Busy Time of Year

[rfrance0718]

I returned from my North Channel trip on Aug 26th and I've been busy with; High School Sailing, Camper Improvements, Last Sailing Days on the Oday and Haul Out, and Working on Proje3ct Boat.

On August 26th I returned home at 3:00 PM and went right to sailing practice. Since then we have had about 24 practices and 7 regattas. Culmination was last weekend at the Sheppard Invitational Regatta in Chicago. We sent teams from 2 schools and both sailed well, with one team finding their way to the Podium with a third overall, and a first in B Division. It was great weather and really fun watching the team climb from fifth to third in the last set. Our A team had their best set with 2 fifths and then the Bs went out and took 2 bullets. The B team included a pair of freshmen.

I got to work on the camper right away as well. I've replaced the battery with 2 50ah Lipos and I also upgraded the charge controller, and traded my old fridge with a big 12v cooler. The fridge would only last about 4 hours on a fully charged 50ah lead acid battery and the cooler will easily go the 17 hours needed to get to the next day's good rays. I've also been upgrading the camper's finish and relacing the door. The original door was taking on some moisture between the plies so I've rebuilt it with a stainless steel outside panel, grp inner panel and edges all wrapped in glass. I've also added an industrial continuous hinge and have rebuilt and sealed the door frame. My original exterior finish was done way too quickly and now I've gone back for some serious fairing and repainting. I'm painting it the same white as the truck and I have high hopes for a similar finish.

I managed to make about 6 trips up to Lake Erie to finish off the cruising season. Tami was along for 2 of the trips and my brother filled in the other days. We had some great sails and hauled the boat out last Wednesday. I've decided to start lifting the boat in and out. It costs $120 each way but I've never liked the stress that ramp launching puts on the boat and getting it all the way forward and truly straight was always difficult. This way I know that it's squarely on the trailer and I haven't soaked my bearings. I was surprised how much of my stress was relieved. I'm still doing the mast up and down as they want $300 for that job!

Finally, We've been making progress on our restoration. We've finished restoring the topsides and bottom and are starting to work on the interior and the deck. Bobby has taken an old wooden Thistle mast, split it open, and tapered the top end to match the original.

You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.

[Captain Kidd]

Busy busy! Nice pics too.

[Norm L.]

That was a great set of photos for winding up the sailing season. And Admiral Perry says Hi!
I also liked the idea of the commercial hinge for the door.

I did not like the cost of that Travel-Lift. By about 50%. It might be for you as you won't also be paying for winter layup on the site.