Start of major windlass project

I've begun a major effort to improve my windlass mount and operation. This has been prompted mainly by the fact that the chain pipe that leads the chain from the windlass down to the chain locker is undersized for the 3/8 BBB I've been using on Aeolus for many years now. As a result, the chain easily kinks and binds in the pvc pipe, which requires me to bang and fight to free it. This brings the whole operation to a grinding halt, often at the most inopportune times.

The Lofrans Tigres windlass unbolted and showing the top of the chainpipe and cable hole.

A Stuart day to remember

1/15/12
...the small branches were so delicate among the thick bark trunks that rose up to that height, and on their very tippy tips were green buds with that tender fuzz that always speaks of new life. Seeing the green so much before spring, especially on a cold winter day that makes all things tremble and hide, was even more striking. And yet, this particular big leafed maple, the Mother Tree, The One, The Center of All Things, is capable of a great many things that defy easy understanding.

The One

Amy reached out and held one, excited at the beauty of the bud, and drew my attention to it. It was certainly a precious little burst of green, and a microcosm of all that was perfect and whole and exquisite about this entire day.

Piles of snugs

The morning began with a bed full of Windropes all smashed into one pile of snug. We all slept until forever, and then moving out of some deep unnecessary we stirred together for a while of piling. The boys are miserable cuddlers with all their elbows and knees and fussing and talking and poking, and yet the mere fact of their presence makes it all so wonderful.

It was up to me to start the vertical part of the day and by lighting the stove. This was prompted by it being 43 degrees again this morning on Aeolus, which for reasons probably related to the constancy of the ocean temperature seems to be the default onboard winter temperature.

Getting away to Stuart Island

From our boat journal:

1/13/12
Up to the islands for the three day MLK weekend. Came up on 9:05 milk run ferry after converging in Seattle at 6pm. Boys took ferry alone, and were first off on the Seattle side holding hands. So proud of them! Got to Aeolus at 11pm in pouring rain and she was 43 degrees inside.

Orcas Island, Turtleback Mountain

So good to be back. Probably go to Stuart this trip as snow is forecast. Would be fun and beautiful to be at Stuart with snow.

Making new dock lines is so enjoyable!

Making new dock lines is one of my favorite boat hobbies. It is simple and satisfying to splice the eye into the line, and the lines are so smooth and supple before being roughened with use. I find I replace my dock lines about every two years or so. This sounds frequent to me, but by then, they are getting a bit worn on their jackets and I like making them so much I just do it.

I use 1/2" nylon dock lines for Aeolus, which seems to be the sweet spot between strength and elasticity. When I compare the cost of making lines with the cost of buying them pre-made, I am reminded of the many ways in which DIY saves immense cash. Especially when you buy your line material at LFS marine in Bellingham, WA. Great prices.

We are heading up to Aeolus for this MLK weekend and can't wait for more adventures. While there I will launch into the renovation of my entire anchor windlass mounting and chain management systems. A much anticipated project, and one that will fill a future post or two.

A Jones Island getaway, again

Despite the laundry list of reasons to stay home during the holidays, including all the prep and cleaning and logistics of the season, we knew we needed to get away to wilderness even more than we needed to be one step ahead of the to do list.

And so it was. We journeyed up to Friday Harbor on Friday night and found Aeolus safe but cold in her berth. I had left a circulation fan running but not an actual heater, so the boat was a frigid 43 degrees or so when we got there at 0 dark hundred. Never mind, our sleeping bags were warm and we were so very happy to be back on Aeolus that the trip already felt worthwhile!

New Chainplates!

As part of my ongoing maintenance and search for any weak spots on Aeolus, I've tackled the replacing of both chainplates. The original plates, dating to 1988, had no obvious signs of corrosion or cracks, but there is that always suspicious space between the decking that hides the weak spot.

We all know sailors who have had a shroud snap or lost their rig, and there is nothing remotely funny about it.  Among the greatest fears of any sailor is losing their rig, and this fear can be easily assuaged by routine replacing of parts. So, I pulled out my chainplates and decided to replace them no matter what I found. Turns out that when pulled there was no sign of cracking or corrosion even in the space between the decking, but diagnosing crevice corrosion and metal fatigue is a high-tech business.

Weekend getaway to Stuart Island

Amy had been up in Vancouver BC for a Salish Sea science conference and so we met her up north to do a trip to Stuart Island. Saturday dawned clear and beautiful, and after a quick trip to our favorite Friday Harbor bakery we were away.

Being aboard the boat is as much a journey on a magic carpet as one can imagine. There is something distinctly transcendent about it, at least insofar as the experience goes much deeper and wider than what is happening in the manifest world. We experience stretched time (without mind altering substances!) and compressed focus, expanded perspective and lucid insights.

Approaching western tip of Spieden with Stuart in the foreground