on the water

[ahmch]

Glenn
I think I should wait for summer to sail to the Islands.  We are going to giver her sea trials first.  Just some day sails along the coast and look for whales.  Perhaps out past the point if weather will allow. Also I will have four aboard.  Way too many for a crossing. 
I hope some wind comes up, Then I will go out with just two of us and see how she does.  Oddly, the weather in Abq, has been fantastic, but no wind.  Need to see if the 1978 hull keeps water out with a rail under.  I see some dry caulking from the inside.
I will get a guest slip in Santa Barbara,  perhaps we could meet there. Looking at last week of December. 
Andrew

[skip1930]

Don't buy cheap hardware. The life you save could be yours or your boat's.
B O A T , Break Out Another Thousand.

skip.

[Glenn Basore]

Andrew,

Depending on what week you will be here in Calif, I will be in Paso Robles right around Xmas's for about 3 days.

Santa Barbara and Ventura are nice areas, if the weather is good may be we could do a sail together for a day.

I have not launch at Santa Barbara before so that will be a new experience, usually pretty crowded there especially on a week end.

A week day might be the best.

here is my email gpb91384@hotmail.com so we can discuss further if you would like.

Glenn

[ahmch]

Ahoy,

So I have some to learn about trailer sailing.

Her are my big questions with a story that follows.
1. The boat is not sitting correctly on the trailer.  Bow is a little too high to allow the V cushion to stay clear of the bow eye,  It winches right into the V pad.
How do I get the stern up to solve this?  Raise rear roller?  Move winch stand a bit forward to let bow settle a bit?
It was not this way when I hauled her home.  I did  replace middle roller and messed with bunks to clean hull, so I did something.  Maybe I just need to raise the rear of the bunks a bit.
Added second strap for piece of mind.  She didn't move on trailer on the way home.

2. I get a lot of sway in the wind on the highway.  I have noticed that there is almost no tongue weight.  It is balanced well on the axle, but will tip down in the stern if lift up tongue very high. 
Will changing the weight a little forward cut down on some sway?  (I get more sway from my truck than from my little suv, perhaps because hitch is much lower on SUV and trailer sits almost level.  It sits stern down a bit on the truck)

The cold front waited for my day off to finally arrive.  Took the boat out early this morning as the storm front was to arrive this afternoon.  It was about two hours early.
I consider myself a good sailor, but I have more to learn about trailer sailing.  It took much longer to get launched and under way with a 15 to 20 MPH breeze and 48 degree water than I wanted.
I chose to sail under jib only as a dark and stormy sky was lurking over the mountain to the north.  Snow and cold things like that.  Winds about 15 and gusting upwards of 20.
Coming about went well with jib only except for the time we tried it in a big gust.  I went forward and backwinded the jib and that finally spun her across.  The wind would catch the hull and hold her in place.  When it was just the 10 knot breeze it went across fine.

Docking went well. Except for the fact that the boat dock has been hauled out for repair and we had to use the fishing dock...steel pipes and other nasty stuff.  Glad I had fenders out.  The big drag was I had to float her down the beach about 100 yards to  the fishing platform, with a couple of wades to shove her back out again.

One reason we went was to  test the old motor she came with so motoring out was not an option.  I finally got her started at the dock and she ran for a few minutes and then died. The wasps nests that were in it may be part of the problem. Switched to my electric which did well for the amount of wind I think. 

Worked out some bugs and got some good practice launching and retrieving in some wind....Cold wind.  Fun day.  My daughter gets kudos for being such a sport and doing so well at the helm.

See you soon.

[Bob23]

Andrew:
   Isn't it great fun when your kids go sailing with you? It's the true definition of quality time together! No tv to distract.
   My only comment on your trailering woes is that you need to have some tongue weight. Without some positive weight on the tongue, you will loose control especially at higher speeds and that could spell peril for your new Compac. Without seeing any pictures, it's hard for me to comment on your bunk setup but it sounds like whatever you did, just reverse it and it should be fine. But fix that tongue weight thing immediatedly...if not sooner!
bob23

[Glenn Basore]

Andrew,

The amount of weight that should be on your trailer hitch is about 10% of the weight of your boat/trailer combined.

This will also reduce the amount of sway you are getting and be a lot safer towing.

Glenn B.

[Salty19]

the trailer tongue should be level, or close to it.

My hitch is low as well.  I use the drop down hitch ball mount turned over so the ball is much higher than the hitch.

Yep, you want about 10% of the overall boat and trailer weight on the hitch.  So that's roughly 150-170 lbs depending on how much gear you have aboard.
Might need to move the winch forward to pull the boat towards the tow vehicle.  Probably only needs moved an inch or three. You can also fine tune with some weight in the bow locker area (an anchor/chain, battery, etc).  Definitely fix it before towing again.

[ribbed_rotting_rusting]

Beautiful country. I have been in Albuquerque when it snowed in Dec.  I Know the weather in high country can change a lot.

On that number thing. You could find some number punches, sand off place near front, punch, repaint same color, steel wool lightly till they show, paint still in in cracks, presto  you found them with your eagle eye,   Not for quote. Also only if you completely sure every thing is legit. You could also do the mentioned thing and take to OK for inspection, then they found them, not you. You might also look on the very front, some times the towing socket is changed and most of them are numbered, meaning if that was number used it is gone.

The previous is a copy of a posting I found on the internets     

[ahmch]

Thanks for the input.  I will see about rearranging the weight and hitch height.  It occurred to me that when I pulled it home I had the motor and everything else stowed in the cabin.  When I used the truck last weekend everything was in the truck bed.  So I will look at that too.

This site is a great help.  Thanks admin and everyone out there. 

My last week of teaching before finals, then SAILING....woo hoo...

[ahmch]

Well its been a tough new year so far.....
The lake froze over.   It has not done that in years.   And I had a heart attack...
Did I mention the lake froze over.
I am fine. Going back to work tomorrow.  No serious damage. Scary though.

Here is a video I put together of our first trip in Mary Belle.   

I usually don't add the obligatory music, but this time it was better than listening to my inane commentary....And I have been wearing a white skipper cap for 30 years. No laughing.  It stays on in the wind.

Freakin Heart attack, can you believe it?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98DNRllZGi4

[Bob23]

Damn, Andrew:
 What did ya go and have a heart attack for? Well, I'm glad your here to tell us about it and I hope you make a full recovery...any % damage to the ticker? Dr. Bob23 recommends regular doses of red wine, plenty of dark chocolate and plenty of wind combined with salt and/or fresh water spray. And lots of rowing! I seriously hope you are fine. Going back to work? I guess that's a good thing. You don't look old enough to have an attack.
  Your video, for me, came at a perfect time. I just covered my boat for the winter, we have a bit 'o snow outside and it's 20.5 degrees now and dropping with North wind blowing at 25. And I work outside. Although the video was short, it is great and I loved the music. Looks like you guys were having a great time.
  The lake will thaw. But don't you go and have any more attacks, all right?
Bob23...not laughing at the hat...I have no room to talk about hats!
 

[brackish]

Great video, Andrew.  Did you use a GO PRO?  You're a lucky guy!  Had one with just a scare, so now you can deal with it.  Bob23's diet advice is good plus some exercise and plenty of those Omega-3's.  And cut the stress.  It's all small stuff

Like the cap.  Bob23 can't laugh. You've seen his deck shoes?

[kickingbug1]

   salty is correct you need to move the winch stand forward a bit to balance the rig. i dont know about the 150 lb tongue weight. mine rides just fine and i think it cant be over a hundred or so as i can pick it up waist high to move the boat about in my garage. ill weigh it and let you know for sure. if you need trailer tires consider moving up to 12 inchers. i got lucky and bought two wheels at 8 bucks a piece and a complete wheel and tire for 30. next spring i will get two new tires and make the change. if you trailer a lot i think its a smart investment.

[ahmch]

Thanks guys.  I was lucky and will definately make some changes.

Good to be back at work goofing off on the internet.

I use I Movie..I liked the old version better.  The New one works OK, just have to learn another program.
I try to keep these little movies short.  My Handle is Mercifully short productions....

[Bob23]

I think you should do a longer production...the short was great so a longer would be greater, right?

...what about my deck shoes?

My doctor is always on my case about slightly high blood pressure and slightly high LDL. With some very minor meds and lots of rowing, I'm able to control both. I wonder if I can get Horizon Blue Cross to pay for a new Adirondack Guideboat?
http://www.adirondack-guide-boat.com/product/adirondack-cedar-guideboat

Bob23