Steve and Dave install new struts on Bay Dreamer With our arrival back in Hampton after seeing the kids off to school, we had a lot of things to catch up on. Cathy had committed to do a number of sewing projects for Doug and Lisa, which would take up most of the month before we headed back to babysit again. Dave had some projects of his own, and he had committed to helping Steve with a few on Bay Dreamer. In between we had another week of babysitting duty, volunteering at Bay Days, crewing for the Tri-Service Race, and a "medical procedure". We managed to get it all in, but by month's end, we were dragging.
Doug and Lisa's new canvas Sew Much
The biggest "to do" item for Cathy was to finish the projects she had signed on to do for Doug and Lisa. The stackpack and bimini were in place, but now she had to make bimini windows with covers and a sunshade. It took a little more than a week to complete, but they came together well and look good. The last stitches were going into a few cockpit pockets Saturday night before we left for Richmond. They were delivered as we were leaving town. By the time we returned, Carefree had moved on to a nearby marina to be hauled, so the work was finished just in time. Dave even got his hand in at the sewing machine making a winch cover.
The biggest "to do" item for Cathy was to finish the projects she had signed on to do for Doug and Lisa. The stackpack and bimini were in place, but now she had to make bimini windows with covers and a sunshade. It took a little more than a week to complete, but they came together well and look good. The last stitches were going into a few cockpit pockets Saturday night before we left for Richmond. They were delivered as we were leaving town. By the time we returned, Carefree had moved on to a nearby marina to be hauled, so the work was finished just in time. Dave even got his hand in at the sewing machine making a winch cover.
Steve had been looking to install new solar panels on his bimini, which led him (with Dave's prodding) to reconsider the way his bimini was supported. He decided to remove the bimini straps in favor of struts and internal supports. Cathy made some modifications to enable the new poles to attach underneath the bimini as well as adding webbing so the panels could be secured to the bimini. With some wire ties, MC4 connectors and 12 gauge wire, the solar panels were installed and connected in to charge the batteries. After a few adjustments, the battery monitor was confirming that the panels were doing their job.
Orion Jr's new anchor light Boat Stuff
Orion's recent safety inspection showed a problem with the LED bulb in the stern light. Some of the diodes were not lighting, although it was able to pass inspection. Dave decided to order replacement bulbs for Orion's bow, stern and anchor light. Orion Jr's safety inspection in June had highlighted a problem there as well. It was a little more subtle. We had only one all-around white light on Jr, which was at the top of the mast. This was for both our steaming light and our anchoring light. However, it had a photocell on it, and would therefore only light when it was dark. This worked especially well when we were at anchor, since the light would always come on automatically at dusk. However, the inspector pointed out that we would have no way of turning on our steaming light in foggy conditions, since the photocell would not force the light on.
With Orion Jr's temporary mast in place, there was no issue, since we could simply reach up and cover the photocell to force the light on. However, when the light was returned to the top of the regular mast, we couldn't reach it. So, we decided to order another anchor light for Orion Jr's mast, which would allow us to turn it on and off. It means a little more power draw at anchor (or more work to turn it on and off), but at least we can now turn it on at will if we need to.
We continued to strip unnecessary stuff off Orion Jr in an effort to lighten her on the trailer. In all, we've removed about 150 lbs, which should give us the leeway to account for the mast, boom, sails and dinghy which weren't on board the last time she was on the scales.
Orion's recent safety inspection showed a problem with the LED bulb in the stern light. Some of the diodes were not lighting, although it was able to pass inspection. Dave decided to order replacement bulbs for Orion's bow, stern and anchor light. Orion Jr's safety inspection in June had highlighted a problem there as well. It was a little more subtle. We had only one all-around white light on Jr, which was at the top of the mast. This was for both our steaming light and our anchoring light. However, it had a photocell on it, and would therefore only light when it was dark. This worked especially well when we were at anchor, since the light would always come on automatically at dusk. However, the inspector pointed out that we would have no way of turning on our steaming light in foggy conditions, since the photocell would not force the light on.
With Orion Jr's temporary mast in place, there was no issue, since we could simply reach up and cover the photocell to force the light on. However, when the light was returned to the top of the regular mast, we couldn't reach it. So, we decided to order another anchor light for Orion Jr's mast, which would allow us to turn it on and off. It means a little more power draw at anchor (or more work to turn it on and off), but at least we can now turn it on at will if we need to.
We continued to strip unnecessary stuff off Orion Jr in an effort to lighten her on the trailer. In all, we've removed about 150 lbs, which should give us the leeway to account for the mast, boom, sails and dinghy which weren't on board the last time she was on the scales.
Bob and Sue on Ruach in the Tri-Service Cup Tri-Service Race -- Almost
For the first time, we were recruited to join in the Tri-Service Race, a competition between the Air Force's Langley Yacht Club, Norfolk Naval Sailing Association and Fort Monroe (former Army post)'s Old Point Comfort Yacht Club. It has some complex point systems to determine that winner that encourages participation. Each club gets a point for each boat that starts the race. We were asked to join Bob on Ruach as crew along with our friend, Sue. We made it to South Hall Landing bright and early and were on our way out toward the Hampton flats where the race would begin.
For the first time, we were recruited to join in the Tri-Service Race, a competition between the Air Force's Langley Yacht Club, Norfolk Naval Sailing Association and Fort Monroe (former Army post)'s Old Point Comfort Yacht Club. It has some complex point systems to determine that winner that encourages participation. Each club gets a point for each boat that starts the race. We were asked to join Bob on Ruach as crew along with our friend, Sue. We made it to South Hall Landing bright and early and were on our way out toward the Hampton flats where the race would begin.
To say there was "light air" would be generous. As each of the classes ahead of us limped over the start line, we tried to get into position to do the same. However, instead of advancing on the line, we kept drifting back. The wind had died and the current, which was now the determining factor was pushing us up the James River and away from the committee boat. After 15 tortuous minutes of this, we and 20 of our fellow boaters were declared ineligible to start. There were more boats that didn't start than did. To our commodore's dismay, we lost posession of the cup to the Navy for only the 2nd time in more than a decade.
On an interesting sidelight, as we made our way in and out of Salt Ponds, we got to witness an amazing salvage operation. A sailboat had dragged onto the beach and had its keel firmly embedded in the sand the weekend before. A crane was positioned just off the beach and the boat hauled out of the sand and onto a barge.
Dave joins other volunteers at the Bay Days VIP tent Festivals and Family
We volunteered for a 2nd year at Hampton's Bay Days festival, opting to serve meals in the VIP area of the festival. We had a good group of volunteers and also got to sample some good food. Although our shift was only for a few hours on Friday, we put some time in on Saturday and Sunday as well. The coordinators were glad to have us and we had a good time.
We volunteered for a 2nd year at Hampton's Bay Days festival, opting to serve meals in the VIP area of the festival. We had a good group of volunteers and also got to sample some good food. Although our shift was only for a few hours on Friday, we put some time in on Saturday and Sunday as well. The coordinators were glad to have us and we had a good time.
Dave and the kids are cutting out gingerbread cookies. With a week back in Richmond, we enjoyed more time with Adam's family. Although the boys were back in school, we got to spend more time with Serenity and still had evenings together with the family. On the weekend, we made a trip to Emporia to see Taylor as Queen Bee and Troy as a little beekeeper on the Southside Beekeeper's float in the Virginia Peanut Festival. We finished off the weekend watching the civil war re-enacted at New Market Battlefield near Richmond. This was a significant battle in that the African American troops were placed in a strategic position and proved themselves by earning 14 of only 16 awards given during the war for bravery in this battle.
