my quirky Merc

My Mercury outboard (5 HP, single-stroke, long-shaft, insert other impolite outboard terms here, etc.) has always had her idiosyncrasies, but this season has been the worst.  This past weekend, though, she and I had a breakthrough.  I now know how to most predictably get her to start, but her behavior is very strange and I will not be satisfied until I can get her to start "normally."

Here is what I do:  I open the fuel line, pull out the choke (fully engaged, and then partially after a few pulls), and then pull-pull-pull on the starter.  I pull many times, somewhat compulsively, because I just know she will start up if I pull just one more time.  At this point, she is clearly flooded, and there has been nary a spark nor a sputter -- absolutely no encouraging signs of life at all.   Sadly, she is so flooded by this time that there are a droplets of fuel falling into the lake.  (Sorry, environment.)  After about 30 seconds of some combination of silent reflection, beverage-freshening, and the use of somewhat coarse language, I close the fuel line, close down the choke, open up the throttle all the way, and start to pull some more with results as follows:

First pull:  nuttin'.
Second pull:  spark, sputter.
Third pull:  she starts up and begins to purr like a happy little kitten.

After about 10 seconds or so, I open the fuel line once again and shortly thereafter, away we go.  What is just as remarkable is that she starts on the very first pull later on when it's time to motor back into the slip.

So, my primary question is What da?  My secondary question is 'Should I not open up the choke when I first attempt to start her in order to effectively bypass the whole ridiculous 'flood, then starve' routine?'  I am so clueless about outboards.  My general strategy is simply 'treat her like a lady, and she will return the favor,'  but I think she is becoming a little too highmay at this point.

a blog post from The Admiral

heaving-to

I am seriously enjoying this sailing season and am going to try posting to my blog a little more frequently than just once or twice per year.  Let me start by posting a follow-up to my infamous 2008 sailing goal.  This past Saturday night, I met my goal.  (blush.)  It was three years later than planned, but it was soooooo worth the wait.  Magical.

book report: I heart Jerry Dennis

You know how when you see a great movie and then leave the theater feeling like you just MUST tell someone about it?!  I just finished reading The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas by Jerry Dennis, and I have that same 'must tell someone' feeling.  This book is 5-star all the way -- a must-read for sailors, Midwesterners, folks who drink water, Canadians, and anyone who doesn't fall into any of these categories.

I casually added this book to my library reserve list while surfing for books on cruising Lake Michigan or Lake Erie (something I aspire to do on my Catalina 22 next summer.)  When packing for a recent business trip to Brookfield WI, I tossed it into my bag, thinking it would be cool to read a book about the Great Lakes after flying over a couple of them (which is really breathtaking, I must say.  Looking down on Chicago's Willis Tower from the sky is killer, too!)

This book tells the story of the author serving as crew on the Tall Ship Malabar for her delivery from Traverse City MI to her new owner, a guy who sounds like a total jerk, in Maine.  As the Malabar makes her way across lakes and down canals and that story is played out, the author also shares thoroughly-engaging lessons on Great Lakes lore and environmental education.

I learned about the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a story with which I've always had an uneasy fascination, partly because Gordon Lightfoot albums formed a good part of the soundtrack of my childhood.  The scientific/educational information, something that usually annoys me because reading it feels like work, was easily understandable by someone so easily annoyed by it, and it was all pretty fascinating.  Some examples of what I learned:  (1) Zebra mussels poop!  (2) The eight Great Lakes states are home to one-third of all recreational boats registered in the U.S.  (3) The Great Lakes contain one-fifth of the world's fresh water.  (I think I mostly already knew that, but still!  One-fifth, people!!)  I had a lot to learn about the Lakes.  I learned quite a bit from this book, and I am anxious to learn more and to visit all five of them (remember "HOMES" from your school days?  Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior.)

I can't resist quoting my favorite passage in the book here.  After surviving a violent, potentially-deadly storm, Jerry Dennis defines sailing as this:

"... the oldest written mention of sailing was a fragment of ancient Arabic text that read, "Sailing is victory."  In the wind, with the Malabar surging through the sea beneath us, I understood.  Victory over the wind, which can kill you.  Victory over the sea, which can kill you a lot quicker.  Over the boat, over the sails, over your own limitations.  Sailing joins elemental forces in opposition, and lets you ride them.  The illusion is created that you've harnessed the elements.  You've thrown reins on a lion and leaped on its back.  Of course the lion is ultimately untameable, and if you're careless it will turn around in a flash and eat you.  Which is also the appeal."

I am now smitten with Jerry Dennis' writing.  Can you tell?  The final two pages of this book are every bit the beautiful work of art as any painting in any museum or gallery in this world.  You must read this book.

West Marine is (not?) my friend

Last week, I received a Friend Request on the Facebook from West Marine.  Awww... West Marine?  FBFs with me?  Yay!

Unfortunately, my new "friend" went behind my back and this past Saturday told the staff at our local West Marine store, at 2827 Festival Lane, Dublin OH, that effective immediately their store hours would be cut back to Tues-Sun, 10 AM - 5 PM. 

Let's pause a moment to reflect on the likelihood that the majority of boat owners -- many of whom, like me, work for a living -- will ever be able to shop at the West Marine between the hours of 10 AM and 5 PM.

Okay, shall we continue?  Yeah.... NO.  It's just not possible, at least for me, and I can't imagine how such a decision could be conducive to the short-term or long-term success of West Marine's Dublin store.  My complaints have nothing to do with losing the ability to buy marine goodies at excellent prices, because I can often find a lower price on what I need at some of the other internet marine retailers.  My complaint is about no longer having a place to fondle marine goodies, stroll the aisles of eye-candy and fun toys, get helpful advice from the friendly staff members, and engage in 'community' with fellow Central Ohio boaters.

I try not to be 'that guy' -- the one who whines and complains and lives in a state of helplessness.  If you feel as I do about the loss of realistic shopping hours at your local West Marine, please consider joining me in taking the following actions:

1. Call West Marine's corporate office at 831-728-2700 to let them know that you will no longer be able to shop at their store with their new hours of operation and propose an alternative that would resolve the issue.  (For me, having the store open from 11 AM - 6 PM would do the trick.)
2. Instead of using the 'Ship to Store' feature when ordering from the West Marine web site, identify the item number(s) you wish to buy and call your local store to place the order.  You still benefit by not paying for shipping, and the store benefits by getting credit for the sale.  A more profitable store is more likely to receive favorable attention from the corporate office!
3. In this age of social networking and its place as a critical part of corporate marketing strategy, turn a Facebook Friend into a Facebook Frenemy by posting your concerns on West Marine's Wall.  You can even un-Friend them if it makes you feel better.

Local West Marine store, I love you.  The sailing off-season will be difficult enough, but having to endure it without you seems unbearable.  I miss you already.

Kaye, thank you for staying a few minutes late this evening so that I could pick up some marine-grade duplex wire and a buss bar for my re-wiring project.  I hated to impose upon you, and I appreciate how gracious and helpful you were (and always are.)  I hope to see you and your staff many more times this Winter as I dream and scheme and shop in preparation for sailing season 2011.

my roadside windex

a random wind turbine

As I rounded a curve on the I-270 loop that circles Columbus during my Monday morning commute this week, I did a double-take that nearly rivaled the double-take Judy Jetson did the first time we drove past the llama farm (probably alpacas, but "llama" is more fun to say) on the way to the lake one day last summer. 

An auto dealership has put up a wind turbine and it's really kind of neat!  

This kind of thing really appeals to my frugal side (free energy!), although I wonder how long it will take for the business to recoup their investment ($400k, net of the $200k grant they received.)

I also wonder if non-sailors -- "normal people" -- are just as jazzed over the sight of this wind turbine as I am.  Seeing what the Byers Mazda Subaru wind turbine is doing is like Christmas morning, twice each day!  And yes, of course I think about what the point of sail is for my car and the proper rig tuning and sail trim for the conditions.  I can't wait to see what it looks like with lots of wind!... and when there is a wind shift!

I have an idea.  I think businesses that own wind turbines should put up courtesy "wind speed and direction" signs, just like banks have "time and temperature" signs.  Wouldn't that be so cool?

not green... purple, maybe, but definitely not green

BoatUS recently put the call out for entries in their annual Environmental Leadership Award.  I like our sailing association, sail-only marina facility, and reservoir; I like to write; and I like to win things; and therefore the first thought that crossed my mind was finding a worthy reason to write a nomination/proposal for our association or one of our members.  Fortunately, I paused the think on this a bit before sending a message via our YahooGroup to ask for ideas.  I think we Alum Creek sailors are commendably good stewards of our natural resources, but I can't really think of anything we (definitely including ME in that "we") are doing that falls into any of the following categories (from the BoatUS site):

"Nominees must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Made a significant positive impact on the environment.
• Contributed towards solving an environmentally challenging aspect of boating or boat maintenance, either for boaters or marinas.
• Helped others understand the importance of clean boating.
• Enthusiastically promoted clean boating and engaged others in their efforts."

Photo Credit:  Tony Evans

As part of the ongoing development of our facilities, we have cleaned up the area... primarily with a chain saw, though!!!  Humor me a little here, but I'm pretty sure that is not quite what the fine folks at BoatUS were thinking about when they created this Award program.  I am not saying that I don't appreciate -- or even don't fully support, for that matter -- all that has been done to create the area our club members and the general public (since it is on public land) all enjoy so much.  It's a wonderful place where I've had many fun times and from which I've embarked on many memorable sails.

I guess I'm just disappointed with myself that I cannot think of a single idea of something I could do, personally, that would make a meaningful positive impact and would be (a) reasonable and feasible, and (b) noteworthy enough to submit as a possibly award-winning activity.  (The award part is the lowest priority part of the formula here, but as I said before I like to write and I like to win.)  I'm not so much a militant environmentalist or whatnot, but I am a big fan of God's creation and like to treat it with respect and keep it clean.

I'm going to give this some more thought.  I'm sure some ideas will come to mind and I'll be sure to post them here.  Any suggestions, internet?  (Oh?  Stop killing so many bugs, perhaps?  Yeah, that idea is not under consideration because it fails to meet the "meaningful positive impact" criteria.  According to Jeeves, there are 37,500+ species of spiders in the world, and even if there were only two of each, Noah's Ark-style, I am only killing a small fraction of 1% of those every sailing season.  Nice try, though!)

And okay, I should probably just go ahead and 'fess up here.  I received this BoatUS announcement at roughly the same time as I heard that the club is planning to clear another portion of land, "so that we can see all the way across the peninsula to the lake," and I guess I'm feeling a little sensitive and yes, a little annoyed, about all the tree-killing.  There, I said it.

Dockside Slumber Party with Judy Jetson

With our club’s Founders’ Day weekend activities scheduled into the wee hours Friday night and then resuming first thing Saturday morning with a  unique pancake breakfast, I decided to combine adventure with practicality and plan my first sleepover on Central Air. As with all else, a lot of planning (aka ‘over-thinking’ and ‘agonizing’) went into the weekend preparations. On my annual girly hiking and tent-camping trips, my responsibilities are usually limited to just showing up with a sleeping bag and some DEET. For this sleep-aboard adventure, on the other hand, I would be solely responsible for the planning and production of it, and there was a lot to consider:

• What sleeping attire and gear would I need in order to be sufficiently warm?
• What would it be like to have only a flashlight and some stick-on tap-lights for illumination?!
• Heaven forbid, would the discovery of a spider inside the cabin give me no choice but to abort the entire mission at 2 AM?
• And, nearly as important as the bug question, what would I do about making/finding/drinking GOOD COFFEE on Saturday morning?

To be perfectly candid, it has been my fear of bugs -- or, more specifically -- my fear of being alone in the dark with bugs that has kept me from staying overnight on my boat. To mitigate risk, a key part of my plan was to make sure I arrived at the boat Friday evening before dusk in order to perform what I like to call “a sweep of the area.” With my can of garden-fresh-scent-RAID in one hand and my bug-zapper-tennis-racket in the other, I took care of business (gratuitous entomological violence omitted) outside the boat, and I set up the v-berth with my sleeping bag, pillows, and blanket. I closed the boat up tightly before I left to attend the campfire social event so that nothing could get in while I was out. When my dog Judy Jetson and I returned at 10ish/11ish to go beddy-bye, I made one more sweep (oh! what carnage!) and buttoned the boat up tightly again, this time with Judy Jetson and I tucked inside.

The quiet! The darkness! It was SO strange to me! First, I found designated locations within arm’s reach of the v-berth to keep the essentials handy in the dark: glasses, flashlight, iPod, garden-fresh-scent-RAID, and bug-zapper-tennis-racket. Judy Jetson seemed comfy in the v-berth with me, but I could tell that she too was a little disoriented by the accommodations… the lack of a television flickering and murmuring nearby, for example. (I consider the TV to be my roommate, for pity’s sake.) With the lack of television, I instinctively reached for my iPod and my Kindle (I had brought both with me, of course), but then I realized how ridiculous a notion that was, since, after all, the whole point of ‘getting away’ is to actually ‘get away.’ I can’t say that I slept soundly all night long (nor did Judy, which made me nervous like she was Lassie signaling danger to me or something), but I think that additional practice will make for a perfect night’s sleep for both of us. It was plenty cozy in the v-berth, and I didn’t even need the wool blanket I brought just in case. The air was fresh and cool, and I wish the boat had bobbed even a little more than it did, to provide a more authentic ‘sleeping on a boat’ experience. I awoke Saturday morning with the thought, “I did it!” followed immediately by “Why have I not done this every weekend this summer?!” It was a delightful experience – relaxing and with just enough adventure to keep me from feeling too lonely. (Note: I am not wishing for more bugs. Bugs do NOT count as ‘company!’)

As for the ‘good coffee’ part, it was unfortunate that the pancake-slinging caterer’s coffee was

THE.WORST.COFFEE.EVER.

He even had that hork-inducing non-dairy creamer crap to go with it. Gag me with a little plastic stir stick! My coffee requirement was satisfied later in the morning with an emergency visit to a nearby Speedway, where a fresh pot was being brewed just as I arrived. Crisis -- and lingering crankyness -- averted.

I am making plans for one more weekend aboard Central Air before we call it a season. I’ll bring the wool blanket again, just in case, and I picked up a Kenyon Express II butane stove at West Marine to boil water for some not-yet-determined version of camping coffee (with Speedway coffee as a comforting backup plan again.)  Any suggestions on the best way to brew tasty boat coffee?

In the endless inner struggle to define myself as either a Racer or a Cruiser, score one more on the side of Cruiser.

harken block for sale -- cheap!

I'm cleaning out my spare parts bin and have one thing left for sale on eBay.  I thought I'd post it here, just for the heck of it.

It's a NEW Harken 054 Fiddle Block with Becket, and the starting bid is only $16.99 with $4.95 shipping.  I paid $50 for this block at West Marine a couple years ago, and while I hate to take such a loss on it, but 'sokay.  Hurry!  The auction ends in four days!

required sailing equipment: tiller tamer, putty knife, bug zapper

I launched Central Air, my Catalina 22, in mid-June, and I've been having a blast with her ever since.  My first sail was singlehanded (yup, and I didn't hit a thing,) and I enjoyed it that evening sail so much that I stayed out until way after dark. 

Being an ardent multi-tasker, I spent a good part of the evening with the Tiller Tamer locked down while I worked on prying off the existing coaming box trim.  I'm going to replace the busted wood trim with the replacement plastic trim from Catalina Direct.  I'm not a big fan of plastic trim on boats, but I'm making an exception here.  (Oh my gosh - This is my first boat with coaming boxes in the cockpit, and I love them!  They really appeal to my sense of a place for everything and everything in its place.)

The Tiller Tamer also came in handy while sailing in the dark, when I made a few spider patrols to shine my flashlight over the transom and then dispatch each newly-discovered creepy-crawly with my tennis-racket-bug-zapper.  UGH - where do they all come from, and why are they so freaking huge?  I know that you all don't like it when I wantonly kill innocent spiders, but I'm feeling a teeny bit pleased with myself for being a big girl and going sailing by myself at night.  The only reason I haven't done so before is my spider-related sense of complete dread.

Oh... also... my boat?  She is fast.

beautiful boat for sale

My '73 Kittiwake - Ragtime Gal - is for sale.  As I tidied her up a bit, I was once again struck by what a gorgeous boat Mr. Alberg designed... and what a lovely job Wes, the previous owner, did in caring for this boat.  That, coupled with my perfectionism and my obsessive need to paint her hull a classic navy blue, have made for what I believe is one of the most striking Kittiwakes in existence today.  I'm not saying that just because she is for sale (on craigslist, sailboatlistings.com, and soon to be on sailingtexas.com.)  Here, see for yourself how spiffy she is!

makeovers

The time has come for a makeover -- for my blog, for my new boat, and for ME!  My new Central Air is now wearing her new decals.  As soon as I can line up a few friends to help me with raising the mast and launching her, I will gleefully motor her over to D-Dock, rig her up, and then hopefully spend the majority of what remains of the season on the water.

Also, to celebrate an upcoming significant/yucky birthday, I've decided to indulge myself with some recreational face-sandblasting.  Good times!

it's my prerogative (boy, that's a weird word to spell)

Okay - this is the part where I pretend that the year 2008 didn't happen.

And this is the part where I pretend that the year 2009 didn't happen either (although my Kittiwake's gorgeous yachty-blue paint job turned out SO pretty! BTW, she's for sale now, because - as you may have read quite recently - the year 2009 didn't happen.)

Now then, the year is twenty-aught-ten -- or two thousand and ten, if you insist. This year is actually occurring, in real-time, as we say in the software development biz, and (thanks to God, my family, the passage of time, the loss of around one Judy Jetson worth of weight, and a variety of pharmaceuticals) this year is shaping up to be freakin' fabulous. Don't worry. I'll tell you all about it as things continue to play out.

So, in summary:
2008 - huh?
2009 - wha?
2010 - YEAH-BUDDY.

anchor light? check! steaming light? check!

... constant, vague sense of confusion? Check!

I stand amazed. My brother-in-law Terry is super-skilled at wiring projects.... and is also a master of 'how to do things efficiently and with high quality.' Terry offered to install the electrical system in the new boat. We delayed launch day long enough to wire the masthead anchor light and the steaming light. (I remembered to attach the new Windex before we raised the mast too -- woohoo!)

So here's the brainteaser: After drilling holes at the masthead, mid-mast, and at the base of the mast, we organized our supplies:

• 30' wire for anchor light
• 20' wire for steaming light
• 25' conduit to surround and protect the wires within the mast
• 25' fish tape

It would have taken me - conservatively - about 30 minutes with pencil and paper to figure out the sequence of events needed to fish the conduit up through the hole in the base of the mast (or down the open mast "cap")... then fish the two wires (one at masthead and one through a hole at mid-mast (and in the conduit at the same place)... and then end up with everything in the right position to connect the lights to the wires. Terry, on the other hand, paused for perhaps 10 seconds (at most) and then jumped right in with the hole-drilling and "fishing!!"

If it was up to me, I would probably still be up at the boat lot with fish-tape in one hand and conduit in the other and a completely puzzled look on my face. I guess we all have our own individual gifts. Basic problem-solving apparently is not one of my gifts, but I guess you probably already knew that.

Also, my bro-in-law ROCKS! Next up on the electrical to-do list: stereo and speakers!

yes, it has come to this

Meanwhile, back at the NTB, I've decided to continue my game of 'Where's Waldo ?' with this blasted book. I can't believe I missed this one! On the cover of the book is a full-color shot of a man standing on his boat wearing what appear to be "Mom Jeans."

Krikey! Sure wish my car was ready!
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perhaps I spoke too soon

_Modern_Boat_Maintenance_ book report update!

I'd never want to exaggerate, so I must set the record straight: on closer inspection, I found this androgynous creature on page 167. There are also a few disembodied hands sprinkled here and there throughout the text.
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book report: _Modern_Boat_Maintenance_

Here I am at the NTB tire store sitting in the 'customer lounge' listening to the strains of a rapping contest on tv and waiting for my tire to be repaired. (What a glamorous life I lead.). At least I had the presence of mind to grab a library book from the car before I turned over my keys. I've been voraciously reading every boat renovation book I can get my hands on lately.

This book is not really scratching my boat-reno itch, unfortunately. I'm sure that its contents *were* "modern" boat maintenance practices -- back in the mid-90s when it was published! This book is *ancient*! For pity's sake, iPods had not even been invented then!

If that wasn't enough to fully discredit this book, let the record also reflect that the illustrations are all lame black and white line drawings... and there isn't a single boy pictured anywhere (not even a stick figure.) Also, this book does not seem to have an author gutsy enough to put his name on it.

In summary, spend your (1994 inflation-adjusted) dollars on some other boat maintenance book.
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sailboat hull / smokey eye

Yes, I'm still basking in the afterglow of my painting project. And yes, I am still regretting not yet taking photos of the finished paint job to show you. I think I've come up with the next best thing, though...

If my boat was the classic "smokey eye," she would look like this:

Pretty fabulous, eh?

hull = painted!

I don't have photos, so you must take my word for it:

My new boat is now dark blue!

The second coat didn't provide quite enough coverage, but the third coat perfected the finish. (Where 'perfected' = 'good e-freaking-nough!') My sister Jessi did the rolling and I did the tipping. As is typically my style, I attempted to make up for my lack of skills and experience by purchasing the best equipment I could find. For the painting project, I purchased four badger (or were they China bristle? potayto-potahto, I guess...) brushes. This provided us with a fresh new brush for tipping for each coat. (Jessi and I both did the tipping on the first coat, while Terry did the rolling.)

We let the paint cure while we had lunch at the nearby Cheshire Market and Bait Shop, and then we excitedly removed the painter's tape to reveal the boot stripe. There were many 'oohs' and 'aahs,' but mainly there were heartfelt expressions of gratitude and relief that the hull painting was finally finished. By completing this project, I have proven that - without a doubt - anyone can paint a sailboat.

We are now only 14 days from launch!

second verse, same as the first

Two coats down, one (knock on teak) to go. There is nothing especially noteworthy to report here. Perhaps a photo (a low-quality blackberry snapshot, unfortunately) will tell the story... a story with an ending that could only be better if the second coat had provided sufficient coverage to make a third coat unnecessary.