Monday, December 03, 2012
Nothing much to report here…in Titusville. Although we did meet Steve Papile again (s/v John Ray – IP-38). We met last year right here in Westland Marina…. Then I guess we went to the keys…… don’t really know where he and Michelle ended up last winter…
We played some guitar while we were here…. OH…we also met the crew from “s/v Old Rosie” here (Jane, and Ben)… also guitar players (steel hulled trawler/ketch).
The days have been occupied by small boat projects, and then moving the AB to a new slip (yesterday).
This one is a pull in slip, but very very narrow…. In fact we deflected the pilings to the side as we came in. Not a good feeling… but not a lot of room to move around in here either.
There’s not even enough room for a fender between the boat and the piling.
Yesterday I tightened the rigging… I noticed that in the 24 knot winds there was just a little too much sag to the forestay, and the Yankee luff. Perhaps this will also help in the ease with which the Yankee sail rolls up on the roller furling gear? Anyway… I also adjusted the side shrouds, especially theport cap shroud to take a wee bit of curve out of the very to 8 feet of the mast. Nice!
I’m sure that won’t have much effect on performance, but it’s nice that the sail track is straight.
I’m throwing out one of our blue fenders…. It got crushed at Norfolk during the Hurricane, and never really returned to it’s full shape. SO… replacement necessary on that one. ;)
One thing we’ve noticed regarding the potable water system on the AB. When 1.) the pump cycles get shorter and shorter, and 2.) there’s nothing wrong with the accumulator it’s a sure sign that the carbon filter is clogged, and needs changing. It happens every month or two as well, but the cycling of the pump is the sure sign. I changed the carbon filter out yesterday AM, and what a difference. Wow…
Today, I’d like to pickle the watermaker (R.O unit), especially if we’re not going to make fresh water for the next month. All I have to do is FIND the chemicals….(in the v-berth)…. Get the line around the waist, I’m going IN!!!!.
There was only a 50 Amp service available at this new Berth, so Brian and Sheila lent us their 50A/30Amp adapter so we could “plug in” last night. That would be a worthwhile addition for the AB.
The other thing I’ve been thinking about is a ditch-bag. Not because we’re going on any long ocean hops, but things can happen anywhere, and you should have boat papers, insurance certificates, passports, etc. ready to go….just in case. Maybe I’ll add that to a Santa List…. Hummmmm
WELL…ok… time to get breakfast, and see if I can find those pickling chemicals.