Welcome Back and who's been up to what

[mrb]

Well it's only been a few months but feels like a year.

When we left of there were a few plans going around about sailing events in diff. parts of the country.
Just wondering if any of those plans were successful and if so let's hear about them.

Any individuals getting some sail time in.  Have to admit we have had some bad weather here in Arkansas but also had some terrific days.  About every other time out had super winds and remainder glad for the motor. Still a day on the water.

Continue to learn new things about my 16.  Last time out wind gust reported at 30 mph.  Had my smaller jib up and main.  I put a reef in the main and first few times I tacked she acted sluggish.  Well I'm always fooling around to see how boat handles in diff conditions so decided to see what would happen if I let the tiller go free.  Well lo and behold she made a perfect tack on her own. 

With the reef in I still had to hike out on windward rail as far as I could and still reach the tiller'  Def need to make a hiking stick.

One other boat came out that day (McGregor 25) .  Under reefed main they were OK but when put up jib they cut and ran for harbor.  Wife was on board and she gets nervous but as she is willing to camp with him on board I can't blame him for going in.  Have to keep the sailing partner happy sometimes. We have 5 sail boats here on dock and most all are active.

Good sailing to all
mrb

[Rick Klages]

I'm BACK!  Whoo! Hoo!

[arw-16]

Wow, I have really missed checking in to the forum. So far this winter I found one great day to sail in December, missed sailing in January, and got in one great day so far in February. The only month I have not been able to sail in NC so far is January, and eventually the right day will come for that month too.  I am really looking forward to some warmer sailing weather. My new favorite spot to put in is the wildlife ramp at Oriental, NC. I want to try New Bern, NC and Washington, NC somtime.

[Ralph Erickson]

Great to be back!  The last time I went sailing, due to the fact that I live in the frozen Northeast, was the end of October when we vacationed in Florida. Richard Crisler (not sure if he's on this forum - he's on the yahoo site) graciously invited us to sail with him on his beautiful CP 35, "Angel" in Biscayne Bay, Florida while we were there.  We had a wonderful day of sailing from Coconut Grove to Boca Chita Key and back. Perfect weather, perfect wind, perfect boat, perfect company. Pictures of the day can be seen at:

http://sailaway.smugmug.com/boats

Click on "Sailing in Biscayne Bay, Florida"

Today, going to a sailing seminar titled "Preparing For Your First Offshore Passage" as part of the sailing club I belong to - Nockamixon Sail Club.  Gotta keep in the "groove" during the winter!!!!!

Can't wait for spring!

Ralph

[gfspencer]

I sent my mainsail off to be cleaned.  It just came back.  Now I'm waiting on some new sail slides and shackles.  Other than that I haven't had much going on.

[mrb]

Welcome Aboard gfspencer

Where are your home waters and who did you send your sail to for cleaning.

Fair winds when they come
mrb

[romei]

Well there's a name I haven't heard in a long time.  Nockamixon.  My favorite water during the 15+ years I was addicted to kayaking was doing the Tohickon Creek  twice a year when they'd do a dam release from Lake Nockamixon.  The releases were the third weekend in March and the first weekend in November. Wild times, wild water  and I remember them well.   

A quick look at the Nockamixon web site shows a lot of sailboats at the marina.  I had no idea.  Will definitely have to check it out further.  I'm only about 2 hours west of there.

Thanks for the tip!

(It looks like you guys had the whole bay to yourselves.  I see that everyone was comfortable enough that no one was wearing life jackets.  In water that big, I think I'd have been sporting one.  I realize everyone has their own standard and mine is, if I don't think I can swim to shore, I'm wearing my jacket.  If the wind is causing adrenelin, I'm wearing my jacket)  Looks like you had a great day.  I'm jealous.

Today, going to a sailing seminar titled "Preparing For Your First Offshore Passage" as part of the sailing club I belong to - Nockamixon Sail Club.  Gotta keep in the "groove" during the winter!!!!!

Can't wait for spring!

Ralph

[gfspencer]

Welcome Aboard gfspencer

Where are your home waters and who did you send your sail to for cleaning.

Fair winds when they come
mrb

My 23/3 is docked on Lake Norman at All Seasons Marina (near Davidson, NC).  The boat has been there since I bought it new some 15 years ago. 

I sent my sail to Sail Care in Ford City, PA.  I'm very pleased with their work.  It's nice to have a bit of stiffness back in the mainsail.

The weather is still a bit cool for sailing today but I expect to be on the lake by mid March.

[Ralph Erickson]

Greetings Romei,

Thanks for the comments.  You must be around Harrisburg/Carlisle if you are 2 hrs west of here.  I lived in Mechanicsburg in the 80's.  

Lake Nockamixon marina has around 650 slips, and has mostly sail since you can't have anything larger than a 20hp iron wind on the lake. Largest boat you can have is 24 feet at the marina.  It's a really nice sailing lake. The only negatives are shifty winds (common on lakes) and it would be nice if it were a bit wider, but there is plenty of water to have great sails!  As far as I know, they still do the dam release.

About the Florida sail, you are right, there were only a couple other boats out that day - surprising since the weather was near perfect. About the life jackets, the winds were only about 10 to 12 knots (higher gusts every now and then) so we felt quite safe.

Ralph

[Bob23]

Hey, Ick.
Good to hear from you again. (Your old friend, Bob23)
   My 23/2 Koinonia was pulled early last fall to make way for a rotator cuff surgery which I had on 9/11. So, no sailing at all and winter here in NJ is not really sailing weather.
   Here we are in February, I'm at the tail end of my physical therapy for the shoulder and gettin' the launchin' itch. Hopefully early this year- 4/01.
   The doc did give the ok to row however so last week was my first 45 minute row on my Annapolis Wherry.
   So glad the site is back...Bob23 out

[Rick Klages]

Bob23!,  What a pleasant surprise!  Looking forward to savoring your wit again! Quohog has been on the hard since October and I can't remember a colder damper winter.  I did eye my kayak a few days ago!  Still too windy here to be seriously thinking about it.  Glad I find you on the mend.

Your brother in Christ

ick

[peterg]

Hiya BOB23,
   Glad to hear the rotator cuff is causing less agony and that you're ready to get that C23 back on the Barnegat Bay- Tices Shoal is calling!!  Did a whole buncha stuff to our C19 "Beagle" over the winter. Got rid of the end boom sheeting and fabricated a SS bridge over the sliding hatch and now have mid-boom sheeting. I expect to get much better sail shape on the main this season- a lot less boom lift without using a vang. Also installed a permanent 10A smart battery charger and shore power receptacle. Made teak cover boards for the bulkheads at the head of the port and SB berths. The current big project, which is almost completed, is the fabrication of a really pretty teak bowsprit, complete with bobstay, whisker stays, anchor roller,and nicely fabricated SS cranse iron, all of which kicks the forestay out about twenty inches- basically per the specs of the later 19II model, and reduces the weather helm.  I love getting carried away with small boats. I may sail Beagle to the Chesapeake if I can get time off this summer- otherwise, trips around the Barnegat will suffice. Have done the Chesapeake run about a dozen times on 25-43 foot boats and thought it might be fun on a 19 footer, though Delaware Bay would be an ordeal.  See you on the water!!!
Peter G
Master After God of S/V Beagle

[Bob23]

Ick:
   Always a pleasure to hear from you. When I think about what a jerk I was toward you way back when, I cringe. But...ahh...forgiveness is sweet, eh? Thank you for forgiving and understanding. I still possess the uncanny gift of engaging my mouth before my brain. I do indeed hope we get to sail in person some day. I'm planning on attending the Maine Boatbuilders Show in March...maybe?
   If you get a chance, shoot me an email.
Peter:
   Man, you have been busy. I've toyed witht the idea of installing a traveller and car on the bridge deck of my 23. Seems to make more sense than on the cabintop and certainly an improvement over the end-of-boom sheeting.
   Funny that you wrote back today...I was just thinking about the get-together over at Tice's Shoals today...that was fun. As Ratty says: "There is nothing, absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Add good friends, fine weather and cold beer...pinch me, man-I'm Dreaming!
   Email me...I'd love to stop over and check out the ship. We don't live too far away and, being in the construction business- I have plenty of free time these days.
Bob23-Feelin' stronger every day and giving thanks!

[tmorgan]

It is great to see the forum back up.  I have missed reading it this winter.  Looking forward to going to the Chesapeake Catboat Assn Meeting next weekend in Annapolis.  It is time to get ready to sail here in Virginia as the sailing season begins the end of this month!  Note it is snowing outside as I write this!   ;-)

[bmiller]

I'm sure glad this is back up and running, thanks for all the effort.

Heres a link to our fall trip last year to the San Juans and Souther Gulf Islands.
link
Feel free to dig around and view Pooka's other adventures.

Bill