until I had the nonsense at work, and then went to that concert from #3...... Next year I need to focus on having more fun to facilitate less stress.
5: I learned that I truly am involved in too many talents..... and I need to focus on a few, instead of many, because I only have so much time to devote to them.......(I am now also turning wood, and selling the items I turn! AYE! when will I stop!) AND Also, not enough room to keep all the stuff required to do those talents!
Lastly, The hardest lesson that has come on the heels of getting the Harbor Master position which starts December 1st...... Sometimes, no matter how nice of a person you are to someone, no matter how well you try to work with someone, no matter how hard you try to prove yourself and your abilities to someone, they still might remain as the one person to continue to try to take you down like it is their sole mission in life.
No matter if by them not being a ass and by working with you would be the easiest thing to do and the right thing to do, sometimes it is okay as a person to say "I am done with this" so you can apply that energy to something more important, like the people who back you, so you can finally move onward towards positive changes.
But with that said, it taught me too, that is is okay to possibly do something else...... and sometimes in certain situations, it might not be a bad idea to start a new venture in life. That's how most of us got into sailing..... something new to do, and it goes with everything in life. And that one must travel and work with the winds as they push you around in life and in sailing.
I want to thank you all for being our friends, especially the CLR group. We look forward to the CLR every year and look forward to the Newbies as well!!
May God bless each and every one of you with peace and harmony, and most of all, fair weather and the time to enjoy it!
Mac (and Ginger)
Wow Mac...It sounded like you did suffer through a few things this year.
I agree with your suggestions on stress. Why is it that we always are willing to take on new things when our plate is full. Managing stress is hard (I am a Police Officer and it is a constant thing).
Find the really good stress reliefs and use them to get through the bad stuff. I hate anything medical and my mind always drifts to sailing stuff when I go through medical things to get through them. Concentrating on the next trip, etc. helps a lot.
I learned ... well, I'm sure I learned something!
It was fun to start sailing the 23; I have found that all my years of low wind sailing have snuck up on me and I really need to get with the river program and learn this boat! I'm sure I'll give it a good go.
Oh, yeah, I learned about the Dark & Stormy from a discussion on this site, and wow! that's a good drink.
It's fun to relax; sailing with others is a good way to learn. Sailing alone is a good way to re-charge.
I learned that I have too much stuff and not a good way to keep from having it all over the place. Next year I plan to work on this; a bit of work each time, and I might get somewhere with it.
Oh, and regarding my birthday yesterday, saw a cool quote that seems apropos: Don't count the years; make the years count!
I learned that rendezvous don't just happen, and that I am perfectly willing to join in, help out, but also willing for it to just be the few who will go. All that priming the pump is for elseone. We had 2 near New Bern this year, and I had a blast, meeting some fine folks!
i learned...
that my memory is not what it used to be, so next year i'm bound to make the same mistakes.
the yard work will still be there after that afternoon sail or bicycle ride, and that no one but me will notice.
my supervisors at work don't give a damn how well i perform my duties, as long i don't make them look bad.
i'm too old be in my profession.
the only thing that matters...arriving home at the end of the day to a wife who worries about me every day.
if i learned anything else...i don't recall.
CC
As I age I've learned that those things that I used to think were cast in stone, are not necessarily so. I find I question much more and inexplicably, I find that comforting.
I have a new grand daughter, Elsa, and I've learned that I prefer being around her more than sailing, fishing, or any other endeavor. That will be the case, of course, until she is old enough to go with me.:)
I learned that the ComPac stock rudder system, new version with foiled blade, can be modified to eliminate the nuisance partial pop ups. Since modifying one part on the system I have had no popups from just normal sailing water pressure. Before the modification I never went out without many of them. And it still will do what it is supposed to do when hitting something solid. Unintentionally tested in that mode.
lets see----if i can remember what i have learned this year. 1. when you are in a "kick ass nail biting" sailboat race, impress upon your helmsman (woman) the importance of focus and not the importance of "lunch break". 2. dont be surprised what someone from new jersey does 3. when you go to alaska dont fly frontier airlines (unless you are 5'2" 4. there are water canons and there are "water canons". 5. there are times you need to reef your main (thanks rich). 6. you are old when you can hardly move two days after the clr (too much fun, too much food, too much booze, too late hours and too many great friends ( i know impossible). 7. you are 62 when an 8 year old girl tells you what to do-----and you do it. 8, you appreciate your wife more when strangers suspect she might be a saint. 9. when lying in the cockpit, with one hand on the tiller, looking at a perfect blue sky. in 3 knots of wind -----is as much fun as 20 knots of wind and 25 degrees of heel. and 10. never forget to put on the windex before you step the mast!
I can't understand this whole wag bag thing. Sorry guys, I am a firm believer in using a marine sanitation system of some sort. A porta potty is better than wag bags any day of the week. Put lots of deoderizer in it and empty it often.
Let's see if I can offer a point of view:
You get ready to go on a cruise. You pull your portapotty and fill the tank with water and put the charge in the holding tank. Then in a hundred degrees F you wrestle that thing back down bent over because you don't have standing head room and put the thing in place. Then you go home and rest your back for a few days to get the sciatica to calm down before you go on your cruise. You go on a four day cruise with the Admiral and use the porta potty as necessary. Since you are sleeping in the V-berth, you have to disrupt the bed in the middle of the night if necessary in order to use the thing, or alternatively you can move it in the main cabin or cockpit. However if you move it see the part above about sciatica. Then you get back to port, and after unpacking the boat in that hundred degree heat you have to remove that holding tank from the toilet. Done that on a 23 yet? it is an absolute bear with no place to put the main unit in the v-berth so you drag the whole thing out, disconnect the tank then take it up and try to find a place to dump it and clean it out. I take it home because the marina does not want me to dump it in either the toilet or their pump out. Dumping it in the home toilet is about the most disgusting 5 minute operation imaginable. Then out to the back yard to hose the thing out, recharge and start over. Oh, and if you are charged and full when winter hits, another operation in the winterizing process.
Wag Bags. No charging, filling with water, winterizing or sciatica. Just put a case of Wag bags in the toilet compartment. Then after use seal the bag, put it in a five gallon bucket that stays in the cockpit locker and has one of those spin on Gamma Seal air tight lids. At night, move the Wag Bag toilet to another location because it weighs nothing. When your cruise is over, take the light as a feather bucket of bags up to the marina dumpster on your way home and throw them in. No fuss no bother.
I've done both. The WagBag toilet wins by more than a landslide. I do have a perfectly good PortaPotty for sale cheap. This took its place:)
Oh and this is something else I learned this year.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af200/brackish_photos/P1000562_zps9b9353a7.jpg)
Wow! These are all great! I didn't realize I was in the company of such wonderful "wiseguys".
My problem with learning things is that I need to keep relearning them. Let's see if I can recall a few more from the deep recesses of my mind:
Never, ever be an a**hole to anyone. It could be the last time you see them.
Take the opportunity to tell people who you love, that you do. You may at times, be misunderstood but it's better than missing the chance to say what's really on your mind.
Don't take politics seriously, if at all. Politicians don't take us seriously so why waste the time and energy to reciprocate?
Accept people as they are. Remember, that I can be the biggest jerk on the planet but I still need friends. So does the jerk sitting next to you. I am most certainly no better than he.
When your depth sounder starts giving you crazy numbers like 90', 13' 326' 23' and you know the water is about 3'- you are about to run aground.
Bring enough ice to keep the PBR cold.
Don't be afraid to reef early and stay up late.
On a serious note, all of these writings should be compiled into a book. Hmm....
Next up to the plate!
Bob23
Crap happens, someone steps in it, and it usually is me!
"Go fast enough to get there but slow enough to see; Moderation seems to be the key." --Jimmy Buffett
Seriously guys, I don't see the big deal with the porta potty. I used mine for my long trip. It was okay.
I actually got myself into a nice cycle....Go in for breakfast, use the real toilet. Sail for the day and anchor in the evening. Go into the shore and find a public bathroom and use it.
So you can't pee into the wag bag so how do you deal with that?
So you can't pee into the wag bag so how do you deal with that?
You can't?? Why not? Why would you think that? Sure you can. However, in open water particularly out three miles or better it's over the side for me, but the Admiral doesn't take kindly to my suggestion that she follow suit. Something about different anatomy, basic physics, etc.:)
Yep, my first preference is to use shore side facilities when available, however, often they are not or not convenient to the cruise.
Just saying, I've used both and a PortaPotty will never be on my boat or any small boat I own again.
Sorry about the hijack Bob but I am sharing a very important thing I've learned.:)
No problem with the hijack. The disposal of excrement is an exciting subject for all of us. We all have something to learn here.
I have a porta....no forget it! This has the looks of becoming a hot subject so I won't even through in my 2 cents and further decompose the thread. I'm learning, albeit slowly, to shutup!
Bob23
Quote from: HeaveToo on December 01, 2014, 07:07:27 PM
...
Seriously guys, I don't see the big deal with the porta potty. I used mine for my long trip. It was okay.
...
So you can't pee into the wag bag so how do you deal with that?
On a 23, a porta potty isn't a big deal. I had a marine head on my 23, loved it. On a 16, the only reasonable place to keep a porta potty is right under the companion way, about 2 feet from my head when I'm sleeping. I have cruised with a porta potty on a 16. A wag bag in a sealed bucket in the fore peak or in the storage area aft creates a little nicer atmosphere (and more space) in the cabin. The wag bag maker actually recommends having some liquid along with solids in the bag, but some of my liquid waste finds its way overboard. I'm pretty sure everyone who boats on Lake Superior could pee into the lake the rest of their lives and it would make no difference mixed in with the 3 quadrillion gallons of water in the lake (that is a literal number, enough water to cover North and South America in 1 foot of water).
Ok...I will throw in my 2 cents. Slow learner. I sail solo and use a porta potti on my 23 but keep it stored under the companionway. It's not a problem although it's a small one. I don't like the idea of it forward at the v berth area, but that's just a personal preference. I'm looking into one that can be pumped out at a pumping station (we have several free ones around here) but they are larger and may need to be installed forward. I hope not.
I've tried wag bags...maybe I got some bad ones or el cheapo ones but they developed a leak. Yuk. But many people love 'em and use them.
I suppose, whatever works.
I think Mr. N. Herreshoff used a cedar bucket.
Bob23
Wow, this thread has turned to $h*t in a hurry!
If you maintain a marine head right it is probably the ideal situation. You are definitely have to keep things in order with the holding tank and hoses as well as frequent pump-outs. I have seen images of Compac 23 boats with heads.
The end result for a marine head would be the loss of storage in the port storage area under the V-berth, 2 through hulls, a deck pumpout area, a macerator, and a few other things. That is a lot of stuff to add into the boat.
Sorry about the threadjack Bob23
Truly, I don't believe that a day goes by that I haven't learned something. The trick is to remember and not have to relearn over and over.
This past year I've learned to not trust a 37 year old outboard motor that I've never actually run. I learned to trust my judgement about having a spare (MinnKota).
I learned (this year and every year) that there is no substitute for good company. I can sail alone, but much prefer to share the joy/agony with another.
Regarding Wag-bags: They definitely are the way to go (no pun intended!). Use 'em, seal 'em and toss 'em. They contain a chemical that neutralizes the contents and makes them safe to dispose in ordinary trash. Since I have a CP16, it's best to avoid having to utilize the on-board sanitary facility. One must situate it at the hatch to the cockpit and stick your head out. Great ventilation, but there may be other drawbacks depending on your level of modesty.
Marty K.
1981 CP16 Pegasus
I haven't cruised as much as I would like, but so far a saw dust bucket is by far the best for long day sails or short cruises. Basically they are just a bucket that can be sealed up with about 1/4 filled with saw dust. Doug fir is my favorite for combating the smell. I like this because if the worst happens it isn't going to leak even if you roll it around or sit it upside down. I am always surprised how much saw dust will absorb. When I get home I usually dispose of the wet saw dust in a cat hole out in the back forty. If the saw dust is merely wet, toss it in the compost pile or whatever you think you can get away with. I am in the process of making a wooden bucket that will fit in the space I have on my weekender.
Just another thing to think about.
Al
I had a bucket with a toilet seat on it; the wag bag fit just fine, and didn't smell when sealed. I see the good of putting a sealed lid on top of the bucket, esp for longer trips, and just in case.
Probably a good thing to go see about that toilet seat; I'm sure I can store it and the bucket in the space where my porta potty is currently.
Oh, and I'm learning that to each his own, haha.
i have a porta potty, that i havent used yet (i should say she hasnt used it) so i cant comment on how well it works. i will say that removing from my boat at least when its on the trailer might be a big pain. plus you do have to fill the tank before you put it in. so far, its been a pit stop at ramp before launching and upon our return. that will probably change-----im not getting any younger
The Wag-Bag set-up that I have consists of the following:
1. Bucket - a 3 gallon recycled pickle bucket. Cost: $0.99 (or free) at your local deli. (5 gallon buckets are too high in the cabin).
2. Toilet Seat - designed to snap on to pickle bucket perfectly.
3. Wag-Bags - single use bags with chemical neutralizer that fits bucket.
4. She-wee - you can figure out what that is.
5. Toilet paper - bio-degradable.
Total weight: about 5 pounds with the extra bags (unused). When not being used for its emergency purpose, is home to the anchor line. It's kept forward of the compression post.
And as I mentioned earlier, when you return to the hard, just drop the bags in a trash can.
Marty K.
1981 CP16 Pegasus
Full disclosure: I haven't had to use it yet. Always make a pit-stop before setting sail!
All this talk about wagbag's and porta potty reminds me of a lesson learned from a old sailing friend of mine. Don had a porta potty on board for the ladies how went sailing on board his boat. None of these ladies ever used this device so Don found another use for it. There's no extra space aboard for things not used. Don was just a little thrifty also so he used the porta potty for a cooler to keep his bear in. This cut the cost for beer more than in half and saved him buying a cooler. What a thrifty old sailor was Don.
On my C16 II, by cutting the bunk "V" out of the forward end of the cabin foot well [the foot well is a rectangle after all], I can carry a second storage battery forward and still have enough foot room for two to sit 'side by side' opposite each other with their feet in the foot well. This battery location tends to enhance the ballast's stability and moves weight forward to balance the boat. An added plus: I can now use the porta pot facing the stern instead of exposing my butt . . . A handy umbrella along with the hatch board in place now provides additional privacy, if needed. My porta pot otherwise resides under the bridge deck with two square life cushions and a small pillow on top wedging the porta pot in place. A small rectangle of thin plywood, stored under a bunk mattress, and a pillow bridge over the battery if needed to back fill the missing "V" for sleeping.
On a small boat like a 16, I still have some serious concerns about spillage. Having to clean up after a catastrophe like that would be enough for me to sell the boat. It is surprising how innocuous the contents of my bucket become a few minutes after using it. If the saw dust becomes saturated, I simply add a bit more from an aromatic bag of doug fir saw dust, give it a little shake, and continue until the bucket is full. Over the course of a three day cruise I wasn't able to come close to filling up the bucket. Even if somehow the bucket was to be utterly destroyed, clean up would be a matter of sweeping. Really, I'm not kidding. Dealing with the outcome of a multi-day cruise is not as disturbing as one might fear.
I have a port a potti for my little motorhome (Galavan, the CP 16 of motorhomes) which in that situation works admirably. However, I don't typically lay my motorhome over to 25 degrees or have to hoist the unit out of a hole when it is full up. There are times when I go for an overnighter and rather than go to all the bother of filing the porta potti, I will take the saw dust bucket instead. For day sailing it can stay in the boat until it gets used without any thought to how it is stored.
And it is the cheapest alternative of all those mentioned so far.
Al
Gee Bob, I hope you've learned your lesson! You can add it to your list of "What I learned this year".
Roger - Yeah, Don was on the right track. When my wife saw the loo arrangements for the CP16 she said, "that ain't happenin'". I just wonder how Don got his bear to stay in the potti. But, I do understand how he got his beer for 1/2 price when he trotted into Beer-O-Rama with his bear. Ha, ha.
Duckie - I like the idea of being thrifty since I'm retired and every penny counts. But, I'm getting really tired cutting this pile of wood to make enough sawdust. Of course my right arm now looks like my thigh!!
Ain't this fun?!
Marty K.
Quote from: MKBLK on December 07, 2014, 08:07:28 AM
Gee Bob, I hope you've learned your lesson! You can add it to your list of "What I learned this year".
*************************
Ain't this fun?!
Marty K.
Great Post, Bob.......but do you ever get the feeling that on some days everything you touch just turns to poop! :)
-Allen
I do indeed!!!!!
Bob23
Oh. Here is another tick I learned from another member!
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm199/HeaveToo/Compac23withdingy_zps02fad2d6.jpg
It is a great way to transport the dingy. It seems to ride here okay. I have some foam that I put on the dingy to pad it from the trailer a little too.
Yes, I learned a few things this year...
1. I have a pair of Top-Sider shoes and sandals that are both going on about 7 years old. I only wear them when sailing so they don't get too much use. After several seasons, the soft rubber grip on the bottom has turned hard and glazed over like a pencil eraser that does not get used (I don't make mistakes... Ha..). This year it was like walking on marbles just on the driveway.
2. I learned that I scuffing the bottoms of the shoes and sandals with some medium grit sandpaper would take off the slick glaze, like rubbing that eraser on a peace of paper.
3. I learned that I should have washed the soles off very good before sanding, or you will get to smell what the seagulls left on the docks.
Rich
Wag Bags or make your own with black trash bags and some "kitty litter" (clumps/non-smelling, etc.)
The whole idea of continuous learning is something that means a lot to me. I've been writing a blog about learning something new every day for over a year now. No, I don't write in it every day, because frankly, a lot of the stuff I'm learning would be of no interest to anyone else. But when I think I can make it interesting, I try writing about it. It's a really great exercise, and I think I may do it more seriously in a few years when I retire.
Meanwhile, I invite folks over to http://www.learnwithmenow.wordpress.com (http://www.learnwithmenow.wordpress.com).
I know some of you read my post about a cruise on Cayuga Lake back in July: http://wp.me/p3PKIK-iE (http://wp.me/p3PKIK-iE)
Speak,
I made that trip from Union Springs to Ithaca a few times as a young man, on a Sunfish! 'Course the drinking age then was 18, and I knew where every Bar within walking distance from Cayuga Lake's shores was. I always had a great time, and always found a nice beach to camp on when needed.
TG
PS. Love your blog!
I can't even imagine making that journey on a sunfish! You are one tough dude!
-Speak
This was my first year back sailing my own boat. I learned that this is a fabulous sight for learning things. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all aboard.
Marc
Bob,
"I'm looking into one that can be pumped out at a pumping station (we have several free ones around here) but they are larger and may need to be installed forward. I hope not."
I put a Sealand 975 (5 gallon) in Serenity that can also be plumbed for pump out. Never ended setting that up though. The height might be tight under the companionway. It fits the V berth area great. Sealand makes a 2.5 gallon model 974 with MSD fittings that I think is about 3"s shorter and should fit. If you are planning on plumbing it for MSD think carefully on how you will run the hoses. One of the things I learned this year is what a PITA MSD hoses are to work with. Not very flexible and just obnoxious to deal with. Think through how you would setup the hoses to allow you the fore aft movement needed.
Shawn
Thanks, Shawn:
I think the 975 is the one I was looking at. I toyed with altering the starboard side storage area and building a level platform to install the unit on. I just don't like the porta potti being the center of attention of the v berth.
Bob23
Quote from: Bob23 on December 14, 2014, 04:45:32 PM
I just don't like the porta potti being the center of attention of the v berth.
Bob23
So what
is the center of attention in your v berth Bob?
Mike
Mike:
Only you would and could ask that question. I'm gonna have to think on that one. I have the feeling I should choose my words carefully!
B23
Clearly Bob is the center of attention, Duuh!
Not me! That's the last place I'm comfortable. But to answer Capt. Greenes question- the center of attention could be the Gosslings rum bottle I have stashed in the port storage locker. Or the cooler full of PBR! :) Actually, not much interesting in the v-berth; being a mostly solo sailor, that's where I store most of my junk. But this is an interesting piece of equipment that you won't find on many boats:
(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt260/Bob23_photo/Tices%20Shoals%202012/Thelonebeachchair.jpg)
Every one's got to have a favorite chair!
Bob23
i smell a new topic coming up "my favorite chair" gentlemen start your engines
Hey:
Not a bad idea!
Bob23
Most chairs are okay....electric ones are no fun though.
How about best boat chair?
I really don't like cockpit cushions. I tend to use the seats by West Marine...the go anywhere seat. They are comfortable during a long sail.
As you can tell, I'm old school. I carry one of these wood and canvas chairs aboard and use it to relax on the beach and it fits on the foredeck. I also have a sport-a-seat which is very comfy on the cockpit.
Bob23
Sport-a-Seat
my daughter would say that its the recliner in my living room (as i do tend to fall asl--- "meditate" there). i however consider my favorite seat to one where i have the tiller in one hand and the mainsheet (or beer) in the other
Reeling in this thread on the first of the year:
I've learned that relationships are everything. Sure, we love to sail and love our Compacs (who wouldn't?) but they do provide the platform for friendships to be discovered, made and maintained. Looking back on the CLR 2014, I liked the boats but really loved meeting some truly wonderful people. Same is true of the Blackburn Challenge- some great rowing craft and a wonderful race, but the folks I met were icing on the cake. I like cake and I like icing!
Here's to great friends in 2015!
Bob23
Well said, Bob!
Marty K.