More Life, Better Style

This is simply a slide show of photos my daughter took on our little trip to Gwynn Island. She is a professional and has an artistic eye. These images reflect that and the good time we had. One of many memories I aspire to take with UNA. This is a top one for sure. Her site: A Girl Named Leney

my baby

Other baby

At the helm

Popeye

Breakfast

Caffeine

Sunset

Anchor prep

Hors d'oeuvres

radar weather check

AM

Proud builder

Nice end

Perfect afternoon

A beauty

from the beach

in the reeds

driftwood

that girl

there's Waldo

shelled beach

baby check

morning return

cheese

off watch

chart

just a breath

lazy afternoon

tools of the trade

sweet lines

mizzen set

long boat

A Starry Starry Night

From virtually no wind to 15-20 kts, Una's first overnight was fantastic. Having my daughter along doubled the enjoyment. We left town last Sunday afternoon and put in at the public ramp next to the Seabreeze restaurant on Gwynn Island next to the draw bridge.

Sandy Point marked at Gwynn Island

Skies were bright, but little wisps of air seemed to elude us as we drifted along Milford Haven east to Sandy Point. The tide was with us as we took in the scenery.

The crew.

As we approached Sandy point, the breeze filled in and we had a good beat sounding with the centerboard as we rolled along.  Anchoring in 18" a water, we waded ashore and explored a nice little beach. Weather was now a perfect 72 with 10 kt breeze.

Bayside beach.

Glamor shot.

Aft view.

Una at anchor.

My girls.

My daughter is an accomplished photographer and we spent some time "walking" Una by her bowline to take photos. However, I don't have those pics yet so, the iPhone will have to do. The light was fantastic. After moving to a 3' depth, we made a toast to the sunset, made some simple hors d'oevres, and later broke out the cooker for a fine meal of black beans and rice.

Stars were infinite away from city lights. Shooters arched across the heavens.  At 2200 we were tucked in sleeping bags and staring at the constellations. Around midnight the winds kicked up near 20 kts. I gave the anchor more scope. Una pranced along. I don't know how much sleep I got. I may have awake 5 times through the night always amazed by the sky. 30 minutes before sunrise we made coffee and took note of the eastern horizon.

The cooker worked great though I may add a windscreen and the pezio ignition that came with the burner element. From the french press the coffee went to a thermos and was still hot late that night.

The wind had reversed over the night and the sail back to the ramp was in 12 kts gusting to 20. I had left a ratcheting block at home and lazily cleated the mainsheet as I stood in the cockpit steering. A good gust caught me flat footed and we shipped a little water,  maybe 3 gallons before I rounded up. I'll leave the report with two observations:
1. this little boat has reintroduced familiar waters in a whole new light. Areas remote to a 6' draft boat are now accessible to Una. Our cruising grounds have quadrupled!
2. "Square" sails must be sailed looser to windward. Una is not a Laser or Moth and her balanced lug needs breathing room.

We were back at the ramp by 0930 hating to leave. A great first cruise, a list of improved details and gear are already in the works. Now we are thinking about attending the Small Craft Festival in St. Michaels, MD. Should be a blast. Never been.

The Promise of a Voyage

We are resolved to take the first overnight sail this coming weekend. Expectation is as high as a Christmas morn (maybe bigger). Sailing this past weekend was a mixed bag. Day one had no wind and rain, but pleasant temps. Day two offered a steady breeze and sunshine,  as perfect a day as you could ask for. Heck, as the saying goes … even bad days can be made right in a boat and that's where we were.

Last Sunday's sunrise.

So, there are some things to do or make right before shoving off this weekend's shake down. There are also some items needing attention that I've delayed. One was taken care of a while ago: I've modified a gimballed butane stove. The fabrication is from aluminum tubes and bar. It was designed to fit a Coleman SS camp cup (24 oz). The burner came from a cannibalized $1 eBay purchase. I've yet to add the strap that will secure it to the thwart in similar fashion to the compass arrangement, but I will.

Gimballed stove.

The biggest item to solve, and it remains so, is the tent/awning. I've done quite a bit of sketching and after today's experiments, I'm still not settled on the solution.

Tent outline in green.

Cross section with ghost of person.

My initial take was to have an aerodynamic wedge of a tent by using a ridge line between masts. I need to see if leaving the masts up at anchor is best. My instinct tells me this will dampen the boat's rolling effect. If not, the main mast could be a ridge pole. A straight tent, while simple, does limit the volume. One idea I have uses wood battens that hang vertically in section from a ridge line and acts as an awning. Once the battens are horizontal and bowed, they would form a "Conestoga" tent. The whole could all be rolled up and lashed under the side seat when not in use.

Batten details.

However, to make a quick answer for this weekend, I pulled out the rain flies from a couple 2 man tents we have and one fit rather nicely. It is just shy of reaching the gunwales, but could serve well for now and offer a good template for a final version.

Added rain fly.

Just shy of reaching the gunwales.

A fit for this guy.

Aside from life jackets, we are now focused on the FOOD. Hearty grub will have to come from a 24 oz. galley. Looking forward to this voyage immensely. Will report back later-

Compass Points, a Stitch In Time.

As the heat of the summer here dissipates, I have begun to focus on a few small projects to make sailing easier. One made the tiller push stick to tiller arm connection more rigid. I wasn't happy with the rope connection. Perhaps I'll post that solution later. Another task involved splicing anchor rode to chain for my 11# Lewmar claw (Bruce design) and a lighter 6# aluminum Danforth style anchor that will be kept in the aft lazarette for back up. Both have 10' of chain spliced to quality 3/8" twisted nylon.

The recent task I am most satisfied with is a mount for the compass my father gave me as a "well done" congratulatory gift. It is a Ritchie Tactical compass which is the perfect size for Una and much appreciated.

Ritchie Tactical Compass

Wanting to be able to use the compass with my kayaks. It had to be removeable. Positioning the compass where it could be left in place and offer good viewing from port and starboard didn't prove possible. Centered on the thwart is ideal for sailing, but not for rowing. I considered mounting the bezel on a thin board held down with wing nuts or dogs. That proved too elaborate. A simpler and I believe more satisfactory answer was to trace the compass base on mini cell foam, cut out a puck using my small band saw ( I finally found a suitable use for it) and contact cement the foam to the base. A small 1" wide channel was let into the foam for a tubular strap to pass through. Plastic buckles hold the works in place.

Pieces. Bezel detaches.

Puck glued in place.

Strapped under thwart. Very secure.

Once strapped down the mini cell grips the thwart. While not rigid, the whole rig sits tight and is relatively fixed. I'm looking forward to an in-the-water test.

Now it seems like forever ago, but about a month ago I did truck Una south to sail on the Lafayette River where I grew up in Norfolk, VA. With light 3-5 kt winds, she ghosted along one evening. What better way is there to enjoy a Friday night? Wonderful memories evoked countless nights of sailing as a teenager. Add to that, my father joined us for a sail back down the river that Sunday. Una gains looks and comments everywhere she goes. What a joy this boat has been and we're just getting started! I can't wait to get her back out soon. I've yet to sail in anything more than maybe 8 kts.

Sunset colors. Barely a breath.

Ghosting toward Granby Street Bridge.

Otherwise, I've been collecting gear for an upcoming overnighter. This list includes everything from food knives, tools, line and lights. Add to that list is an awning/tent I've designed and want to make. I had bought an old sewing machine last Fall thinking I'd build some sails, but I'm very glad I went with Doug Fowler's craftsmanship. Very well cut and detailed. I highly recommend his work.

However, I still have the machine. It is a very well made "tank" and seems to bulldoze through sailcloth and denim without hesitation. It isn't industrial, but built to last … a White model 2134 from the early '60s I'm told. While I've tons to learn in its operation (it took me over 1.5 hours to understand how to thread the sucker), it made sewing the buckles on the compass strap was a breeze. I'll tackle a ditty bag before the awning. In the meantime I've a couple light tents. I'll throw one in the lazarette. Perhaps the tent fly will readily string between the masts. 

C'est tout.