A stitch in time

For Christmas, my Birthday, and probably every anniversary in the future, I purchased a Sailrite LSZ-1 Sewing Machine - just in time!

For those of you that are not familiar with SailRite, they make awesome Sewing Machines, and the LSZ-1 was my choice.

For the past 10 years, I have done various canvas repairs or new canvas projects, everything from a Cover for our onboard TV, to a full blown Riding Sail for our previous sailboat. With our purchase of Eximius, I knew that we were going to have to spend a lot of dollars on Canvas work and our experience has been that if you pay for it, you really pay for it! The Sewing Machine cost just shy of $1,000 including shipping. To rationalize the purchase, I made a list of things that could be done if I owned a 'Real' sewing machine capable of sewing canvas - multi layers.
Here's my list:

• Winch Covers.
• Wheel & Pedestal & Instrument Covers
• Cockpit Engine Control Panel Cover
• Cabin Bug screen for V-Berth & Opening Ports
• New Covers for the V-Berth Cushions.
• Fender Covers (we have 6 Big Fenders)
• Tool roll for the wrenches kept on board (the original plastic tool holders fell apart)
• Companionway Cover
• Weather Cloths (Port & Starboard)
• Chaps for our Dinghy
• Dinghy Outboard Engine Cover
• Lee Cloth for Port Settee
• Garbage Can(cloth) for Galley
• Boom Tent (to keep boat cooler during the summer)
• New Dodger (old is falling apart)
• New Dodger Side Panels (to go with the new Dodger)

If you have not spent money on Canvas work, allow me to point out, that list will cover the cost of the machine about 3 times over!

This is the 'Kit' that I purchased, it weighs about 65lb, and the carrying box is strong enough to carry it, but I need to work out more.

The kit is portable, a lot of owners take their machine on board their boat all over the world. Luckily we carry a generator on board in case we ever need to use it afloat.

Note that little DVD package leaning against the case, that's a really good video and well worth watching.

Anyway, back to the 'Stitch in Time' thing. 

I finally did a few test pieces using the new machine, WOW, it easily sewed 8 layers of Sunbrella, I mean, it did not hesitate, the biggest issue I had was learning how to be tender with the foot control, it stitches those 8 layers so fast that it's easy to pass the end of the test pieces.

Next job was to repair our dodger, that's the canvas piece that keeps the weather out of the Cabin Entrance and provides a bit of wind shield when needed. The stitching on one of the zips was failing, wrong type of thread used in some past repair. The machine zipped through that repair (pun intended). But when we went out for the chili cook off, I tripped and put my weight onto the dodger canvas. That found another area where the thread has suffered UV damage and basically just came apart. So I brought the Dodger back home again and restitched it.

This job was a bit more complex, the restitching was pretty easy, but repairing the end connectors where the canvas had torn over several years was a challenge. Challenge for me, not the machine.

So hopefully, that stitch in time will prevent future failures until I can make an entirely new dodger & side panel set.

I mentioned about reviewing the DVD that came with the kit. That turned out to be a really valuable exercise.

While working on another project, adding a strap to a shade to go outside over our swimming pool (another item to add to the list of projects to pay for the machine) I broke a needle, it was my fault, and a lesson learned. However, after replacing the needle, the machine would not sew properly, and that's where reviewing the DVD turned out to be worth while.

The needle broke because I failed to follow a basic instruction, 'always put the foot lift lever down before commencing sewing' and the needle bent and dug a hole in an internal piece of the machine.

The DVD explained how that could happen, and what would be the consequence, and it's exactly what I experienced. I followed the instructions and filed out the ding in the workings, but the stitching was still just not right. It's amazing the confidence one has when armed with the right information. I reviewed the DVD again about the things to check and that's where I was able to figure out that the problem remaining was that the needle was not inserted high enough, it was an easy diagnostic after watching the video. A quick adjustment to the needle position and a test showed that everything was now ok.

So a big Thanks to the guys at Sailrite, and if you get one of their machines, watch the video!

Next project? We have the big Raft up event coming up on March 5th, and we have to have clean fenders! So it looks like I'll be making the fender covers next. They cost around $30 each! So get ready to recoup about $120 of the cost of the machine. Only $850 to go!

See you on the Water.

Where was everyone?

Where was everyone??

Peggy & I were aboard Eximius for a day sail outside of Port Everglades with Bob & Pat from Esprit Du Vent, another Catalina 34.

Bob & Pat arrived early, thank you! and paid attention as I read though the New Crew/Passengers Check List. Then after our Preparing to cast off check list, we headed out from the slip and motored down the New River... and for the first time ever, the East Coast Railroad Bridge was down. Most likely for a few minutes before we got sight of it, and of course, Andrews Avenue Bridge was down as no point in it opening. So we hung out keeping station for less than 10 minutes, then the bridges opened and we passed though without incident.

Sneaking under the closed 17th street causeway bridge in very light winds, we turned out towards the ocean raising the main then unfurling the jib about 10:00 as expected.

Wind all over the place but mostly from the north. After It got a bit crispy, we headed back into Port Everglades around noon and got to Lake Sylvia around 12:40 at anchor.... We had our Burgee out so that everyone could find us, but nooooooobody there ??

So we enjoyed lunch, alone on the hook till after 2pm then pulled the anchor and headed home. Sorry we missed the other club members... we had 4 bottles of wine, lots of cold drinks, Veggie & Fruit Platters, Coffee, fruit, yogurts, wraps, crackers & cheeses, so we dined well! Sorry we missed them.

We heard 'Magic' calling bridges but nothing on the horizon. Then as we headed up the new river, the East Coast Railroad bridge was closed - again! This time we were east of Andrews avenue bridge and heard over the radio that a TowBoatUS was dragging a 'quite large catamaran' out of the river and were upstream of 7th avenue bridge. We called Andrews to let them know we were in line and called Tow Boat US to discuss options for us two passing between the bridges. They agreed that we should head through the bridges ahead of them. We were able to hold station really well downstream of Andrews bridge and could see the railroad bridge from our position. Several boats on our Stbd side were tide up alongside the river, and they were obviously discussing our position holding. But we did really well.

Finally the northbound train passed over the bridge and both the FEC bridge and Andrews started to open. As agreed, we snuck through first, hugging the fenders on the North side of the river. We thanked the Andrews Avenue Bridge tender for the opening and then the TowBoaUS for allowing us to go through first, and then we remarked that TowBoatUS had not told us they were towing a spaceship! Wow, what a great looking Catamaran! SyFy!

The rest of the trip up the river was pretty routine and we tied up after Peggy did a great job bringing Eximius alongside our slip. Then a few minutes patiently swinging the boat to face back East before tying the lines and putting the fenders out. 

Bob and Pat were great company today, we really enjoyed sharing our experiences with them and very glad that they were able to come out even if it was a kinda short sail.

See you on the Water

Goodbye Florida!

We have enjoyed sailing our boat on the ocean off of the coast of Florida, and we keep her at a slip in Fort Lauderdale, but we don't know how long we can continue to do that as the anchoring restrictions law has just passed it's first hurdle in the Florida House.

What does this mean for us and for other boaters?

1st, if the law is finally passed, then we will not be able to anchor in Florida! That means we have to leave our slip and sail to other places where we can anchor, that's not in Broward county! So the first loser (after ourselves) will be the home owner from whom we rent the slip... that will cost him around $4800 a year!
Next will be the local marinas - as we will not be able to anchor in Broward county, then marinas here will not be able to get our business... that will cost them about $3000 a year.

Then there will be the untold cost of tourists from out of state curtailing their visiting to south florida... they'll head directly to the Bahamas bypassing Florida. Hopefully they won't get caught in bad weather because they have nowhere to anchor until it improves, but if they are caught out in rough seas and have to call the Coast Guard, that will cost the government a fortune.

Next to feel the effect is the Miami Boat Show! When buyers find out that they cannot anchor their boat in Broward county, well... Oh, perhaps we'll by a ticket to fly to the Bahamas or even Cuba!

Whatever way you look at it, this is a disaster for Florida Business, Boat Owners, and Tax Payers!

The 1%er's are buying their politicians to get the bill through. So it comes down to the Ballet Box! They are all up for re-election soon! and their stance on this bill will be recorded.
Some really powerful lobbying has to be going on here.

For the record! If a politician promises to strike down this bill, they'll get my vote.

Under Attack! Again & I didn't win the lottery!

The latest round of attacks on boat anchoring rights is up for grabs on Tuesday this week.

Wealthy waterside home owners must be pumping big money into our politicians in an attempt to introduce legislation via Florida House Bill HB1051 - That Bill (and in my language, Bills are normally expensive) would set the stage for anyone to request implementation of anchoring restrictions in their neighborhood by quoting the HB1501 as a precedent.

In Short - If HB1501 is passed, boaters will be unable to anchor anywhere in Florida within just a few years. That means a lot of boaters will avoid Florida as they won't be allowed to anchor overnight.

And... you can bet that once they have the option to ban overnight anchoring, then daytime anchoring will follow quickly.

Please read Wally Moran's post about this Bill on Anchoring Restrictions in Florida, I have put a link to his article at the bottom of this post.




Here's the link to the Florida State Legislators. 
If you are a Floridian, then email the members of the subcommittee and then PHONE them on Monday. Put a mark in your Calendar!

Here's the email that I sent to Katie Edwards (D) 

Paul Alcock

01/24/16 8:04 AM

To the Honorable Katie A. Edwards;

Hi Katie,
I appreciate that you allow us to reach you by email and I do so today because of my opposition to HB1051.

My wife & I own a 34' Sailboat on which, this past year, has cost us approximately $60,000, all of that spent at local businesses, private marinas, city marinas, and taxes.

As a home owner and Florida voter and am writing to express my opposition to HB1051 Recreational Boating Zones.

This bill will restrict overnight anchoring in five areas that have historically been used by Florida cruisers and visitors from out of state.

The bills interfere with our maritime rights to navigation which include anchoring. Anchoring restrictions impact many Florida recreational boaters who regularly cruise the waters and rivers of the state by limiting places to safely stop for the night, reprovision and get out of severe weather. Four of the proposed areas are in Southeast Florida where thousands of boaters transit yearly. Many marinas in Florida do not allow transient docking or in many cases are full and unable to accept additional boats

I urge you to vote against this bill.

Please be aware of the basis of this Bill: There is no safety concern, no government financial benefit, and no purpose to the Bill other than to remove the rights of us Citizens to be able to anchor our boats overnight on the public waters around Florida.

Once again, I urge you to vote against this bill.

Thank you.

Paul & Peggy Alcock
Florida Democratic Voter, Broward Resident, American Citizen.

Here's the link to Wally Moran's Article

Chicken or Wise?

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

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.

9' 30Amp power cord

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. )