Author: edwardatwell

(21-Feb-2015)
It has been several weeks since the last check-up and in that time we have had about 24″ of snow and some very cold temperatures. Down to -8 degrees Fahrenheit WITHOUT the wind chill. The tarp and frame are doing very well and there was very little snow that worked its way inside the tarp.

While there we also made some final measurements for the new chain locker cover we are making.

New menu button “Yanmar SB12” added to link with the new pages on the engine.

 

Went to the boat on Saturday (6-Dec-2014) to check and make sure the tarp is ok. It’s been 3 weeks since we finished tarping the boat. Weather has seen temps in the single digits (Fahrenheit) and winds over 40 knots.

The tarp was in perfect shape and the frame is solid.

Tarp is tight

Frame is solid

Also, removed the hand rails from the port side to start the project to replace them. During the end of the sailing season I accidentally stepped on the forward hand rail and cracked it.

I wasn’t sure how hard or easy it would be to remove them, but it was not an issue. I just had to remove 4 nuts on each hand rail and they came right off.

Forward hand rail – topside

Forward hand rail – topside

Aft hand rail – Inside cabin

Aft hand rail – Inside cabin

Aft hand rail – Topside

On Saturday (15-November-2014) my brother and I went to the boat yard for the third day of the winterization process for “Thanks Dad”.

We added “pipe insulation” as a cushion at the points of contact where the tarp and frame rub in an effort to prevent/minimize the possibility of the chaffing causing holes in the tarp.

We also did the final tie down of the tarp adding 2 bungees at each point so if any bungee fails we have a backup in place.

“Thanks Dad” is hopefully now ready for another brutal winter.

We had the first measurable snow the evening of the 15th and single digit temperatures are forecasted for the beginning of the coming week.

On Saturday (8-November-2014) my brother and I went to the boat yard for the second day of the winterization process for “Thanks Dad”.

We installed the tarp over the new frame.

One “bone head” issue on my part. I bought 2 tarps, both 20′ x 20′. Should have been one tarp 20′ x 20′ (to cover the boat forward of the mast) and one 20′ x 30′ (to cover the boat aft of the mast). I knew what the sizes needed to be. I even had the dimensions on the drawing I made for the tarp. We had to run out and buy a third tarp 10′ x 10′ to finish the stern area.

We didn’t have enough bungee cords to double up on each one, so we will need to go back and add some later. I want to have 2 cords at each point in case one breaks during a particularly cold and windy day.

On Saturday (25-October-2014) my brother and I went to the boat yard for the first day of the winterization process for “Thanks Dad”.

We ran anti-freeze through the engine & head/holding tank and we removed the cushions, lines, fenders, electronics, safety equipment and other miscellaneous items.

We also fabricated a new frame for the tarp. The frame we made in 2012 was 3/4″ Sched. 40 PVC. It broke in a couple places each of the last 2 winters at some of 45 degree fittings. We decided to rebuild it using 1.25″ Sched. 40 PVC to beef it up.

My brother and I went out.

Winds were in the 15-25 knot range with waves 2-3 feet.

Heading south into the wind and waves

When we were heading north we had following seas and a 20-25 knots wind on a beam reach. We were getting to 7.7 knots when surfing down the waves. Fun!.

Got a photo when we were going 7.5 knots. Didn’t have the camera ready when we hit 7.7 knots

On Saturday (11-October-14) I went for a single handed sail.
Winds were mostly in the 10 – 12 knot range and I spent most of the day sailing 5.5 to 6.0 knots VOG.
Temps were in the mid to low 50’s. It got a little cool when the sun was behind the sails, but nice with the sun shining on the cockpit.

Always wearing a PFD and harness when sailing alone.

6.0 knots



Sun in the sails.

On Sunday (5-October-14) my brother and I had a excellent sail. Before heading out we stopped at the marina’s fuel dock and filled up the fuel tank and pumped out the holding tank. Weather was pretty good with temps kind of cool in the low 50’s, waves were in the 1-3 foot range and winds were 10-15 knots with gusts to 25. Had to put a reef in the main sail and let out the work jib a bit. Our fastest speed was a new record at 7.7 knots for a short while. Hull speed for the boat is 6.4 knots.
A little spray over the bow

Enjoying a snack of Utz Crab Chips. Can’t get these delicious morsels in Illinois. Have to have them specially imported from the PA/MD area.
Rail in the water

Rail in the water again

6.0 knots on a beam reach with 1 reef in the main. Not bad for our Contest 29

I used the “Slow Motion” feature on my iPhone a bit to capture the action and made a separate video.