Dinghy!

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Originally uploaded by rick_barr

The 2008 season is starting out well. Here is a photo of my new dinghy! No more paddling out to the mooring in a raft. (Yay.) I do have to find some oars for it.

My other spring projects are to install a boom vang and a wind vane.

Summer is almost here!

Winter

No sailing in the winter…..

Time to make some lists.

    Dragonfly is wrapped up in her tarp for the winter so I’ve been thinking ahead to projects for next spring. I’m working on two lists:

Things I must fix:

Bottom paint – Previous owner didn’t paint the bottom last spring.

Outboard motor – Need reliable start and idle.

Broken starboard winch – Prefer repair but will probably replace.

Leaks in cabin – Remove and re-seal bolts for cabin rails and hatch slides.

Jib halyard – Current one is almost completely frayed.

Things I’d like to fix:

Mainsheet system – Restore original arrangement and add a cleat.

Missing starboard bow chock – Found one at a consignment shop in Mystic last fall.

Rubrails – Port side missing. Starboard side ugly.

Forehatch – Frame deteriorating. Plexi is crazed.

Paint topsides – Probably settle for polish and wax….

Lights and electrical system – Low priority.

Things I need to get:

Boom vang – This will improve the shape of the mainsail when heading downwind.

Windex – A wind direction indicator which mounts at the top of the mast.

VHF radio – For safety.

That’s what I can think of right now. I’m sure there will be more.

Catching up

It’s been a couple of weeks without a post so here’s what’s been happening:

1. Went sailing with my son. The plan was to run the motor for a bit, just to make sure everything was okay. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get it to start. Not even close. Sounded like a dead battery. Winds were light and manageable for us so we decided not to waste a trip out to the mooring. We raised the mainsail only and took a leisurely reach out towards Nayatt Point and back. In retrospect, we could have raised the jib as well.

2. It’s time to be thinking about hauling the boat for the winter. I’ve ordered boat stands from the mooring guy so we can store the boat in my side yard. (There is much to do and I’m more likely to do it if I see the boat every day!)

3. Battery again: I went out last weekend in a bit of chop to get the battery so I could have it charged. Unfortunately, I couldn’t release one of the wires. The nut and bolt are seized with rust. I’m going to try again this weekend with some WD-40 and a couple of bigger wrenches. Before I remove it, however, I’m going to sand the contacts on the other connection to try to improve the conductivity. It could be that the battery isn’t dead at all and that I just had a poor connection last time.