Spring Work List

I am still coming to grips with accepting a TODO list that never goes away [ as a manager/project manager consultant this is difficult!]. Each year starts with the left overs from last year, with new rationalizations, priorities and new work to be added to the list.

Aside from the normal, opening and cleaning tasks, the 'priority' list is [ orange items are mostly just spending money, not work] :

• clean and get inflatable dinghy sold
• confirm if existing motor can be used on the Pudgy
• 'commission' the Pudgy: sailing kit and life raft kit
• make a mounting bracket for the Pudgy on foredeck
• up the mast to check fittings,etc
• replace anchor light with LED bulb to cut down on battery usage
• re-grease winches
• ? Replace main halyard, due to chaffing at eye splice
• oil wood work in cockpit: with tung oil not varnish ( my test piece from last year seems to be holding up...more on this in another post I'm sure)
• find water leak into engine room (reported by Alec during the winter rain, likely  a failed cock pit drain as was case last year
• replace propane tanks: they are expired
• get/install and check new foresail
• test autopilot/ manual controller
• improve set up for the stern line drum/deployment
• Remove water maker parts: sell?
• Change battery arrangement: 1 large house battery, and smaller starter battery
• Improve galley piping for foot pump
• Tighten head sink throuhull valve handle
• Check/test fuel tank sending unit?
• Test ammeter connections on power panel
• Perm. mount for CO detector
• Replace failed cordless drill
• Install shelf in cupboard above galley sink
• Install shelf/storage in old TV spot
• ?? Replace or plan replacement for traveler??
• AIS receiver ( delay for next year off shore?)
• Buy new , small grease gun
• Repair sole board that has swollen
• ? there are 4 more ports to re-bed... which is most likely in need?? ??
• Remove frozen blocks on deck
• Check 'working " blocks on deck
• ?? evaluate hatches -- candidate to replace or rebuild ??
•  Edit and have ship's safety manual ready for July trip.
• check/replace life lines
• build mounting for small cockpit table
• make spare spline for steering wheel
• get spare nut for steering wheel

That is it for now, more will come to mind and even more will get added once I get out and open the boat.

Getting Ready for sailing season

There will be two major additions this year to Tatoosh. One is a new foresail and the other is a replacement dinghy.

New Foresail:

Recall that a few years ago, I removed the over-sized genoa that came with Tatoosh; it was too big for the rig and made it hard to balance the boat. The geometry was such that it could not be re-cut. [ it has found a second life as material for Neil's sewing business and there are a number of bags,etc made from it].
The sail I have been using is a high-cut Yankee; which is great for offshore. The high clew gives good visibility forward and keeps the sail out of the waves. However, for coastal sailing it is a bit small. Also, the geometry is such that the sheets need to be re-routed when close-hauled as they interfere with the shrouds.

This is being solved with a new sail under construction by UK Sails in Sidney, which will be ready mid-April.

New Dinghy:

The old Zodiac had to have the floor repaired last season and needs to be replaced. For offshore I also need a life raft. I bought into the logic of a neat solution from Portland Pudgy in Maine: sailors put a lot of cash into a life raft, never use it (hopefully!) and in a lot of cases, when it is needed, it doesn't deploy properly. Finally, once you are in the liferaft you are not able to take any active measures to get anywhere if needed.

Their solution is a non-sinkable dinghy that is certified as a life raft, which means you have duel use from a single investment. Check out the details at www.portlandpudgy.com.  Last year I was able to check out a Pudgy in person in Seattle with Ralph and I was sold. It is stable, easy to row and well made.

I struggled with colour choice ( do I go for red to "match" Tatoosh colour scheme, or yellow, which has the greatest visibility in USCG tests for safety equipment).... ended up ordering yellow.

I am expecting delivery of this sometime before April. I may need to get smaller engine for it, or revert to rowing only, but will solve that problem later.

If anyone knows of anyone in the market for a used 10' inflatable, let me know!

Next posting will be me whining about the spring work list!

2014 Trips - " the Plan"

The sail plan for this year has changed a lot with the tragic death of my good friend Ralph; he had planned on being the 'anchor' crew for a trip from Sidney up to Prince Rupert , Alaska, Queen Charlotte Islands and return via the West coast of Vancouver Island.

Other crew would be joining for various legs,etc.
However, this will now be a month long trip to the north end of Vancouver Island,  with other shorter trips throughout the summer/fall. The current plan looks like:

• boat opening and chores in April/May [ see "boat work" post]
• trip to Cape Scott via the Broughtons & Desolation Sound with Andy and Richard [ more planning details to come]
• hopefully time on aboard with Mike, Ester, Anna and Adrian to do some sailing but mainly to 'camp' and have fun on beaches.
• a trip either side of Ryan's wedding in September with Neil , Leah and new grand daughter!
• week sail with Garth
• outing with my friends John & Linda from Ladner
• day trip with Derrick and family

2014 Sailing and New Blog

My previous approach to sailing trips was to create separate blogs for each trip.  I've created this blog for both logging trips as well as my blatherings on sailing, Tatoosh, boat tasks,etc.

The photo on the top of the blog shows Tatoosh with the new paint job completed last fall , along with new lettering,etc. If anyone is interested in seeing the before photo's you can navigate to my Flickr site by clicking photo on the side-bar.

Any suggestions and/or comments are more than welcome. ( they act as proof that someone is actually reading this stuff!)