New Blog

I've decided to start another blog for non-nautical topics. One that will have pictures and more random topics. So check out A Day In The Life.

Video Test

Well, here is a video test:

Kung Fu Fighting

We enrolled my son in a local karate school. He seems to like it. I hope he can stay with it for years and learn karate, become a blackbelt, etc. Seems like a gift that would last a lifetime. Probably worth more than a High School diploma ultimately.

I had to post a picture of him in his outfit.

Funny thing is, he's going to be a Power Ranger for Halloween, this photo from just the day before:

Harsens Island (in pictures)

Freighter south bound in the South Channel (Sans Souci).












Old Victorian that I stayed at as a kid on Harsens Island. It's changed hands from the people who owned it when I was a kid.










Car Ferry to Harsens Island, always a lot of fun.













At the southern end of the island, a gigantic fleet of boats just hanging out on Labor Day.












A little more to the south, in the distance you can see the Old Channel Lights.

Harsens Island

I made a couple of trips to Harsens Island recently. What prompted these trips were a few things. Firstly, my 11 year old nephew had spent the weekend there with a friend of his. This reminded me of my own childhood when I was around the same age. One of my best friends in my neighborhood took me there for the weekend a couple of his times. His grandparents owned a beautiful, stately Victorian-era home on the South Channel. This information actually prompted a phone call to this fellow, whom I've only seen twice in the last 3 decades. I found his information on the Internet, cold called him and sure enough it was the right guy. He only lives a few miles from me and we spoke for probably 45 minutes, but I don't think he wants to get together anytime soon, but he was polite and we chatted and reminisced for a few minutes which was very nice. The other reason was as a kid my father used to talk about taking our boat across the lake to Harsens Island. We of course never made it by boat. I would have to be an adult to do that on The Cat's Pajamas. When I did that, we actually went to Gull Island, rather than Harsens Island but we were close enough for me at the time. So, I went twice to Harsens Island. The first time I went with my brother and his oldest son who had never been to the island or on a car ferry for that matter. We couldn't stay long because he had to work, but there really isn't that much on the island to keep you. The second time I took my wife and son and we spent a few hours on the island. We played at a public park for a while in two different episodes and we toured the island, going to places I remembered going to as a kid. Over all, I think everyone enjoyed the trip (it was only a couple of hours) and it made me want to get a place on the island. That of course is a huge ambition. Houses on the island go for big $$$ and right now, there is simply no room in the budget for that, but perhaps in the future. Who knows, maybe just renting a place once or twice a season is the ticket.

I'll post some pictures later.

Sombra/Marine City Ferry

We were in Canada yesterday at Story Book Gardens. The Blue Water Bridge was backed up with a TON of traffic so we went down to a little town called Sombra and took the car ferry over to Marine City.

It was very cool.

Other Boating Adventures

Often times I forget that I allow myself to post anything here. So, anything remotely related to boating will due. Looking over my digital camera I discovered a few of nice boating pictures with which I am connected.

Blog Template Whacked!

Somehow my blog template was damaged and because of that, I lost my link list. So it will have to be rebuilt. I think I can remember most of what was there but man am I pissed!

If anyone remembers a link that has vanished, post a comment here and I'll get it back online.

Thanks.

Don't Forget Your Old Shipmates

Master and Commander the Far Side Of The World is one of my favorite movies of late. There is a scene later in the movie in the officer's mess where the Sailing Master starts to sing a tune called Don't forget Your Old Shipmates, it's cool, I like it. I need to find out where I can get tunes like these.

Stony Creek

And here is my home base, Stony Creek Lake.

Gull Island

Here is a nice sailing destination on Lake St. Clair called Gull Island.

Refitting

Well, I just replaced the hawse vent on The Cat's Pajamas. What a vast improvement! I replaced it with an OEM vent so it looks the same as always, just clean and functional. It's a vent made by the Sea-Dog company. Here it is.

Update:

Replaced the lightbulb on the port side of the trailer.

Log Entry In Pictures

Here are some shots from the trip.

Preparing the boat for sail.

Sailing to the dock to pick up the rest of the crew.

Some of the crew waiting.

The Skipper

Helmsman in training.

Forward shot.

Log Entry

For the first time in nearly four years, The Cat's Pajamas has set sail! We sailed upon Stony Creek Lake for about two and a half hours, with a full compliment. For the first time since I've owned this boat, I launched and retrieved it by myself. This in and of itself was important. The new winch proved itself out as well. At any rate I was able to run under power long enough to empty the tank of the stale fuel and to add fresh fuel to my "iron wind". It was a maiden voyage for a member of my crew as well, my 3 year old son, who seemed pretty excited about it and overall was a pretty good sport. After motoring around for a bit, we finally hoisted up just one sail, the Genoa. There was enough wind that we were able to manuever without a lot of trouble on just one sail. I was very pleased.

Some items that came out of this shakedown: I didn't have all my usual ropes but fortunately I had some other ones that came in handy. The electrical connection from the outboard to the deep cycle battery needs to be repaired. One of the bunks on the trailer needs to be refastened to the trailer. A brake light is out on the left side of the trailer. I need to get that hawse vent too, the cabin was too hot and stuffy.

New Bike

Last weekend I went into the local bike shop looking for parts and accessories for my existing fleet of bicycles. I am always amazed when I look at bikes in REAL bike stores because they are so hi-tech. This summer I've been able to get into bicycles again so I needed to replace the pedals on my very nice, second-hand department store ten speed. I bought this bike from my brother about 16 years ago. It was in great shape, almost new in fact, but still second-hand. One of the people in the store approached me and we began talking. I've always been a fan of three speed bikes because they are so rugged and low maintenance I even remember the name of the shifter on my brother's purple Schwinn three speed when I was a kid. Little did I realize what a legendary name "Sturmey Archer" was even then. At any rate, the guy in the store turned me on to a bike called a Townie 21. What a beautiful bike. I think that I will buy one of these bikes, that way I can say that I had at least one new bike before I shuffled off this mortal coil. The 21 is not an internally geared bike (like a three speed), but derailleur technology is so much better in the last several years (even my 16 year old ten speed is pretty reliable).

In related news, I had about a 27 year old three speed that was given to me last year by a relative, I had put new tires and tubes on it and used it as my neighborhood 'beater' but I decided to get rid of it. Well, my ex-neighbor's grandson was walking by the other day, a young man of about 18 who hasn't had an easy life thus far. At any rate, I gave him the bike. Just told him to take it and, he did. He seemd pretty appreciative of it, I've felt great about that decision, ever since.

Testing, Testing, One, Two, Three...

I tested my outboard today. With stale fuel from last year, she fired right up and purred like a kitten. I might even take a shake-down cruise tomorrow or Sunday.

I can taste the lake air.

Trip Down Memory Lane

Just thinking about boats in general always takes me back to my first one, an O'day Javelin. What a great boat!

New Com-Pac Sloop Design

Com-Pac Yachts (Hutchins Company) has on their news page an item about their new sloop to replace the old Com-Pac 16, they call it the Legacy

Picnic Cat Dilemma

I've been thinking about getting rid of my boat lately. I'm simply too busy with other things and the Com-pac 16 is just a bit more work than I want some days. I'm thinking about "downgrading" to a Picnic Cat.

Comments? Suggestions?

More Pirates And A Profile Update

Well, one of my faithful readers wanted a post, but since I'm still stalled on working on my boat (there were small craft advisories for Lake St. Clair this weekend so it was no loss really) I don't have much to say except I need to get my parts for the boat and wax the deck and the hull once again.

Anyhow, I did change my picture on my profile to the Jolly Felix.

And here is a picture of a pirate ship, since I cannot seem to get any of my own screen shots from my Pirates! game.

Pirates!

While I'm refitting my boat, I have to get a sailing fix somehow. I've been doing that by playing the computer game Pirates! I'll have some screen shots of my game for giggles later.

New Link

Just wanted to let you know that I do occasionally update the links on this blog. Check 'em out. There is a new one at the top of the list. Best Quality Supplies. He's a member of my family so give him a look and some business.

Refit

I cleaned up the cockpit, stripped off the wood trim (except for the insert in the bowsprit), cleaned it up, oiled it and then...tried to put it back on. I've done this a few times over the years and I always suspected that I would encounter some problems one day, well this was the day. The hatch slides on top have been messed with too many times and although they look great, they are not cinching down like I want them to, so it's time to buy new ones. I've often thought I'd like a new hatchboard as well, in addition, it's time to buy a new hawse vent. I might even get new hatchboard slides as well. All-in-all, this will run a little bit over $100.00 buying these parts from the people at the Hutchins Company in Clearwater Florida. I believe, however that it is necessary to keep the boat looking and working in top condition. Here is the price list.

Progess

More progress was made towards (re)fitting the Cat's Pajamas for this season. I pulled all of the teak wood off except for the bow pulpit insert to be cleaned, brightened and oiled. I hope to have this task accomlished before next weekend. Meanwhile I also cleaned the deck and cockpit and applied a heavy oxidation compound to the deck and cockpit. I'm not sure if it has helped much and I had to quit because the day was ending but it DOES look cleaner to be certain. I'm sure when I'm finished, it will look much better. I have to take into consideration that the Cat's Pajamas is twenty years old this year. So by this weekend, I hope to have a cleaned up boat externally and then I can work in the cabin and get the battery installed and the other necessary gear.

Shake Down Preparations

The Memorial Day weekend has arrived and I have hopes of making a shake-down cruise on Stony Creek Lake. If I am successful it will be the first time that I've sailed or even putted around on my boat since 2002. Nearly four years since my son was born. I'm hoping I can take him out on the boat this weekend, but there is a ton of work to be done. Four years of sitting with just the bare minimum being done to maintain the boat. I shudder to think. I still haven't installed the new winch I bought a few weeks ago. Not that it should be earth shattering to install, but it should be installed and soon, this weekened in fact. The boat should be cleaned up, in fact I want to rub it out and use my new orbital buffer to clean up the boat. The woodwork needs attention, the cabin needs attention, and I gotta hope that the motor is still in good order even though last season I spent a couple of hundred bucks having it worked on. I didn't winterize it properly, shame on me. It's a lot to do. I am gratified to see however, that my boat is proving to be a fair "investment". I think I could sell it for what I paid for it at least, which means in real terms that I'm losing LESS money than I thought I would. But I have no intention of selling that boat, not now, not for a long, long time.

Wish me luck and have a great Memorial Weekend.

The Lottery

Well, for the first time ever, I missed the boat lottery. Never before, in fifteen years have I missed the lottery when I wanted to attend it. I arrived at 10:01 A.M. and they would not let me enter. There was already going to be one person who wouldn't get a spot and my entry would make it two, so rather than make a big deal about it, I decided that discretion was the better part of valor and I decided to just leave without incident. This of course will free up some money for minor repairs and to make myself feel better, I promptly went out and purchased a new winch and strap that I will install as soon as I obtain new nuts and bolts to secure it to the trailer.

Anchors Aweigh...

...well not yet. The time has come however to think about getting ready to sail. I think this is going to be a good year for sailing, especially given the price of gasoline. I want to make some minor repairs/improvements on the boat this year. A new winch for the trailer, possibly a new coupler too. On the boat itself, I need to work on the cabin, the teakwood trim, buff up the hull with my new orbital buffer.

Terra Incognita

It has been one month since my sister passed away. I cannot seem to convey or sum up how I feel about this event, since I believe I have been grieving for her for decades. Although I have serious doubts about god and religion, I suppose I could say that God managed to answer at least one of my prayers or desires and that was that my sister would go peacefully. It was only fitting that it be this way since the last 33 years of her life were such a tremendous struggle for her. I was pleased to have gotten my way on the back of her prayer card that was at the funeral home. The words spoke to me and I heard people say that they were very appropriate in this case.

No more suffering or pain-
I'm now living.
Thank you for your unselfish giving.
I'm at peace and I'm in no pain.
I'll look down on you through sun or rain and pray that your sadness ends soon.
Look up towards the moon, but don't cry for me-Because I'm finally free.
I'll once and for all be me.
God will take care of me now.

I chose those words from the book of things that the funeral director gave for all of us to look at. Life will be different without my sister. More peaceful and predictable in some ways, poorer in others. Through the years she suffered a great deal from her illness, but also from lack of understanding, kindness and ignorance. I only have two regrets with my sister, but as the "cancer man" on the X-files once said: "Regret is a consequence of living". I am at peace knowing I was on balance, a good brother, loving and caring. I worried a great deal about my sister at various times. Those times that I knew she wasn't very safe, or getting proper meals or medical attention. Those times are the sources of my greatest regrets. A good friend told me when we were very young when discussing his father whom from my vantage point was not a very good father that he was "doing the best he can" and in fact at any given time we are all doing the best we can. My friend was always much wiser than I, wise beyond his years. I've always been a late bloomer. Wisdom is an expensive commodity, I realize people like my friend have paid for their wisdom dearly. My wisdom, coming much later is no less expensive. I did the best I could under the circumstances.

Meanwhile, I am also in the fourth week of my new job. A strange place, but I think it will be a safe harbor in the economic hurricane that is going to be Southeastern Michigan. All in all, I am visiting strange, uncharted places.

My new year has gotten off to a rocky start. I wish you peace and prosperity in your new year.