s/vYOLO Swab's Blog 0018 Day 182 Engine Room - Damage Control

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Tuesday November 26, 2013 Los Olas Marina 

Ft Lauderdale, Fl.   Mooring 9

Sunday November 17, 2013

Blog Entry 0018 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 182

Subject:  Engine Room – Damage Control

Captain Steve was very concerned about the engine, batteries and the new generator ( http://fischerpanda.com/ ).  Once we got in past the breakwaters he had me take the helm.  I didn’t object since it was calm and the color of the water was still a beautiful blue. I didn’t mind looking at it when it is calm, I actually enjoyed it.   (I have included a picture below.)

While he went below to check for damage, I held my breath and called on my ‘go to girl!’!  He first looked at the engine, he was very concerned that it might have shifted with all the bouncing around that we did.  But it didn’t move at all!  Then he looked at the brand new generator.   But it also didn’t move.   While we were in Daytona Beach, Captain Steve had a few of the batteries replaced, and had all of the straps replaced as well.  One of the things that I questioned – do you really need to do that?  So when he came on deck and announced that everything was intact , there isn’t even water in the bilge .  he said that he was very glad that he replaced all of the straps bevcause he didn't think all of the old ones would have held. – I silently said a big THANK YOU to my ‘go to girl’!

 

I heated up some coffee and we both relaxed for a few minutes.

I was flabbergasted when Captain Steve asked where I wanted to go.  I automatically thought that he wanted to go back to Stuart.  To tell the truth I thought it was the only logical thing to do since we both had enough excitement for a month! But it was only 9am and we had plenty of time to get to Palm Beach.  So we had 2 choices go back to the Sunset Bay Marina http://www.sunsetbaymarinaandanchorage.com/  and start out again tomorrow depending on the weather or continue on to Palm Beach via the ICW. 

We decided to head to Palm Beach via the ICW.  So at the Crossroads (ICW marker, flashing red ‘240’) Captain Steve turned to port (left) and headed south to Palm Beach!  

Sea u later.  Jupiter Inlet.

Calm blue water of the  Stuart Inlet.

s/vYOLO 0017 day 181 Damage Control!

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Monday November 25, 2013 Los Olas Marina 

Ft Lauderdale, Fl.   Mooring 9

Sunday November 17, 2013

Blog Entry 0017 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 181

Subject:  Damage Control!

Once we got back into the channel.  I went below.  The damage wasn’t so bad – items shifted in the cabinets. But the cabinet latched held.  But when I opened the spice cabinet they came tumbling out, but none of the containers were broken.  I guess I will have to find a new place for the spices.  I looked in the refrigerator and it looked like some one just dumped food in there.  It was so organized - now its a mess.  I didn't think anything broken.  So I just closed the lid and will deal with it later.  I latched all the draws to keep them from opening and they all held.  The latch on one of the draws was fine before but now it is misaligned.  The pressure from the draw moved the eye on the draw so it does not line up as well as before.   I will have to put that on Captain Steve’s list. 

The salon TV and DVD player are in a cubby, held in place with a framed panel bolted to the wall.  Three speakers are screwed to the panel.  Well thankfully the panel was still intact even though the TV shifted and the DVD player was pushed forward up against the panel.  Only on of the speakers was still hanging on the panel the other 2 were on the floor but still intact.   Another item for Captain Steve.

The stern bedroom was in good shape.  When ever we move the boat I always put the flat screen TV; laptops; fan and lamps on the bed.  So they were in good shape.  Some of the books were knocked off the shelf.  But thankfully as far as I could tell no real damage was done.   But Captain Steve hadn’t checked the engine; generator or bilge yet.

Sea you later!  Engine room damage control!

s/vYOLO 0016 Day 180 Hurricane!

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Sunday November 24, 2013 Los Olas Marina 

Ft Lauderdale, Fl.   Mooring 9

Sunday November 17, 2013

Blog Entry 0016 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 180

Subject:  Hurricane!

There I sat in the cockpit, feeling as though I really accomplished something!  I was physically as well as mentally challenged and I persevered!  I over came physical and mental obstacles; the likes of which I had never encountered before.  I was feeling quite pleased with my self!  Which was a fleeting moment! 

Just then Hurricane Captain Steve landed!                

As soon as I sat down, Captain Steve asked if I was all right and soon as I said that I was fine.  Captain Steve said “I’m going to turn the boat around!  Hold on it’s going to get rough (I thought - are you kidding?)   He was right it was worse; turning the boat around in this mess was not easy with the waves pushing the opposite way and the wind the other and the boat pitching and rolling.  But it got much worse when Hurricane Captain Steve made land fall!!!!!     

“We are going back in!!!   This is crazy!!!  What you did was crazy!!!!   What in god’s name were you thinking???  This isn’t a game!!!  People get seriously hurt in calm conditions – you know that!!!  You know people who have gotten seriously hurt in calm conditions!!!  You are not reckless; but what possessed you to do something so irresponsible!!!  I called you back and you totally ignored me!!!  This is not a game you could have gotten hurt or worse fallen over board!!!  We have life preserves, jack lines; harnesses - thousands of dollars of safety equipment on board, that are useless if you don’t use them!!!  You know how to use them - we practiced!!!  You didn’t even put a life preserver on!!!   What were you thinking???   You know better!!!!    I can’t believe you went to the bow with out wearing life preserver!!!  I still can’t believe you took off like that!!!  If you got hurt how was I supposed to control the boat and help you at the same time???   I would have to leave the wheel!!  The boat  would have lurched; rocked and rolled back and forth much worse – like a cork in a washing machine!!!   You not only put youself in jerperdy but me as well!!! If I had to go get you on deck to get you; we both could have been washed over board with the boat bouncing around!!!  We agreed to work together!!!  You didn't work with me!!!  We are totally dependant on each other!!! You did this for a line so it wouldn’t foul the propeller!!!  Well it wasn’t worth doing all that to retrieve the line since the line isn’t long enough to reach the propeller!!! The propeller has blades on it to cut any lines that might get tangled in it!!! If you talked to me about it  and weren't so impulsive and reckless I would have told you that!!!

I just sat there; thinking he is absolutely 100% correct!!!!!!!! What I did was foolish; impulsive and irresponsible!  Worse yet it was unnecessary since, the bow lines are the correct length and would not have fouled the propeller.   No matter what I should have discussed it with Captain Steve. 

As I have said numerous times before, I have every confidence in Captain Steve’s ability and judgment or I wouldn’t be on this sailboat.  But at this point I don’t think he can say the same about me.  I feel like crap.   

Then true to form; Captain Steve said "The worse part of it all is; if you went overboard I would have to get another swab."  I promised that it wouldn't happen again since I want to be his one and only swab forever!!!!!!!

Sea u later.  Damage control!

s/v YOLO Swab's Log Blog 0015 Day 179 Now Turn around!

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Saturday November 23, 2013 Los Olas Marina 

Ft Lauderdale, Fl. 

Sunday November 17, 2013

Blog Entry 0015 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 179

Subject:   Now turn around!

I backed up a little away from the windless buttons and tied the end of the line to the railing so it wouldn’t get washed over board again.  Then hunkered down to wait for the next wave.  I was then able to back up to the deck of the salon and tie the line to the hand holds on the deck.   Again, I tried to protect myself all the while holding on waiting for the wave to pass.   This wave was different though - the longer the boat is suspended in mid air the harder it falls and so it did.  Thankfully I was on my knees with my face tucked in or I would have face planted on the deck.  I finally secured the line. Held on in anticipation that the next would wave be worse than the last – which it wasn’t!  So I was able to crawl up the 2 steps and into the cockpit before the next wave of water hit.  To the safety of the enclosed dodger or so I thought!

Sea you later.   Hurricane!       

s/vYOLO Swab's Log Blog 0014 Day 178 I have to do something.

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Friday November 22, 2013 Las Olas Marina, Ft. Laurdale, Fl    

Sunday November 17, 2013

Blog Entry 0014 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 178

Subject:  I Have to do something. 

So I tried to time the rise and fall of the boat and called on my girl ‘Hail Mary’ (she is my go to girl, since I am named after her).   I announced that a bow line is in the water and bolted out from under the dodger.  Captain Steve, called me back but I was determined to do something about it since I was responsible for securing the lines. I stayed low and moved forward, hand over hand till I got to the 2 steps down to the deck.  I sat there holding on with both hands, with my face down towards the deck waiting for the wave to crest and the inevitable fall.  I am not a light weight but the force lifted me up off the step – but I just stayed focused on holding on.   When the wave hit me I was so surprised at how warm the water was!  The water was so warm that I was actually distracted and missed my opportunity to move forward.  Captain Steve kept calling me to come back in but I was unwavering (some say thick headed).  As soon as the next wave hit – I was prepared – I got drenched but was able to crawl along the walkway to the end of the salon deck. Holding on to the hand holds.  OK so what do I do now - hunker down and wait for the next wave to hit!  I thought the waves were forceful while I was under the dodger – they were 10 times worse out in the open 7 feet from the bow.    With my arm wrapped around the lower railing I crawled towards the bow hoping to get there before the next wave hit.  All the while thinking if that wave picked me up when I was on the steps at midship – this wave would toss me overboard like a rag doll. Then I remembered that I forgot to turn off the windless.  Great!  I will step or fall on the buttons and drop the anchor – just what we need in this mess.  So I stayed put looking at the bow trying to figure out what to do.  The bow is pretty narrow and crowded with the windless buttons, the chains for 2 anchors and the cleats.  OK now I am confident that I know exactly where obstacles are and what to do.  But I missed my opportunity to move forward.  So I knelt down with both arms wrapped around the lower railing (cause there are no hand holds on the bow) tucked my head under – waiting for the wall of water that was to come – and it didn’t fail me!  Neither did my go to girl.  Thank you!

I crawled forward with my right arm wrapped around the railing at all times.  I had to reach so far, to grab the line, I nearly had to lay down on my stomach, but couldn’t because of the anchor buttons, to reach the line with my left hand.  Huge wall of water came out of no ware over the starboard side and hit me right in the face.  I didn’t have any warning so I wasn’t able to brace myself.  But I was able to hold on to the railing and my prize through it all. 

Now all I had to do was pull the 35feet of line on the boat, secure it and get back to the cockpit. 

Sea you later.   Getting back!

s/vYOLO 0013 Day 177 OMG what's in the water.

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Thursday November 2, 2013 Ft. Lauderdale Municipal Marina slip F50  

Sunday November 17, 2013

Blog Entry 0013 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 177

Subject:  OMG what’s in the water?

I noticed something in the blue water.  It was a black thing.  I immediately thought it was a shark waiting for an early lunch.  It would appear and then disappear.  As I said I was trying not to look at the water, with the waves crashing over the bow and the boat lurching.  And quite frankly, if it was a shark I really didn’t want to know that it was lurking about.  But I looked again and realized it was a line.  Is it one of ours?  I checked the stern – both were there.  It was black so it wasn’t the midship lines.  Great it’s got to be one of the bow lines.  As soon as the wave passed, I peeked out from the dodger and saw that the starboard bow line was not there.  OMG how did it get loose?  I secured all the lines before we cast off!   Great!  OK don’t panic - now think how long is the bow line?  I know they are long but should not be long enough to wrap around the propeller!  I couldn’t remember where the propeller was located on the boat.  I was concerned that the line might be too long since it reached the cockpit.  If the line wraps around the propeller Captain Steve will have no control over the boat at all.  This would be a dire situation with these waves.

Since Captain Steve had his hands full and I didn’t want to interrupt his concentration, I didn’t mention that the bow line was in the water to Captain Steve.  OK what should I do?  The only thing to do is to go up to the bow and pull the line in and secure it.  But how?

Sea you later.   I have to do something!

s/vYOLO Swab's Log Blog 0012 Day 176 Great Sailing Weather?

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Wednesday November 20, 2013 Sands Resort and Marina, Pompano Beach Fl  Slip lucky 13  

Sunday November 17, 2013

Blog Entry 0012 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 176

Subject:  Great sailing weather?

Well we followed s/vValencia through the outlet channel and thought it was a little strange that since it was a beautiful Sunday morning there were not many boats headed out.  So we kept following s/vValencia out to the breakwaters.  It looked kinda rough, but we thought it would calm down once we got to the deeper water of 35feet, which according to the charts is about a mile off shore.    When the waves hit the shallows the water is more turbulent, therefore as the water gets deeper the water should be calmer.  The weather reports are never wrong – Right? 

The waves were hitting us directly on the nose (bow).  The height and force of the waves were more than either of us ever imagined.  Waves were a constant 5 to 8 feet with troughs (spaces) of 4 to 5 seconds.  Captain Steve didn’t say till later but he thought some were 10 to 12 feet high.  We were grateful for the hard dodger.  Well we were out in it for less than 5 minutes when s/vValencia suddenly turned to port (left).  It was so bad we thought they caught a wave broadside and was being pushed to port.   But when s/vValancia headed directly for the channel, we realized that they turned around.  We were surprised since, when we talked to them at the marina they seemed to be pretty seasoned sailors – having sailed to the Caribbean a few times.  Yes! it was that bad. 

But we were convinced it would calm down; so we pushed forward full throttle.  The water was a beautiful turquoise but I didn’t look at it much.  I mostly looked skyward – I could feel the boat as the old timers say, fall and rise but I didn’t want to see it too.  It was amazing though just as the bow of the boat was pointed skyward, it seemed to hover or be suspended in mid air, knowing that there was no water under the boat to support it and bracing myself for the inevitable – the bow would come crashing down.  As a side note:  Since we have been sailing s/vYOLO, I have been measuring how long it takes to complete a task such as pulling into slips; going under bridges etc. by the number of Hail Mary’s I say until the task is completed.  8 foot waves crashing over the bow at crashing over the bow at 4 to 5 second intervals is a quarter of a Hail Mary of 4 waves per Hail Mary!

Captain Steve has nerves of steel I’m the whimp!  In my feeble attempt to lighten our mood I said we should install seat belts and that Disney World doesn’t have anything to compare to this.  Captain Steve did not respond – he didn’t even look at me – he just ignored me, he was totally focused on steering the boat and keeping it under control.    

We were out there for less than an hour or so when…

Sea you later!  OMG what’s that in the water?

 

s/vYOLO Swab"s log Blog 0011 Day 175 Heading Out.

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date  Monday November 18, 2013 Old Cove Marina,

Palm Beach Fl. Slip 103 

Sunday November 17, 2013

Blog Entry 0011 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 175

Subject: Heading Out.

We had a very enjoyable dinner (as usual) with Linda and Jimmy on Saturday and after spending most of the day preparing for our sailing venture to Palm Beach via the Stuart cut to the ocean!  Every time we checked the weather our anticipation grew – the weather was to be perfect!

Sunday we dropped the mooring lines at the Sunset Marina and Anchorage, (http://www.sunsetbaymarinaandanchorage.com/ ) and were under way just after sunrise, along with 2 other sailboats from the marina, s/vValencia and s/vSeabiscuit.  As we threaded our way through the shallows and shoals and the bridges of the Okeechobee waterway to the Inter Coastal Waterway (about 8 miles), we were last in line.  Last is a good place to be in situations like this, but no necessary for us, we kept  a good quarter mile from boat 2 s/vSeabisquit we were able to know where the obstacles were by the route s/vValencia and s/vSeabisquit took and when you draw 6 (meaning keel is 6 feet deep) there was a lot of course corrections and thumping along the bottom by the other 2 sailboats.   We didn’t have any problems, since we were able to note were the other sailboats were having a problem, we could also follow our original rout into the harbor and also have the advantage of forward looking sonar which most sailboats do not.  The forward looking sonar is similar to what submarines use.  When Captain Steve said that he wanted the sonar, I objected since it is very expensive.  I said these toys are expensive – the name of the boat is not Captains Steve’s Toy Chest!  I kept asking do we really need that, to which he always replied with a resounding, ‘Yes if it keeps us out of trouble once it is worth the money.’ well ladies and gentlemen I will not only admit that he was right but I am putting it in writing that he was right! (In this case.)  I am sure with all the trouble the other sailboats were getting into in the channel they wished they had the sonar.  We felt bad that we were last and that there was not enough deep water for us to pass the other 2 sailboats so we could lead them out, but unfortunately it was not possible.  So we hung back prepared to offer assistance if one ran aground.

Thankfully we made the slow arduous trip with out running aground.  As we crossed the ICW s/vSeabisquit turned to starboard (right) and headed south and we followed s/vValence to the east towards the ocean cut.

Sea u later!  Next stop Atlantic Ocean!

s/vYOLO Swab's Log Blog 0010 Day 173 Weather Window.

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date Saturday November 16, 2013 Sunset Marina Mooring #59 Stuart, Fl.

Blog Entry 0010 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 173

Subject:  Weather window.

We planned to leave Stuart on Friday but rain is forecast for the next 2 days.  If anyone has every sailed or even been on a boat everything is dependant on the weather window.  Especially when headed for the cut to the ocean and having to navigate through very tight and relatively shallow channels that are very prone to shoaling.  So here we sit. 

Please don’t get the impression that we are not enjoying our down time – it’s just the opposite!

Sea u later! 

My cousins, Linda and Jimmy, live about 7 miles away.  Linda picked us up (and our laundry) Tuesday and we had dinner at their house.  They even sent us back with one of their cars!  Thursday we did errands.   Walmart    

Good morning. 

YOLO Swab's Blog Nov 15 2013 #0009 Sleepless in Stuart. Day 172

s/vYOLO - You Only Live Once

Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Friday November 15, 2013

Thursday November 14 2013  Sunset Marina Mooring #59 Stuart, Fl

Blog Entry 0009    Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 172

Subject:  Sleepless in Stuart.

Well the winds died down about 11pm – Great!  But started up at 3am!!!!!!!!  It seemed that I just fell asleep when Steve woke up and e wanted to check the mooring lines again.  Steve has a rule that if one of us goes on deck at night, outside the cockpit, the other has to be on deck also.  So I put my jacket on and dutifully held the flash light for him.  The boat was spinning so much while I was down below – it was much worse on deck!  The wind was whipping - coming out of the blackness from all sides, the boat bouncing up and down, then add to the mix - a gust of wind caught a wave so the spray hits in the exact place I’m standing!   It was a scary.  I never thought we would need the jack lines in a mooring field!  The lines were fine.  Found out this morning the winds were gusting to 45mph.

Am I having fun yet?????

Sea u later.