The Sea demands attention, if we ignore her, we do so at our peril.
Plan was to head down to the Lake (Sylvia) today and meet with a bunch of HISC members to celebrate a Birthday (Happy Buffday Dale!) - But a front came down our way and everyone chickened out, or were they Wise?
I vote for the Wise designation! It's only a lake, and for most of us, about an hour on the boat to get there, but... Wind is already in the high 20's and expected to rise gusting to 40! It might be bright and sunny outside, but the wind chill is ... well ... chilling! Water temp is probably pretty low (by South Florida Standards) so the boat would be CoooooL!
So I think we all made the wise decision to postpone till another day.
Time to head over the the Marine Flea Market that is in Pompano this weekend!
See you there, or See you on the Water.
Paul
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Genny Power
Putting things together for our trip to Biscayne Bay next week, I wanted to make a cable to connect our Honda Generator to the boats AC power service.
Recently I had upgraded our shore power cable to a Smart Plug, this gives us greater reliability in the boat's shore power system, much less prone to unplugging and reduces the risk of fire due to the old style power connector.
The Honda has both the traditional 3 prong 15Amp 110v receptacle and the twist lock 30Amp connector similar to most Marina Boat Docks. So I decided to use th 30Amp connector on the Generator and connect that directly to the boat's shore power connector.
Of course, the Genny max rating is 2KW =~ 18Amps, but I prefer the twist lock all the same. I have to make an Adapter cable to go from the 30Amp twist lock to a 15Amp recepticle just in case we ever come across a dock that does not have the 30Amp shore power. I just dislike having Adapters, IMHO they are not a good thing to have in an outdoor supply line.
Recently I had upgraded our shore power cable to a Smart Plug, this gives us greater reliability in the boat's shore power system, much less prone to unplugging and reduces the risk of fire due to the old style power connector.
The Honda has both the traditional 3 prong 15Amp 110v receptacle and the twist lock 30Amp connector similar to most Marina Boat Docks. So I decided to use th 30Amp connector on the Generator and connect that directly to the boat's shore power connector.
Of course, the Genny max rating is 2KW =~ 18Amps, but I prefer the twist lock all the same. I have to make an Adapter cable to go from the 30Amp twist lock to a 15Amp recepticle just in case we ever come across a dock that does not have the 30Amp shore power. I just dislike having Adapters, IMHO they are not a good thing to have in an outdoor supply line.
9' 30Amp power cord
Monday, January 18, 2016
Took a Dive
Was headed down to the boat this afternoon. Stopped by SuperSail makers to pick up the Sail bags that came with our order for new Sails on Eximius. Had a chance to talk with Owen and about his trip this past weekend in the Key West Race. Like a couple of my friends, he was part of the race and got wet, cold and sleepless, but like all sailor's would not have missed the opportunity.
Chatting to Owen, I mentioned how pleased I was with our new sails when we went out on New Years Day. The boat behaved so well even when reefed. I'm still smiling just thinking about how well that sail went.
Then, after picking up the sail bags, I headed down to the boat. Plan was to put the newly repaired dodger back in place and take the side panels home for a 2nd round of cleaning/repairing. I used our West Marine boat cart to carry the canvas, some gear for the boat and my wallet and tablet down to the boat.
As I boarded the boat, the bottom of the cart fell out! Everything in the cart dropped down impeding my step onto the boat. I tripped and fell backwards towards the stern and then ... oh no! Big Splash as I fell into the canal water between the boat and the dock! Arggggh!
Quickly reaching for the surface I saw the cart contents starting to sink! That included the new Sail Bags, the Dodger, my Tablet, Wallet, Baggy of sail repair kit all ready to hide in the murky water next to the dock.
I picked up the pieces and tossed them onto the dock that was a couple of feet over my head. The bags had already started to float under the dock and head downstream in the Canal. My phone in my pocket and my car keys too! This is not going well!
Now that I had as much as possible up on the dock, it was time to try and get myself out too. No way could I just pull myself up, so I grabbed hold of the toe rail on the boat and put my feet on the spring line from one of the dock poles to the aft cleat on the boat. Then walking my way aft on the line, trying to prevent the boat moving closer to the dock and thus crushing me, I was able to get myself out of the water and struggle up onto the dock.
Sodden.
I quickly opened my tablet case and put the tablet up onto the high and dry. Grabbed the boat hook and reached down to the downstream side of the dock to catch the barely floating new sail bags.
Reached down between the boat and the dock to try and recover the remains of the dock cart, but no luck.
Sodden.
Drenched, I went back to the truck in the driveway and got the boat keys, then, leaving tell tale wet footprints, I headed back to the boat.
Once on board, I took off my two layers of shirts and grabbed a towel to dry off a bit and prevent any issues from the cold (that's Florida Cold) water. I keep a sweater onboard in the V-Berth hanging locker, so that kept me warm.
Having taken care of the immediate issues, I put the wet towel and shirts into a crate we kept on board and carried them ashore. Locked up the cabin and put everything in the truck to head home.
Stopped by T-Mobile on the way home as my phone had quit. So there I am sopping wet, leaving puddles on the showroom floor and explaining to the manager that I had fallen into the water with my phone in my pocket but I have insurance. He suggested that I remove the battery. Did that and the phone booted up ok. 'WATERPROOF' at least to the depth that I took it. So seems like I'm lucky and don't need to spend a $99 to replace the phone. Just as well, it's only 9 months old (on a 2 year plan).
Home, took a shower and fresh clothes, and time to rinse down all of the canvas, and put my clothes in the washer.
I guess you could say today was a wash!
See you on the Water (and not in it unless deliberate. )
Chatting to Owen, I mentioned how pleased I was with our new sails when we went out on New Years Day. The boat behaved so well even when reefed. I'm still smiling just thinking about how well that sail went.
Then, after picking up the sail bags, I headed down to the boat. Plan was to put the newly repaired dodger back in place and take the side panels home for a 2nd round of cleaning/repairing. I used our West Marine boat cart to carry the canvas, some gear for the boat and my wallet and tablet down to the boat.
As I boarded the boat, the bottom of the cart fell out! Everything in the cart dropped down impeding my step onto the boat. I tripped and fell backwards towards the stern and then ... oh no! Big Splash as I fell into the canal water between the boat and the dock! Arggggh!
Quickly reaching for the surface I saw the cart contents starting to sink! That included the new Sail Bags, the Dodger, my Tablet, Wallet, Baggy of sail repair kit all ready to hide in the murky water next to the dock.
I picked up the pieces and tossed them onto the dock that was a couple of feet over my head. The bags had already started to float under the dock and head downstream in the Canal. My phone in my pocket and my car keys too! This is not going well!
Now that I had as much as possible up on the dock, it was time to try and get myself out too. No way could I just pull myself up, so I grabbed hold of the toe rail on the boat and put my feet on the spring line from one of the dock poles to the aft cleat on the boat. Then walking my way aft on the line, trying to prevent the boat moving closer to the dock and thus crushing me, I was able to get myself out of the water and struggle up onto the dock.
Sodden.
I quickly opened my tablet case and put the tablet up onto the high and dry. Grabbed the boat hook and reached down to the downstream side of the dock to catch the barely floating new sail bags.
Reached down between the boat and the dock to try and recover the remains of the dock cart, but no luck.
Sodden.
Drenched, I went back to the truck in the driveway and got the boat keys, then, leaving tell tale wet footprints, I headed back to the boat.
Once on board, I took off my two layers of shirts and grabbed a towel to dry off a bit and prevent any issues from the cold (that's Florida Cold) water. I keep a sweater onboard in the V-Berth hanging locker, so that kept me warm.
Having taken care of the immediate issues, I put the wet towel and shirts into a crate we kept on board and carried them ashore. Locked up the cabin and put everything in the truck to head home.
Stopped by T-Mobile on the way home as my phone had quit. So there I am sopping wet, leaving puddles on the showroom floor and explaining to the manager that I had fallen into the water with my phone in my pocket but I have insurance. He suggested that I remove the battery. Did that and the phone booted up ok. 'WATERPROOF' at least to the depth that I took it. So seems like I'm lucky and don't need to spend a $99 to replace the phone. Just as well, it's only 9 months old (on a 2 year plan).
Home, took a shower and fresh clothes, and time to rinse down all of the canvas, and put my clothes in the washer.
I guess you could say today was a wash!
See you on the Water (and not in it unless deliberate. )
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
New Era ahead
We have owned Eximius for nearly eight months and have been making steady progress on making her 'ours', it's about time to start a new era for the three of us (Peggy, Myself and Eximius).
Step 1 is to stop Working Full Time. That comes this Friday. I have worked with ACT Security as an Administrator since 2011 and have learned a lot about Alarm Systems, Customer Service and why so many folks have alarm systems in their home and businesses, but it's time to move on.
Step 2 is to work on the exterior of Eximius, she needs some TLC on her deck and cockpit, including the standing & running rigging. So over the next week I'll get some shine going up top.
Step 3 is to get out on the boat and practice our sailing techniques. We're heading down to Biscayne Bay on Sunday January 24th (after celebrating with Shoal Mate on Dale (Kern's) birthday.
From there on we'll be making improvements that make Eximius more livable. New Bunk cushions, refresh the canvas on the Dodger and clean up the rails around the cockpit. All this in preparation for Step 4.
Step 4. Head over to the Bahamas for a Month! That will be this Spring.
If you have any suggestions on where to head to in the Bahamas, please leave a comment. Remember, our keel is 5' 7" deep, but perhaps we should add a couple of inches to that when the boat is loaded with supplies for the month long trip.
See you on the Water.
Step 1 is to stop Working Full Time. That comes this Friday. I have worked with ACT Security as an Administrator since 2011 and have learned a lot about Alarm Systems, Customer Service and why so many folks have alarm systems in their home and businesses, but it's time to move on.
Step 2 is to work on the exterior of Eximius, she needs some TLC on her deck and cockpit, including the standing & running rigging. So over the next week I'll get some shine going up top.
Step 3 is to get out on the boat and practice our sailing techniques. We're heading down to Biscayne Bay on Sunday January 24th (after celebrating with Shoal Mate on Dale (Kern's) birthday.
From there on we'll be making improvements that make Eximius more livable. New Bunk cushions, refresh the canvas on the Dodger and clean up the rails around the cockpit. All this in preparation for Step 4.
Step 4. Head over to the Bahamas for a Month! That will be this Spring.
If you have any suggestions on where to head to in the Bahamas, please leave a comment. Remember, our keel is 5' 7" deep, but perhaps we should add a couple of inches to that when the boat is loaded with supplies for the month long trip.
See you on the Water.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Our New Sails Work!
1st impression - love them!
We took Eximius out today for our first sail of the year. As reported previously, my Son, Bob came out with us.
An early start from the slip, Bob joined us about 9:15am and we completed a safety briefing and got the boat ready to start. Geeves (our Engine) started without hesitation, and we were under way a couple of hours after low tide.
Heading down the New River, all of the bridges opened with a cheerful new year's greeting, but we were not the only boats out for the day.
17th Street Bridge was not yet open, but tide was low enough to allow us through easily. We motored out of the Fort Lauderdale Channel and prepared the new sails to be hoisted for the 1st time under sail. And they looked good!
1st reef set in the main and 60-70% of the jib unfurled, the boat was beautifully balanced.
We headed out of Port Everglades, turned Southwest while I adjusted the sail. Eximius was going really well. Then we turned to the Northeast and headed out, almost as though we were going to West End in the Bahamas, but not today, we just wanted to get the sails up and trim them to get a feel for how they fly. And we were thrilled! They are great.
Within a few minutes, we had Eximius on a close reach and heading out to sea at over 7knots. And Balanced! Hardly any pressure on the wheel, I kept her pointed at about 60 degrees off the wind and we hit 7 knots again and again. First sail - great!
After passing the 3 mile limit, we turned back to port and eased off the sails. Again Eximius responded with a balance sail back to the Port Everglades channel.
There was a ship showing up on the AIS, we could see it off our port quarter. According to the AIS the ship was heading directly down towards the channel and we watched as a Pilot boat delivered and then headed back into port. The 'Broward' Tug was waiting inside the channel to chaperon the ship into the docks, we skirted by 'Broward' and stayed on the port side of the channel as the ship plowed her way into the port. Now on a beam reach, we were still hitting 7 knots even in the decreased wind of around 9 to 10 knots from the South.
Once inside the turning basin, we turned South under motor and into wind to drop the main sail. This was also a test of our re-rigged jib furling system - phew! that worked great too. The new sail dropped easily into the Cradle Cover with just the slightest supervision to ensure it flaked down neatly. Once stowed, we turned North towards the 17th Street Causeway bridge which was about to open. I called into the bridge tender and advised that I thought we would be able to pass, and once the larger boat was clear of the bridge, the tender started to lower the span. With 56' of clearance, we passed beneath it without any concern, but there were a bunch of folks ashore taking pics as we passed under the bridge.
Now past the bridge, we headed up the Intracoastal, keeping the Green channel markers on our starboard side as were heading away from Texas. (The Intracoastal goes to Texas, so we were effectively 'leaving' Texas). As we passed Sand Bar Park and turned East toward Bahia Mar for passage into Lake Sylvia.
Lake Sylvia was probably the most crowded we have ever seen it. Perhaps the impending Northerly due later this weekend/ early next week, is causing a lot of vessels to hold back till after it passes before they head over to the Islands.
Peggy, Bob and I enjoyed a lunch on the hook in Lake Sylvia before we headed back out of the lake. As always, we hugged the West side of the Lake entrance to stay clear of the shallows that have grabbed our keel previously. We cleared the lake entrance and turned Westward and to the North side of Sand Bar park. The channel was busy! Lots of small boat traffic, a couple of bigger boats, and another sail boat were following us up the River.
The Bridges all opened without much delay and we quickly passed the last of the Bascule Bridges and turned onto the North Fork of the New River. The sail boat behind us turned into the South Fork as we headed towards our slip.
We touched bottom briefly just before we turned into the canal where our slip is located, but it was really brief, probably a bit of shoaling due to currents in the canals. We easily pushed out way past it and turned into or slips channel. Peggy kept our speed up a little from our usual sedate transit up the canal just incase we caught the bottom again but it was clear and we quickly approached our slip.
I was able to step ashore on the dock as Peggy put Eximius in reverse to bring us to a stop. I think Bob was impressed with the ease that we brought the boat alongside and swung her around so that she was pointing down the canal ready for our next trip.
It only took about 30 minutes to secure the boat and take what needed to be ashore. A quick washdown of the deck and hull and we were ready to head home.
I hope Bob enjoyed it as much as we did, it really was a great day. It proved that we can participate in the club races next year. Perhaps Bob will Crew for us.
We took Eximius out today for our first sail of the year. As reported previously, my Son, Bob came out with us.
An early start from the slip, Bob joined us about 9:15am and we completed a safety briefing and got the boat ready to start. Geeves (our Engine) started without hesitation, and we were under way a couple of hours after low tide.
Heading down the New River, all of the bridges opened with a cheerful new year's greeting, but we were not the only boats out for the day.
17th Street Bridge was not yet open, but tide was low enough to allow us through easily. We motored out of the Fort Lauderdale Channel and prepared the new sails to be hoisted for the 1st time under sail. And they looked good!
1st reef set in the main and 60-70% of the jib unfurled, the boat was beautifully balanced.
We headed out of Port Everglades, turned Southwest while I adjusted the sail. Eximius was going really well. Then we turned to the Northeast and headed out, almost as though we were going to West End in the Bahamas, but not today, we just wanted to get the sails up and trim them to get a feel for how they fly. And we were thrilled! They are great.
Within a few minutes, we had Eximius on a close reach and heading out to sea at over 7knots. And Balanced! Hardly any pressure on the wheel, I kept her pointed at about 60 degrees off the wind and we hit 7 knots again and again. First sail - great!
After passing the 3 mile limit, we turned back to port and eased off the sails. Again Eximius responded with a balance sail back to the Port Everglades channel.
There was a ship showing up on the AIS, we could see it off our port quarter. According to the AIS the ship was heading directly down towards the channel and we watched as a Pilot boat delivered and then headed back into port. The 'Broward' Tug was waiting inside the channel to chaperon the ship into the docks, we skirted by 'Broward' and stayed on the port side of the channel as the ship plowed her way into the port. Now on a beam reach, we were still hitting 7 knots even in the decreased wind of around 9 to 10 knots from the South.
Once inside the turning basin, we turned South under motor and into wind to drop the main sail. This was also a test of our re-rigged jib furling system - phew! that worked great too. The new sail dropped easily into the Cradle Cover with just the slightest supervision to ensure it flaked down neatly. Once stowed, we turned North towards the 17th Street Causeway bridge which was about to open. I called into the bridge tender and advised that I thought we would be able to pass, and once the larger boat was clear of the bridge, the tender started to lower the span. With 56' of clearance, we passed beneath it without any concern, but there were a bunch of folks ashore taking pics as we passed under the bridge.
Now past the bridge, we headed up the Intracoastal, keeping the Green channel markers on our starboard side as were heading away from Texas. (The Intracoastal goes to Texas, so we were effectively 'leaving' Texas). As we passed Sand Bar Park and turned East toward Bahia Mar for passage into Lake Sylvia.
Lake Sylvia was probably the most crowded we have ever seen it. Perhaps the impending Northerly due later this weekend/ early next week, is causing a lot of vessels to hold back till after it passes before they head over to the Islands.
Peggy, Bob and I enjoyed a lunch on the hook in Lake Sylvia before we headed back out of the lake. As always, we hugged the West side of the Lake entrance to stay clear of the shallows that have grabbed our keel previously. We cleared the lake entrance and turned Westward and to the North side of Sand Bar park. The channel was busy! Lots of small boat traffic, a couple of bigger boats, and another sail boat were following us up the River.
The Bridges all opened without much delay and we quickly passed the last of the Bascule Bridges and turned onto the North Fork of the New River. The sail boat behind us turned into the South Fork as we headed towards our slip.
We touched bottom briefly just before we turned into the canal where our slip is located, but it was really brief, probably a bit of shoaling due to currents in the canals. We easily pushed out way past it and turned into or slips channel. Peggy kept our speed up a little from our usual sedate transit up the canal just incase we caught the bottom again but it was clear and we quickly approached our slip.
I was able to step ashore on the dock as Peggy put Eximius in reverse to bring us to a stop. I think Bob was impressed with the ease that we brought the boat alongside and swung her around so that she was pointing down the canal ready for our next trip.
It only took about 30 minutes to secure the boat and take what needed to be ashore. A quick washdown of the deck and hull and we were ready to head home.
I hope Bob enjoyed it as much as we did, it really was a great day. It proved that we can participate in the club races next year. Perhaps Bob will Crew for us.
Great Start to 2016
2016 - What a great start! 1st time out on Eximius this year, 1st time out with new Sails, 1st time out with my Son Bob. Great sail on the Ocean outside of Fort Lauderdale, headed out to the 3 mile limit, then sailed back. Hit the 7+ knots several times, sailed all the way back to the turning basin. then dropped sails and motored to Lake Sylvia to find it crowded! Lunch on the hook, then motored back up the new river to the slip.
Awesome 1st sail of the year!
Awesome 1st sail of the year!
Leaving a crowded Lake Sylvia.
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Planning on Celebrating New Year
Looks like we'll have another go at putting the new sails up this weekend.
Plan is to take the boat out on New years Day and anchor somewhere overnight.
I'm a little grumpy while writing this, Just received news about the latest Rich Guys Law being introduced in the Florida House. House Bill 1051
There was a bill that ran it's course this past year which was disguised as a Vessel Anchoring Safety Bill, but it had absolutely nothing to do with Safety, it's sole purpose was to prevent boats anchoring nearby the homes adjacent to the Florida waterways because it spoiled their view!
This new Bill, House Bill 1051, does not even try to disguise itself, there is no mention of safety, it's plain and simply the thin edge of a wedge that would allow future anchoring restrictions.
Like many sail boat owners, we take our boats out to the ocean, but departure from the inland waterways has to be timed within a good weather window. Nobody would suggest that we head out to sea without giving consideration to the conditions out there. But when someone brings their boat from outside of Florida, they have the imperative to head inland if the conditions outside turn nasty. In both cases, being able to anchor overnight is a vital option. It not only saves lives, but it saves tax payer monies too by reducing the number of off shore emergencies when sailors can shelter overnight, one or more nights, to avoid putting them selves and others at risk.
Members of the boating community are well aware of the efforts by the 1%'s to claim ownership of the waterways adjacent to their property. That public ownership is protected by State Law, and so these few home owners are trying to change the law, or add new laws that override the existing law.
The worst part is that it's our Politicians, the people we vote into office, that are enabling these few, most likely in order to gain political fund raising support (there's a word for it). Those politicians seem to have forgotten who voted them into office and why!
This time around the bill is being sponsored by Representative Matt Caldwell,
Capitol Office
218 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 717-5079
District Office
Building A
15191 Homestead Road
Lehigh Acres, FL 33971-9749
Phone: (239) 694-0161
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2010, reelected subsequently
So he's probably due a job change!
If you want to Email Representative Matt Caldwell, here's the link to his Email Form
I expect that we'll be hearing a lot more from Mr. Caldwell
...and why he sponsored Florida House Bill HB 1051
See you out on the water (but perhaps not anchored in Florida)
Plan is to take the boat out on New years Day and anchor somewhere overnight.
I'm a little grumpy while writing this, Just received news about the latest Rich Guys Law being introduced in the Florida House. House Bill 1051
There was a bill that ran it's course this past year which was disguised as a Vessel Anchoring Safety Bill, but it had absolutely nothing to do with Safety, it's sole purpose was to prevent boats anchoring nearby the homes adjacent to the Florida waterways because it spoiled their view!
This new Bill, House Bill 1051, does not even try to disguise itself, there is no mention of safety, it's plain and simply the thin edge of a wedge that would allow future anchoring restrictions.
Like many sail boat owners, we take our boats out to the ocean, but departure from the inland waterways has to be timed within a good weather window. Nobody would suggest that we head out to sea without giving consideration to the conditions out there. But when someone brings their boat from outside of Florida, they have the imperative to head inland if the conditions outside turn nasty. In both cases, being able to anchor overnight is a vital option. It not only saves lives, but it saves tax payer monies too by reducing the number of off shore emergencies when sailors can shelter overnight, one or more nights, to avoid putting them selves and others at risk.
Members of the boating community are well aware of the efforts by the 1%'s to claim ownership of the waterways adjacent to their property. That public ownership is protected by State Law, and so these few home owners are trying to change the law, or add new laws that override the existing law.
The worst part is that it's our Politicians, the people we vote into office, that are enabling these few, most likely in order to gain political fund raising support (there's a word for it). Those politicians seem to have forgotten who voted them into office and why!
This time around the bill is being sponsored by Representative Matt Caldwell,
Capitol Office
218 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 717-5079
District Office
Building A
15191 Homestead Road
Lehigh Acres, FL 33971-9749
Phone: (239) 694-0161
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2010, reelected subsequently
So he's probably due a job change!
If you want to Email Representative Matt Caldwell, here's the link to his Email Form
I expect that we'll be hearing a lot more from Mr. Caldwell
...and why he sponsored Florida House Bill HB 1051
See you out on the water (but perhaps not anchored in Florida)
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