well stravaigin will be set up for the summer shortly and I hve to go back to work, I hope to have my blog updated in the next couple of weeks. I can only say that sailing the boat for the last couple of months has been a blast. Just in from a crossing from the Bahamas and I could not believe how well she sailed, a night crossing where its always a very sensory experience. Winds were off the beam nd them they rounded up and became a bit interesting.
WE had planned for west palm beach but within 5 miles of the shore we were hit with a small craft advisory. Boy it got interesting. We ran North under headsail doing 8-9 knots, and slid into St lucie as the coast guard headed out to rescue a sail boat now I’m afraid on the rocks.
I was very pleased we made it in all parties were tired. I fixed the exhaust in Marsh harbor and thanks to all who assisted, the self steering worked well Rod, it was a delight.
One question, as the boat will now be in Florida I would like to cover it. I think shrink wrapping will make it quite mildew inside. I wonder about a canvas cover. Any advice, any patterns or does anyone know who might fabricate one. As usual thanks it was most gratifying to know that there was a team with an enormous depth of knowlege to support the crew away from home.
I have a canvas cover for my BCC which I bought used from a fellow on the forums. It’s a bit tired and stretched, so it wouldn’t a very good pattern.
Do they shrink wrap in Florida normally? All I know is that light colors are bad for mildew, since they don’t get hot enough to deter mildew. So whatever you do, go with a dark cover.
Looking forward to seeing you a little later this summer! We leave June 7th, and plan to be in your neck of the woods mid July. Planning to circumnavigate Newfoundland counterclockwise. Let’s chat off-forum about it soon.
Benji & Stewart
Maybe we can do another BCC mini-rendezvous? We plan to do some Maine
cruising in Itchen this summer and Fall. After that maybe head towards the
Bahamas, but who knows … …Too soon to say for sure.
BTW I have a nicely bent metal electrical tubing plus appropriate clamps
and connectors and slats and stringers, winter cover frame I bought for
Itchen. It was originally made for Bucephalus, and works well. One does not
really need a fitted cover to go over it – good quality heavy duty plastic
tarp does just fine and permits good air circulation. Its available anytime
to examine and copy if you wish. Up here in Belfast covered shed storage is
not too pricey and is what we’ve been using, so the frame is stored in our
“barn chamber”.
Scott
Yes, we plan to be in Maine in August sometime. Planning to head to Brooksville to the Nearing Good Life Center to shoot a segment for the film – which of course is right near you all up in Belfast. So let’s make it happen if possible… would be great
That’s one of our easy 2 or 3 hour day sails. We sometimes pick up one of
the Seal Cove BY moorings around the corner from the GLC in Horseshoe Cove,
off Dottie’s sister’s place. Lovely, with all-weather protection there, but
little room to anchor. Of course Bucks Harbor is another option, and
Gilkey, and etc, & etc! Too many choices, can’t wait, but we probably won’t
launch 'til mid-June.
Ben I look forward to your summer plans and I think you are in for a great trip. \I’ll be back on the rock early june so please call me we should talk.
Here is the plan the boat comes out tues and will be shrunk wrapped with lots of air holes. Inside i plan to have a dehumidifier running and charoal liberally situated around the place. The boat will be connected to the mains and the batts will be constantly looked after by a \xantrex charger which will top them up as necessary. The boat will be sheltered from the sun for the sake of the brightwork and with the dehum inside then there should no mildew, smells should be fine with charcoal I’ll let everyone know in a year how it all went…any comments?
Its a bit sad o put her away but it it has been a good run.
Stewart,
I’m glad the exhaust brace worked. You did great, getting the exhaust fixed, under challenging conditions! Your BCC is gorgeous–a work of art, well beyond the average BCC! Then again, most of us are unique BCC’s, and that’s great, isn’t it? I enjoy your blog–keep up the good work!
Dan sv Shaula
Hello Steward,
Bob has done many covers for the BCC’s. He is just around the corner from the old Sam Morse yard and hence got much of the business. Bob did a great job on the full cover that I ordered for Solimar, BCC #114. Also had him do " Day Covers" for the hatches and boxes.
Hope that helps.
Kendal
Bob Baltierra
Power Steering and Marine Specs
629 Terminal Way #19
Costa Mesa CA 92627
My only concern is batteries. If the batteries are flooded cells, the electrolyte may evaporated below the plate tops in the hot Florida summer. If the batteries are “sealed” then no problem.
The boat is shrink wrapped now with a dehumidifier running inside. The battery charger is a Xantrex which will lie dormant once the batteries are fully charged and then once a month wil restart and give them a top up. There was a German guy next to me with lots of good iseas and he had done this for many years with no adverse effects, leaves all his soft furnishings etc on board and no mildew!!! Lets wait and see.
