Tik, Tock, Teak!

Well the teak on our boat was bothering me. It was gray, weathered, and I was sure it had seen better days. As a matter of fact I had little hope I could restore it to the luster of yesteryear. However with a great kit from my buddy Chandler at WestMarine I went to work. Here are a few shots of before, during and after the restoration project.

Then after a lot of hard work, I got rewarded with a guest spot crewing for Jimmy & Cheryl. With winds around 17kts sustained gusting to over 25kts it was a fun day. Full sail and the rails went in the water a few times, got back just in time to throw another coat on before the day ended. 

The family that heels together,,, ;-)

Well it's been a little bit since our last update and we've accomplished a few projects as well as done some great sailing. We managed to get out and go sailing with Jimmy and Cheryl on their Cal 227 "Winning Bid" What a great sailing boat she is, and it was a great boat for Jess and the kids to enjoy some more learning.  

Jessica managed to take the helm, winds were out of the South around 12knots and we managed to get a little heel going with Jess in control.    

Then it was Peytons turn to do a little sailing, she is really getting the hang of things. Special thanks to our friends Jimmy and Cheryl for taking the entire family out and "learnin us" a thing or two ;-)

The OFFICIAL First Sail of S/V Windsong

The first time we took Windsong out it was for about an hour of motoring and raising the sails but not really doing any sailing.. Well yesterday March 13th 2012 that all changed. At 9am with winds around 9 knots gusting to 15 Ty Thurman and I left the dock. We motored out and let the old Yanmar 2QM20 stretch her legs around 2,200 RPM then 2,600 RPM which put us around 5.3 knots into the wind.

Then it was time to raise the sails, cut the engine and finally let her sail.. Ty took the helm while I ran around the deck and readied the lines, facing into the wind I raised the main sail and Ty fell off to port.
She took on a life of her own, you could tell she was doing what she was meant to do, ride the breeze.

The next 5 hours were spent sailing, well the boat was sailing I spent most of the time just enjoying the 80 degree March day only occasionally touching the helm, while she pointed into the wind the best flying close hauled and perfectly balanced. I had heard E32's were known for their weather helm, Windsong is tuned perfectly because she didn't fall off nor steer into the wind.

At one point we had a windshift while the sails were sheeted in tight sailing close hauled and it put us on almost a full beam. Windsong heeled hard and put the rail right down to the waterline, then held her ground. When the wind would get strong she would lean, fall into a pocket and really cruise. I got more sun than a person should get and I'm a little sore today, but at the end of the day I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride as well as the sunburn.

Docking went better than the first time and we someone on the dock to throw a line to only took 2 approaches. She slid into the dock and came to a rest. First sail a success! Now for all the work that needs to be done before she goes out again, I'm thinking it will be at least mid to late April.

Back at the dock I hand scrubbed her from bow to stern with a good boat soap and scrub brush getting off all the grime and buildup. I couldn't have asked for a better day..

Here is a little movie trailer made from the first sail and iMovie

Windsong lives!

Windsongs First Day Out. March 10th 2012

Well after a few hours spent out on Ty's boat Izzy I was anxious to get Windsong out on the lake. I fixed the throttle set screw thanks to my good friend Chandler down at West Marine and fired up the old diesel engine. The boat idled to a purr, well more of a clackity clack, clack but that's how a diesel purrs!

The original plan was to motor around for a few and then dock, but we ended up taking the covers off and raising the sails (dozens of spiders became homeless today) letting them get some wind. There were several mud dobber nests falling and breaking all over the deck. The sails are in decent shape, they will need some cleaning but overall they appear to be good for a couple seasons and then as backups when we get new ones down in FL.

Ty brought a friend out to the lake named Jake that grew up on a sailboat cruising with his family including his little sister. They started when he was 5, sold their home and everything they owned to buy a boat and sail all over with the kids. Jake says looking back it was one of the best things he has ever done in his life, with nothing but good things to say. We talked about a lot and he was a great hand to have on the boat.

Having the extra help really came in handy when it came time to dock. I had heard Endeavour 32's were notorious for prop walk but had never experienced just how annoying that can be. The boat literally takes off to the left when trying to back up and will pretty much do circles no matter what way the helm is turned. I've figured if I build momentum then put the transmission in neutral I regain my steering. It's a game of throttle and feathering that I'm sure will take some getting used to, and probably won't be attempted by me alone for quite some time.

Here are some pictures of the day.

Projects, projects everywhere!

After a trip home to visit family in Michigan last week and attend the Luna Pier Fireman banquet we got home and decided to really get crackin with Windsong. I stripped the boat inside of all cushions as well as anything in drawers or storage, took out the carpet on the floors and got to work.

Then it was time for installing my new flooring which is Allure Teak from good ole Home Depot

Now we first noticed when we bought the boat the bilge pump didn't work and would blow the fuse anytime it was turned on. Somehow I fit down into the engine compartment and removed it. Now this is no small feat in itself and included a few claustrophobic moments as well as a lot of contorting. After a trip up to West Marine to see my friend Chandler we realized that this almost solid brass bilge pump was not broken but just needed a replacement impeller, 29.00 fix. 

From there I unwinterized the engine and got her running, fired up on the first turn of the key (after I fixed the throttle) I ran the engine for about 15 minutes and then shut it down. Hopefully today will be the first day we take her out, it might be just to motor around since I still have some work to do on the lines but we'll see.