Here We Go!! Almost

[liveaboard60]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

<snip>
Passing on my wood shop and 1000 feet of walnut and other hardwoods was pure agony. I think I am packing most of my hand tools. We both have too many clothes along for sure. Tough to give up a good beer shirt.

Already just about sold most of the tools in my wood shop and several hundred board feet of cedar, so I can understand the agony - it is pure agony (why is it women just don't get it <LOL>).. Still have a long way to go, and still have my beer shirt <grin>.. flk k

[Sandero]

You'll be fine. You've got a lot more going for you than most have in the past thanks to sites like this and the www in general.

Getting rid of stuff is difficult to say the least. In the end I saved art, and some tools stored at my brother's place.. and gave most of the things I had to charities. I was 43 unmarried and no children... which is quite a different thing.

Once out there I realized how little I needed... clothes and possession wise. I acquired small art for the boat... but mostly my stuff was "spares" hahahaha. Getting on and off a dock, anchoring and so forth was something I needed to feel completely comfortable with.. unassisted.

When there are no boats or hazards around you can fiddle about... assuming the conditions are conducive. But making mechanical repairs in a seaway single handed is not easy.

Make your passages with favorable forecasts. They don't always work out... but forecasting is not bad.

Most important for peace of mind is good secure anchoring. Good anchor, strong chain, good windlass and good technique.

I like your mast electrical plug idea...

Good luck! You'll be fine... better than fine!

[Sandero]

Originally Posted by liveaboard60

Already just about sold most of the tools in my wood shop and several hundred board feet of cedar, so I can understand the agony - it is pure agony (why is it women just don't get it <LOL>).. Still have a long way to go, and still have my beer shirt <grin>.. flk k

I had a woodworking business and then a close friend who knew had one so I had access to everything I needed. On the boat.... it's portable electric and Japanese pull saw. This is very very very difficult. What a loss!

[Nicholson58]

Big progression over the last few days. Motor started after two years of inaction. We have added fuel polishing and crankcase oil polishing. The HP injector pump was rebuilt and the entire fuel system was dry. Scraped the entire hull and painted. Mizzen down and retire all. Planning launch this Friday. See you on the lakes!!!!!!

[Nicholson58]

Mizzen rewire done.

Boat splashed Friday June 24. In the morning there was two feet of water in the bilge fron the fridge condenser. Easy fix but hard to find. We went under the Mac today flying Genoa, cutter, main, mizzen staysail and mizzen. We are in Cheboygan tonight. The day finished at 9.4 knots jib and main. Simrad autopilot is not working. This is a difficult problem on a new device. So far not much help from Simrad.

[Nicholson58]

We have been under way now for bout two weeks. Started in Muskegon, Mi. Now at Put In Bay on Lake Erie. This place used to be a quaint village with a bar and pizza shop. It is now Coney Island. lots of stuff that did not work but we have found the faults and corrected all. 121 # Rocna holds hard and fast every time. We move onto Cleveland that meet up with old friends and racing buddies this weekend.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

We have been under way now for bout two weeks. Started in Muskegon, Mi. Now at Put In Bay on Lake Erie. This place used to be a quaint village with a bar and pizza shop. It is now Coney Island. lots of stuff that did not work but we have found the faults and corrected all. 121 # Rocna holds hard and fast every time. We move onto Cleveland that meet up with old friends and racing buddies this weekend.

I hate autocorrect.

Simrad help came through. System required total reset to factory defaults and enter all boat data again. Auto pilot then went live but no rudder. We found also a broken shear pin on the drive sprocket. I moved the remnant of the spring pin to engage the hub & shaft. We found an amazingly complete hardware here on S Bass island. New pins and other repair items checked off the list including spares.

Marinetraffic.com did not find us until we reached Lake Erie. All boat data I submitted a month ago is incorrect and they do not r can't guise my log in. Humph!

[Nicholson58]

We are now in Renard on the east end of the Gaspesie. THe Welend canal was a pain. It is aimed at use by commercial ships. We waited for a departure slot an entire day, started at 5:30 PM and did not finish until dawn. Dodging ships in the dark, we were forced aground once. We were paired with several other pleasure boats and he to keep pace with the slowest at 3.5 knots. We learned you can stay free at the staging docks at each end where there is a CANPAS phone.

Buy all Welend and Seaway tickets on line to save costs.

At the exit of the Snell lock of the Seaway stop at the Native American reservation dock for fuel. Lowest prices anywhere.

ALSO. The wind nearly always blows the wrong way. One notable exception was the 10.5 knot spinnaker run with 23 true from the Sageunay east bound.