New Boat 4 Sled

[BobJ]

Maybe I’ll go work on Dura Mater, use up one of the butane cartridges, stay warm there.

Dave on Pinocchio took pity and loaned me his propane heater. It works great - I think I'll get one. But I'm not going over until tomorrow.

It's looking good for the traditional NYD sail - typical cold and light wind, but sunny. Kelsey did a nice job repairing the sails. She beefed up my amateurish spreader patches, added some cloth along the jib's foot where it was looking doggy, and she determined that the Code 56 looked great and required no work. She did suggest that I not store it rolled on its furler, but instead "have my crew unroll it and flake it for storage." As Jim Kellam used to say, "I'll get a man right on that."

 

[AlanH]

Yeah, but Jackie, YOU sailed down the coast to Santa Barbara and beyond, solo. And in the fog. I've never done that, and at this point, never will.

You is a tough cookie.

 

[Dazzler]

Please, PLEASE be careful and have plenty of ventilation in enclosed spaces with propane/butane devices that consume oxygen and produce carbon monoxide (CO). CO is the silent killer.

 

[BobJ]

Yes, thanks Tom. Surprise! has propane and CO detectors, and I crack open the hatch directly above the heater when it's running. I'm pretty sure Dura Mater has a CO detector. I'm looking at a Webasto diesel heater that would be ducted throughout the cabin. Pinocchio and the two Cal 40s across from Surprise! have these heaters, which have dedicated air intakes and exhausts. I'm envious after the cold weather we've been having.

 

[sleddog]

Yes, thanks Tom. Surprise! has propane and CO detectors, and I crack open the hatch directly above the heater when it's running. I'm pretty sure Dura Mater has a CO detector. I'm looking at a Webasto diesel heater that would be ducted throughout the cabin. Pinocchio and the two Cal 40s across from Surprise! have these heaters, which have dedicated air intakes and exhausts. I'm envious after the cold weather we've been having.

When I sailed WILDFLOWER up the Inside Passage to Alaska I reckoned I'd appreciate a cabin heater. The sailing magazine cruising gurus said to buy a ceramic garden flower pot, invert it over the propane burner, let it get hot, and Bob's Your Uncle. I got to Glacier Bay, the flower pot did not.....

Tom P. and I double-handed ROXANNE to F2F in the Pac Cup with heated towel racks and a washing machine. The washing machine was handy for stowing extra anchor chain. The towel racks were wonderful for gripping onto after coming off watch the first couple of days, as well as having a warm pillow and socks. If you are going to get the diesel heater, get the towel racks, IMHO.

 

[BobJ]

Noted.

It's starting to feel like I'm trying to keep up with the Joneses (and the Pressleys, the Quancis, the Walkers...)

 

[Philpott]

You guys are too funny. A washing machine for thee, but not for me. And alas, I don't have a co2 monitor, although I did look it up and found a battery-operated one for $19.95 on Amazon. For now I'll just have to risk it while I type on Dura Mater.

Honestly, though, so many people stop by and rap on the cabin top, I don't think I will worry about it for the time being. Most people know that I offer coffee, tea and chocolate to anyone who stops by. So they do. It would be hard to die on E Dock.

 

[mike cunningham]

I installed a "cheap chinese diesel heater" (google it) last year before my trip to the TBF. Also installed a CO monitor. I used to use an electric heater when I stayed over in marinas but now I mostly anchor out.

Fantastic investment! I leave it on low overnight and turn it up to HI when I wake up (there is a remote, so this can be done from my bunk).

Eventually, very eventually, I arise and face what is left of the day.

To be honest I am becoming uncomfortable with being so comfortable.



If anyone does decide to go with a diesel heater of any brand I strongly recommend this fellow's series of videos which provide a plethora of info re how well they work, how they operate/maintain and risks associated. Also excellent power/fuel consumption details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvwmU_CcmGI

 

[Dazzler]

I’ve owned three boats with built-in heating sources:
- 42’ cruising sailboat with Dickinson Newport Diesel Heater (requires 3” chimney thru deck)
- 24’ mini-tug with Force 10 Propane Cozy Cabin Heater (requires 1” chimney thru deck)
- 39’ cruising sailboat with Espar Airtronic D4 diesel forced air furnace (the original German design that has been copied by the Chinese)

Generally speaking, diesel provides a dryer heat source. The propane Force 10 Cozy Cabin heater was totally unacceptable in the Delta in Wintertime. Propane has a very high moisture content and we were plagued with condensation.
The Dickinson Newport diesel heater is delightful. It’s like having a cheery little fireplace, and I actually had to be concerned about overly drying out the interior woodwork.
The Espar (along with it’s Webasto cousin and Chinese copies) are probably the easiest to live with. Push the button and set the thermostat and you have heat. Successful installation can be challenging and there are several ways to screw it up. Note that the exhaust is noisy and best routed out the stern if possible.

Happy to elaborate or answer questions.

P.S. And, if you want the towel warmer option, you need to opt for a hydronic system.

 

[mike cunningham]

I’ve owned three boats with built-in heating sources:
- 42’ cruising sailboat with Dickinson Newport Diesel Heater (requires 3” chimney thru deck)
- 24’ mini-tug with Force 10 Propane Cozy Cabin Heater (requires 1” chimney thru deck)
- 39’ cruising sailboat with Espar Airtronic D4 diesel forced air furnace (the original German design that has been copied by the Chinese)

Generally speaking, diesel provides a dryer heat source. The propane Force 10 Cozy Cabin heater was totally unacceptable in the Delta in Wintertime. Propane has a very high moisture content and we were plagued with condensation.
The Dickinson Newport diesel heater is delightful. It’s like having a cheery little fireplace, and I actually had to be concerned about overly drying out the interior woodwork.
The Espar (along with it’s Webasto cousin and Chinese copies) are probably the easiest to live with. Push the button and set the thermostat and you have heat. Successful installation can be challenging and there are several ways to screw it up. Note that the exhaust is noisy and best routed out the stern if possible.

Happy to elaborate or answer questions.

P.S. And, if you want the towel warmer option, you need to opt for a hydronic system.

Yep, the exhaust sounds like a small rocket motor when the thing is turned up high. I have the outlet located hi on the stern so no issue in the boat but in a marina or crowded anchorage it is going to be a problem. I elected to go without muffler due to the added interior joints in the exhaust hose. The fewer leak opportunities the better imo but it is definitely louder than if muffled.

Agree, there are number of ways to foul the installation up. I found it helpful to thoroughly familiarize myself with how these things work, how they are put together and ops risks. This was useful in avoiding some of the more glaring (and potentially dangerous) mistakes. Sorting the real estate and safe tubing/fuel/power runs amongst all the other (sometimes moving) crap aboard was the biggest issue in a 30 footer. It was not a trivial project.

I did not implement the towel warmer option but I do now have a very effective boot warmer and sock dryer. Hell, I could easily warm a towel too now that I think about it.

I may have to see how it works during the windy reach... Did I actually say that?

 

[sleddog]

I may have to see how it works during the windy reach... Did I actually say that?

This comment did not go unnoticed here at CBC. Speaking from experience, the diesel cabin heater/sock/cap/boot/and pillow warmer turns the Windy Reach into duck soup, especially combined with drinking hot choc and Big Sailor under the dodger chugging SW at 7.

 

[mike cunningham]

This comment did not go unnoticed here at CBC. Speaking from experience, the diesel cabin heater/sock/cap/boot/and pillow warmer turns the Windy Reach into duck soup, especially combined with drinking hot choc and Big Sailor under the dodger chugging SW at 7.

Well then. Food for thought...no pun intended.

 

[Howard Spruit]

1/2/22--
For those who asked to be updated on the Mini Skeeter project.
It is upside down on the strong back, stringers (longerons) installed and preparing for bottom and top side paneling.

 

[sleddog]

Pasadena had its annual New Years Rose Parade yesterday...Less garish and more to the point, Inverness YC had a parade of 110's circling the parking lot. Even a contingent from Bainbridge Island, WA had driven south to attend and expressed enthusiasm for their new fleet in the Pac NW. The hills of Tomales Bay were emerald green, green being the color theme of the day.



Meanwhile at New Years Day coffee club at the Harbor Breakwater, Howard and Rainer continue to feed "their" pigeons. They recognize each bird, except one, who appeared to be a plant and government spy drone with camera running. I don't know what became of the stool pigeon drone except a report "it wasn't pretty."

 

[AntsUiga]

Pacific Telephone is obviously a pseudonym for G-men

Ants

 

[BobJ]

I installed a "cheap chinese diesel heater" (google it) ...

If anyone does decide to go with a diesel heater of any brand I strongly recommend this fellow's series of videos which provide a plethora of info re how well they work, how they operate/maintain and risks associated. Also excellent power/fuel consumption details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvwmU_CcmGI

I did Google it. Holy cow - "cheap chinese diesel heaters" has a huge cult following. Its FB User Group has almost 58,000 members! John McK (who did the YouTube videos you linked to) is clearly obsessed with the things. But he's good and has a fun Aussie accent, and I got lulled in. I decided I'd go ahead and watch all four episodes. Then I saw there were actually eight... no, twelve... no, eighteen episodes! I stopped when the content started to repeat.

So I'm selling the boat and investing in cheap chinese diesel heaters. It's a thing!

Add: I mentioned to Connie that I wanted to get a cheap chinese diesel heater for the boat. She said "Why would you want to do that? Why don't you get a good one?" My answer was lengthy and complicated and her eyes glazed over, as often happens when explaining boat stuff...
.

 

[sleddog]

40 years ago this week, Jan 3, 1982, began one of the all time weather events in Central California history. Out of a clear, spring-like sky, a storm quickly moved ashore from the west and heavy rain began to fall. It didn't stop for 3 days, and 22 lives were lost in Santa Cruz County alone.

Ten people were killed at Love Creek and entire families were swept away by a giant mudslide. A little after 11 a.m. Jan. 4, the San Lorenzo River jumped its banks and headed for the County Building. Early the next morning, a crack appeared in the Soquel Avenue bridge, and shortly thereafter the eastbound lane crumbled into the river. Reports of damage and calls for help poured into the county emergency center. By the end of the day, dispatchers had answered 3,500 calls.

Houses tumbled from foundations and slid down muddy slopes. One home fell across Lompico Road, trapping canyon residents. Another, undermined by the Aptos Creek, plunged into the water and shattered against a bridge.

Rain-swollen streams and creeks flooded neighborhoods, carrying heavy logs along with propane tanks, water heaters and the detritus of people’s lives. Just up the street from CBC, 2 mobile home parks were swept away when many logs >24" in diameter jammed the Soquel Creek overpass and the now raging river found a new path to the ocean through Soquel Village, flooding the town to 5 feet of depth..



The entire Bay Area suffered major impacts from this storm. But Marin County was hit especially hard as was the area around Tomales Bay, where 18" of rain fell in just a few hours.

Whether you lived in the area during this infamous storm or not, I commend to you historian Dewey Livingston's just published account in the Marin County Free Library's newsletter linked below. It helped me understand why the headwaters of Tomales Bay are currently shoal for sailing at anything less than half tide. 4 feet of depth was lost overnight in the vicinity of the Inverness Yacht Club (IYC) as silt and mud oozed into the bay during that January, 1982, epic weather event.

https://medium.com/anne-t-kent-cali...the-great-flood-disaster-of-1982-621b8193494e

 

[sleddog]

Congrats to PJ getting virtual CHANGABANG past Cape Agulhas, the southern most tip of Africa. Now he is off westward for Cape Horn, which will be infinitely harder, as the the WSSRC has agreed that because CHANGABANG went through Torres Straits that the extra distance to a turning mark off Argentine was not necessary. 3,620 Great Circle nautical miles dead to weather to Cape Horn? Detouring counter-clockwise around the South Atlantic High might be a good look. Downwind mostly, as well as getting in the lee of South America for reduction in wave size.

https://pjsails.com/virtual-attempt/
.

 

[sleddog]

The first trivia quiz of 2022 is easy. The winner is invited to High Tea on the CBC deck with Port Capt. Howard Spruit and myself any Tues., Thurs., or Sat. at 2 pm. Unlimited number of guesses allowed, but both answers must be correct. One correct does not count.

Two iconic designs of the first half of the 20th century are pictured below. The first, a 15.75' keel sloop, was sighted at the Santa Cruz Harbor hoist without rig. It was originally designed for children to sail, is well mannered, and surprisingly fast. (I've raced one at Cape Cod)





The second is a family friendly dinghy being raced off Annapolis by my nephew and his daughter. It's design was originally home built of plywood. But as the class evolved, fiberglass became the construction material of choice. Recently, however, wood has come back in favor as being lighter and giving more headroom under the boom without a 6" false bottom, air tank that helps the fiberglass boats float when swamped.. With a light enough crew, this 11 foot centerboard dinghy will plane.



What is the design (class) and/or designer of both these two boats? The famous designer(s) of each may or may not be the same. Hint: one of these small craft was designed in 1914, the other in 1939.

Ready, set, go.

And just for fun, who are the 3 people in the below photo, 2 of whom are Star Class Worlds Champions?

 

[Howard Spruit]

Hint;
I have had tea with the one on the left