Interested in a boat for 2018 TransPac

[jamottep]

This is ... overwhelming. My wife is already pissed at all the sailing stuff I brought back and it's not even all of it yet.

Done:
Titles transferred: boat + trailer
SCYC dry slip transfer: in process


To do:
Will need parking sticker
Find room to store everything.
Get a gas can, TC-W3 oil and a doser. Fill that up so I can fill the outboard tank to exit/enter SC harbor safely.
Get insurance. BoatUS just quoted 450.
Get life jacket, jack lines, tether. Any suggestions?

Also: check everything, read manuals, test everything, re-register EPIRB.

Oh ... and sail ... and learn how to hoist the boat in and out of the water.

I'm taking it one by one ...

 

[Oceanslogic]

Very nice!
Congrats on your O30! The class website is a nice resource on rig tune...sail trim etc...olson30.org
Hope to see you out on the water!

 

[jamottep]

Well, the wheels are in motion, maybe I'll turn this thread into a chronicle of my slow progress. I find solace in trying to remember what I have done and not focus on what needs to be done.

Making headway ... for the past week I've been re-organizing closets around the house so I can plop things in an orderly fashion out of view. No idea how I'll store the (racing) main; that thing is a little too long!
I've started the process to re-register the EPIRB that's on the boat.
I've been looking at insurance and it looks like Farmers might be the way to go. They're asking about $400.
The dry slip transfer should complete Sunday, when I plan to be at the boat.
And I'm starting checklists ...

 

[AZ Sailor]

And I'm starting checklists ...

Checklists rule.

About a year ago I sat down and started a master check list of everything I needed to do in terms of equipment adds/upgrades, as well as training and other accomplishments, to be ready to sail to Hawaii. The list continues to serve me well in the transition from planning to cruise to Hilo from San Diego in 2017 to planning to race to Kauai from SF in 2018. I use it to both keep track of what needs to be done, as well as what I've now completed. Each time I finish an item, I don't delete it from the list, I highlight it in yellow. Uncompleted mission-critical items are highlighted in blue. Uncompleted nice but not critical items are not highlighted. And the list itself evolves. One thing I have yet to do is systematically go through the RRC to make sure I've got all missing required equipment on the list.

Besides "to do" check lists, think about procedural checklists. The current boat is more complex than the one she replaced, so early on I developed a "Getting Underway Checklist". It's an outline with categories, some sub categories, and individual tasks than runs two pages, double spaced. Sounds stupid, but after almost two years of regularly sailing this boat, I still try to remember to scan through it before casting off. If I don't, there's often some little thing I'll have missed.

Recommended reading: "The Checklist Manifesto" by Dr. Atul Gawande. In the words of one reviewer it "shows what the simple idea of the checklist reveals about the complexity of our lives and how we can deal with it." Basic concept, whether running an operating room, flying a plane, or anything else complex and critical, let's at least get the stupid stuff right.

Your boat is very different than mine, but if you want copies of my checklists, feel free to ping me at lee dot johnson at q dot com.

Cheers,

Lee

 

[AlanH]

Man that was close, real close. But yes too late now ... Double Espresso changed hands Sunday.

Nice!~ congratulations!

 

[jamottep]

Checklists rule.

What I have so far ...

The checklist for things I have to do so I can sail that boat for the first time ...
The checklist of things to buy ...
The checklist of all the boat systems and equipment I need to go over, identify operating procedures, understand maintenance requirements, define back up plans for ... I'm sure these checklists will generate a few more ...

I feel good so far about having chosen a boat that came well prepared.

A few things I did today: organize manuals in a folder, review some of the manuals, initiated the VHF MMSI transfer, randomly researched items (ULV laptop), downloaded OpenCpn and a few charts (poked around for a few minutes), continued researching boat insurance. Slow progress. Relax ... don't become an angry old salt ...

Really big next step is ... first sail in Santa Cruz. I don't think that's for this weekend as the boat is not yet insured.

I'm starting to feel the excitement, the rawness of what I'm embarking on. I don't really find much pleasure in all that preparation stuff but the thought of being out there, bobbing around on oceans, that's moving my soul ... Or maybe I'm a romantic and once I'll be out there for a couple of days I'll go back to day dreaming. There's only one way to find out ...

 

[Daydreamer]

Congratulations on your new ride!!

If the previous owner hasn't walked you thought the hoist procedure and actually launch and retrieve, i think that it would be a good idea to have someone there with you who has actually done it.

Get a copy of the MER list here; http://sfbaysss.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/US_SER_2016-with-NCORC-modifications.pdf
There will also be additional requirements for LongPac, TransPac, such as additional flares, e-rudder / steering, power supply and charging. Yep, lists.

Set your goals , but don't get too hung up on deadlines. Things seem to me to take much longer to accomplish than expected.

Don't bother trying to hide things from your wife, she will find out! Also, don't neglect her so she doesn't resent your sailing. Make sure she feels special

Sail as much as you can!!!

Just my .02

 

[BobJ]

The Daydreamer offers wisdom.

Most spouses don't understand why you'd want to sail to Hawaii by yourself. The promise of a vacation in Kauai for them is not enough. The months of boat prep time are the hardest, especially if you have kids. It was a major strain on our marriage - it's been ten years since my first SHTP and it still comes up.

I can't offer much advice because I clearly didn't handle it well, but Daydreamer is on the right track.

 

[Lanikai]

Checking my own checklists, I may tick this one off pretty soon (and figure PJ may have it on his lists):
PLB or EPIRB?
As far as I can tell the advantages of the EPIRB are automatic activation and longer transmit time. Otherwise, a floating PLB like Resculink+ appears to be a better choice in every respect, at least for the near-shore singlehander: wearability, portability when crewing on other boats, usability on shore (skiing/hiking/etc), cost.

The only scenario I can image where an EPIRB is superior is if I become unconscious or severely physically impaired while still aboard and the boat sinks just enough for the EPIRB to active, but stills stay afloat long enough that I'm not pulled down with the ship until help arrives. Seems unlikely.

What say ye wise council?

 

[pogen]

If you are prepping for Hawaii use the SHTP equipment list. There is a lot of overlap with the usual list, but I'm sure that a full-on EPIRB is required. The EPIRB battery goes for days, much longer than a PLB. There are some other things as well. If the boat was already set up for SHTP you should be ahead of the game on a lot of things like the e-rudder.

One big issue will be energy management and budget. It is a very good thing to get a reliable/precise battery meter so you can measure all the loads for the budget. Start on this early so you can plan out any upgrades (solar, bigger alternator etc.) well ahead of time.

Contrary to some race winners may tell you, a voltmeter is very helpful!

 

[DaveH]

Since we are speaking of the SHTP, here is what the rule currently states [per 2016];
4.46
A 406 MHz EPIRB, including a battery with expiration date no earlier than July 23, 2016, and evidence of current registration with the U.S. National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The MMSI number to supplied to the Race Committee. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) may also be carried, but it does not satisfy this requirement.

There is are very good reasons for this, particularly in a situation where you are far from shore and rescue could be more that 24hrs away.
Mostly it boils down to signal strength and duration.
Odds are not that great of a small PLB's signal being picked up on the first pass in an area of limited sat coverage, particularly if you have it partially submerged on the corner of your life jacket.
You can maybe expect your PLB battery to transmit a maximum of 24hrs; larger EPIRB's are rated to at least double that.

While there are, I suppose, scenarios where the self activation matters, it's much more likely you would be activating it yourself, whether you are abandoning to a life raft or due to injury or illness.

All of that said, I carry both... but I assume the PLB is mostly useful within Helicopter range [~100miles offshore]

FWIW.

DH

 

[jamottep]

Thanks for the advice. The boat came with an EPIRB and I've started the process to transfer it to me.
Yes ... This adventure should enhance our marriage. I'll have to think how!
Some progress today: I built a long shelf in the garage to store the main sail and other long items; that's a winner for the wife ... I continued to go through stuff and generally get organized. There are 15 sails to check; some originals! I think that's it and tomorrow will be my first visit to my boat, not sailing yet. The previous owner should meet me for a practice hoist in and out.
Sweet dreams ...

 

[jamottep]

First day at the boat. A few things done:

1. Slip rental agreement;
2. Parking sticker;
3. More sails brought back home for storage/inspection, along with a few other things;
4. Did one practice "hoist" run with previous owner, moving the trailer with the "tug" and using the hoist to put the boat in and out of the water;
5. Tested the engine (the engine is stored in the boat, the mounting bracket is very far out, not an easy task);
6. Poked at things in and around the boat.

I spent 6 hrs at the boat and small progress was made. If I can get the insurance nailed this coming week and I find the time to buy the "legal" stuff (flares, flags, horn, life jacket, etc.), I'll go back next weekend and go for a sail. The channel is still mostly close.

I'd like to wash the boat inside out too ...

 

[The Smokester]

Just to note: The self releasing and activating option for an EPIRB was not required for the SHTP2016.

Also, the requirements for Longpac2015 and SHTP2016 were not identical and not fully overlapping. So check.

 

[BobJ]

Per your NOAA EPIRB registration form, Category I is automatic deployment. Category II is manual deployment. Both are EPIRB's.

On our smaller boats, Category I's have been known to activate if they get super-wet (which happens). Category II's can too, but they must be out of their holder first. I decided a Category II mounted in an accessible (but dry) place below was the best option on my boat. Watch out for the magnet in the Cat. II's holder if you put it anywhere near a compass.

LongPac can be raced double-handed so its rules follow the other ocean races (with some additions).

 

[Lanikai]

Since we are speaking of the SHTP.... ... but I assume the PLB is mostly useful within Helicopter range [~100miles offshore]

Thanks, Dave, that sums it up. PLB for me, for now, as I'm only looking at Farallones/HMB/Drake's. EPIRB for SHTP & LongPac.

 

[jamottep]

EPIRB and MMSI transferred ...

Bought a gas can and built a wood block to lock the trailer in place (the boat is butt heavy apparently and we had the trailer tip over when we were both on the back of the boat checking the engine bracket).

I continued researching insurance and at this time it looks like an "agreed value" policy with BoatUS is the best choice. It's $389 and the maximum agreed to value I could get was $13,700, nothing to call home about. Don't know if this as good as it gets or if I should keep digging.

 

[Wylieguy]

BOAT US rents Epirbs ($65/week) and PLBs ($45/week). The unit is registered to you for the rental time. I've rented EPIRBs for the LongPac and the PacCup. A PLB makes sense to own if you're going to do OYRA/SSS Ocean/BAMA races where it will meet the requirement, but if you're going to do 1 LonPac and/or 1 Hawaii race, renting an EPIRB makes more sense since the unit is always up-to-date. It comes in a sealed case with return postage.

 

[jamottep]

All right ... some minor progress ...

Thanks to David for the de-humidifier. I installed it today.
I inspected 5 of the 14 sails. Some looked ok and some need light repair (tiny tear, pin holes, the worst is the old #1 jib). I bought a bit of tape and will see what I can do.
I bought a used life jacket, a crotch strap, a tether, a gas can.
I installed a wood block to prevent the trailer from tripping when working at the tip end of the stern.
We (read my wife and I) gave the interior a bit of a clean (not that it was dirty but we freshen it up a bit), emptied the bilge again.
I got insurance from BoatUS (agreed to value with the best possible, which was $13,700 for this boat).

I think that's it ...

I noticed a couple dings on the port bow, an hairline crack between the hull and keel (and another one in front).

Things I'm working on next: making sure the boat has all the legally required equipment, look into operation of auto-tiller, sail ...

It's all good ... can't wait for the harbor entrance to clear!

 

[Wylieguy]

Okay, hairline crack between hull & keel? Did you have a buyer's survey prior to purchasing the boat? If so, did that survey note the crack? If not, consider a hull survey now.

Have you inspected the keel bolts to ensure they are torqued correctly? Checked for corrosion? What do the bolt tops and nuts look like? Any rusty "bleeding?"

Has the keel struck something - evidence of repair to keel? - that might have caused the crack? If the boat is on a trailer, has it been dropped hard when being hoisted off and on?

Although it's a boat older than yours, a friend has just completed a keel bolt job on his boat. An insurance survey indicated problems with the keel bolts. Cracks/separation indicated at the keel/hull joint. Several bolts were almost gone. Several others down to "marginal." And, yes, he does race the boat on the ocean. And, yes I've crewed on that boat - but not out on the ocean.