2009 Tice's Shoals Raid

[Bob23]

Yup, it's getting to be sailing weather up here at 40 Degrees North lattitude. Which means that convergences at Tice's Shoals in Barnegat Bay, NJ are imminent. Last summer a bunch of us (ok, a small bunch) gathered at TS for fun, food and cold beer a few times. Many sailing tales were told, all of which were 100% true. Just as in the past, both kinds of sailors are welcomed- those who sail Compacs and those who should!
Stay tuned for more info.
Bob23

[bmiller]

Glad to hear you are about to start sailing. The water around here is still a bit firm.

[Bob23]

   Firm water...hmmm, that's a new one to me. Does that mean ice? The water's still plenty cold here in NJ. Definitely not a wet sailing season yet.
   I uncovered the yacht the other day, been cleaning her up in anticipation for a 4/18 launch. And it sure is hard to consider selling her- I don't think she's up for the idea so it's on hold for now. You know, these boat of ours just let us think we  own 'em. They really own us, eh?
   Really enjoyed the coverage of your sailing adventures. We are you going next?
Bob23

[peterg]

Hi Bob23,
  Tices is calling and we are ready!! Splashed the mighty Beagle a week ago and got her all rigged up and tuned this weekend. Took her out for first sail of 2009 on Saturday. The new bowsprit achieved the desired result of reducing weather helm to almost neutral in light air and minimal weather helm in heavier air. Tickled five knots on the GPS in about ten knots of wind. It was great to sail on the Bay with only one other boat in sight- water still around forty degrees. Saw one lone osprey yesterday and a marsh hawk today. Waiting for new anchor to arrive to hang on the pointy end- the left-over 15 kg Bruce is a bit of overkill and is making the square end lift up a but at the dock!! See you on the water, and let's start planning the season's sailing festivities!!!!
Peter G
Master After God of S/V Beagle

[Mundaysj]

Hi Guys,
I am so jealous.  My baby is not going in the water until May 9th.  That is when the launch starts running.  I still have so much to do.... and it has been so blasted rainy and/or cold, I haven't done much yet. 
Breath in some of that fresh salt air for me!!
Regards,
Sherie

[Bob23]

Peter:
   So glad to hear you're in. I'm on schedule for a 4/18 1400 hrs local time launch. I'll be keeping Koinonia at Long Key Marina for about a week while I tune the rig. Yup, gonna do it this year.
While I'm up at the North end, I'll sail over to Tice's Shoals, pour some Guiness in the bay to officially start the season, at least for me. Then it's down to Surf City, my home port.
   Sherie, I also have much to do. Bottom paint, new bootstripe, wax the topsides, raise the mast, rig the boat...etc. I consulted with my boss (me) about taking all day Thursday off to do the work. He didn't fire me so I guess that's a yes! Hope we get to catch up this year and sail together. I sure miss the photos and adventures of Blonde Ambition that you posted.
Bob23...hardly able to sleep!

[bmiller]

Hey Bob,
Good to hear you're reconsidering selling. The thought of another man's hand on your tiller must make you shudder!

Our next big adventure will be in 2010. This year we will stay on Lake Dillon for the summer season and try to save some money. I hear the Bahamas can be expensive.

[Bob23]

Bill:
   After the feedback I recieved when I announced my intentions to possibly sell, I didn't want to incurr the wrath of my fellow Compac-tors here on the site. Anyway, she's looking good and wants to get wet. Funny, while she's in the back yard on the trailer, it looks like nothing more than a hugh blimp-shaped grey canvas hulk. But at the unveiling, ahh...what a beauty!
   Although, the sale is not completely out of the picture. There's a nice 16 for sale here in NJ! Hmm...Nah- I already have enough boats.
Bob23, getting ready to wax!

[Bob23]

UPDATE:
  Well, not really. I was over at the Shoal on Saturday...took a short sail by myself, anchored, hung out, took a nap and sailed back. All in all, a wonderful, short day.
  Dennis (Morgan 30) and I have discussed an impromptu get together over at Tice's around Memorial Day Weekend. Anyone interested please fill out the 12 page form which includes background check, criminal history, sailing experience and complete employement resume for your entire life. Or, just show up.
   More later as we approach the date.
Bob23

[peterg]

Hi Bob23,
  Send me the forms and we'll fill'em out. We will be there. Spent last Thursday night anchored out at Cissy Cove in anticipation of seeing the pair of eagles at the mouth of Forked River the following morning. Unfortunately, they did not make an appearance. Sailed back home and did yard work. Our goal this year is to teach as many people as possible to sail. Used to charge as an ASA instructor, but have decided to give back in the new national spirit of Obamism (yeah, right!!), but anyway, it seemed like a fun thing to do, as I go through boats so quickly, I always need a fresh market for when I get another orphan boat to restore!!  Becky's daughter, who sailed many times with us on Green In Between, the Orion27, brought her boyfriend Dan down to the backwaters of Barnegat Bay last Saturday,late afternoon, for some tiller time. We headed out in about 10-12 where he tried to figure out the steering dynamics and we trimmed sails as he over-steered side to side. He caught on reasonably quickly and was able to hold a fair course as the wind built to around 20 knots. Though I had just installed the reefing blocks etc the day before, we left it all up and made it down to Berkeley Island, then had to beat back the few miles to Forked River. Tickled 5.5 on GPS several times, steady 5 no problem. I think that a dodger may be the next sewing project. I have never enjoyed getting drenched to windward after the age of sixty! Installed a lazy bag sail cover last weekend  to go with the previously installed lazy jacks, and consider it a great improvement over a flailing main drop. The new 2' bowsprit has improved the handling beyond belief from the non-spritted 1982 iteration. Also a great place to hang the 9 KG plow anchor that UPS kindly dropped on my doorstep. Took the Beagle out Sunday and had so little wind that I was only able to see less than a knot of boat speed. One hour of slatting sails and I decided that more yard work was in order. All in all, a successful weekend. Am going to get my neighbor and his two sons out for lessons next, then my son, who hasn't sailed in probably ten years or more. Keep us posted on any plans for future Barnegat Bay Bashes!
Peter G
S/V Beagle

[Bob23]

Peter:
   Weather permitting, I'll be out Saturday. I monitor ch. 16 on the VHF. Although I bring the cell out, I don't hear it while sailing and don't particularly appreciate it's intrusion into my life in general. Don't know what time Saturday, could be early as I may incorporate the move down to Surf City.
   The Beagle looks great, by the way. I'm glad the improvements improved! It's always rewarding. I still deal with a fair bit of weather helm. I think my main is blown out but there is no $ in the budget this year for a new main. I discovered she sails much better with full genoa and reefed main, even if reefing is not neccesary. Go figure!
   See you out there, Bob23

[Steve]

Hey Bob,
I had the same helm issue with my 23 (before she moved to Cape Cod). I put an Idasailor foiled rudder and raked the mast a little forward (when viewed with nobody aboard, after my cooler and I entered i bet it moved back closer to vertical). Both helped with the helm but the big improvement came when Skip Moorhouse build me a flatter draft main that was purpose built for the normal wind conditions we have on Barnegat bay. That was the ticket. I could carry more sail and effectively depower or spill excess wind before reefing. The boat was most comfortable and balanced in normal afternoon conditions with a reef in the main.
I launched my IP27 Jersey Girl on Good Friday and have had few nice sails so far. I was sailing in the Surf City area last Sunday and had dinner on the hook just outside of Turtle Cove. Glad to be back on the water and looking forward to finally meeting up at Tice's. I plan on spending more than a few overnights up there this year. See you on the bay!

Steve

[Bob23]

Great Steve!
   I was wondering if you were still here. Skip made my Seapearl sails and did a great job. I hope this year to install mid-boom sheeting to control sail shape. Also this year I'm paying a bit more attention to rig tuning and will rake the mast forward. The stick's been nearly plumb since I bought her and I did learn here on the site about the forward rake that's needed. Thanks for the reminder.
   I had planned on remaking my plate rudder into a foiled rudder using wood cut to foil shapes, very thin sheathing and glass. Never got around to it. I'd love to upgrade to the Ida but again, no $ in the budget. In any event, it's good to be sailing.
Bob23

[Mundaysj]

That is funny, Bob.  You are moving to mid-boom and I am switching mine back to end-boom and adding a soft vang.  To each his own!!
Happy Sails,
Sherie

[Bob23]

Wanna swap hardware? But Sherie, why do you want to switch to end 'o boom sheeting? I have this and a nice boom vang but I think I can get better sail shape with mid boom sheeting. Not trying to talk you out of it, mind you.
Bob23......