In case you are not one of the four-hundred folks who have viewed our video, you can access it at this e-dress:
http://www.youtube.com/user/jayheartsusa#p/u/0/_bF8CnpHU2o
While you are at the Jayheartsusa channel, you can see some of our other videos. Mostly about sailing...Enjoy, and comments are always welcome.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
September 17, 2010
(Judy) with Steph's input
Well, we got many things accomplished this week. With Dave's help, we measured up and designed a set up for our sokar panel array of two 80 Watt panels. He started work on reenforcing the forward bulkhead so that we ca install a baby stay for a storm jib. We began installing inspection ports in the water tanks so that we can clean them. Steph put a new gasket on the aft hatch and Judy painted the floors of the saloon and aft cabin in expectation of our new carpet. We got lots of new toys, including parachute flares and orange smoke flares, our new life raft, and ourepirb arrived. Judy went up the mizzen mast to retrieve a block that needs replacing.
We are majorly stressed at the moment, but it is a relief to see things coming together. :-)
Well, we got many things accomplished this week. With Dave's help, we measured up and designed a set up for our sokar panel array of two 80 Watt panels. He started work on reenforcing the forward bulkhead so that we ca install a baby stay for a storm jib. We began installing inspection ports in the water tanks so that we can clean them. Steph put a new gasket on the aft hatch and Judy painted the floors of the saloon and aft cabin in expectation of our new carpet. We got lots of new toys, including parachute flares and orange smoke flares, our new life raft, and ourepirb arrived. Judy went up the mizzen mast to retrieve a block that needs replacing.
We are majorly stressed at the moment, but it is a relief to see things coming together. :-)
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9th, 2010
(Steph)
I started off my day with a visit to Dr. Shreedhar to check on the progress of my hernia repair. While exiting the tight confines of the engine room where I was securing one of the four batteries we carry, I twisted and felt a tug at my abdomen. Doc said not to worry, in a couple of weeks I'll be 100%. Not bad, since I'm usually only 98%
I stopped at West Marine for some electrical connectors and rubber hoods for the battery terminals. Since the boat can roll significantly in all sorts of directions, the batteries (and most everything else) needs to be stowed securely. This means acidproof straps screwed to the engine room floor and belted around each battery. Insulated "hoods" cover the terminals and connections to preclude accidental arcing and sparking. This is a "before" picture.
Judy with Dave, our marine advisor and hands-on mentor had Bentaña at the dock by the time I arrived . We reviewed the long list of safety items and upgrades we needed for our open ocean passage. We contacted I-COM to order our single side band radio which we will need for off-shore communication. We finished hooking up the RADAR which was disconnected last year when we recommissioned our fatigued mizzen mast. It looked great when we turned it on. We removed our queen-sized mattress to check out the emergency tiller. It is an iron tiller that goes directly on the rudder post in case the cables that respond to the steering wheel should fail. We will need to re-enginner it, as it will not work in its original configuration. What where they thinking? I guess, nobody has ever come back to complain.
We are installing additional utility ports AKA "cigerette lighters," to access the 12 volt power system in each of the state rooms, the dinette and the nav station. Judy had launch duty this evening, so I continued on my own with this and that. I cleaned the aft hatchway to replace the rubber watertight gasket . the boat must be able to withstand a roll-over without catastrophic failure. Issues at sea need to be more fail-safe than in coastal or inland cruising. Although the dangers are rare and prudent mariners are prepared, we need to be ready for the unanticipated. Lots more to do, and we're headed upstate for Judy's Class Reunion tomorrow, so I'll close now. We'll keep you posted
I started off my day with a visit to Dr. Shreedhar to check on the progress of my hernia repair. While exiting the tight confines of the engine room where I was securing one of the four batteries we carry, I twisted and felt a tug at my abdomen. Doc said not to worry, in a couple of weeks I'll be 100%. Not bad, since I'm usually only 98%
I stopped at West Marine for some electrical connectors and rubber hoods for the battery terminals. Since the boat can roll significantly in all sorts of directions, the batteries (and most everything else) needs to be stowed securely. This means acidproof straps screwed to the engine room floor and belted around each battery. Insulated "hoods" cover the terminals and connections to preclude accidental arcing and sparking. This is a "before" picture.
We are installing additional utility ports AKA "cigerette lighters," to access the 12 volt power system in each of the state rooms, the dinette and the nav station. Judy had launch duty this evening, so I continued on my own with this and that. I cleaned the aft hatchway to replace the rubber watertight gasket . the boat must be able to withstand a roll-over without catastrophic failure. Issues at sea need to be more fail-safe than in coastal or inland cruising. Although the dangers are rare and prudent mariners are prepared, we need to be ready for the unanticipated. Lots more to do, and we're headed upstate for Judy's Class Reunion tomorrow, so I'll close now. We'll keep you posted
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Living Our Dream!
People keep asking when we will leave on our voyage....Well, the voyage began years ago and is continuing still. At the moment, we are feverishly preparing for our departure towards points South at the end of September. We are busy doing all the safety and mechanical upgrades that bluewater sailing requires. More info will follow!
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