08/31/2009, Key Biscayne, Florida (United States)
Total Distance: 21 Miles Under Sail: 17
Average Speed: 4.2 kts
Conditions: Light Rain, 75-80 F, Wind Northeast at 5-10 kts, Seas 1-2 ft
BoneHead -
It is funny, down here in Miami summer sailing isn't fun nor do we go out much vs up in the NE with the very short season we go out as much as we can. The differences makes me shake my head. Having said that, I really haven't been sailing much, just go out when the sailing habit gets so bad like I junkie I need a fix. Today was such a day.
Rhapsody in Blue has been tied to the dock in hurricane mode; double and triple tied down, roller furling I wrap a line around the sail to keep it from unfurling, tie down the helm, all the sheets are properly wrapped, etc. A major pain to undo just to go out day sailing. But today was such a day. Winds were real light, 5 knots, rain and occasional thunderstorms. Typical summer day here. I untied all the lines, undid all the sheets, started the motor and launched out. When I started my turn down the fairway, the helm wheel won't move. Not a good thing. After what seemed like an eternity, the big clue light came on where I looked down at my feet to see the wheel double tied down to the deck. @#$%***%#!!!.. That is sailor talk for OMG (Oh My God). With a quick reverse the boat went partial back into the slip, fending off the boat next door. Quick as bunny, I untied the lines with no damage to boats, just my ego and poor heart. Can we all said "Major Bonehead Emee!"
Ghosting Along - After about 10 minutes my heart starting to work again. The next 5 hours Rhapsody and I just ghosting along around 4 knots. I went out into the Atlantic in hopes of finding wind. There was. At Foley Rocks, the wind piped up to 10 knots.I was getting the downdraft from the cumlius clouds that were building. For the next hour life was grand. The thunderstorms were building again as they usually do in the afternoon. I was threading my way thru them as they rolled in heading back to port. I just beat the storm in as I docked the boat.
Just another summer day here in Miami.
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08/15/2009, Key Biscayne, Florida (United States)
Total Distance: 19 Miles Under Sail: 19
Average Speed: 6.33 kts
Conditions: Rain, 85-90 F, Wind Southeast at 20-25 kts, Seas 2-4 ft
Blustery Day ��" It was a frightful day on Key Biscayne. There was a cold front moving in from the west, with forecast winds 20-25 knots, rain and moderate chop on the bay. I cannot remember the last time the winds were like this. Can you say a perfect sailing day for the insane sailors? Well, I wanted to get out sailing at all cost to get out some frustrations from the crazy passengers and flight schedule I just finished up. It was a perfect day to do this.
With a warm cup of Joe in hand, we launch out of the slip with no problems.
The mainsail was unfurled to ½ the sail area and off we went. The only time I have to leave the cockpit is to move the furling ratchet lever from Free to Ratchet. Rhapsody was moving along nicely at 5.5 knots beating into the wind at 25 degrees. The helm was balanced with about 2-4 degrees of weather helm. She still doesn't like gusty winds, for she takes off, gets ahead of herself, than gets overpowered. It was all manageable. I watch the nose dig in as the gust come and I than either put the helm down right away or head up to around 15 degrees off the wind to control the gust. If the gusts come strong , fast and often I let out the mainsail to spill the wind. While I don't like to abuse the sail this way, it is the only option I have other than to reef some more and lose another knot of boat speed. About an hour into this fun time, I let out ¾ of jib. With this set up Rhapsody in Blue went charging through the water at 6-7 knots. Now this girl was having way to much fun. With the way the jib is furled clockwise, on the port tack the jib was just right but on the starboard tack there was just a little too much jib out. It is hard to image just that little bit more of sail area makes such a difference. So on a long run the jib was squeaked in a touch. I played with different sail shapes using the traveler and main sheet to find the right sail shape and twist. With only ½ the mainsail out it was difficult to tell in these winding conditions. I have been noticing the heeling angles now that I have an Clinometer on the boat. It seems the boat is fastest at around 18 degrees of heel. Might have to ask the Hunter folks at what heel angle is the longest waterline. However a girl isn't having any fun unless the rail was buried in the water. So since this was a fun trip, the rail was buried. Yahooooo.
The only great news, was the sails got a fresh water rinse because of the heavy down pours. I got a bath too. Thank god only one other sailboat was crazy enough to sail out there. Another Hunter BTW. I looked like a drown rat and that is not a pretty sight. Even the Saturday races were canceled. The Coconut Yacht Club set up the buoys and a few boats were at the starting line but cancel when the dark ugly clouds moved in. I was able to avoid most of the real nasty stuff by sailing in the pockets of clear air and timing the sequence of rain clouds. It wasn't until the end that I got hammered as I was heading back home. I was pretty proud of myself here in able to do this. The sail back home was a downwind sail so the gusting winds just moved me faster through the water. I saw 7.5 knots which is great for this boat. We were flying, good thing I have a pilot license.
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07/29/2009, Miami, Florida (United States)
Total Distance: 14 Miles Under Sail: 7
Average Speed: 2.67 kts
Conditions: Clear, 80-85 F, Wind South at 5-10 kts, Seas 1-2 ft
Baby has a new pair of Shoes -
It was that time for Rhapsody in Blue to get hauled out of the water for new bottom paint and entire replacement of the power train. Fred and I launched out at 540am to make the 630am bridge opening on the Miami River. We had 5 bridges to get through. It can be tricky on the river depending on the current flow. We showed at the first bridge, Brickell, right at 630am. So we didn't have to wait but a minute for the bridge to open. The river is very narrow and thank god no Bahama freighters were making their way down the bridge. We hailed the bridges on Channel 9, told them who we were, type vessel, and request opening The bridges talk to each other so they know who and what is coming up/down there way. One thanks them as they pass under each bridge. It is kind of cool, to watch the bridge master open up the bridge just for you, hold up traffic and such.
We got to Norseman Shipping Yard early, so we had to wait for the workers to arrive to haul out. When they did, they were all business. The travel lift is scary to watch as your baby gets hauled up out of the water on two slings. Their travel lift is ran by remote control which is pretty neat in itself. You can see in the photo the guy in front of the boat hold the remote control. Power-wash, than on to the stands, (HARD). Since I cleaned the bottom a month ago, the power-wash and scrapping of the bottom were real fast. Once on the "Hard", Fred and I tried for 6 hours to get the flange coupler off the shaft. It was real hot inside the boat. Fred and I both lost about 3 pounds in water loss. I talked to Rick (the owner of the yard) about it before we left for the day. He said sometimes we have to cut them off. The first coat of bottom paint was put on to dry.
Second day
I arrived at 0730 to the yard. I told Rick to take off the flange and take the shaft next door to see if it is true. It took the mechanic 15 minutes. I didn't know if I want to kill him or hug him. Here the right tools and experience comes into play. Once the shaft was out, I put in a new PYI Drippless packing gland. Second coat of bottom paint was applied.
The shaft came back from the prop shop after lunch and it was straight. They also mated a new flange and squared it off to the shaft. With the shaft back in, the new Campbell propeller went on as well as a new cutlass bearing. My baby has new shoes!
As you can tell I was determined to get rid of the squeal I have had since I owned the boat. As it turned out I was right along, it was a singing prop.
Third day Launch day.
When I arrived at the yard, Rhapsody was already in the water ready to go. I was a little disappointed for I wanted to watch the dance in getting her back in. Oh well. I came up the river with Ed on his dinghy. It was a fun ride over. He has a real nice big dinghy that goes with his Hatteras up in Atlanta. Ed is partners with Angela on her Hatteras where I slept last night. I launch out of the yard to make the 9am openings. Ed followed in his dinghy. I was nervous at first because I didn't know how the new propeller was going to handle. Can you say "SWEET!". As advertise, the Campbell propeller has more power at less RPM and little prop walk. Lets all say "SWEET!" again. I made all the opening except the last bridge. It was another 15 minutes before the next opening So what is a girl do to but practice with the new prop. I did my power exercises to see how she would handle. Can we say "SWEET"!. I tried several docking along a wall with many bumpers. For the first time I even parallel park the boat, come stern too the dock than hard over to parallel the boat. When the bridge opened I went back to the marina. One the way there, I opened up the throttle to see what speed I would get out of the prop. Hull speed, 7.5 knots, at 3200 RPM.(85% RPM's). Can we say "SWEET"! I gain a knot of speed in power mode.
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