SAILING AWAY ON ZEPHYR: SailBlogs

Here comes winter

Charlotte — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:48:43 -0600

Zephyr is, sadly, almost tucked into bed for the winter. We have all the water systems filled with RV antifreeze, the lockers are emptied, fuel is topped off and the oil is changed. We have the dodger and bimini to take down as well as two sails left to remove and take to Annapolis for their annual check-up and storage. Finally we'll put on the winter cover and she'll be set. We are hoping for a nice weather window next week to attend to these chores then hurry home to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family. (Continued...)

Where has summer gone?

Charlotte — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:48:49 -0500

I should ask where did the blog I just sent go? I mostly love computers, but when things disappear into cyberspace, it can be a bit frustrating. So if this pops up as a reapeat, it's just one of the many mysteries in this world I don't understand! (Continued...)

Great Sail

Sun, 24 May 2009 12:49:30 -0500

Anchored in 6 feet of water at mean tide when we draw 4'8" is a little scary, but all was well this morning and the boys sailed across the bay back to Rock Creek entrance on one tack. Sound like they're having a great time. Terry reports that they were able to put Zephyr in the slip without any problems using the technique Wayne helped us with last week. (Coming in in such a way that the wind blows the bow away from the slip, aligning the stern to back in.) (Continued...)

Boy's Trip

Sat, 23 May 2009 19:05:38 -0500

We're making great progress on Zephyr. Had her hauled in Annapolis three weeks ago for her annual check-up. She got new bottom paint, waxed hull, repitched prop and...(ta-da!) a new instrument panel. Her old one consisted of a tach that read 1000 rpm even when the key was off, a temp guage that had a nervous twitch and idiot lights that never slept. I fear it may have gotten zapped when we had the problem with the alternator. But now we have a beauty with guages for all functions. I think it will give us a bit more peace of mind. Repitching the prop has worked wonders and we can now get the ole girl up to hull speed without spewing black smoke. (Continued...)

Off to See the Wizzard

Sat, 02 May 2009 12:58:15 -0500

It's spring and time to get the ole girl hauled and freshened up a bit. Brad joined us for the trip down to Annapolis to Port Annapolis. It was nice to be on the water again and we're looking forward to doing it more this year than last! (View Post...)

A New Season Begins!

Charlotte — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:28:41 -0600

They say the best laid plans of mice and men so often go astray, and we can testify to that addage! After our last sail in July, Terry noticed a funny feeling in his legs. It became so debillitating he needed two canes to walk. For nine months we're been to trouping around to doctors looking for the cause and a cure. Yesterday we went to see a doctor at Hershey Clinic and after nearly 8 hours of tests and consults, he was diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder that attacked the thigh nerves and muscles. The good news is that with medication this can be reversed with little residual weakness or nerve damage. You can imagine how jubilent we are! (Continued...)

It's Good

Charlotte — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:16:13 -0500

We were able to put together a few days to go sailing and headed out last Sunday. We had no sooner gotten out into the Patapsco than we noticed that the batteries weren't charging while we had the engine running! We were ready to sink the ship and sail ashore. Terry went below to check the engine and found that the alternator had worked loose. Bouncing around in 2-4 foot waves he managed to get it returned to the correct position and firmly fastened. Hooray! The batteries began to charge again! So off we went for some badly needed R & R. (Continued...)

Fixed!

Charlotte — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:55:20 -0500

We've been busy all spring with the wiring problem that plagued us last fall, and...we have identified the problem and repaired it! (Continued...)

Journey Ends

Terry and Charlotte — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:56:15 -0600

Monday we had the wiring problen repaired and all seemed well. We left the Solomons before dawn on Tuesday and headed out. Before long, the alternator started acting up again. We headed north. It's just too frustrating and dangerous to try to continue until we solve this problem. (Continued...)

Time Flies

Charlotte — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 13:44:06 -0600

Here it is Sunday all ready, time flies! We had hoped to be futher south by now, but if there's one thing we've learned about boats and sailing, it's that time doesn't matter to them. (Continued...)