FAR REACH HAUL OUT

[John Stone]

As has become the custom here we hauled the FR out for the worst months of hurricane season in NC (Aug-Oct). But, it's not just that. It's also just too hot to sail here in Aug. Hauling out before a storm is name designated ensures we can actually get hauled out. I would have hauled out last month but I wanted to install the furler with the boat in the water. I still need to run the furling line aft but I can do that with the boat on the hard. I'll get her under her full cover in the next week or so. Then turn-to on several projects. I'll take the working jib and genoa bonnet to the NY Doyle loft at the end of the month to be sewn together and converted to a furling jib.

When I left the Virgin Islands on 13 May there was not a barnacle on the hull. The prop was barnacle free too as it had been all season. I got home on 25 May--10 weeks ago. As the FR was hauled out I was amazed by the growth on the hull from the brackish water in so short a time. That's interlux Micron CSC. I applied it last summer.

My daughter joined Gayle and me for the 22 mile trip to the boatyard this morning. We were underway at 0600 to take advantage of a fair tide and stay ahead of the heat. A really nice trip. I thought the boat felt a little sluggish backing out of the slip. Shortly after we got out on the Neuse River we were down 1.5 kt at 2400 RPM. I cut the engine off and donned mask and fins and jumped in. Prop was heavily fouled. I scraped the barnacles off the prop then got back underway. Instantly 1.2 kts more speed. The slime accounted for the rest but I couldn't see it in the dark murky water.

The boatyard we use has been purchased by Safe Harbor, a big conglomerate. We use a little boatyard inside the big complex. Luckily the two partners own their land in the bigger complex. But the hand writing is in the wall. I think we are going to see more and more small boatyards being bought up. We are going to get priced out of sailing at some point.

My insurance tripled in the last three years. And Markel does not offer liability only on boats over 30'. That must be a marketing decision. Fortunately, we got a very good rate from BoatUS so we switched back to them and got the rate back to a near 2016 rate, nearly 1/3 Markels rate for a local coastal sailing policy. It’s just nuts! They won't cover me OCONUS like Markel did (Markel also covered me singlehanding) but at least we are covered here for now.

I plan to keep the boat hauled out till late winter/early spring. Projects are to finish the furler. Also, remove the coamings and bring them home. Got a few ideas for making varnish maintenance on them a little easier and we need to rebed anyway as we have problems there with the defective 3M 4000UV that has caused a lot of people grief. In October I plan to re-awlgrip the cabin top (roll and tip). I'll also have to see what I can do to clean up the topside around the bow area scuffed up by the mooring ball in the Caribbean. It might clean up. If not I've been thinking about painting a sacrificial strip like a white alwgip boot top that I can easily repaint if it gets damaged. Just an idea I have been thinking about. Still thinking about the isotherme fridge. No decision.

The new tiller worked well today though we were only motoring but the length and arc seemed just right. I took it home this afternoon to complete the leather handle project.

I am in the early planning phase of perhaps sailing up to NE this next summer. I've always wanted to do that. Hope I can make it work.

[John Stone]

A couple more photos. It's always great when you have your kids aboard.

[jbenagh]

Looking good John! We just got back to MA from three weeks in Maine and were shocked how hot it was. Can't imagine where you are.
Jeff

[gonesail]

I have been told that our marina will be sold next month to windward marina group .. who is gobbling up Florida marinas. there will be changes but I'm not sure I will like them. higher rates are a given. I like the dockmaster and assistant .. what happens to them? only time will tell I guess. and yes barnacles on the prop will stop you in your tracks

[keneasley]

Hello John,

Thanks for the update on the barnacles on the prop. I recall some discussions concerning using the zinc galvanizing paint. This year I tried the Rust-Oleum Zinc Cold Galvanizing Compound spray paint. Felicity is moored in semi-brackish (mostly salt) water in Southport Harbor, CT. I'll post back in a couple of weeks about the barnacle growth so far this season. For the hull I've been using Petit Hydrocoat ablative paint. It has worked very well and very few barnacles.