Pilgrim's Log

With Pilgrim's launch imminent, it is a good time to review, project and begin to chronicle our (Pilgrim's, Gabe's and mine) adventures.  You are invited to follow along and participate with comments.

It has been two years since purchasing Pilgrim.   With a long list of obvious needs and hidden other needed repairs before Pilgrim would be cruise ready finances would only allow what seemed incremental progress.  But now, at long last, those myriad unrelated loose ends are neatly tied and bundled into a whole; a beautiful Tartan 37.

One question I've pondered since taking ownership of Pilgrim was the bottom.  As ablative paint (according to some) needs 10 mph to actually ablate, on sailboats it isn't as effective as powerboats.   I prefer hard paint you can scrub and clean without being in a cloud of toxic haze.   But Pilgrim had ablative paint on her hull, and hard cannot be painted over ablative.  So I scraped and sanded all the existing bottom paint off.  In doing so I discovered the tiny blisters that caused my two year mind freeze.   Some said they were insignificant, that blisters are not life threatening.  But bottom problems are the first thing a buyer asks about.  If I'd ever want to sell she'd have to be sound, so as a matter of protecting my investment I searched for the best answer for Pilgrims bottom.

The Tartan 37.com web site has been a great place to learn about the boat.  Owners are active and post their repairs, questions and experiences working on their boats.   On the site it is noted that if a T37 has a bolt in the bottom of the rudder it indicates the rudder is saturated and the owner had attempted to drain the rudder while on the hard.  Pilgrim had the rudder bolt, so there was an obvious problem.  Another problem to dwell and research for the best answer.  In the spring I attacked the rudder, dropping it and cutting it open (as others on the T37 site had done and chronicled).  This was a great decision, the inside foam was saturated.  So I gutted the rudder and cleaned it up, and went back to dwelling to best repair.  The poor gutted rudder has sat forlornly beside Pilgrim since spring, and people were wondering if I'd ever fix it.  

Jeff Hickman of Bayside Boatworks has done several bottoms here at Gateway Marina as an outside contractor and his girlfriend works here so I've gotten to know both.  Jeff is as hard a worker and as diligent as anyone I've met, a rare quality today.  He's also extremely busy and in demand.  With his expertise obvious I sought his opinion on Pilgrim's bottom.   Jeff had been around for a month, we'd talked a good deal.   When I asked for his serious recommendation Jeff was apologetic in his explanation in that he hated to tell me what I needed.  A complete bottom job is really expensive.  A 38' sailboat bottom job he did here this summer had cost $14,000.  Jeff knew I couldn't afford that.  In the conversation we walked over to the rudder which was hollow and cut open.   For him, that was nothing, easy, but a pain.  He usually wouldn't rebuild rudders because they are time consuming and not profitable.   But seeing my trepidation in proceeding with the rudder repair he offered to do mine free, to bail me out.  

The common solution for blisters is to "barrier coat" the bottom with epoxy paint.   All paint must be removed to do so.   But under the paint were the blisters which could release and flake off the expensive epoxy defeating the purpose of the project.  So were I to proceed, I'd be wasting my time.  Jeff said at minimum I should peel all the gelcoat (the white coating over the raw fiberglass).  That would thin my bottom but eliminate the blisters.  He said it wouldn't be ideal but better than I was.  I agreed and he offered to peel the bottom on a Sunday and do it for as little as he could.   So I went ahead with that step.  

As he peeled Jeff became convinced I should mat the bottom with fabric, the expensive proposition mentioned above.   As his conscience dictates his actions he offered to do my bottom at a price I could afford.  I bought the materials and saved.  Did what I could to save.  He worked it in around other jobs so I saved.  End result; Jeff is my hero and Pilgrim has a better than new bottom.  

That problem had been daunting, and with it's resolution everything else is falling into place.  With help from other friends who are working free or cheap Pilgrim will launch this week.   As Gateway doesn't have a diesel mechanic and outside contractors must be approved and pay to work there Pilgrim will launch and be towed to Knapps Narrows Marina where my friend Oscar works.  There we'll get the engine all squared away and finish the other projects on the list.

The tow from here at Gateway to Knapps is covered because I spent the extra $30 for unlimited gold BOATUS towing.  With it you get free marina to marina towing for 25 miles.  Wednesday or thursday (if we decide to let the bottom dry another day) Pilgrim will head out of Gateway finally.

So after the work is completed at Knapps, I have to decide where to go.  My friend Allen has said he wants to sail her to Florida and/or the Islands (maybe from Beaufort to the islands offshore).  That may happen.  Hank Hinckley has invited me to Maine to learn the boatbuilding business.  That may happen.  I love the Chesapeake area and with the Espar furnace we are installing in Pilgrim wintering aboard would be feasible.   So that could happen.  As of now I don't know.  I'm open to anything...a feather in the breeze...or more aptly a leaf on the water....

So follow along, add comments, ask questions, see where Pilgrim ends up!

Busy Fall

After a summer of deliberation and chance I've focused on the Tartan 37, my beautiful "Pilgrim"and she is nearly ready to launch.   I decided to have the bottom shaved and reglassed which was the cause for delay.   Very expensive and extensive job.  Now Pilgrim has two layers of fresh 1808 DBM laid on with vinylester, and a 6 coats of Mil Spec industrial epoxy.  I had bought Inter-protect 2000/2001, but the bottom expert recommended the Mil Spec so I returned the Interlux product.   I have at the moment 4 coats on, 5th today, and last tomorrow followed by bottom paint.

Concurrent with the bottom we've been finishing the other projects.  All "stuff" works now.  All through hull hoses replaced.   Bilge pump and shower sump working.  fuel tank pulled, scrubbed and re-installed.   New pintle made and rudder re-made.   Chainplate area wetness cut out, repaired and re-caulked, cushions being re-done with recycled leather...

Still a long list, including installing the Espar diesel furnace.  All the rest can be done in the water though, and I'm planning on launching Tuesday or Wednesday.  

After launching, I really have no idea what I'll do...

This bottom procedure was performed by

Bayside Boatworks (baysideboatworks@yahoo.com).    410-271-2057

The owner and proprietor of Bayside, Jeff Hickman, invented the shaving machine he uses and is the best around.  If you have any blister concerns he's the man to call.

here are pics of the projects;

Boat/ Yacht Hauling

Hey Sailors!  Sorry I've been so quiet, I've been busy working on the Hinckley (which I sold to Hank Hinckley!) and the Tartan 37 which I've decided to keep.  We shaved the bottom (see pic) of the Tartan and are going to apply double layers of fabric this weekend.  

But to the point of this post, my friend Doug Morrison hauls boats/ yachts overland.  Up to 50 foot long and 20,000 pounds.  If anyone needs a boat hauled let me know.  At the moment Doug is in the San Francisco Bay area and is looking for a load to go north from the California to Washington....

So how was your sailing summer?  Tell us your sailing stories!

The best Chesapeake sailing is upon us, the next

month is spectacular...get on the water!  

Almost August.  With summer speeding by my Hinckley is finally near launching.  As the Tartan isn't booked now I've decided to keep her on the hard once finished and show her there.  The Tartan will be done about a week after the Hinckley.  We are going to finish it once the Hinckley is splashed.

At the moment I'm staying on the Cape Cod Blue Chip.  The owners and I are close now, and I've been helping them here and there (they are elderly and climbing around the boat is pretty tough for them).  But the Hinckley is torn up at the moment in preparation for launching so it's nice to have the option to vacate.  

This is a very cool boat.  As I've said, not very roomy for a 30', but very solid and seaworthy.  This is a boat made for blue water.  The owners cannot keep her tho, and she'll be sold or donated at the end of the summer.  As I'm putting every penny into my two boats, I can't buy her.  But I wish one of you would...you'll thank me for years to come.  If sailing a full keel Hershoff design that has fantastic stability and will run like a freight train sounds good get her and check her out.  They are asking $15,000.   Get her to see her, I can take you for a sail.  See if she's for you.  The interior is like new, totally redone.  Simple but nice.  Sails in good shape.  Engine (Volvo 18) runs great.  This boat was custom built for my friends parents.  It was laid up with 13 layers of fiberglass (usually about 4 layers).  She could be dropped from a helicopter onto rocks and just bounce...lol...but seriously...if a 30 is what you would be happy with, don't let this one slip away.

Sailing, sailing

Hi all!  I've been occupied, crippled or sailing lately...but I'm still here. Allen and I just returned from Solomons via Knapps Narrows.  Great 4 days.  Good wind, blew a mixing elbow just as a violent Thunder-storm hit.   Experience saves lives. My friend Allen is 73 and has been on the Chesapeake all his life.  Now I'm good, but he has me by 30 years on the water at least.   Progression; Engine smokes so we shut her down (we had started it as we approached the entrance to Knapps Narrows.  We shut her down.   We we sailing on, and could have sailed into the pier had the storm held off...be we were hit 30 minutes out.   Allen said "here's what we are going to do....drop the main, pull in the Genny, then drop the anchor.  One, two three.  Batten down the hatches.   Ride it out.  The thing to remember about violent storms...they end soon.  Be cool.  Be prepared.   Be quick and sure of your actions.  So with all steps taken, anchor set, we had no problem.  

And I want to again urge you to check out "Boat Beacon".  GREAT app!  My service was only interrupted a couple times and they were short duration gaps.  The app sends your position to AIS receivers (of which all commercial vessels have), gives your speed, position (in lat/long) track and course heading.  And you can share your position, so essentially someone can chart your exact position anywhere on the net.  That is amazing, like watching my radar screen anywhere!  So pick it up...you'll be glad you did.   Redundancy is a good thing.

Tartan Progress

With the Cal sale complete focus turns to the Tartan 37.  Steve and His son Jeremy worked this weekend.  Among the projects is the repair of the soft core (small areas) around the chainplates and a stanchion base.   Here's a pic of the largest area, maybe 6" at the longest.

Tartan Progress

Steve and Karen, my Tartan members, spend all weekend working.  Captain Lou admonished me that I'm driving them too hard...so I asked if I was being bad.  These are sailors baby!  They are a couple tough cookies.  We really made great progress these last 3 days.  All the exterior of the boat scrubbed. All the exterior teak re-oiled. Steering quadrant taken apart and the rudder dropped.  Then we cut open the side of the rudder (pictured below) and removed the skin to scrape out the soggy foam filler.  We'll epoxy the inside and refill it with foam.  Lastly we'll barrier coat the rudder to prevent it soaking up water again. This is a major repair that increases the value of the boat by quite a bit.

Next weekend we should be able to get the bottom done.  Close to getting Pilgrim in the water!  How exciting!  Summer is swinging...come join us and you'll be swinging too!

Sailnet comment about Cal 29

Here's a thread I found, the question was how much headroom does a Cal 2-29 have;

the link: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/sailboat-design-construction/92708-do-you-own-cal-2-29-headroom-question.html

FWIW we owned a Cal 2-29 from 1976 through 2002 (and in a way I regret that we ever gave her up). I am (or at least was) 6' tall and I never had any difficulty with head room aboard the yacht (and my much better half, at 4'-11", none what-so-ever!). Note, however, that the sole of the yacht is not "flat". Accordingly, headroom along the centerline is greater than it is if one has one's toes up against the cabinets to starboard, or the seatee/berth to port. That said, however, one rarely has one's feet in such positions unless the yacht is heeled, in which case "vertical" is "diagonal with respect to the yacht. The only position where one might have an issue is forward of the salon, in the "head" compartment. On the other hand however, one of my routine crew was 6'3" and he never had an issue with "head room". We sailed the yacht all over the west coast, from as far north as San Francisco to as far south as Ensenada, and to heck's half acre in between, and finally brought her to Florida in '92, where we did the same between Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa Bay. The boat is a sweet, fast, strong, safe yacht that can take far more than her crew and come up pert and smiling. As, when, if we give up the "big boat" I shall look for another 2-29 as one cannot find many yachts with her qualities anywhere near what's asked for them these days. (And, for what its worth, I still get grief from my daughter about having sold the little yacht, even after 11 years. As we stood there on the dock at our club as the new owner pulled away, my daughter balled her eyes out. The yacht had been ours, and our holiday/vacation home, from the time she was born, and she couldn't forgive me for "selling part of our family!".) FWIW...

Tartan Up and Running!

I bought the T37 in October of '11, but haven't tried to start it yet.  I wasn't ready with other things, so it wasn't a priority.  Today my friend Oscar and I worked on her and with little effort she started right up!  Sounds good, everything works.  Now to change hoses, clean her up and get her humming.   Awesome.   If all goes well Pilgrim should be splashed about the time the Cal is.  If 3 or more people sign on at $3000 a season I'll keep her in the fleet.  A Tartan 37 for $187/day.  Price that.  Docking costs at least $2400 a season for a 37' boat.  If you own alone you have that cost plus maintenance.  Here for $3000 you board a docked and ready vessel which you own 1/7th of.  And a Tartan 37 is an elegant boat.  Sparkman & Stevens design.  4'2" draft with a centerboard that drops to 7'11".  Almost the perfect boat.  Very roomy and elegant interior with exquisite joinery work.  3 burner force 10 stove with oven.   Great reefer (frig).  Vacation in style!  Come see Pilgrim, join us, and get on the Bay!

Beaufort Wind Scale

The Beaufort wind scale describes the effect of the wind on the water, and is helpful to be familiar with sailing.   With awareness and knowledge of the look of wind on the water you'll be able to more quickly react to changing conditions and make needed sail adjustments.

If you've sailed a great deal this if really second nature, but it's always good to be reminded.  The basic point I remember is whitecaps are pretty predominant at @ 15mph...start watching and be ready to reef.  you want to be reefed at no more than 25 I'd think, and once the wind is a steady 25 you'll be getting gusts which will make reefing a bit more...lets say exciting....

here's the link I found this page;
http://www.marinewaypoints.com/marine/wind.shtml

Beaufort Wind Scale
Beaufort Number or Force	Wind Speed			Description	Effects Land / Sea
	mph	km/hr	knots
0	<1	<1	<1	Calm	Still, calm air, smoke will rise vertically.Water is mirror-like.
1	1-3 mph	1-5 kph	1-3 knots	Light Air	Rising smoke drifts, wind vane is inactive.Small ripples appear on water surface.
2	4-7 mph	6-11 kph	4-6 knots	Light Breeze	Leaves rustle, can feel wind on your face, wind vanes begin to move.Small wavelets develop, crests are glassy.
3	8-12 mph	12-19 kph	7-10 knots	Gentle Breeze	Leaves and small twigs move, light weight flags extend.Large wavelets, crests start to break, some whitecaps.
4	13-18 mph	20-28 kph	11-16 knots	Moderate Breeze	Small branches move, raises dust, leaves and paper.Small waves develop, becoming longer, whitecaps.
5	19-24 mph	29-38 kph	17-21 knots	Fresh Breeze	Small trees sway.White crested wavelets (whitecaps) form, some spray.
6	25-31 mph	39-49 kph	22-27 knots	Strong Breeze	Large tree branches move,  telephone wires begin to "whistle", umbrellas are difficult to keep under control.Larger waves form, whitecaps prevalent, spray.
7	32-38 mph	50-61 kph	28-33 knots	Moderate or Near Gale	Large trees sway, becoming difficult to walk.Larger waves develop, white foam from breaking waves begins to be blown.
8	39-46 mph	62-74 kph	34-40 knots	Gale or Fresh Gale	Twigs and small branches are broken from trees, walking is difficult.Moderately large waves with blown foam.
9	47-54 mph	75-88 kph	41-47 knots	Strong Gale	Slight damage occurs to buildings, shingles are blown off of roofs.High waves (6 meters), rolling seas, dense foam, Blowing spray reduces visibility.
10	55-63 mph	89-102 kph	48-55 knots	Whole Gale or Storm	Trees are broken or uprooted, building damage is considerable.Large waves (6-9 meters), overhanging crests, sea becomes white with foam, heavy rolling, reduced visibility.
11	64-72 mph	103-117 kph	56-63 knots	Violent Storm	Extensive widespread damage.Large waves (9-14 meters), white foam, visibility further reduced.
12	73+ mph	118+ kph	64+ knots	Hurricane	Extreme destruction, devastation.Large waves over 14 meters, air filled with foam, sea white with foam and driving spray, little visibility.

Fun Hobie 16 video

Hi sailors!

Have you ever sailed a Hobie Cat 16?  They are a great boat to learn to sail on, with no keel they really teach you a feel for the wind.  In this video they take one out in 60 k winds in Australia...check it out;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtWoxDXUmko

Mainsail reefing

Hi Again.   A great credo is reef early reef a lot.  A prudent sailor should always be familiar with a boats reefing system before the need to reef.  If you wonder if you need to reef it's usually too late.   A sailor I know brags he likes to heel until he's railwashing and never reefs.  Sure man...go ahead...I'm sure you can take anything Neptune throws at you...not.  So unless you want to be thought of as a fool by intelligent experienced sailors learn to live by the credo at the top.   Note...a boat slows as your heeling becomes greater than 20-25 degrees.  It's fun to wash the rails (or windows lol) but stress increases on fittings and you lose speed and control (and I have actually blown out a mainsail...yeah...in my indiscriminate youth-2009-lol).   If you need to keep the tiller pulled to your chest in order to remain straight you have WAAAY to much sail up...

Anyway, here's a PDF to check out.  I really like the system here, the diagram between section 8 and 9 is very clear and instructive.  Pull one line and be reefed.

http://www.bartonmarine.com/pdf/fitinst-single-line-mainsail-reefing-system.pdf

I'm hoping next weekend the weather holds for a work weekend.  Compounding and waxing the Cal (and O'Day?), small amount of sanding and oiling.  The Cal needs a shore power receptacle and fixed battery charger.  One Cleat needs replaced.  The carb is off to be cleaned.  The fuel tank needs drained of the old fuel.  Maybe a coat of varnish in the cabin (I think the woodwork was redone with stain only).   So if you are a member I hope to see you, if not a member and you'd like to check out the boat(s) come on.  You work you sail.  Lots of dates open still for the season so get aboard.  Is there anywhere you can have more fun for $70/ day (which is what your share works out to be including your boatus membership)?

So....are you ready for the season?  

Just a note about a great app;

I just found the Android app "Boat Beacon" 

It is a map that shows all commercial vessels (and any vessels with an AIS signal) in real time.  It's like RADAR for $9.99!  Scroll around, zoom....shows your location and a superimposed compass...awesome.

Great reviews...I just downloaded and it's SIMPLE!   See any problems in the fog?  PRICELESS!

I'm looking for a good chart plotting app....

Feb 18

Docking is an intimidating experience for many sailors. In Oriental NC, one of the stops most cruisers make on the ICW south, there is a coffee shop (the Bean) across from the public dock.  Old timers sit on the porch and grade the visitors docking skills, lol...

My opinion is you cannot go too slow...if you stop, grab a piling and pull her along...but to make this less stressful and more enjoyable you should know my plan is to see you off and help you in at the marina.   We'll fuel after trips (I should mention you'll take a boat out with a full tank and be responsible for filling her upon return-probably less than $10).  The fuel dock is just inside the marina so come in, tie up and fuel, and I should be there to help you get in the slip.  I'll be aboard my boat at the same marina...it's where I live....so that should help with the fear of docking...and if you are hanging around overnight we'll have a beer and discuss...

Another thought; when you come down, drop a crab pot and steam crab when you return!  At Solomon's Island I walked the pier at sunrise with a bucket and net and grabbed 20 crab in 20 minutes...off to pilings!  And drag a fishing line...catch a rock for dinner...just NO GUTS IN SAILBOATS!....lol....

And I'm pretty sure there is a gas grill at the marina for post sailing parties...(also should be one on the boat...but they are smallish...for shore parties a full size is better)...And the marina is walking distance from downtown Cambridge and lots of good spots...

So.  The spring countdown has begun!  GET ONBOARD!