April 28, 2012 - General updates

Well... there has been so much going on in the last little while, I don't know where to being.
To save time... point form is the best...

Work done:

1. Hank installed the new traveler system; now the main sheet can be adjusted from behind the helm. Works very well, but now Hank has so many lines laying in the cockpit to content with. (two traveler line, cummingham (downhaul), reefing, main and jennaker halyard lines, and boom-vang), and both jib sheets). total of nine lines. Major trip hazard in a small cockpit!
2. Second glove box installed... looks GREAT! a welcome addition to the cockpit... a place to put some of those new lines.
3. All Carpet has been installed... works and looks good... easy on the feet, no longer standing on fiberglass behind the helm.
4. All three fire extinguishers check and one replaced.
5. Hank purchased all new windows, just a matter of finding the time to install the windows. Presently, I have to live with three sheet plastic windows.
6. Replaced one winch handle... the one Hank threw overboard did not float :)
7. Got my bottom scrummed... up on the club elevator... Hank said that my bottom was looking good, no problems, very little growth, but needs a touch up paint over my rudder.  
8. Three new mirrors installed.

Adventures:
 

Typical evening motor home.

1. First Wednesday night race... solo... light winds, cold and was dark coming home. not a good race for Hank! We arrived home around 9:30PM, to late for the awards at the club.
2. Second Wednesday night race... solo again... heavy, light and no winds... heavy downpour... tripping over lines... good start, then all when everywhere, it became too difficult for Hank to sail solo... Hank was not happy to say the least. During the second lap, we packed it in... withdrew from the race... just too much happening...got home at 9:00pm
3. Trip to Center Bay with Jason... a nice overnight get away
4. I took some "Learn to Race" students out twice... teaching them and Hank too! how to start a race, to win! :) We had Pierre Martin (Mojo's skipper) as a mentor on the last session... great instructor... taught them lots of tricks and how to be a bit more aggressive and demand your sailing rights!
5. Hank took out Jeannettee and her friend Tracey out for an afternoon sail.. nice winds, great sail... ended up at the yacht club for drinks. I stayed overnight... ready for the next day's race.

Jeannette at the helm

1. Popham Race: Hank and Al Rothenbush (another local sailor) medium to light winds... rain of course at times. Great start with Al behind the helm! (11:00 am) We were doing great, until Hank put up the jennaker... everything went wrong! so many more lines to trip and foul, we lost about a half hour, then the winds died. needless to say we seen the fleet sail away; nice view eh! We made it around the mark around around 2:30 pm). We had a great ride back... leaning to the rail over the finish line. (5:00 pm). We came in 7 out of 8 in our division. Had dinner at the club, won a hat and sailing tape... 

Well I think this will catch us up the events...

Watching fleet sail away

Using my new whisker pole for the first and last time (Hank broke it)

 :(

Alan Rothenbush at the helm

Til next entry... happy sailing..

March 17 2012 - more work on Tarka

Hi all,

Just a short update on the happenings with me.

As you can see, Hank made up the attached safety schematic... looks good eh?

In addition, he is busy these days installing the new traveller system... should be a good addition to me; now Hank can adjust my main boom from behind the steering wheel. No more locking the wheel, crawling around trying to make the adjustments.

The carpet should arrive next week.

That is it for now.....

Tarka

March 13 2012 - general update

Just wanted to add an general update in the progress in my preparation for the up and coming sailing season.

Hank has completed:

1. Installation of the cockpit glove box, (to balance the cockpit, he now needs to install another one on the other side).
2. Depth sounder is working very well.
3. Hank measured and dropped off the carpet template at Henderson Marine Carpets... should be completed next week. Nice new gray carpet should be good!
4. Updated my safety schematic plans.
5. Added new boom-vang pulleys and line.
6. Moved the cunningham and reefing system running back to the cockpit (new pulleys and line as well).

Hank still to complete:

1. devise another way for the main traveler system. Existing one does not work very well; too hard to move traveler... new pulleys, jam cleats and line needed.
2. Hank found my window over the nav station has come loose (again)... recommend to replace all windows, if the cost is reasonable.
3. repaint the toe rail and top deck.
4. Give my hull a good waxing with an sander.
5. Replace my jennaker downhaul system.

Humm, seems like Hank has his hands full.




Great sails ahead... Tarka

Feb 11 2012 - Snug Cove, where else eh?

just a quick up date... We took another trip to Snug Cove, for Valentine's Day. Caroline and Hank made reservations for a great Valentine's Dinner at Miska... having a wonderful dinner will all the bells and whistles.

They stay overnight with me, of course. With the two heaters working well, all is well snug as a bug inside.

We motored home the following day, no wind :(

Hank working on me the next day...making me a bit more ready to go for the summer...

Installed two new large mirrors to brighten up my cabin.
Installed the second depth sounder, to help Hank avoid hitting any reefs.
Replaced all the flares.
Installed a new drogue for the life ring.
Checked the lifejackets
Repaired the starboard nav light.

Still to: repair the anchor light, repair the cockpit seat (gel-coat coming apart), get new carpets. maybe a wind system, install a waterproof deck clock.

That is it for now... signing off... Tarka

Feb 04, 2012 - Snug Cove B.C.

Good news... Finally going out for sail! the weather looks good!

I been taken for a ride to the West Vancouver Yacht Club for lunch... Caroline and Hank are my guest today. We docked along side the boat lift, very nice, easy place to get into and out of.

Nothing much to do, but wait for them to finish their lunch... a simple soup and sandwich. When they returned, we set sail for Snug Cove; our usual spot of course (A7).

We arrived shortly (no winds to speak of), greeted by their photographer friend Gary Wildman. He is a very well known photographer, taking pictures of numerous movie stars, and special events.. He kindly helped Hank tie me to the dock.
His website is....
http://www.wildmanphotography.com/contact.php

I'm all set-up for the evening... electric heaters on, carpets out, DVD all set, internet connected, and the coffee pot on the stove.

Caroline and Hank went for dinner to Miska Restaurant. Caroline enjoyed her BBQ chicken and Hank had wild duck. The chef working there is also the owner, so needless to say the dinner was perfect!! :)

Went they came home (that's ME of course :) A nice blue-ray movie was in order... however :(( my software screwed up and .... no movies. Hank rectified the problem the next day, but downloading the newest version of the blue-ray player.

Sailing home was OK... cold and only used my jib, as Hank was too cold to raise the main. Oh well... SUMMER is coming. :)


More to come later.


Signing off.... Tarka

Dec 31 2011 - New Years at Snug Cove

I'm happy to say, that we are presently resting at Snug Cove, to enjoy New Years eve with their boating friends. Hank sailed me over with Caroline on Friday, staying over until New Years day. (3 days).

Needless to say, this time of the year, it is very cold.. two heaters, two hot water bottles, good sleeping bags,, hot drinks, kept Caroline and Hank warm. :)

Because of the extremely temperature difference, Hank found that the exposed fiberglass hull at the waterline, has extreme condensation built-up. Hank stated that he needs to install foam insulation in these areas. this will keep me warmer inside and curb the condensation. Sounds like a good plan to me.

When Hank plugged my power cord in, he noticed that the boat side plug-in was melted a bit. This is cause for concern, as it could start a fire. Luckily, Snug Cove had a replacement plug, but this was a "Smart Plug". Regular plug-in end and electrical breaker only deal with current, Not heat! But the Smart plug deals with heat and current. Over $200 dollars later the new Smart Plug was installed. At least now Caroline, Hank and me of course, can sleep peacefully knowing we have a safe connection.

The plan for this evening is to meet our friends, go to the community Bon fire and then to the pub for drinks and snacks.

Talk to you in the NEW YEAR!!




Tarka.

Dec 23 2011 - Howe Sound Tour guide for Jeff and Christine

Good day all!

Just finished providing a wonderful sailing tour for Hank's relatives... Jeff, his girlfriend Christine and Hank's brother Will.

Sunny with light winds, but we did get enough wind to push me over about 15 degree and get up to may be 3 knots or so. I think my crew got a bit of sailing experience today. :) The temperature was cold but was made bearable with proper dress. Hank even heated up some water and filled the hot water bottle to warm up Christine' s hands. The hot water bottle trick works really well in cold weather sailing a must of my hearty sailors.

Both Jeff and Christine loved my bow seat, sitting taking lots and lots of pictures. Drinks were served once we were underway.

We sailed / motored into the sunset, watching the sun sink behind the mountains, in a blaze of reds, yellow and orange.


Hank will add a few pictures later, when his brother sends them over. right?