Category Archives: Maintenance

Commissioning, Maintenance, Marinas, Sailing

From Cradle to Open Water at Last!

It’s been a soggy spring/summer so far, and that — combined with five days away for a college reunion — slowed pre-launch preparations a bit.

But Errant is finally launched, spotless and shinier than she’ll be all season, and sailing better than ever. Eureka! This little mashup chronicles the final journey from shipyard to travel lift to bay to lake to mooring.

Mini-montage of Errant’s 2019 launch and shakedown sail…

I mentioned in the video that “there’s something incredibly ungainly about seeing a keel boat trundled around a shipyard”, and I’m left (after sailing much of the day away) with the curious contrast between the way a sailboat looks in the water, under sail and the way she looks in a clunky cradle being hauled behind a tractor.

I’m always a little anxious watching 12k pounds of boat making it’s way toward water after a season on the hard. So awkward and ungainly. But once wet, she is once again graceful and confident.

I’d like to offer an enthusiastic shoutout to Paul Mero and his attentive team at the Willsboro Bay Marina who always take such good care of Errant (and her zealous skipper!) and to Michael Reusser, the marina’s thoughtful problem solver when it comes to challenges mechanical, electrical, plumbing, etc. Also to Andre and Tami who keep the shipstore, scheduling, and billing running smoothly. I’ve always considered a stroke of good fortune to inherit this marina and this team when I purchased Errant, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Commissioning, Dry Dock, Maintenance

Rain Delays & Bluebird Eggs

Rainy days and rain delays…

A serious case of the soggies have slowed pre-launch preparations enough that I made a difficult decision this afternoon. Instead of launching tomorrow morning, I’ve rescheduled Errant’s splash date for Sunday. But mere minutes after making the change I discovered this nest.

Bluebird skies ahead? I hope so!

For now, a few more days on the hard at Willsboro Bay Marina dodging raindrops, de-winterizing, and daydreaming about the sailing season ahead.

Commissioning, Maintenance

Spring Shakedown 2018

With May winding down and weather shifting from soggy to sunny, I finally began readying Errant for another summer on Lake Champlain. Winter cover off, pressure washing and compounding, bottom painting, canvas back on including the brand new genoa,…

There’s so much to do each spring, but I’m fueled with anticipation and enthusiasm during the pre-season commissioning so the chores are actually [almost] 100% enjoyable. Of course, there’s always that one rainy day when planning to bottom paint or an electrical mystery (like connecting to shore power and discover that the onboard battery charger is not working, not working, not working, until, “Oh, the power tower has a tripped breaker! It’s not the boat at all…”)

But the spring checklist is finite, and soon enough it is launch day followed but the much-anticipated shakedown sail south from the Willsboro Bay Marina to our home in Essex.

Spring Shakedown 2018 (Source: Geo Davis)
Spring Shakedown 2018 (Source: Geo Davis)

That first sail of the season always a joy, but this year was perfect. Winds out of the north variable from the high single digits to the mid teens and calm seas. We were wing-and-wing much of the morning, and I even managed to squeeze in a brief snooze at the helm while autopilot was employed on the broad lake. Even my occasionally-nonplussed-about-sailing-bride enjoyed herself. All told, it was the perfect start to a new season.

Maintenance, Sailing

It’s a Wrap

Yes, it’s that inevitable, poignant end of season post. Summer 2017 has come and gone.

“Donde hubo fuego, cenizas quedan.”

— Anonymous

And in English, “Where there was fire, ashes remain.” What a sailing season. Sorry to have so poorly documented my adventures. Too many competing time pirates looting my clock? Something.

Here’s a quick glimpse of the final lap, sunny side up:

The next morning even the skies were pouting!

Thanks, Errant, and thanks, weather gods, for providing a treasure trove of sailing memories to relive this winter. Now time to start winterization…

Commissioning, Maintenance

Bimini Blues + Pressure Washer Bliss

Once the winter cover was removed and stowed I turned my attention to the bimini. I remove all the exterior canvas in the autumn before installing the winter cover, so in the springtime I need to reverse the process.

The first step is to remove the two foremost stainless steel bimini supports, reposition then ahead of the backstays, and then reconnect them. This permits them to fan forward and support the canvas.

Securing the canvas to the stainless ribs is as simple as fastening eight snaps and zipping a half dozen zippers. And yet for the second year in a row I false started, half-attaching the cover backward before realizing my mistake. In the photo above Errant’s bimini is secured, taught, and ready for sailing.

Next up? Time for a scrub-down.

Pressure Washer

I loaded up the pressure washer before heading down to the marina, planning primarily to simplify hull cleaning (in anticipation of bottom painting). The chore was moderately successful, but the worst soiling turned out to be a dock-rub that remained unchanged no matter how much I abused it with my jet of high pressure water. Looks like some heavy duty compounding will be necessary.

But there’s a silver lining.

Errant’s topsides were overdue for a eep cleaning, and the pressure washer proved its mettle removing stains and last season’s grime from the nonskid. I cranked the pressure and made pass after pass, waving the wand back and forth and watching the gelcoat emerge [almost] like new.

Not bad, right? No soap. No significant elbow grease. Just water, pressure, clean…

About the Bimini…

I noticed while installing the bimini that it’s beginning to fail. Too much weather. Pinholes are beginning to appear. The vinyl window is foggy, scratched, yellowing. It’s time to consider a replacement (and possibly a couple of modifications). Here’s the outfit that fabricated the bimini. I’m curious if they’re still around. Time to find out…

Commissioning, Maintenance

De-Mothballing Sailboat for Spring Launch

Spring at last! Errant will be launched on May 15. I will be traveling much of the time between now and then, so lots of pre-launch preparation and dewinterization needs to happen quickly, quickly. Today I got a good jumpstart.

The morning started with removing the winter cover. Temperatures were cool, but skies were clear and the winds were light. Pretty optimal conditions. Step one was to loose all of the teathers that secure the winter cover to the boat and cradle.

Once all of the winter cover tie-downs were untethered, the lacing at the bow needed to be removed.

Mission [almost] accomplished… unfortunately the lacing finishes way out of reach — even using the step ladder — so I had to climb up inside to work from the bow deck. Here’s a glimpse of the cockpit looking aft from the companionway.

And here’s a view forward once I finished unlacing and unzipping the winter cover from the bow.

The next step was to disconnect the bow section from the stern section by unzipping a series of connections roughly perpendicular to the mast. I folded the bow section on itself in 2–3 foot rolls, and then we folded the long roll of surprisingly heavy waterproof fabric until the bundle is compact enough to fit in a stuff sack for storage.

Then I continued the process with the winter cover’s stern section, starting at the mast and folding my way aft.

Once entire cover is removed, folded, and stuffed into the storage bags it’s time to remove the support substructure that supports the campus. I tend to go a little overboard installing styrofoam insulation on all obvious stress/abrasion points to reduce the chance of damage from wind and snow and ice during the winter. Before dismantling all of the supports, it’s necessary to clip the wire ties that hold the stars one place and then gather all of the styrofoam insulation for reuse in the autumn.

Mission accomplished! The winter cover is off.

Wire tie detritus. 


With the winter cover removed and stored, it’s time to install the bimini. Stay tuned. 

Maintenance

Bottom Paint: Interlux VC 17m Extra

It’s time for fresh bottom paint, so I checked in with Errant’s previous owner to see what he had used. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! He’s always been a huge help, and my bottom paint question is no exception. Here’s a screenshot from our exchange.

VC17 Bottom Paint?
VC17 Bottom Paint?

Some day he’ll probably ask me to leave him alone, to stop bugging him with maintenance questions, etc. But until then, he’s proven an amazing resource.

So, let’s take a look at the product I’ll be using to refresh the antifouling paint on Errant’s bottom.

Interlux VC 17m Extra

VC 17m Extra with Biolux® is a thin film antifouling paint for racing sailboats and powerboats that is formulated with Fluoro microadditive to reduce friction and drag. When applied the VC®17m Extra will immediately give a hard, super smooth, racing finish that would normally take days of tiresome sanding. VC®17m Extra incorporates the Biolux® technology along with the metallic copper to achieve complete protection in freshwater or low fouling saltwater. VC®17m Extra is great for use on inflatables.

  • Thin film antifouling for racing sailboats and powerboats.
  • With Fluoro microadditive for a low friction surface.
  • Hard, smooth surface for use in fresh and low fouling salt water.
  • Great for use on Inflatables.
  • Quick drying for fast re-launch.

(Source: VC 17m Extra with Biolux Antifouling Boat Paint | Interlux)

Here’s a video from one of the biggest purveyors of Interlux VC 17m Extra. (Helpful video, but I was pleased to discover that Willsboro Bay Marina sells Interlux VC 17m Extra in their ship’s store, so I’ll happily keep my business local. Thanks, Tami!)

Catalina 310, Maintenance, Upgrades & Repairs

How to Remove the Wheel from Your Catalina 310

How to remove wheel from Catalina 310
To remove wheel from Catalina 310 you will first need to remove the nut.

So I mentioned in my last post (Late Winter Check-up) that I need to remove the wheel from Errant. I’ve decided to forego replacing the stock Edson wheel with a Lewmar folding wheel. I still love so much about it, but

  • it adds one more thing to break and maintain,
  • it’s a slightly spendier gadget than I should justify now,
  • and I’d rather “test drive” one before committing.

But I’m ready to swap out the hot-or-cold-or-clammy feel of a stainless steel wheel, and adding a suede/leather cover seems like a smart upgrade. But first I needed to remove the wheel to take it home. (More on the new wheel cover soon.)

How to Remove the Wheel

I should start by acknowledging that I got lucky. Removing Errant’s wheel was quick and easy. Apparently that’s not always the case, but I’ll leave instructions for trickier removal to my unlucky counterpart wrestling the wheel free.

In my case, the task was completed in three simple steps:

  1. To remove the wheel from Catalina 310 you will first need to remove the nut.
  2. Once you have removed the nut you can slide the wheel off.  (Note: You may need a gear puller to loosen the wheel.)
  3. Once you remove the wheel from your Catalina 310 be careful not to misplace the key.

Here’s what it should look like.

What About the Autopilot?

Good question. I did skip explaining how to remove the autopilot prior to removing the wheel. Hope that doesn’t confuse anybody!

I have some autopilot maintenance (or replacement?) that I need to undertake and that I’ll report in a separate post. I’m still figuring out the best path forward. But, for the sake of clarity, if you have an autopilot that attaches to / syncs with your wheel you’ll obviously need to remove that before you remove the wheel.

Commissioning, Maintenance, Sailing

First Sail 2015

My father at the helm and my sister assisting with Errant's navigation. First sail of the season!
My father at the helm and my sister assisting with Errant’s navigation. First sail of the season!

Today was the picture-perfect start to the sailing season. The sunshine and warmth and wind delivered an auspicious rebuttal to yesterday’s chilly, drizzly launch. And even more fortunate, I was joined by my father and sister for the sail south from Willsboro Bay Marina to the Essex Marina.

Lazy Day Log

The mostly north-northwest wind varied 6 to 12 knots with very minimal wave action. We motored north out of Willsboro Bay and raised our sales as we rounded the tip of Willsboro Point. Smooth sailing all the way, and approximately four hours of catch-up time. My father sailed most of the way, and my sister helped with the charts/navigation and even spent some time at the helm.

Docking still revs up my anxiety meter, and while I know this will change as my skills/confidence improve, I arrived at the Essex Marina with a twinge of dread. But light winds, forethought, and ample good fortune served me well. The boat responded perfectly, and my crew stacked the odds in my favor. A huge relief!

Projects on the Horizon

Errant feels ready for a summer of sailing. I’m excited as I look forward.

I still need to rig one or two reefing points. I’ll try to take care of that over the course of the week plus a handful of other projects that I still need to tackle including ordering and installing new halyards, ordering and installing new name, sealing a couple of slow topside leaks. But all in all, Errant feels ready for a summer of sailing. I’m excited as I look forward.

Water Level Worries

Unfortunately recent rains have elevated the Lake Champlain water level by 2+ feet, and the waves are now breaking over the marina’s docks and fingers. I had to set up a temporary spring stretched across the channel just to keep Errant off the dock. Fingers crossed that the rains will diminish in the lake level will begin to fall.

Commissioning, Maintenance

Sails Back On

Installed newly repaired mainsail on May 29, 2015.
Installed newly repaired mainsail on May 29, 2015.

I’ve just finished installing the main which was repaired by Vermont Sailing Partners over the winter. Yesterday I installed the genoa which they repaired also. While the sails are far from new, they were well repaired and fit great! Now I can rest a little easier that they’ll perform reliably this season.

Here are a few more photos of the last two days’ progress.

Installing newly repaired mainsail on May 29, 2015.
Installed newly repaired mainsail on May 29, 2015.
Installed newly repaired mainsail on May 29, 2015.
Installed newly repaired genoa on May 28 and mainsail on May 29, 2015.
Installed newly repaired genoa on May 28 and mainsail on May 29, 2015.

I replaced the old, worn out sail straps with three sizes of Blue Performance Sail Ties.

New Sail Wraps for Mainsail

Dutchman Sail Flaking System

I’m still sorting through lots of new-to-me items that take a little extra time and attention the first time through. Today one of those was the Dutchman Sail Flaking System. I think I’ve gotten it installed correctly, but I’ll plan on fine tuning it the first time I sail Errant.

If you’re unfamiliar, here’s a helpful video about the Dutchman Sail Flaking System.

The Dutchman Sail Flaking System is basically a super effective, easy, user-friendly system for controlling a mainsail. The Dutchman’s vertical monofilament control lines are woven/laced through the sail and secured to the topping lift. When the mainsail halyard is released the Dutchman gathers and automatically flakes the sail above the boom. Because my halyard and reefing lines are led aft, I can operate the system entirely from the cockpit, facilitating short handed sailing which is one of my short term goals with Errant.