I picked up my first mate, Blue, abou 10:00am and headed down to the boat. I explained what had happened the past week and we had decided that we would go out and have a good time no mater what the boat looked like. We arrived at the boat yard and loaded up the dinghy with supplies. Before we set out, I noticed the dinghy main line was tattered and should be replaced. I pulled a lsection of line from the back of the truck and we removed the old and replaced with the newer line. We went out and boarded Lil Provo. I told Blue that today he was going to play skipper for a while. I fell it was important for him to really start to learn more about the sailing f the boat. If something ever happened and he had to take over, he must know what to do and what to do in an emergency.
We went out and had wind immediately. It seems funny, but so often we go out and are one of the first boats out on the bay, when we look back at any other boats coming out of the mooring, they always seem to follow our lead. We had decided on our ride down, we would head for Perth Amboy as we don't travel too much back into this tighter area of the bay. When we were just clearing Keyport Harbot, Blue asked what happened to the lines to the Jib. I told him I had noticed that yesterday and am going to have to replace them. He said, they didn't look that bad last time we went out. Yes, but that was before the jib got messed up during the storm, the lines most likely took a beating as well. I was still at the helm and told Blue to grab the coil of rope from the cabin and lash the ends and find me the center, we'll replace the lines to the jib when we get back to the mooring. B;lue spent some time making sure the ends were taken care of so they would not fray and found the center of the line. I had him tie a small simple knot in the middle so it would be easy to find. After that I thought it was time for him to take over. I know how much he loves sailing the boat. Each time he learns something new.
Today we were riding the edge of the wind. He was enjoying sailing and trying to maintain keeping Lil Provo on the edge of the wind so we would not have to tack as much. Suddenly, something caught my eye halling from above and going into the water. "What the hell was that?" I exclaimed. I looked and saw a seagul not too far and though he had taken a dump on the fly. But a few minutes I looked up at the wind vane only to see the wind vane and VHF antenna were gone. That is what hit the water! The only thing I could think of is they removed it when working on the mast and didn't tighten back up as I tightened the hell out of it when I put it on in the spring. It seems I have to buy one every year.
We continued sailing and were now passing the route 35 bridge. The wind had dropped down a lot and we were coming close to the small lighthouse in this section of the bay. I told Blue it was time to head back and maybe we can hook up with some better wind. We turned starboard and headed toward New York City. This angle gave us some good wind. As we got about half way back we turned toward the Keyport Harbor. We were really moving now. Blue loved it, we were moving about 5.5 mph according to our GPS and were healed over. Just the way we like to sail. At one point I had to grab a line and hang off the side of the boat, but this is what sailing is all about. It was perfect! We saw one of our friend off to the south about a 1/2 mile away. I blew our air horn and waved, they waved back. It was at this point, SNAP! The starboard line to the jib broke. Blue paniced and asked what should he do. I told him just turn her into the wind and we'll fux it. I grabbed the line he had prepared earlier and had the new line in place within a few minutes and we were back sailing. I then had a discussion with Blue on why turning into the wind is important when you have a problem like this.
We continues sailing for another hour and then headed back to the mooring field. All went well and we secured the boat. After packing up the dinghy, we did our normal ride around the boat to check it out and to make sure nothing had been forgotten. This is a very good practice and has paid off time and time again. On the way back I saw the boat that Lil Provo had collided with during the past thunder storm. His damage was similar to Lil Provo with his rub rail all messed up, but he did not have any hull damage like Lil Provo. I took some pictures just in case and we proceeded back to the ramp.
Though we did have a few problems, we still had a fun day.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Lil Provo dragged her mooring and sustained damage
Saturday I couldn't wait to get to the boat, the conditions were to be perfect. I arrived and looked out and couldn't tell if my boat was there. I saw a boat similar to mine, but this one had no flags, and had a blue jib where mine had a white jib. I assumed that was mine and took the quarter mile ride in the dinghy. When I got close I could finally see the back of the boat and the name Lil Provo. That was my boat. I pulled along the port side with the dinghy and unloaded by supplies for the day. After getting everything ready and the main sail up, I dropped the mooring line and went out to the channel to head for open water. It was pretty breezy and I was moving at a good rate with just the main sail up. When I got to open water I was already healing over and decided to try to open the strange blue jib. As soon as I began to open it, Lil Provo healed heavily, so I retracted the jib and sailed with just the main. It was a great day and at time I was going almost 5 knots with just the main sail. While I was out, I tried trolling a large spearing lure behind the boat and did get two good strikes, but no takers. It was pretty rough at times with waves actually rolling by.
I finally called it a day and headed back to the mooring. I sailed all the way to the mooring field where I dropped the sail and went to motor. The whole day, I was trying to figure out why I had a blue jib on the front. I thought, they did take the boat out Monday to fix the spreaded and I did talk to the boat yard about new sails, maybe they put one on for me to try? I really didn't know, but after attaching to my mooring ball, I loaded the dinghy with things that had to go ashore, raised the motor, and untied the dinghy from the boat. I normally take a drive around the boat when I leave. When I got to the starboard side, I was in shock. The run rail was ripped off, the side was scratched up, lots of blue paint marks, it looked like it had been through a war. I was very upset to say the least. I picked up the video camera and documented the side damage and headed to the ramp.
I can't explain how upset I felt. When you are proud of something and someone or something messes it up, it hurts. I got the dinghy put away and everything stowed back in my truck. I sat in the parking lot of the boat yard and called the boat yard office. John answered. I asked him what happened and he explaind that they put the boat back in the water Wednesday morning and Wednesday night we had a severe thunder storm come through. Lil Provo's fron jib opened and she dragged the mooring 50 feet until she hit another boat. He said the jib was shot and he put a loaner on there so I could sail. He went on to tell me that he was going to call, but a good friend had passed and he had that on his mind. I asked if the guys made sure they took a couple wraps on the jib when they put it back up and he said he didn't know. He said he looks bad, but she is still seaworthy. (Gee Thanks)
I contacted the insurance company and will visit the boat yard on Monday to see what more they have to say.
I finally called it a day and headed back to the mooring. I sailed all the way to the mooring field where I dropped the sail and went to motor. The whole day, I was trying to figure out why I had a blue jib on the front. I thought, they did take the boat out Monday to fix the spreaded and I did talk to the boat yard about new sails, maybe they put one on for me to try? I really didn't know, but after attaching to my mooring ball, I loaded the dinghy with things that had to go ashore, raised the motor, and untied the dinghy from the boat. I normally take a drive around the boat when I leave. When I got to the starboard side, I was in shock. The run rail was ripped off, the side was scratched up, lots of blue paint marks, it looked like it had been through a war. I was very upset to say the least. I picked up the video camera and documented the side damage and headed to the ramp.
I can't explain how upset I felt. When you are proud of something and someone or something messes it up, it hurts. I got the dinghy put away and everything stowed back in my truck. I sat in the parking lot of the boat yard and called the boat yard office. John answered. I asked him what happened and he explaind that they put the boat back in the water Wednesday morning and Wednesday night we had a severe thunder storm come through. Lil Provo's fron jib opened and she dragged the mooring 50 feet until she hit another boat. He said the jib was shot and he put a loaner on there so I could sail. He went on to tell me that he was going to call, but a good friend had passed and he had that on his mind. I asked if the guys made sure they took a couple wraps on the jib when they put it back up and he said he didn't know. He said he looks bad, but she is still seaworthy. (Gee Thanks)
I contacted the insurance company and will visit the boat yard on Monday to see what more they have to say.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sailing and confronted with a problem
This weekend sailing started just like any other weekend. Saturday was pretty nice with mild winds that would occassionally change direction. It was easy sailing and one of those enjoyable kick back and enjoy days. Sunday on the other hand was a day I will not soon forget.
The day started out very calm. We have hurricane Igor crashing into Bermuda off the east coast, but it must have sucked the wind from New Jersey. The wind was so lite, you could barely sail and have control over the boat. While cruising along the shoreline and heading for the open bay, I noticed an unattended camp fire on the shore that some fisherman must have left burning from the night before. All around this area is grasses, acres and acres of grasses. If I wasn't such a concerned citizen I would have sailed right on by and paid it no mind. Many did! I picked up my cell phone and notified the Keyport police that someone needed to throw a bucket of water on this fire before it started the grasses on fire. I told them it was about a half mile to mile past Olsen's Boat Works. They said they would send someone out. I waited for close to a half hour and no show. Up the shore a family was walking down the shore toward the fire. I was only about 50 yards off the shore and yelled to them, "There is a fire, put it out!" They stopped dead. At that moment I realized they did not speak English. Not knowing how to say put out the fire in spanish, I pointed and said "pyro....agua" and pointed. They paniced and turned around and started walking back the way they came. After sitting there and pointing, one of them got the idea and walked down the shore to where the fire was and put it out with multiple trips to the water.
I was now off to sailing, or so I thought. It was still very calm and not enough to keep the sails full. Sometimes the sails were steering the boat and other times the tiller actually made you turn. After hours of calm and doing a little fishing, trolling spearing behind the boat, the winds began to pickup. It was time to reel in the fishing lines and go have some fun. I started the engine to get out to open water where there would be more wind. I hit some pretty rough seas, but could feel the breeze in my face. I shut down the engine and raised my sails. I headed for open water where I could see the wind ripples on the water. Then suddenly BANG. My spreaded on my mast broke. I had to drop the sails ASAP. This was one of the first emergencies I have run into and I tried to treat it with total logic. I lowered the main sail and furled the jib sail. Trying to drop the main sail was tough. The wind was makling it flap all over the place and the mast was looking like it was going to fall. Once I had the sails in, I tied a rope to the lose cable which held the speader and tied it off so it wasn't flying around. I started the motor to head for shore. Remember, it was no longer calm like glass and there were waves. I was a good three miles out and if one more cable popped, the mast would fall. I could see the stresses being applied to the cables as the mast swung around. As long as it stayed in its mount, I should be fine. There was still the part of your mind that kept looking at that mast, just incase it did fall. I could not go very fast as the hitting any waves put more stress on the cables that were still holding the mast. The waves and winds were coming from the west, so I made a course for soutwest cutting through the waves on an angle and reducing the pounding to the boat. After an hour and a half I made it back to my mooring. I tied Lil Provo up to her mooring and secured everything on the boat. I went to shore in the dinghy and left a note on the door of the boat yard manager, explaining my problem. When I was headed home I thought I would leave a message on their telephone and John answered the phone. I explained what happened and he said he would pull the boat out of the water tomorrow and fix the mast, it should be back in Tuesday or Wednesday. That is service! I went home and watched football and had a couple beers to unwind.
The day started out very calm. We have hurricane Igor crashing into Bermuda off the east coast, but it must have sucked the wind from New Jersey. The wind was so lite, you could barely sail and have control over the boat. While cruising along the shoreline and heading for the open bay, I noticed an unattended camp fire on the shore that some fisherman must have left burning from the night before. All around this area is grasses, acres and acres of grasses. If I wasn't such a concerned citizen I would have sailed right on by and paid it no mind. Many did! I picked up my cell phone and notified the Keyport police that someone needed to throw a bucket of water on this fire before it started the grasses on fire. I told them it was about a half mile to mile past Olsen's Boat Works. They said they would send someone out. I waited for close to a half hour and no show. Up the shore a family was walking down the shore toward the fire. I was only about 50 yards off the shore and yelled to them, "There is a fire, put it out!" They stopped dead. At that moment I realized they did not speak English. Not knowing how to say put out the fire in spanish, I pointed and said "pyro....agua" and pointed. They paniced and turned around and started walking back the way they came. After sitting there and pointing, one of them got the idea and walked down the shore to where the fire was and put it out with multiple trips to the water.
I was now off to sailing, or so I thought. It was still very calm and not enough to keep the sails full. Sometimes the sails were steering the boat and other times the tiller actually made you turn. After hours of calm and doing a little fishing, trolling spearing behind the boat, the winds began to pickup. It was time to reel in the fishing lines and go have some fun. I started the engine to get out to open water where there would be more wind. I hit some pretty rough seas, but could feel the breeze in my face. I shut down the engine and raised my sails. I headed for open water where I could see the wind ripples on the water. Then suddenly BANG. My spreaded on my mast broke. I had to drop the sails ASAP. This was one of the first emergencies I have run into and I tried to treat it with total logic. I lowered the main sail and furled the jib sail. Trying to drop the main sail was tough. The wind was makling it flap all over the place and the mast was looking like it was going to fall. Once I had the sails in, I tied a rope to the lose cable which held the speader and tied it off so it wasn't flying around. I started the motor to head for shore. Remember, it was no longer calm like glass and there were waves. I was a good three miles out and if one more cable popped, the mast would fall. I could see the stresses being applied to the cables as the mast swung around. As long as it stayed in its mount, I should be fine. There was still the part of your mind that kept looking at that mast, just incase it did fall. I could not go very fast as the hitting any waves put more stress on the cables that were still holding the mast. The waves and winds were coming from the west, so I made a course for soutwest cutting through the waves on an angle and reducing the pounding to the boat. After an hour and a half I made it back to my mooring. I tied Lil Provo up to her mooring and secured everything on the boat. I went to shore in the dinghy and left a note on the door of the boat yard manager, explaining my problem. When I was headed home I thought I would leave a message on their telephone and John answered the phone. I explained what happened and he said he would pull the boat out of the water tomorrow and fix the mast, it should be back in Tuesday or Wednesday. That is service! I went home and watched football and had a couple beers to unwind.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
A Calm Day in Keyport Harbor/Raritan Bay
Saturday was a very calm day, Before I left home I checked the winds and they were down to around 5 knots. When I arrived at the boat yard the wind was non-existent. It was a very high tide, most likely still being effected by the new moon earlier in the week. When I arrived at the ramp there were boats (dinghies) were there usually isn't. One was along side of the yards mooring dock and must have gotten pinned under the walkway when the tide came in and flipped over. It had an outboard on it, so when the owner came to try to get it, it was difficult to deal with. The other was a dingy that had been too low on the ramp and had taken on water from the high tide. No my dinghy was fine as I keep mine about about 15 feet above the water in the boat yard. Yes I have to buggy lug it down to the water, but it is a lot safer up on high ground than by the water.
I went out to Lil Provo and checked her out to see how things were over the past few days. All was fine as usual. The only problem was no wind. I didn't even make an attempt to go out with motor as what was the point without wind. I decided to clean her up a little and do some fishing at the same time. I put out two lines. One with spearing and one with blood worms. As I sat basking in the sun and watching my lines, I watch all the fishermen lined up on shore and not catching a darn thing. Well, neither was I. I didn't even have one hit! After sitting there for hours waiting on the wind, I decided to call it a day and head back home.
The following video was done last week while sitting on the mooring. It is just a camcorder sitting there with no special image in mind. Something to sit back to.
I went out to Lil Provo and checked her out to see how things were over the past few days. All was fine as usual. The only problem was no wind. I didn't even make an attempt to go out with motor as what was the point without wind. I decided to clean her up a little and do some fishing at the same time. I put out two lines. One with spearing and one with blood worms. As I sat basking in the sun and watching my lines, I watch all the fishermen lined up on shore and not catching a darn thing. Well, neither was I. I didn't even have one hit! After sitting there for hours waiting on the wind, I decided to call it a day and head back home.
The following video was done last week while sitting on the mooring. It is just a camcorder sitting there with no special image in mind. Something to sit back to.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Back in the water - 9/7/2010
Tuesday morning Lil Provo was placed back in the water. The threat of storms was passed, as well as the holiday weekend. The tides for the weekend did not provide enough water for the boat yard to get the boats back in the water during normal working hours. With a High tide at 5 or 6 am, they only had a window of a few hours each day to put the sailboats back in the water. You have to remember that every boat they put in has to be towed out to their mooring and hooked up. So it isn't a constant flow of boats going into the water. They only average about 4 per hour.
They placed my boat on the wrong mooring and I got there early enough to give them a hand changing the location. After I had her on her mooring, I proceeded to sew a seam in the mainsail that had come loose. This was my first time sewing a sail and they are some tough fabric. Dacron sails are tough to push a needle through. After repairing the four foot seam, I dropped the mooring line and headed for open water. I ran on motor for a while until I was well into the bay. Then both sails were raised and we healed over and were zipping along. After an hour or two, I headed back to the mooring where I tried my luck fishing.
They placed my boat on the wrong mooring and I got there early enough to give them a hand changing the location. After I had her on her mooring, I proceeded to sew a seam in the mainsail that had come loose. This was my first time sewing a sail and they are some tough fabric. Dacron sails are tough to push a needle through. After repairing the four foot seam, I dropped the mooring line and headed for open water. I ran on motor for a while until I was well into the bay. Then both sails were raised and we healed over and were zipping along. After an hour or two, I headed back to the mooring where I tried my luck fishing.
Memorial Day Weekend
The memorial day weekend this year started with a surprise. We were blessed with a hurricane skirting along the New Jersey coast line. Many friends asked me what are you going to do with your boat if the hurricane hits us. I said I have insurance and I have faith in the guy that runs the place I keep my boat. Many were surprised at this statement, but it was the truth. We were to possibly get hit by hurricane Earl on Friday. We ended up very lucky with it skirting along the coast. It created havoc with the waves and winds, but did not cause any real damage.
On Saturday I was hoping to have some fun sailing the remains of hurricane Earl. I packed up my truck and headed down to Keyport. When I entered Keyport I tried to look out on the water to see if I could see my boat. They mooring field was pretty empty and many pulled or moved their boat due to the pending storm. As I turned the corner to head to the boat yard, I saw all these masts sticking up from the boatyard and immediately knew they had pulled all the boats out of the water. The yard was packed! There was barely room to park or even turn around. I immediately looked out on the water to confirm that Lil Provo was on land and not sitting on her mooring. She wasn't there. Now I had to try to find her among this yard of boats. I glanced around and saw and immediately spotter her sitting on her trailer. Well there wasn't much to do now except head back home and hope they would get her in the water ASAP.
On Sunday morning I picked up my first mate and brought him down to the yard with me. When we arrived, the lot was emptier than Saturday, which means they started placing boats back in the water. However, Lil Provo was still sitting on her trailer. We hung out in the boat yard for a couple hours seeing how much growth we had on the bottom of the boat and just looking around at the other boats. After a while we packed it in and headed home.
On Saturday I was hoping to have some fun sailing the remains of hurricane Earl. I packed up my truck and headed down to Keyport. When I entered Keyport I tried to look out on the water to see if I could see my boat. They mooring field was pretty empty and many pulled or moved their boat due to the pending storm. As I turned the corner to head to the boat yard, I saw all these masts sticking up from the boatyard and immediately knew they had pulled all the boats out of the water. The yard was packed! There was barely room to park or even turn around. I immediately looked out on the water to confirm that Lil Provo was on land and not sitting on her mooring. She wasn't there. Now I had to try to find her among this yard of boats. I glanced around and saw and immediately spotter her sitting on her trailer. Well there wasn't much to do now except head back home and hope they would get her in the water ASAP.
On Sunday morning I picked up my first mate and brought him down to the yard with me. When we arrived, the lot was emptier than Saturday, which means they started placing boats back in the water. However, Lil Provo was still sitting on her trailer. We hung out in the boat yard for a couple hours seeing how much growth we had on the bottom of the boat and just looking around at the other boats. After a while we packed it in and headed home.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Hurricane Earl
Today Hurricane Earl is suppose to pass along the New Jersey Coast. Many ask, what are you going to do about your boat in the water. Well, I have a very good marina taking care of my boat and if the weather is too dangerous, they will pull the boat out of the water without notifying me. Last October we had a couple bad storms due to come in. I drove down the shore to check on the boat and was surprised, it wasn't there. Talk about freaking out! I scanned the shore and finally asked one of the workers where my boat was and he said right over there next to your truck. I turned around and there she was sitting in the lot. They explained how they pull them out if a bad storm is coming. I was worried that day, but after that, I worry no more. It worries me more that the cleat or chain may someday break and let Lil Provo drift away.
Tomorrow I will venture down to the marina to check on her. If I can get the dinghy out to her, I will even go out for a while. I have five days off and plan on spending much of that sailing. I will advise what happened this weekend in my next entry.
Tomorrow I will venture down to the marina to check on her. If I can get the dinghy out to her, I will even go out for a while. I have five days off and plan on spending much of that sailing. I will advise what happened this weekend in my next entry.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Great weekend
This past weekend I was out on Lil Provo for two days. Sunday was a nice day and it was my first mates first day to take the helm. I wanted to give him a chance to learn more about sailing the boat. We headed for the Verrazanno Bridge in New York with a light wind. I tried to teach him how to find the best direction with the wind. After a while he caught on and off we were, cruising about three knots. We made it into the NY waters and turned around to head back. I was trolling a bucktail behind the boat as we sailed back from New York and suddenly the pole bent in half. I grabbed the pole and felt a heavy load on the pole, but it felt like dead weight. As I pulled it a little more I felt the fish on the other end shaking it's head. The first mate (Blue) grabbed the net and was ready for whatever I brought back to the boat. As it got closer I saw something, I thought is was a large ray. As I got it closer I could see that it was a nice size Flounder (Fluke here in NJ). Blue netted it up and brought it into the cockpit where I placed it in a bucket to take home and clean. It was 19-1/2" and weighed almost 3-1/2 pounds. This totally amazed me as Fluke feed on the bottom and will come off the bottom a little ways to get something, but to catch one trolling totally amazed me.
On Monday, my wife and I went out for a sail. We started around 11:00am and there was no wind, so we traveled by motor to Staten Island and found some wind there. I had to keep the bimini up due to the sun and heat. We were miles from shore and the sea was very calm, it was a nice mellow sail. The bimini does a great job of hiding you from the heat. We sailed for a few hours and headed back to the harbor.
Labor weekend is coming. We expect to be sailing a lot, provide hurricane Earl leaves us alone.
On Monday, my wife and I went out for a sail. We started around 11:00am and there was no wind, so we traveled by motor to Staten Island and found some wind there. I had to keep the bimini up due to the sun and heat. We were miles from shore and the sea was very calm, it was a nice mellow sail. The bimini does a great job of hiding you from the heat. We sailed for a few hours and headed back to the harbor.
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