I posted a couple blogs. The NY2Panama trip had never been fully reported and I needed to get caught up to recent news. The most relevant post is the last one. I have not been a regular correspondent but now I will have lots to talk about. Stay tuned for more.
The strange story of buying a Westsail 32 (I think a helluva a deal):
http://bubbathepirate.blogspot.com/2016/01/just-like-that-shes-mine.html (http://bubbathepirate.blogspot.com/2016/01/just-like-that-shes-mine.html)
Three more blogs about the trip down from Michigan and then hiking into to Coconut Grove to see my boat. The third one is most boat related.
http://bubbathepirate.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-report-from-front-lines-of-living-life.html (http://bubbathepirate.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-report-from-front-lines-of-living-life.html)
http://bubbathepirate.blogspot.com/2016/02/if-youre-really-from-jersey-youd-never.html (http://bubbathepirate.blogspot.com/2016/02/if-youre-really-from-jersey-youd-never.html)
http://bubbathepirate.blogspot.com/2016/02/if-it-was-easy-everyone-would-be-doing.html (http://bubbathepirate.blogspot.com/2016/02/if-it-was-easy-everyone-would-be-doing.html)
Your blog is cool. Thank you.
Here's a couple more:
I've named her and I put in a composting toilet; a temporary installation for the move to the boatyard where the real work will happen.
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/03/emma-g.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/03/emma-g.html)
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/03/going-to-heck-in-bucket-baby.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/03/going-to-heck-in-bucket-baby.html)
second link is broken, but if you click on the column on the right, it's there
That's funny, if you read the link closely, I think there is autocorrect for cusswords. The link says 'heck' instead of "H E Double Toothpicks." I pasted the link from "Copy link location."
I love it!
Yep and it won't let me fix it. The correction happens during the posting.
So, if you have virgin eyes, don't go to my blog, it will display correctly. :o)
It does take you to your blog. Then if you go to blog archive and click on March 2, it loads correctly
And yes, the site does do auto correct on words like that
Another post - the long awaited boat report.
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/04/the-long-awaited-boat-report.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/04/the-long-awaited-boat-report.html)
Bad address. Try it again.
QuoteEdit: Fixed by me and Frankeh. :D
Very good up date on the boat. I really enjoyed reading it.
A couple new posts:
A job change
Powering forward thru some frustration
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/05/reflecting-on-swiss-time.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/05/reflecting-on-swiss-time.html)
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/05/if-it-was-easy-part-ii.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/05/if-it-was-easy-part-ii.html)
Very good write up really enjoyed. looking farward to more pic and another write up.
Here's one not-very-dramatic, none-too-clear picture. I was afraid the batteries might have self discharged as it was so long since I bought them. At least a month and a half ago, I thought I would have some time to install them and bought the batteries. The last job, which was a terrible time sponge, kept me from getting them aboard until a couple weeks ago. I switched jobs and finally got them wired together. 4 6-volt golf cart batteries into a 12v bank. The batteries are fine! Tomorrow I'll test the solar panels and try to get them hooked up. Worst case scenario, I have a little trickle charge solar unit from Harbor Freight that I would trust leaving alone for a week or so.
BTW, this is a temporary set up to get me to Fort Pierce. I will construct a proper battery box once I'm there with the rest of the refit.
I'm really thinking about installing an electric motor a la Sailing Uma. So I might end up with another battery bank.
Link to Sailing Uma's Electro Beke page:
http://www.sailinguma.com/electro-beke/#why-electric (http://www.sailinguma.com/electro-beke/#why-electric)
Finally some positive progress (pun intended)
Not a blog post yet, but tomorrow 10:00a we are getting towed out past Key Biscayne into the Straits of Florida to make the sail to Fort Pierce. I'll be on the hard in Riverside Marina for about a year and a half.
Made the trip! Left Dinner Key at 11:00a Wednesday and got to the Fort Pierce jetty at 8:00a Thursday. Had to get towed out and then towed in as we have no engine. sv Emma will be on the hard in Fort Pierce for a year or so.
It was a glorious trip offshore. Wonderful sailing, beam reach most of the way. I had a buddy from Canada aboard as crew. He was a great help and good company. Approx 120 miles from the last marker out to the first marker in; 21 hours thanks to the Gulf Stream.
Blog post to follow.
Great!!
I'm sure it felt good to feel her under sail!!!
That'll keep ya motivated when your sanding n painting :-)
Here's a slice of a beautiful evening:
https://youtu.be/dZjBtSTDLzk (https://youtu.be/dZjBtSTDLzk)
How did you arrange the tows?
I have Towboat/US Unlimited. Money well spent in my opinion, however, TB/US HQ determined that the tow 'out' was not an emergency and therefore not covered. Part of that was I'm too honest but I'm good with that too. They decided since I bought a boat with no engine, I knew ahead of time and their service was for emergencies. I am going to reread what I bought. The tow in was about 2/3 the distance of out and was covered.
The tow out was $400. Nevertheless, I would have had to get out of the deep side of the mooring field, cross Biscayne Bay, and choose one of two channels to get out to open water under sail, mostly upwind ... under sail. I was happy to pay for the tow and have a good start to a long day/night of sailing.
It was a glorious sail; totally worth the money.
Specifically, 'out' was arranged by phone a week ahead, 'in' was called in to TB/HQ from the water. We made one circle around the first markers, out into deeper water and back, and the tow arrived already.
Miami to Fort Pierce, Part I
(finally)
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/08/miami-to-fort-pierce-part-i_99.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/08/miami-to-fort-pierce-part-i_99.html)
This is actually the fifth post since the last one reported here. Most current being most relevant now perhaps anyway.
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/12/patience-grasshopper.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/12/patience-grasshopper.html)
" Realistically, comparing how well equipped an unknown used boat might be with the funds I might invest in Emma?s refit is just apples and oranges. There are so many potential hidden problems on a used boat that any comparison without a close look or a real survey is empty conjecture."
Those lines ring true to me. All the boats look great when you're just looking at ads. It's something like conflating people's dating site profiles with real people.
Is your boat named for Emma Goldman? I remember seeing Goldman on your blog but was too slow to put to and two together.
Yes, Emma Goldman is her namesake.
I really like the dating site profile comparison; quite true.
Nice choice.
Holy deconstruction, Batman. Two days in a row!
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/12/actual-boatwork-getting-done_28.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2016/12/actual-boatwork-getting-done_28.html)
So, it will become obvious if you click through, but I found such a good deal on a diesel that I am *not* going electric. Electric propulsion was always more philosophical than practical on a boat that displaces 19,500# but I kept trying to make the math work out. In the end, as you'll see on the blog, I found a good deal on a beautifully rebuilt Perkins 4.108. Basically, what I was always thinking for diesel anyway.
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2017/02/emmas-engine-emmas-engine.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2017/02/emmas-engine-emmas-engine.html)
Glad to hear you've got the beginnings of a solid engine setup. Having an adequately powered, reliable engine can make a huge difference in you cruising experience. It will generate electricity and can allow freedom and flexibility from the vagaries of wind, waves and currents. If you find yourself dragging in storm winds, you'll have the option of self rescuing under your own power, as opposed to frantically beating off a Lee shore. The 4-108 is said to be the best fit for the W32. Hope it all comes together for you!
Belated: thanks, Woody.
And ... the countdown begins!
In three months, I will quit truckdriving and spend 4 or 5 months of just boatwork.
I've committed to having Emma back in the water by May Day 2018. The interior will likely not be completely up to snuff(who is ever 'done'), but she'll be seaworthy, legal and safe.
The blog will be more regular once I'm off the road.
Actually, there are 4 new posts at http://www.bubbathepirate.com (http://www.bubbathepirate.com)
Mostly, spinning yarns. I did pick up a 3 burner Eno stove with an oven, propane.
I have posted a first draft of "Joining Emma for a Cruise" page for "friends and interesting strangers."
I'd love responses and suggestions.
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/p/joining-emma-for-cruise.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/p/joining-emma-for-cruise.html)
It's good advice. Sometimes I just tell people: "If you like camping, you might like this. If you don't like camping, you're probably going to have a rough time."
We're pretty open to hosting people, but it happens rarely. Most folks need to ask off work/buy plane tickets months ahead of time and it's no wonder they feel uneasy betting their money and vacation time on a boat that may or may not be somewhere at that time. It inevitably takes effort and inconvenience on both sides to make it happen.
It works best with family and friends that you'd happily be somewhat inconvenienced for. Personally, I'd also like them to have a good time, which probably means coming for easy inland sailing with anchorages at night. There are a LOT of people who get seasick offshore or even inland in rough conditions.
The idea of having folks come with us to share expenses and help with offshore passages sounds good to me, but I'm pretty wary. The type of sober, responsible, reserved people I'd most want to have with me offshore are the least likely to respond to an invitation from a stranger on a strange boat. I wouldn't pay to travel to sail with anyone whose skill and boat condition I couldn't verify beforehand and I'm mistrustful of folks who would.
If we're going to host strangers, I'd prefer it to be local strangers. That way we can meet, sail, and try each other out without anyone being out plane fare if it doesn't work.
that is a well written blog post Bubba! It is always hard to know who will enjoy cruising when you first meet them. I have had several pleasant surprises.
Yes, I think it will be more friends or family than strangers. I can't decide how much I'm willing to be inconvenienced, but I plan to be farther afield for much of the time. We'll see how much I can earn while I'm out there. If I can eat and cover the minimum necessary, I may be in Central and South America indefinitely.
Thank you for the comments.
Just spent the weekend in Annapolis for a couple seminars by 59 North Sailing. Sailors would enjoy the "On the Wind" podcast from 59 North. I got a day and half of rigging knowledge from 'thee' Brion Toss and a great day about sails and sail repair from Chuck O'Malley of Chesapeake Sailmakers. And I got to hang out with 20 or so other sailors of all stripes.
Here's a report:
http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2017/10/learning-ropes-in-sailors-town.html (http://www.bubbathepirate.com/2017/10/learning-ropes-in-sailors-town.html)
Hi, Todd!
Are you still in town? I am nearby, and would enjoy getting together with you. I live just off Rt 50, at the Washington Beltway. Three 0 one, four seven 4 six six one 8.
Norman
Thanks, Norman. I should have thought to ask the forum a few days ago. I'm on my way home. The weekend was jam packed, sessions from 0900 to 1700 or later. Plus I was walking 3 miles each way. :-)
Next time!!!
I thought you would be on a tight schedule, but there was a chance otherwise.
Those 3 miles a day are very good for you, and I hope you find time to do that when out trucking. Taking a brisk walk while the truck is being loaded makes the next leg more comfortable in the big seat.
The classes and tours certainly sound great, glad they seem to have fit your needs so well.
Norman
I've actually just switched to part time. My focus this winter is the boat
... and some exercise! :-)
It felt great to do so much walking. I'm motivated to keep it up.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4SCTrFoXaAI/WtVPZryUNpI/AAAAAAAAQLE/tbGt3Jfw80kcCOf4W2T5wGYSlhrIfbSmQCKgBGAs/s1600/20180416_134041.jpg)
Boat ... meet engine, engine meet boat. Making some good progress finally, however I'm not going to make it out before hurricane season. I'll be in the water around the end of the year.
A few new posts lately on the blog:
https://www.bubbathepirate.com (https://www.bubbathepirate.com)