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#1
Precision / Precision Sailors' Happy Hour,...
Last post by Riggerdood - Aug 23, 2026, 08:17 PMHi All,
Back by popular demand, I'm setting up another Zoom meeting for this coming Friday, August 28th, at 5 PM PST/8 PM EST.
Any and all who wish to join in, simply reply here to that effect, and I will PM you the Zoom info. Note: I use the PM function of this forum to send the Zoom info - no need to post your email address in a reply here, just keep an eye on your PMs.
Those who have participated in previous happy hours will automatically get the invite, so no need to reply here.
Thanks, and hope to see a few new faces this Friday, as well as all "the regulars" in this joint!
- Tim
Back by popular demand, I'm setting up another Zoom meeting for this coming Friday, August 28th, at 5 PM PST/8 PM EST.
Any and all who wish to join in, simply reply here to that effect, and I will PM you the Zoom info. Note: I use the PM function of this forum to send the Zoom info - no need to post your email address in a reply here, just keep an eye on your PMs.
Those who have participated in previous happy hours will automatically get the invite, so no need to reply here.
Thanks, and hope to see a few new faces this Friday, as well as all "the regulars" in this joint!
- Tim
#2
TSBB General Talk / Re: VHF Channel 16
Last post by Doug SC - Aug 23, 2026, 04:54 PMSounds like an exciting day of sailing. While the boat is handling well it is easy to become complacent.
#3
TSBB General Talk / Re: The things you have done, ...
Last post by Riley Smith - Aug 23, 2026, 02:48 PMWe used to get a couple of hours in sailing the Escatawpa River near my house. We'd launch and head upwind (in case it started dying) and then make the downwind back to the ramp as a reward. So I decided that I'd play with the centerboard. All of the OTHER times I'd put it down and forget about it, but for some reason I got curious. You know what they say about Curiosity!
We were on our downwind and I'd heard you can increase speed with the board up, so I pulled it up. Nothing happened as it really don't matter on a catboat, and the boat handles exactly the same on a downwind so I left it up for a while. We enjoyed the downwind and finally came upon the point near the ramp, and I wanted to cut it as close as possible to give us the correct angle on the tack to the ramp. I forgot to lower the board.
The result was absolutely no rudder control when we started to tack. She just kept barging ahead. Before I could get the board down we'd ran up into the marsh and were stuck. Not my best moment by far. It wasn't a big deal other than embarassing. We pushed right off and made the ramp and ended the sail. Now SOP is keeping the board down at all times unless it starts bouncing off the bottom.
We were on our downwind and I'd heard you can increase speed with the board up, so I pulled it up. Nothing happened as it really don't matter on a catboat, and the boat handles exactly the same on a downwind so I left it up for a while. We enjoyed the downwind and finally came upon the point near the ramp, and I wanted to cut it as close as possible to give us the correct angle on the tack to the ramp. I forgot to lower the board.
The result was absolutely no rudder control when we started to tack. She just kept barging ahead. Before I could get the board down we'd ran up into the marsh and were stuck. Not my best moment by far. It wasn't a big deal other than embarassing. We pushed right off and made the ramp and ended the sail. Now SOP is keeping the board down at all times unless it starts bouncing off the bottom.
#4
TSBB General Talk / Re: Cape Verde Season
Last post by Riley Smith - Aug 23, 2026, 02:35 PMI sure like Ryan Hall Y'all when the chips are down. I think he's got a YouTube channel but he'll have storm chasers in an active situation. You're correct on the clock schedule for our thunderstorms, but I might caution that is only during the summer. Other seasons can be very unpredictable. As it is now, if you plan on boating in the afternoon, it's pretty much like playing Russian roulette with a thunderstorm 
There might not be a drops fall from the sky and you might ALSO almost drown on dry land. It just depends. You are DEFINITELY in danger of dehydration and heat stroke.
There might not be a drops fall from the sky and you might ALSO almost drown on dry land. It just depends. You are DEFINITELY in danger of dehydration and heat stroke. #5
TSBB General Talk / Re: Cape Verde Season
Last post by pgandw - Aug 23, 2026, 01:43 PMI finally found the NOAA forecasts I like. These are actually done by a real weather forecaster that looks at the data and the various models and how they are converging or diverging. These forecasts cover Eastern North Carolina, and are very similar to the weather briefings I would get before each flight when I was flying helicopters. The NOAA forecast is more a broad perspective, then I use weather.com for the hourly and radar picture. NOAA updates the forecast 2-3 times a day.
Here's the link I use, I'm sure there is a similar forecast for your area/region. Eastern NC NOAA. The link to the forecast discussion is half way down on the right side of the web page. I'm sure you can figure out how to get the right location for your forecast.
Unlike the Gulf, our thunderstorms are not on a clock schedule. Fronts pass through, stall out, or reverse themselves overhead. We're just too close to Cape Hatteras - where all good storms go to die.
Fred W
Here's the link I use, I'm sure there is a similar forecast for your area/region. Eastern NC NOAA. The link to the forecast discussion is half way down on the right side of the web page. I'm sure you can figure out how to get the right location for your forecast.
Unlike the Gulf, our thunderstorms are not on a clock schedule. Fronts pass through, stall out, or reverse themselves overhead. We're just too close to Cape Hatteras - where all good storms go to die.
Fred W
#6
TSBB General Talk / Re: The things you have done, ...
Last post by pgandw - Aug 23, 2026, 01:22 PMMy single handed mast raising and lowering has been an adventure in learning - enough to keep my ancient brain thinking "how can I avoid this stupidity next time?" Surprisingly, the mast has survived pretty much intact my repeated attempts to destroy it.
1. When DW said her knees were no longer good enough to feel safe in our 19ft Mariner, I realized I was going to have to come up with a single handed mast raising system. Took a trusty 2x4 for a gin pole, mounted a trailer winch, put a T-nut with threaded insert to fit convenient hole in front of mast, added eye to hold forestay, and eye to attach jib halyard, and thought I was set. Trailered from North Carolina to Connecticut for the 2023 Mariner Rendezvous. Started to step the mast in Connecticut. The mast swayed sideways, which caused the gin pole mast jaw to snap, and the mast and pole came crashing down. Luckily nobody was parked next to me. Bent a turnbuckle toggle on the port shroud, which I was able to replace at Defender Mariner 15 min away.
2. On the way to Connecticut, discovered northern states (Delaware, NJ, NY) were incapable of correctly tolling EZ-Pass towing a trailer. All defaulted to charging me the max toll, which was $58 on the George Washington Memorial Bridge. This took a couple of weeks of writing and e-mailing NY, NJ, Del toll authorities to get the correct toll charge and the excess charges reversed. Turns out the solution was a separate transponder for towing a trailer, which must be in a Faraday cage in the vehicle when not in use. Yes, I neglected the Faraday cage on my 2nd trip to Connecticut, and got double tolled by NY at the Hudson River bridge!
3. Again, on the way to Connecticut, I discovered NY doesn't care much about maintaining the pavement on their roads, especially around NYC. I was passing through NYC on the freeway in evening rush hour traffic. Hit a pothole that scared the mast right out of the rear carrier notch and the mast was dragging off the right side of the boat and trailer. Was sort of able to pull off onto a sort of shoulder and put the mast back in position. A year later, for the 2024 Rendezvous, I managed to launch the mast out of the rear carrier notch once again in New Jersey. I now very securely lash down the mast at both fore and aft supports. I now go around NYC, and avoid the NJ Turnpike.
4. But my mast foibles were not over. Having replaced the gin pole with a reinforced (at the jaws) 2x6, and had provisioned for baby stays, I thought I had solved world hunger. I had even installed a mast plate under the mast step to provide a lower mounting point for the boom vang and any other lines I wanted to run back to the cockpit. Had pulled the boat on trailer on July 4th in NC 90/90 (heat/humidity) at around noon time, and was ready to lower the mast. Gin pole, baby stays in place. Forgot to move the main downhaul cleat up the mast slot; it was sitting at the mast base. As the mast lowered, the cleat caught the mast plate and jammed itself into one of the holes on the plate. Nothing would move, the mast would not go up or down. Finally applied sufficient force to get mast base out of tabernacle, and of course the mast crashed down. Mast plate was bent (still is), and sliding cabin hatch cover was cracked (repaired).
5. Last but not least, forgot my electric outboard makes no noise when it is on. Hove to - my normal method for raising sails - but forgot the motor was still in forward. So instead of heaving to, I was fore reaching at a rather good clip. Before I could get the main raised, I had engaged the mast in the cypress branches on the far side of the creek, with the centerboard and rudder striking submerged cypress branches. Took about 5 minutes to break the branches, showering myself in cypress needles in the process. No real damage except to my ego, and my enjoyable day out on the water.
true confessions
Fred W
Stuart (ODay) Mariner 19 Sweet P
1. When DW said her knees were no longer good enough to feel safe in our 19ft Mariner, I realized I was going to have to come up with a single handed mast raising system. Took a trusty 2x4 for a gin pole, mounted a trailer winch, put a T-nut with threaded insert to fit convenient hole in front of mast, added eye to hold forestay, and eye to attach jib halyard, and thought I was set. Trailered from North Carolina to Connecticut for the 2023 Mariner Rendezvous. Started to step the mast in Connecticut. The mast swayed sideways, which caused the gin pole mast jaw to snap, and the mast and pole came crashing down. Luckily nobody was parked next to me. Bent a turnbuckle toggle on the port shroud, which I was able to replace at Defender Mariner 15 min away.
2. On the way to Connecticut, discovered northern states (Delaware, NJ, NY) were incapable of correctly tolling EZ-Pass towing a trailer. All defaulted to charging me the max toll, which was $58 on the George Washington Memorial Bridge. This took a couple of weeks of writing and e-mailing NY, NJ, Del toll authorities to get the correct toll charge and the excess charges reversed. Turns out the solution was a separate transponder for towing a trailer, which must be in a Faraday cage in the vehicle when not in use. Yes, I neglected the Faraday cage on my 2nd trip to Connecticut, and got double tolled by NY at the Hudson River bridge!
3. Again, on the way to Connecticut, I discovered NY doesn't care much about maintaining the pavement on their roads, especially around NYC. I was passing through NYC on the freeway in evening rush hour traffic. Hit a pothole that scared the mast right out of the rear carrier notch and the mast was dragging off the right side of the boat and trailer. Was sort of able to pull off onto a sort of shoulder and put the mast back in position. A year later, for the 2024 Rendezvous, I managed to launch the mast out of the rear carrier notch once again in New Jersey. I now very securely lash down the mast at both fore and aft supports. I now go around NYC, and avoid the NJ Turnpike.
4. But my mast foibles were not over. Having replaced the gin pole with a reinforced (at the jaws) 2x6, and had provisioned for baby stays, I thought I had solved world hunger. I had even installed a mast plate under the mast step to provide a lower mounting point for the boom vang and any other lines I wanted to run back to the cockpit. Had pulled the boat on trailer on July 4th in NC 90/90 (heat/humidity) at around noon time, and was ready to lower the mast. Gin pole, baby stays in place. Forgot to move the main downhaul cleat up the mast slot; it was sitting at the mast base. As the mast lowered, the cleat caught the mast plate and jammed itself into one of the holes on the plate. Nothing would move, the mast would not go up or down. Finally applied sufficient force to get mast base out of tabernacle, and of course the mast crashed down. Mast plate was bent (still is), and sliding cabin hatch cover was cracked (repaired).
5. Last but not least, forgot my electric outboard makes no noise when it is on. Hove to - my normal method for raising sails - but forgot the motor was still in forward. So instead of heaving to, I was fore reaching at a rather good clip. Before I could get the main raised, I had engaged the mast in the cypress branches on the far side of the creek, with the centerboard and rudder striking submerged cypress branches. Took about 5 minutes to break the branches, showering myself in cypress needles in the process. No real damage except to my ego, and my enjoyable day out on the water.
true confessions
Fred W
Stuart (ODay) Mariner 19 Sweet P
#7
TSBB General Talk / Re: VHF Channel 16
Last post by Wolverine - Aug 23, 2026, 12:42 PMHave you read Marlin Bree's, In the Wake of the Green Storm?
#8
TSBB General Talk / VHF Channel 16
Last post by noelH - Aug 23, 2026, 11:29 AMNormally have the handheld (my only radio) on channel 16. But yesterday I guess the volume was a bit too low for the conditions. Another more or less typical August day when the wind shows up. That is gusty if from W to NW. F2-F4, W in the Bay veering to NNW out of the Bay. Bit heavier seas and solid F3-4 by the time I cleared the Bay. Gust were upper F4 to F5. After bouncing Vela upwind I decided if I wanted to reach the W Channel which lies between Basswood and Madeline Is a reef is probably needed. Got lazy. Decided to come about and just run downwind back into the Bay. All was fine. Cruising at hull speed (+5kts) and hitting 7kts when catching a proper wave.
Some announcement came across ch 16 from the USCG. Volume was too low to hear over the sound of seas and wind. Usually it's some message regarding a distressed boater. Mistake #1.
Sky looked fine. The puffy clouds clouds over the land were having a hard time staying developed over the Lake. Plus it was clearing to the W. Should have checked the barometric chart on the hand held GPS. My only other electronic gadget on Vela unless you consider a flashlight an electronic gadget. Mistake #2.
Notice a couple boats reefing and couple dropping sail and pulling what I thought was into the Washburn Marina. Vela was fine under full sail. Maybe a hint that I should be concerned. Mistake #3
Wind was dropping. Time to head home. ~4nm across the Bay from the marina. Cruising now at ~4.5kts on a slight upwind last leg home. ~Mile out I see a heavy wind line developing. Pushed through the leading edge before realizing I should have set a reef or two. Mistake #4.
Ended up having to heave to and set the main to the 2nd reef. Considered dropping the jib. Vela sail very nice with just the main set at reef #2. No point in trying to get into the marina. Either just sail around or pull in to the shelter of the land and anchor. Like the more intelligent sailboat had done. ~1nm of just running and tacking back and forth before the wind dropped to a reasonable velocity allowing approaching the marina entrance. Of course the wind totally died. Until I had Vela sitting on the trailer at the storage spot furling the main around the boom. One last gust to make things inconvenient.
Another good and interesting time on L. Superior. At least the hard wind line wasn't a Derecho. One knock down experience on L. Superior was enough for a life time. So far, we have had couple come through this year. One down more or less outside of Washburn that knocked down more trees than you can count. Maybe one through the town across the Bay that did some serious damage to structures.
Some announcement came across ch 16 from the USCG. Volume was too low to hear over the sound of seas and wind. Usually it's some message regarding a distressed boater. Mistake #1.
Sky looked fine. The puffy clouds clouds over the land were having a hard time staying developed over the Lake. Plus it was clearing to the W. Should have checked the barometric chart on the hand held GPS. My only other electronic gadget on Vela unless you consider a flashlight an electronic gadget. Mistake #2.
Notice a couple boats reefing and couple dropping sail and pulling what I thought was into the Washburn Marina. Vela was fine under full sail. Maybe a hint that I should be concerned. Mistake #3
Wind was dropping. Time to head home. ~4nm across the Bay from the marina. Cruising now at ~4.5kts on a slight upwind last leg home. ~Mile out I see a heavy wind line developing. Pushed through the leading edge before realizing I should have set a reef or two. Mistake #4.
Ended up having to heave to and set the main to the 2nd reef. Considered dropping the jib. Vela sail very nice with just the main set at reef #2. No point in trying to get into the marina. Either just sail around or pull in to the shelter of the land and anchor. Like the more intelligent sailboat had done. ~1nm of just running and tacking back and forth before the wind dropped to a reasonable velocity allowing approaching the marina entrance. Of course the wind totally died. Until I had Vela sitting on the trailer at the storage spot furling the main around the boom. One last gust to make things inconvenient.
Another good and interesting time on L. Superior. At least the hard wind line wasn't a Derecho. One knock down experience on L. Superior was enough for a life time. So far, we have had couple come through this year. One down more or less outside of Washburn that knocked down more trees than you can count. Maybe one through the town across the Bay that did some serious damage to structures.
#9
Precision / Re: Self-steering fix
Last post by Riggerdood - Aug 22, 2026, 04:35 PMAgreed, there's definitely something to be said for simplicity. I do like the auto tiller, but I still have the tiller clutch for backup. And there are some situations where I'll just pop the clutch on quick if I need two hands free for a few seconds. Also, I use the clutch for going hove to.
#10
Precision / Re: Self-steering fix
Last post by Brian N. - Aug 22, 2026, 11:02 AMWhen going out solo, some type of self steering is necessary, even if it is not perfect. With the bungee set up, I have enough time to cut the engine and raise the sails. I try to head for dead upwind, but even if I am close hauled the bungee setup gives me time to leave the tiller. It gives me a break for a two handed lunch, or a minute to relieve the bladder after two cups of coffee. On some days which are "drifters" I can set the tiller and sit on the bow relaxing or hang my legs over the side, or fiddle with the sail trim. Best of all, no battery, cheap, replacement parts always handy.