friendofthesea

Logbook and journal for Minnie Belle, Neptune 24.

[friendofthesea]

Better late than never

I'm getting an extremely late start to the season but nevertheless Minnie Belle is in the water. Here is a list of improvements for 2015. -VC Offshore, bottom paint (black) -New bootstripe (grey) -Refurbished Motor mount -New knot meter -New VHF cable with deckmounted connector On launch day I couldn't get my outboard running so I took it over to Annapolis Inflatables. They rebuilt the carb in a day, it had lots of build up from ethanol in gas. Now I will be using a fuel stabilizer to help keep things running smoothly. I'm rented a slip at Bert Jabins, It's more than adequate, no pool or bar. I cleaned and sorted out the boat, transforming it from a workshop to an actual sailboat. Last weekend I went out for the first sail. It was a super nice day, we sailed straight across the bay and back. 13nm in total. Wind was 5 to 10 knots. Minnie Belle averaged 4 knots on her clean, freshly painted bottom. Max speed was 6.2 according to the gps. I took video of the new knotmeter by Moore Electronics. It looks good, is very simple to install and made in Buffalo, NY.

[friendofthesea]

See ya next year!

Waiting to haul out at Bert Jabins, Annapolis. 12/2/2013

[friendofthesea]

[friendofthesea]

Exploring Annapolis

I took the family and Erin's sister for a short sail around annapolis. We stopped and explored the town and got some ice-cream.

Docked at Ego Alley

Pride of Baltimore's rigging.

[friendofthesea]

Bay Bridge

Today we sailed to the bay bridge then back. On the way to the boat we stopped at the outdoor produce tent and picked up some apples and peanuts. Madeline had fun throwing the peanut shells into the water. It was warm in the sun and we had a nice cool breeze.

Apples are the best!

Bay Bridge with container ship headed south.

[friendofthesea]

Annapolis Sailboat Show

My brother and nephew went to the boat show with me. I acquired a bloody mary upon entering then browsed a bunch of boats I probably will never be able to afford. I love the tartans for their superior build quality, and I also like beneteau for their performance and modern look. The deck of a Tartan.

Sweet looking Cat.

My Nephew David at the helm.

[friendofthesea]

New York City

[friendofthesea]

Exploring the Chesapeake

I'm looking forward to some excellent sailing this fall and I'm trying to get as much sailing in as possible before the end of the season. I spent the first two weekends of September on the boat. The weather was perfect, with sunny warm days and cool nights. I arrived at the boat Friday night after work. I stopped at WestMarine and bought a waterproof chart of annapolis and the northern part of the Bay. I purchased a microSD card for my Garmin but it hasn't arrived. 50 bucks on amazon for a used but like new card! I also brought with me some 3 braid nylon rope for new dock lines. I reused old metal eyelets and spliced them into one end with a 6" splice at the other end. I measured them with enough slack for tide and I can adjust tension buy cleating lines at the bow.

I found splicing line to be fun and rewarding, having custom dock lines within a few hours. Saturday 9/8/13 The next morning I woke up at 800 indulged in the free continental breakfast hot coffee, bagels, doughnuts and cereal. OJ, Milk, Water etc. It's a definite plus to staying at Mear's Marina. After breakfast I got gas, ice and set off to explore the Chesapeake as the wind dictates. I started off sailing along and out past Tolley Point on a close reach in calm seas and 10k wind from SW.

Annapolis was directly off my stern. It's quite a different view than Cleveland.

I rounded Tolley Point and sailed SE on the bay. The wind died during the early afternoon as I tacked my way South, ending up about 2.5nm directly East of Bloody Point Light. I turned North Gybing downwind in light air under 130 Jib and Main at 3 knots. I entertained myself by "racing" a J boat and exchanging a course crossings. Once aligned on a good angle to Back Creek I had one final gybe for a close reach on port tack. The wind had increased and the sail back was superb. My track is shown in yellow in this google earth view.

Trip: 23.8 nm 6:11 hrs. 3.9 kt avg. 6.5 kt max. Sunday 9/8/13 Once Again I got up around 800 showered ate breakfast then headed out on the bay. This time I tried unsuccessfully to make it past the Bay Bridge. The wind was fairly light and eventually died off around 1200.

I came close and watched a ship sail under the bridge then motored to Back Creek. There was no wind and it was hot! Erin and Madeline met me, we ate lunch then went swimming at the pool. All in all a great weekend on the boat. Trip: 9.8 nm 3:25 hrs. 2.9 kt avg. 6.4 kt max.

[friendofthesea]

Cantler's

Today we hosted Erin's coworker and a friend. We decided to go to Cantler's a legendary crab shack in Annapolis. We sailed in light winds then docked at the restaurant.

While we waited we visited the live blue crabs.

I got Jimmy's Seafood Feast with blue crab, king crab, clams, shrimp and hushpuppies. Everything was really good!

Afterwards we left and sailed in very light wind watched the sunset then motored back to the dock.

[friendofthesea]

Labor Day Weekend

I arrived at the boat Friday night after work and went out to eat in Annapolis with Justin, Jen, Alex, David and his dock neighbors at Chick & Ruth's Dinner. Its a local greasy spoon serving all day breakfast, and other staples. Erin and Madeline were supposed to catch a flight to Chicago but the flight was canceled so I drove back to D.C. to pick them up and spent the night at home. Next day we drove back out to Annapolis. Justin and I took Minnie Belle for her first sail on the Chesapeake Bay. Look how happy I am to be sailing!

It was a short sail but the wind was perfect. 10-15 knots from the South. Waves 1-2 ft. I feel like the boat sails faster in salt water or we were carried by a current? I need to investigate these two theories more. Trip: 6.6 nm 1:20 Hrs. 5.7 Avg. 7.4 Max.

[friendofthesea]

8/20-8/25 Boat Prep.

I went back to the boat a few nights throughout the week to clean and remove more unnecessary items, put the mainsail on, tune rigging and assess the electrical situation. I'm thinking about fabricating some strip lighting using LED strips hidden behind teak boards that will conceal sail track bolts coming through the cabin top. I also slept on the boat Friday night after hanging out with Justin and Donnie (my bros).

[friendofthesea]

Start of 2013 Season

A lot has changed in the past year. We have moved to Arlington Virginia for a few different reasons. Erin had a better job opportunity, my two brothers are in Virginia, so we will be closer to family, and the weather should be a bit nicer too. Annapolis is one hour away and I decided to keep the boat at Mear's Marina. Mear's is located on Back Creek around the bend from Annapolis. It is a nice facility with a multiple patio/pavilions, fire pits, pool, showers, and laundry facility. My brother also keeps his Silverton 40 powerboat there and we are looking forward to many fun family weekends on the Chesapeake Bay. After spending the majority of summer prepping our house in Cleveland for sale and moving to Arlington I finally had the chance to focus on moving Minnie Belle. I packed all boat related items inside the cabin and secured the mast with packing plastic wrap which works quite well keeping all the rigging orderly. The trailer was inspected and bearings were packed for the drive from Cleveland to Annapolis. Here is an image of Minnie Belle all ready for the big trip.

On the road.

Sean and I rented a Dodge 2500 truck. This was my first time towing any large object and the Dodge did a superb job towing the estimated 5,000 lb. load (boat, trailer and equipment). The drive was uneventful and we arrived approximately 7.5 hours after departing Cleveland. We averaged 11mpg. Ouch! Here is a picture of Minnie Belle in the twilight after we launched at Truxtun Park boat ramp.

I motored through Annapolis and was amazed by the beautiful houses and boats on the water. I had to wait for the 2100 (9:00pm) bridge then carefully navigated over to Back Creek using google maps on my iPhone since I didn't have any charts and made it safely to my slip. Sean met me at the marina after leaving the trailer at Bert Jabbins Boat Yard. We popped a bottle of champagne and toasted to the successful journey and christening of Minnie Belle for the Chesapeake Bay. Sean is a good friend and sailor. I will miss Cleveland and Lake Erie... The expansive horizon, spectacular sunsets and familiar coastline... The iron ore freighters, and industrial beauty of Cleveland... I grew up sailing on Lake Erie and know nothing else. Sailing on Lake Erie instantly takes me back to my childhood... Summers on the lake, sailing to the islands, trolling for walleye then grilling it at Put In Bay park... Pitch dark nights, the milky way as seen from the middle of the lake, storms, and sailor's stories. People joke about Cleveland, but it really is a great place for boating and living. I'm sad to be leaving, but excited to explore new waters with the potential for longer boating season. Who knows, maybe I'll sail out to the Atlantic Ocean one day.

[friendofthesea]

End of 2012 Season

10/21/12 I took a few hours to get out on the boat Sunday as the warm weather was starting to come in, did some more trailer work and went for a short sail. 65 degrees and nice NW 10 knot breeze, partly cloudy. I sailed under 130 and main east inside the breakwater to the E. light and back averaging 4.5 knots. On the way back the wind started to die and it did get chilly, eventually I started the motor because I needed to get home. Trip: 9 nm Time: 2:08 Avg: 4.2 k Max: 5.6 k 10/22/12 The third week in october was very nice compared to the rest of the month and I was able to break away for two more daysails and some trailer work. I replaced the carpet padding and 3 keel rollers on the trailer in about 5 hours. It was exceptionally warm and was enjoyable just to be at the marina soaking up the last bits of mild weather.

10/25/12 For the last sail of the season I snuck out of work a bit early and headed to the boat with Sean. There was a nice SE breeze at solid 10 knots with some puffs for added fun and the lake was relatively flat. We raced East inside the breakwater then headed out the Cleveland Harbor entrance and turned East again averaging 6+ knots with asymmetrical spinnaker and full jib. We almost rounded up a few times during some gusts. At one point it felt like the boat was surfing when we turned downwind accelerating to 7.5 knots.

At dusk we dropped the asymmetrical and turned west into the sunset, passed the crib to the north, then tacked off lakewood heading back to the entrance. The wind became stronger the closer we got to shore and at one point we buried the rail again. It was an excellent way to end the season with warm weather, exciting sailing conditions and good company. Trip:16.9 nm Time: 3:51 Avg: 4.4 k Max: 7.4 k Season Total Miles: 221.41 nm This is missing one short trip when I forgot my gps

[friendofthesea]

One exciting moment on the last sail of the year.

[friendofthesea]

Endless Summer

An endless summer is something all sailors wish to achieve, but the inevitable has happened and fall is upon us. I have been busy throughout August and September. Busy Sailing, busy with family, soccer, clambakes, etc. I haven't posted recently although I have been sailing, never as much as I would like, but getting out there none the less. I took a week off in early September to go on a sailing trip, but poor weather combined with house chores and buying car I ended up staying put settling for a few day sails here and there. A lot has happened with the boat. I did a lot of day sailing in August. In early September both my halyards became jammed and I had to go aloft and disassemble the mast head and fix the jammed halyards. I took some friends out on the boat for Labor Day Cleveland Air Show which is always a good time.

My daughter Madeline and her friend Allie had a good time!

I was able to get a few (3rd person) photos of me sailing my boat when my dock neighbor and I went out one time. This is something i've always wanted to do but never really had the opportunity.

I also went out one day with Sean. We sailed around in some rain squalls inside the breakwater, which was kind of exciting and something I never really do. We hit 7.5 knots of speed during the gusts! Most of my sailing is on beautiful warm days. The weather can vary quite a bit here on Lake Erie. 80 and sunny last week. 55 and rainy windy this weekend. This is a photo of me when the sun popped out for a minute. This photo also shows my reefing setup used when the wind is above 15 knots.

Most recently Sean and I went for a quick run North around the Crib and back in record time. 1 hour 15 minutes approximately. I also believe we recorded my fastest overall average boat speed of 5.2 during this trip using full main and 130 jib. Max speed was 6.8. The wind was brisk 12 knots but was dying on the way back otherwise it might have been faster. Sean took a time lapse recording of 30 minutes condensed into 2 minutes using his go pro camera. You see us tack and round the crib near the end of the video.

It may be a little colder and darker but I'm going to try and squeeze as much sailing into October as I can!

[friendofthesea]

"It's normal for the boat to tip over."

"It's normal for the boat to tip over. The rail might go in the water. It's ok." Many captains say this sort of thing to newbie sailors and crew before heading out onto the water. My buddy Sean, captain of Talisman, a Tartan 43, said the exact same thing to some friends before departing on Saturday for the Falcon Cup race. The race is from Rocky River (Cleveland Yachting Club) to Mentor (Mentor Harbor Yachting Club) and has been happening since 1938. The wind Saturday was from the SW 15-20 knots with 2-4 foot waves, perfect broad reaching conditions to Mentor. The crew arrived. It was Sean and Myself, life long sailors; Ethan and Bill, both with some sailing experience; and some other first timers. Sean gave the usual "It's normal for the boat to tip over." speech and we were on our way. Initially the conditions were brisk but not intimidating, especially on a heavy 43 foot boat. We got a good start and raised the spinnaker with Sean and Ethan on the foredeck and myself at the helm. The chute went up nicely then we noticed a twist in the sail. We eased the guy then a wave pushed the stern, we rounded up for a second. This was the first time the boat "tipped over" burying the rail a bit. No one seemed alarmed, we got it sorted out and started racing NE to Mentor. It was an exciting ride with the GPS reading consistently at 9-10 knots with our peak speed around 13.5 knots. The waves began to build and were hitting us on the stern quarter so steering downwind was a bit tricky, but Sean was showing his skill at the helm keeping us on course.

We continued racing along the city when we tipped over again, this time way over. I was on the companionway then before I knew it I was standing up on the cockpit seat backrest trying to reach the spinnaker sheet. Water was rushing over the cockpit seats and my legs were submerged in the water up to my knees. Everyone just kind of held on. As quickly as it happened the boat bobbed back to a more suitable angle, albeit still "tipped over" with the spinnaker and main luffing. We made sure everyone was ok then decided it was time to take the chute down. After a bit of a circus trapeze act Sean was able to haul in the Spinnaker. We headed back downwind and put up the genoa to run wing and wing. We do not know how fast we were going because the GPS was swept away during the knock down. Bummer. Incredibly everyone was still having fun with smiles on their faces. We finished the race which is 25.6 nm on the rhumb line in 03:19:29! Our adjusted score with our PHRF rating was 02:32:07. We placed 3rd in our Group! Sean got a burgee and some nice wine glasses. If it weren't for tipping over so much we might have even done better. Can't wait till next year's Falcon Cup! Talisman, Tartan 43 Trip: 25.6nm Time:3:19 Avg: 8 knots Max: 13.5

[friendofthesea]

Sean had a small rip in the spinnaker. Yikes, could have been worse.