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Cheers - Bryan
New Boat 4 Sled
- Thread starter sleddog
- Start date
Back yard boat building isn't all glue and screws. Yesterday was an example of what I call "politics:" The CG wouldn't accept my documentation application. Apparently the internal volume isn't sufficient to carry 12 hay bales. The dreaded trip to the DMV to register the new cat was at hand.
I arrived on time for the appointment. The clerk reviewed the two page application and said I owed $459. I said "no way, I'd already paid sales tax on every piece of the boat." I offered my carefully ordered receipts and tally lists.
She seemed confused, took the receipts, and headed for the copy machine. Then thought better and consulted her superior. I fell asleep standing at the counter. 20 minutes later she emerged, telling me I had "fibbed." She had added every receipt and found an $8 dollar difference. Say what? I had totaled them 4x and was confident.
The good news is the tax was waived and registration bill was reduced to $29. I was issued my HIN (Hull ID) and CF numbers and stickers. The HIN has to be permanently affixed in two places in 1/4" figures. The CF numbers have to be 3" block letters.
I was ready to escape with my success. Not so fast. The clerk wanted to be very clear she was issuing me two carbon monoxide stickers. By (new) state law one sticker must be posted in the interior and the larger 7" one on the transom.
I read the CO stickers. They warn of brain damage, even death, and advise to get fresh air if feeling nausea, headache, dizziness, or drowsiness. I was feeling all four as I walked out to the car. Just a morning at the DMV, not included in the manual on boat building.....
I arrived on time for the appointment. The clerk reviewed the two page application and said I owed $459. I said "no way, I'd already paid sales tax on every piece of the boat." I offered my carefully ordered receipts and tally lists.
She seemed confused, took the receipts, and headed for the copy machine. Then thought better and consulted her superior. I fell asleep standing at the counter. 20 minutes later she emerged, telling me I had "fibbed." She had added every receipt and found an $8 dollar difference. Say what? I had totaled them 4x and was confident.
The good news is the tax was waived and registration bill was reduced to $29. I was issued my HIN (Hull ID) and CF numbers and stickers. The HIN has to be permanently affixed in two places in 1/4" figures. The CF numbers have to be 3" block letters.
I was ready to escape with my success. Not so fast. The clerk wanted to be very clear she was issuing me two carbon monoxide stickers. By (new) state law one sticker must be posted in the interior and the larger 7" one on the transom.
I read the CO stickers. They warn of brain damage, even death, and advise to get fresh air if feeling nausea, headache, dizziness, or drowsiness. I was feeling all four as I walked out to the car. Just a morning at the DMV, not included in the manual on boat building.....
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BobJ
Alerion 38 "Surprise!"
"The (DMV) clerk" . . . "She seemed confused" - These two statements are redundant.
"I had totaled them 4x and was confident." Proving once again what we accountants all know: the calculator is mightier than the sword.
"The CF numbers have to be 3" block letters." Apart from the additional skin friction hampering the air flow over the hulls, this is really bad feng shui. One (serious) suggestion is to apply them to the sides of the boom.
"The clerk wanted to be very clear she was issuing me two carbon monoxide stickers. By (new) state law one sticker must be posted in the interior and the larger 7" one on the transom."
Had we sailors found a way to get more fresh air they might not have had to pass this law. I've noticed a high level of compliance with it - immediately after January 1st these stickers have been appearing on the transoms of nearly every boat I've seen! The problem is they don't seem to stay attached - it must be poor glue.
"I had totaled them 4x and was confident." Proving once again what we accountants all know: the calculator is mightier than the sword.
"The CF numbers have to be 3" block letters." Apart from the additional skin friction hampering the air flow over the hulls, this is really bad feng shui. One (serious) suggestion is to apply them to the sides of the boom.
"The clerk wanted to be very clear she was issuing me two carbon monoxide stickers. By (new) state law one sticker must be posted in the interior and the larger 7" one on the transom."
Had we sailors found a way to get more fresh air they might not have had to pass this law. I've noticed a high level of compliance with it - immediately after January 1st these stickers have been appearing on the transoms of nearly every boat I've seen! The problem is they don't seem to stay attached - it must be poor glue.
Jonathan Gutoff
New member
Do I need to put one on my Banshee?
We bolted the chain plates in yesterday. The rotating mast step is next on the list. Then hopefully can step the mast, which currently stands in the garden on an umbrella cement base with shrouds tied off to a flower planter and two fence posts.
We are now at the stage where we use 5200 more than epoxy. 5200 adheres better to metal than epoxy. Just don't get it on your clothes or shoes.
Politics continue: I want to insure the boat, both for liability and damage, especially as she will be trailerable for coastal cruising. BoatUS seemed a logical place to start. I filled in an online "quick quote." And checked the appropriate boxes. Some boxes were confusing as to which to answer. Is the new boat a "sailboat," a "sail with auxiliary," or a "multi-hull?"
BoatU.S. promptly mailed two quotes, one for "our popular Boat Saver policy." And one for the "more comprehensive Yacht Policy." Both quotes notably featured $854,000 coverage for a fuel spill liability. Say what? Our outboard tank is a 3 gallon jerry jug.
I called up the BoatU.S.insurance help line. Sheryl was nice. but couldn't answer my questions: "Can I decline the fuel spill coverage?" "Does a 6 hp outboard count as an auxiliary?" Sheryl passed me on to John in the underwriting department.
John was most business like. He chided me for not describing the boat more fully and not revealing we were building a multi-hull. He asked who designed and built the boat. I replied Howard Spruit and myself are co-designer/builders. I could visualize the warning sirens and red lights going off.
John asked if we were licensed, had an engineering degree, a degree in metallurgy, and a full set of construction plans. I said we had both worked for yacht designers and builders for over 40 years. Howard has designed and built numerous boats, including ROCKET 88.
The conversation went no where except "we don't normally insure home built boats." "If you were a Catalina 22, we'd have you fixed up in a heartbeat."
Hmmm. I was told by BoatU.S "don't call us, we'll call you." Sound familiar, single-handers? It's on to Plan B......
We are now at the stage where we use 5200 more than epoxy. 5200 adheres better to metal than epoxy. Just don't get it on your clothes or shoes.
Politics continue: I want to insure the boat, both for liability and damage, especially as she will be trailerable for coastal cruising. BoatUS seemed a logical place to start. I filled in an online "quick quote." And checked the appropriate boxes. Some boxes were confusing as to which to answer. Is the new boat a "sailboat," a "sail with auxiliary," or a "multi-hull?"
BoatU.S. promptly mailed two quotes, one for "our popular Boat Saver policy." And one for the "more comprehensive Yacht Policy." Both quotes notably featured $854,000 coverage for a fuel spill liability. Say what? Our outboard tank is a 3 gallon jerry jug.
I called up the BoatU.S.insurance help line. Sheryl was nice. but couldn't answer my questions: "Can I decline the fuel spill coverage?" "Does a 6 hp outboard count as an auxiliary?" Sheryl passed me on to John in the underwriting department.
John was most business like. He chided me for not describing the boat more fully and not revealing we were building a multi-hull. He asked who designed and built the boat. I replied Howard Spruit and myself are co-designer/builders. I could visualize the warning sirens and red lights going off.
John asked if we were licensed, had an engineering degree, a degree in metallurgy, and a full set of construction plans. I said we had both worked for yacht designers and builders for over 40 years. Howard has designed and built numerous boats, including ROCKET 88.
The conversation went no where except "we don't normally insure home built boats." "If you were a Catalina 22, we'd have you fixed up in a heartbeat."
Hmmm. I was told by BoatU.S "don't call us, we'll call you." Sound familiar, single-handers? It's on to Plan B......
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Phil MacFarlane
New member
I had no problems insuring my Ericson 35 which is 41 years old and insuring Wafi which is a home built boat. Both with Boat US.
Maybe it all depends on who you geton the phone?
Maybe it all depends on who you geton the phone?
ronnie simpson
Peterson 34 "QUIVER"
I have insured every boat ive owned with progressive. Cheap, over the phone, no hassles. Ive never needed a survey or anything.
Bug Lighters: It's been a fun week at the driveway boatshop. We need rain. But continuing fair weather benefits our outdoor building program. The dual companionway sliding hatches are nearly done, the boat is wired for a single battery, 6 switch breaker panel, a 150 watt inverter, Alpenglow cabin light, and 8 hockey puck 3xAAA LED lights picked up at Orchard for $3.95 each.
Neighbor Morgan (Larson) stopped by with a box of "jewelry" from his 49'er program. I'd never seen a micro dinghy spinnaker sheet block with invisible ratchet that progressively tightens as the load increases.
I have great sympathy for modern insurance agents. My father, fresh out of the military in WWII, became a yacht insurance agent. His area was Santa Barbara to San Diego, and he personally knew all his clients and their boats. Boats were smaller in those days, and among others, Dad had most of the International 14 class under his wing.
One night about mid-night, Dad gets a call from a client enroute from S.Cal to Toronto for the Prince of Wales Bowl. This skipper/crew had parked their rig at an all night diner for some grub, not noticing their Int.14 mast (wood in those days) overhung the adjacent railroad bed.
Along comes the California Zephyr, or whatever it was called back then, and the whippy dinghy mast punches out more than a couple of the passenger windows in the train before breaking the mast tip off. I don't remember the resolution, but don't think my father slept that night.
My father always stressed two things about insurance: Be honest with the facts, because you never know when something will come back to bite you. And know your agent personally, because he will be the one to help you in the event of trouble.
I fear times have changed in the bigger, faster, computerized world. I doubt agents have much say today on what goes on at corporate headquarters. I'm at a loss how one large insurance company, who advertises in Latitude-38, claims a discount available if one's yacht has LORAN. I am not unhappy that this particular company, in a lengthy phone call, turned me away because my boat has "a tunnel hull," their definition of a catamaran.
Neighbor Morgan (Larson) stopped by with a box of "jewelry" from his 49'er program. I'd never seen a micro dinghy spinnaker sheet block with invisible ratchet that progressively tightens as the load increases.
I have great sympathy for modern insurance agents. My father, fresh out of the military in WWII, became a yacht insurance agent. His area was Santa Barbara to San Diego, and he personally knew all his clients and their boats. Boats were smaller in those days, and among others, Dad had most of the International 14 class under his wing.
One night about mid-night, Dad gets a call from a client enroute from S.Cal to Toronto for the Prince of Wales Bowl. This skipper/crew had parked their rig at an all night diner for some grub, not noticing their Int.14 mast (wood in those days) overhung the adjacent railroad bed.
Along comes the California Zephyr, or whatever it was called back then, and the whippy dinghy mast punches out more than a couple of the passenger windows in the train before breaking the mast tip off. I don't remember the resolution, but don't think my father slept that night.
My father always stressed two things about insurance: Be honest with the facts, because you never know when something will come back to bite you. And know your agent personally, because he will be the one to help you in the event of trouble.
I fear times have changed in the bigger, faster, computerized world. I doubt agents have much say today on what goes on at corporate headquarters. I'm at a loss how one large insurance company, who advertises in Latitude-38, claims a discount available if one's yacht has LORAN. I am not unhappy that this particular company, in a lengthy phone call, turned me away because my boat has "a tunnel hull," their definition of a catamaran.
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2/10/12
Completed the companion way hatches yesterday. Next up, literally, is to bolt on the mast step and step the mast for rigging lengths. The mast rotates, as well as raises/ lowers fore or aft. Being a maxi-driveway cat, the birds that live in the bottle brush abutting the port hull have gotten quite used to the activity and watch at close range with chirping curiosity. It is not unusual to have robins and sparrows fly into the cabin for inspection. If they start nesting aboard, it really is time to launch.
I'm sure once completed, the further away from the driveway, the smaller the cat will become. For the moment, she looks huge. Apparently also to my 90 year old mother, who looks out the window and says, "will you be bringing THAT in the house?"
Before achieving success, I may have established some unenviable record for getting turned down for insurance: Verbally and in writing I've been told by BoatU.S: "we don't insure boats of your type, design, or build." Heritage: "no multi-hulls." Progressive: "do not have a program for watercraft with your description. Farmers: "Tricky..." McGinnis was straightforward "No." Bay Risk wanted a survey and while I was arranging that, called back to decline. BoatU.S continued to pester with e-mails, and when I reminded them they'd turned me down already, they said "send photos" ....I sent those and a resume and that was the last I heard.
Finally success through a firm in Annapolis who insures my brother's home built wooden boats. They know their boats, sailors, personalized service, fair rates, coverage for all N.America waters. Onward. ~sledcat, aka sleddog
Completed the companion way hatches yesterday. Next up, literally, is to bolt on the mast step and step the mast for rigging lengths. The mast rotates, as well as raises/ lowers fore or aft. Being a maxi-driveway cat, the birds that live in the bottle brush abutting the port hull have gotten quite used to the activity and watch at close range with chirping curiosity. It is not unusual to have robins and sparrows fly into the cabin for inspection. If they start nesting aboard, it really is time to launch.
I'm sure once completed, the further away from the driveway, the smaller the cat will become. For the moment, she looks huge. Apparently also to my 90 year old mother, who looks out the window and says, "will you be bringing THAT in the house?"
Before achieving success, I may have established some unenviable record for getting turned down for insurance: Verbally and in writing I've been told by BoatU.S: "we don't insure boats of your type, design, or build." Heritage: "no multi-hulls." Progressive: "do not have a program for watercraft with your description. Farmers: "Tricky..." McGinnis was straightforward "No." Bay Risk wanted a survey and while I was arranging that, called back to decline. BoatU.S continued to pester with e-mails, and when I reminded them they'd turned me down already, they said "send photos" ....I sent those and a resume and that was the last I heard.
Finally success through a firm in Annapolis who insures my brother's home built wooden boats. They know their boats, sailors, personalized service, fair rates, coverage for all N.America waters. Onward. ~sledcat, aka sleddog
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Eric Thomas
New member
Skip been a long time, Sarah and I had a baby last year so I have been busy. Great to read your boat building adventure. Got any last items you need? Remember I run a yard and we are buried in old boat parts both at home and in the garage , One of my staff is trailering his O30 out for PAC cup in may and can deliver! Take care. Polar Bears
Eric: Great to hear from you! Congrats to you and Sarah. Thank you for your boat parts offer. I will keep you posted if we need anything. Currently a bucket of money and a barrel of time would be most helpful.
For those of you who remember, Eric gave his well prepped O30 POLAR BEAR one fine ride in the 2008 SHTP, and was first-to-finish, second overall. Eric's adventure began even before reaching SF, when he ran POLAR BEAR through the Bonneville Salt Flats speedway and set a land speed record for a sailboat pulled behind a pickup. This run confirmed Eric as a true lifetime bugliter even though he usually sails on fresh water near Duluth, MN.
Eric and POLAR BEAR were immortalized on the cover of Lat-38, showing how to "hang 10" at the Hanalei finish while planing under spinnaker. If I'm not mistaken (Eric, correct me if I'm wrong), POLAR BEAR's SHTP success made them celebrities at the Minnesota State Fair where a full scale POLAR BEAR was carved out of butter, becoming the only O30 to melt in the heat of a Minnesota Sept. afternoon.
For those who were wondering, winter arrived today, Feb.13, in Central California. To stay warm, we had to run the heater in the boat while cutting floorboards. Outside, the steady rain didn't deter the birdsong coming from the adjacent bottlebrush.
It was great to see SSS tribe represented yesterday at Rob Moore's Celebration of Life at CYC. The afternoon was filled with Rob's friends sharing memories that brought tears and laughter, often at that same time. For 18 years Rob was racing editor at Latitude 38. His courageous story of the last two years is eloquently told at http://rkmoore.wordpress.com
Outside the window at CYC was anchored one of our SSS icons. Not only did this boat win the DH Farallones Race one windy Spring. But has also sailed more miles in SF Bay than any boat in history. Lucie M. guessed MIRAGE, and was nearly right. Jonathan knew right away when he saw the black hull. First one to post the correct answer below wins a sail aboard our new cat.
For those of you who remember, Eric gave his well prepped O30 POLAR BEAR one fine ride in the 2008 SHTP, and was first-to-finish, second overall. Eric's adventure began even before reaching SF, when he ran POLAR BEAR through the Bonneville Salt Flats speedway and set a land speed record for a sailboat pulled behind a pickup. This run confirmed Eric as a true lifetime bugliter even though he usually sails on fresh water near Duluth, MN.
Eric and POLAR BEAR were immortalized on the cover of Lat-38, showing how to "hang 10" at the Hanalei finish while planing under spinnaker. If I'm not mistaken (Eric, correct me if I'm wrong), POLAR BEAR's SHTP success made them celebrities at the Minnesota State Fair where a full scale POLAR BEAR was carved out of butter, becoming the only O30 to melt in the heat of a Minnesota Sept. afternoon.
For those who were wondering, winter arrived today, Feb.13, in Central California. To stay warm, we had to run the heater in the boat while cutting floorboards. Outside, the steady rain didn't deter the birdsong coming from the adjacent bottlebrush.
It was great to see SSS tribe represented yesterday at Rob Moore's Celebration of Life at CYC. The afternoon was filled with Rob's friends sharing memories that brought tears and laughter, often at that same time. For 18 years Rob was racing editor at Latitude 38. His courageous story of the last two years is eloquently told at http://rkmoore.wordpress.com
Outside the window at CYC was anchored one of our SSS icons. Not only did this boat win the DH Farallones Race one windy Spring. But has also sailed more miles in SF Bay than any boat in history. Lucie M. guessed MIRAGE, and was nearly right. Jonathan knew right away when he saw the black hull. First one to post the correct answer below wins a sail aboard our new cat.
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2/17/12 Cause for celebration day: this week we completed carpentry. The overhead driveway tarps were cut down, and the boat is fully exposed to our benign winter weather. Today we lowered the mast from the umbrella base on the backyard deck, maneuvered it under the blossoming plum tree, set the mast tip on the garage roof, then Howard, Joe, and I walked the mast vertical on the boat and tensioned the rigging without incident, but with some accelerated heart rates. Next up is to jack the boat and cradle up, and slip under an athwartships balance beam. This will help determine the boat's balance point (horizontal center of gravity) necessary for 1) making lifting bridles and attachment points on deck 2) moving the axle on the trailer to achieve proper tongue weight.
Thanks to DIANNE and VINGILOTHIEL for recent contributions!
Great to see HAULBACK making sailing plans. Jim, I hope we can get together somewhere this Fall. I hope to have the new cat in the Gulf Islands in July. If you are around, give a shout.
Thanks to DIANNE and VINGILOTHIEL for recent contributions!
Great to see HAULBACK making sailing plans. Jim, I hope we can get together somewhere this Fall. I hope to have the new cat in the Gulf Islands in July. If you are around, give a shout.
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This afternoon, after securely blocking the wheels on the cradle, I set the white sails. First up: the Star jib, which needed its battens removed to facilitate roller furling. Then the Hobie 18 main, which looked a little dated with its 9 full length battens. I removed every other batten, attached luff slugs, and the main, though a bit on the small side, looks serviceable.
The wind was light. No flying ahull today ;-)
The wind was light. No flying ahull today ;-)
Report from the driveway: In a scene out of Bug Liter meets Egyptian Pyramid Builder, yesterday I loaded the boat with its gear, anchors, outboard and fuel, rudder, inflatable dinghy, etc. Howard and I then jacked up the boat and balanced the hull and cradle on some 2"x2"'s set on cinder blocks. Moving the 2"x2"'s laterally in half inch increments, we were able to determine the fulcrum and balance point of the boat.
The balance point, 20" aft of the mast, is critical. It helps determine where to position the lifting sling eyes and where to relocate the trailer axle. The boat was teetering like a giant seesaw. With a light touch of a finger, I could make the cat hobby horse like she was plunging upwind in the short chop of a San Pablo Bay ebb. ~ sleddog 2/21/12
The balance point, 20" aft of the mast, is critical. It helps determine where to position the lifting sling eyes and where to relocate the trailer axle. The boat was teetering like a giant seesaw. With a light touch of a finger, I could make the cat hobby horse like she was plunging upwind in the short chop of a San Pablo Bay ebb. ~ sleddog 2/21/12
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