tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57071380423643536072024-03-09T18:46:26.871-08:00Wharram Tiki 21 "Little Cat"Sail Log: 6765 Nautical Miles.Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-25720172466000245282023-07-11T11:39:00.004-07:002023-07-11T14:52:08.628-07:00Petaluma River II<p> I am way behind with my posts. This one is from Spring 2020 on my second overnight up the Petaluma river. On this trip I wanted to visit the old house ruins on Mud Slough by way of San Antonio Creek.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_4xZEJYs97pBJY98fF2xCvghynA6gABBn4bdJw9U-1MKbegaA-lEiJy1hhNFi84i3fbe4bep3iKDny3cLkeMWukCU_M0uCfNRHF7JepDD9UoZf7m8xU4H7cW32uaYHdPuv1lPzTvxUw2kO2HC7l5T6FevQW-6CjX9ze-_5oNIYJ4pbGohEtdBUpdZVs/s3264/20200425_192517_heading%20up%20river.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_4xZEJYs97pBJY98fF2xCvghynA6gABBn4bdJw9U-1MKbegaA-lEiJy1hhNFi84i3fbe4bep3iKDny3cLkeMWukCU_M0uCfNRHF7JepDD9UoZf7m8xU4H7cW32uaYHdPuv1lPzTvxUw2kO2HC7l5T6FevQW-6CjX9ze-_5oNIYJ4pbGohEtdBUpdZVs/w640-h480/20200425_192517_heading%20up%20river.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I didn't get to the Petaluma River until late in the day. Here heading up San Antonio Creek after turning off the Petaluma.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4vWG89qrKlh8VMv3miqyzXCoNlLtHEhpfR-rvHJ8eWHd9yTvsrstB8MBdcpx212e_ByIDRApKG9Bn8RXaR-8c_WhAd7xTts8_TwE3-VGuEpHaCApwSyRwMrjuK4K6EfOW0LkNzU7YdS7rsaJO72SDKhD3tAoZTMrtxB2WljDhMorwPKYgs6JEjxPLPc/s3264/20200425_190715_sun%20is%20setting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4vWG89qrKlh8VMv3miqyzXCoNlLtHEhpfR-rvHJ8eWHd9yTvsrstB8MBdcpx212e_ByIDRApKG9Bn8RXaR-8c_WhAd7xTts8_TwE3-VGuEpHaCApwSyRwMrjuK4K6EfOW0LkNzU7YdS7rsaJO72SDKhD3tAoZTMrtxB2WljDhMorwPKYgs6JEjxPLPc/w640-h480/20200425_190715_sun%20is%20setting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The sun was setting as I made progress up San Antonio Creek.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk5XhhLU70EN2MV6IGTHzFJMF2o_MAHNZmuPq5c1sTUO-ZDIMht4DbBEt1ehTp_ctrGhxOaF99uWit0KaejzzZ84LaqNObQK-jYwWbl62mvuyLLAn2aOq8v2cnkq5dseYwSDHjiBc3pv44mSti2KIpdIf0kMG0Tbf2euMLDkG8ZCtBGG9M9CXWwWHRU4/s3264/20200425_194822_anchored%20up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk5XhhLU70EN2MV6IGTHzFJMF2o_MAHNZmuPq5c1sTUO-ZDIMht4DbBEt1ehTp_ctrGhxOaF99uWit0KaejzzZ84LaqNObQK-jYwWbl62mvuyLLAn2aOq8v2cnkq5dseYwSDHjiBc3pv44mSti2KIpdIf0kMG0Tbf2euMLDkG8ZCtBGG9M9CXWwWHRU4/w640-h480/20200425_194822_anchored%20up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I kept going past the Land Fill which backs onto the creek, until reaching the turn off to Mud Slough. At 12 feet of beam, it turns out the <i>Little Cat</i> was too wide to make it far into Mud Slough. So I settled for anchoring as far up San Antonio Creek as I could go as evening arrived.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKCsjXFkPP7-cJ3EvclM7VOkAJA8zjCUQt6D5eCzFQB0myBFq4CU1PVFsIkMFbSPZuZJfXMeUCnAUlN-UGiXYRDW7gU5Od6DEL1MEFVE-v0W3yB5fuODCtiTJ_k7f36J9G_dwlaA4kxWLfKaSaH7PFgLFji5ID4mFCGhFKmv1GJEzzwbZli8Tb0GM-RM/s3264/Petaluma%20River%20Sky%20and%20water.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKCsjXFkPP7-cJ3EvclM7VOkAJA8zjCUQt6D5eCzFQB0myBFq4CU1PVFsIkMFbSPZuZJfXMeUCnAUlN-UGiXYRDW7gU5Od6DEL1MEFVE-v0W3yB5fuODCtiTJ_k7f36J9G_dwlaA4kxWLfKaSaH7PFgLFji5ID4mFCGhFKmv1GJEzzwbZli8Tb0GM-RM/w640-h480/Petaluma%20River%20Sky%20and%20water.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At dusk, I was treated to a spectacular light show.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XYNX_BfFYsh7ts7BHcoWodbySJKhDiBM0OY35fH3p6ej5v1GJVhEHl79OYL1fv84jEdZ_6-7F-ZEQc5pgDJTAMUlRdcsF79j3StOC2pE5sToz7RBDN3zDGdOCDBxDVbUvizlWHLU5No3DplfMX7VRKRaADqffAdqaq1u1YhaLOl7RpI5oAszox6XpEM/s3264/20200425_200006_first%20sunset.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XYNX_BfFYsh7ts7BHcoWodbySJKhDiBM0OY35fH3p6ej5v1GJVhEHl79OYL1fv84jEdZ_6-7F-ZEQc5pgDJTAMUlRdcsF79j3StOC2pE5sToz7RBDN3zDGdOCDBxDVbUvizlWHLU5No3DplfMX7VRKRaADqffAdqaq1u1YhaLOl7RpI5oAszox6XpEM/w400-h300/20200425_200006_first%20sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><p>I put up the boat tent, made scrambled eggs and tomatoes for dinner and settled in for the night.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV4k69hIZjAdfZ2sCPGonzHzF-xT6OasD7udPzwt_VoBBzybyZrHHrLeB2zUhRvys_hFW4m-9ukMctTSmXH2Vxp69GjrFGlhWUPjMsLMs02BhqBo9KK-92DzywAOxwTTYBGyibTn5XHqUCVZrRTC2qvfeR-vEDUq_bQOzw4k6I788HuqpzyAVUTeWoiE/s3264/20200426_060009_dawn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV4k69hIZjAdfZ2sCPGonzHzF-xT6OasD7udPzwt_VoBBzybyZrHHrLeB2zUhRvys_hFW4m-9ukMctTSmXH2Vxp69GjrFGlhWUPjMsLMs02BhqBo9KK-92DzywAOxwTTYBGyibTn5XHqUCVZrRTC2qvfeR-vEDUq_bQOzw4k6I788HuqpzyAVUTeWoiE/w640-h480/20200426_060009_dawn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I was up early next morning to enjoy the dawn.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRab6YPini_G4xnARBRRUxRUfTSPT_MnzUXBQ994IV7reS7hToIZ2256G6mjEod61J-7_tLnrnl8AVf0ADR6Jjg-gGoFkhB-dec25qtUixDPoNoyn-QIK6lW6eJDUoruNUeZhcQSc4ihQ2h9SkGnXZ3KRQYzc5ZpZkIwT9wQNd_1ZqKxLSK_3IouTytY/s3264/20200426_062002_dawn%20II.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRab6YPini_G4xnARBRRUxRUfTSPT_MnzUXBQ994IV7reS7hToIZ2256G6mjEod61J-7_tLnrnl8AVf0ADR6Jjg-gGoFkhB-dec25qtUixDPoNoyn-QIK6lW6eJDUoruNUeZhcQSc4ihQ2h9SkGnXZ3KRQYzc5ZpZkIwT9wQNd_1ZqKxLSK_3IouTytY/w640-h480/20200426_062002_dawn%20II.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There was a heavy dew all over the boat and tent, and a light fog on the river.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AFG4hjF10yE" width="320" youtube-src-id="AFG4hjF10yE"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoGQUbrP_bQMlv2aNCtPuS4Wljl3hwbC3iKfTPicYV5Ok54ZXacLcwdvLEYGuUUynjUl7zZ67ff9QAINzv0qLswO0gyHwyp4aYTgp34GFTrCXTaLnM_v2uneuPWWjrE2o6xaNS4Cm1yBrAXDvfjA1M1SFB3YYoy62sB-oMxe4wub7syfGDekoNRbCkg8/s3264/20200426_065239_dawn%20III.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoGQUbrP_bQMlv2aNCtPuS4Wljl3hwbC3iKfTPicYV5Ok54ZXacLcwdvLEYGuUUynjUl7zZ67ff9QAINzv0qLswO0gyHwyp4aYTgp34GFTrCXTaLnM_v2uneuPWWjrE2o6xaNS4Cm1yBrAXDvfjA1M1SFB3YYoy62sB-oMxe4wub7syfGDekoNRbCkg8/w640-h480/20200426_065239_dawn%20III.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It wasn't long before the fog burnt off, and I had oatmeal for breakfast taking in the view.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTGaGBUl6NCoHJhhNDtP359yXRJ9DwawP7qPOjyoKe_o6N6h-gGjGp97FiUNWQEG7F0zBmG1o9m7YdMY-3lMwxzI194-aduoYWogz_jPw5wzxzIiV9xhaDVAqRq3qrKqvKYt6IQzgHsES2RXC5TY-khzkwcZm-z5rySuHJ922gAHkW5UP4r8PnKxzBeA/s3264/20200426_071409_morning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTGaGBUl6NCoHJhhNDtP359yXRJ9DwawP7qPOjyoKe_o6N6h-gGjGp97FiUNWQEG7F0zBmG1o9m7YdMY-3lMwxzI194-aduoYWogz_jPw5wzxzIiV9xhaDVAqRq3qrKqvKYt6IQzgHsES2RXC5TY-khzkwcZm-z5rySuHJ922gAHkW5UP4r8PnKxzBeA/w640-h480/20200426_071409_morning.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I took my time getting ready and made the most of the beautiful morning light and surroundings.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01GOy3-q6BCiGGBsi_URMEZY8DI7z0kZoyphK1ZPk5IZYyexhlF7iH_JVn4AT7_Ef6MdK27RzGFxzJcQk4fKKtdy4s_-l-fKj_mFQk33hNGnavVPpm_boY-bzyNdvrjcuIjP2olQSsPfFpd6EOcd2A1kRwrZ-ypiHymdt15dZAtgtnsAIlpC3x_O68_M/s3264/20200426_081256_leaving.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01GOy3-q6BCiGGBsi_URMEZY8DI7z0kZoyphK1ZPk5IZYyexhlF7iH_JVn4AT7_Ef6MdK27RzGFxzJcQk4fKKtdy4s_-l-fKj_mFQk33hNGnavVPpm_boY-bzyNdvrjcuIjP2olQSsPfFpd6EOcd2A1kRwrZ-ypiHymdt15dZAtgtnsAIlpC3x_O68_M/w640-h480/20200426_081256_leaving.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I finally got organized, pulled up the anchor and started to make my way back down the creek towards the Petaluma River.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_S_5_1IOe70" width="320" youtube-src-id="_S_5_1IOe70"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkMy8zwRMjqM4-Nkk9Emh5wLhYzUEhwRVv7uWzjcKODX8RyFJw9LNHJ33UqK2a4G_a0hAadkrTX903KjZz-ph_QzDJ0esd82S2QZRclzJrasYnLEijMd-F55n6wDcoxV9zavnoSXOHLNdJxG7CFRC2HDcZsaMV2N1L8zVX82iPXQK55KP3DnB1YlYZNY/s3264/20200426_083605_Leaving%20slough.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkMy8zwRMjqM4-Nkk9Emh5wLhYzUEhwRVv7uWzjcKODX8RyFJw9LNHJ33UqK2a4G_a0hAadkrTX903KjZz-ph_QzDJ0esd82S2QZRclzJrasYnLEijMd-F55n6wDcoxV9zavnoSXOHLNdJxG7CFRC2HDcZsaMV2N1L8zVX82iPXQK55KP3DnB1YlYZNY/w640-h480/20200426_083605_Leaving%20slough.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to leave the boat tent up as it was so still and calm. All the way down San Antonio Creek there were ruins from the past - old building foundations, jetty's and pilings.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4v-6ZC6Wgfe-Ue2k6Ir4H2co32yeAK4jrQ07JrHzQiLmYqZHUrjJyAAAgEE0uaWpj-zWff_tXYAKPkKXDxd_B4f5ChcIry-ypryIkCQ_jCc19CB-V27f5MxUfgiHQffMt23tFXGvt7xixr92EP-5W64vo_r356WOt_BAVfXs4azERwtf_qCiChTlnHU/s3264/20200426_084911_tracks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4v-6ZC6Wgfe-Ue2k6Ir4H2co32yeAK4jrQ07JrHzQiLmYqZHUrjJyAAAgEE0uaWpj-zWff_tXYAKPkKXDxd_B4f5ChcIry-ypryIkCQ_jCc19CB-V27f5MxUfgiHQffMt23tFXGvt7xixr92EP-5W64vo_r356WOt_BAVfXs4azERwtf_qCiChTlnHU/w640-h480/20200426_084911_tracks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Back on the main Petaluma River, <i>Little Cat</i> left delicate tracks on the mirror smooth river.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T8Ep4jOHQUU" width="320" youtube-src-id="T8Ep4jOHQUU"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7loUJEHVCDCLT47Jv-NFA8_hthXP8NofRSFlLNzz1O4u1TduVYq_epNlpCQGzLf8On7C96Ndnn46E3pDKT_X599oO_mPNqoCTonkvC61u9iyX1lYAckHDWDJgfPFdHp0KBUEcmEus8S0myPbgB3Mv3XT6jMuEQ_-BGQIe3UfAmaTnx8KWPjEdV4tIqT8/s3264/20200426_092545_petaluma%20bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7loUJEHVCDCLT47Jv-NFA8_hthXP8NofRSFlLNzz1O4u1TduVYq_epNlpCQGzLf8On7C96Ndnn46E3pDKT_X599oO_mPNqoCTonkvC61u9iyX1lYAckHDWDJgfPFdHp0KBUEcmEus8S0myPbgB3Mv3XT6jMuEQ_-BGQIe3UfAmaTnx8KWPjEdV4tIqT8/w640-h480/20200426_092545_petaluma%20bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It was still early in the morning when I exited under the Highway 37 bridge, riding out the last of the outgoing tide. There was still several hours of motoring in the calm conditions to make it back into The Bay.</p>Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-37000094620841195612022-06-26T13:03:00.005-07:002022-07-08T20:13:15.312-07:00Tohatsu 6hp Outboard 350 Hour Service<p>It took 3 years to put an additional 225 hours on the Tohatsu since that last service (see previous post). In that time the motor has run flawlessly, always started and never let me down. It was running so well that I put off doing the scheduled services (as I'm sure most owners also do). But the hours were mounting up and I felt I could not put it off any longer. One problem that had developed was that there appeared to be wear in the mounting bracket such that the outboard could clunk slightly side to side on its mount. I did not like that at all and expected that I would need to replace the mounting bracket.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjghCZX2IwM7JykOU1XAy7UFKgvWp6pJQHZVgwDLa1u8_8ZsuxLEPjDf8b-p2N5V1tMY3-wsapQDFztMINmJShX7X_qz2Ady3SRWptyREz8vXTxXFBEMWF0VzYpCETVs0_s91jhzCmCMvWHvEWBikP4hJppduEf2SJDFVAsEvhDCSgLA7FUkheIozLX=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjghCZX2IwM7JykOU1XAy7UFKgvWp6pJQHZVgwDLa1u8_8ZsuxLEPjDf8b-p2N5V1tMY3-wsapQDFztMINmJShX7X_qz2Ady3SRWptyREz8vXTxXFBEMWF0VzYpCETVs0_s91jhzCmCMvWHvEWBikP4hJppduEf2SJDFVAsEvhDCSgLA7FUkheIozLX=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parts all over the kitchen (of course)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I went through the awkward ritual of getting the motor off the boat and into the dinghy. It went better this time because I rigged a bridle of ropes to carry the outboard horizontally. Rather than having to manhandle the outboard vertically with its long 25" leg getting in the way, I could lift it in a horizontal orientation and lower it into the dinghy (no pics).</p><p><b>Carburetor</b></p><p>I tackled the carb first, pulling it apart and finding that it looked really clean. I attributed this to always draining the carb after use so that water accumulated in the gas cannot corrode the fuel bowl.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN8X-0IKvhrlkTOtQAcKgKALIfPS4AjXp59aMhUBEa-JNSL3LFuVsD6P26R2-Bubfy2acNDd-Yih82QZUTqsLhRU-CuCR7rOgYGvmmYFz3GDe60JiACZmD4HMwe3kSOBzkPq0K_5KJgDU4P5KUup0BuwgyI6jVstsJMM5poqhjbYihAIJCwAACiBw/s3264/20220215_105728.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN8X-0IKvhrlkTOtQAcKgKALIfPS4AjXp59aMhUBEa-JNSL3LFuVsD6P26R2-Bubfy2acNDd-Yih82QZUTqsLhRU-CuCR7rOgYGvmmYFz3GDe60JiACZmD4HMwe3kSOBzkPq0K_5KJgDU4P5KUup0BuwgyI6jVstsJMM5poqhjbYihAIJCwAACiBw/w300-h400/20220215_105728.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">It does look very clean, but as I was to find out later, looks can be deceiving.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I removed the float and all of the jets and blew out the passageways with carb cleaner. I measured the float level and found it to be in spec, but decided to change it anyway as I had paid for an expensive carb-rebuild kit which included a new float and valve. I soon regretted this as the stainless pin that holds the float was stuck firmly. I had to drive it out using a very small punch and started to send it the wrong way, despite having a workshop manual to consult.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium6QF2K4AishS1S6SfvQ5Nzx2R1fxl1AasozUUb6XXHGG-36o8G7U_MkTe9D8xv40S1c7xjMb6277GFDS4Qb1SDeNUsWD2cLreFBuNGePp9x6klSwo8vi71LX0-sDv3hRj_NfEE85ZNfijhiHAK6gPntpWXQ7G-Xw7tcotbc7LBCwzSWRaZNJOGYC/s3264/20220215_111018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium6QF2K4AishS1S6SfvQ5Nzx2R1fxl1AasozUUb6XXHGG-36o8G7U_MkTe9D8xv40S1c7xjMb6277GFDS4Qb1SDeNUsWD2cLreFBuNGePp9x6klSwo8vi71LX0-sDv3hRj_NfEE85ZNfijhiHAK6gPntpWXQ7G-Xw7tcotbc7LBCwzSWRaZNJOGYC/w400-h300/20220215_111018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Float pin comes out to the right.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Anyway, I finally got it right and installed the new float and valve and reset the float height. Then the card was reassembled with a new o-ring for the fuel bowl. In hindsight it was not worth purchasing the pricey carb rebuild kit. The only item I really needed was the o-ring.</p><p><b>Fuel Pump</b></p><p>The carb had been cleaned once previously, but the fuel pump has never been off the motor. The manual said it needs to be cleaned at 300 hours, so clean it I did. The pump had been working fine and was very clean inside. The pump diaphragm was OK, but I would have been happier replacing it with a new one. I hadn't bought one because the genuine diaphragm is something like $40, while a whole new pump is $65. I think I will get a whole new pump as a spare in case of failure. Next I took out the wafer-thin valve elements (still in the pump body in the picture) and cleaned them. The flutter valve elements are very flimsy and fragile but I managed to get them apart and back together again. The only part that the workshop manual says has to be replaced is the o-ring that sits between the pump and the engine block. I had pre-ordered the o-ring and fitted it.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7LQ0R0YYLGlxZ6RxZbtYG2kStk4fIKmuwhMGjpFQtNdwye9lveRCh1lag4inthUFiChno2bbVJlgxxiebgL5zT0MDXC5l4QjMWRyxykpzrEHam_JsXTmABWYBhLeSkckY8IGgYfTrvP4CqQrzmiNWDXobPqRJzyhQxAAgp8FFelcLf9EB4oD1Wqv/s3264/20220216_171822.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7LQ0R0YYLGlxZ6RxZbtYG2kStk4fIKmuwhMGjpFQtNdwye9lveRCh1lag4inthUFiChno2bbVJlgxxiebgL5zT0MDXC5l4QjMWRyxykpzrEHam_JsXTmABWYBhLeSkckY8IGgYfTrvP4CqQrzmiNWDXobPqRJzyhQxAAgp8FFelcLf9EB4oD1Wqv/w400-h300/20220216_171822.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diaphragm, valve element (in the pump) and valve cover.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Mounting Bracket</b><div><b><br /></b><div>After dismantling the bracket and giving it a good clean, there was no sign of excessive wear. The sloppiness was just because it needed to be tightened a bit. Problem solved. I had wasted hours on the internet looking up the cost of a replacement bracket for nothing.<br /><br /><p><b>Water Pump</b></p><p>Next was the water pump which was way overdue for replacement. The bottom section came off easier this time than the last due to copious greasing of the bolts. Given that it had been running for 200+ hours the pump impeller still looked in good shape, but the base of the impeller housing was badly scoured, I'm guessing from mud getting sucked through the impeller. The water pump replacement kit is much better value than the carb kit and comes with everything you need include a new impeller housing, gaskets and new bolts. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYW7N_n5op20CNpRC1T4nweQEY-CKJhG-4sGVqLMOriQuJP1pQxSzVtzC0PAW6JBCUBMFnbcAS4QShLTRQXt8vg7qD96Qr4eCQyknGwknPHSAt6bpXm0aDBeonDAUxglku-yP__iHa9Iyc5TbOHFVwWduO9PuejhBhPs0nkzJNmYa0DZeJ3YPvrqr/s3264/20220222_161927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYW7N_n5op20CNpRC1T4nweQEY-CKJhG-4sGVqLMOriQuJP1pQxSzVtzC0PAW6JBCUBMFnbcAS4QShLTRQXt8vg7qD96Qr4eCQyknGwknPHSAt6bpXm0aDBeonDAUxglku-yP__iHa9Iyc5TbOHFVwWduO9PuejhBhPs0nkzJNmYa0DZeJ3YPvrqr/w300-h400/20220222_161927.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worn water pump cover after 200 hours.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It is tricky lining up everything to refit the bottom section: the drive shaft, water pipe, gear shifter shaft and shift lock-out pin all need to find their home in the shaft housing. I found that having the housing to one side allows all four to snug home easily, but on the other side it is difficult. I can't now remember which was the easy side, but when you get it oriented the right way, the lock-out shaft in particular kind of falls into the right position.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PJ1gu6zdrTwgwSpis3cnmVNO5ISpVXqv8a4ejRWxgxCrTPEMUgJB4IYYrmF6VCBhjGvaMvgubaQUd4Efj0cAB5awkjZkuracWjU0n1Ll8VT7T62S8fg0bEcPOIivSB2Cno4oHLp9N7E0329j5Rp9pHMqCZnjdKIp5YtEfmm-oDpA5L9RMF9upjcV/s3264/20220222_161937.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PJ1gu6zdrTwgwSpis3cnmVNO5ISpVXqv8a4ejRWxgxCrTPEMUgJB4IYYrmF6VCBhjGvaMvgubaQUd4Efj0cAB5awkjZkuracWjU0n1Ll8VT7T62S8fg0bEcPOIivSB2Cno4oHLp9N7E0329j5Rp9pHMqCZnjdKIp5YtEfmm-oDpA5L9RMF9upjcV/w400-h300/20220222_161937.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New gasket and impeller.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Tappets/Cover</b></p><p>I then reset the tappets, which (again) only required minor adjustment. A corner of the tappet cover was very rusty, so sanded, primed and painted it. The only paint I had on hand was Rustoleum Brown Hammered Finish - not very pretty, but effective.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSvBCL9jLTJM_eEpn2uIRoSW90RxkMT3zZbmt4W6Xkb8LBkTpsvFV3ZNgrZbfjYVBX7_jS0yKv461tni81U29D0QsiasJ-qOg6rwhO8QC_EwKmNlQNBp4j-wH9aiqkhPbN-xOC3iq_rNEgQBi884JAboHTLeJXb5DaZ28B51X9WBodcieFIAR_es2/s3264/20220222_200408.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSvBCL9jLTJM_eEpn2uIRoSW90RxkMT3zZbmt4W6Xkb8LBkTpsvFV3ZNgrZbfjYVBX7_jS0yKv461tni81U29D0QsiasJ-qOg6rwhO8QC_EwKmNlQNBp4j-wH9aiqkhPbN-xOC3iq_rNEgQBi884JAboHTLeJXb5DaZ28B51X9WBodcieFIAR_es2/s320/20220222_200408.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tappet cover prepped for paint.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsllvmwA058-9EiZfKKpn_LN2HHRQZP_dmXRrlPRDDRz8weaI0fyO7SpwPk_P0Xq2pTgVsnsyTROeSwc4YzTvz2zEft6OpQ-06KltxfDrqU0Jc9wqlIyPlLPaP10QCI2-i-ynli_FkQZvGXWdczuXapXPud3Mc4-gR1dz8K4dEY8Z6_qKz6-RmNqn7/s3264/20220226_192251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsllvmwA058-9EiZfKKpn_LN2HHRQZP_dmXRrlPRDDRz8weaI0fyO7SpwPk_P0Xq2pTgVsnsyTROeSwc4YzTvz2zEft6OpQ-06KltxfDrqU0Jc9wqlIyPlLPaP10QCI2-i-ynli_FkQZvGXWdczuXapXPud3Mc4-gR1dz8K4dEY8Z6_qKz6-RmNqn7/s320/20220226_192251.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammer glaze?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Flush</b></p><p>The motor was then run up so that I could flush out the case with a water and vinegar mix. The motor started and ran but had a big miss off idle. I carried on and ran it in a vinegar bath for a while, before flushing with copious fresh water. I should have stopped right then and figured out why the motor was missing, but convinced myself that it was just clearing its throat after not running. I was in a hurry to get it done and back on the boat so that I could take the Little Helpers out to Angel Island the next day. Big mistake.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIXi4cA5CYj_PYfU3BUHDeUgp00Lz1TjbQSJjNAEglY2eRAF7-n5jGZ_cPPZzL9ak7q7yfCawnEYy9eDaz5Zp7PyIzLY0jaxsYLNpcowIdfsoKx2IRkbhFJqyF1m7f1CVzD1cEbxxZF-h3AvKtLAyYyIsn40moPCM2AIzGDc-GE_qsbWzmgWVt4qP/s3264/20220226_184851.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIXi4cA5CYj_PYfU3BUHDeUgp00Lz1TjbQSJjNAEglY2eRAF7-n5jGZ_cPPZzL9ak7q7yfCawnEYy9eDaz5Zp7PyIzLY0jaxsYLNpcowIdfsoKx2IRkbhFJqyF1m7f1CVzD1cEbxxZF-h3AvKtLAyYyIsn40moPCM2AIzGDc-GE_qsbWzmgWVt4qP/w640-h480/20220226_184851.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the new fuel filters. The large one is an add-on.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Reinstall and Run</b></p><p>We headed to the boat the next day, and Little Helper #1 waited while I fitted and restarted the motor - it would not start. I started to get breathless from pulling on the starter cord. It caught and started to run, but had a massive flat spot off idle and would only run at high revs. Then I had to apologize to Little Helper #1 for using bad words. For the first time since I got the boat, we were prevented from going on a trip because of a mechanical problem.</p><p>A few days later, I tried to figure out what was up. At first I was convinced that I had damaged one of the delicate flutter valve elements in the fuel pump, but pulling the starter cord it was clear that fuel was flowing. Next I took the carb off and convinced myself that the fuel bowl screws were not tight - I refitted the fuel bowl cover and it made no difference. I took the carb off again and took it home for another clean.</p><p><span>This time I soaked the carb overnight in a container filled with carb cleaner (what I should have done first time around). When I removed the jets again I found the problem - a big lump of junk blocking the idle jet! So, when I cleaned it the first time I had just loosened the dirt inside so that it could move around and block the idle jet the first time I tried to run it. Lesson learned - spend time soaking the carb and getting it very clean.</span><br /></p><p>As soon as I refitted the carb, the motor ran sweetly and has done so for quite a few hours already (this post is months behind the actual work). I'm looking forward to another couple of hundred hours of reliable running from the Tohatsu.</p></div></div>Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-64456743193568675112022-01-08T11:45:00.001-08:002022-01-08T11:45:37.488-08:00New Rig #4 Sleeving the Mast Sections<p>The Tiki plans specify a 4"x 1/8" 316 aluminum tube for the mast section (or wood as per the original plans). The aluminum tubes come in 20' lengths so I had to sleeve together a 20' length plus the additional 5' that I wanted for my finished mast height. The standard mast height is around 21 ' but gives very little room to move around the deck when the mainsail is set - I have to crouch down low to get under the main when tacking. I wanted to add additional clearance under the main to allow easy movement and better visibility, and this produced a finished mast length of 25', so around 4' taller than a standard mast. Note that even the standard mast height of ~21' requires adding additional length to a 20' aluminum tube, and this is usually done with a short wooden section at the mast base.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmQsfFsoHcefNuY1QtasKRqYVU9IGHhZ8Wjxo3HazfMWh-VKSh0EZOMWEMyg93CmwCqk85eHX9DnNalFOWeOf69HWRJhoWi2eP1Q5ssw2lreRae3STQpdlHNfS3fu5-QItFbvlTLiJLM/s2048/20190926_115959.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="812" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmQsfFsoHcefNuY1QtasKRqYVU9IGHhZ8Wjxo3HazfMWh-VKSh0EZOMWEMyg93CmwCqk85eHX9DnNalFOWeOf69HWRJhoWi2eP1Q5ssw2lreRae3STQpdlHNfS3fu5-QItFbvlTLiJLM/w609-h812/20190926_115959.jpg" width="609" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished mast joint</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> </p><p>I used the sleeve formula used by Kim on his Tiki 26 in LA, and posted on Wharram Builders and Friends (thanks Kim). The original came from Sailing Anarchy (see below). The sleeve is 5 tube diameters long, so 20" in this case. I used an additional section of the same mast tube to make the sleeve. This section was cut lengthwise (gingerly using a Skilsaw with an aluminum blade) to create a slot about one inch wide. This is so that the sleeve can be compressed to slide inside the mast sections.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilke4h_RBwdaNp8l9FoKIzHrJtjpnkjVvU3aeB6xazKxj2XtH_TvBfcGnB0H8eofaFr5rzs1ERMsG6HWkSx8SntWofj5kW-J-b3wxBkDJ3i52Qul4ea-VZ8PWZ7T2bpXoInxypEDv-g2k/s737/mastsleeve_calcs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="737" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilke4h_RBwdaNp8l9FoKIzHrJtjpnkjVvU3aeB6xazKxj2XtH_TvBfcGnB0H8eofaFr5rzs1ERMsG6HWkSx8SntWofj5kW-J-b3wxBkDJ3i52Qul4ea-VZ8PWZ7T2bpXoInxypEDv-g2k/w640-h494/mastsleeve_calcs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One tube diameter each end (4") is cut into "teeth" so that there is no hard point transition from the sleeve edge to the mast section. Instead of using sharp angles as shown in the graphic, I cut mine into rounded shapes at the top and bottom of the "teeth" because I thought it would leave the sleeve stronger.<div><br /></div><div>The sleeve was then compressed using hose clamps, and inserted into the mast sections using West gflex epoxy as a bonding agent (others recommend using 5200, but the gflex has worked out well). While the glue was setting, I drilled a pattern of holes and riveted the sleeve and mast sections together. I already can't remember what size stainless rivets I used, but it was either 3/16" or 1/4." The sleeved mast is rock solid and has been in use now for three years at the time of writing, including some long coastal trips and winds to 30 knots under full sail.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't usually add this disclaimer, but it should be self-evident that I am describing here what has worked for me, and I'm not suggesting that anyone should follow this design for their own use. </div>Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-55212621503353893622021-12-07T17:30:00.002-08:002022-06-26T13:06:56.709-07:00Corporate Team Building Event on Angel Island<p>Three years ago some friends from work and I sailed to Angel Island for the original "Corporate Team Building Event on Angel Island" which included a walk to the summit of Mt Livermore (788 feet).</p><p>At the end of Summer, we set out again to replicate this amazing feat. We were braced for adventure, but winds were light and we had to motor all of the way to Ayala Cove.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaVlOjuFDGOjCu0VqXuLLb2qEc42H87eoAU8BVjmQkYBwJSIIa0mB0w2RKZ7G-bstFdx-7jxAyIlb7gOH4iImpb7GocKTadIheFXDc_nUkq-twq2WLIORI_hTIjX49ebXGwVFeoTVRR0/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaVlOjuFDGOjCu0VqXuLLb2qEc42H87eoAU8BVjmQkYBwJSIIa0mB0w2RKZ7G-bstFdx-7jxAyIlb7gOH4iImpb7GocKTadIheFXDc_nUkq-twq2WLIORI_hTIjX49ebXGwVFeoTVRR0/w480-h640/thumbnail_IMG_7060.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raghu fends off dehydration</td></tr></tbody></table><p>From the Cove, we set out on our journey to the summit. The path was steep, however, and we changed out minds and walked around the island instead (about two hours). Next time we will summit twice to make up for it. Back at the cafe, we enjoyed a beer before heading back.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuzOBCyYWSFp9lOqCs5n35hTRkY2Tt9ndwTL2kpZwTt2wMwxIVU-ahPD-9Rqos522S9Z6F9MCYhf-2x9TI6ksiHak4TyVeRYrhJJB8NZBRi6EsMdkXBRMLPVHlJlq6OnFAHZLiIcLZ1o/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuzOBCyYWSFp9lOqCs5n35hTRkY2Tt9ndwTL2kpZwTt2wMwxIVU-ahPD-9Rqos522S9Z6F9MCYhf-2x9TI6ksiHak4TyVeRYrhJJB8NZBRi6EsMdkXBRMLPVHlJlq6OnFAHZLiIcLZ1o/w640-h480/thumbnail_IMG_7057.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Data scans the horizon for marine hazards</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the voyage home, we had a short sail across Raccoon Straight before the wind died, leaving us to motor all of the way back. This was in contrast to our previous adventure when we had to heroically beat home against a stiff northerly under shortened sail, and all got very wet. This trip was dry all the way, leaving just enough energy for a well-deserved burger and beer.</div></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSDiZpMXb0I1wHVmCRUc0Ikcds3MpBUxsMOzquVWwvyrSg4i3HIfzqyCdmZ8qE4fBX-AwqJO8g6ASRRtbzzQ4Gn1PpnTrcsahElBrFaQx9KjIxHkkmXcZHzxtYFv7iJ-p_HsJPRaEJmo/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSDiZpMXb0I1wHVmCRUc0Ikcds3MpBUxsMOzquVWwvyrSg4i3HIfzqyCdmZ8qE4fBX-AwqJO8g6ASRRtbzzQ4Gn1PpnTrcsahElBrFaQx9KjIxHkkmXcZHzxtYFv7iJ-p_HsJPRaEJmo/w480-h640/084A9559-7055-44DA-A8C1-AB9D53B22175_1_105_c.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger braves the elements</td></tr></tbody></table>Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-48467888787804921272021-10-07T18:02:00.007-07:002021-10-07T19:05:49.239-07:00Spinnaker Run To Tamales Bay<div>It was to be the last trip for the summer of 2021. I had three days and a forecast for a gentle southerly to blow us up the coast. Left at 3 AM to catch the outgoing tide, and was passing Pt Bonita at 5.00 AM, still in the dark. Nearly hit the Bonita Channel port (red) marker off Rodeo Beach - did not expect it to be unlit. By 7.00 AM we were passing the Duxbury Reef marker (Bolinas) in daylight, already crowded with fishing boats.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3MgUBPeSn8j0tBwc2jWNnp7L7pF4Txc9lbjffA56CUkBVqcMXIt44KIpTd0aWJLgghQzEHnLpz7TdBHXAR3k9atxhFfg-bQMLyG579DDqmiO31Btvt1oTTBlZHiVreFxLi8Xoi_117w/s1194/Tomales+Bay+Trip+8_21.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1194" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3MgUBPeSn8j0tBwc2jWNnp7L7pF4Txc9lbjffA56CUkBVqcMXIt44KIpTd0aWJLgghQzEHnLpz7TdBHXAR3k9atxhFfg-bQMLyG579DDqmiO31Btvt1oTTBlZHiVreFxLi8Xoi_117w/w735-h600/Tomales+Bay+Trip+8_21.png" width="735" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outbound in red, 31 nautical mile spinnaker run in bold red, inbound in blue. 129 NM total.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As always, the ocean breeze finally filled in a couple of miles past Duxbury Reef. It was very light, however, barely five knots. Finally I could shut off the noisy outboard motor and launched the "big ass" spinnaker in a dead run towards Pt Reyes. This spinnaker is over-sized for the Tiki, and drags its foot in the water, unless there is enough breeze to fill and lift it clear (even though my rig is 4' taller than standard). There was just enough breeze to keep it out of the water, and it pulled the boat at around wind speed of 3 to 5 knots, and kept pulling it all day long.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ9QUoQrktxOGouFrWkDJZh8tGDhjCWddVNr3JkFzBfDxsRzAQHlhzgP6cghBsbCTWj590oiwYFwyJadHVNJ1KIGHdScUHrZSOA2dHLfNC-ZO9fgOrCNI5imwm4a7RKb2vhPMGG_aqtk/s2048/Pt+Reyes+Spin2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ9QUoQrktxOGouFrWkDJZh8tGDhjCWddVNr3JkFzBfDxsRzAQHlhzgP6cghBsbCTWj590oiwYFwyJadHVNJ1KIGHdScUHrZSOA2dHLfNC-ZO9fgOrCNI5imwm4a7RKb2vhPMGG_aqtk/w640-h480/Pt+Reyes+Spin2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the turn around Pt Reyes.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We gybed around Pt Reyes with the set to port and headed down the long West side of the peninsula towards Tamales Bay.</p><p>By the time we were off the Tamales Bay Point, we were back on a starboard set and only doused the spinnaker as we passed the channel entrance buoy. Thus ended the longest spin run on <i>Little Cat </i>so far of 31 very pleasant and relaxed nautical miles.</p>I fired up the outboard and headed across the bar into Tamales Bay. The breeze filled in again astern, so I hoisted the mainsail, and motor sailed down the bay.<br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdQpmoCiO_XTYf2X4UKR7vFoLIO681cO8c_pHWaN43P1q2BhJrUIVMZsgZxJD1Nw7vxLM0-PIfasjNolLhz0qaVKVAql27ZWpEoMcPpSoep01GO2YLXqoy2WZ2NhMLxw23wA4wwipOh8/s2048/Tamales+Bluff+Spin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdQpmoCiO_XTYf2X4UKR7vFoLIO681cO8c_pHWaN43P1q2BhJrUIVMZsgZxJD1Nw7vxLM0-PIfasjNolLhz0qaVKVAql27ZWpEoMcPpSoep01GO2YLXqoy2WZ2NhMLxw23wA4wwipOh8/w640-h480/Tamales+Bluff+Spin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Tamales Bay Pt</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>We motor-sailed against the outgoing tide, hugging the south west shore exploring all of the delightful bays and beaches. The first of the larger bays is White Gulch, but a north easterly breeze made it too windy and exposed to make a good anchorage for the night. After around 6 nautical miles, I dropped anchor at the aptly named No Name Beach (one bay south east of Tamales Beach with its camping ground), and set about putting up the boat tent and preparing dinner. In a long and memorable day, <i>Little Cat</i> and I had covered 61 nautical miles in around 14 hours.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgI_SbLWKfvJ923T2GUl8WHpFKiDCPGeKgRt4GpG6MF43sNNANS_sio5iAtIdW36HNKcuOQhjrXZsyZUg55HmLcxeqBPefaaOE9GXPKkcnbbzzYef3_74UanxA0HwfbKUmZmZ6RI8AAg/s2048/Marshall+with+Kayaks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgI_SbLWKfvJ923T2GUl8WHpFKiDCPGeKgRt4GpG6MF43sNNANS_sio5iAtIdW36HNKcuOQhjrXZsyZUg55HmLcxeqBPefaaOE9GXPKkcnbbzzYef3_74UanxA0HwfbKUmZmZ6RI8AAg/w640-h480/Marshall+with+Kayaks.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marshall Beach Campers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>The next morning I had a lazy breakfast and then set off to explore further into the bay. Marshall Beach was the next named cove heading south east up the bay and was occupied by a friendly party of paddle-in campers. On the far side of the same bay is Laird's Landing with a delightful little beach and small beach house in the trees. It was a very calm spot and would make a great overnight spot in the future.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgYdMyM5a2PRDIEVpjQk2rscg1bL0htpfHm8UNlf4d2ihKFQkIsMylDqEKCeGnh8Qg1CdVknOkJOJXJtpoIRaCdA4cgm6YOs7wSdunjp9pjN9tRZ0hFBUT9boqhM1-4Lgkc7rHHWi6mM/s2048/Lairds+Landing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="2048" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgYdMyM5a2PRDIEVpjQk2rscg1bL0htpfHm8UNlf4d2ihKFQkIsMylDqEKCeGnh8Qg1CdVknOkJOJXJtpoIRaCdA4cgm6YOs7wSdunjp9pjN9tRZ0hFBUT9boqhM1-4Lgkc7rHHWi6mM/w640-h488/Lairds+Landing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laird's Landing (note the little beach house in the trees)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Heading further down the bay, we passed Indian Beach and Heart's Desire and got as far as Shallow Beach before turning around. The environs of Shallow Beach are private homes, so I mistakenly thought that I had reached the extent of the park reserve, not knowing that it continued again beyond the private land. We headed back to Heart's Desire and anchored under the cliffs at the northwest end of the beach for a long lunch break.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpC1wooRKL6wHE3oCn8pX4pacDDZ52PpCabmOlsJ3ie8IBgqSYu15xRkFyd06wpyu0AsDoD9JDDswmQYxgzjybGgYDIfjdIQviwBtbHvMiQzH3NDF-tKn42K_zwzQWw-bd67qaOUIRBc/s2048/20210823_154514.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpC1wooRKL6wHE3oCn8pX4pacDDZ52PpCabmOlsJ3ie8IBgqSYu15xRkFyd06wpyu0AsDoD9JDDswmQYxgzjybGgYDIfjdIQviwBtbHvMiQzH3NDF-tKn42K_zwzQWw-bd67qaOUIRBc/w640-h480/20210823_154514.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indian Beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This is a really beautiful spot and is accessible by road, so there were a quite a few people at the beach. After lunch, we headed back up the bay, re-exploring all of the nooks and crannies of the west side. We crossed into the central channel that passes Hog Island and out towards Lawson's Landing looking for a good launch spot for an early start back in the morning. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnixUNqawTrLx1dWX_zBHEYx6c32MZmazTPI_0N8EYo6vFQ2v-zZF6Yvvzy4rgV_UgI8gELXqhOZ76_3BNzaKE7muN7WZ4_YNgYYfbBepFIdpJx4OPjxyTqTxxN8bCf3PaA23X7_DmMZw/s2048/Hearts+Desire.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnixUNqawTrLx1dWX_zBHEYx6c32MZmazTPI_0N8EYo6vFQ2v-zZF6Yvvzy4rgV_UgI8gELXqhOZ76_3BNzaKE7muN7WZ4_YNgYYfbBepFIdpJx4OPjxyTqTxxN8bCf3PaA23X7_DmMZw/w640-h480/Hearts+Desire.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch stop at the north western end of Heart's Desire </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I settled on Jack's Cove which is a magic little spot not to far from the Bay entrance. It is right next to the channel so made sure to put out plenty of scope on the anchor so as not to drag in the night. I had motored around all day with the tent still over the gaff, so it did not take long to get the boat ready for another night, and to cook up some lasagna on the stove.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3JKjTx_OBF9uCvOyDFLEVrn6ZMUFUKJOqthjUKCF4bYSQ4BfUt07DmSifznJ8uMYgZSObkaFcu-oipZO7wp0_tUaeDV5T1EsY0FEEyqLvmdu7FcZe6Fe9J6EVaV4MOypMJl5946bwnY/s2048/Jack%2527s+Beach.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3JKjTx_OBF9uCvOyDFLEVrn6ZMUFUKJOqthjUKCF4bYSQ4BfUt07DmSifznJ8uMYgZSObkaFcu-oipZO7wp0_tUaeDV5T1EsY0FEEyqLvmdu7FcZe6Fe9J6EVaV4MOypMJl5946bwnY/w640-h480/Jack%2527s+Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack's Cove in the late afternoon on an overcast day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>l was up at 3 AM and started to pack and make the boat ship shape for the 55 nautical mile passage back to San Francisco Bay and home. We set off at around 5.30 AM and were passing the Tomales Bay Channel/Entrance Buoy at 6 AM. I was hoping to sail back (obviously) and hate the sound of the outboard droning, but as we turn South and set a course for Pt Reyes, the wind was hard on the nose.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEXchN2x0siu9kCtJZTf1ujeGjlm0g8P-oELdJb4KigfnDrKFb4kBs9VpDxfgWCcxSVHGVjcRqC-QgZVVux_oY1vgiw2M_1k4OiGrq-TQu6UcN1XEccPbY0DInRQEhmn24O3lRGWFmkg/s2048/Seagrass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEXchN2x0siu9kCtJZTf1ujeGjlm0g8P-oELdJb4KigfnDrKFb4kBs9VpDxfgWCcxSVHGVjcRqC-QgZVVux_oY1vgiw2M_1k4OiGrq-TQu6UcN1XEccPbY0DInRQEhmn24O3lRGWFmkg/w640-h480/Seagrass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Grass at Jack's Cove</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>If I had time to spare I would have been happy to tack to windward and spend a night at Drakes Bay to make a two-day passage. But alas I had commitments and had to be back home before nightfall. So we chugged to windward in a short and fairly unpleasant chop making around 5 knots. I had a fresh full tank of gas and decided to do a test to see how long the outboard run before the tank ran dry.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcsvQ0sSyNm9qe2Xv_5u0xyfk_rrIuCQfqUeQ5wI9WESCb55voTjLmufqZd-J9hqfS03ncm_-m5KedDpkQuQ4MQ1E2sG08lPgPiDi4_uUruISx13UOYEEVYsu4mNAcbi1uo8SBrEiBcs/s2048/Camp+Chaos.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcsvQ0sSyNm9qe2Xv_5u0xyfk_rrIuCQfqUeQ5wI9WESCb55voTjLmufqZd-J9hqfS03ncm_-m5KedDpkQuQ4MQ1E2sG08lPgPiDi4_uUruISx13UOYEEVYsu4mNAcbi1uo8SBrEiBcs/w640-h480/Camp+Chaos.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp Chaos</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We rounded Pt Reyes at around 10 AM into a 1 knot tidal current. I had hoped that the wind might be more favorable after rounding the Pt, but the wind swung back right on the nose (of course). So, Little Cat motored on for hour after hour, passing Duxbury Reef again at 2 PM. Finally, as we approached Pt Bonita, the wind filled in astern and I hoisted the white sails to run through the Golden Gate. As is typical for San Francisco Bay the wind was patchy inside the Bay and we encountered 30+ knot gusts heading past the Paradise Cove area in the late afternoon. <i>Little Cat</i> and I arrived home in good time and logged 129 nautical miles in three days. The run up to Tomales Bay had been a light-wind spinnaker delight, while the trip back was a noisy motoring slog and not so much fun. On my next trip to the Bodega Bay area, I plan to have more time to enjoy the trip and avoid having to rush back on a tight time schedule.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzvwhlb1c-gPgoFiVx9UKG_5ZZsflQPpP6JzDGC9jGUUuYsTaAkmDuFoaZpvxA1ggkONXz2J4Y8XmJVs5EwDjRO9AcB3sTsecO2lwquzm9Zx6B77XkHrvIwWxGe9Rb2JQdwiBNEqwnfo/s2048/Pt+Reyes+return.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzvwhlb1c-gPgoFiVx9UKG_5ZZsflQPpP6JzDGC9jGUUuYsTaAkmDuFoaZpvxA1ggkONXz2J4Y8XmJVs5EwDjRO9AcB3sTsecO2lwquzm9Zx6B77XkHrvIwWxGe9Rb2JQdwiBNEqwnfo/w640-h480/Pt+Reyes+return.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pt Reyes looking grumpy in the overcast</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p></div>Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-48428336489593169302021-03-11T07:32:00.004-08:002021-03-11T07:54:51.877-08:00Fine day on Fourfathom Bank<p>The entrance to the Golden Gate Channel is guarded by an area of shallow water called The Fourfathom Bank. It is a sand/mud bank built up over millennia by the tidal outflow from The Bay and the rivers draining from the Sierra. The Bank is notorious because of the lumpy seas that it produces, even in mild conditions. When there is a big swell running, The Bank becomes a spectacle with 20 plus foot waves breaking for miles out to sea. Many sailors have come to grief on and around the Fourfathom Bank.</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj36rC-DL2_9Ms8nAgxsCb4H5pYH3V0sCVgaJHcvGSaQhomQNg1zSytPcdDOBJeEL1pNR_-Tjm6QFHTWsL6OIs1V4LLz9HRAAX0zpKsPj7LaHzEp4h0slQZPWmqSuvUAG3jR-GhsYTV30/s1714/Fourfathom+track.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1714" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj36rC-DL2_9Ms8nAgxsCb4H5pYH3V0sCVgaJHcvGSaQhomQNg1zSytPcdDOBJeEL1pNR_-Tjm6QFHTWsL6OIs1V4LLz9HRAAX0zpKsPj7LaHzEp4h0slQZPWmqSuvUAG3jR-GhsYTV30/w746-h426/Fourfathom+track.png" width="746" /></a></p> <br /><p></p><p>The depths in the middle of the bank are less than 30 feet even four and five miles offshore. A channel passes through the semicircle of shallow water guarding the Golden Gate allowing commercial shipping and the rest of us to pass through.</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="518" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e-oI-b2Sq3A" width="623" youtube-src-id="e-oI-b2Sq3A"></iframe></div> <p></p><p>On a fine day in February, I headed out planning to meet my family at Bolinas. As often happens, I left a little late so abandoned the original plan and sailed an erratic path out and over the Fourfathom Bank. The wind was blowing barely 10 knots and the ocean swell was small. Nonetheless the waves over the bank were steeper and closer together than one would expect given the benign conditions (see video above). You can imagine what it is like out here when things are really pumping!<br /></p><p>Did you see the porpoise? I have been trying to photograph a Harbor Porpoise for years, but their fast movements defy getting a good shot. By coincidence I caught a porpoise surfing behind the boat in the video - if you missed it see the edited version below (look at the top left of the video). <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="539" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_K-Fq7VHgNc" width="647" youtube-src-id="_K-Fq7VHgNc"></iframe></div><br /><br />Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-25992789382704213222021-01-22T13:37:00.003-08:002021-01-22T13:37:53.700-08:00Overnight in Sonoma Creek<p>I often cross the Sonoma Creek bridge on Highway 37 on my way to work. It is a calm and beautiful setting and a high point of a long commute, and I have long wanted to make a visit.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckERpozQ4YP0PXIKKanFZwYDgPCWLOjZ0k3zgJkF6ZyOIOJnmi_wM8Xq1Wn8UqRdS0YViJpPdv7bMFfcscC-UDQ3xpMz9Z4236-jPw13-n7qY58irRGrkvVO06kN-1j1t0mfa9013LOU/s672/Sonoma+Creek+trip.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="672" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckERpozQ4YP0PXIKKanFZwYDgPCWLOjZ0k3zgJkF6ZyOIOJnmi_wM8Xq1Wn8UqRdS0YViJpPdv7bMFfcscC-UDQ3xpMz9Z4236-jPw13-n7qY58irRGrkvVO06kN-1j1t0mfa9013LOU/w640-h586/Sonoma+Creek+trip.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>The creek entrance is quite a long way from the North Bay, through San Pablo Strait and right across San Pablo Bay. We left late early in the evening and had a marvelous sail in the dark across San Pablo Bay. The wind was 10 knots on a close reach and the sea was mild with a following tide. </p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEHVoeujKuwpAHSuamBcbWU95fqUcdDh4MO9QNIuXDGLCh5zCt-U3cleMLzRi1Mvoh_KH26MKMyceobie6wMHq6Nb3hz7B7bg2CK1nhC5d07Rp0HkCKse2Km3P37Z4bpUVR7JWdekehg/s2048/20201123_075552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEHVoeujKuwpAHSuamBcbWU95fqUcdDh4MO9QNIuXDGLCh5zCt-U3cleMLzRi1Mvoh_KH26MKMyceobie6wMHq6Nb3hz7B7bg2CK1nhC5d07Rp0HkCKse2Km3P37Z4bpUVR7JWdekehg/w640-h480/20201123_075552.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning calm in Sonoma Creek<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>It is very shallow approaching the mouth of the Sonoma Creek and I slowed to take soundings with the lead line. We covered a mile or so with only a couple of feet under the keels.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstrvKD1nbA2paLwpDzucxKGKoY1w-F1ceUbBc28wolAPJm0n7Tkk97FlA25v5A4v3KxvgIjSUxpLJRk0Pz6Sylew1FFL9681wsT1CtWftycOlma-kY9elq1dHWSs8BDiuX_GVrnvhuZ8/s2048/20201123_075359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstrvKD1nbA2paLwpDzucxKGKoY1w-F1ceUbBc28wolAPJm0n7Tkk97FlA25v5A4v3KxvgIjSUxpLJRk0Pz6Sylew1FFL9681wsT1CtWftycOlma-kY9elq1dHWSs8BDiuX_GVrnvhuZ8/w640-h480/20201123_075359.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>It was difficult to see the boundaries of the creek in the dark, but we managed to work our way into the creek and drop the anchor. I put up the boat tent and settled in. I soon realized that it was a clear and very cold night and that I forgotten my sleeping bag. I got dressed up in all of my foul weather gear and wrapped myself in the mainsail in an attempt to keep warm. I woke in the early hours and was very cold, so gave up and lit the stove. I sat for quite some time over the stove before I was able to have another go at sleeping.<br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHWHYxLVAh7wp75nGXE7SaBYSpq1cwNo4coS6Yheyxq7o36iv321ES61s-NqF895zdmysZ2YVvNcaeEqHJjXVjSr7nAFB-V3jIV4j9VYW5SfHYuRNboS0lhLWPpV2ZVNcHeUJbpdm4fE/s2048/20201123_075732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHWHYxLVAh7wp75nGXE7SaBYSpq1cwNo4coS6Yheyxq7o36iv321ES61s-NqF895zdmysZ2YVvNcaeEqHJjXVjSr7nAFB-V3jIV4j9VYW5SfHYuRNboS0lhLWPpV2ZVNcHeUJbpdm4fE/w640-h480/20201123_075732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p>I got up early and took the dinghy for a row under the Highway 37 bridge. It was completely still and very beautiful. I rowed past the early morning fisherman and took a short turn up Napa Slough before returning to the creek. I went a little way up the Sonoma Creek before turning back.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlgZwYtK6HXsgRfyc0etmWbl6CYLjllFJzuqiiCdHxtE3EVxApRca0unqcsVmiWx572RDe0E6Qe3IfUGQLkg3MlijkpbBDScSbThQliujD9qQPDBRyjXBFJYx331ikYN-an2ZZdpQ6NQ/s1387/Sonoma+Creek+trip+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1387" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlgZwYtK6HXsgRfyc0etmWbl6CYLjllFJzuqiiCdHxtE3EVxApRca0unqcsVmiWx572RDe0E6Qe3IfUGQLkg3MlijkpbBDScSbThQliujD9qQPDBRyjXBFJYx331ikYN-an2ZZdpQ6NQ/w640-h461/Sonoma+Creek+trip+2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Creek approach and dingy trip under the bridge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Back at the boat, I had breakfast and then started to head back. It was a completely calm morning so had to motor all of the way. I wasn't ready to go home right yet, So pulled into the Marin Islands in late morning and settled in for a lazy afternoon.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOIXudU3lI3umm8tLBYX2OBD4XI3IzY8Y4UiBbzd8DNt5Gi93TLZ4FdDbSHe1quqj74pLggS03MAYTBnExw71xG5mIj_RUiFaxte730N1nlDU5x3xJsO7FcpeqTsDZLmNkBvvp5BApXY/s2048/20201123_081519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOIXudU3lI3umm8tLBYX2OBD4XI3IzY8Y4UiBbzd8DNt5Gi93TLZ4FdDbSHe1quqj74pLggS03MAYTBnExw71xG5mIj_RUiFaxte730N1nlDU5x3xJsO7FcpeqTsDZLmNkBvvp5BApXY/w640-h480/20201123_081519.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napa Slough<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>I expect to repeat this trip because the creek is a very sheltered anchorage and is a great destination on an incoming tide in the bay. The trip was 34 nautical miles return from the North Bay.<br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwo1x0-IYP2WhaRwy5AwifmHeJG7ZAbx1sZ6VMRFRDEsVUhVqKLh4q6mvmJagAXsSLILcxEajgyoHaB3kM17c2h4D8cCtGD3LbEoGu2KGM-ayhFUvWck0V06hh19i0e6DuBw6DBMgPoE8/s2048/20201123_082252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwo1x0-IYP2WhaRwy5AwifmHeJG7ZAbx1sZ6VMRFRDEsVUhVqKLh4q6mvmJagAXsSLILcxEajgyoHaB3kM17c2h4D8cCtGD3LbEoGu2KGM-ayhFUvWck0V06hh19i0e6DuBw6DBMgPoE8/w640-h480/20201123_082252.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sonoma Creek<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UsytNBdCBjbvEinoHpu5pLRpEUCKW6PYQyEp-F0UwYkxmBmuuR5v2r2fcuyGsXWaKzeCp42Hd6aDoFJAXdHOi1dG9EE9ILWugNF2YVfD-voqRaOinnJs3qvMOGZum0Tcn_K5XjwmmNY/s2048/20201123_083224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UsytNBdCBjbvEinoHpu5pLRpEUCKW6PYQyEp-F0UwYkxmBmuuR5v2r2fcuyGsXWaKzeCp42Hd6aDoFJAXdHOi1dG9EE9ILWugNF2YVfD-voqRaOinnJs3qvMOGZum0Tcn_K5XjwmmNY/w640-h480/20201123_083224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rowing back towards the boat and the Bay<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><br /></p>Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-82177465242621332102020-12-01T09:28:00.002-08:002021-03-11T07:58:39.153-08:00Overnight in the Gulf of the Farallons<p>In mid-summer I spent an overnight drifting hove-to in The Gulf before spending a morning at the Farallon Islands. <i>Little Cat</i> and I did not get a usable breeze until crossing out of the "Precautionary Area" on our way out from The Bay. We managed a gentle beat on a course that would take us just south of the Farallons. At dusk we hove-to a mile or so East of the islands and set the boat up for the night, putting up the "cockpit tent" (cover over the open port hatch), turning on the AIS, and cooking a simple meal.<br /></p><p></p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8lGNrn_8bkgNIGtBqqN_X4WQLwdSupLwBn4nU-GEx8uQgO0lNrl-ATsvN583ew-ah3PgCsxSesLylsaeA7iE-ARrJRfoQWV_lPhU5tMQyiZPr_i8f1zvGOqAimpVgXnMRKGp7-v_N_E/s1113/Farallon+overnight+track.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1113" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8lGNrn_8bkgNIGtBqqN_X4WQLwdSupLwBn4nU-GEx8uQgO0lNrl-ATsvN583ew-ah3PgCsxSesLylsaeA7iE-ARrJRfoQWV_lPhU5tMQyiZPr_i8f1zvGOqAimpVgXnMRKGp7-v_N_E/w640-h574/Farallon+overnight+track.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The S-bend is hove-to during the night<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Conditions were ideal with a foot or so of wave/swell action and winds 5-10 knots with gusts to 15 knots swinging around a NE direction. I learned something very important on this trip which is that <i>Little Cat</i> "hove-to" very well on the same (port) tack with just the jib a little over-sheeted, and the main sheet eased with the tiller tied down to starboard - that is, not truly hove-to in the traditional sense which would be with the jib pulled in to port on the other (starboard) tack position. The boat stayed "locked in" all night set up like this - the over-sheeted jib and slack main kept her pulling slowly to windward, but kept her from tacking to port regardless of what the wind did.<br /><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE4JiMtQCjBQrYjrFz4xXGbGZtFNZ67tEd-obl9kRa4-efBHN-TuUxgiI008D6uyBovZ6abHxXjUsQKsj71e-SLbDlGDcp_J6HtgU94mRnkCvJ-TI8035hVKSaj5Nx5VwjqXt_f747Q0/s2048/SE+Farallon+July+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="713" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE4JiMtQCjBQrYjrFz4xXGbGZtFNZ67tEd-obl9kRa4-efBHN-TuUxgiI008D6uyBovZ6abHxXjUsQKsj71e-SLbDlGDcp_J6HtgU94mRnkCvJ-TI8035hVKSaj5Nx5VwjqXt_f747Q0/w950-h713/SE+Farallon+July+2020.jpg" width="950" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching in the morning<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I settled down in the port hull under the hatch canvas and tried to sleep between the half-hourly Channel 12 traffic reports. I had carefully chosen the area of water to drift in after long study of the traffic movements in The Gulf. The area between the Farallon Group and the Northern Shipping Channel sees very little traffic from commercial shipping because of the dangers to navigation represented by the islands. That doesn't mean there is no traffic, but less risk from being run down by a ship or tug. I did not sleep much, but when I did I was awoken by the Traffic Report every 30 minutes at which time I checked for AIS targets and had a good scan around. By early morning, <i>Little Cat</i> had fore-reached within two miles of the Northern Shipping Channel and we seemed too close to the few passing ships, so I moved the boat over to the starboard tack to reverse direction and stop us getting any closer (at the end of the S curve on the chart above). </p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttKrEvXqEXdomL4SxfvfNQqQMv7p7YE26vOSM1WezaYKwPEojhDwM_KH61ffqK6VlUmVdfaKHB8hsXs8fkLK1zi14eK3SzegE04qEKNmcGs8kPROotn8rqOwT-t2jFiBbJNkrlFju9jc/s2048/20200730_092417.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttKrEvXqEXdomL4SxfvfNQqQMv7p7YE26vOSM1WezaYKwPEojhDwM_KH61ffqK6VlUmVdfaKHB8hsXs8fkLK1zi14eK3SzegE04qEKNmcGs8kPROotn8rqOwT-t2jFiBbJNkrlFju9jc/w795-h596/20200730_092417.jpg" width="795" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Channel between East Landing and Seal Rock South of SE Farallon</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Around 6 AM I got up and trimmed the sails for a close reach to SE Farallon. My plan had been to visit the Middle and North Farallons, but I had not got much sleep and didn't have the energy opting instead for a quiet breakfast stop at the SE Farallon.<br /></p><p>We rounded the west end of the island and followed the coast across Mirounga Bay (South of the island), past the residence houses (biologists) towards Seal Rock. I dropped anchor beside the East Landing and what I believe is called "The Great Murra Cave" (from the only map I could find naming features on the island).<br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOmcWhYH1fsmkmbWMr64ayI963gy9JvcOv4SbSfYfFdJm9vmNPwjMWhFwYtJlsr9fY0wprcu1ElvuGedVGVmT1Uge3GJW5Q8knOO-hk0oaw2Nc9MBIt3bnqSE7Kmonny9CxauxoUSSv0/s2048/Farallons+lunch+spot+July+2020.tif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="2048" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOmcWhYH1fsmkmbWMr64ayI963gy9JvcOv4SbSfYfFdJm9vmNPwjMWhFwYtJlsr9fY0wprcu1ElvuGedVGVmT1Uge3GJW5Q8knOO-hk0oaw2Nc9MBIt3bnqSE7Kmonny9CxauxoUSSv0/w974-h538/Farallons+lunch+spot+July+2020.tif" width="974" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch spot be the East Landing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This spot was alive with sea life. Groups of seals cavorted around the boat. A small whale breached continuously a hundred yards behind the boat and appeared to be playing (one of six whale sightings throughout this trip). The number of birds is indescribable - see videos below to get an idea. Excuse my usual lack of videography skills.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="387" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dXBgeV6tMMk" width="466" youtube-src-id="dXBgeV6tMMk"></iframe></div><p>Anchored next to "The Great Murra Cave".<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="392" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tdacYV6T2lA" width="471" youtube-src-id="tdacYV6T2lA"></iframe></div><br /><p>Rounding the east side of the island towards Fisherman's Bay<br /></p><p>I brewed up some coffee and food and enjoyed the moment. I would like to come back to this spot and spend the night, though the holding did not feel good (rocky). We then headed back for the 25 NM stretch to the Golden Gate in flat calm conditions. I had to motor all of the way back though with some mainsail assist in very light air. The Tiller Pilot had stopped working on the way out - later revealed to be a broken fluxgate - so I was stuck on the tiller for hours and became reacquainted with the "tyranny of the tiller".<br /></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ypaEqFO2ReGK6hxyWfaBPL8PURtQpoH4blcR6pVzvf23nU-xadSgtuwBGuiwF-jSBb0ua9cWOkMSCNk4YTOsuzIjEQKVtp-G4yOFK8RnV_B4bqW8IP2VaR-qPZrxoTq2a-Zf6Cp9VzU/s1836/Farallons+night+arrows.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1836" height="551" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ypaEqFO2ReGK6hxyWfaBPL8PURtQpoH4blcR6pVzvf23nU-xadSgtuwBGuiwF-jSBb0ua9cWOkMSCNk4YTOsuzIjEQKVtp-G4yOFK8RnV_B4bqW8IP2VaR-qPZrxoTq2a-Zf6Cp9VzU/w1013-h551/Farallons+night+arrows.png" width="1013" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bigger picture<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-75489883915645926952020-11-16T14:20:00.004-08:002021-07-15T13:49:07.903-07:00New Rig #3 The Mast Base<p>The new mast is 4" by 1/8" T6061 aluminum as specified by the Wharrams. It is 25' in total length, as opposed to 21' in the plans, to give me a bit of clearance under the main for general comfort, and to allow me to fly a large spinnaker in light air. Aluminum tube comes in 20' lengths, so the completed mast is in two sections sleeved together.<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg453gIJLBY3_RTZgtQ_vrUBklddXGft9yUWFFfk1pK8Rh32lOjT8i-vMbTYdLfxLzN9XfMfL79WlfJk3QeszVdkBRv4I9DWnrFFbgY00QaDeMzknq0bMCXkva9AQdicTKwvOfvHgDS724/s2048/Mast+base+pivot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="752" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg453gIJLBY3_RTZgtQ_vrUBklddXGft9yUWFFfk1pK8Rh32lOjT8i-vMbTYdLfxLzN9XfMfL79WlfJk3QeszVdkBRv4I9DWnrFFbgY00QaDeMzknq0bMCXkva9AQdicTKwvOfvHgDS724/w564-h752/Mast+base+pivot.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This first picture shows the arrangement inside the mast base. A one inch aluminum tube is welded to 6 inches of mast section that has been cut to fit tightly inside the mast. Rather than weld it all together (which causes hard spots and other issues), the welded sleeve is riveted with 1/4" 316 rivets through the mast and additional 1/8" aluminum plates on the outside of the mast. So the 1/4" rivets are going through a total of 3/8" of aluminum on each side of the mast pivot.<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj345RsdGakFZ38_zT60-O23Z1LLKkTQXJ7v0IJ7Lu5A2RJdrfi2UBTrQcZXLOuUZOghIVSr0drMTUxAREhxzZftBu311NYjUXbEwkAFptfuW7DrzDY5JUIKYIASppmTlvuYEwmgZ9ksUE/s2048/Mast+base+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="725" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj345RsdGakFZ38_zT60-O23Z1LLKkTQXJ7v0IJ7Lu5A2RJdrfi2UBTrQcZXLOuUZOghIVSr0drMTUxAREhxzZftBu311NYjUXbEwkAFptfuW7DrzDY5JUIKYIASppmTlvuYEwmgZ9ksUE/w967-h725/Mast+base+1.jpg" width="967" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This picture shows the mast mountings which were made with hand tools from 1/2" by 5" T6061 aluminum angle. They are bolted through the center beam with 5/16" 316 bolts. The mast pivot pin is made from a 1/2" 316 bolt and is secured with split pins. You can just see the nylon washers that are on the pin to stop the mast working against the mount. You can also see the outside plates supporting the pivot tube in the mast in this picture.<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLPrxgX1Nv-MJpns9Mrh-JmGHDt2H8XBDKjVg_mgLUah6sVMChoKGvdzTc4X0aMCgwfGnhUoVo33aS3YDFDxGH4kaTS9f_I61OIhzi_hk3c7bSbAzO86jcOA8hhMqRb2_ByGvAQd2lJQ/s2048/Mast+base+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLPrxgX1Nv-MJpns9Mrh-JmGHDt2H8XBDKjVg_mgLUah6sVMChoKGvdzTc4X0aMCgwfGnhUoVo33aS3YDFDxGH4kaTS9f_I61OIhzi_hk3c7bSbAzO86jcOA8hhMqRb2_ByGvAQd2lJQ/w640-h480/Mast+base+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Here you can see the new mast base mounted. Note the rear of the mast bottom is cut away to allow the mast to rotate without hitting the beam and to give space for the mast wiring to exit.<br /></p><p></p><p>Here the mast base is revealed as a short 5' section that will be sleeved to the rest of the mast after the base is installed. You don't often see a torque wrench on a Wharram.<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3biOd5FOKcL5-kt7tekedLkFVVbjGARw4VaGpBRSnF-VKZZnqtuJ8eM-X_xOC9tyOsMUR7PXA06R_rVsFKyQdqnJt0NRMump-hNzGMEBDXldGieHb7HuoLh7DxUvZplaSVtAsmufc0I/s2048/Mast+base+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="876" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3biOd5FOKcL5-kt7tekedLkFVVbjGARw4VaGpBRSnF-VKZZnqtuJ8eM-X_xOC9tyOsMUR7PXA06R_rVsFKyQdqnJt0NRMump-hNzGMEBDXldGieHb7HuoLh7DxUvZplaSVtAsmufc0I/w657-h876/Mast+base+4.jpg" width="657" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The base fitting is all done and lifted up. The slots are for the yet-to-be fitted internal halyard roller fittings and the numerous holes are the pre-drilled mountings for the halyard horn cleats. Yes, it is a very robust set up, but is still light in weight.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3PK2l3yHCMZ_G5UtpEfVBLFX2dmpIUTHLk4A_uoFyVNQrJCdvR0bj-D3AyBB61yCoIUpopeEEH7Oa-UC2ZEu8vOGne3QywQNJcdrHBLK3l8R5NLVwWsAIGvXldYeDuE2QphjM3tnom8/s2048/20201122_165511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3PK2l3yHCMZ_G5UtpEfVBLFX2dmpIUTHLk4A_uoFyVNQrJCdvR0bj-D3AyBB61yCoIUpopeEEH7Oa-UC2ZEu8vOGne3QywQNJcdrHBLK3l8R5NLVwWsAIGvXldYeDuE2QphjM3tnom8/w640-h480/20201122_165511.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is how it looks in action<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-57156026705253553332020-11-10T10:37:00.002-08:002020-11-10T10:38:42.587-08:00Bolinas Lagoon Overnight<p>The Little Helpers and I decided to do an overnight in Bolinas Lagoon, after which I could drop them ashore the next day to surf with their Mom at Bolinas Beach. The lagoon was also on my "must visit" list so was glad to finally get on with it. On the sail out we encountered 25 - 30 knot gusts in The Bay and then very gentle conditions in open water (typical bipolar weather conditions here). <br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYWeGIq3toPlIh0tsn0PSJMHqZK8njpQ54ffOQ20gp1LRK6M9HIzKQehWQ70KpiAHtzXi-V-RJlHSgYsxzOS8-xnFJ6CvJkLPYQ0Wy1epk9BhQecmU9MC4n7ctOBJuV5xN5tplnhP944/s1095/Bolinas+July+2020+Cate+and+Nanu2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1095" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYWeGIq3toPlIh0tsn0PSJMHqZK8njpQ54ffOQ20gp1LRK6M9HIzKQehWQ70KpiAHtzXi-V-RJlHSgYsxzOS8-xnFJ6CvJkLPYQ0Wy1epk9BhQecmU9MC4n7ctOBJuV5xN5tplnhP944/w743-h626/Bolinas+July+2020+Cate+and+Nanu2.png" width="743" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>We encountered several pods of whales about a mile offshore as we
approached Stinson beach. It was enough excitement to get the girls out
of their cabins, but only just.<br /></p><p>Crossing the Bolinas Bar was something I had spent some time preparing for. We had been visiting Bolinas Beach for many years giving me lots of time to observe the comings and goings across the bar at different parts of the tide. I also swam across the bar a month or so earlier to check the depths and channel location. As we approached the bar, I had the Little Helpers sit on each deck with their life jackets on just in case. The ocean swell was only one foot (on the face) but was still faster than the Tohatsu at full power, and we were overtaken by a breaking wave - no problem with the Wharram design but showing that we can only do this bar in ideal conditions for safety. <br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnxQFnWTMUMIb_ii8IXHea8Qmw4VPVbC9rwhSDppa2Mf8saOwyNZn7JokF264froh-By8f6wXDBAqFP32JEpVa_PNptoBu6mb0kZahv6r5FhnHwr4Y6UKQx8Av-4jQcnydBczfv82Hts/s2048/20200718_191523.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnxQFnWTMUMIb_ii8IXHea8Qmw4VPVbC9rwhSDppa2Mf8saOwyNZn7JokF264froh-By8f6wXDBAqFP32JEpVa_PNptoBu6mb0kZahv6r5FhnHwr4Y6UKQx8Av-4jQcnydBczfv82Hts/w640-h480/20200718_191523.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Bolinas Lagoon<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Inside the lagoon seems large but is mostly shallow water at anything less than high tide. We tried several spots and anchored for the night next to Kent Island. The girls went for a walk into town and came back wet after crossing the channel to get back.<br /></p><p>We settled in for the night with the tent up and had an early night after a feed.<br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemZqzTx9MSFi7ilDoH7Z2Mvls1T9dqvNIL00Jtnvpn8gwg6CldIOnxq7sNFhsW05YRFfXWu6zyt8YBlZKd0VxhsB2Cu4C8hPKMsEBw5x18BzCAh0zDJ5ef1lw5q_IWYBkfg42KTTlpnw/s2048/Bolinas+next+morning.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemZqzTx9MSFi7ilDoH7Z2Mvls1T9dqvNIL00Jtnvpn8gwg6CldIOnxq7sNFhsW05YRFfXWu6zyt8YBlZKd0VxhsB2Cu4C8hPKMsEBw5x18BzCAh0zDJ5ef1lw5q_IWYBkfg42KTTlpnw/w640-h480/Bolinas+next+morning.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next morning was overcast but still beautiful.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The next morning the girl's Mom showed up on her surfboard, and we up anchored to drop the girls at the beach at the channel entrance. The sand shelves deeply and they stepped off the bow of <i>Little Cat</i> into ankle deep water. The girls stayed to surf for the day and then went home with Mom. I turned the boat back into the lagoon and followed the channel to go exploring.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGix8cKCZBosefh4D2opGJPjsI5sijzDLXRgW7Qq06Q-PdXMI0t7WMJGvXvBIU4FHjelHJc_2awnbtrFoAkuSCctmGuC-fDWIyWZxQG7Ja_yMhdNi4qO-6Ri1VUbR8l_7pgofrPfT_r0/s2048/On+the+hard+Bolinas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGix8cKCZBosefh4D2opGJPjsI5sijzDLXRgW7Qq06Q-PdXMI0t7WMJGvXvBIU4FHjelHJc_2awnbtrFoAkuSCctmGuC-fDWIyWZxQG7Ja_yMhdNi4qO-6Ri1VUbR8l_7pgofrPfT_r0/w640-h480/On+the+hard+Bolinas.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Cat drying out in the middle of Bolinas Lagoon.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>We got about half a mile before running aground on a sand bar with the tide dropping. The boat ended up high and dry and I spent the afternoon walking around the middle of the Lagoon on the hard sand.<br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSO3lE3psGqmwT1VF5ucA851mN4ZQ7lOuenPG-LYB-iJsC7tKHOxdCqUkmsnLP7WXsYJhtTNy7raBj1AA3lbj7XR0B-GhwL5RnrneL7S4S_ZpRQ42D4E2V6HXZRSIFWljnIb8crG9_Hc/s2048/Pelicans+at+Bolinas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSO3lE3psGqmwT1VF5ucA851mN4ZQ7lOuenPG-LYB-iJsC7tKHOxdCqUkmsnLP7WXsYJhtTNy7raBj1AA3lbj7XR0B-GhwL5RnrneL7S4S_ZpRQ42D4E2V6HXZRSIFWljnIb8crG9_Hc/w640-h480/Pelicans+at+Bolinas.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A refuge for large numbers of pelicans.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p>The lagoon is a breathtakingly beautiful place. An unseasonably large
number of pelicans were staying over (according to a local out for a
walk) and I had the company of hundreds of pelicans along with other
shallow water birds.<p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildieOvHv_OZh_7nylmh5Mj_duOT00BQeGSgUYAB1bXnxyM2kCHdmjkUJBEuq_m1vdfai8ouOnDfyHnJMJuef9ZYuEzeLdkPaUaWbTqtgHL0NHLKmu4ifP9aDbBaZlK7ztt-U2EKtRtWA/s2048/On+the+hard+Bolinas2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildieOvHv_OZh_7nylmh5Mj_duOT00BQeGSgUYAB1bXnxyM2kCHdmjkUJBEuq_m1vdfai8ouOnDfyHnJMJuef9ZYuEzeLdkPaUaWbTqtgHL0NHLKmu4ifP9aDbBaZlK7ztt-U2EKtRtWA/w640-h480/On+the+hard+Bolinas2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the boat I don't get to see often. On the hard at low tide.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I settled in for a second night, glad to have the deck tent as the breeze was mild but cool. I was surprised to find that my new Fortress 4lb anchor had dragged a couple hundred yards during the night. It was not entirely the anchors fault as the tide moves fast in the lagoon (I would guess 4-5 knots) and the sand is hard packed. I think the fast moving water washed the hard sand away from around the anchor, and it "flew" before re-engaging. Still, it is a reminder that the Fortress is suited to the mud of the Bay, not so much to anything else.<br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf82yd6kmh6_NRGHRxsOvDfrniM240BG-eqdpJOVn2tWA0FP0dQwdb-dArxByv5_qFU2LdN_EIp3lK-x-gdO6llAlfRJhLdaCJFg7UQHPHiMh7Rfr4J2bOmXLGlm4tZdxuKXIA-fqtZA/s2048/Another+morning+Bolinas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="718" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf82yd6kmh6_NRGHRxsOvDfrniM240BG-eqdpJOVn2tWA0FP0dQwdb-dArxByv5_qFU2LdN_EIp3lK-x-gdO6llAlfRJhLdaCJFg7UQHPHiMh7Rfr4J2bOmXLGlm4tZdxuKXIA-fqtZA/w958-h718/Another+morning+Bolinas.jpg" width="958" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Complete stillness.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The morning was magical! Cool and foggy, but entirely still. So easy on the mind - what an incredibly restful place. I cooked up a bacon and egg feast, and then started packing gear away for the trip back to the Bay.<br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKjobtuKm_D2tQGYLTV4elkY5ubPJxc0QP8vxcrAIdV22-iE4O-yc2ZTpRh5bCSssj77N3KtKWOiSXIRt3eanA3B5UxBoXk1OOUDoTHzdrhwD2bYjPG24GeiZkZcukpE1zBCpabxdGPI/s2048/Breakfast.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKjobtuKm_D2tQGYLTV4elkY5ubPJxc0QP8vxcrAIdV22-iE4O-yc2ZTpRh5bCSssj77N3KtKWOiSXIRt3eanA3B5UxBoXk1OOUDoTHzdrhwD2bYjPG24GeiZkZcukpE1zBCpabxdGPI/w640-h480/Breakfast.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon and egg treat.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Heading out back over the bar and the one-foot swell was still there at about mid tide. We threaded through the surfers with bow pointed skywards over a couple of peaking breakers. A two foot swell is going to be absolute max for <i>Little Cat</i> crossing the Bolinas bar, regardless of how favorable the tide is. We had a nice sail home, and encountered strong winds again on re-entering the Bay.<br /></p><p>Bolinas Lagoon is a stunner and I will be coming back.<br /></p>Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-6744514605089139572020-05-16T13:32:00.001-07:002020-10-25T11:36:24.681-07:00Repairing the Raymarine ST1000+ Tiller Pilot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_qCw2NAGVABHVdhynjdnQ_-u6gKoJVVgHCcZPPyhBW62_k45RxQGnDQTY1Zulw2NQJCkdMHmeyeGRzGIJjD2DUR-sZ0C3vPspm0ApLv8EV39nK1xVkX1uSZ60Z9E0RX-UBcAjMme5lU/s1600/Lots+of+bits.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_qCw2NAGVABHVdhynjdnQ_-u6gKoJVVgHCcZPPyhBW62_k45RxQGnDQTY1Zulw2NQJCkdMHmeyeGRzGIJjD2DUR-sZ0C3vPspm0ApLv8EV39nK1xVkX1uSZ60Z9E0RX-UBcAjMme5lU/s640/Lots+of+bits.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dismantled tiller pilot.</td></tr>
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I have been using the ST1000 since June 2013 (around 7 years) and have logged around 3,700 nautical miles in that time, most of it on autopilot. I have tried to be easy on it by not expecting it to deal with heavy helm or crazy running conditions. The Tiki is also a very light boat, contributing to my expectation that the tiller pilot has had a relatively easy life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiOx-SIUKrxu0C6zE7Fp9Kwd0CU-HkKZSVWBbRxq8H9txHTzvyBtN6sMsCDGqAYJ67abEuDCO6_CkZK-gxWvbHhWUtfvQB7B6SYH579hw1DSBIPr6ZQmJ2081vwQI7-IzC4yNkWoACbQ/s1600/xyzzy+sailing+anarchy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1440" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiOx-SIUKrxu0C6zE7Fp9Kwd0CU-HkKZSVWBbRxq8H9txHTzvyBtN6sMsCDGqAYJ67abEuDCO6_CkZK-gxWvbHhWUtfvQB7B6SYH579hw1DSBIPr6ZQmJ2081vwQI7-IzC4yNkWoACbQ/s400/xyzzy+sailing+anarchy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken ram seal housing (Xyzzy: Sailing Anarchy).</td></tr>
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Recently it became clear that there was a water ingress issue as the LED screen was cloudy, or cutting out, and was not clearing up after a drying period between sails.<br />
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I disassembled the tiller pilot (top picture) and found two issues: the ram seal housing was broken, and the rubber ring and gasket that cushion the ram at maximum and minimum travel had disintegrated. I repaired the housing before taking pics, so the pic above is from another on <i>Sailing Anarchy</i>. My housing was broken on both sides, not just one side as shown here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSn0I6hSwNPPdw9nkWRHzQwrdzGDm6TsdM-G0Hb13e5qXLGp-cqY8xPDWq3TxPws9i6nt5bsavYedNlfeBB3UrkZPRpqj5u2ZMcQOgEnlLY-m0GP30h_pa2jmjkqeZaO2gmuj6UX_exc/s1600/Ram+seal+housing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSn0I6hSwNPPdw9nkWRHzQwrdzGDm6TsdM-G0Hb13e5qXLGp-cqY8xPDWq3TxPws9i6nt5bsavYedNlfeBB3UrkZPRpqj5u2ZMcQOgEnlLY-m0GP30h_pa2jmjkqeZaO2gmuj6UX_exc/s640/Ram+seal+housing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrows show G/flex glued fillets.</td></tr>
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To repair the housing, I assembled it on its steel carrier and glued it with thickened West Gflex epoxy. I don't consider this a permanent repair and expect that it will fail sooner or later. I think that the broken housing allowed water to get past the seal, explaining the fogging of the LED screen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhL3sMSsnOIMsg9FOhLUQzDQEutn4WSvzrvuhDxlfp_zoeWeao6hsW9vdkV_Z8MDuiN9yrIVbEVcbxDnPPCxSk8Qwq5EFIiysWaF-evhlzL7cv0bRipnZC2en2AZRqDydKon7egAEkiM/s1600/Reinstalled.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhL3sMSsnOIMsg9FOhLUQzDQEutn4WSvzrvuhDxlfp_zoeWeao6hsW9vdkV_Z8MDuiN9yrIVbEVcbxDnPPCxSk8Qwq5EFIiysWaF-evhlzL7cv0bRipnZC2en2AZRqDydKon7egAEkiM/s640/Reinstalled.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reassembling with the repaired seal housing in place.</td></tr>
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I brushed down the electrical control board with alcohol and a toothbrush and removed some obvious spots of corrosion. I then let it dry for several days under a lamp, and also to let the Gflex set good and hard.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpvB0atA3dr3_Yv3RdXrwnH9XnQum6LoWUDQrWh-q37eZ2mcuPyyf1aW-vUa5psr5SOkFbMMuNSZnQKlQNJJ752M21ReSeXEXErfGJ7pT6IyfYMZLF7PhGyBRQjpOKTmzXYkbgfSPrqI/s1600/20200513_164541.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpvB0atA3dr3_Yv3RdXrwnH9XnQum6LoWUDQrWh-q37eZ2mcuPyyf1aW-vUa5psr5SOkFbMMuNSZnQKlQNJJ752M21ReSeXEXErfGJ7pT6IyfYMZLF7PhGyBRQjpOKTmzXYkbgfSPrqI/s400/20200513_164541.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electrical board refitted.</td></tr>
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The rest of the tiller pilot did not show any obvious signs of wear and tear. The gearbox cogs and belts seemed to be operating OK. I reassembled the pilot taking extra care to replace the case seal without pinching it. The case seal had aged and was too long (stretched?) to fit neatly in the grooves, so I put it into the freezer for an hour to shrink it, and that did the trick. See videos below for testing after reassembly. The pilot is fully functional again<br />
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Testing the switch functions.</div>
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Testing the fluxgate compass in "auto" mode.</div>
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Close up of drive belts in operation.</div>
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So here is the thing: the reason the seal housing was broken and that the rubber gasket stops were mincemeat is that Raymarine does not install ram travel cut-out switches in the ST1000 and 2000. So when the ram reaches the extent of it's travel it just mashes into each end of the tiller pilot assembly. The motor and gearing are stronger than the construction of the seal carrier housing and it bends the mounting plate and breaks the housing. To me this is incredible, but is common knowledge to longterm users of these products, and clearly Raymarine. I share the amazement of many folk online who have shared their experiences about the demise of their tiller pilots! It is even more surprising in that the engineering standard of the pilots seems high overall - I guess that the cost of adding ram travel limits to the design was just too much for them to remain profitable. Anyway, if you have an ST 1000 or 2000, DON'T LET IT RUN OUT TO MAXIMUM TRAVEL in either direction if you want it to last. However, it has worked flawlessly for 7 years and nearly 4 thousand miles, so maybe that is a return on the original investment?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKsE_1HLSXMPkw_cFov66g43nbxHlVnVTfFuk41TRthPK5nFA63laGllqXay8pmTfJFhvpHtBm6op-GFAlrsjXP6mdiV-GoWHBQSD8m486MnLZpo2_0lnG4tT3JNLi1gjaaZiWgO2UuU/s1600/20200514_115144.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKsE_1HLSXMPkw_cFov66g43nbxHlVnVTfFuk41TRthPK5nFA63laGllqXay8pmTfJFhvpHtBm6op-GFAlrsjXP6mdiV-GoWHBQSD8m486MnLZpo2_0lnG4tT3JNLi1gjaaZiWgO2UuU/s640/20200514_115144.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voila! Ready to go again.</td></tr>
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I don't know how long my repair will last, but fingers crossed for 12 months or so to build up the boat budget for a new pilot. I have done lots of online research and found that the Simrad 22 and 32 pilots have a ram position sensor that stops the motor at full travel. This is probably where I'm headed for a replacement, but it is too pricey at the moment.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>Update 10/2020</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The pilot only worked for a couple more hours and then the fluxgate compass failed. I was on my way to the Farallons and had to hand steer for the remaining 50 NM on that trip. A new fluxgate was more than $100 on Ebay, so I bit the bullet and bought a new ST2000 (around $450). I wanted to try the Simrad 32, but the covid prices had climbed to the $700 - $800 mark, which was just too much. <br /></div>
Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-67476043885100312242020-04-30T10:37:00.004-07:002020-05-16T13:38:58.168-07:00Great Spots: Bonita Cove<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In the time of the Corona virus, I have been lucky to be able to sneak away and get some fresh air and sunshine - to "shelter in place" in a nice place, as it were. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFRgXWZTHpaOtnAX77KaVoplMGofEL43iQc3zICT6tBnTji7WBHaFRVFI-YrdXzrnd-ygcc59eROf8C_Wzl8cyWRwpZ-8qttNg8OA2YosbUcdCkp8vQl1XSlXCSQDminxiVMZFYPUCcg/s1600/20191223_143423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFRgXWZTHpaOtnAX77KaVoplMGofEL43iQc3zICT6tBnTji7WBHaFRVFI-YrdXzrnd-ygcc59eROf8C_Wzl8cyWRwpZ-8qttNg8OA2YosbUcdCkp8vQl1XSlXCSQDminxiVMZFYPUCcg/s640/20191223_143423.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Little Cat Too</i> in the Golden Gate Channel (essential for gentle exploration and pictures of the Mothership).</td></tr>
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Bonita Cove is the last rest stop before you head out into the Gulf of the Farallones, a place of refuge when it is inclement "outside", or a beautiful destination in of itself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgU7i7DROwTAllJEQ-x35jbMEbh6jeCmBFAFr3CquHSuyKHBC9TtNcCXZ08iVMgyjpodLcRtB-NdMhsH_0rK-AvwoIPI8OEDQrXDWPfysJjtUTyFqkQpIujVaTr0q2YL7v7IBnhSH-JE/s1600/20191223_151731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgU7i7DROwTAllJEQ-x35jbMEbh6jeCmBFAFr3CquHSuyKHBC9TtNcCXZ08iVMgyjpodLcRtB-NdMhsH_0rK-AvwoIPI8OEDQrXDWPfysJjtUTyFqkQpIujVaTr0q2YL7v7IBnhSH-JE/s640/20191223_151731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonita Cove, Golden Gate.</td></tr>
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The prevailing winds on the coast here are NE, so Bonita Cove is usually a place of refuge. In winter, there are periodic blows from the South, but by and large you will find an anchorage in most conditions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoPEE93k3U-H7tePwb_qGscp3MXukhOcb8ubbMY75T9H68Y3qw9ObO6LJNF_CPuKutvW2dP-szgWD5fob8zPvXoIJYgt327h4_VsbUnu3s-zXg2bhcpts48k6veafvTdZeUceAEMXff8/s1600/20191223_151755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoPEE93k3U-H7tePwb_qGscp3MXukhOcb8ubbMY75T9H68Y3qw9ObO6LJNF_CPuKutvW2dP-szgWD5fob8zPvXoIJYgt327h4_VsbUnu3s-zXg2bhcpts48k6veafvTdZeUceAEMXff8/s640/20191223_151755.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marin Headlands behind.</td></tr>
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On this day, the temperatures were Winterish but warm in the direct sun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpgufO4R7sTZzeBRbLaPa-RVwmlX8UmnaIwRLGZlK-H5eatS5LendduXqX0WFXiZeAxg_1hErX6a7ITXjvEBpUL4q0uVtFN328N9WP4JBXFTrPzU9ktfr42t7dQim5GPPYp1g2ZwH4X0/s1600/20191223_151920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpgufO4R7sTZzeBRbLaPa-RVwmlX8UmnaIwRLGZlK-H5eatS5LendduXqX0WFXiZeAxg_1hErX6a7ITXjvEBpUL4q0uVtFN328N9WP4JBXFTrPzU9ktfr42t7dQim5GPPYp1g2ZwH4X0/s400/20191223_151920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pt Bonita (Lighthouse), Bonita Cove.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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A great spot to take a row ashore at the old Life Boat Station, take some pics of a cute boat at anchor, or read a book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_qjXsAu4RetuYU0NhmnlItDNKwjhw-eNFAOTNVlmRHiSPKrlLA43DwYKohyphenhyphenac2X7qUQ_brjr70dEP5tWoCy7Iwkwrcb0Y3Wifd_UAnJHavfTf32IjvZmiZ7j-KvOevNoGfpqmk4zp1Y/s1600/20191223_153307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_qjXsAu4RetuYU0NhmnlItDNKwjhw-eNFAOTNVlmRHiSPKrlLA43DwYKohyphenhyphenac2X7qUQ_brjr70dEP5tWoCy7Iwkwrcb0Y3Wifd_UAnJHavfTf32IjvZmiZ7j-KvOevNoGfpqmk4zp1Y/s640/20191223_153307.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonita Cove, zoom out.<br />
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Making way out to Pt Bonita, Golden Gate. </td></tr>
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Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-48551563191696428662020-03-13T10:34:00.000-07:002020-03-13T10:34:18.130-07:00New Rig #2 Synthetic Chainplates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wharrams don't have conventional chain plates of course, but you know what I mean. The chain plates on a regular sail boat anchor the shrouds to the hull. On Tiki Wharrams, the shrouds terminate in a heart eye, and are then lashed around an anchor pad glued and screwed to the hull. The lashings are also used to tension the rig, in conjunction with the forestay lashing (or bottle screw in the case of <i>Little Cat</i>). I found in practice that the lashings were difficult to tension and caused maintenance problems in that they were hard to keep clean, and were messy and unsightly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shroud base</td></tr>
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My solution was to use a 3/16 synthetic dyneema loop with a large sailmaker's eye to take care of the anchor pad to shroud anchor, and then to have a simpler lashing between the two eyes (see picture below). This works really well, and is neater, and simpler to tension. I have put 500 nautical miles on these so far with no issues, and will update.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63dylsuEH7NpCHpXFn6BqDCrC3sdfqsEe003gstSOHZ4pNCTQsEyWC-z0m1_OFGz4D4Npdr6NtaAMMAGy9V2XldGn72_hgZxTfg1nownOTobuevvm2Pg3aqZnIE5Vmpk0uA9nqln2sOc/s1600/Shroud+lashing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1590" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63dylsuEH7NpCHpXFn6BqDCrC3sdfqsEe003gstSOHZ4pNCTQsEyWC-z0m1_OFGz4D4Npdr6NtaAMMAGy9V2XldGn72_hgZxTfg1nownOTobuevvm2Pg3aqZnIE5Vmpk0uA9nqln2sOc/s640/Shroud+lashing.jpg" width="633" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shroud lashing</td></tr>
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Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-54012819197564745502020-03-07T21:51:00.004-08:002020-03-13T10:36:35.640-07:00Coastal Cruise to Santa Cruz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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During the Big Refit I developed all sorts of elaborate plans to take a month off and run with the wind all of the way down the California coast to the Channel Islands (off Santa Barbara). In reality, I got one week and got as far as Santa Cruz (184 nautical miles return over seven days).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6Bqk4LuW9Nb77mNwkj-HY7SRYLRN5N2K-bdDJs_R_ctLSutJ7eARVa03E7dUYFoT2QNm-fD90rDs7cBEphKV117h7BQz7vax01hyphenhyphenyTewnBhiHXPfa8GkSTlqMWH7yifiAoZNNjkic8A/s1600/Nov+19+SC+Trip_crop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="832" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6Bqk4LuW9Nb77mNwkj-HY7SRYLRN5N2K-bdDJs_R_ctLSutJ7eARVa03E7dUYFoT2QNm-fD90rDs7cBEphKV117h7BQz7vax01hyphenhyphenyTewnBhiHXPfa8GkSTlqMWH7yifiAoZNNjkic8A/s640/Nov+19+SC+Trip_crop.png" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red is heading South to Santa Cruz, and blue is the return trip.</td></tr>
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On a Saturday in November I started my trip by heading offshore with the idea that I might get a big run, to who knows where, down the coast. Once clear of the coast, the NW winds filled in and we got some nice sailing in the Southern Shipping Channel. By late afternoon, the wind had decreased and I ended up going all the way back to the coast for an overnight at Pillar Pt Harbor in Half Moon Bay (45 nautical miles that day).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnRzRMTDmjXujZubP9B3IeidS-XVx1Sjqq29vW9-SrUHxlEpOalMyB_q44dxnJA-6Css2Q18b5A3_rc6m1Vuq401vb-gy7HGKgXg0xQP9evOyF5UQu2dbEXvdIPxGomXxlhUUlKQHVMw/s1600/Screenshot+from+2019-11-29+11-04-33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="870" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnRzRMTDmjXujZubP9B3IeidS-XVx1Sjqq29vW9-SrUHxlEpOalMyB_q44dxnJA-6Css2Q18b5A3_rc6m1Vuq401vb-gy7HGKgXg0xQP9evOyF5UQu2dbEXvdIPxGomXxlhUUlKQHVMw/s640/Screenshot+from+2019-11-29+11-04-33.png" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit close to Franklin Pt.</td></tr>
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Got away a bit late on Sunday for the next leg to Santa Cruz. The NW winds did not fill in until after lunchtime at which point we were leaving the south end of Half Moon Bay astern. We hoisted the small spinnaker and made some good progress gybing downwind. It was very foggy so only saw the coast once gybing about 0.5 miles off the coast north of Pigeon Pt. The wind started to get sporty so dropped the spinnaker and then put a reef into the main and jib. Got distracted so doing and ran across the kelp on the North approach to Pt Ano Neuvo. This was a bit silly and I should have been checking my navigation as I could not see anything in the fog even though the shore was less than 1/2 a mile away at the closest (see above). We headed sharply out to sea and around Ano Nuevo which was completely hidden in the fog.<br />
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Then followed a long run with just a reefed jib to Santa Cruz. The wind had built stronger than forecast to around 20 knots from astern. I could have carried more sail but was tired and didn't want to get wet. Still, we were making 5 knots with the reefed jib and I was hunkered down in the cabin under my canvas cover. In the last couple of hours into SC the wind reversed direction into a 15-20 knot head wind with a nasty short chop and rain. This was a bit much after a long day and I huddled peering out of the little windows in my canvas cabin cover in the dark trying to see if we were going to get run down by a fishing boat. I had the comfort of the new super bright LED masthead tricolor and the wireless AIS that I had installed during the Big Refit.<br />
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Finally got around the point into SC and anchored for the night next to the Pier. Not a great nights sleep because of the tremendous racket made by the seals (52 nautical miles that day).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxJ2UUqlGewEf2z4CvBWAj-q9bexHjEdDWqkDFCpGtr7NUZAXEHuhF8jPo3vwJEsOk6Cj-qFIx9-xgo_vW8RFRg920x-Ycs4WLrFJN9T3h9hu3BQsfOTBIam-D7A8nsYLBvx-B_hrrVk/s1600/20191111_131259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxJ2UUqlGewEf2z4CvBWAj-q9bexHjEdDWqkDFCpGtr7NUZAXEHuhF8jPo3vwJEsOk6Cj-qFIx9-xgo_vW8RFRg920x-Ycs4WLrFJN9T3h9hu3BQsfOTBIam-D7A8nsYLBvx-B_hrrVk/s640/20191111_131259.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new three-sided deck tent.</td></tr>
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The next day (Monday), we checked into the SC Small Boat Harbor. What a beautiful spot for visiting cruisers! We got an end tie for the night, one down from the huge Team O'Neill catamaran that operates out of SC. We made an asymmetric sight on adjacent jetties - big cat, very little cat. I also got to take some pics of my new deck tent set up. I finished Stage One a while back comprising a simple boom tent using an extending boat hook as "the boom". This was great in hot weather, but much to be desired in a breeze or rain. So, Stage Two was enclosing one end of the tent with zippered doors and windows (so that I can see anything coming when anchored). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDvSv3_Su0rxPm7kAAasxtT35wZPA-V6PyXWrAj4pvkpVATGH4YSqXSuF76dMjwGIqx6OiCGRN8MM13cDqwQyH0GiF-4ePH8XmvWL6pEmm6lcd45-KfpQq_rwwqOpA9dWaOYDzKyCDY4/s1600/20191111_131454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDvSv3_Su0rxPm7kAAasxtT35wZPA-V6PyXWrAj4pvkpVATGH4YSqXSuF76dMjwGIqx6OiCGRN8MM13cDqwQyH0GiF-4ePH8XmvWL6pEmm6lcd45-KfpQq_rwwqOpA9dWaOYDzKyCDY4/s640/20191111_131454.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Because the boat is usually swinging on the anchor, the closed side is always to windward and three sides is all you need. It is really snug and gives a relatively huge area to live in when anchored. It provides complete shelter from the wind and rain as long as it is swinging in the wind.<br />
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Once settled in, I took a long walk around Santa Cruz, including the beaches and Pier. Found a nice bar to have pizza and beer and it tasted amazing, as it always does after a couple of days camp cruising.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-Ts6eO28SEKFh6_zqvK4KDNVpHg1l0W8pKkWvtkdhb87MJT5ljkX2BiOuDUgkJXbHVI0_NY7lck8M4Sb4GR1PdtNjiQbS6unBD-rklm2aSNSHT7J7hMkZ5Gho90go6-yiuEuqHPkySI/s1600/20191111_150236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-Ts6eO28SEKFh6_zqvK4KDNVpHg1l0W8pKkWvtkdhb87MJT5ljkX2BiOuDUgkJXbHVI0_NY7lck8M4Sb4GR1PdtNjiQbS6unBD-rklm2aSNSHT7J7hMkZ5Gho90go6-yiuEuqHPkySI/s400/20191111_150236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then it was a snug night under the awning. It was early winter and not exactly tropical, so I leave the gas stove running on low for hours at night. With three sides on the tent, there is no danger of asphyxiation, but have to use extreme caution in not burning the boat and oneself to death (two new fire extinguishers were included in the refit).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsM4fX3H9ETWOWA7IEBggep5mNvi7BIwoBGl_mke9Pk88aBVqdUIi6BFtiJFgS-KkQ04yVjZf-TMsBmfmt_27OkYjujzcw7h1ghMDZJBWjfvpzRUwygOX_4Tqn1F3En5u62dwrAWUvr4/s1600/Labelled+tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsM4fX3H9ETWOWA7IEBggep5mNvi7BIwoBGl_mke9Pk88aBVqdUIi6BFtiJFgS-KkQ04yVjZf-TMsBmfmt_27OkYjujzcw7h1ghMDZJBWjfvpzRUwygOX_4Tqn1F3En5u62dwrAWUvr4/s640/Labelled+tent.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three sided tent is awesome!</td></tr>
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Tuesday saw us heading out of SC on the start of our return trip. Although there was an option to extend my trip down the coast for a few days, the weather forecast had changed and was predicting 10 - 12 foot swells and a 25 knot northerly by Friday. This gave me three days to get back to the Bay in more benign conditions.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back into the fog.</td></tr>
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Santa Cruz was fog free the two days we were there, but the fog reappeared heading up the coast and we were soon in low visibility conditions again. There was not much wind, and what there was was on the nose, so we motored for hours (with a little bit of unsuccessful trolling fishing thrown in), before pulling into the delightful anchorage at Pt Ano Nuevo (21 nautical miles for the day).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down anchor at Ano Nuevo.</td></tr>
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Ano Nuevo is the only anchorage sheltered from the prevailing Northerly flow on the coast between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. The bight inside the point itself provides lots of shelter, but also the dense kelp forests dampen any wave action that makes its way around the point.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look closely you can see <i>Little Cat</i> and the approaching fog bank.</td></tr>
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We managed to get right inside the kelp beds off the beach, and let out a generous scope on the anchor for a secure night's rest. I had carted the little kayak all of this way with the intention of getting ashore somewhere, and now was my chance to use it. The only problem was a two-foot swell breaking on the beach. No problem I though to myself as a confident ex-surfer, sure that I could wait for a lull between sets to get ashore.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OhxBQr49Aq0Ws6WSL3DlDkSJO0UvIm__gPHnWM_dG_bikrcNWOAR5NrBBuH5ZHXknlhpveApRPrFc6f4u-m77uqbt2KuOK1CfTu3GGgkXz1EBuiWe7VqMalQf8R_W63dUKISskAvUGY/s1600/Ano+Nuevo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="1600" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OhxBQr49Aq0Ws6WSL3DlDkSJO0UvIm__gPHnWM_dG_bikrcNWOAR5NrBBuH5ZHXknlhpveApRPrFc6f4u-m77uqbt2KuOK1CfTu3GGgkXz1EBuiWe7VqMalQf8R_W63dUKISskAvUGY/s640/Ano+Nuevo2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Returning to <i>Little Cat</i>.</td></tr>
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It was not to be. I was laughably dumped over in the shore break fully clothed with all my wet weather gear and boots. I stood on the beach with my boots full of water and pondered my foolishness, but also managed to take a couple of photos. Cold, I decided that my adventure was over and that I should get back out to the boat to get my wet gear sorted out. I waited impatiently for a break in the surf, but not long enough, and immediately got tumbled again. I tried five or six further times to get through the surf and was spat off every time. I looked to the sea and noticed that thick fog was rolling in again with a vengeance and that it was getting late in the afternoon. If the fog came in before I got out, I might not be able to find the boat. The forecast was also for the swell to increase to five feet during the night, so the shore break was getting bigger, not smaller. Just as I was starting to contemplate a night on the beach, I lull allowed me to finally get past the shore break and out to the boat. I immediately rigged the tent, hung up layers of wet clothing, and started the stove to warm me and my gear up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing the ruins on Pt Ano Nuevo.</td></tr>
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The fog arrived half an hour after I returned to the boat and cut visibility to a few yards (whew). To cap it all off, I found during the night that my batteries were flat AND that my new LED tricolor and anchor light had failed. I found later that one of the wiring connections between the outboard alternator and the batteries had come apart unnoticed. I still haven't fixed the tricolor and will update later.<br />
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Tuesday morning saw us heading out around the striking ruins on Pt Ano Nuevo for the 30 nautical mile run to Pillar Point Harbor. There was a five foot ocean swell but the winds were still light so we motored most of the way. The wind did fill in coming into Half Moon Bay and so got a couple of hours sailing slow tacks to windward. We anchored close to the shore in shallow water in Pillar Point harbor, and had a cook-up with fresh vegetables (above). We were so close to shore that I had a conversation with a dog walker as it was becoming dark. I hung up all of the now-damp gear to dry with stove going late into the night again.<br />
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The best sailing of the return trip was the final run from Pillar Point Harbor back to the Golden Gate on Wednesday. The wind was blowing from the south at 10-15 knots and we sailed most of the way back, only firing up the engine as we ran into the outgoing tide at Mile Rock. By the time we reached Angel Island, I could see that the tide was going to be too low to get into Muddy Bay, so I decided to spend the last night anchored at Quarry Beach, Angel Island.<br />
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The next morning (Thursday), I was packing up and taking down the tent, when we were boarded by the Coast Guard. They seemed bemused by the Wharram with the tent up, but found that I had the correct flares, extinguishers etc. and then went on their way. It was a short 6 NM back to Big Muddy Bay for a total trip of 184 nautical miles.<br />
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Other Pics:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7Fi9cz-biU2AvTi5viJcEIAxviW_GgD9cVy7bxp_BihNsNtAiRPg2cKykUSoyFUWxpvq3yJA0_cUzoHgD5hARrTmP5X3qMRNXLbnnQjPT8d-8RkLyQiwsV40qAaBC5LaiyjqSlivqaU/s1600/20191111_140933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7Fi9cz-biU2AvTi5viJcEIAxviW_GgD9cVy7bxp_BihNsNtAiRPg2cKykUSoyFUWxpvq3yJA0_cUzoHgD5hARrTmP5X3qMRNXLbnnQjPT8d-8RkLyQiwsV40qAaBC5LaiyjqSlivqaU/s640/20191111_140933.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Little Cat</i>, big cat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Santa Cruz in the sunshine.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ano Nuevo beach looking South with wet boots.</td></tr>
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Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-49743641890106780792019-12-11T12:51:00.001-08:002019-12-11T12:53:24.762-08:00Not the Bahamas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You don't have to be in the Bahamas to get pretty extreme weather. Right here in San Francisco Bay we frequently get big winds. OK, I know its not hurricane weather, but we are used to very changeable weather in addition to the potent tides.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8FPx8oP8tRAy8dYD7L_41c7wE_CoO3grPgbXrzjoZVtYLF2H_-e7GMeEHS3IVBeFM4RX6gv1LSeDgRU7XB_WahvawsBOQ-gGj7iXlbUkUQKSwWXRlt5TWVchvEmGs8aRQ6UNKyDYls8/s1600/20191006_105219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8FPx8oP8tRAy8dYD7L_41c7wE_CoO3grPgbXrzjoZVtYLF2H_-e7GMeEHS3IVBeFM4RX6gv1LSeDgRU7XB_WahvawsBOQ-gGj7iXlbUkUQKSwWXRlt5TWVchvEmGs8aRQ6UNKyDYls8/s640/20191006_105219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Winter is often very calm (see above), but then punctuated by strong winds. Here in the Big Muddy Bay where <i>Little Cat</i> is anchored, we will see 50 knot gusts a couple of times a year, but we get 30 knots quite frequently.<br />
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The Northerlies are always the worst, and in Big Muddy they are onshore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneR5N-OF6H_bJ_8O3MSpfEvzDbrijiH1bdMB2gU7eNXI50cin7cXL5IuJa8JReqf07HHpDY20dQKfoXd8s0ZOQvknSTEYs9PzfweMCouhToVolS8jTZEvEvu5r1tbC7A-Xej2arnvDVk/s1600/Storm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneR5N-OF6H_bJ_8O3MSpfEvzDbrijiH1bdMB2gU7eNXI50cin7cXL5IuJa8JReqf07HHpDY20dQKfoXd8s0ZOQvknSTEYs9PzfweMCouhToVolS8jTZEvEvu5r1tbC7A-Xej2arnvDVk/s640/Storm3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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These pictures show <i>Little Cat</i> in the same spot in a Northerly blow. The wind is a steady 25 knots, gusting to 30 knots.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWkvLzUg88GLWh_muK8DiqqlrntS1vheeJYMXSvVCaKw2dsv7Lagli7L1IyqVlmGX_tXEZieMV350_rMkwoeP4k613DGFbkrX_vJq-1M2yuOH18tF7TBH__Oo94qocE5KJraqSCMjrQY/s1600/Storm5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWkvLzUg88GLWh_muK8DiqqlrntS1vheeJYMXSvVCaKw2dsv7Lagli7L1IyqVlmGX_tXEZieMV350_rMkwoeP4k613DGFbkrX_vJq-1M2yuOH18tF7TBH__Oo94qocE5KJraqSCMjrQY/s640/Storm5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The anchor system is a bridle going to a heavy chain set between two anchors, and has always been reliable.<br />
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Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-69790867778639237882019-12-06T17:43:00.004-08:002019-12-11T12:54:07.802-08:00Ten Year Refit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well! Finally got to go for a sail in November, nearly a year after I dropped the mast last December to put the boat up on the hard for painting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvhBz-Lp1wibpUcaKOFNafE5VBYZaDjSA5odlD-6s5g__iCDq5TMyhshq54ooV5pnXKmOd3ARMkrrXt7cTJY0ri5JdpwV_8B0EnYGm5P_QOfOBlmnXVbfZU_Ewi_PsTKoTXJkvIAV6Qc/s1600/20191112_154251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvhBz-Lp1wibpUcaKOFNafE5VBYZaDjSA5odlD-6s5g__iCDq5TMyhshq54ooV5pnXKmOd3ARMkrrXt7cTJY0ri5JdpwV_8B0EnYGm5P_QOfOBlmnXVbfZU_Ewi_PsTKoTXJkvIAV6Qc/s640/20191112_154251.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Little Cat</i> at <i>Ano Nuevo</i> in November 2019</td></tr>
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The long time offline was because the boat was getting what turned out to be a pretty comprehensive refit after 10 years on the go since her launch. In the intervening 11 months, she has had: <br />
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- the repaint at Berkerley Marine Center that I have already posted on<br />
- entirely new standing rigging<br />
- a new mast and mast base<br />
- refurbished gaff spar <br />
- new windows (see previous post)<br />
- a brand new mainsail from Rolly Tasker<br />
- refurbished side decks(see previous posts)<br />
- a redesigned anchor mount under the front beam<br />
- a new rear net<br />
- a new deck tent enclosure for cruising trips<br />
- installation of new Lewmar deck hatches and refurbishing of the existing hatches and refitting with gas struts<br />
- installation of fitted seats in both cockpit/cabins<br />
- installation of Whale hand pumps in both hulls<br />
- installation of grab handles inside and outside the cabins<br />
- a new Fortress anchor to replace the one I broke at Muir Beach<br />
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In addition to that lot, I also did a great deal of wiring work, including fitting: <br />
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- wireless AIS<br />
- a VHF/AIS antennae splitter for above<br />
- a masthead LED tricolor<br />
- internal switchable lights in the cockpits and cabins (including running power from the port to starboard hulls)<br />
- water tight bulkhead fittings for the above <br />
- internal 12v and USB outlets in both hulls<br />
- a deck light<br />
- two Blue Sea distribution panels<br />
- a custom switch box<br />
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... and other stuff that I can't remember already, for sure.<br />
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Anyway, I will get around to making posts about some of these projects at some point in the future.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWuHzUaU6CF0039zBYLrnX_qLrFRr_b3QZoJSkqRHeC2pElYmInHmGC7EejmY5NcZsFDzNh7w0w6eMePlVt2yEfWIdjqfNHGI0WS8Y6FOdEJMsTGdxgRJIHiZyjlJYnTgToAqlnB_T-A/s1600/A024-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWuHzUaU6CF0039zBYLrnX_qLrFRr_b3QZoJSkqRHeC2pElYmInHmGC7EejmY5NcZsFDzNh7w0w6eMePlVt2yEfWIdjqfNHGI0WS8Y6FOdEJMsTGdxgRJIHiZyjlJYnTgToAqlnB_T-A/s320/A024-800x800.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wireless AIS unit that I stalled and read using OpenCPN on my smart phone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LED Tricolor from MarineBeam worked great for 2 weeks and then stopped working - more on that later.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMob7B6k9dhDRb-SFaw_7rv6UdIkTCbskL9SOtqKxdqF8JzIU_ytTpQK8b-HeyqBN9eRbY6oUGxGjM4f38EJmVeHBEwUEjdZ_NgKupg5ZBM-fXmvQ_QD46hzKwTL-u-l791R3WcLcGII/s1600/2751303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMob7B6k9dhDRb-SFaw_7rv6UdIkTCbskL9SOtqKxdqF8JzIU_ytTpQK8b-HeyqBN9eRbY6oUGxGjM4f38EJmVeHBEwUEjdZ_NgKupg5ZBM-fXmvQ_QD46hzKwTL-u-l791R3WcLcGII/s400/2751303.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fitted a Whale Urchin bilge pump to each hull.</td></tr>
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</div>
Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-37553114071612173012019-08-06T09:35:00.000-07:002019-08-06T09:35:08.992-07:00New Side Decks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One of the jobs that was just too big to complete during the Winter re-paint was the side decks - that is, the <i>center</i> side decks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsDW0_Z5KBQXY4M9P879owxGE6km4Qw5qkZocN0ntU1fP3wI2p0fvo9gv8_LfftA5GcpGdmFtsEmOa0QJKGYsys8NS_ovJVwhYsp0NkzMHsp-r6wPaYsIUlK6HddCkk0Zfh-2UKGuZq4/s1600/Tikisidedecks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="800" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsDW0_Z5KBQXY4M9P879owxGE6km4Qw5qkZocN0ntU1fP3wI2p0fvo9gv8_LfftA5GcpGdmFtsEmOa0QJKGYsys8NS_ovJVwhYsp0NkzMHsp-r6wPaYsIUlK6HddCkk0Zfh-2UKGuZq4/s640/Tikisidedecks.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red arrows show where the center side decks are</td></tr>
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The side decks are a part of the boat that take a real beating. They are the most stood on part of the boat. When you get in or out of the cabins or move around the center deck area, you are mainly on the side decks. These side decks are 10 years old (as is the boat now), and were epoxied but unglassed 1/4" inch marine ply. The plans call for a second narrower strip of ply down the center of each side deck to reinforce them, but the original builder had built two stringers underneath instead of the extra layer on top, which I like because it leaves them flat and the same height as the rest of the center decks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiShi-2OLihgLFE6F1Nus4srJ5RNeGXtTnr_o692cm-aCy5Ss_zlrLm1oo1sK1kSzcKcLyxVHpILIga2qj7edyVMG1UzgrSCsgo8UVjxagwv5Gtia00ga3AMGgZ8Wl7n3yq5xoxEVs6U/s1600/20190502_135325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiShi-2OLihgLFE6F1Nus4srJ5RNeGXtTnr_o692cm-aCy5Ss_zlrLm1oo1sK1kSzcKcLyxVHpILIga2qj7edyVMG1UzgrSCsgo8UVjxagwv5Gtia00ga3AMGgZ8Wl7n3yq5xoxEVs6U/s640/20190502_135325.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice new coat of 6oz fiberglass</td></tr>
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Over 10 years of use the side decks were pretty well banged up and had some surface cracking and checking, and it was time to replace or renovate. Of course I chose renovate as I always seem to do; the decks were still basically sound and just needed a bit of extra help. I started by stripping all of the old paint off down to the original epoxy layer. The next step was a 6 oz layer of glass on BOTH sides, with two further epoxy fill coats.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJaPvhY4Jlfo3IEH8CjZNkjDdjOERjacKK0FjlSiwY0CDIBd9Ac0T-xvdv_1OdqBLZQ3JkIEm7m6qQ0wx2AuUHAebG4ctPHiqr1zCJw0E0tw_UX5G4REEKuvViv9p-OeZ0YEKLvIlthE/s1600/20190718_153805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJaPvhY4Jlfo3IEH8CjZNkjDdjOERjacKK0FjlSiwY0CDIBd9Ac0T-xvdv_1OdqBLZQ3JkIEm7m6qQ0wx2AuUHAebG4ctPHiqr1zCJw0E0tw_UX5G4REEKuvViv9p-OeZ0YEKLvIlthE/s640/20190718_153805.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside of topcoated deck </td></tr>
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With glass on both sides the decks are now super stiff, and it makes me wonder why glass coating on both sides, effectively turning the plywood into a core material, is not used as a construction method more often. They are heavier, although not unduly so.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdttZGLiqmF8mJpU35PpGj_DenvLChGaxnJrfcKrYadz5xBNVIJBwYP6aw4vaKQedrUUY7t4N-0vxFq1oLzBp508iG4VdCReQHK8hIWyYsOSF8OUKaF-aYiN0oxzyKOF9FoQnuiTkib6Y/s1600/20190723_124113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdttZGLiqmF8mJpU35PpGj_DenvLChGaxnJrfcKrYadz5xBNVIJBwYP6aw4vaKQedrUUY7t4N-0vxFq1oLzBp508iG4VdCReQHK8hIWyYsOSF8OUKaF-aYiN0oxzyKOF9FoQnuiTkib6Y/s640/20190723_124113.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topside masking up for anti-skid</td></tr>
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The paint was next, and what a grind it is to do it properly. Two undercoats with Interlux Primekote, and three top coats with Interlux Brightsides. The five coats were all sanded between layers - lots of time. But wait, there is still the anti-skid to do. I used two coats of Interlux Interdeck after careful masking, and found it really easy to roll on in one go compared to my old method of sprinkling sand onto wet paint.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNSndmR4tITtWYpAnn47Jm5JJli57OkU-M4zBdMGbmwalLNKpWDKc6LZYub3x2wW05oIT6ic2ATZC3E0Bc9ja14K6ySvrn4ff3tkMEyyRJYZoSQVidSZi08Jso9_9BNp6EW0WFAM0XBw/s1600/Side+Decks+Labels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNSndmR4tITtWYpAnn47Jm5JJli57OkU-M4zBdMGbmwalLNKpWDKc6LZYub3x2wW05oIT6ic2ATZC3E0Bc9ja14K6ySvrn4ff3tkMEyyRJYZoSQVidSZi08Jso9_9BNp6EW0WFAM0XBw/s640/Side+Decks+Labels.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also made substantial mods to the decks to make them more usable for my purposes (see above pic). I put new dyneema loops in (see previous posts) through the stringers - I use these for close windward sheeting of the jib, and also as anchor points to clip in my harness when it is rough. I added mahogany foot braces screwed through into the stringers. I have found that when it is very rough, you need somewhere to brace your feet. I also added new raised cleats that I can reach handily while sitting in the cabin/cockpits. I added a line of holes (back filled with solid epoxy) along the center edges that I will screw to the deck center section. The center section is now bolted to the front and rear beams. This final mod will make the hole deck area relatively rigid.<br />
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OK, lots of work, but the center side decks are now pretty much indestructible and will not need work for a long time.</div>
Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-3186398499462772742019-06-30T15:18:00.003-07:002022-01-08T12:32:45.736-08:00New Rig #1 Starting From the Bridle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
While the boat was on the hard over Winter, I took the first steps towards building a new rig, starting from the ground up as it were, with the forestay bridle and bridle u-bolts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30BdIxcwL_42MmGGB51x2-sLzpWugc3UGpdkfv2HV1YKg9RzBzvRSBxmti5ab6q5b_Hbk2wYZlvZZ6_Siy2BXmzLWzw8rC6di7DfD1yqBVXjekSm7HCDAOpbKieA-FZ-Q0atNQaSRf2s/s1600/Tiki21+bridle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="670" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30BdIxcwL_42MmGGB51x2-sLzpWugc3UGpdkfv2HV1YKg9RzBzvRSBxmti5ab6q5b_Hbk2wYZlvZZ6_Siy2BXmzLWzw8rC6di7DfD1yqBVXjekSm7HCDAOpbKieA-FZ-Q0atNQaSRf2s/s640/Tiki21+bridle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridle and u-bolt positions</td></tr>
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My original bridle was 5/32 1x19 stainless steel wire with 1/4" u-bolts. They were still tight after 10 years, but there was polish and wear on the u-bolts where they take the load from the bridle wires. The plans say that the bridle wires should be 3/16, so they were undersized as built.<br />
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There has been much discussion on several internet forums about building reliable bridle anchors. Later Wharram designs were specified with cord lashings instead of u-bolts. However, I was reluctant to drill multiple holes through the stem and wanted to keep the u-bolts. In an internet posting Rory McDougall had recommended 5/16 "or even larger" u-bolts to be on the safe side. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa8_bOckSxXrjTJCelIIYyEQlT8djudcgmKWElo6PeXu6ZNv1Fp0J5WHFDDT0oLeaASudvQ6jGxaMS1uT44Xr-3BZeC-LXCYXggG5nNxa4OtmnqUsa_ruuml0W-exjLOuzWB_1AjoKlA/s1600/Bridle+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa8_bOckSxXrjTJCelIIYyEQlT8djudcgmKWElo6PeXu6ZNv1Fp0J5WHFDDT0oLeaASudvQ6jGxaMS1uT44Xr-3BZeC-LXCYXggG5nNxa4OtmnqUsa_ruuml0W-exjLOuzWB_1AjoKlA/s640/Bridle+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3/8 u-bolt bearing surface and 1/4 stainless wire</td></tr>
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Word to the wise - use forged u-bolts. Wichard makes a range of them and even the 1/4 Wichard u-bolts are rated to 1400 lbs working load and 4,400 lbs breaking load (that is, around a 4X safety factor breaking to working load). Unfortunately, I was on the hard at the boatyard and could not wait for the 2-week delivery time for Wichard bolts. So I bought some West Marine 5/16 316 (non-forged) stainless bolts - big mistake. These were "rated" to "2,200 lbs working load" which is a strange number because the breaking strength of a rolled stainless 5/16 bolt is about 4,000 lbs, and working load is some multiple of breaking strength (2X, 3X, 4X etc.). So 2,200 lbs is not even a 2X safety factor from the breaking strength of the bolt. Further when I was installing these bolts, I torqued them to the rated 11 foot pounds for a 5/16 bolt and they galled (welded in place). This happened to both bolts, so I bought a third bolt thinking that I had over tightened them, and carefully torqued this third bolt, and it to galled before reaching the final torque of 11 foot pounds. Thanks West Marine! Most of the stuff I buy from WM seems good quality, but these u-bolts were so bad that they are dangerous.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QkCnTd9ooNDQQnKjWI_gxcrLi92Dyu9Di5T8rjk8MMZVYoRtMDO0GdUKlEzAAoCuF5Sx3TC5-SnM1FxqjQ4yp255-lX0xGJ5HecNFkxpgdrURbW07fgZ8j8FfWonikGEwRolQeHe08M/s1600/Bridle+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QkCnTd9ooNDQQnKjWI_gxcrLi92Dyu9Di5T8rjk8MMZVYoRtMDO0GdUKlEzAAoCuF5Sx3TC5-SnM1FxqjQ4yp255-lX0xGJ5HecNFkxpgdrURbW07fgZ8j8FfWonikGEwRolQeHe08M/s640/Bridle+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5/16 threads and nylock nuts on shaped base</td></tr>
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So, then I found these stepped Ronstan u-bolts that have a 5/16 thread and a 3/8 U section. This gives me a working load for the threaded bolts of around 1,000 lbs (based on the 4,000 lb breaking load of a stainless 5/16 bolt), and the much larger section of the stepped U to absorb the wear of the bridle. Note that with each u-bolt taking the load on two threaded ends, the true working load is going to be much higher than for a single bolt. Unlike the awful WM bolts, the Ronstan bolts could be torqued and un-torqued to the 11 foot pound rating with no problems whatsoever (that is, good quality steel).<br />
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OK, so I had my u-bolts.I then spent considerable time drilling the mounting points oversize, filling them with thickened epoxy and then re-drilling them to the correct clearance size so that the u-bolts could be torqued into place and then removed whenever I want to, rather then being glued into place as the previous ones were. I also made aluminum mounting wedge plates that allowed the u-bolts to mount fair and square from the stems (rather then pointing forward because of the angle of the hulls) and epoxied them in place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9M_cJ0IO4JA2VVlRNOdNikyUsoMSMejXOGpBF2cGU_ulWcKLHL6vk4verv7q_Bq8LGzPTeGCKHJqQ0nQe3tE2UpdUh5Kitn06Kc8T3lIMz-IgmlySgirMjkVKavz-E4M1s1EB3lPvM8/s1600/Bridle+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9M_cJ0IO4JA2VVlRNOdNikyUsoMSMejXOGpBF2cGU_ulWcKLHL6vk4verv7q_Bq8LGzPTeGCKHJqQ0nQe3tE2UpdUh5Kitn06Kc8T3lIMz-IgmlySgirMjkVKavz-E4M1s1EB3lPvM8/s640/Bridle+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rated triangle link ready to go</td></tr>
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The next decision was which wire to use for the bridle. The plans specify 5/32 6x7 stainless wire for the standing rigging and 3/16 for the bridle. That wire (6x7) is generally no longer available, so I used 7x7 which is ideal for self-made rigging as it is flexible enough to use Nicopress swages. Working load for 5/32 7x7 316 wire is 440 lbs and breaking load is 2,200 lbs (see image below which belongs to Suncor USA). This specification from Wharram is obviously usually fine because there are hundreds of Tiki 21s sailing around the world with standard spec standing rigging. However what are the <u>actual loads</u> that a Tiki 21 rig is exposed to? It turns out that there is no easy formula for this important question and expert sources invariably say that there are too many variables to easily quantify. One source is a small table in Brian Toss's Rigging Guide that suggests that loads on a 20 foot boat are around 500 lbs, which fits with the Wharram's original spec.<br />
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But what about peak loads? I had a Harken High Load (wire) Bullet Block deform and almost break on the mainsheet bridle (which takes the full rig load). I assume that this was with the rig powered up going to windward in the usual 20 knot summer breezes in San Francisco Bay. That block is rated at 500 lbs working load and 2,000 lbs breaking load. This unscientific study leads me to believe that rig shock loads could be as high as 2,000 lbs, that is, approaching the breaking strain of the standard spec 5/32 wire - or, at the very least, that the rig is exposed to loads way beyond the working load safety factor. So what to do? For my new standing rigging I am going up one size to 3/16 wire which rates at 620 lbs working load, and a hefty 3,100 lbs breaking load - well beyond the shock load that nearly broke my Harken block.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwytJ5Fd5KbCwnWS8ZO7D-5QRez2cK58-CsjQEhcf_T7ltUwgZaQzMuJ9OyOEbtJCe9Uo7xvNsHKIFEjGqotH5vYLlLSBTETTJB0Ghv331VR4sbAmqILH3ivsr0GlMgGhagrtcic33d4/s1600/Suncor+7x7+wire+guide.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="1552" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwytJ5Fd5KbCwnWS8ZO7D-5QRez2cK58-CsjQEhcf_T7ltUwgZaQzMuJ9OyOEbtJCe9Uo7xvNsHKIFEjGqotH5vYLlLSBTETTJB0Ghv331VR4sbAmqILH3ivsr0GlMgGhagrtcic33d4/s640/Suncor+7x7+wire+guide.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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All well an good, but what about the loads on my new bridle? The reason why the standard spec for the bridle wires is larger than for the rest of the standing rigging, is that the angle from the forestay to the bridle wires subjects them to a higher load. The graphic below (from LifTechniques.com) shows that lifting slings need to be rated to match the loads of the angle of the sling. The Tiki 21 bridle angle is about 60 degrees from the vertical, and the chart below shows that this angle would double the load on a <u>single</u> sling. Going on the working load for 3/16 7x7 wire (620 lbs), this means that the full working load applied to the forestay would apply double the load to the bridle (1240 lbs). However, that actual load to the bridle is divided by two, as there are two bridle wires. This means that a bridle made of the same 3/16 wire as the forestay would meet the working load requirements.<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4wQJm1Ynh_H7D3PZcuKrlW9-6v_kX63Nrv3OJqsB2jagyvaEqORyEsc1kRNsnsOMGE3gnDwPMKifvWL9GDrN99uog_dObWwoF30i_VAChvt2PnZsoLiBn9ZrgdUoSh5sXUdHe91CGqc/s1600/loading_img_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="403" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4wQJm1Ynh_H7D3PZcuKrlW9-6v_kX63Nrv3OJqsB2jagyvaEqORyEsc1kRNsnsOMGE3gnDwPMKifvWL9GDrN99uog_dObWwoF30i_VAChvt2PnZsoLiBn9ZrgdUoSh5sXUdHe91CGqc/s640/loading_img_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I misinterpreted the sling loads and forgot to divide the bridle loads by two. This error lead me to make the bridle wires out of 1/4 7x7 wire (working load 1,040 lbs and breaking load of 5,200 lbs. This means that my bridle is overly robust and heavy. I may change them again to 3/16 wires during the next refit.<br /><br />
That just left the fitting to join the bridle to the forestay. The Wharram spec is an oblong quick link fitting, but it always bothered me that the oblong shape left the bridle wires at an odd-looking angle. So I sourced the Maillon Rapide 3/8 316 Stainless Steel triangle delta link that you can see in the above picture. It took me a while to find and order this part, and I went to the trouble because it was the only brand that was available in 316 and that had a test rating.<br />
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The bridle is now finished and installed, and is now just waiting for me to finish the new mast and the rest of the rigging - more on that later.</div>
Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-84675903603516758012019-05-21T12:59:00.001-07:002019-05-21T12:59:16.237-07:00New Portlights (windows)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What do you call a window on a boat? Porthole? I think of a porthole as an opening window, so not that. In our family we always called them portlights, so that is what I'm going to go with - new portlights.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1eCiWMEE2RB5ZM5S7dufmBXst5MAcPWciC483tZbnMlNdPak_8IHwgTJnRJ737XKffGkqbWlO4Vimg00JdXwQMnMqE1_5NiqCVD7UhDHPcBDH2FGOWqxrbrhERWaguf_KlkVqRwx4M4/s1600/Window1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1eCiWMEE2RB5ZM5S7dufmBXst5MAcPWciC483tZbnMlNdPak_8IHwgTJnRJ737XKffGkqbWlO4Vimg00JdXwQMnMqE1_5NiqCVD7UhDHPcBDH2FGOWqxrbrhERWaguf_KlkVqRwx4M4/s640/Window1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New 3/16 tinted acrylic (still with the sticky paper on) over the old faded and crazed portlights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
During the last haul out, I took on the faded and scratched portlights that had done a good job for 10 years. The original builder had committed the crime of sealing the portlights with silicon. It took a day of solid work to get the silicon off the cabin sides for four small windows. I knew it would be a tough job and was convinced by the interwebs to order and try an expensive product called Debond Marine Formula. I can't honestly say that it did anything. In the end the most effective method was a good ol' razor blade followed by sandpaper. You can never get silicon entirely off, but I got the hull sides dead smooth and clean, if still a little slippery. I then went ahead and prepped and painted the cabin sides with 5 coats.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Beb8eXIMshyphenhyphenBP730UWkrHn_5LnaKSEw4egcPkGDBVyD6IV_vWVf2HlY38m7TgmOZJfJ4mf3YqoSj3vX6hb6B8mxFB6v5eANfIzYvUDiCUa2H-gyDh_IDWX3SbMsWywSQ8-rkEYPX1N8/s1600/Window3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Beb8eXIMshyphenhyphenBP730UWkrHn_5LnaKSEw4egcPkGDBVyD6IV_vWVf2HlY38m7TgmOZJfJ4mf3YqoSj3vX6hb6B8mxFB6v5eANfIzYvUDiCUa2H-gyDh_IDWX3SbMsWywSQ8-rkEYPX1N8/s640/Window3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-applying the butyl tape and screws</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I ordered new 3/16 tinted sheet acrylic, and cut out the new windows using the old ones as templates. This made the whole job really easy and starting from scratch without the templates would have been a much bigger job. I clamped the new acrylic windows to the old ones and drilled through the old screw holes to get perfect reproductions of the original portlights.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgft0QYtUbHSbm7eQ59i4th58jkzGKajg1oIWrIlqARZ7qBzaBUyFXPHRXUyAFLv6oayty0l7S8LiSa82x-XySIn2xMl-ZDHSpF7rKoFLldPS6orI6BlONTXwHvWNKKi6iD_YvialzW0/s1600/Window5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgft0QYtUbHSbm7eQ59i4th58jkzGKajg1oIWrIlqARZ7qBzaBUyFXPHRXUyAFLv6oayty0l7S8LiSa82x-XySIn2xMl-ZDHSpF7rKoFLldPS6orI6BlONTXwHvWNKKi6iD_YvialzW0/s400/Window5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leave the protective film on until the portlight is installed on the boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Instead of using a permanent hi-tech bonding goop, I used an old fashioned product that has come back into vogue - butyl tape. This stuff is amazing - it has the consistency of plasticine and can be shaped to suit what ever you need to seal, in this case a bead around every window.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0wgjVUDTJNr8n-RXXsedChY7Yt1lYRXbFkzHuGZIRlZXvV8Vcl7S1rfXkjAm4yRpurIDr6_zk8Dsg-uTa3Y2XEMhjlnIjrYbP6qpujuTsuVUkt2zA1vxfGf1RbTECBs0Q8vBPPtJi2g/s1600/Window2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0wgjVUDTJNr8n-RXXsedChY7Yt1lYRXbFkzHuGZIRlZXvV8Vcl7S1rfXkjAm4yRpurIDr6_zk8Dsg-uTa3Y2XEMhjlnIjrYbP6qpujuTsuVUkt2zA1vxfGf1RbTECBs0Q8vBPPtJi2g/s640/Window2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I pre-applied the butyl tape in a bead around each portlight, and stuck each of the screws through the tape ready to re-fit on the boat. It is best to leave the protective film on the acrylic as long as possible to protect it during fitting.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY6KhbuOaJSbP3jT8AFLXLbxN16BrucoWAG_AU9frxyyUquxoaRweOXK2HmaEpbiO2NMd0BJ691kpyGcOnCRp3SSA20sy4kD2wI3gY-7UrJ68srS1XddHj7wdC1k7nZa1mIuRIGpLqrE/s1600/Window4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY6KhbuOaJSbP3jT8AFLXLbxN16BrucoWAG_AU9frxyyUquxoaRweOXK2HmaEpbiO2NMd0BJ691kpyGcOnCRp3SSA20sy4kD2wI3gY-7UrJ68srS1XddHj7wdC1k7nZa1mIuRIGpLqrE/s640/Window4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking swish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Back on the boat, the fitting was very easy, with the screw holes lining up perfectly. I reused all of the original screws, but bought new nylock nuts and washers. As you tighten down the screws, the butyl tape squishes out and you can stop at the point that you are happy with the seal. The excess can be scraped off with little residue left behind. The best thing is that the butyl never goes hard, and the next time the portlights need to be replaced, they will pop right off. Now I just need to convince one the Little Helpers to come and hold the allen key outside while a do the final tighten down on 60 nuts inside the boat.</div>
Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-79998653048427315512019-05-19T19:58:00.001-07:002019-05-19T21:24:40.670-07:00Painting Time Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I clearly haven't been posting much over the last few years as, looking back, it all seems to be about haul-outs and painting. In reality, it has been every 2 - 3 years which coincides with the life of the Brightsides top coat on the hulls.<br />
<br />
So, out the boat came over Xmas and it was time again. The two coats of Brightsides from the last round were solid at the tops of the hulls, but were starting to pit all around the waterline; I guess that the constant wave action and floating debris have more affect than I would have thought.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx7DrERtbmvz0ACns_CuFbX2PQIC9aP1QsUsLlRKu7VvCk_dXIQ0vKwUF7uFdazKOkvDQkxMAQBcmvyAPhtLotqb90sVU22huXtbQy8z1Z0mfZX_zj6m7Hn9hyhce-fVh9nZBSdCtmM0/s1600/Little+Helper+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx7DrERtbmvz0ACns_CuFbX2PQIC9aP1QsUsLlRKu7VvCk_dXIQ0vKwUF7uFdazKOkvDQkxMAQBcmvyAPhtLotqb90sVU22huXtbQy8z1Z0mfZX_zj6m7Hn9hyhce-fVh9nZBSdCtmM0/s640/Little+Helper+%25232.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Helper #2 sanding between coats (smiling or frowning?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, sanded the hulls down and filled the pits with Interlux Surfacing Putty. Spot primed with Interlux Prekote i.e all around the waterline. Sanded and more Prekote. Sanded and first coat of Brightsides. Sanded and second coat of Brightsides. Sanded and third coat of Brightsides (yes, managed three coats this time!). Then new numbers and name transfers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW97gFa7iZbNiOfuOu96XTFjgLaSrkswdc0lpOTOIFommY9aBDuVToQD9yOBOizSmFA7bVNCwH4UsIM46KnH6BM-zCTaVzUSuNOmnzUmnfcmKdY4MlaPXpKe6KI5v8GyENV2cdJJsXl_s/s1600/Ready+to+go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW97gFa7iZbNiOfuOu96XTFjgLaSrkswdc0lpOTOIFommY9aBDuVToQD9yOBOizSmFA7bVNCwH4UsIM46KnH6BM-zCTaVzUSuNOmnzUmnfcmKdY4MlaPXpKe6KI5v8GyENV2cdJJsXl_s/s640/Ready+to+go.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But wait - that was just the easy stuff. Also removed the windows and got three coats of Brightsides on the cabin sides too (also replaced the lexan windows - more on that later). DONT EVER USE SILICON on windows or anything else!! It took a day's work just to scrape the silicon off those teeny tiny window edges.<br />
<br />
I also pulled the center main beam, and refurbished the beam chocks. The chocks on the port side had small pockets of rot, so I cut them off and replaced them with solid G10 blocks - they will never give trouble again until the end of Creation (no pics - too busy). I then finished up with three coats of top coat (plus prep) under the beams.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-yZaGZ-Ud5bRXQOxfIBwj8TXD1J1oU02YrUTCnYgN5trFzKtoML6-e3Er9pgXNj51D9TbPKHWdcRTkbbk95UW962cXf5BqPWiWwzDz42onl4FBanf9OuAFUJAgFBA4E_qpf8gnO7KqM/s1600/Bottom+Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-yZaGZ-Ud5bRXQOxfIBwj8TXD1J1oU02YrUTCnYgN5trFzKtoML6-e3Er9pgXNj51D9TbPKHWdcRTkbbk95UW962cXf5BqPWiWwzDz42onl4FBanf9OuAFUJAgFBA4E_qpf8gnO7KqM/s640/Bottom+Paint.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out. Good shot of the Trinidad bottom paint</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I also removed all of the center decking, and found further cracks in the fillets of the center section (see, last haul out). So, I taped ALL of the fillets of the center section with 4" 10 oz glass tapes, and don't expect further issues (no pics, too busy). Also, found spots of soft, wet, wood in the rails along the cabin sides that support the decks. Dug those spots out and filled with thickened epoxy. Then all those projects had to be finished with two coats of primer, and three coats of top coat.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFplxE72FDUk2gbIGOzS71DGWh0ubi6FwErFloTB20ftUAVgfPW5g7xc05i_NzhGtXBF_of3-v7dIzhMYcp4VIUjvFF7MHoXWfpMsQD_lWbC-wbHNu9c3vZ2_Fki6ogiBnyfusMERcrY/s1600/Interesting+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFplxE72FDUk2gbIGOzS71DGWh0ubi6FwErFloTB20ftUAVgfPW5g7xc05i_NzhGtXBF_of3-v7dIzhMYcp4VIUjvFF7MHoXWfpMsQD_lWbC-wbHNu9c3vZ2_Fki6ogiBnyfusMERcrY/s640/Interesting+view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still missing some decking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last time I used Interlux Bottomkote Aqua for the bottom paint and it held up quite well over 2 and a half years. It had hard growth after one year, but it scraped off fairly easily. Being water based it was very easy to work with and paint on the boat, with easy wash up in water.<br />
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On the other hand, it did get heavy growth that needed cleaning off. The Wharram deep vee hull is very dependent on being clean to perform well, and I decided to bite-the-bullet this time and cough-up for the really expensive and super toxic Pettit Trinidad. I got it on special for $250, and put on two coats with extra on the edges. This stuff is toxic - it was impossible to be around without the vapor breathing mask and stunk out the car for weeks. It is supposed to last for two seasons, so I will let you know. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLzSA0e-AZqWW0BpbeoBhALaymCAtocrOY8LTYzJt7-yrBV2FHq6EI06puusjFoGHP6nFx1yitYG8lyeGksWQZeCQaNLPziPHRz6VD49DZlYUxYqha3GDKfIMjErs29GoLdGPPvJFz1s/s1600/about+to+splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLzSA0e-AZqWW0BpbeoBhALaymCAtocrOY8LTYzJt7-yrBV2FHq6EI06puusjFoGHP6nFx1yitYG8lyeGksWQZeCQaNLPziPHRz6VD49DZlYUxYqha3GDKfIMjErs29GoLdGPPvJFz1s/s640/about+to+splash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to splash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I did other jobs too, but too much to describe here without getting boring. Just a note on ongoing maintenance - if I was a builder I would use G10 on all high-wear edges i.e. hatch sides, cockpit coamings, beam chocks, deck rails and net rails. These are the areas that have required repeated maintenance on <i>Little Cat</i> as they were made from unglassed plywood. If G10 were used in high wear parts of the boat, and it was painted in two-pack linear polyurethane, then one would have a relatively low maintenance boat.<br />
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Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-67890556671247973262018-12-31T10:38:00.000-08:002018-12-31T10:38:37.220-08:00Gunkholing the Marin Coastal Seashore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Many times I have driven the Highway One coastal road to Muir and Stinson Beaches, and enjoyed the views of the rugged rocky seashore and the big Pacific swells crashing into it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXuGWaQniHjEZ9MG10S-h2AoB4tXkjgG5S9r5Xq6dJhWipkzfEubTRSD5NPZ01r5YtYEM97wGJo6oJ3ybKtAOwhWBZH68nivxv3Bi2CDQsYWZ7db9_CNNCYUZqFlMbE7qUUyy2uwndj4/s1600/Coast+11_12_18_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1396" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXuGWaQniHjEZ9MG10S-h2AoB4tXkjgG5S9r5Xq6dJhWipkzfEubTRSD5NPZ01r5YtYEM97wGJo6oJ3ybKtAOwhWBZH68nivxv3Bi2CDQsYWZ7db9_CNNCYUZqFlMbE7qUUyy2uwndj4/s640/Coast+11_12_18_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This part of the coast is usually closed to exploration by <i>Little Cat</i> because of the rough onshore conditions driven by the prevailing North Westerly winds. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9FaI60Cq3WOcowD4HfaMHqssVR40g9HAokLkbIZ2c93iTr5WdjaCVtiCC_IQq_Ajn4IT3YkVf6gaW1SU8WaQJOz9KSC30_VrhZFMpwEDEI4ql3P8BD7Y5EOxILf3-Jyrg6vfo_DG8jM/s1600/GG+shadow+on+the+hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9FaI60Cq3WOcowD4HfaMHqssVR40g9HAokLkbIZ2c93iTr5WdjaCVtiCC_IQq_Ajn4IT3YkVf6gaW1SU8WaQJOz9KSC30_VrhZFMpwEDEI4ql3P8BD7Y5EOxILf3-Jyrg6vfo_DG8jM/s640/GG+shadow+on+the+hill.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out. Note the morning shadow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Very occasionally and usually in Winter, a period of contrary Easterlies
will calm this coast, giving a temporary opportunity for gunkholing.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn_MFXhSCocFL9wbfCwounpEiIcyh8XEJPfGvI0378zGt9JiIUzBpayAGXKGEpZzrgQK_uQFXIrCLdHv995zvpCz64M1xTxpPkwR-c7xWGE6TpERZPWixyTbWqujPLizAbUv9WXgIAWs/s1600/Pt+Bonita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn_MFXhSCocFL9wbfCwounpEiIcyh8XEJPfGvI0378zGt9JiIUzBpayAGXKGEpZzrgQK_uQFXIrCLdHv995zvpCz64M1xTxpPkwR-c7xWGE6TpERZPWixyTbWqujPLizAbUv9WXgIAWs/s640/Pt+Bonita.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pt Bonita North. Still some smoke from the Camp Fire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Such was this occasion in late Fall, although still not without issues as the
Easterlies were blowing 20 knots with gusts to 30 knots, and the only
shelter was close up against the shore.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qtAP_Z0thXZidSV7KE06V0wygFk5P4gnJDvASOP0c41GjiO3tgzPlZK4TlNALecL8AxnSVTjBxC9Uq9-5N00QLBlv7IAJO19fM6XL50lTfoCmmNFYopUK-EZZ2BMbq981K8HlnIHF5Q/s1600/Muir+Punt+Vista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qtAP_Z0thXZidSV7KE06V0wygFk5P4gnJDvASOP0c41GjiO3tgzPlZK4TlNALecL8AxnSVTjBxC9Uq9-5N00QLBlv7IAJO19fM6XL50lTfoCmmNFYopUK-EZZ2BMbq981K8HlnIHF5Q/s640/Muir+Punt+Vista.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Directly under the Muir Beach Punta Vista.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So ironic to find calm shelter where it is usually a cauldron of angry water. Had lunch in this spot (above), and for the second time on <i>Little Cat</i>, could <i>not</i> get the anchor up. On the previous occasion, I buoyed the anchor line and came back days later with my snorkeling gear. That was not an option here, as it might not be calm again for weeks or months, so gave it full power with the outboard until the anchor shaft bent and it came up. Totaled the anchor, but luckily I have two.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTxa_NvbcWYt1LuHnQ5F6S3WOI_-mE7B5usmF1VRjED8-kmT_dyiURM_XQreHpcB5DFbs7hiw-5Y2OHzxEk1ywPVwQ6alvIj4e5BBIkZflDw4MfaEHKRRcAHU496ZDIUjr09HnflMqz0/s1600/Rocky+coast+south.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTxa_NvbcWYt1LuHnQ5F6S3WOI_-mE7B5usmF1VRjED8-kmT_dyiURM_XQreHpcB5DFbs7hiw-5Y2OHzxEk1ywPVwQ6alvIj4e5BBIkZflDw4MfaEHKRRcAHU496ZDIUjr09HnflMqz0/s640/Rocky+coast+south.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking South past Slide Ranch</td></tr>
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After lunch, <i>Little Cat</i> and I, explored north past Slide Ranch and got a close up look at the dozens of rocks and largely never-seen little rocky beaches along the shore line.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdwbbE32eD3IqAH2oTbayCtffH1WYAlt7lw49JkqKikFdEq3GZYqTrFpHnQDNV9jFRoI8Npq84EnJsDzaOf3cK8s0QsbYw80Kf886GXj-Fy6d5Eg70V9VhnVc5v3ds7kYXEY8-P17O8A/s1600/Rocky+coast+north.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdwbbE32eD3IqAH2oTbayCtffH1WYAlt7lw49JkqKikFdEq3GZYqTrFpHnQDNV9jFRoI8Npq84EnJsDzaOf3cK8s0QsbYw80Kf886GXj-Fy6d5Eg70V9VhnVc5v3ds7kYXEY8-P17O8A/s640/Rocky+coast+north.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking North to Gull Rock.</td></tr>
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I had to pay close attention, as we were constantly buffeted by 25 knot gusts if we got too far away from the shore. Little Cat was doing 5 knots downwind with no sails up!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhBhjQH5VyJvyrCN3bIgQMK0TjyWikXNEeEg25ZRNO2IDuYz1zLVdYFD_PNCXl0gZO1Lz8gYiRnZcr73Ovka_Cq669wC47CSkLqXgA_KvkkgfNobmY4VPk6ytBWsJ_Udu_RbC07HoU6A/s1600/Blasted+by+that+easterlie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhBhjQH5VyJvyrCN3bIgQMK0TjyWikXNEeEg25ZRNO2IDuYz1zLVdYFD_PNCXl0gZO1Lz8gYiRnZcr73Ovka_Cq669wC47CSkLqXgA_KvkkgfNobmY4VPk6ytBWsJ_Udu_RbC07HoU6A/s640/Blasted+by+that+easterlie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No escape from the 25 knot gusts off the shore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We circled around Gull Rock to head back to catch the tide through the Gate. Gull Rock was alive with seabirds, and is in a grand setting overlooked by a rocky point rising 1,000 feet (bisected by HWY 1).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tEsBueCmop4nss7_by9Mk9HxSdiDzi3JU0Z2rrS1_P9QHl-YPHOb6H19X0Pp-NCKA5bIiDxmLdc3TxashrN4v7qrxF1Uar_hIxexWMIKm2PDYgbFEWwHhn0YWCBz13Lr_SmFTd9pNQM/s1600/Gull+Rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tEsBueCmop4nss7_by9Mk9HxSdiDzi3JU0Z2rrS1_P9QHl-YPHOb6H19X0Pp-NCKA5bIiDxmLdc3TxashrN4v7qrxF1Uar_hIxexWMIKm2PDYgbFEWwHhn0YWCBz13Lr_SmFTd9pNQM/s640/Gull+Rock.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gull Rock up close (with gulls).</td></tr>
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Sailed back on the first reef for the main and jib, and tacked through the Golden Gate Channel. Under the bridge the wind had veered allowing a close reach behind Angel Island. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGaIHMfB03cVhP_EY-0B04tUlzO6JhKqP9UE1lEeLuybX-zUELB0NTbULxEd00R8b1NgTrFNtzEXG4-qFdIeDnhJBd8Wd_taWNGRCfpIpCdQhg1t4Sjc8pC30JfzX_geuR3qcan4biW8/s1600/Coast+11_12_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGaIHMfB03cVhP_EY-0B04tUlzO6JhKqP9UE1lEeLuybX-zUELB0NTbULxEd00R8b1NgTrFNtzEXG4-qFdIeDnhJBd8Wd_taWNGRCfpIpCdQhg1t4Sjc8pC30JfzX_geuR3qcan4biW8/s640/Coast+11_12_18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of shoreline route.</td></tr>
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We stopped at this great spot under Bluff Point (Tiburon) to take a break and tidy up on the way back. In so doing, I spilled a bottle of Boat Soap that went all over the deck, starboard cabin, and into the bilge. Expletives followed. Note to self: don't carry around bottles of spillables.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWpW48QQ7QG4cF1vSJOWgR8gU__RcERcdk0lYdAmDNztU2aEom_2xnebkqKo5q8dwOHb9hMo7UDgBZKeplWf0CzjdHAPzKIoYSMOGbFuXdssoxWzFhjjkQyZuloCmdEmg1jzlwRCRk0s/s1600/20181112_150439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWpW48QQ7QG4cF1vSJOWgR8gU__RcERcdk0lYdAmDNztU2aEom_2xnebkqKo5q8dwOHb9hMo7UDgBZKeplWf0CzjdHAPzKIoYSMOGbFuXdssoxWzFhjjkQyZuloCmdEmg1jzlwRCRk0s/s640/20181112_150439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-30546729451196499122018-12-28T13:40:00.001-08:002018-12-28T13:45:46.496-08:00Boat camping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
is what my daughter calls it. What could be better than combining the fun of camping with the joy of sailing?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzmHhaxvt4fvNIHAn_ODI3TVdqJjsz1yqfTmVpbGz_dLMzEgYNtAh3r2NkuyCeqMk35m6KCD2aVXuCGGzqfi65ZpnGG4kNMzx9kpmE6l9035oGFT_-qnwzTm2rHUFp_aylHUE5X74hWo/s1600/Boat+tent.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzmHhaxvt4fvNIHAn_ODI3TVdqJjsz1yqfTmVpbGz_dLMzEgYNtAh3r2NkuyCeqMk35m6KCD2aVXuCGGzqfi65ZpnGG4kNMzx9kpmE6l9035oGFT_-qnwzTm2rHUFp_aylHUE5X74hWo/s640/Boat+tent.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The boat tent is a large rectangle of Sunbrella that lies across the gaff plus the boat hook to get enough length. It provides a large usable area, with shelter from the sun or rain. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8RO1cJYY6872VROLxZj2SUE50my-xCvVBnXsgiEYlaKDZLcfAiNO8MCZmpDd30yRAWewiNKWtsFXyGS1TnC-ZtONFJ5JUNaBh6FFV606oiyoLbRza25XTcvwprzgkolotzebBRrxyCw/s1600/Ship+to+shore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8RO1cJYY6872VROLxZj2SUE50my-xCvVBnXsgiEYlaKDZLcfAiNO8MCZmpDd30yRAWewiNKWtsFXyGS1TnC-ZtONFJ5JUNaBh6FFV606oiyoLbRza25XTcvwprzgkolotzebBRrxyCw/s640/Ship+to+shore.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ship to shore in Little Cat Too</td></tr>
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The tent makes overnighting much more comfortable, keeping the decks dry and allowing free movement between the hulls during the night. The old man sleeps on the deck in complete comfort, while the little helpers have a cabin each.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUO3-irn8BrTQXIvih3DTbha7ecuAhFsDd_xmGrKQyF0IygO5Yea-CIZIPv5XXfUN1SHHU23kVCKfTvgq1921hnaOdpwIVTxgosPiGz7xrAQ6320c9JkEdl57hsE1hWx5XqgSMNpTruU/s1600/On+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUO3-irn8BrTQXIvih3DTbha7ecuAhFsDd_xmGrKQyF0IygO5Yea-CIZIPv5XXfUN1SHHU23kVCKfTvgq1921hnaOdpwIVTxgosPiGz7xrAQ6320c9JkEdl57hsE1hWx5XqgSMNpTruU/s640/On+the+beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Little Helpers beach combing at China Camp.</td></tr>
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This particular trip started at China Camp on Angel Island. The Little Helpers like to escape in the dinghy and explore the foreshore. At dusk we were lucky to see a deer and her doe appear and forage along the beach. <br />
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Dinner was noodles and soup, followed by a great deal of longing around and enjoyment of the sunset.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0gOXtTLPhrnwgJIQoz63nhY30cTSniuETZ0ClbpakBEqEpYQpjv_LCjHjEx3kBOYAri0vTX3EB47Ern7KgpeMpErFv4rxcUY7axA3Iv-7xaLg6Kj_5f0LNm8SZzYTxQPt57Shi6hing/s1600/Dusk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0gOXtTLPhrnwgJIQoz63nhY30cTSniuETZ0ClbpakBEqEpYQpjv_LCjHjEx3kBOYAri0vTX3EB47Ern7KgpeMpErFv4rxcUY7axA3Iv-7xaLg6Kj_5f0LNm8SZzYTxQPt57Shi6hing/s640/Dusk.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The next morning, the Little Helpers took Little Cat Too east around Pt Simpton to explore the beautiful sheltered beaches there, and to jump off rocks (of course).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FV4Y0ldv_zOB52sT_S_QkLItoma0VsmouEq-O7Y4Bys0wA5wrQkgoo4fCFcVfCt0MDe5_XyrGJwqJ_63MlQqYJHPvP6s8Z_72A21_4o91dMRyIxiSf_uTA_SgJZHmtK6R1SE3fL1QmQ/s1600/Exloring+the+shore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="961" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FV4Y0ldv_zOB52sT_S_QkLItoma0VsmouEq-O7Y4Bys0wA5wrQkgoo4fCFcVfCt0MDe5_XyrGJwqJ_63MlQqYJHPvP6s8Z_72A21_4o91dMRyIxiSf_uTA_SgJZHmtK6R1SE3fL1QmQ/s640/Exloring+the+shore.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pt Simpton behind.</td></tr>
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It is really deep along the shore here, and almost always very sheltered. I spend a lot of time anchored 10 feet off this shore. It is so deep I am surprised that other cruisers don't pull in and anchor here, instead I usually have it to myself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3f3D2nU_ml9-WJK6zyDIlCvNn4SHyfBE3Od7kW2oL7Bii29ub7LFF29btCXdBqvK161TG8u3YnnZFzpgBP31sb00MvJ-ufUGCqKW8L0Jfwmd015voQgtiz7DLr7OB_4CVjhxs7ZOqPM/s1600/Little+Helper+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3f3D2nU_ml9-WJK6zyDIlCvNn4SHyfBE3Od7kW2oL7Bii29ub7LFF29btCXdBqvK161TG8u3YnnZFzpgBP31sb00MvJ-ufUGCqKW8L0Jfwmd015voQgtiz7DLr7OB_4CVjhxs7ZOqPM/s640/Little+Helper+1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Helper #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnOdRMrvDg5tKv-aA-tT-jclnuCV2xIJYKmlqDaJPLNxsRubgmyWhRke03E8PhF2VRuv3R5YeIc5WWh_IvtiFMGryHvTRwmHkpM2JPnHivOD9Qalyjd-Gl73x8wJ-Dd6IY30FnEJCv0w/s1600/Little+Helper+2.JPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnOdRMrvDg5tKv-aA-tT-jclnuCV2xIJYKmlqDaJPLNxsRubgmyWhRke03E8PhF2VRuv3R5YeIc5WWh_IvtiFMGryHvTRwmHkpM2JPnHivOD9Qalyjd-Gl73x8wJ-Dd6IY30FnEJCv0w/s640/Little+Helper+2.JPG.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Helper #2</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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A few months later, we did another overnight at Quarry Beach (East side of Angel Island). This trip was much colder and breezier, so had the boat tent cinched down closer to the deck to give more shelter and less windage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83IO7pPd-tP3LgDK8Vj9LHTagU7Fmcz3vtJdbeQddOejbcP-hdi12_JTzepQwPC7jCsvaFsZ7B0aadHRzRupotMqtbUtsqGqDWJGiA_mbGWLZENlkrh5yq3oRfdgTEpLDeXx_bprp2gs/s1600/Fall+Quarry+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83IO7pPd-tP3LgDK8Vj9LHTagU7Fmcz3vtJdbeQddOejbcP-hdi12_JTzepQwPC7jCsvaFsZ7B0aadHRzRupotMqtbUtsqGqDWJGiA_mbGWLZENlkrh5yq3oRfdgTEpLDeXx_bprp2gs/s640/Fall+Quarry+Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At some point I will sew up a zip-on section for the bow end of the boat tent. This will stop wind and rain from blowing through entirely and then we will have true boat camping luxury afloat.</div>
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Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-72238535669163266372018-05-13T12:41:00.000-07:002018-05-13T19:15:48.725-07:00Its the small things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Inexpensive indispensables (a living list):<br />
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<b>Sea Foam</b> $7 <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/0e959f7f-d0ea-4543-9d72-e1e259f15298_1.e866b5e5740d1cba9647a62ff223ee6d.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF" height="200" src="https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/0e959f7f-d0ea-4543-9d72-e1e259f15298_1.e866b5e5740d1cba9647a62ff223ee6d.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF" width="200" /><br />
<br />
Added to the gas tank keeps the outboard fuel system copacetic and saves $$ in maintenance. My recent outboard overhaul revealed a pristine carburettor after 125 hours of use. <br />
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<b>Pee bottle</b> $10<br />
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<img alt="https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/0074a769-3163-411f-bed1-705863878b30_1.b0125e0b4127ada4c8bc59ea7a816bea.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF" height="200" src="https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/0074a769-3163-411f-bed1-705863878b30_1.b0125e0b4127ada4c8bc59ea7a816bea.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF" width="200" /><br />
Nearly drowned several times trying to pee over the side in rough weather. Now I sit in comfort safe in the cockpit. Also, don't have to go up on a wet cold deck in the middle of the night to go for a pee.<br />
<br />
<b>Gorilla Grip</b> (or similar work gloves) $5.50<br />
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<img alt="https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/874c6289-56d6-438f-8552-90468e3a6f7e/svn/blacks-grease-monkey-gardening-gloves-25054-030-64_1000.jpg" class="shrinkToFit" height="200" src="https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/874c6289-56d6-438f-8552-90468e3a6f7e/svn/blacks-grease-monkey-gardening-gloves-25054-030-64_1000.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<br />
Work as well as any fancy sailing gloves. Tough nitrile palm and fast drying nylonish back. <br />
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<b>PVC work gloves</b> $7<br />
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<br />
<img alt="https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/dc7667c7-891b-48d5-bb4e-2bdf7f08183d/svn/blues-grease-monkey-gardening-gloves-23408-08-64_1000.jpg" class="shrinkToFit" height="200" src="https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/dc7667c7-891b-48d5-bb4e-2bdf7f08183d/svn/blues-grease-monkey-gardening-gloves-23408-08-64_1000.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<br />
They don't look stylish - the crew on "yachts" will look at you aghast, but these are as good or better than fancy "waterproof" sailing/helmsman's gloves that can cost big boat dollars. ALL OTHER gloves will get wet eventually. These are a bit clumsy, but you can tie knots with them on. They will get clammy after hours of use, but with a pair of the above Gorilla Grip or polypro gloves as liners, they will keep you hands dry and warm in the worst conditions.<br />
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<b>Plastic basin</b> $12<br />
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<img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiYgFSO2gK7l61m7k5zAnuy4hbnMQqlxbL_6qf6Yqovuf36FCNEM6SmoOn_OeYIrF7M4B2uWejNVjpBFnY2f_sEHvswTyidUnOhCoP_lJtDH6PpVbCajwr3aknFlBF_H3Vr1GjAzQB5TyhZ8WReyGLxPltwePzMvYrfSur9_c27TNUq4SAqPmqTUoclFCP2jePva0w-eN0zpIbD4DSufrxfWtpJwmIHikilhVjuql0WQwO3=s500-e365-pd-pc0x00ffffff" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiYgFSO2gK7l61m7k5zAnuy4hbnMQqlxbL_6qf6Yqovuf36FCNEM6SmoOn_OeYIrF7M4B2uWejNVjpBFnY2f_sEHvswTyidUnOhCoP_lJtDH6PpVbCajwr3aknFlBF_H3Vr1GjAzQB5TyhZ8WReyGLxPltwePzMvYrfSur9_c27TNUq4SAqPmqTUoclFCP2jePva0w-eN0zpIbD4DSufrxfWtpJwmIHikilhVjuql0WQwO3=s500-e365-pd-pc0x00ffffff" width="200" /><br />
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With one of these babies, you can do anything that you can do in a fancy galley: you can also wash the dishes and yourself when necessary. <br />
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<b>Poop bags</b> $12<br />
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<img alt="https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/a707d05c-1354-4c1a-94dc-f7b95115005e_1.2e3d50129e5f3c95954d30483030c11e.jpeg?odnWidth=undefined&odnHeight=undefined&odnBg=ffffff" class="shrinkToFit" height="200" src="https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/a707d05c-1354-4c1a-94dc-f7b95115005e_1.2e3d50129e5f3c95954d30483030c11e.jpeg?odnWidth=undefined&odnHeight=undefined&odnBg=ffffff" width="200" /> <br />
Forget about fancy Heads, whether hand pump, electric, or composting. Don't even think about a sloshy portable toilet. These self-sealing bags are the <i>creme de la creme</i> of the camp toilet genre. All you need is a comfy bucket, and these bags self seal and can be disposed in the trash at your convenience. I believe that they are legal for disposal of human waste in California (but don't quote me).<br />
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<b>Lanacote</b> $13<br />
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<img alt="https://www.backscatter.com/ITEM_IMAGES/ac-lc_1.jpg" class="shrinkToFit" height="200" src="https://www.backscatter.com/ITEM_IMAGES/ac-lc_1.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<br />
Lanolin (sheep wool oil) anti-corrosion goop. Use it to assemble all hardware on the boat so it will come apart in the future, especially with stainless steel in aluminum fastenings. There are much more expensive products, but this stuff is so cheap you can have a tub of it on the boat and slap it on all of your projects. You can also use it for all electrical fittings to keep the water out. The only catch is that it is quite smelly (like sheep).</div>
Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-1067198573341443882018-04-05T14:47:00.001-07:002018-12-28T14:07:42.379-08:00The boat didn't notice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
the beating from the confused sea state on the way out of San Francisco Bay, but my stomach was sure feeling it. We hit strong wind-over-tide conditions coming past Angel Island, and then ran into wind waves and sea swell clashing from different directions as we passed Pt Bonita on the way to Drakes Bay on our first coastal cruise for 2018. In a confused sea state, the ultralight Tiki bounces around like the proverbial, and things did not improve until we were well past Duxberry Pt (Bolinas). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL3afTE9HFMoNA1fKX79_aMBxbgMIHNUHZaJRhyphenhyphenYwDXCRSY1RTdAO-GzqBu5d2oiXZDWsUH7b0wGPoMur66XxOjli90S3Bi_zUU5u_xxI1N1K8cRSfsrq-VHaQtE0SyzI4B1ZVrACP74/s1600/Drakes+March+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="897" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL3afTE9HFMoNA1fKX79_aMBxbgMIHNUHZaJRhyphenhyphenYwDXCRSY1RTdAO-GzqBu5d2oiXZDWsUH7b0wGPoMur66XxOjli90S3Bi_zUU5u_xxI1N1K8cRSfsrq-VHaQtE0SyzI4B1ZVrACP74/s640/Drakes+March+2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The video below shows us encountering the start of the ocean swell as we pull away from Duxberry Reef. The swells are still bouncy from the wind waves, but things are starting to improve. We had a nice close reach/beat all of the way past Pt Reyes on a single tack in a steady 10 knot breeze.<br />
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Although this was my 4th trip to Drakes Bay in <i>Little Cat</i>, we had never rounded Pt Reyes itself. On this trip I decided to take a look around the corner in prep for a future trip to Bodega Bay and/or Tomales Bay, and so sailed the extra 5 NM to do so - what a spectacular setting for the Pt Reyes Lighthouse and how wonderful the views must be!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ablIbMGIChQ0ktp2FgOsuisOKhDM633bQfYwoP6czXcwu2LaeZX5otJFYQCKBzjsAEoHEtSytam3iF8Vfcj_Q50e8imzBz48J94lO70ddgaW9_FvCiWgUgPAvQrrb-mvwc5JC0GtKOM/s1600/20180323_152705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ablIbMGIChQ0ktp2FgOsuisOKhDM633bQfYwoP6czXcwu2LaeZX5otJFYQCKBzjsAEoHEtSytam3iF8Vfcj_Q50e8imzBz48J94lO70ddgaW9_FvCiWgUgPAvQrrb-mvwc5JC0GtKOM/s640/20180323_152705.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Pt Reyes astern</td></tr>
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Then it was back to the calm shelter of Drakes Bay to put up our new Sunbrella deck tent and kick back with some food and a nip of bourbon after a good day's sail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzq7WmV2-n4ZK8o2IQC5Ami6drG-AxIuppiIRGesFP-wFobL0fJfSDkJ3DRXYk7XttZTKIS8Vco7zeDZeEGNEqoSBKblkT2IzYbaSdNOV8J0JI4vN5qvwS44Iilp-zAota1W3p3n9TYk/s1600/20180323_165309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzq7WmV2-n4ZK8o2IQC5Ami6drG-AxIuppiIRGesFP-wFobL0fJfSDkJ3DRXYk7XttZTKIS8Vco7zeDZeEGNEqoSBKblkT2IzYbaSdNOV8J0JI4vN5qvwS44Iilp-zAota1W3p3n9TYk/s640/20180323_165309.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking East to the historic Chimney Rock Lifeboat Station (1927) at sunset</td></tr>
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Snug under the deck tent, I had a big bacon, egg, tomato and onion cook-up, while the sun went down, then settled down to watch and listen as night settled in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErCXUCl84wKtr9CQaSSdGBCj799DSktroPQbFb0K6nU7D7NXMeaKPjWMo15aS6H8xHnxiQ3pVKebw2iOT-brUnQ3jB0n1yfyw78RYkievv3u3hPLbX5avJheqh7a2W41cAUhbaWkDL9M/s1600/20180323_165318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErCXUCl84wKtr9CQaSSdGBCj799DSktroPQbFb0K6nU7D7NXMeaKPjWMo15aS6H8xHnxiQ3pVKebw2iOT-brUnQ3jB0n1yfyw78RYkievv3u3hPLbX5avJheqh7a2W41cAUhbaWkDL9M/s400/20180323_165318.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking West towards the old Pt Reyes fish docks</td></tr>
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You can't have too many bacon and eggs, so after a redo in the morning it was time to pack up and move out. I only had to run the outboard for a minute to get us away from the shore, and then it was engine off and we ghosted out of the Bay wing and wing past the treacherous breakers beyond Chimney Rock - don't cut that corner, as I was tempted to on the way in (see video below)!<br />
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The breeze was a very light 5 knots from the West, so we hoisted the symmetric spinnaker to make the most of it. What followed was a great spin run all of the way back to the Shipping Channel, and then a series of gybes north until around Mile Rock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpotiR1ECLd1ppvN_gueOqMrM4kcWFNeL80DqmbW6xWiXv4dTNRL3BEv1NnOkTFAVMrWgTVm3r-TsSDEqBBtwFfQvxRN5lfgdMshNOw4W3VhWJKg1JI3JLSJ_QsFB9fV9TyW5MfPJ7qkU/s1600/20180324_120552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpotiR1ECLd1ppvN_gueOqMrM4kcWFNeL80DqmbW6xWiXv4dTNRL3BEv1NnOkTFAVMrWgTVm3r-TsSDEqBBtwFfQvxRN5lfgdMshNOw4W3VhWJKg1JI3JLSJ_QsFB9fV9TyW5MfPJ7qkU/s640/20180324_120552.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running home under spinnaker in the morning</td></tr>
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The wind gradually built during the day until it reached around 15 knots, and gusting over 20 knots. The ocean swell continued to build until it reached the forecast 10+ feet as we crossed the top of the Four Fathom Bank into the Shipping Channel. There, to my surprise, we encountered the BAMA Double-handed Farallones fleet as they were running back to the Golden Gate under spinnaker. We got overtaken and passed by a succession of big, fast, boats including several F-31 trimarans.<br />
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By the time I dropped the spinnaker at Mile Rock, I was very tired after sheeting the spin for several hours in increasing winds. For the last hour or so, I had to pull the tack and sheets in tight to de-power the sail as the wind built. My little symmetric (240 square feet) is cut too flat to be stable dead down wind and requires a lot of trim.<br />
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We sailed the rest of the way home under the white sails. 90 nautical miles, this trip.<br />
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<b>Update:</b><br />
<br />
Sailing photographer Leslie Richter was out taking pics of the returning BAMA fleet and got some great shots of <i>Little Cat</i> coming down the shipping channel to the Golden Gate (below).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycWQNqecE3IpR65StfGlwxe0dxA231ZZEJmOC5N65bjnlFq8vzn19nn_aZ_mWYy43x7M-qNGb5KUKWdTYFlHKtyhKlT92AF6GLduUiKIJ-2d3JFO4g6ixv72h2r0OAHcR_1A9mSV2DfI/s1600/76329474-20180324_Leslie-Richter-Photo_LER1450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycWQNqecE3IpR65StfGlwxe0dxA231ZZEJmOC5N65bjnlFq8vzn19nn_aZ_mWYy43x7M-qNGb5KUKWdTYFlHKtyhKlT92AF6GLduUiKIJ-2d3JFO4g6ixv72h2r0OAHcR_1A9mSV2DfI/s1600/76329474-20180324_Leslie-Richter-Photo_LER1450.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farrier F-31 is bearing down on us at speed</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvv2a7cHijkJpUQgu38zBchr7HzDD3Lj9fs7Bje3KAdNgJK6LhzSO63wULjuMAH23uabMkgJjZFsEpjunoMkf0eVCflUsTJVcIh_FqN3RVeqi8SUomPu78zWEdndL3K93tn1IIPxIna0/s1600/76329473-20180324_Leslie-Richter-Photo_LER1457-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvv2a7cHijkJpUQgu38zBchr7HzDD3Lj9fs7Bje3KAdNgJK6LhzSO63wULjuMAH23uabMkgJjZFsEpjunoMkf0eVCflUsTJVcIh_FqN3RVeqi8SUomPu78zWEdndL3K93tn1IIPxIna0/s1600/76329473-20180324_Leslie-Richter-Photo_LER1457-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wing and wing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8V5xj8i4ZAHbNQJO82DqwDQCwsOZaQMYZt3WO2A0TvZHgdMKEyouvVr0GXl7uVmHU09XEUhHXZzaIjtFvpkhr4_kjqLgHG1rLBhCFXdeL3AV2J7UCUBS72fkrP8iE6CZn3zrzx-2TpM/s1600/76329472-20180324_Leslie-Richter-Photo_LER1471-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8V5xj8i4ZAHbNQJO82DqwDQCwsOZaQMYZt3WO2A0TvZHgdMKEyouvVr0GXl7uVmHU09XEUhHXZzaIjtFvpkhr4_kjqLgHG1rLBhCFXdeL3AV2J7UCUBS72fkrP8iE6CZn3zrzx-2TpM/s1600/76329472-20180324_Leslie-Richter-Photo_LER1471-Edit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeward bound</td></tr>
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Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5707138042364353607.post-17877972154000601972018-01-14T10:53:00.004-08:002018-01-14T10:55:08.483-08:00Urban Seashore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One aspect of cruising in a big-city Bay is that a lot of the seashore is urban and not very appealing. But sometimes both Nature and the urban city front can resolve into something special, like the seashore of the Albany Bulb.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6ViM8eS0rAs9Uo-gpSEJCjsORbyzXUW6eSEvMJJh-ee9xCH6BZ4CNnQ2cg-yySDCBt3yOZU4g0i53hQ9OV58wMybeeb6QbpsIxHST-EH6TLd96kqwHtDXfzrSRsi2qbDb1ndI_66JvQ/s1600/Albany+Bulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="697" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6ViM8eS0rAs9Uo-gpSEJCjsORbyzXUW6eSEvMJJh-ee9xCH6BZ4CNnQ2cg-yySDCBt3yOZU4g0i53hQ9OV58wMybeeb6QbpsIxHST-EH6TLd96kqwHtDXfzrSRsi2qbDb1ndI_66JvQ/s320/Albany+Bulb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20 nautical miles from San Quentin Bay to Berkeley and back</td></tr>
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On a cold and rainy winter's day, we set off on a 10 mile reach across the Bay to the Berkeley Marina, and then back along the shoreline to explore the Berkeley lagoon (behind Cesar Chavez Park), the ruins at Fleming Point, and the urban/natural wonderland of the Albany Bulb.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0xq69s6-ZethKU-rB-UGnuSp_fkTT3DkwGjWmnabMGq1LJs3Mp3OP-AfrQvABbCpcQNM9Ck010BfAILcyr0CXWRFO5ZxwSc5ERovXN1K2dsTly56qeImauVtUyqG6MU5csZw8IJo2R0/s1600/20180110_151621_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0xq69s6-ZethKU-rB-UGnuSp_fkTT3DkwGjWmnabMGq1LJs3Mp3OP-AfrQvABbCpcQNM9Ck010BfAILcyr0CXWRFO5ZxwSc5ERovXN1K2dsTly56qeImauVtUyqG6MU5csZw8IJo2R0/s640/20180110_151621_stitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So my photo is not that inspiring - but it was wet and overcast.</td></tr>
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This is shallow water cruising, but probably not as bad as many folks might think. It was dead low tide and their was still 3 feet of water all of the way around the shoreline and at the Bulb (see below).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNYJylJ47XzsxtmxYIyO72IKAT3dGG5EtKcFdErqBsUcpaTKTlUsbhQ43inDPt__UOAswd5mw3Zfa2rjPpaicSH3v4u0ZmLOpd2Mi1blWIHdhHAZXCzkW6JICIhl0Rcny3tMTOJUdc70/s1600/Bulb+Cruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNYJylJ47XzsxtmxYIyO72IKAT3dGG5EtKcFdErqBsUcpaTKTlUsbhQ43inDPt__UOAswd5mw3Zfa2rjPpaicSH3v4u0ZmLOpd2Mi1blWIHdhHAZXCzkW6JICIhl0Rcny3tMTOJUdc70/s400/Bulb+Cruise.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="366" /></a></div>
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It was nice and sheltered from the South in the little Bay on the North corner of the bulb (picture at top) where I anchored for lunch, and I plan on enjoying this spot again. Right behind the Bulb (to the East) was very sheltered, but we might be on the bottom close to the shoreline across the low tide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab6GV6agNM10qtUrJo0Z5DFTb0g-66cLsuJXMo5dt8y8-1TGWmA-l7fD07tKK2DAGCzgDEWOF9xqEDaifgmy1_rMQasZwaPGhcPig6t4EuvCQNMbl9vaXUhelpr9sTOtFILDJ28YklUE/s1600/Albany+Bulb+Ed+Puskas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab6GV6agNM10qtUrJo0Z5DFTb0g-66cLsuJXMo5dt8y8-1TGWmA-l7fD07tKK2DAGCzgDEWOF9xqEDaifgmy1_rMQasZwaPGhcPig6t4EuvCQNMbl9vaXUhelpr9sTOtFILDJ28YklUE/s400/Albany+Bulb+Ed+Puskas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: Ed Puskas</td></tr>
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The Bulb is entirely artificial and was part of past efforts to reclaim usable land from the Bay. For a period it was a place of self-expression by local artists, and there are still striking works to enjoy. The piece above is on the shoreline to the left in my photo at top. Today, it is a favorite place for dog walkers and people escaping to decompress from the big city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-J95pEh_gKf9G_q00tlZJLNMzDiogJ5w-XUb3jvN7Yjoe3sydlwjKuiMsAAGrOdJIVGHns3485hXG0_vgufmKz2dlApGgPTiUAip0cgeJicT0PuFSydlRVu1awlfcIpGKefZ_Bc80P4/s1600/Albany+Bulb2+Michael+Layefsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="1024" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-J95pEh_gKf9G_q00tlZJLNMzDiogJ5w-XUb3jvN7Yjoe3sydlwjKuiMsAAGrOdJIVGHns3485hXG0_vgufmKz2dlApGgPTiUAip0cgeJicT0PuFSydlRVu1awlfcIpGKefZ_Bc80P4/s640/Albany+Bulb2+Michael+Layefsky.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An actual photographer's take on the Bulb (pic: Michael Layefsky)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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A really nice day's sail, despite the rain, and <i>Little Cat</i> and I will be back soon. 21 nautical miles this trip.</div>
Tiki21LittleCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10020887846425778884noreply@blogger.com0