Monday, December 23, 2019
People Hate Their Cars
I'm not sure why so many folks hate their cars, but it seems like everyone just can't wait to get out of them. I see folks running stop signs, speeding in school zones, blowing red lights, driving 10 or more over the speed limit, parking in no parking zones, passing on double yellow and the shoulder, blowing their horn the instant the light changes, riding the bumper of the car in front trying to get them to go faster - all so they can get out of their car sooner. What is it with these people? I enjoy being in my car; there's never a time when I want to get out of it in that much of a hurry. Why does being in the car seem to be universally unpleasant?
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Rubber Band Trawler
The reason boats are popular is there are so many kinds with so many uses. There's sail boats, fishing boats, ski boats, dinner party barges and formal dinner boats, passage-making boats, dock queens, sightseeing boats, shop boats, "Just because I can afford it" boats, live aboard boats, weekend getaway boats, project boats, cruise ships, jewelry boats, dive boats, sand bar boats, hunting boats, flats boats, air boats, etc. Here's how I evolved with my adventure boating joy.
I've always been a traveler. First on foot, then bicycles, then motor cycles, sports cars, to full sized vehicles. I delivered several cars from Chicago to the West coast by answering Drive Away ads in the newspaper. Later, from Chicago, I'd run my sports car to NY City and back on a 3 day weekend. My wife and I saw 49 states on our honeymoon driving a Ford Bronco scouting for a place to settle - we decided on Oregon after several months on the road.
Not long after we settled in Oregon in a house we bought for $7,000, we each rode a 175 Honda from Oregon to South Carolina and back - over 7,000 miles.
When we returned home after visiting friends in Charleston SC who took us out on their sailboat, we bought a 12' sailboat to learn how to sail. We named our new boat Thora, after my mom. With this little 12 footer we sailed on many Oregon and California lakes, then the Pacific and then the Atlantic launching off the beach.
We then moved up to 21' trailersailer to be able to spend overnights on the water. After a very short time with the 21, we couldn't resist the call of the water and wanted to go full time. We answered an ad in Sail Magazine for crew and ended up crewing on a 38' ketch bound for the Caribbean out of Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario. We were sold on boating adventure.
We jumped ship after we motored the ketch to Beaufort NC. We hadn't done any sailing with this novice couple who were heading to the Caribbean, and didn't feel comfortable with them. We both got jobs in Beaufort, I as maintenance and crew on a 41' sailboat, Suzy as marine store clerk. We moved onto the sailboat as full time crew.
During this spell we talked to every boater we could and because Beaufort is the stopping off place for boats waiting for the hurricane season to be over to head for the Caribbean we had many opportunities to gain knowledge. We went to boat shows and researched every aspect of boating. In the meantime our Oregon house sold and we decided we'd buy a brand new Bristol 27' sailboat because it was ocean crossing capable and either of us could single hand it if necessary.
We took delivery of the Bristol at the factory in RI and commissioned Thora II ourselves. Our first adventure was sailing her to our home port of Beaufort NC from Bristol RI. We ended up living aboard her for 3 years. The first 'winter' we sailed to the Keys. The second to the Bahamas.
The third winter we sailed to the Caribbean. We worked in Beaufort during the hurricane season (June thru November) to save up for the next season of cruising. Boating completely satisfied our joy of traveling adventure.
After the three years living aboard Thora II, we moved ashore to start a family. We sold the sailboat and eventually bought a 35' trawler to continue our adventures.
At this point we had a daughter, mortgage and other associated financial responsibilities. We really couldn't afford the trawler but after reading posts on Trawler forums we had to have her. To make the trawlering dream possible, we put her into charter service. The income from chartering was enough to cover the payments, slip fee, insurance and maintenance of the trawler -- there was no out of pocket.
The trawler, Sunshine, was great --- at first. We used her regularly during the season when she wasn't out on charter and during the off season we had her all to ourselves. But toward the end of the first year we tired of the 200+ miles it took to get to the slip, and we'd seen almost all of the waters one could get to on a 2 or 3 day weekend. We'd need at least a week aboard to see new cruising grounds, but loading and unloading the gear for those trips became monumental, not to mention the 3+ hours drive there and back. Sunshine had become a rubber band trawler - out and back, out and back, over and over.
We put her up for sale and she sold quickly - we negotiated a week cruise in the sale, which we did take advantage of for a run to Charleston SC from Washington NC, but the adventure was no longer there.
It was then we bought a 15'11" cuddy cabin outboard on a trailer we called QT = Cutie.
The adventure returned for the local waters, then for lakes/rivers from Manhattan to Lake Michigan to Key Largo. Granted, it was a little challenging for the three of us on overnights, but the adventure overcame the inconvenience. It wasn't until my wife's MS prohibited her from being in the heat, and the necessity to bring wheelchair that QT became too small.
We then upgraded to an 18' cuddy we called Nicky. I equipped Nicky with a generator and air conditioner to keep Suzy cool - our adventures continued.
We used Nicky as a camper as well as a boat on coast to coast adventures including multiple trips to Lake Powell from SC and even for a 13,000 mile round trip to Alaska although the waters above the continental US proved to be a little big for our boat.
Between QT and Nicky we launched at over 100 different ramps across the US, finding adventure at each. Here's a few tracks of where we've been:
But as my wife's MS progressed, we needed something with more space and more comforts. Enter Big Duck - a 28' houseboat with all the comforts of the trawler but none of the responsibility or hassle.
No more loading for the 200 miles to the slip, the adventure began in the backyard when we hooked Big Duck up to the van. No taxes because of her age. Very little maintenance and upkeep after we got her water ready. Big Duck proved to be the absolute dream adventure provider.
Knowing what we know now, Big Duck could well have been the right boat from the very beginning.
No, we'd never consider heading to the Caribbean with Big Duck, but the Bahamas YES, she would have been perfect there. It would only take 2 hours for Big Duck to get from Lauderdale to Bimini at her 30mph capability. And the convenience she'd offer with the aft deck freezer, storage and a/c comfort, she would have been outstanding. As for the Caribbean - we did sail there, but as crew on a boat who had been single handed from England. The captain was looking for crew to the St Thomas. We were completely ready to sail Thora II but we couldn't refuse his generous offer. Think about this - we had known this single handed sailor for a little more than month and we were going to spend 2 weeks with him alone offshore. I don't even remember his name.
Anyway, bottom line for us...the trawler was more of a jewelry boat than an adventure vehicle. Don't get me wrong, there is not an ultimate noble reason to own a boat - any and all reasons are just as valid as any others. The challenge is to know which reason one is attempting to address.
I've always been a traveler. First on foot, then bicycles, then motor cycles, sports cars, to full sized vehicles. I delivered several cars from Chicago to the West coast by answering Drive Away ads in the newspaper. Later, from Chicago, I'd run my sports car to NY City and back on a 3 day weekend. My wife and I saw 49 states on our honeymoon driving a Ford Bronco scouting for a place to settle - we decided on Oregon after several months on the road.
 |
| The Bronco at our home in Ashland Oregon |
Not long after we settled in Oregon in a house we bought for $7,000, we each rode a 175 Honda from Oregon to South Carolina and back - over 7,000 miles.
 |
| Suzy on her cross country motorcycle - we wore leathers on the road. |
 |
| Thora I - a 12' Mayflower. She taught us how to sail. |
 |
| Erina - a 38' Seafarer. Our first crewing job. |
 |
| Suzy and I (bottom) crewing on Pudgie 1 |
We took delivery of the Bristol at the factory in RI and commissioned Thora II ourselves. Our first adventure was sailing her to our home port of Beaufort NC from Bristol RI. We ended up living aboard her for 3 years. The first 'winter' we sailed to the Keys. The second to the Bahamas.
 |
| Thora II in the Bahamas |
The third winter we sailed to the Caribbean. We worked in Beaufort during the hurricane season (June thru November) to save up for the next season of cruising. Boating completely satisfied our joy of traveling adventure.
 |
| We had a trailer built for Thora II when we moved ashore. |
 |
| Sunshine - our rubber band trawler. |
The trawler, Sunshine, was great --- at first. We used her regularly during the season when she wasn't out on charter and during the off season we had her all to ourselves. But toward the end of the first year we tired of the 200+ miles it took to get to the slip, and we'd seen almost all of the waters one could get to on a 2 or 3 day weekend. We'd need at least a week aboard to see new cruising grounds, but loading and unloading the gear for those trips became monumental, not to mention the 3+ hours drive there and back. Sunshine had become a rubber band trawler - out and back, out and back, over and over.
We put her up for sale and she sold quickly - we negotiated a week cruise in the sale, which we did take advantage of for a run to Charleston SC from Washington NC, but the adventure was no longer there.
It was then we bought a 15'11" cuddy cabin outboard on a trailer we called QT = Cutie.
 |
| QT was the smallest cuddy cabin boat made. |
We then upgraded to an 18' cuddy we called Nicky. I equipped Nicky with a generator and air conditioner to keep Suzy cool - our adventures continued.
 |
| Nicky - with her red generator for the air conditioner. |
We used Nicky as a camper as well as a boat on coast to coast adventures including multiple trips to Lake Powell from SC and even for a 13,000 mile round trip to Alaska although the waters above the continental US proved to be a little big for our boat.
 |
| We splashed at Prince Rupert, Hyder, Skagway and Homer. |
 |
| These were the closest ocean waters to our home in Spartanburg, SC |
 |
| The Mississippi was not the most enjoyable cruise - busy and industrial. |
 |
| We stopped at every harbor between Washington Island and Calumet City. |
 |
| I did this trip to Bimini solo in the 18 footer. |
 |
| We stayed overnight at Avalon Harbor, Catalina. |
 |
| The water traffic at SF was overwhelming. |
 |
| We love FL cruising, including the Okeechobee Waterway across to Stuart then down to the Keys! |
 |
| How could you pass up a chance to see the London Bridge? |
But as my wife's MS progressed, we needed something with more space and more comforts. Enter Big Duck - a 28' houseboat with all the comforts of the trawler but none of the responsibility or hassle.
 |
| Big Duck - 1972 Land n Sea houseboat on the way to Lake Powell from SC. |
Knowing what we know now, Big Duck could well have been the right boat from the very beginning.
 |
| Big Duck at Lake Powell |
Anyway, bottom line for us...the trawler was more of a jewelry boat than an adventure vehicle. Don't get me wrong, there is not an ultimate noble reason to own a boat - any and all reasons are just as valid as any others. The challenge is to know which reason one is attempting to address.
Friday, August 9, 2019
Pot - Kettle
I take my dog out every morning for either a 'sniff' = ride in the car with his head out the window, or a 'run' in an open field = where he chases the tennis ball off leash. Interestingly enough, he demands this morning excursion, giving me the 'stink eye' if he thinks it's time to head out while I'm still reading the paper.
I can't resist and we usually go out at his demand.
Anyway, this morning was a 'sniff' because it was deplorably hot. I love looking at him in the mirror with his head out the window.
We had done our random drive around the countryside and were heading home. It's a mellow time for me, I love just being on the move and more-so when I'm sharing the experience with Merlin. We go way below the posted speed limits unless there's someone behind me that is in the usually hurry to get out of their car. It's a favorite time of the day for me.
So we were about a mile from home. I'm thinking about how much Merlin enjoys the ice water I will prepare for him when we get there, when we come up on an old codger on a riding mower wearing a ridiculous hat. I slow and he sees me. Then he disengages the blades so he doesn't blow grass clippings at the car. I utter, "Thanks Gramps," as we pass, acknowledging his courtesy.
Then I burst out with a hilarious belly laugh. My Bday was yesterday, I turned 75. I was likely older than 'Gramps" is.
I can't resist and we usually go out at his demand.
Anyway, this morning was a 'sniff' because it was deplorably hot. I love looking at him in the mirror with his head out the window.
So we were about a mile from home. I'm thinking about how much Merlin enjoys the ice water I will prepare for him when we get there, when we come up on an old codger on a riding mower wearing a ridiculous hat. I slow and he sees me. Then he disengages the blades so he doesn't blow grass clippings at the car. I utter, "Thanks Gramps," as we pass, acknowledging his courtesy.
Then I burst out with a hilarious belly laugh. My Bday was yesterday, I turned 75. I was likely older than 'Gramps" is.
Monday, July 15, 2019
Boat for the Loop?
We crewed from Lake Ontario to Beaufort NC on a 38'
sailboat. Eighty locks and who know how many miles across the NYC Barge Canal and down the Hudson and
ICW on someone else's boat on the way to the Caribbean. We jumped ship
in Beaufort NC.
From
there we lived on a 27X8X4 sailboat for 3 years. Sailed form New England
to the Keys, Bahamas and Caribbean with side trips to the Chesapeake. It had a diesel. We ran the motor
for 80% of the miles we covered. I'd go with gas next time.
Later we bought a trawler. The
slip fees and maintenance were an overwhelming responsibility even
though she didn't cost us a cent because she was in charter service.
Sold her after about one year because she was an anchor around our
necks.
We then went to
small cuddy cabin boats. In fact I went back to the Bahamas solo in an
18' single engine boat. https://72land-n-sea.blogspot.com/2011/11/bahamas-magic-july-7-9-2000.html
If you have a decent weather sense almost any
boat can cross the 50 mile Gulf Stream from Lauderdale to Bimini. Wife
has MS and even tho I air conditioned the 18 footer
we soon ran out of
comfort.
We needed
something more accommodating. Our savior turned out to be a trailerable houseboat.
She's 28x8 and draws about 18 inches. All the comforts of
home including full galley with double sink, 4 burner stove, oven,
microwave, not to mention flybridge, a freezer on the aft deck,
generator, air conditioning, stand up hot water shower and she sleeps 7.
We've seen 3 mpg at 8mph on inland lakes and the ICW and we've had her
up to 25 mph before we loaded her with our comforts - her brochure says
she'll do 30 with her SBC (350 Chevy) spinning her Volvo Penta Aquamatic
outdrive.
Knowing everything I know now, this houseboat would have served all of our needs from the very beginning. We're too old now, Big Duck Old Friend but she would have been a great looper (120 gallon gas tanks) and/or Bahamas boat or liveaboard. My Boat For The Bahamas
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Big Duck Old Friend
This song brings a tear to my eye, because today it's about Big Duck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D2XD341xHo
We knew the day would come, that's why this blog is called One More Time Around. Big Duck came through with flying colors taking us One More Time Around, from Lake Powell, to Ft Lauderdale to the St Lawrence Seaway and too many lakes and rivers in between to count. She's old and wrinkled like we are, but unlike us, she's still up to the task - we're the ones now too old to manage. At 75 years, the mind still wants to go, but the body says no.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D2XD341xHo
We knew the day would come, that's why this blog is called One More Time Around. Big Duck came through with flying colors taking us One More Time Around, from Lake Powell, to Ft Lauderdale to the St Lawrence Seaway and too many lakes and rivers in between to count. She's old and wrinkled like we are, but unlike us, she's still up to the task - we're the ones now too old to manage. At 75 years, the mind still wants to go, but the body says no.
Listen to A Summer Song again and remember that you too will one day have to say "goodby" to things you do and love. Take a lesson from Jeff and Suz by doing those things now so the memories can keep you going when your old bones can't.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, it's been almost a year later, and even though I can't seem to get her out on the water, I can't part with her... But I still get aboard, open a brew and think about the happy times she has provided me and my family.
Friday, June 28, 2019
Oil Change Sucker
This was inspired by Project Farm. He does experiments with small motors and often needs to change oil in them. He uses a vacuum pump instead of draining the crankcase. I decided to make one like his, only portable.
I bought a small vacuum pump from Amazon.
I used a small electric brake breakaway battery I had on hand like this one.
A 1/2 gal Wide Mouth Mason Jar for the used oil...
You'll also need:
About 6" of 1/4" OD copper tubing.
About 24" of 3/8" OD clear tubing
About 5' of .315 OD hard (ice maker) tubing.
And you can probably take it from here?
If not ---
Cut off about 2" of the copper tubing. The 2 and 4" pieces will be soldered to the Mason Jar lid after you drill 1/4" holes in the lid.
I used a heavy washer for reinforcement but it's not absolutely necessary on the lid. I soldered the tubing to the washer and epoxied the assembly to the lid...'cause I tend to be a little careless and this will give me a little more durability? If you do solder, focus the heat on the copper or you might melt the sealing ring on the cap.
Use the clear flexible tubing to connect the short copper pipe to the sucky side of the pump. Cut a small piece of the clear flexible tube and use it to connect the hard plastic tubing to the other copper pipe on the top.
Wire up the pump with a switch. I had this lighted switch on hand, but a simple toggle would work just as well.
Stick the hard tube in the fill hole and turn on the pump.
I will make a nice container with a handle for the rig, but for now this plastic box serves the purpose and it's quite easy to manage.
And yes, I do have a larger commercial model for the car and boat, but it's is cumbersome and finniky.
I bought a small vacuum pump from Amazon.
I used a small electric brake breakaway battery I had on hand like this one.
A 1/2 gal Wide Mouth Mason Jar for the used oil...
You'll also need:
About 6" of 1/4" OD copper tubing.
About 24" of 3/8" OD clear tubing
About 5' of .315 OD hard (ice maker) tubing.
And you can probably take it from here?
If not ---
Cut off about 2" of the copper tubing. The 2 and 4" pieces will be soldered to the Mason Jar lid after you drill 1/4" holes in the lid.
I used a heavy washer for reinforcement but it's not absolutely necessary on the lid. I soldered the tubing to the washer and epoxied the assembly to the lid...'cause I tend to be a little careless and this will give me a little more durability? If you do solder, focus the heat on the copper or you might melt the sealing ring on the cap.
Wire up the pump with a switch. I had this lighted switch on hand, but a simple toggle would work just as well.
Stick the hard tube in the fill hole and turn on the pump.
I will make a nice container with a handle for the rig, but for now this plastic box serves the purpose and it's quite easy to manage.
And yes, I do have a larger commercial model for the car and boat, but it's is cumbersome and finniky.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
SOLD SOLD 2001 Seaswirl Striper 1851 $9,995
Extra clean 2001 Striper Seaswirl, 135 hp Johnson Ocean Pro Saltwater series, Wesco trailer, Garmin fish finder, built in bait tank, fish boxes, plenty of storage. Also includes anchor, porta potty, life vest, 2 batteries, boarding ladder and much more. Call Tris - 864.237.4217
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)