The Smokester
New member
Here is a thread that might help.
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?/topic/194968-nmea-to-wifiethernet-vyacht/
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Cheers - Bryan
Interested in a boat for 2018 TransPac
- Thread starter jamottep
- Start date
Here is a thread that might help.
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?/topic/194968-nmea-to-wifiethernet-vyacht/
Update on my Clipper adventure: I've cancelled my participation in leg 6. I need to focus on finding a job and I need the funds. The fact that more crew on the boat I was on are stepping off early didn't help. It's really sad what this skipper is doing to people and the lack of effort by organizers to fix the situation. I cannot recommend to fellow sailors.
Great seminar and meeting out people this evening. There may be up to 5 Olson 30s this year and maybe an Olson 29. So much so for having a boat that could finish first 
I think I'll be like that guy fishing, except I'm not a fisherman ... I'm not sure what one does on an Olson 30 being battered exiting the West Coast Pacific.
I had a great chat with Brian and Dave at the end of the session as well, which was a bit of an eye opener in terms of the race start. There's more strategy to this than I thought: my strategy could have been summarized as 243 but ...
When I think about the SHTP I think about being out there in steady strong winds. I don't think about leaving or arriving or anchoring or returning. All that is noise right now and I need to build the brains to understand that noise.
The few SSS races I'll do this year before the SHTP will likely be a good eye opener for me in terms of the type of race I'll do ...
I may join a J30 delivery to San Diego in March, which would be good experience as well.
I think I'll be like that guy fishing, except I'm not a fisherman ... I'm not sure what one does on an Olson 30 being battered exiting the West Coast Pacific.
I had a great chat with Brian and Dave at the end of the session as well, which was a bit of an eye opener in terms of the race start. There's more strategy to this than I thought: my strategy could have been summarized as 243 but ...
When I think about the SHTP I think about being out there in steady strong winds. I don't think about leaving or arriving or anchoring or returning. All that is noise right now and I need to build the brains to understand that noise.
The few SSS races I'll do this year before the SHTP will likely be a good eye opener for me in terms of the type of race I'll do ...
I may join a J30 delivery to San Diego in March, which would be good experience as well.
sold
Another slow day at the boat ... I plugged in the 100W solar panel to see if the controller was going to handle it just fine and move batteries through the charge cycle. I did a lot of waiting. The first battery went through charge, absorption and then float so that's good news. But the second went through charge, absorption then back down to charge. I've reached out to the manufacturer to confirm if that's normal and could be related to the sun going down on the horizon. We'll see what they come back with.
I noticed one of the screw of the bow navigation lights had somehow popped out. I proceeded to screw it back in but it broke (completely corroded or maybe I am now very strong) so I replaced it.
My neighbor moved his boat to launch it for tomorrow's race and scraped one of his stanchion along the hull. I brought it to his attention and he took no responsibility. That was with me being there so I can't imagine things being better when I am not there. I went to the management team and requested a new slip, which I was granted. I'd hope for more caution if not respect ... Not everybody is an expert at fiberglass and gel coat repair.
I also stopped by one of the yacht broker there and started feeling the water for a bigger boat. The guy was excited when I was telling him what I want. Disenchantment followed quickly when I shared my budget.
It's confirmed: my buyer in Hawaii is pulling out (18k being too much).
For tomorrow's race I have not yet figured out what to use for navigation ... And with so many markers I'm sure my track will be all over the place ...
I noticed one of the screw of the bow navigation lights had somehow popped out. I proceeded to screw it back in but it broke (completely corroded or maybe I am now very strong) so I replaced it.
My neighbor moved his boat to launch it for tomorrow's race and scraped one of his stanchion along the hull. I brought it to his attention and he took no responsibility. That was with me being there so I can't imagine things being better when I am not there. I went to the management team and requested a new slip, which I was granted. I'd hope for more caution if not respect ... Not everybody is an expert at fiberglass and gel coat repair.
I also stopped by one of the yacht broker there and started feeling the water for a bigger boat. The guy was excited when I was telling him what I want. Disenchantment followed quickly when I shared my budget.
It's confirmed: my buyer in Hawaii is pulling out (18k being too much).
For tomorrow's race I have not yet figured out what to use for navigation ... And with so many markers I'm sure my track will be all over the place ...
Pfew ... I'm beat and battered. I've not been sailing enough lately. The SSS Corinthian race was a good reminder that I need to sail Double Espresso and practice evolutions.
So how was it? No collision, yeah! Although when returning to Brickyard Cove I missed a marker I hadn't seen by a boat length; I only saw it after it was astern. I was getting the jib down and forgot to check for clear run way.
I messed up the course multiple times. I think I messed up first at the start. I was pointing to the Bridge before I realized everyone else was on the other tack.
Then I went for the first mark, little Harding, except ... I went to the rock itself. I had to backtrack to the first mark. I think what mislead me was how I wrongly interpreted what the boats far ahead we're doing.
I went clockwise around Alcatraz and that was fine but I didn't feel like using the spinnaker. Once I rounded Blossom I was overpowered with the #3. Going to Blackakker wasn't pretty.
Then going with the wind I had a bit of fun with surfs and hitting low double digit speed. However I got carried away and came too close to Angel island. A few jibes, a try at poling out the #3, nothing helped and I slogged in a wind hole until the breeze came back hard on the nose, being overpowered again.
I rounded Southampton and decided it was time to drop the #3. That took a while but I was back to a comfortable ride. By this time I'm heading into Raccoon, right in the center, shooting for the finish line, which was taking a long time because the breeze was gusty and from everywhere.
If you've paid attention to my little story you picked my last mix up: I forgot about rounding little Harding! I only realized when I was a few boat lengths away from the line and noticed all the boats coming in from the other side. Before that I had been wondering where everyone was and if I had been that slow. One last jaunt to little Harding and then to the finish line and the day was over. I did hoist the #3 for the last leg.
Well then ... I wasn't last by much. Somehow I managed to be second in my fleet.
So what needs work?
1. Poling out the jib: I still haven't found a nice process;
2. When I started easing the sheets I applied what I learned here and elsewhere: I moved the lead outside. That worked well. I ended up with 4 jib sheets. That became a problem later on when I changed headsail. When I moved two sheets to the #4 I managed to get the starboard sheet of the #3 stuck under. So when I went back to #3, rounded little Harding and went to tack ... I couldn't and had to rerun my starboard sheet before I could tack.
3. Arguably I should have put the spinnaker up but I didn't have the courage to do it.
4. It was a mess inside, including a spill from my little gas tank.
Wrapping things out at Brickyard Cove took a long time and it was 7:20pm when I left. I haven't figured out a good process to handle the crane (which happens to be sub par).
What's next then?
A shower and a good night sleep, that's what.
Daydreamer
SAILOR
Good write up. I had a rough day too. Not good wind angles to try to fly a spin solo. Too reachy.
I bought SailGrib today and ran a simple routing to the Farallon islands for Tuesday. I forgot the tablet in the boat so true testing will have to wait ...
I'm considering getting a mini pump for the bilge. I didn't get more then a centimeter of water in the bilge after Saturday but someone expressed interest in Double Espresso as a cruising boat for the Marquesas and it brought back memories of my qualifying cruise. Kneeling, sea sick, at 25 degrees, getting the water off the leeward hull side using a Ziploc bag ... I'm thinking that, even though it's tiny (which, besides preventing water entry in the first place, is the Crux of the problem), if I can keep the bilge mostly empty I won't have water sloshing around everywhere in the boat. The manual bilge pump has to pump the water all the way out through a long drain pipe and all the water in there flushes right back in ... For less than five dollars on eBay what could go wrong I ask.
I'm considering getting a mini pump for the bilge. I didn't get more then a centimeter of water in the bilge after Saturday but someone expressed interest in Double Espresso as a cruising boat for the Marquesas and it brought back memories of my qualifying cruise. Kneeling, sea sick, at 25 degrees, getting the water off the leeward hull side using a Ziploc bag ... I'm thinking that, even though it's tiny (which, besides preventing water entry in the first place, is the Crux of the problem), if I can keep the bilge mostly empty I won't have water sloshing around everywhere in the boat. The manual bilge pump has to pump the water all the way out through a long drain pipe and all the water in there flushes right back in ... For less than five dollars on eBay what could go wrong I ask.
BobJ
Alerion 38 "Surprise!"
Rags' electric pump is one of these:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/rule-industries--automatic-bilge-pump--P000491928?recordNum=6
The trick is I have a check valve just above the pump. Even though the hose is long and full of water, it doesn't run back into the bilge, which stays almost dry.
They only make the check valves for larger hoses, so you need to get the higher-capacity pump (like the 27S) to fit a larger outlet hose. Here's the check valve I have:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/bosw...MI87eK3-3C2QIVDGh-Ch0fTw8CEAQYBCABEgLxmfD_BwE
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/rule-industries--automatic-bilge-pump--P000491928?recordNum=6
The trick is I have a check valve just above the pump. Even though the hose is long and full of water, it doesn't run back into the bilge, which stays almost dry.
They only make the check valves for larger hoses, so you need to get the higher-capacity pump (like the 27S) to fit a larger outlet hose. Here's the check valve I have:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/bosw...MI87eK3-3C2QIVDGh-Ch0fTw8CEAQYBCABEgLxmfD_BwE
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All clear, here's the response from MorningStar:
It sounds like you did not have enough charge current(due to sun setting) to stay in absorption. This is normal and should be expected. Solar charging is almost 100% dependent upon sun and environmental conditions. You will NEVER transition to float unless you have met the absorption time requirements.
And one more thing ... At the last minute I realized I was going to cross the restricted area at Pt Blunt and had to get out; so that was another course mix up
Darn. Ok, that's it: I'm spending my next boat day at the chart table. A little hair stood up on my neck as I cut that corner, so I knew something was wrong. DSQ time.
Serves me right, spent 15 minutes stuck in the wind hole and tidal rip just east of it. Baby steps.
I've had more than my share of hair rise in the few outings I did in the Bay. It's not an easy place to sail ...
On the solar panel I wonder who carries a backup for their charge controller ...
Mini bilge pump project update: I've ordered the mini pump, mini check valve and 2 meter of tubing, all for less than $10. The only part missing is DC power extension cables to the fuse panel and a plan to put it all together. I'm thinking that the mini pump will be in the bilge, pushing water through the check valve and discharging into a small container inside, which I would empty in the cockpit. It feels like one more thing to tend to but since bailing water out is a problem anyway I might as well look for some degree of automation.
hodgmo
Still Floating
Frolic's main electric bilge pump is a Rule 3700 plumbed to the transom with 1.5" heavy-duty spa hose via a Whale gusher hand pump mounted below the tiller. In other words, the two pumps are in series and share the hose and thru hull. The Whale acts as a check valve for the Rule, and the Rule provides a strainer for the Whale. And, ever since I discovered a leak in the original (lightweight, non spa) hose (previous owner had patched the hose with duct tape!), I test the system every year or so by filling the bilge with fresh water and pumping it out.
There are arguments against adding a check valve to a bilge pump hose.
--They clog and fail. This has happened twice to me over the years, and the pump, uh, won;t pump if the hose is blocked.
--Many submersible pumps such as in the Rule line are not self-priming. A check valve tends to defeat the prime. Especially in shallow-bilged boats, the agitation of a seaway means no prime anyhow. With no prime, even submerged, the pump hums as usual and makes small bubbles as proof it is working. But it isn;t.
--If a check valve is to be installed just to keep the last inch of water out of the bilge, consider that a dinghy hand pump should be aboard anyhow. Or a sponge.
Diaphragm pumps like Steve's Whale contain integral check valves, so no backwash. But they are susceptible to debris, which stops them working.
Submersible are OK but diaphragms are better. Less capacity? On paper maybe. Not so much in the real world.
No electric bilge pump will stop you sinking anyhow, so it's all sorta convenience.
--They clog and fail. This has happened twice to me over the years, and the pump, uh, won;t pump if the hose is blocked.
--Many submersible pumps such as in the Rule line are not self-priming. A check valve tends to defeat the prime. Especially in shallow-bilged boats, the agitation of a seaway means no prime anyhow. With no prime, even submerged, the pump hums as usual and makes small bubbles as proof it is working. But it isn;t.
--If a check valve is to be installed just to keep the last inch of water out of the bilge, consider that a dinghy hand pump should be aboard anyhow. Or a sponge.
Diaphragm pumps like Steve's Whale contain integral check valves, so no backwash. But they are susceptible to debris, which stops them working.
Submersible are OK but diaphragms are better. Less capacity? On paper maybe. Not so much in the real world.
No electric bilge pump will stop you sinking anyhow, so it's all sorta convenience.