The Rhodes Scholar...

My Laptop Died and I Don’t Care (The Trough of Disillusionment?)

2012-01-03T15:30:00.000-08:00

12-13-11

At 50 I can now state (even if I was to live to see 100 years) that I spent the first 1/3 of my life as a technophile. Since that time I’ve lived through a few tough lessons that have brought me a long way from the wide-eyed kid thatwatched the moon landings on ‘one of them new color TV’s’… The most important lessons are to distinguisha ‘want’ from a ‘need’ (yet to permit myself a modest number of ‘wants’), thatlife is a miracle (and therefore sacred), that I am interconnected (to myfamily, friends, coworkers, society, environment, God), and that there is no‘better life’ through technology (in fact all technology is a double-edgedsword) or politics (please – don’t get me started).

So, a few days ago I was obliged to end my long association with my laptop. This was the vehicle with which I earned my Masters Degree – so I feel like I should take it out into the backyard and give it a proper burial or something. Thus I am now ‘sans’ a computer, and after feeling weird and unconnected for an hour or so, I started to feel angry atmyself for feeling weird. …Fact is we (and the rest of the neighborhood) are awash in electronic devices that connect with the internet (are we still even calling it that?). Hey – I’m making this blog entry aren’t I?

For some time now, my wife and I have been contemplating what sort of devise we should plan to replace our aging laptops with, and so I should rejoice at the opportunity to rush right out and pick up a slick new replacement machine – or maybe not… In observance of the holiday season, let me elaborate on the bit about interconnectedness and technology… As akid I was stunned by the Apollo moon landings and fed on optimistic science fiction storied about successfully overcoming the challenges that would face us in the future (usually through technological means), and Super Hero comics. The only exception to this mantra was the classic War of the Worlds in which a simple virus saved the day (but of course that story was the product of a different age). These and other forces active in my childhood lead me to the assumption that progress (manifested in increasingly sophisticated technology) was linier, inevitable and destined to just keep making life better and better for everyone.

My first disillusionment came with the

Viet Nam

war. The world’s most sophisticated technology could not defeat a determined foe who was better adapted to the existing natural environment wherein the conflict took place. Other notable pieces included the fuel crisis of the 1970’s (my first eye-witness to fist fights between adults) and ‘super-germs’ that have survived to become impervious to over-used antibiotics, add in a couple of exploding Space Shuttles, a Chernobyl, a Bhopal, and a friend or two lost flying helicopters for the Army and you get a world class recipe for a technology cynic. Science Fiction was feeling the burn-out just like me, evidenced by the replacement of Star Trek with X-Files and The Day the Earth Stood Still with Soylent Green. By my late thirties I was intentionally placing myself about two to three years behind the technology wave, to avoid getting caught with ‘Beta’ in a VHS world (if you’ve read this far you probably know what that means). Since adopting this tactic, my only personal misstep has been a digital ‘super eight’ video camera.

By now, I look through narrow, suspicious eyes at new technology automatically – wondering what (not if) the downside is. Smart phones are intrusive (and two of mine have mysteriously been sucked out of the window of vehicles which I wasoperating on freeways), the medium of the solitary ‘computer-geek’ is now the superhighway of ‘social media’ and ‘virtual life’ (and the ‘geeks’ are those few who opt out), our pockets can now be picked from Nigeria (but more likely our retirement savings will just become someone’s golden parachute right here at home), and most of this digital golden age is fueled by batteries that require mining in environmentally delicate, politically unstable parts of our shrinking world. I could go on and on, but I won’t (Merry Christmas!).

Surely technology has made us more interconnected. Interconnected with the people we care about and choose to interact with, as well as the worst elements of society. …Interconnected with our own inner demons as well. Lives are ruined by identity theft, on-line gambling and pornography addictions, cyber-bullying and wasted by hours and hours of gaming which amounts to nothing at all… Too often, this is the content that our ‘content providers’ have brought us in this ‘golden age of information’. I’m not taking the ‘high-road’ here, I have had my scraps with some of these myself, but I think I have reached the ‘mother of all’ troughs of disillusionment. No,I’m not feeling scrooge-like because of the holidays, nor am I even feeling depressed… Please let me explain… A long, long time ago I was a young Industrial Design student, and some of the classes that I took exposed me to concepts like ‘appropriate technology’, and technology development curves. I remember one that subdivided the phases of the development of specific technologies into distinct phases of archaic, classical, baroque and rococo (archaic – emerging understanding, classic – basic technology understood and innovation resulting in dramatic improvements, baroque – technology understood but innovation increasingly expensive and having diminished results when implemented, rococo – technology understood but very expensive innovations now actually degradingthe original functionality).

Another blast from my past is something called a ‘hype-cycle’ which works in five phases;

1. "Technology Trigger" — Or breakthrough, product launch or other event that generates significant press and interest.

2. "Peak of Inflated Expectations" — In the next phase, a frenzy of publicity typically generates over-enthusiasm and unrealistic expectations. There may be some successful applications of a technology, but there are typically more failures.

3. "Trough of Disillusionment" — Technologies enter the "trough of disillusionment" because they fail to meet expectations and quickly become unfashionable. Consequently, the press usually abandons the topic and the technology.

4. "Slope of Enlightenment" — Although the press may have stopped covering the technology, some businesses continue through the "slope of enlightenment" and experiment to understand the benefits and practical application of the technology.

5. "Plateau of Productivity" — A technology reaches the "plateau of productivity" as the benefits of it become widely demonstratedand accepted. The technology becomes increasingly stable and evolves in second and third generations. The final height of the plateau varies according to whether the technology is broadly applicable or benefits only a niche market.

This hype-cycle is usually encountered in marketing and advertizing – the phases being defined by how much hype the press or the pop-culture buzz (…Do they call that ‘tweeting’ now?) is giving the technology. All these curves were graphically represented by normal distribution curves. In the case of the hype cycle, I’ve definitely reached the point where I feel that the technology has failed to meet expectations. Placing myself at an estimated two to three years behind the newest tech offerings, I definitely operate technology that has been abandoned by popular culture. …But perhaps this is more a rant against the ‘content providers’ of our age rather than the technology itself. The content delivered by most of these slick high-tech systems is often unimaginative and tiresome – sometimes corrosive and destructive. Where they are of value – they are really of tremendous value (instant communication, GIS Mapping, weather analysis, timely news from everywhere).

At this point I might add through anecdotal observation that I observe few technologies that are not abandoned long before they make it through to the plateau of productivity. Those things that do are often iconic in that they are not looked upon as being especially ‘cool’, but neither are they despised because they have proven so indispensible and valuable (think iron and ironing board or a door knob, or scotch tape). Vehicles are machines that I might argue are by definition; of above average value (both financially and operationally). Therefore over time (with many miss-steps along the way) they tend to fall into this category (think Boeing 707 or DC-3, Ford Model T or Corvette, a sailboat or a submarine) and everyone (young andold, man and woman) knows their appearance on almost a subconscious level.

Of these icons, the sailboat is by far the oldest. Arguably the sailboat, followed by the magnetic compass and the chariot are the oldest machines of any significant complexity devised by human kind (depending upon whether one chooses to include the bow and arrow or not). It is my belief that boats (and in particular sailboats) have embeddedthemselves into the collective subconscious, with symbolic meaning dating back to pre-historic times. Not that I'm given to flights of mysticism, but I am saying that this device has empowered humans since that time and has therefore come to be iconic in our subconsciousness. Also I would not be much of a mariner or pilot if I didn't have a couple minor superstitious quirks aboard.

P.S. Full Moon this last Weekend (Saturday 12-10-11) - last one in this year...

Procrastination – Right on Schedule

2011-10-22T08:11:00.001-07:00

10-22-11

Some people that I associate with have been described by mutual acquaintances as being “moody”. Some people that I have met describe themselves as being moody. Ihave never worn this moniker (at least that I know of) but perhaps I deserveto. It has been a while since I have done any work on , andmy rational mind will immediately send out a memo (internal and external) thatwe’ve been busy readying the rental property in Southern California for a newset of tenants (along with the temporary reduction of income that such atransition constitutes), and that last week we were on vacation up in thePacific Northwest. The truth of the matter is that even before theseevents I was experiencing a low level of energy and motivation towards my project. It’s charming to talk of Mercury Retrogrades, or Solar conjunction withSaturn (yea I know all about that stuff mostly cause’ I’m an amateur astronomerand I pay attention to the moon out of old habits related to tides surfing andflying NVG missions in the Army). But I feel that the explanation isneither as practical as the right side of my brain wants it to be, or asmystical as what the planets are up to these last few months...

Talking about a project isthe easy part, and it’s what Americans do best. Consider our governmentwhich rules on the philosophy that if something is filibustered long enoughthat somebody else will have to deal with it… Most people I know are alsopretty good at using their electronic devices to plan out how their projectsshould go in a perfect world. This isn’t a sin, (…fail to plan, plan tofail…) but it is a laboratory exercise, and the real world does not typicallyacknowledge the theoretical validity, nor appreciate the effort that isinvested in human planning. Slightly harder (but still pretty easy cause’most people receive a level of gratification from spending money, and confuseshopping with creativity) is acquiring all the equipment needed for a project. Probably two thirds of all major projects make it to step one of theirowner’s plan – and then die as jagged reality descends upon pretty concept.

I can at least claim tohave completed all but the final chapter (last batch of steps in the plan) withmy project to restore this boat. She’s all ready to receive a new coat ofpain, and then reassembly). This fact already qualifies me as a “doer”and a “Man of Action”, far more credible (and potentially dangerous) that most. I know, I know, I am on the hook for the ongoing maintenance of thiscraft. So why my waning energy and interest at this late stage of thegame? Certainly it has made me more vulnerable to domestic accusationsthat Sigrun is actually a bottomless money pit. If she were standingready right now, there would be a couple of emotionally charged conversationsthat would never have happened at our place.

All this should have meworried and chasing phantoms through the dark corridors of doubt, but I don’tget that feeling at all. I think my security comes from something I readsomewhere years ago...

“Mountains should beclimbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality ofyour own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up.If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibriumbetween restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you are no longer thinkingahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an an end but a unique event initself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From thisplace the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you shouldnotice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides ofthe mountain that sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow.”

Zen and the Art ofMotorcycle Mechanics, Robert M. Pirsig

Since my high school daysit has been evident to me that sailboats are all about the rapidly vanishingart of the journey (the destination often being of lesser importance). This period of what modern homo-urbanus would describe as procrastinationmay be some deeper preparation for a transition between chapters in the storyof Sigrun. Perhaps this a lingering over a point in the processtantamount to “climbing a mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness andexhaustion.” Perhaps there is something here that I “should noticeanyway.”

“…A boat demands investmentfrom us, and I don’t mean financial investment. Every boat presents achallenge; that’s what makes it seem almost alive. Without care, boatsdie – and a dying or dead boat is, at the very least, heart wrenching. The more time we give to a boat, the more it thrives – and the strangepart is – so do we. They open us to their own rhythms and to those of thewater that they carry us over.”

Designer & Client,Antonio Dias

Well, certainly since mylast writing, the northern hemisphere has tilted well into autumn which comeson faster and with more drama than in regions even slightly further from theocean. Thick coastal fog, spectacularly colored deciduous leaves, anincreasing frequency of bigger waves down the hill all testify of this andspeak tot he rhythm of the water that Mr. Diaz refers to. Interestinglythe term deciduous has deeper meaning than simply the group of tree speciesknow as hardwoods. Literally it means “with the tendency to fall off atmaturity.” As I mentioned, I’m pretty far along in the process ofreadying Sigrun for the ocean, and perhaps there is a metaphor here connected tothe change of season. ...A falling off of productivity when completion(or maturity) comes in sight... If Mr. Pirsig and Mr. Dias arecorrect, than peaks and valleys of productivity are normal when undertaking abig project.

...You want morecircumstantial evidence that I’m actually talking sense?

1 To every [thing thereis] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to beborn, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that whichis] planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and atime to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and atime to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stonestogether; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time toget, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time torend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A timeto love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 9 What profithath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10 I have seen the travail,which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.”

King James Bible, Ecclesiastes Chpt. 3

Photos? Yea - O.K. here's a couple photos of some new equipment...

On the left is our newest crew-member - Luna. The picture on the right I take to be a sign indicating divine endorsement of this project, even though the rain kept me from getting much of anything done on that day.

P.S. New Moon this Wednesday at 12:56 Pacific time, Jupiter has been prominent in the Eastern sky these last few mornings...

The Tyranny of Time and Distance

2011-07-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

07-14-11

"Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails, across the sea of years,
...With no provision but an open face, along the straits of fear."
Led Zeppelin

Problem; It is an observable fact that many of the surfers, long distance bicycle riders, and competitive sailors that I meet are both older and more capable than myself.

Hypothesis; Age is only a metric and does not necessarily determine what is and is not possible for an individual to accomplish. My kids are 'Millennials" - part of the social media, digital generation who were not alive before the internet. To virtually all of there generation, an undertaking such as the STP is the stuff of professional athletes and beyond the capabilities of ordinary mortals. To my wife and I the question is; can we do in our 50's the same sorts of things we could do in our 20's and 30's?

Procedure; While continuing the slow, careful removal of all fittings from the fiberglass hull of Sigrun, we found discretionary time to test the hypothesis by engaging in the Seattle to Portland (STP) double century (200 mile) bike tour this month as a family. In order to test the afore mentioned hypothesis on the broadest possible sample base, we determined that the whole family should attempt this goal including our (just barely) teenagers, all the way up to yours truly who is looking at the big-five oh.

Results; With a healthy dose of support from family and friends all from the just-barely teen to the 50 yr old geezer finished the tour just fine. We didn't set any land world speed records (although possibly a new record for the length of time to complete and STP), but that was never our intent. For the kids, this undertaking was hard to imagine when we first resolved to do it, and in doing it they are confronted with inner strength and capability that they did not know they possessed. For me it is proof that 'age' is (at least to a large extent) a psychological fallacy that an increasingly dysfunctional civilization attempts to foist upon us... You know, the whole "forever young", "my generation", cult of youth thing.

As I stick around this world - over time I find myself questioning more and more of the presumptions that seem ubiquitous in our culture. At first it was 'doomsday' statistics from the 1970's that assumed that the rate of occurance of something would not change in the future and would thereby send civilization blazing off into apocalypse. More and more I develop my own tests of these presumptions and find them to be at best - gross oversimplifications and at worse - simply wrong. This is unfortunate because with our media and communications technology does a really effective job at shaping popular perception (or even personal perception if you let it).

Conclusion; My kids are stronger and capable of much more than they have been led to understand in the past. My wife and I are still very capable of undertaking 200 mile bike rides as we enter out 50's (and there were plenty of riders that were older than we). I also have arrived at the realization that insomuch as the reality of these understandings was hypothetical - and is now demonstrated fact, that this was in essence a creative act... Creating facts out of concepts.

Recommendations; Undertaking took considerable time and energy that could have pushed closer to completion by now, but the creative nature of it merits inclusion in this stream of thoughts and blog ramblings. Now, armed with what we've learned, we are back to our other creative pursuits. My recommendations; kill your TV, question authority, and go build a boat...

Sailboat Striptease

2011-06-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

06-23-11

As I explore the deepest meanings of the old Japanese proverb that states; “Work expands to fill the available time”, I am at the same time shocked and gratified by findings ancillary to my preparations to paint my sea craft. Much can happen to an old sailboat in 45 years and who knows how many owners. Bolts that have been glassed over and must be drilled out to remove, fittings that were masked off and left in place for the last two paint-jobs, deck hardware mounted with common steel fasteners are all part of the soiree.

My shock comes from seeing what some sailors will tolerate on their sea craft, my gratification comes from the finding and eliminating of this stuff. Putting any vehicle (from a child’s bike up to an aircraft) right is rewarding work in itself, and so I do not couch this as a complaint. The whole intent of this undertaking was to produce a craft that is capable of handling conditions in the Monterey Bay. Obviously what’s good enough for fair weather sailing in inland waters such as San Francisco bay (where this vessel last resided) is not good enough. I do not believe anyone will be entertained by pictures of mismatched or badly installed fittings, so I am including a couple of pictures of the old, scrappy, pine running-boards and the mahogany replacements that I have been lavishing many coats of varnish upon, and the pagan looking detailing that I did on the tiller for now…

Meanwhile, out in our bay local Marine Biologists and Whale Watchers are in a state of commotion over the extent of this year’s krill ‘bloom’. Monterey Bay has always been one of the best places in the world to see marine mammals, in terms of both cetaceans (whales) and pinnipeds (seals, sealions), as well as sea otters. With the Krill population experiencing a sharp increase, the Whales are expected to come around in numbers all summer long for the fine dining. Five species of dolphins, grey whales, humpback whales, blue whales, orcas, minke whales and, on rare occasions, sperm whales can all be found in the bay. Early summer (now-ish) is a good time to encounter the biggest of the big; the blue whales. This species can be 100’ long and weight 200 tones.

Sigrun is 20’ long and weighs about 1800 lbs… Perhaps it is also a good time for a small sailboat to be on shore getting a fresh paint job.

P.S. The moon entered the last quarter for this cycle this morning at about 0448 Pacific time. The Summer solstice was Tuesday (06-21-11)

Cursed or Blessed?

2011-05-20T15:35:00.000-07:00

05-20-11

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Hebrews 12:6-7 (King James Version)

Since the big keel surgery in May, I have been quietly gathering the equipment for undertaking the painting of the top-side and the hull above the waterline. I’m most of the way there, but sadly lacking in one resource – time. This lament could surely apply to any one with a hobby or passion at almost any time. Pursued to its pith, this line of reason suggests that time is one of the crucial ingredients in savoring or appreciating any achievement.

The month started out with a rather emphatic declaration that this boat needed renaming – from its’ former namesake... As I worked my way through the emotions brought on by this rebuke, I settled upon the wise counsel of Steven Covey (Habit 5; Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” This worked well enough, and no unfortunate reactions created unnecessary interpersonal complications. I was also able to facilitate a greater understanding on the part of the boat’s former namesake - of my method of financially supporting the boat, which does not draw significantly from more important commitments to which I am connected, and to which the boat seems to have been perceived as a threat to.

O.K. fine... Cool... I was able to avoid the major marital friction that boats can cause, however, the fundamental inaccuracies in the reasoning and prejudgment behind the episode have galvanized into an even deeper resolve on my part to see my goal (restoration of this craft) through to completion. It was this quiet resolve that inspired me to the craft’s new name.

In Norse lore, supernatural Shield Maidens answering to the god Odin, were tasked with the job of fetching the souls of fallen warriors from the battle field, and bringing them to Valhalla. These maidens were the valkyrie (literally the “choosers of the slain”). To some extent, I’ve reached the point in my life where I am choosing to eschew much of what interests me for the sake of those few things that I know to be of central and abiding interest to me. One might say that this has been a process of deconstruction or even destruction as numerous lesser (but not unworthy) interests and aptitudes have necessarily had to go ‘by the board’. This process of choosing what to eliminate and discontinue has brought me to the valkyrie metaphor – as they were charged with choosing who would be eliminated and who would stay.
As female power figures valkyries are a popular source of story content in genres ranging from ancient medieval manuscripts to Wagnerian operas to modern Anime. This also makes them a perfect source for the naming of something that is at once feminine and powerful (like a boat). Norse lore resonates deeply in my own family heritage.

In Norse mythology some 43 valkyries are named although more are referred to in the stories. In all cases their names have meaning (generally violent or militaristic) and in some cases are still used as given names in Scandinavia. As the effort to restore this craft to seaworthiness has mostly been carried out without a consensus that would not have been attained had I bothered to seek it, I selected a valkyrie who is associated with the color blue (the ocean), and who’s name literally translates as “victory rune” but is more precisely interpreted as “magic victory” or “secret victory”. Pronounced “Sig-rŭne”, I intend to render the actual name on the back of the boat using the Norse runic alphabet. Therefore I hereby christen her as;

Official christening to be held on May 30 (einherjar)

Keel-Hauled...

2011-04-08T21:27:00.000-07:00

04-08-11

Salona just returned to us after a week in the Monterey Boatyard where she had total rework of her iron keel that was starting to accumulate significant rust. The corrosion turned out to be cosmetic, but some dry-rot found in the pressure treated pine that holds her oak ribs in place. ...This earlier work obviously done by “Half-Arse Boatworks Inc". I ponied up the shekels to replace the pine with a heavy oak plank, so she’s much happier and healthier now. This brings Salona’s rejuvenation to the point where I can start swinging a paintbrush – but first I have to replenish the “Relief Fund For Wayward Sailors”*. That marine paint aint cheap!

Meanwhile, we took a day trip up to SF - Fisherman's Warf, and the Maritime National Park - working up our apetite for seafood by climbing through a Balao class sub from WWII. These were pretty much the 'gold standard' for subs in their day (yes that includes the later German U-Boats), although we do have to give the Kriegsmarine credit for the development of the 'snorkel'. Three are still in front line service in various naval forces around the world!

Not a project for my garage/backyard. This keel is solid iron and weighs in at 450 lbs. No - my power tool collection does not include a forklift...

Liberal use of zinc chromate should keep her for a good long while before such surgery becomes necessary again...

New Moon last Sunday - First quarter on Monday 04-11-11
*Code word for off-line accumulation plunder earmarked for ~~Salona~~ Sigrŭn.

Tsunami

2011-03-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

03-14-11

As we watch the horrifying footage that continues coming out of Japan and elsewhere, our hearts and prayers go out to the friends whose lives are affected. We are reminded of the fragility of this thing we call civilization and the ephemeral nature of human life. Living on the California coast, we are no strangers to earthquakes and tsunamis, but there have been no instances of quakes this intense (9.0) in recorded history. Geologists here in the U.S. reassure us that there are very few places where the conditions are such that this intensity can be reached...

Although commonly associated with coastal areas, tsunamis could potentially strike here in the U.S., anywhere from Niihau, Hawaii to New York and from Marquesas Keys in Florida to Barrow, Alaska. The tsunami that hit Japan last week produced waves that were 4 Meters high crest to trough, in 2004 earthquake induced tsunamis produced waves that were up to 30 meters crest to trough. There is much evidence throughout the world of tsunamis that dwarf both of these. In considering the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Japanese tsunami of 2011, an important difference is the level of technological development of Japanese society vs some of the more remote parts of Indonesia. In Japan everyone has a camera... One wonders at the untold tragedies that never entered the world consciousness that were certainly generated by that cataclysm...

So - will the higher level of mechanization allow Japan to respond quicker and better to this tragedy than did the countries affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami - or - will the complex technology and dense population of Japan prove to be fragile and more easily destroyed than less developed societies elsewhere? ...Well, the Indonesians didn't have to worry about meltdowns in nuclear power plants - so this remains to be seen.

Personally I caution against comparing the two events and possibly reducing them to grim statistics. Once we have the luxury of being far away in time from this tragedy this exercise will be more appropriate - and then only for the purpose of learning how to prepare for, or at least respond to such events which surely await us in the future.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1365318/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-The-moment-mother-nature-engulfed-nation.html

1st quarter moon entered last Saturday.

Salona's getting her keel reworked down at the boatyard. More details to follow...

Sunset Warz

2011-03-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

02-11-11

I know... What's wrong with this guy? Sunset pictures as weapons... I'm done reading this blog...

Please allow me to explain...

Initial shots launched from our place in the vicinity of Monterey, CA - delivered to our folks in Washington State;

Return fire from our folk's place up in Washington State;

Some questions are simply settled through superior firepower...

P.S. Progress slow on Salona due to saving up for major work on the iron keel, and the winter weather here on the coast.

The moon entered it's first quarter on Thursday at 2318 Pacific Time.

Christmas Day on Puget Sound

2010-12-29T11:39:00.000-08:00

12-29-10

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?

And what was in those ships all three,

On Christmas Day in the morning?

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,

On Christmas Day in the morning.

We traveled North this year and spent Christmas with our extended family. It being the PacNW was rainy virtually the entire time we were there - except for a break on Christmas day which my son and I used to good effect - once all the presents were opened... Winds were light and variable out of the NorthWest.

The best surprise of all? Our very good friends (Tom Caswell and family) have moved in about thre miles away from the Bigley family HQ. This was an entirely unchoriographed move designed to follow a post-PHD paycheck. That it relocated them to our family's epicenter was unknown to all involved - and quite a pleasant surprise!

*The moon entered it's last quarter on Monday (12-27). Puget Sound had a tide swing of around 16ft!

A Chrismas sail out on the sound and old friendships renewed... thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over (Psalm 23:5)...

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all!

A Step in the Right Direction…

2010-12-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

12-15-10

O.K. so now everything below deck has been accomplished save the painting and the wiring up of the bilge pump. The past month has seen me deep in research as to methods of stepping and un-stepping a keel stepped mast. This step in the restoration process was a stepping stone for constructing the stepping hardware, and I didn’t want to make any missteps as I stepped up my efforts to step out of my comfort zone to develop a step by step proceedure to step and un-step the mast… So I stepped away from my work many times this last month and thereby likely side-stepped misfortune.

…Confused yet? A very fundamental characteristic of sailboat design pertains to how the mast is attached to the hull of the boat. This comes in two flavors; keel-stepped and deck-stepped. Traditional thought on this subject maintains that keel stepped masts (masts that run through a hole in the deck and attach to the keel) are sturdier than deck stepped masts (masts that attach to the deck and do not extend into the interior of the boat). Conversely, the deck stepped mast is relatively easy to step and un-step (put up and take down). There is a logic to this theory, but it is arguable that the weakness of deck stepped masts can be engineered around, and that the theory is based on a historical context that is less relevant with modern materials.

The base of a mast receives both vertical and horizontal forces applied to it which try to push it down through the bottom of the boat and also sideward off of the mast step. An additional consideration in designing the way the mast attaches to the boat is the way that the mast imparts its loads into the boat. It is thought that the vertical and horizontal forces applied to the mast (including the motive force from the sails that pushes the boat through the water) are more evenly distributed throughout the structure of the boat if the mast is able to transmit the force down to the keel as well as onto the deck.

The down side is that having a keel stepped mast means that there will always be water in the bilge. This water comes in at halyard boxes and other openings in the mast and nothing you can do will stop that. Second, it is way harder to step and un-step a keel-stepped mast, potentially making the boat more subject to damage in the process. An internet search on stepping keel stepped masts shows that there’s a lot of grassroots ingenuity out there (example) that has been applied to making this task easier – although nothing specific to a Rhodes 19 (which has a big, heavy aluminum mast).

So, here’s my big shot at becoming world famous… I started by constructing a mask crutch with pintles that fit into the gudgeons on the stern of the boat. This was made out of an 8 ft 2x6 and a keel roller to support the top portion of the mast. With the mast at an angle, I attach an ‘A’ frame (made out of 2 x 4 and 2 x 6) to the mast with 2 x 400 lbs capacity cargo straps. I use the crutch in conjunction with the ‘A’ frame and 2 x footings into the deck connections for the mast shrouds (mirror opposites of one another – one for port the other for starboard) that are abeam the hole in the deck for the mast.

I start the stepping procedure by making sure I have deck shoes (or some other footwear that provides good traction on fiberglass surfaces) donned. I attach the aft stay to the ring on the mast crutch, and lift the mast into the crutch. With the mast at an angle, I attach an ‘A’ frame to the mast base with the cargo straps. I then attach the two footings to the shroud hardware on the appropriate side of the boat deck. Standing just aft of the cuddy, I place the feet of the ‘A’ frame into the two footings, wander aft to the Mast crutch, grasp the underside of the mast and lift the mast off the crutch, while ensuring that the feet of the ‘A’ frame remain in the footings. Walking forward, I keep lifting the mast (hand over hand) while ensuring that the feet remain in the footings.

The aft stay becomes taught at the same time that the mast is held vertically over the hole. I move forward of the mast/’A’ frame and secure the whole thing into position by tying it off to the stern dockline. At this point I loosen the cargo straps just enough to allow me to twist and shimmy the mast slowly downward through the hole, into the boat, and onto the mast step on the keel. Then it’s just a matter of attaching all the stays and shrouds.

…Just in time for running Christmas lights up the forestay and aftstay!

There is the matter (mentioned in paragraph 3) of the built in leaks at the base of the mast… Below are a couple of articles that address this topic – and my very next undertaking. Hey Santa! Ya’ got a great big block of industrial rubber in that bag of yours?

http://www.jordanyachts.com/archives/1840

http://www.goodoldboat.com/reader_services/articles/wedgemast.php

Moon entered 1st quarter Monday at 0500 PDT.

A happy and safe Christmas to all!

Deck Check

2010-10-07T13:51:00.001-07:00

10-08-10

With the cleanup of the cuddy and the rework of the electrical system completed (minus function check of the electrical bilge pump), I wanted to address the cockpit deck to make working in the boat easier. The cockpit deck that this boat came with was rather weathered and deteriorating marine grade plywood of 5/8 inch thickness. Not very aesthetically appealing, but more importantly – having soft spots which sagged under foot, and which were prone to deliver splinters. The plywood also (being a solid slab) tended to trap moisture underneath it, with the potential to adversely affect the oak ribs below – so I have been interested in replacing the solid piece of plywood with some sort of planks separated by narrow seams to support rapid and complete drying. Considering that Salona is small enough that she will be stored on her trailer between uses, drying trumps sealing against moisture in my list of considerations.

Although the undisputed champions of maritime durability are teak and mahogany, this (relatively minor) part of refitting Salona would become very expensive if I pursued these options. Maple is also possibilities that I looked at. As an alternative, I settled on white oak which offered equivalent strength, but less durability than teak or mahogany. Oak tends to absorb more water than these alternatives, but on Salona it will have the luxury of drying out while she sits on her trailer between uses. I have read that one of the biggest contributors to wood deterioration on boats is dry rot spoors. I have also read that a wash-down with salt water (combined with a boat friendly detergent, followed by a sponging off and chamois wipe with fresh) is recommended to kill off the spoors. To support this process I have opted not to apply any sealant onto the deck planks.

Obviously more fasteners are required to secure planks than a contiguous slab. Like the fasteners that secured the plywood deck, these were wood screws made of type 316 stainless steel (as with all my metal gear on Salona). I have to say that I am pleased with the improvement in appearance of the cockpit deck as well…

P.S. New Moon today at 1144 PDT. The last few evenings, Venus, the "evening star," has been brilliant at sunset, just a few degrees above the horizon seting soon afterward. A distinctly Autumn weather pattern has set in with lots of morning fog and temperatures down about 5 degrees from last month.

Last Gasp of Summer 2010 - A Little Diversion

2010-09-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

09-05-10

The Autumnal Equinox is this month (Sept. 22) and summer will officially be over. I have always looked forward to autumn, wherever I find myself in the annual cycle of time. Not that I'm the sort that doesn't embrace summer with both hands. Perhaps it's just that I don't feel the pressure to live some sort of summer life style, or envy people who are on vacations, or have to deal with the tourist induced traffic jams around Monterey. Perhaps it’s my resistance to cool temperatures, and my pleasant surprise that this attribute is not shared by everyone (usually occurring to me on the unpopulated face of a wave, or a nearly empty beach or harbor parking lot. Summer is great - but towards the end of the season I am ready for the fog, the more focused productivity, and the 'sweater and hot-chocolate' weather of fall. I feel the same way about the very early spring.

Yes, I’m rationalizing… I’ve been accused of not liking summer in the past. This time I’m armed with evidence to the contrary… Last weekend my dad’s family held one of their annual family reunions at his place in Olympia, Washington. Our little nomadic family has missed too many of these things in past years and we are resolved (now that things appear to be settling down somewhat). Both of our kids (and even Sharon on occasion) remark about how pleasant and fun it will be to get ‘Salona’ up and running so that we can sail her our on the bay. Up at my folks place, I reunited my old sailing dinghy ‘Motorcycle’, with some of her critical equipment (mast, sail, dagger board and tiller). Up to now she’s been earning her keep as a rowing dinghy, servicing larger craft belonging to my folks and my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Peter.

So I made the social rounds at the reunion, and then discreetly retired to get ‘Motorcycle’ ship-shape. Aside from some fiberglass repair, everything checked out fine. I could not have asked for better weather to take her out on a shakedown cruise on Puget Sound (about 200’ down the hill from my folks place). My kids were not about to let their frail, old dad go out on a junket alone, and one thing I have learned is that when my daughter comes along – to equip her with a camera no matter what. These pictures are the evidence that (in fact) I do enjoy summer and a testimony of my daughter’s gift with a camera…

On this trip, my little family’s enthusiasm for getting ‘Salona’ on line came away quite intact. ...And now, back to work. Autumn is nearly upon us.

...The Moon is new at about 3:30 a.m. PDT tomorrow. It crosses the line between Earth and Sun, so it’s lost in the Sun’s glare. It will return to view as a thin crescent, low in the western sky, on Thursday or Friday evening.

What is, and What Should Never Be...

2010-08-11T12:58:00.001-07:00

08-11-10

New moon day before yesterday at 2008 (8:08 pm for you civilians) PDT.

I hear from long time boaters some of the most amazing stories about some of the ‘jury-rig’ and ‘hay-wire’ setups that they’ve encountered. For my first such story it appears that I have no further to look than my own boat. In earlier blog entries I have grumbled a bit about how I found the electrical system when I purchased my Rhodes. Tupperware electrical boxes notwithstanding, the fundamentals of the boat are/were really pretty good for the money. In my ongoing process of examining and (if necessary) revising Salona, I have started to transition out of the fiberglassing stage and onto the rigging.

Two things before I go on;

The primary expense associated with a motor boat is typically the motor. Likewise the primary expense associated with a sailboat is the rigging/sails.

Sailboat owners almost never totally agree on rigging.

Now, admittedly I am somewhere in between ‘old salt’ and ‘flat-footed landsman’ in my maritime knowledge, but I consider myself to be in possession of a useful amount of mechanical ability. That said, I have had one hell of a time trying to figure out the rigging of this boat. The Rhodes that I’ve sailed in the past were pretty straightforward craft in this respect. With a traveler of some sort across the stern deck aft of the cockpit and a swivel block mounted to the cockpit deck to accommodate the main sheet, and sliding blocks and cleats atop the cuddy to accommodate the jib sheets. This boat came equipped with a vast assortment (far more than was necessary) of cleats atop the cuddy and some sort of ‘slicky-boy’ rig for the mainsheet(s) that took them through swivel blocks, down through holes in the aft deck and forward abeam the cockpit behind the benches. This set-up would appear to minimize the hardware cluttering up the cockpit, but at great expense to strength (especially as the previous owners cut back two gunwale stiffeners under the deck and cut two sizeable holes in the aft deck to allow for the sheets) and responsiveness.

The easier of these two issues to tackle is the jib rigging – so I have started there. I removed about half of the hardware atop the cuddy and patched the fiberglass under the holes for the removed cleats. Here’s where I encountered my first indication of trouble… The locking screws in the sliding blocks appeared to be heavily rusted. I figured that the land-lubbers that owned her before me had put Home-Depot galvanized steel in place either as cost-cutting temporaries, or because they didn’t know any better (dissimilar metal corrosion as well as no resistance to saltwater). As I began to remove these screws, I quickly realized that I was overcoming way more resistance than could be attributed to the corrosion and then I began to observe the severely stripped-out threads! After removing the screws and wiping away my tears of outrage, my worst fears were realized… The threads on the stainless steel sliding blocks were destroyed as well as those of the offensive screws. In an instant, my retail quest went from two $4.00 stainless steel machine screws to, two $135.00 stainless steel sliding blocks that would have to be special ordered from the east coast… Heavy sigh…

I could rant for about two full paragraphs right now – but I’d loose you (the reader). I will state for the record that the guys down at WestMarine have been more than accommodating despite their not having an ‘official’ layaway policy, and that there is indeed a clearly defined U.S. market for plastic boats injection molded in China and designed never to leave the bathtub (or jacuzzi).

I'm a political centrist - and environmental radicalism is starting to appeal to me...

2010-07-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

07-12-10

As I get older I try hard to become more focused on those few things that I'm really passionate about. The content of this blog is an obvious reflection of that effort. I've only ever digressed a couple of times into the achievements of family, love of the ocean and surfing (all interrelated in my mind). I've only ever taken off on a full-on rail once before about the invertebrate parasites that are Chase Bank. Well fasten your seat belts boys and girls, because I just cant let this one pass...

Back in early April, I gloomily predicted that due to the challenges of operating in deep water (and the oncoming hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico), that the BP oil spill would turn out to be the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. I was born in Pensacola, Florida and lived for a few years in Corpus Christi, Texas. I have many fond memories of the endless white sand beaches and wetlands full of wildlife down in the gulf region – therefore the ongoing impotence of the corporations involved as well as the state and federal governments has appeared really tragic to me.

Realizing that this event would be seized upon by various groups and ‘spun’ according to various agendas, I have diligently avoided the outer fringes of the ‘blogosphere’ as a source of information on this subject. Although I have continued to stay informed via credible news sources, I have to say that this spectacle unavoidably and inevitably evokes an emotional response from me. These were the beaches I grew up on. These are the places that taught me to love the ocean at about the same time I learned to walk. I doubt that my feelings would be diminished too much if this debacle were happening anywhere in the world ocean, but this turns the period into an exclamation point in the phrase “This sucks out loud!”

Living in the Monterey bay area of coastal California brings with it many blessings. Obviously there is accessibility to the ocean for an avid surfer/sailor like me. There is also a very active local culture with lots of events and activities that celebrate the region. Earlier this month I learned that one of my favorite artists, and personal heroes (Robert Wyland) was to make one of his frequent visits to his art gallery in Carmel. This gave me an opportunity to meet him face to face for the first time, and I had a good long palaver with him as he painted. Unfortunately, even this pleasant distraction became engulfed in the dark clouds of crude oil as the conversation turned to his recent trip to the Gulf Coast of Florida, and his description of the stench of oil, chemical dispersants and dead marine animals that the pictures obviously can’t convey.

Recently there are increasing reports of the press being restricted from some areas of the Gulf disaster area… Let’s just hope that this if for some sort of safety concern… I can’t imagine how really deeply angered I would be if it happened in (or near) the Monterey bay… I just can’t imagine… How many more decades are we as a nation going to accept status quo, while being fed on vague promises about technological solutions to our oil habit? After all wouldn’t something like a hydrogen based economy (which we’ve been hearing about since the early 1970’s) reduce our dependence on foreign oil even more than producing more domestic oil? This seems obvious even if one is still in denial about anthropometric effects on climate change, or am I missing somthing here?

P.S. New moon yesterday at 1240 PDT.

Life Saver

2010-06-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

06-17-10

If you observe a really happy man you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, growing double dahlias in his garden, or looking for dinosaur eggs in the Gobi desert. He will not be searching for happiness as if it were a collar button that has rolled under the radiator. He will not be striving for it as a goal in itself. He will have become aware that he is happy in the course of living life twenty-four crowded hours of the day.

~W. Beran Wolfe

Things are settling into something resembling a routine for the first time in the last two action packed years. From Sunday through Wednesday COB I'm kept very busy doing 'stuff' for other folks. Starting about the time I arrive home after work on Wednesdays, I can generally steal some time to work on Salona. The electrical system revision has been completed except for an upgrade to the cabin light (replacement to be a much more energy efficient and water resistant LED). I have also purchased a retractable, light weight engine mount for use with my Evenrude to replace the ancient removable one that I've been having to use up to now. It appears to be a happy marriege (see pictures). I can't wait to try it out! This brings me up to the point where I tackle some issues with the fiberglass hull.

P.S. 1st Quarter moon at 0920 tomorrow.

Step 1; The Electrical System

2010-05-03T12:41:00.001-07:00

04-28-10

Talofa! Full moon today at 0518 PDT... Yes, Daylight Savings is upon us. In the U.S. and Canada, Standard Time (PST, MST, CST, and EST) is in effect from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April. Daylight Savings Time (PDT, MDT, CDT, and EDT) is in effect from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.

Ode to academic complications, my wingman (son) has been restricted from several activities including surfing, and my compadre from church has been laid up with a persistent back pain due to an unfortunate beach break, so my surfing has been intermittent. With 'Salona' (Rhodes 19') safely ensconced in her new home, I have started to spend some quality time with her.

First and foremost on my 'to-do' list is her electrical system. The existing 12 Volt deep-cycle had remained discharged for so long that a fair amount of sulphation had accumulated in two of the cells, and the battery had to be retired. I decided not to skimp, and selected for a replacement an Optima marine / RV gel-cell, Group 34. After charging her up nice and slow, I removed the Tupperware sandwich sized switch / fuse panel and replaced it with a four channel, waterproof West Marine unit for which I fabricated an acrylic back (also waterproof).

I also revised the battery mount, retaining only the original box and modifying the floorboards to accomodate it. While at it I thought it prudent to secure the battery box with somthing more substancial than old 550 cord...

Turns out that working on an old boat is nearly as enjoyable as sailing one... Who knew...

Homecoming

2010-03-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

03-31-10

At last our perseverance pays off, and my evil master plan comes together! We have installed the concrete RV parking at our Seaside home and today I moved 'Salona' from her temporary home at the Port Authority yard at Moss Landing. Although this was a very exciting and long anticipated day for Salona and I, it is a bit sad for us as well since we are pulling our operation out of Moss landing which has been very accommodating to us and a maritime community that has been really fun to be a small part of. Well, I'll still sneak out to Phil's Fish Market and The Whole Enchilada whenever I can find an excuse!

Salona fits well into the concrete strip that we've created for her - and for the first time in more than two years, all of our non-realestate belongings are at one location. This is perfect timing because I've been working diligently to get the garage (my workshop) in order and I am nearing completion of a new, more robust and water resistant electrical switch-panel for her which I shall install as part of the electrical system overhaul...

P.S. Good surf session at 'The Hotel' here in Seaside last Saturday! About 4' to 5' right breaks ode to a west-southwest swell. Michael opted to be lazy and stay in bed, but I hooked up with Dave (from church) and although his back is bothering him (from being too greedy on a beach break), we both had a good session. Proof that Jimmy Buffett was right; "The ocean has always been a salve to my soul...the best thing for a cut or abrasion was to go swimming in salt water. Later down the road of life, I made the discovery that salt water was also good for the mental abrasions one inevitably acquires on land."

Full moon this last Monday (03-29)...

"Sure I am of this, that you only have to endure to conquer." - Winston Churchill

2010-03-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

02-20-10

We have moved in to our new house in Seaside! With our Airstream in the driveway, I was given a dose of reality about our primary residence for the last year and a half when the moving truck (which was a smallish 28' rig) pulled in next to it to unload all our gear. Our 'palatial estate' was dwarfed by the moving van!

The view from the house is spectacular (especially at night), covering most of the southern half of Monterey bay and the entire Monterey peninsula from all of the rooms on the western side. This isn't quite as impressive as the family 'digs' up in Olympia, Washington but I do not think that I shall ever take this house for granted (or willingly part from it).

The kid's International School strongly supported their involvement in this year's district Science fair. Both Isabella and Michael were among the few selected to represent ISM at the district science fair which was judged by a combination of MBARI and NPS scientists and engineers. Both kids placed second in their categories and Michael received an additional recognition from the Naval Research Center! This coincided with a visit by grandparents who were very stoked about seeing their grandkids recognized. Both kids were rewarded for all their effort - In Isabella's case with an 8' longboard. Welcome to the fleet Captain Isabella!

ISM Award Recipients (Many are called, few are chosen)

Happy New Year!

2010-01-15T11:16:00.001-08:00

01-01-10

Happy 2010 Everybody!

The picture is us 'sticking together' at the MBARI opened house where we won the submersible design competition (at least for our round).

Well it finally happened... We're in the final stages of a house purchase. RV access, a big garage, and a 'sick' view of the southern bay and the Monterey peninsula! Now the conundrum - We're now actually closer to Monterey harbor than to Moss Landing... Do we continue to operate out of Moss Landing as we have intended, or do we switch to the much less 'technical' (but much more crowded and expensive) harbor of Monterey?

I have not now (and probably never will) forgive Chase Bank for stringing a 30 day escrow out for 75 days and then foreclosing on the house when the seller could no longer afford to make the mortgage payment. This left us with nothing after 8 or 9 months of believing that we were the bid holders. Lest I feel too sorry for myself and my little crew, I consider the seller... A customer of Chase Bank in previously good standing, who Chase seemingly intentionally ran into bankruptcy and foreclosure...

Not much to report about the Rhodes - still battened down for winter... We've had some very nice surf however, so my longboard is getting it's exercise. Still a guy can dream can't he?

Full moon as of yesterday at 1113 hours PST.... Timely...

Ruggin' up for Winter

2009-12-15T11:16:00.000-08:00

11-28-09

Compliments of Men At Work

"Down by the sea
I found your hidden treasure...
Just you and me,
We overdosed on pleasure...
Yonnies in the wind,
We're ruggin' up for winter...
Putting out the bins
In cold and windy weather...
Down by the docks
Live all the silent sea-ships...
Crates are stowed on blocks
Where now only the rats live..."

Sharon made it back from Samoa where she survived the earthquake and subsequent tsunami (although extended family was not so lucky), and so my anxiety level which peaked at the beginning of the month is back to acceptable levels. This had a surprising effect on yours truly... After many years without so much as a speeding ticked, I collected two of then as well as being involved in the first ever automobile accident that I have to admit was my fault (nobody hurt). This has forced some introspection about my 'always in a hurry' driving habits, but also is a clear indication about my emotional state (homeless and uncertain of my wife's well-being). I guess I'm not as controlled and insusceptible as I thought...

In any case, donations for those effected by these tragic events can be sent via the following legitimate relief organization;

Globalgiving.org

Winter projects include house hunting, rewiring of electrical system and replacement of 'hay-wired' electrical switch panel with waterproof marine grade version, acquisition of ship's compass and monthly run-up of my Evenrude out at Nelson's Outboard Service shop in Prunedale. A much needed new paint job will have to wait until more consistent weather and a situation conducive to removing gear and sanding the hull. Taking advantage of some of the excellent Winter surfing in the bay is also on the agenda...

P.S. Full moon text Tues. (12-01)

Test Launch of Salona

2009-10-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

10-17-09

In my slow, steady progress on the 'road' to fitting out my 'Rhodes', I have come to the point where I need a couple fundamental questions answered. The 7.5 hp Evenrude is newly back from it's extreme make-mouth of moss landing. Also, I want to know if my craft ('Salona') will float... These questions contain another question; the feasibility of ramp launching my fixed keel boat... The options for this include paying big bucks to a well equipped boatyard to sling the craft off of it's trailer and into the water by way of a big crane, or the following arcane procedure;
over and I want to test it's muscle against an out going tide race at the
This process will take two people at least, and should not be attempted with a front wheel drive vehicle. Get the driver to back the boat and trailer down the slipway to just above the point where the pavement is wet. The ground guide then places chocks for the trailer wheels behind the trailer wheels. These should be big industrial rubber truck chocks. Disconnect the trailer from the vehicle and pull the vehicle forward a few centimeters. Make sure that the spare tire for your trailer is situated on the front of the trailer, or is temporarily stowed in the back of your truck. Next, tie a long and sturdy rope to your trailer and to your vehicle. Pull the vehicle back up the ramp until the line of rope is tight, and perhaps a bit more to remove the weight of the trailer wheels from the chocks. Remove the chocks from behind the wheels of the trailer and back your vehicle up to the point where the trailer and boat are all in the water. At some point (when the trailer is mostly submerged, your boat will float free of the trailer. Drive forward to pull your trailer out of the water and put the chocks back behind the wheels again. Connect the trailer back up to the vehicle with the rope, and pull the trailer back out of the water.
If there is a courtesy dock running beside the ramp, then have the ground guide tie the boat up the the dock. Retrieving the boat isn’t all that different from launching it.

Results; The launch was a success. The newly rebuilt motor pushed Salona along so well that one could water ski off the back of her - although the outgoing tide race was nowhere near the worst case scenario mentioned in earlier postings. The craft took the ocean swells outside of the harbor well and - she was water tight! Next time we'll rig her out and spread some sail...

More Testoste-Rhodes

2009-08-14T07:42:00.001-07:00

08-14-09

After lengthy discussions with old salts at Moss Landing, my initial suspicions about the 3 h.p. motor that the boat came with have been confirmed... Due to the volume of water in the Elkhorn Slough, behind the harbor, the tidal flow can reach 6 knots (or more) in the narrow harbor mouth. A 19" sailboat weighing 1000 - 1300 lbs. running against a 6 knot rip (with possibly contrary winds)... Simple math.

To address this I have purchased an old, but solid 7.5hp Evenrude Fleetwin Aquasonic outboard to replace the 3 h.p. 'Whatever-it-is' that came with the boat. The Evenrude is a 1954 model shortshaft, but it is in great condition, and I took careful measurements to ensure that the oil cooler sits below the waterline when she swims. The motor was 'pickled' before being put into storage a few years ago. I have sent it along to an outboard motor specialist of good repute (Nelson's Outboard Service) in Prunedale for an extreme make-over. He's in great demand, so the work will most likely take place in the first half of September. No worries, in the mean time we've got our surfboards.

P.S. New moon next Thurs. (08-20)

The Relief Fund for Wayward Sailors

2009-08-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

08-08-09

I've gone and done it. Although it's been agreed to in concept, and it is suspected that I have accumulated the money, I've been counseled to wait until I have a driveway to put it in - but just exactly the right one came along. For less than $500.00 I have purchased a Rhodes 19' sailboat and trailer. It's a 1966 model with the hull and rigging in very good shape although she desperately needs a paint job and a more powerful motor (she came with a 3 h.p. longshaft of obscure paternity. I will work on her this winter. I don't intend for her to swim until Spring/Summer 2010. I have stowed her in the Moss Landing Harbor Authority's dry storage lot for $50.00 per month. So far, I've told no one...

In order to accomplish this I have had to sell off the sailboard (not so painful now that I have my longboard) and liquidate a large percentage of the Relief Fund for Wayward Sailors - but I still have enought for a couple needed enhancements...

Can't we all just get a-longboard?

2009-08-12T15:16:00.000-07:00

07-27-09

One year and counting. I think I'll beat the Christmas rush and start hating banks and realtors right now. Here we sit in our 22' camp trailer, part of the solution to the nation's woes, but the criminals running these two industries don't seem to be the least bit interested... Hey - it's only money from working American citizens. It's probably easier to borrow it from China anyway...

On a more positive note, about two weeks after I had packed up all our household effects in Southern California, I came to the unpleasant realization that I'd made one of the biggest blunders of my entire adult life... I packed up my longboard along with everything else - for a move to the MontereyBay area!

Anyhow, on Friday (after all these months) it came off the truck intact! I literally almost cried tears of joy, like I was being reunited with a dear, old friend. I hate to admit it, but seeing other surfers made me sullen and resentful. I actually started avoiding them. Over the weekend I put a fresh wax job on the deck and rails (I prefer 'Famous' brand surfboard wax). Due to prior scheduled commitments, I was unable to put it in the water - that will have to happen this week sometime. I want to get Michael on his new board at least once before school starts up. Wish us luck! We're officially back out on the salt water!

P.S. New moon last Tuesday (07-21). Moon at 1st quarter tomorrow.

Running with the Ghosts

2009-08-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

03/10/09

Well, we're still homeless. Eight months and we are regularly assured that we are getting steadily closer to the top of somebody's in-box somewhere. Manhattan Chase Bank continues its aggressive efforts in the pursuit of mediocrity in American Banking. I can't keep a positive outlook without some sort of forward motion in my life. In that spirit I have instituted what I hope will be a long lasting exercise routine this last week.

In preparation for my 47th birthday, I have started getting up at 0400 each weekday morning and running a 2 mile course south, out of Moss Landing. I run out on the sand at the edge of the surf to keep my long-suffering feet from acting up again... They were abused enough during my ten years in the U.S. Army. The first observation I have is that I am significantly heavier and slower than I used to be (hopefully that will change over time). The second observation that I have is that 0430 in the morning is a great time for some amazing sights out on the bay and close encounters with wild-life. Sailboarding continues up on Coyote Lake and Lake Anderson on Saturday mornings.

The irony here is that a couple of years ago I actually wanted a sailboard (inspired by a narrative from the book 'Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul'), but after really investigating them, the limitations became clear to me... These limitations are somewhat similar to those of a motorcycle - fun to ride, but unable to do much with. These limitations are even more accute in my particular case due to the lack of confidence that I have in this rig's ability to handle conditions out on Monterey bay. With these considerations in mind, I plan to use my rig until I have access to my longboard, and then to sell it for funds to be applied to the Relief Fund for Wayward Sailors (read: "sailboat"). I'm sure there will be more content for this blog generated by these activities going forward.

Das Boot

2009-08-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

02-07-09

Seven Months and counting. We've relocated to the Monterey area, with great jobs, pre-approved for a home loan, and the money for a down payment. Somehow in the post 2007-2008 new world order that is not enough to purchase a house. The credit industry has successfully run the National economy onto the rocks, and is now distrustful of the very taxpayers that they 'screwed', and who subsequently bailed them out. I don't know whether I'm more upset about our still living in our 22' Airstream Trailer (great for a week's surfing safari, but severally cramped for a primary residence) after a year, or just the prolonged separation from my longboard which prevents me from the sessions that helped me deal with modern 'snivilization'.

What I do know is that, like water, I'll seep into the dark corners and imperfections of this chapter in life and find the hidden opportunities. Initially (and quite by happenstance) I acquired a sailboard setup. It came to me 'gratis' due to the previous owner's lack of time and ability to deal with fiberglass repair. This was a somewhat dated rig (1980's) but with some minor repair to the deck, some sewing around the downhaul, and a new mast it was ready to hit the water. The 'U-joint' on this setup is aging (but in good shape) nylon plastic which I do not trust enough to take me out into the ocean. So for the time being, I will try to stay satisfied sailing on the lakes up in the region's hills by Gilroy and Morgan Hill.

I miss my wave board terribly...