Core Sound 20 Mk 3 -- #4 "Chessie" . .

[Steve W]

Pete, you posts are both inspiring and depressing. I'm going great guns on "UnNamed" and when I think I'm turning the corner your posts show me how far I've got to go. But I'm having fun! I hope you are too! I'm starting to think about my cabin so that is progress.

[Pete McCrary]

Remember, Steve, that I'm retired 15 yrs and have also graduated past heavy child raising duties. As a self-employed family provider -- you can't possibly keep up. It's important to keep it fun. You will get there in good time.

[Chick Ludwig]

Pete's right about the fun part, and getting there in good time. That's important npo matter what stage of life you're in. I, also, am retired and past "heavy child raising duties". Funny, though, how I seem to have less time to work on my boat stuff than back in the old employed days. Maybe bad time management habits, honey-do stuff, and general laziness have something to do with that.

 

Getting to "thinking about the cabin" was a big step for me, too.

[Steve W]

Chick, last night I called my wife down to my basement shop (Don't worry it's a walk-out) and had her climb up over the gunnel of the cabin-less but floorboard-ed creation in my shop and lay down for a test of the layout. She wasn't as excited as I was imagining looking out the hatch on a starry night in some gunk-hole so shallow if anyone got near me they would run aground.

 

I'm not getting discouraged.......I just am getting eager to go from the fun of building to the fun of sailing.

[Chick Ludwig]

Steve, in over 35 years of marriage, I've never been able to get Miss Debbie to spend a night on any of my boats. No real bathroom, shower, air conditioner, etc. She seems to enjoy an occasional day sail or outboard excursion to some nice destination---as long as it's not too rough, hot, cold, or buggy. Heck, if she weren't so good in other ways, Id trade her in for a more "boaty" variety.

 

Can't wait for "...looking out the hatch on a starry night in some gunk-hole so shallow if anyone got near me they would run aground." Hanging out with you guys on this and Duckworks forums, along with boaing books helps me get through the long Winter doldrums.

[Pete McCrary]

Chick & Steve,...

Miss Annie and Miss Debbie must be virtrial sisters. Miss Annie and I have been married almost 58 yrs and she's just like Miss Debbie -- except now she won't even do a day-sail. It wasn't always so. The first 20 yrs or so, she would day-sail with me on our SailFish. plywood dinghy, Crocker cruiser, Aqua Cat, or whatever. But as the kids left home she just won't get on a boat smaller than a big ferry boat. Even holding a line is a problem if she has to stand on a dock (floating or not).

But that's ok -- I've come to really enjoy my solo sailing. These smart phones are fantastic. We stay in touch with photos like these:

. Evening time, Grapevine Cove, Wye River.

. Sunset at Grapevine Cove.

Two days later, sunrise at Saint Michaels, Maryland.

[Chick Ludwig]

Ahhhh, Pete, great pictures. What dreams are made of! Now, how about writing some cruising stories to go along with those pictures?

[Pete McCrary]

OK, Chick. Let's try this:

"Remembering the good times on the Shallow Water Sailors (SWS) 2012 Spring Cruise on the Chesapeake Bay’s Chester River – I planned a 3 to 4 day cruise from the Centreville ramp to Davis Creek and then Chestertown and return. That would be about 32 nm total. My plan was to overnight on Davis Creek, then on to the town wharf or a marina in Chestertown the night of Thursday, October 11. I was looking forward to dinner ashore and a cozy bar to watch the vice presidential debate. Not needing a “designated driver,” I was sure to have an enjoyable evening. The weather was predicted to be pretty good with just a few showers from Wednesday thru Saturday and Sunday. Daytime temps in the 70s, 50s at night.

"Leaving Manassas, Virginia, on Wednesday, October 10 at 5am I missed the morning commuter traffic and breakfasted at the McDonald’s on US 50 just west of the Bay Bridge. I launched Tattoo from the Centreville ramp, leaving my “float plan” on the dashboard of my pickup. There was a nice breeze from the west and after many tacks arrived on the south side of Spanish Peninsula at the Corsica River Yacht Club’s dock at just after noon. Tied up for a little lunch.

"After lunch the wind had picked up a bit, so I tucked in a reef, and set out for Davis Creek. When the wind let up some, I shook out the reef and made good time until the outhaul came loose! It was my fault. When putting in the reef, the outhaul line was somehow looped on another cleat when securing the reefing cringle on the leech. She sailed fine when reefed, but when shaken out, the outhaul was a bit slack (I didn’t notice it) and after a few minutes, the line (no longer taught when coming about) shook itself loose from its cleat. Tattoo’s mainsail is loose footed. That left me trying to sail with just a big trapezoidal flag flapping in the breeze.

"Sailing solo required that I start the engine, find an anchorage and set things shipshape. By the time I got it all right – I just motored on up to Davis Creek. I found a beautiful and quiet anchorage and deployed Tattoo’s canopy and side panels. (Tattoo’s inside cabin is very tight for sleeping and I usually sleep in the cockpit.) That job done – I took a break, enjoyed the onset of a quiet evening with a beer and chips. I was looking forward to a hot dinner and a quiet evening. Looking West. All so peaceful.

"A little later looking WNW - Storm clouds building (I didn't notice them before).

"But it was not to be. A hardboiled egg and bottle of Rush’s Two-if-by-Tea would have to do. Contrary to the weather reports, the wind came up very quickly and strong from the north. Checking my VHF marine weather (for the first time), they gave “small craft warnings” until the next morning and predicted nighttime winds of 20 knots, gusts to 35! Tattoo was swinging on her anchor wildly in almost a 180 degree arc. The canopy and side panels were fluttering like mad making lots of noise. And the temperature was dropping fast. I noted my position by the parallax between far shore lights and the closer tree-line silhouette. The wave action, while not gentle, was also not alarming. The anchor held tight throughout the night. The wind remained strong and didn’t let up until past 3am. By early morning twilight the wind was light at my anchorage.

"I had a good sleeping bag and had brought an old army blanket as reserve. It was needed as the temperature dropped into the 50s. I kept warm except for my head. I finally tied on my floppy hat with its chin strap. I have to admit that, if not frightened, I was very concerned during the night. Waking frequently to check Tattoo’s position and the weather, I was relieved each time that the anchor was holding fast and, at least, the wind wasn’t getting any worse. And though the wind and canopy were making a lot of noise, the canopy held fast. Also, it was a beautiful night: very clear, and I’ve never seen stars so bright. And the moon! It rose at about 2am as a waning crescent. At first I thought it was a head light of a car on shore. The VHF weather report was still predicting strong winds through Sunday night. During the night I decided to end my cruise as soon as possible.

"My Davis Creek anchorage was peaceful at first light. I prepared a first class breakfast: coffee, bacon, pancakes (with butter and maple syrup), and 2 sunny side up eggs. The pancakes were “left overs” stowed in a zip-lock bag. Feeling much better, I considered stowing the canopy and sailing off the anchor. But I decided to see what it was like “on the outside” of protected Davis Creek. Good thing! Although it wasn’t “wild,” the wind (from the north) was very strong and as Tattoo came out of the entrance to Langford Creek, the waves began to build up. Giving up any thought of continuing my cruise, I proceeded (by motor) directly to Centreville with the wind behind Tattoo. Making better than 5 knots, we were almost surfing down some of the waves.

"Arrived at the Centreville ramp by about 10am. Recovered Tattoo on the trailer and was on the road in time for lunch. Home by about 4pm. Slept to supper time and endured the vice presidential food-fight safely at home.

"Lesson learned: check the VHF Marine Weather and don’t rely on regular weather reports."

Previously posted on the CLC PocketShip Forum in October 2012.

[Pete McCrary]

We're just 4 hours from 2017 -- and "Chessie" is almost finished !!!

Here's the list of tasks remaining (before trailering her to the paint shop) that I should be able to finish in the next couple of weeks:

___ Foredeck:

.........__ design, fab anchor roller.

___ Assemble cabin roof components:

.........__ forward hatch (leave solar panels or later),

.........__ garage.

___ Install cockpit coamings and caps.

___ Prep entire boat (above side plank & sheer strake) for two prime coats to be applied at local body shop.

-------------------------------------------------------------

___ Trailer her to Reed Robbins Body Shop for primer coats (final paint coats to be applied March time frame).

___ Mizzen:

.........__ install the partner and thwart,

.........__ install step (setting rake at 2 degrees).

___ Road-transport requirements:

.........__ main & mizzen masts cradles,

___ Install all deck hardware and sailing rigging.

___ Install minimal ground tackle.

___ Prep OB motor for sea trials.

SEA TRIALS ... (Target date !? --- sometime in January 2017)

___ Arrange for photo & video shoots ...

I hope to trail her to Bayboro for checkout by B & B and her maiden voyage sometime in January or February.

[Chick Ludwig]

Great, Pete, now re-post it down in the Boating and Cruising stories section. http://messing-about.com/forums/forum/29-boating-crusing-stories/

[Drew]

Enjoyed your cruising yarn Pete. Shallow water cruising will be new to me, but looking forward to seeing the vistas that the new boat will open up. I think I will name her Dragonfly after my last aircraft. A bit like Chichester with his Gypsy Moth. Best wishes with the New Year goals.

[Steve W]

Happy new year. Just crawling in bed after a small gathering at our house. Great reading these stories.

[Chick Ludwig]

Hey , Pete. Summer Breeze and I enjoyed going along with you and Tatoo on your little cruise. Tell me a bit about Tatoo. I'm, guessing that she's a PocketShip? Got some pictures?

 

I hope you'll transfer your story over to "Boating and Cruising Stories", along with the comments. It would be nice to easily find it to re-read through the long, cold Winter.

[Pete McCrary]

As suggested, I posted the "Tattoo" cruise story on "Boating and Cruise Stories" with photos of the CLC PockerShip.

http://messing-about.com/forums/topic/10128-a-solo-cruise-in-tattoo-a-clc-pocketship/

[Chick Ludwig]

Thanks, Pete, we'll be looking for more in the future!

[Pete McCrary]

A little gets done every day on "Chessie." I'll get her into the paint shop (for primer coats) by the end of January -- but she won't be sailing-ready until (probably) late February. The cabin fwd hatch is fabricated and the garage / companionway rails are epoxied in place. The cockpit and hatch coamings will be next. Here are some pixs.

Companionway rails epoxied in place. Hatch [covers] dry fitted.

Neat epoxy to raw plywood surfaces.

The last photo shows my sketch for determining the size of the "cut-out" on the aft edge of the fwd hatch cover -- allowing a 1/8" space between the rotating aft edge and the hatche's aft coaming -- when the hatch is rotating to the open position. Hope it's right!

[Pete McCrary]

Just a little more progress.

If you mount the mainmast's retainer bolt to the mast with its threaded end going into the cabin thru the tabernacle and Blk #1, then [if you are raising the mast "solo"] you have a problem. How to hold the mast upright (actually raked aft by 2 degrees) -- while threading the retainer nut onto its bolt [which is inside the cabin]?

Here's a simple solution: a jam stick. Here it's jammed against the faux mast (used when trailering).

Proof of concept.

Stowed out-of-the-way. Always available.

I've verified that while standing in the foreward hatch, I can reach the stowed jam stick and jam it between the mast bolt head and the breast hook.

Here are photos of the breakwater (for the forward hatch) fabricated out of a left-over oak stair tread.

This week I may have her ready for the paint shop. We're expecting about 5 or 6 days of relatively warm weather. Ok for epoxy work.

[Chick Ludwig]

Why dot just have the bolt mounted in the bulkhead, with the nut screwing on from the well. I did mine that way and it's easy to reach.

[Pete McCrary]

Chick,...

I think it was simply that I thought that was the design. Also, now that it's done, I like it. Might be less trouble to create a slot in the bulkhead rather than two slots in the mast. And wouldn't a "crush" block inside the mast be a complication?

[Pete McCrary]

More progress:

The companionway hatch "sill."

Deck cleats for the cockpit seatbacks (inboard surfaces of the coamings).

Next (a day for each): Epoxy inplace the coaming caps, the cleats under the inboard edges of the caps, and on Tuesday (hopefully) the seatbacks. She could be ready for the paint shop by the end of the week.