Colby's first boat.. T/T Windsong

Yesterday we got the kids their own little boat, which also serves as a sailing dinghy for our boat. The boat is a 1988 Precision 14. Now technically this would make the boat T/T Windsong but I'm sure the kids will give it another name. In our boats name the S/V stands for Sailing Vessel and for a dinghy the T/T stands for Tender To. Just a little bit of useless knowledge, but if you ever see it now you'll know what it means ;-)

We bought the boat from Hamilton Creek and then decided it's first sail would be back to our marina. Well the conditions were not ideal, with unfavorable winds and impending bad weather, however Colby and I set out to get it there one way or another. 

The trip started off quite comical as we tried to sail out of a little cove against the wind and with not much room. The little boat just kept slipping back further into the cove. This is when I realized it would help out if I put in the daggerboard. (I"ve never owned a boat with a dagger or centerboard) Once we figured that out progress was made, well progress like a slug makes progress across the sidewalk.  

We waved goodbye to Jessica and Peyton as they both had a few good laughs on shore and that's when the famous last words were uttered "We'll see you in about an 1 1/2 hours" If only we would have known all the "fun" we had in store for us. 

During the course of our upwind adventure we delt with frequently shifting winds, no wind, high long lasting gusts and damn power boaters in Donzi's that seemed as though they were almost trying to see how big they could make the waves for the husky guy and kid in the little dinghy sailboat. 

About 2 hours (yep already past schedule) and halfway neither of us was paying attention when we felt the centerboard pop up, rudder kick up and the boat grind to a halt... Yep we had forgotten and not been paying attention to one of the shoals that extends from shore. We hopped out to assess the damage and pull the boat up onto the beach. Lucky for us it was mostly fine gravel and sand so no harm no foul. Well except for the broken pin that sheered off the rudder! At which time Colby announced "Hey dad would this be a good time to go pee in the woods since we're gonna be here a while?" 

Broken rudder = No steering lol

After taking a trip into the woods myself *whistle* and then some creative thinking I removed the bow line and used it to make a Macgyver like attempt to fix the problem. Within minutes we were back on the water sailing with nothing really damaged but our pride. Oh yeah and the rudder. 

The rest of the trip went well except for the 3 o'clock blow that created some pretty high winds, and far more than the dinghy was meant to handle. A little skillful (yep I'm tooting my own horn) sailing and we finally made it to our marina. Tired, frustrated and just plain DONE..

It turned out to be a fun little adventure I'm sure neither Colby or I will ever forget and I"m sure he is going to learn a lot from this boat that will help him on our bigger boat and down the road. 

Some Photos Of The Day

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.