LOG OF PEGASUS - enter at your own risk!

[dontpanic]

Marty: I just retired at 70 and purchased a 1981 CP16.  I haven't sailed in more than 20 years and your adventures are entertaining and most informative.

Thanks

Don't Panic

[MKBLK]

Bob: Truthfully, I could do with a little less "adventure". It seems the combination of the heat (in the '80's) a very difficult tow (some very serious ups and downs - one of which was an "up" for several miles) and a detour through some very hilly, winding country, was a bit much for the old Volvo's fuel pump. To be fair, even when all seemed lost, Victor (the Volvo was named by the previous owner) was able to summon enough "go" to get me to the ramp!

Turns out the problem is definitely the fuel pump. So, the 23 year old, 265,000+ miles Volvo station wagon is going to be sporting a new fuel pump. Yeah, it's going to be expensive, but then I'm not making car payments either! Although this "fix" is going to be plenty dear. Hopefully, State Farm will handle the $$$ tow job without too much angst.

Don't Panic: Welcome to the septuagenarian fold! I turned 71 last August and believe me, Kelly Clarkson has it right: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"! Also, I really believe in Randy Pauch's quote. Enjoy your little ComPac, I certainly enjoy mine.

Marty K.

[MKBLK]

Log of Pegasus - 10/15/13: My son (David) and I sailed Nockamixon, however, the primary purpose of the trip was to retrieve my Volvo wagon that broke down last week while towing Pegasus. We decided to go sailing first to delay the pain of paying for the repairs. Total cost for this relatively minor repair (fuel pump) has approached $1,000.00 (including an outrageous tow charge of $300.00 – for 12 miles!).

Although the winds were light, we had an enjoyable sail. The weather was close to perfect. Plenty of sun and a little wind. My son (no. 2) had never been to Nockamixon before, I think he was impressed. Over 600 sailboats reside there, in season. Lots of masts! There were several sailboats out there, including another 1981 CP16 owned by another Marty. He keeps the boat in the water in a slip for the season and had just completed his last sail of the season and was preparing to bring her home. There was enough wind to ignore the MinnKota and sail the way God meant us to (although my son does like iron wind!). Unfortunately, the weird weather has kept the leaves from bursting out in glorious color. I'm afraid that they'll all drop before they get a chance to do their thing. Next year!

This trip to Nockamixon was expedited by towing with the F-250. Big advantage when launching and retrieving. The trailer went in so deep that Pegasus simply floated up onto her bunks! It was a dry launch and almost dry retrieval. Almost dry because I couldn't reach the bow eye from the bow. Pegasus' bow floated right up to the bow stop!

I'm not yet ready to put Pegasus to bed for the (too) long winter sleep. So, I'd like to try another outing at Mercer Lake. I'll be keeping a close watch on the weather.

Marty K.

[jthatcher]

Hi Marty,
  I have been wondering when we would get a report on the  mechanical issues..  sorry to hear that it was so steep to get things fixed.   we did have a nice day on the water, and I appreciated the opportunity to get out one more time.. as always, the company was  especially enjoyable!

It is very nice that you got a chance to get your son out on the lake..  it is a nice destination, and certainly a good meeting spot for us..   i hope that you get another nice day before winter closes in..  take care,   jt

[Bob23]

HOLY CANNOLI!!!!!
   1000 clams for a fuel pump? That's the price you pay for driving a Volvo. Be thankful you don't own a Saab! But remember, you do have 265,000 miles on that baby, right? Sounds like it doesn't owe you a dime. Still, sorry to hear you had to spend that kind of $. I better shut up now...don't want to bring a mechanicl curse on my Tundra.
   I really enjoy reading about your adventures, Marty. It was great to meet up with you and the rest of the clan at the BBB 2013! Keep sailing, brother, and keep writing! Looking forward to the 2nd Annual Mid Winter Gathering of the East Coast Compac-o-nauts!
Bob23
   
   

[MKBLK]

To all Compaconauts - A very merry Christmas and may the New Year bring good health and happiness to all.

Marty K. and Pegasus (CP16)

[Bob23]

Thank you, Marty and the same to you and your family. May you have fair winds and calm seas in all of life.
The quote at the bottom of your page by Randy Pausch is a major motivation for my planning this Chesapeake trip...thank you for the reminder. Regret has got to be one of the worse experiences.
Bob23

[MKBLK]

Finally, Pegasus has just gotten her gasoline "iron wind". Although I'm not giving up on the MinnKota (can't have gas on lakes
around here), I am hopeful that the (new for me) 1977 Johnson Seahorse 2hp will be just the ticket for less stress on the
Delaware River and Barnegat Bay. To date I've not been able to sail to certain destinations on the river because of time
restraints and concerns of current and tide. Having a gas engine will provide a bit more confidence and less dependence on
adhering to the tide charts and observation of the current.

The Johnson arrived in good shape in a box that appeared to be more duck tape than cardboard! It was well wrapped in bubble-
wrap and a baby's quilt! Purchased with some degree of confidence on Ebay from a seller with many transactions and 100%
positive feedback. Shipped up from Port Orange, FL. Also ordered a service manual and am awaiting for an owner's manual to
arrive prior to attempting start-up. Hung it from the outboard mount thingee to see how it fits... Perfect! Just the right
length to avoid cavatation. It's two-stroke, water cooled and exhausts under water. Uses 50-1 gas/oil ratio which I understand
is much better for the motor (not for the environment) than later motors that use 100-1.
I realize that with only 2hp, I still have to take tide and current into consideration, but I'll be less anxious. My last sail
last year was truly an adventure combating a very strong wind, tide and current in a narrow channel!

Holy cow! That reminds me... apparently I hadn't entered that little adventure into the Log of Pegasus! If you're still with
me, here goes:

Twas a beautiful early November day. Plenty of sun, nice puffy clouds in the blue sky and 12-15 knot winds predicted. Got down
to the Neshaminy Ramp on the Delaware River with my friend, Ed. Virtually no wind at about 11 am, so hoisted all sail and
gunned the MinnKota to exit the marina. No sooner than Pegasus hit the river than a gust of maybe 25 knots or better caught us
broad-side! Wow! Was that an attention getter. Apparently a front had just passed through the area. (Later, Admiral Barb, told
me she noticed the house shake when the alleged front came through and she wondered how that would affect Pegasus, Ed and me!)
I hollered to Ed to just hold on and stay low while I doused the main. I had just removed the jib down-haul because I didn't
like the cheap line I had purchased and hadn't replaced it yet. So, with just the heads'l, we flew up the Delaware at what
must have been close to 10 knots! Bear in mind, we were going with a heavy wind behind and with the tide (which is quite quick
on the Delaware - especially where it's narrow. As we zoomed under the Burlington-Bristol Bridge, I got a real good feel as to
just how fast we were moving. I started to wonder just how we would get back to Neshaminy! At the place where we planned to
turn back, I noticed that even though we were pointed down-river, we were going backwards! Because the river is quite narrow
at this point, my tacking/jibing was in vain.

It was time for Plan B. "Ed, call your wife and ask her to meet us at the Edgely Boat Club where they have a floating dock and
a ramp." Ed's wife, Barb, wasn't too happy about being dragged from her tea party (which she later admitted she was grateful
for). The wind was still blowing hard as I put Pegasus in between two motor-boats that were tied to the dock. Phew! Those years of
practice on my little styro-foam Sunflower sailboat (now a herb garden) paid off! The guys at the boat club watched in horror
thinking I would smack one of their boats with Pegasus. Got the lines out and secured her to the dock. Upon disembarking,
found that the dock was bouncing like a bronco. Almost had to walk on all fours to maintain our balance! At that point
a large motor boat got "pulled over" by the NJ State Police River Patrol for making a large wake which hadn't been helping
things.

Got a ride back to Neshaminy to pick up the Volvo and trailer and returned to Edgely. It was still windy but the tide was now
in our favor. And it was high tide... great for retrieving. I got back into Pegasus, cast off her lines, "fired up" the
MinnKota and headed for the ramp. One of the guys from the boat club called out to me, "If you can't make it to the ramp, head
out into the river and we'll come and get you." But, the MinnKota did its job and I was able to drive Pegasus right up onto
the trailer. Phew! What an adventure.

Marty K.
CP-16 Pegasus

[MKBLK]

1943 hrs. 4-4-14 The weatherman promises a nice sunny and mild Sunday, but I'm afraid that Pegasus will not be ready for its initial 2014 Spring wetting. Lot's of stuff to do at home (including prepping Pegasus) now that the weather looks better (although still somewhat damp!).

Did get a chance to fire up the '77 Johnson Seahorse 2 yesterday. Rigged up a water tank with a nice sturdy Rubbermaid trash can. Mixed up a pint of gas and a dash of oil and pulled the cord... twice. And she caught and ran quite nicely. I'm told that the old 2 strokes were very well made and with proper care should last... forever?

Can't wait to try it out on the river. Of course, I'm all about wind power, but... it is a new toy for me.

The tarp comes off Pegasus Sunday... can't wait!

Marty K.
81 CP16 Pegasus

BTW - I'm still hoping to hear from someone that has a owner's manual for a late '70's Johnson Seahorse 2hp. Pleeeze!

[Bob23]

Wow! We should throw a cover removing party! It really is a ceremonial event, isn't it? It's a declaration to the world that winter is finally gone, spring is here and the first sail is right around the corner.
And congrats on your new outboard. Another ceremonial event is when the motor emerges from winter hibernation and comes to life after a long winters nap. Miss Nissan is patiently waiting and recently I've heard stirrings from the shed...she wants to run!
Bob23

[MKBLK]

1903 hrs. 4-15-14 Well, it has been over a week and Pegasus is still in her winter blanket! Yeah, I know, it hit 80 twice over the weekend, but I was busy building a fence and a deck in the backyard. Priorities, blah, blah.

And look at the weather report, S**W! and temps in the 20's in the forecast. Come on! It's the middle of April and I guess there must be something to "climate change".

Seriously, it's no big deal. Pegasus needs much TLC before she hits the water and I've the time.

Maybe this coming weekend!? Oh, I forgot... the deck!

Marty K.
81 CP16 Pegasus

[Bob23]

Well, Marty at least your thinking about removing your cover! I probably won't have my boat home until the end of the month and then I'll have to hear about it from the Admiral because it interferes with her spring gardening!
Pegasus will be a great incentive to get that deck done!
Bob23

[MKBLK]

So, Bob, I see you woke up to a blanket (albeit thin) of snow this morning! Who'd a thunk! Fired up the pellet stove early this a.m. I'm still recovering from drilling the holes for the deck and fence. OMG that was brutal. Drilled 18 holes (not leetle ones for golf) about 4' deep. Actually, my son's fiance' helped drill the smaller fence holes. But, those 9 holes for the deck foundation were a killer. We were going to do 12, but figured that would be overkill (in more ways than one).

Pegasus says that she's glad that I didn't remove her cover, brrr!

Marty K.

[Bob23]

Yeah, what's with the snow this morning? Monday I was working in shorts. Today I've got my Carharts on...that's what I call climate change!
Bob23

[MKBLK]

1624 hrs. 4-30-14 It's been almost 2 weeks since my last log entry and the cover is still on Pegasus! First of all, didn't get to install the deck. Actually had to return the lumber to Home Depot. Why? Sewer finally gave up the ghost! Had to run about 50' of new PVC piping down to the main. What a hole!! The removed dirt covered more than 1/2 the back yard (which meant killing 2 of my 3 sheds). Deck is on temporary hold (and I need a shed!). Secondly, the heavens have opened up big time and my back yard has gone from Sahara desert to a giant mud wrestling pit. I could almost float Pegasus down my street! Ugh! Pegasus says "thank you for not removing my cover!" It'll all be history soon enough, I hope. Then back to prepping Pegasus for the sailing season. Although my preference is to "sail" her, I'm looking forward to trying out the Johnson Seahorse 2hp.

Marty K.