Winter home

Last week we headed south for the winter. Kimosabi was launched a few days ago and we had a light air sail to our winter home. We''re definitely looking forward to doing more warm weather sailing this winter then we did all summer...

Not playing with a full deck...

Last week, in preparation for Kimosabi's winter in saltwater, I removed the centerboard. That wasn't an easy process as whoever had worked on the board last must have used about a gallon of silicone to seal the centerboard trunk cap... After spending a few hours to get it off, I was able to easily remove the board. I discovered that the previous work done on the centerboard limited the amount of downhaul because the downhaul turning block was placed too high on the board. This prevented the centerboard from being lowered completely. After cleaning the centerboard box and applying a coat of Vivid bottom paint, I sanded and completely bottom painted the centerboard using Teflon based VC17 on the top portion of the board. I then re-primed and painted the centerboard cap. New smaller diameter downhaul and uphaul lines and a new Starboard exit plate were also installed. I used closed cell foam gasket material to seal the board. While I was at it, I also made and replaced the compression pads on the forward beams. The boat is now ready to head south.

The green area shows that portion of board that could not be drawn down

The misplaced Downhaul block

Board after Application of Vivid and VC17

New uphaul and downhaul lines installed.

Closed-cell foam gasket

Cap re-installed after re-painting

Almost ready...

The Admiral has most of the canvas work now completed on the boat. Just no see em screens and rain side curtains for the bimini are left. I removed the non-functioning brake system on the trailer this past week and replaced it with a new disc brake system. In addition, I completely rewired the trailer light system switching to LED lights and reverting back to the original removeable lights that get mounted to the rear mast roller support when the boat is on the trailer. A lot yet to do in the next two weeks before we head south...

Back in Cruise mode...

The race weekend was 8 days of work for me, hauling the boat, doing some work on it and the trailer, traveling 17 hours, drying the boat out and getting it back in the water, etc... Here we are sailing yesterday before the wind picked up and the head of the old jib blew out...

Great Lakes Multihull Championships

August 22nd brought a trip to Bay City, Michigan to participate in the 2013 Great Lakes Multihull Championships. Friends Bob and Paul came along as crew. The first day of racing brought Force 5 winds coming right down Saginaw Bay. We were the littlest and slowest boat in the 16 boat fleet. The fleet was divided into two sections, we being in the first section with boats rating from 0, to us at 99. With the closest boat in our section having a 51 second rating advantage, we had no boats to sail directly against. It was a busy and tiring day, but we came up with two fifths and a sixth in 3 races. The second day was an 18 mile distance race in super light air. While we were the last boat to finish and were rather lonely out on the race course, when we made it back in to the dock, we discovered we took 3rd in section for the day. The last day of racing we're not going to talk about.... After 3 days of racing we ended up at 12 of 16 overall. Bob and Paul were super as crew! The Captain was worn out...

Crossing the Mackinac Bridge

Jan Gougeon's  (RIP) Cat "Strings"

Bob, Paul and kimosabi At BCYC

Strings after first day demasting... It was rough out there!!

Friday Dinner at Gougeon Brothers

Bob's light air technique

Quite the the facility

Friday Night

Typical trailering adventures...

Lazy Summer Sailing

Last weekend we sailed across the bay to Menominee. We took our time and had a nice sail. Then the wind switched to 15-20 on the nose for the last 6 miles.... About 7 PM we arrived at the marina only to discover it was the annual waterfront festival. No room at the inn... We decided to motor up the river to see if we could find a dock as we had no food aboard. We ended up at the rack store dock at Harbortown Marina. Some folks with a slip there felt sorry for us and loaned us a key to the heads and showers for the night, we walked a short distance to dinner and all was well. The next morning the bay was calm, after refueling we motored home...

Dodger done...

We've been a bit busy this summer, so it took a while... Last week we got out sailing 3 days and I'm hoping to go today as there's a breeze on. Next on the Admiral's schedule is the new sail cover and bimini.... Wait! We don't have a schedule...

Cruising comforts...

I continue to work on kimosabi. The strange cold weather pattern continues here in northern Wisconsin. The water is cold, so having a way to dodge it is important. Today I made and mounted the Dodger frames for the Admiral to begin her magic. I also installed the autopilot. Later this summer we will add a bimini and partial enclosure.

Spring reincarnation

After 3 weeks of work, the "new" kimosabi has been launched. Because kimosabi will be sailing in salt water during the winter months, the first week entailed sanding the old VC 17 bottom paint off. The next week the epoxy barrier coat was replenished and new Vivid white bottom paint was applied. The hulls were then buffed out and waxed. The nets were repaired and re-coated. A new spinnaker halyard exit block was installed on the mast and all halyards were replaced. The deck sheet stoppers were replaced with new Lewmar D2s. The float deck hatches were replaced. The Depth/Speedo was replaced, along with the compass. New soft shackles were made on rainy days. A new jib was made. And the list goes on..

We be sailin'

Watch "We be sailin'" on YouTube
On Tuesday we hitched another ride with Captain Ron on Tri Angel. It was a super day for sailing on Charlotte Harbor with the wind building to 12-15. Here we are close reaching at about 12 knots. The multihulls had a great day to play...

Golden Conch

We spent the past weekend sailing on Pam and Jim's F-39 "Screech", racing out of Burnt Store. Not many multihulls showed up, but still a good time.

Peace River Sailing

Great day of sailing yesterday on Ron's MK2 in Charlotte Harbor. Thanks Ron! Great to meet you and we hope to ride with you again!

Lightweight portable dodger

A marine canvas professional at the marina we are staying at this winter has designed this nifty dodger, featherweight, easily attached, quickly removed, collapsed and stored below. It hasn't been installed on this F-24 MK2, just placed on top. It is supported with 1/4" fiberglass rod. Shape and actual width can be adjusted to owner preferences. She has also designed a collapsing hatch vent using the same concept. Both are viable options for use on a Farrier tri. If interested in further information, contact mailto:watermanscanvas@yahoo.com.

Southern Sailing

When your boat is in the barn in the cold North, you find a friend to ride with; Screech F-36(9) built by friends from Green Bay. It was race day with the Punta Gorda Sailing Association. The wind went left after we went right. Go figure...