It wont be long now!!!!!

Mr. Fixit · July 20, 2009, 08:21:46 AM

Thats what they said when they cut the monkeys tail off!!!!--after 3 years of rebuilding, death in the family, concerns about health problems it is finally time to splash the boat. I have worked full time for over 50 years, now it is time to go sailing. My previous sailing was limited to weekends (Catalina 22). I am going to try some different ways to be self sufficient. I installed 2 130 watt collectors--4 golf cart batteries in the house bank, and I built an arch to install 3rd collector if necessary. I am going to try baking, cooking with electric. i have a Honda 2000 for backup. The Columbia 30 has had a lot of changes. Hard top dodger (supports 2 collectors) swim platform that folds up, access thru stern-with splash boards when not in use. I made this change for my dog, however it is nice for access from the dinghy. Built a anchor platform for the delta 44, removed holding tank for all chain rode (150' 5/16), installed air head. Removed upper berths in cabin-installed storage. I am alone why have a boat that sleeps 6??. Removed Atomic 4 and installed diesel with sail drive. Built a nesting dinghy--work in progress must add floation for stability. I could go on and on, the research necessary took more time than actual tool time. 12 volt wiring was a problem as I had no experience with low voltage. The fact that I have a well equipt shop and had the boat hauled home made the changes possible. Well time to go--have a trip scheduled to Defender for odds and ends---

nowell · July 20, 2009, 08:49:58 AM

Wow! Congrats!!

You know, they say pictures are worth a thousand words! (or even a short paragraph in this situation)

If you can't tell, I think I speak for everyone here ... "We want pictures!!" ;D ;D

Mr. Fixit · July 20, 2009, 09:53:21 AM

after 5 years my canon digital quit. I have a vcr but have not been able to download stills on my computer. I must go shopping for a new one. I am not very good with computers. I tried downloading pictures in the past--this time i will request help as soon as I have a camera.When I was painting I was able to post pictures on Cruisers Forum, years ago befor most of the work was done.

polecat · July 20, 2009, 09:56:41 AM

Now you get the rewards for hanging in there for so long. I'm 3-5 months behind you on a similar path - picks up the spirits - to see you get her wet. Operative word here is "see" --- as Nowel said - we want PICTURES.
CONGRATULATIONS
jim

Mr. Fixit · July 21, 2009, 08:26:25 AM

I took 9 pictures and I have them in my photo gallery--now what do I do--Sailfar gallery is off line--send me an email address and I will try to email--ljkern@yahoo.com

CapnK · July 21, 2009, 10:15:03 AM

Is your photo gallery an online website gallery? If so, you could post the address.

If not, you could email them to me and I'll put them up here.

nowell · July 21, 2009, 10:20:54 AM

Speaking of, when are you going to finally fix the Gallery, Kurt? I think we need to start sending some lashes for every month we don't have the gallery!!

YARR!

Mr. Fixit · July 21, 2009, 12:12:12 PM

nowell--dont be too hard on Kurt--without the gallery it is still one of the best on the net--real people, real problems, real solutions--keep up the good work. I am not very good with computers, my experience is limited to emailing pictures at work, now I am on my own computer and I am starting over. My pictures are on my computer, photo gallery. Is it difficult to post to the net? does google provide a posting service. Sorry to sound so stupid but that is the way it is. When I get on the water and meet someone who understands computer systems, I will try to hire them as a tutor. What email address do I use Kurt??

Mr. Fixit · July 21, 2009, 01:40:22 PM

photos--I was able to open a google account. Photos were posted to "public"--my user name--- lkern39 I was not able to post them all also descriptions are screwed up--let me know if you can open and I will post more --Larry

nowell · July 21, 2009, 02:09:19 PM

haha! I was mostly giving Kurt a hard time because I had offered to try and help him sort it out many moons ago! Now we should hold them to the mast! I mean, even pirate ships were a democracy in a way!

Mr. Fixit · July 21, 2009, 07:16:34 PM

sorry nowell----i have been known to be afflicted with foot in mouth disease

Mario G · July 21, 2009, 07:29:21 PM

Hey Larry I'm like you when it comes to computers, so when I post pictures I just need to post my Webshot page
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/568869392suwBrk

I think you should be able to the same with your Google site

Chysler C-22 Southern Wind

Mr. Fixit · July 22, 2009, 08:11:36 AM

thanks for the info mario---try http://picasaweb.google.com/lkern39/20090721storagevberth#

this is going to drive me to drink!!!!!!!!!!

let me know if this works--I will post more

Edit: _____Info below here added by CapnK_____

Mr. Fixit · September 15, 2009, 09:11:42 PM

Well it finally happened---today at noon the boat was launched. It was scheduled to splash yesterday however the boat mover almost lost my boat due to a failure on his trailer. some minor damage that was repaired yesterday and tonight I am in Coyemans Marina. Since this is the first time it has seen the water since i started the retro fit three years ago, and due to the late start today I decided to stay in the Marina. I really do not like having close neighbors and look forward heading out tomorrow. Bandit my Border Collie has made progress today. My nesting dinghy is kind of tippy, .and he did not like it very much I took him for a ride this eveing and he is making progress. I will be heading for the Erie Canal System and will not be stepping my mast for several weeks.

Frank · September 15, 2009, 09:36:25 PM

Congrats on the splash !! Must feel great after so long. Good luck with the pooch and dingy. They adapt well after a while. Enjoy !!

Oldrig · September 16, 2009, 10:27:56 AM

Congratulations! Let us know how the composting head works out.

And don't worry about Bandit. Border collies are smarter than many humans, and they learn quickly. (Mine used to play soccer with the neighborhood kids, and they'd fight over which team got to have her in goal.)

Best,

--Joe

Mr. Fixit · December 23, 2009, 09:26:10 PM

I returned home in Nov. due to the fact that the marinas up here were shutting down and it was either haul or head south. I tried to post from the boat on my laptop but could not. I have an air card and could get on the internet however could not logon to sailfar. Not sure what caused this as I am using the same computer tonight. I changed some settings not sure what I did but it is working. I have some changes to make and will be back on the water early spring. Some of the changes I reported on that I did to my Columbia worked well--some did not. I am very happy with the airhead. I was on the water 5weeks and did not have to empty solid waste--no oders,no suprises. The Volvo 2020 with sail drive worked well 5 knots not a problem except with strong current on the nose. I did not run at max.rpm due to it being new. The storage cabinets were very useful. I need a good light for reading at night--trying to find one now.The cooking with electric did not work that well. The hot plate i purchased and went to a lot of trouble to gimble did not get hot enough to cook quickly. I should have tried it before installing. The microwave/ convection oven worked well and I was able to bake my own bread--but it takes up too much space and I will not be loading it in spring. The main reason I did not head south is the lack of a heating system. I was using a electric space heater, heated the boat ok but listening to the generator all night was not something I want to do on a regular basis. I had never spent this much time on a boat and so this shakedown cruise was a learning experience. Water usage was another problem--must learn to conserve-

Godot · December 23, 2009, 11:07:27 PM

Awesome. Details of your trip would likely be gratefully consumed by many of us here. Winter is tough...

Oh, and grog...

skylark · December 23, 2009, 11:11:14 PM

Thanks for the info, the composting head sounds like a good choice. Did you live on board?

Mr. Fixit · December 24, 2009, 09:17:54 AM

In answer to your question Skylark, yes i lived aboard.I had a great time ,met some intresting people on the canal system-most were heading south. My time was split between anchoring out and town docks, and tying up at locks. navigating the locks alone was an experience. My Columbia has quite a bit of freeboard and some days were quite windy I have some cosmetic repairs to make. Some advice from the lockmasters helped me develope a system that was not to bad. I am glad my boat is over 30 years old, on windy days it took a beating. Scratching a new boat would not be a good feeling. Last night I ran out of space and there are two items that I did not mention. I was happy with the Engel ref./freez. I am going to remove builtin cooler that came with the boat and install Engle and more storage in that space. The reason I do not like the built in cooler is that I can not reach to the bottom and rear of it for cleaning, since I am not a big meat eater i do not need that much room--that is one of my winter projects. Another item I tried was using a majicjack for my phone calls. My better half Brenda demanded daily reports and some days it was unusable, other days good reception--I guess it depends on the quality of internet signal.--So I broke down and purchased cell phones for myself and Brenda--when she is happy I am happy!!!!

News:

It wont be long now!!!!!

polecat