June 6, 2009 - After launching my boat last Thursday I've wondered whether or not my mast was properly lined up over the center of the deck. Viewed from a dinghy it looks like it might be a little off kilter. There are many hard ways to align a mast. Since I'm not racing the only way I'll bother about getting it done is if it's easy. This morning I found a cool solution in the electronic ether in the form of a video from UK-Halsey sailmakers. You can register to see the video here.
The method is simple. Get yourself seated in a bosun's chair a few feet off the deck. Swing to one stay and mark it with a piece of tape aligned with a point on the bosun's chair. Then swing to the other stay and do the same. Measure the distance from the marks on the stays to the deck, adjust the mast until they're equal and voila! I might even do it.
UK-Halsey has other good videos as well. I found those on man overboard recoveries to be interesting and a little discouraging to tell the truth. My takeaway is that if you're the captain and your crew is inexperienced, you really and truly don't want to fall over in anything other than dead calm conditions while running under motor... which, as it happens, is something that happened to me two years ago when I reached too far over the rail to pick up a piece of trash in Vineyard Sound while my 10 year old daughter was on the helm and my wife was down below feeding breakfast to our 4 year old. Wet clothes, minor scrapes and a bruised ego was all I suffered then. On a broad reach in 15 knots of wind under jib only with 3-4' seas (a nice day in other words), it could have been a different story. I'm planning on doing some MOB drills with my crew before this year's family cruise. I'll let you know how that works out.
Boating
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Boats
Zut Alors! French Rower Girard Quits Again.
May 31, 2009 - This time he said he was prepared. He had rowed in the North Atlantic off the coast of France during winter on a dozen different occasions to get ready. It wasn't enough. 10 days into his journey, 150 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Charlie Girard was scared and cold while bobbing up and down in his 20' rowboat in 7' seas and fog. He called the Coast Guard on his cell phone and was rescued at a cost of $80,000 to US taxpayers. He was returned to Cape Cod in good health. He will not be billed for the expense. This was Girard's 2nd attempt to row across the Atlantic. Two years ago he gave up after three days in 5-8' seas at Georges Bank.
When I visited with Girard prior to this attempt I asked him if he had been following Ollie Hicks. He could have learned quite a few things if he had read Ollie's blog. Hicks had been attempting to row around Antarctica. After three months in the Southern Sea, in waves ranging upwards of 20' and winds gusting past 60 mph, Hicks gave up his quest, not because he was miserable, but rather because he wouldn't have made it to Terra Del Fuego in time to avoid the worst of the Antarctic winter. The wind was blowing him in circles and his progress was much slower than anticipated. And here's the key difference... when he determined he wouldn't make his goal, Hicks turned his boat around and rowed himself to New Zealand. He didn't impose on the New Zealand Coast Guard for help. Hicks can hold his head high.
When I visited with Girard prior to this attempt I asked him if he had been following Ollie Hicks. He could have learned quite a few things if he had read Ollie's blog. Hicks had been attempting to row around Antarctica. After three months in the Southern Sea, in waves ranging upwards of 20' and winds gusting past 60 mph, Hicks gave up his quest, not because he was miserable, but rather because he wouldn't have made it to Terra Del Fuego in time to avoid the worst of the Antarctic winter. The wind was blowing him in circles and his progress was much slower than anticipated. And here's the key difference... when he determined he wouldn't make his goal, Hicks turned his boat around and rowed himself to New Zealand. He didn't impose on the New Zealand Coast Guard for help. Hicks can hold his head high.
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Boats
Figawi Race Breakfast
May 23, 2009, Hyannis - This morning I visited the Hyannis Yacht Club where the Figawi racers were having breakfast before the start. Everyone was happy to be part of the event. Here's a short video:
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Boats
May 20, 2009 Orleans, MA - Yesterday at 9:30am Charlie Girard was towed out of
Town Cove from the Orleans Yacht Club to begin his second attempt at rowing
across the Atlantic in record time. His 21' boat, Caliste, looks like
the external fuel pod of a fighter plane. It's narrow and tapered at both ends
with a center rowing station, sleeping capsule in the bow and storage locker
in the stern. Charlie designed the boat himself. Two years ago, a day and a
half out of Nauset Harbor, he found himself in 8' seas at Georges Bank. He
was rolled three times side over side and pitchpoled once end over end. His
rudder and spirit were broken and he called for rescue. Caliste was
abandoned in the North Atlantic. This time he expects
things to turn out differently.
Charlie G's Transatlantic Row Rev-2
May 20, 2009 Orleans, MA - Yesterday at 9:30am Charlie Girard was towed out of
Town Cove from the Orleans Yacht Club to begin his second attempt at rowing
across the Atlantic in record time. His 21' boat, Caliste, looks like
the external fuel pod of a fighter plane. It's narrow and tapered at both ends
with a center rowing station, sleeping capsule in the bow and storage locker
in the stern. Charlie designed the boat himself. Two years ago, a day and a
half out of Nauset Harbor, he found himself in 8' seas at Georges Bank. He
was rolled three times side over side and pitchpoled once end over end. His
rudder and spirit were broken and he called for rescue. Caliste was
abandoned in the North Atlantic. This time he expects
things to turn out differently.
Last Sunday morning I headed out to the Orleans Yacht Club to check things out with my daughters. Under a gray drizzling sky the tubular 21' rowboat was sitting alone at the edge of the parking lot on its trailer. We walked up to it to take a peek. Jane (12) was incredulous, "He's going to row across the Atlantic in that!???" In answer to her question, Charlie Girard opened up the capsule of a cabin to say hello.
Here's a paraphrase of our conversation:
Charlie: Hello
Mike: Hi. I brought my daughters down here to see your boat. Is this the same boat as last time. I heard you had left it drifting when you were rescued.
Charlie: Some fishermen found it.
Mike: What will be different this time?
Charlie: I'm more prepared. I have three rudders and two sets of oars. I spent 10-20 days rowing in the ocean off France during the winter in rough conditions. I didn't do any overnight rowing or sleeping on the boat but after a few nights I should get used to it. I have several sea anchors. Last time I only had one and didn't use it.
Mike: How hard was it to get sponsors?
Charlie: Getting sponsors is very hard. But surprisingly it was a little easier this time - the sponsors see I have more experience so they are more willing to back me.
Mike: Do you have anything for seasickness?
Charlie (smiling): Oh yes.
Mike: We wish you luck and great success.
Charlie: Thank you.
Blog -
Boats
Getting the Boat Ready For Summer
May 2nd, 2009 - Boating season is here and now I'm scrambling to get everything done so the boat can be launched in the next couple of weeks. My boat is a 1983 O'Day 25' Sailboat with a 5hp Yanmar diesel inboard. This year we're planning a trip to Cuttyhunk and a return to Menemsha. Here's a story about our sailing trip to Menemsha two summers ago: Menemsha or Bust.
Here's a video showing what I need to do to get the boat ready to launch... the boat will look neat and tidy when everything is finished...
Here's a video showing what I need to do to get the boat ready to launch... the boat will look neat and tidy when everything is finished...
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