New Boat 4 Sled

[sleddog]

Solo sailors are notoriously frugal. Suffice to say, I resemble that description. This morning, good friend Gary Adams and I towed WILDFLOWER's trailer to Gary's property atop Mt.Erie. There, by means of a rope around a tree, we rappelled the trailer down a hill, around a corner, and into a level field where the trailer will be stored for the summer. Thanks, Gary!

Just uphill, Gary has a beautiful 18' Aeolus rowing dory under wraps. This dory was built 20 years ago in Davenport by Bill Grunewald. She has a storied history, including a patched bullet hole, where she was once used for target practice by some crazed local in the far reaches of Alaska.

Gary wanted to show me another piece of history. We crossed onto Indian land, went down a dirt road, and there beside the Swinomish Channel was a sad sight: the half sunk WESTERN FLYER, John Steinbeck's fishboat that he and Doc Ricketts chartered for their famous voyage and resulting book, THE LOG FROM THE SEA OF CORTEZ.

Nearby to WESTERN FLYER sits "Boom City." With no restrictions on fireworks sales, the local Indian tribe has set up a small town devoted strictly to the sale of fireworks for the upcoming 4th of July. Sales even at this early date seemed to be brisk, with more cars parked at Boom City than at the nearby casino.

 

[jubatus]

At 1510, a larger than average, beam on, wave lifted the windward hull. (the swell was wrapping around Steamer Lane). This wave lifted the windward hull about 5', while the leeward hull went into the trough. Our heel angle instantly went to about 40 degrees. The combination of the breaking wave's angular rotation and the momentum of our rig and sails, about 100 pounds at 13' above the center of gravity, meant we were in No Man's Land.

We did not hang there long, maybe a count of “two.” Rene blew the mainsheet instantly. We both dropped onto the leeward side of the cockpit. With the mainsheet run, the boom and clew of the mainsail hit the water and did not go out further.

With the main released, the jib assumed control and created lee helm, pulling the bows down and off the wind. According to Skene's, the force on the 80 square foot jib in 20 knots of wind was about 170 pounds multiplied by center of effort distance above waterline (~ 10'). We had about 1700 pounds of force levering the bows down and over.

The wind gust found at the top of the wave got under the rising windward hull and bridge deck. With our combined crew weight on the leeward side, WILDFLOWER did not stand a chance. Over she went in less than five seconds.

Hi Sleddog and many thanks for this informative and humoristic thread. Capsizes in narrow cats is unfortunately an inherent risk, so I am glad you were in contact with rescuing help and that nobody got hurt. I have a few questions about risk reduction: did you have the daggerboard down and was it to leeward? Secondly, do you think the capsize would have been avoided if also the jib had been immedeately released? And after the capsize, would a masthead floatation devise (fixed or automatically released) had allow you to right the cat yourselves? Would that have allowed you to sail on yourselves? In short what are your learnings from this episode? Are there design or handling advices that can make small narrow cat cruising gust safe?

 

[sleddog]

Regarding WILDFLOWER's capsize, the daggerboard was down and to leeward, increasing the draft from 2' to 4'. I'm not sure that played any part in the capsize.

The boat went to 40 degrees so quickly that I'm not sure the jib (nor main, which was hand held) could have been released in time to have any effect. Had both sails been released before the wave picked up the windward hull, or had I seen the wave approaching and luffed up, the capsize would have likely been avoided.

I have scratched my head about masthead flotation. A masthead float would have likely allowed us to right the boat from 90 degrees. A float like Meade Gougeon's would have to be of necessity quite large. Not sure I'm ready to go that route. An inflatable device might be better. But I have yet to see one that addresses that function. Some have suggested flotation sewn into the head of the sail like training dinghies. I'm open to possibilities.

We did right the boat fairly quickly with a line across the hulls to a 17' Whaler. The boat wanted to come up. A big mistake was not having the hatchboards in place and secured. That would have made the cabin watertight, and she would likely have wanted to pop up even faster.

Our mistakes were many: over confidence, not having tucked in the second reef, not seeing the approach of the offending wave behind our backs, not braced for our fall across the cockpit, not having the hatch boards in place and secured, not having the forward watertight compartment doors in the bows in place, not anchoring the boat when the Harbor Police ordered us off the boat.

I'm not sure 2-3' feet of additional beam would have made any difference. A mast head float, as mentioned, would have been desirable and kept us from inverting.

New procedures and equipment have been instituted. The hatch boards have locking lanyards and will be in position when sailing in winds > 15 knts; the bow compartments have their watertight doors in place and sealed, providing an additional 320 pounds of flotation forward; there is now a longitudinal foot brace (Windsurfer mast) in the cockpit, 1' off the floor; there is now a drybag on the transom with the PLB, flares, VHF, and cell phone.); the old EPIRB without GPS has been abandoned in favor of a new PLB with GPS locator; the tiller has been raised to clear the outboard, allowing greater turning response: the lead acid battery has been replaced in favor of AGM glassmat; and it has been noted that any badge holding officer of the peace, not just the Coasties, can order you off your boat for, what is in their mind, "reasons of safety."

 

[jubatus]

Thanks for sharing your observations and learnings. But is the hull draft with daggerboard up really 2 feet? Sounds very deep to me. Flotation in sails doesn't sound like a good idea since it won't work when sails are reefed. Perhaps twin masts like Schionning (freestanding), Kelsall och Chris White (stayed) could be a solution to avoid complete belly up, or perhaps an A frame rig, all very experimental though... There is not always outside assistance available, and any solution will have be proved in real life.

 

[sleddog]

"But is the hull draft with daggerboard up really 2 feet? Sounds very deep to me."

WILDFLOWER draft in loaded config:
Board down = 4'
Board up, Rudder down = 3'
Board up rudder up, OB down = 2'
Board up, rudder up, OB up = 1.25'

 

[jubatus]

WILDFLOWER draft in loaded config:
Board down = 4'
Board up, rudder up, OB up = 1.25'

Thanks for clarifying, that is what I thought. It doesn't sound unlikely that the board aided as a tripping point, preventing the boat from sliding down the wave. Perhaps the capsize risk would have been reduced had a daggerboard been located centrally or in both hulls and being down on the windward hull only? From smallest to largest single-handed multis: Joyon's IDEC is now close to Lizard Point at incredible speeds http://www.trimaran-idec.com/multimedia_cartographie.asp

 

[sleddog]

This morning Gary and I rode the ferry five miles from Keystone on Whidbey Is. across Admiralty Straits to Port Townsend. At $1.50 for seniors, this boat ride is a bargain.

We were met by long time friend and wood boat sailor, Roger Nisbet, of nearby Port Hadlock. Roger drove us to Port Ludlow where we caught up with SSS legend Dan Newland. Dan, three time winner of the SHTP, has recently taken up Radio Control (RC) boat racing.

Port Ludlow has the perfect venue for RC racing: a 50'x 200' enclosed lagoon surrounded by grass lawn. There were nine one design RC boats in attendance. Gary and I were kindly loaned boats. I won the first two races, Gary won the next two. Then Dan showed how it is done and won six straight. Much fun was had by all.

Returning to Anacortes, I found WILDFLOWER had new neighbors: 60 Nordic Tugs were in town for their convention. What an infestation. The Kentucky Sour Mash was flowing, and dueling bow thrusters seemed to be the afternoon entertainment.

 

[sleddog]

It's fun watching really big things being moved. On the Anacortes waterfront are four large oil storage tanks recently built for the North Slope of Alaska. These tanks are roughly 100' high, 80' in diameter, and hold 650,000 gallons.

Yesterday I watched two of the massive tanks being loaded on a barge. Fagioli is a heavy lift company, and specializes in this type of work. Each tank was on two self contained, modular trailers. Each trailer, about 200' long, had 160 fully articulating wheels, tires that probably weigh more than my boat.

The trailers are self propelled, and can travel at speeds up to 3 mph. They are also self leveling, and each set of tires can independently retract or extend to compensate for irregularities and bumps in the road bed. Impressive to watch, even in slow motion.

 

[Critter]

That's a lot of beans!

 

[sleddog]

WILDFLOWER is back in Friday Harbor. A lot has happened since I was here a year ago. Yesterday's weather was lovely, with blue skies and big fluffy cumulus clouds. Not much wind to sail the 20 miles from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. But I was able to test all systems. Everything seems to be online, including the new depth sounder, tiller pilot, solar panel, and stove. I did have to splint one of the long mainsail battens which had become delaminated. But duct tape and some shorter miscellaneous batten stock solved the issue.

Friday Harbor is a boating town. You don't have to go far to meet interesting people. Tied up close astern are Herb, Willie, and dog Jake on WILLIE'S TUG, a Ranger 27 tug. Their home is the Gulf Coast of Texas. Hearing the story of trailering their 12,000 pound boat halfway across the country was both eye opening and inspiring.

Up ahead is my new best friend Nemo. Nemo started life as a pound kitten in San Diego. She joined the crew of the Atkins Ingrid ketch COLUMBINE, and circumnavigated over nine years. Now Nemo is a big kitty, well acclimated to her liveaboard life, but always ready to come to the rail for a scratch.

 

[sleddog]

With rain spitting down, and gale warnings hoisted, I've taken a page out of Comfortable Cruising Onboard Small Catamarans and decided to "never leave a good harbor on a bad day."

I've moved WILDFLOWER forward 50' along the dock, and am now viewable on the Friday Harbor webcam. http://www.islandcam.com/fridayhrbr.html You may need a magnifying glass to see WILDFLOWER on the upper left.

Action today should come when the 130' waterjet propelled, passenger catamaran VICTORIA CLIPPER arrives from Seattle. At 30 knots, the CLIPPER brings her 230 passengers comfortably north, enjoying Deception Pass whirlpools and a little whale watching enroute. http://www.clippervacations.com/seattle-san-juans-ferry/

Just inshore on the main dock is the Friday Harbor Fishmarket, home of legendary "Popeye" the one eyed harbor seal. Beloved Popeye has been enjoying crab, calamari, and shrimp salads while entertaining tourists for 25 years. They've even built a granite statue of Popeye in the town's waterfront park. http://oldsite.sanjuanislander.com/port/fh/popeye.shtml

WILDFLOWER and I enjoyed an unexpected visit from Popeye last year when she popped her head into our cabin when the Aquarium hatch was open below. Surprise!

 

[sleddog]

Happy First Day of Summer!

The baro is rising, and rain has ended, having given a good drenching to Washington State. In its wake comes building high pressure and a "Super Moon." The year's closest proximity of Earth to Sunday's full moon will bring extreme tides, from -3' to +8', and strong currents.

I'm headed north to Sucia and Matia Islands, sandstone fingers lying athwart Boundary Pass, just south of the Canadian Border. The chart shows many anchorage
possibilities. But a reminder to self to anchor in water deeper than 6' at low tide.

 

[sleddog]

Congrats to all Long Packers and to those that made it possible!

Sucia Island is something special. Lying in the NE quadrant of the American San Juans, Sucia is composed of sandstone eroded by wind and water, creating fantastic shapes, caves, and cliffs.

WILDFLOWER and I pulled into legendary Fossil Bay after a three hour sail from Friday Harbor, not knowing what to expect. What we found were 30 boats flying pirate flags tied up to the two State Park docks, and a yacht club party about to start. After tying up, I took off hiking to the other side of the island to visit Fox, Echo, and Shallow Bays, and see what my options were.

After a two mile hike through a lovely forest, I emerged onto the white sand beach of Shallow Bay. There were two Beaver float planes on the beach and a wedding party on a nearby point. Unlike Fossil Bay, Shallow Bay was serene and almost completely landlocked. With only 5' of water depth throughout on the upcoming low tide, Shallow Bay looked like a less populated option if the partying got out of hand at Fossil Bay.

Hiking back to Fossil Bay, I found the potato cannon wars and amplified music had begun: potatoes were being launched out of PVC cannons, using ignited hairspray as the charge.

I anchored WILDFLOWER out of range, and settled in for the evening wearing foam earplugs. My plan was to move the next morning to the more secluded waters of Shallow Bay.

 

[Santana20Vixen]

Oh I bet that was a true "Popeyed" surprise through the Aquarium hatch... and were you reading the paper at that moment too? Duck Duck - Goooooose.

 

[sleddog]

Saturday 0900 I pulled anchor. Not difficult, as the tide had dropped to -2.2' and I could see large crabs on the bottom under the boat. Sailing clockwise around, it was less than two miles between Little Sucia and Sucia, through Fox Bay, and into Shallow Bay. Only one other boat in Shallow Bay. I motored in until I had 5', set the anchor, and made a potato, bacon, and cheese omelette.

The day proved the best so far. With building high pressure, the sun was out and the sand beach was nearby. I inflated the dinghy and went for a row. Several bald eagles watched from their roosts on nearby snags. Kayakers began to appear. One kayaking group appeared to be under dictatorial command. The leader, in a voice that could be heard across the Bay, kept repeating "rudders up! We are going ashore to put on more sunscreen and drink water. Remember, drink water!"

I took the time to clean the waterline of Friday Harbor's scum. White (Petit Vivid) bottom paint was not a good choice of color. Especially as my 22' cat has 84 linear feet of waterline to scrub. But all came clean as nearby harbor seals watched with baleful eyes.

The "Super Moon" was so bright reflecting off Shallow Bay's calm waters I awoke at midnight, thinking it was morning, and began to dress.

Remember, drink water.

 

[AlanH]

These are the kinds of pictures and stories that got me to design, then buy a sail and oar boat.

We have a project for you and Wildflower if you're back before August.

 

[sleddog]

If it's Tuesday, it's thrift shop day in Anacortes. On the short list are more plastic food containers, the ones that have six sides, not round. Round food containers offered by markets are hopeless. Not only do round containers like P-nut butter, jelly, and mayo jars offer 20% less storage volume for the same shelf space, but they tend to roll if laid on their side.

With three days of rain, living aboard with 32 sq. feet of floor space has taken a less than romantic turn. I need to get RED SKY up here to fix the radio waves. Congrats to Brian for figuring out how to contact Long Pac racers 150 miles at sea via VHF. He'd have his work cut out up here. The only VHF weather I can receive on my handheld VHF radio is from Canada, is in French, and is metric. Bon chance!

Cap Sante Marina recently spent nearly a quarter million $ upgrading their Wi-Fi system to attract marina visitors. New 60' aluminum towers surround the docks. The Harbor Master's roof looks like an electronic eavesdropping convention. Now, after a year of fine tuning, Cap Sante Wi-Fi only works at high tide. RED SKY would probably have this little glitch for lunch.

All is not for naught. Dogs love this place. Most boats have at least one. The dog park is right across the street. Yesterday, I had three Shih Tzus (Stan, Alice, and Iris) visit aboard. With all sorts of cozy compartments, they thought WILDFLOWER was the coolest dog house. And they didn't want to leave.

The rain is supposed to end tomorrow. I'll be headed back north to my new favorite island, Sucia. I'd better post this before the tide begins to drop.

 

[Wylieguy]

Sucia is nice, but Shallow Bay can be mean in a stiff NWer - lee shore. Too much company on the other side at lot of the time. Have you tried Stuart Island? Prevost Harbor on the North side faces Haro Strait and across to B.C. Turn Point Lighthouse is a nice walk with even nicer views. Bald eagles, etc. Prevost Harbor is better protected, but not as scenic, I think.
Pat Broderick

 

[sleddog]

Thanks, ELAINE. Post #75 on page 8 talks about Prevost Harbor, the delightful hike to Turn Pt. Lighthouse, and the surprise awaiting there.

The upper level low pressure funneling in all this rain is forecast to move west this afternoon, bringing dryer and warmer weather to the PNW.

WILDFLOWER's cabin is a cozy retreat, replete with tropical curtains, prayer flags, a library, and the smell of coffee.

Seeing the SC-27 SOLITAIRE, winner of the first SHTP, down the way reminded me of all the things I've seen on boats over the years. In the first Singlehanded Transpac, one of the entrants, intending to cruise Down Under and support himself by doing landscaping, was carrying a lawnmower lashed to the mast.

Some of you may remember the Olson 30 STILL CRAZY in the 1990 SHTP. Ron's crew of a well patched blowup doll was a source of amusement. But of equal amazement was STILL CRAZY's compact cabin being dominated by a saddle and spurs. The skipper supplemented his sailing habit by riding broncs in rodeos.

 

[sleddog]

Hiking three miles to Turn Pt. on Stuart Island is always fun. Yesterday's weather was warm and clear. Gary and I watched a small plane takeoff from Stuart Island International Airport. The runway is angled down, is grass, and disappears into the woods. I'd say pilots have to have local knowledge to use this field!

Post hike, Gary and I had cold beers aboard his beautiful Peterson 34, JURA. (photo below) Then some Trader Joe's chili. Prevost Harbor, landlocked in all quadrants, was calm and quiet. Except for an armada of about 30 geese cruising the main.

This morning JURA and WILDFLOWER upped anchors for Blind Bay on Shaw Island. In mid-Channel I spot an odd looking craft heading north. I altered to pass close, and discovered it was good friends Russell and Ashlyn Brown on the proa JZERRO from Port Townsend.

We shut down engines and gammed for a few minutes. JZERRO is headed north to Desolation Sound with a boat full of boat parts for Josh Sunderland, who is building a 40' cat on Maurelle Island.

It's a small world in these parts