Little Boat, Big Dreams: SailBlogs

Biting the Bullet

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:21:15 -0500

Summertime is sailing time and for the past few summers we've always had Wings in shape to at least daysail, despite unfinished trim work. But this winter has not been cooperative and when we were supposed to be hauled last fall for more involved projects, an assortment of things from inhospitable weather to unfeasible yard scheduling seemed to present one insurmountable obstacle after another. So, it is finally warming enough that the ice has melted, but we have at least five or so months of work to do. We finally had to face the fact that to get Wings keel reglassed and the interior done was going to take more than our usual few hours a month. (Continued...)

Good Grief...

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:57:01 -0600

Okay, the last few months have not gone according to plan. Wings was supposed to be pulled in late October or Early November to allow us time to cut apart a delamination in the keel foot. The plan was to let the keel drain and dry all winter and then epoxy/glass the heck out of it come spring. Well, if spring comes this year, it will find Wings still in the water. Hopefully afloat. It is beginning to look like Wings will spend the year on the hard because there are myriad lingering projects, and a few like the keel that just have to be done, or else. However, the past two months have been weather hold-up after weather hold-up. First, interminable late-fall rains that almost shut down the Colonial Beach yacht center for November and early December and then snow after snow. Lately our boating has consisted of going down to shovel Wings' decks and cockpit to help keep the little girl's bootstripe from disappearing below the surrounding ice. (View Post...)

Black Bag and Batteries

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:56:44 -0600

Regardless of how simple we like to try to keep life, it seems that techno-gizmos intrude -- and, we must admit, some of them can be useful. However, aboard Wings there is no electrical system, there is no generator set, there are no battery banks and if there were, there is no way to charge them. So how do we manage? (Continued...)