Solo Sail Around Kitsap, Update 4

OK Sports Fans... Another update on the Solo Sail Around Kitsap project (S.S.A.K.)

18 Days left till underway!

Anyone with a better acronym or name for this project please feel free to chime in!

Yesterday I worked on:

1. Making the dinghy rowing seat. Looks pretty good so far. Nice and strong and just the right height. Filled in the screw holes and stowed the boat.

2. Wired in the compass, but shorted out the circuit and blew a fuse. After moving fuses around, I still had no light on the compass but every thing else on the circuit worked. Maybe the light is too weak and has to be seen at night.

3. Figured out a Jack line for the boat. I love Harbor Freight!

4. Oh... need more fuses. New item on the list!

5. Filling in screw holes in the aft bulkhead.

Today, I worked on:

1. The forward anchor cleat, which requires a teak sandwich above and below deck in order to strengthen the cleat. Made the sandwich... got to round the edges, bolt together, varnish, and install on the boat. (Don't want to rip the cleat out of the deck on a dark and windy night at anchor... No sir!)

2. Purchased permanent battery charger and 2nd marine battery. Installation may have to wait until Monday, need to install another house outlet on the boat.

3. Finishing the Dinghy seat/box - bought molding, paint, need cushion for top. I've also got to find latches to secure the lid and to secure the box to the wood floor of the dinghy.

4. Purchased chart 18840 for chart table! Need craft epoxy to finish the Chart Table.

5. Installed spare tire holder and tire on trailer, freed up brake line connectors.

6. Fabricated "Jack Line" from 3000 pound webbing, and 500 pound shackles from Harbor Freight... cost: $18.00. ($70.00 at West Marine!)

Tomorrow's a planned light day.

Field day shop in AM...
Les Miserable at the 5th Ave in the Afternoon.
Chill out at home with the little lady.

Campy Out!

Solo Sail Around Kitsap, Update 3

As promised yesterday here is the list of items left to complete prior to my planned Sept 7th underway. I didn't include dates on these items due to the fact that this list is a moving target of money, energy, weather, and time.  I will color each item Green when completed. So here goes nothing!

Windsocket Refit Items:
Paint Registration Numbers on Inflatable dinghy
Fabricate and install Seat for Inflatable dinghy

Inflatable in Water

Rig and test inflatable tow line
Rig and test inflatable with boat motor
Install anchor cleat with backing block
Rig and Test anchor system
Fill old screw holes in bulkhead

Install dinghy tow cleat with backing block

Install battery charger

Install deep cycle battery (#2)

Charge deep cycle battery (#1)

Install Jack Line

Fabricate cooking board for cockpit (could be combined with inflatable seat)

Refit trailer

Measure and balance mast

Install cockpit item holder

Epoxy Puget Sound Chart to table top

Crab Trap

Stow boat

Supplies (Non Perishable)
Supplies (Perishable)
Fast Cruise Port Orchard
Underway

I'm so looking forward to getting underway, although I really enjoy working on the boat just as much sailing her.

Stay tuned sports fans! More updates coming!

Campy Out!

Sail Around Kitsap Update 2

OK Sports Fans... Another update on the Solo Sail Around Kitsap Project (S.S.A.K.P.)

I know, I really got to come up with a better acronym... any witty suggestions???

I've set the date of departure as September 7th, more specifically, on the falling tide and with a following wind. My second task was to work a three mandatory portage dates in the schedule in order to meet obligatory personal engagements. Here's what I've worked out:

We Aug 17 - Refit Continues
Su Sept 4 - Refit Ends
Su Sept 4 - Supply Load Out (Non Perishables)
Mo Sept 5 - Stow Gear, Review Saftey Gear, Inventory Check
Tu Sept 6 - Supply Load out (Perishables)
Tu Sept 6 - Fast Cruise
We Sept 7 - Depart Port Orchard Marina
Th Sept 8 - Kingston Municipal Pier, Kingston, WA
Fr Sept 9 - Pleasant Harbor, Brinnon, WA
Sa Sept 10 - Hood Canal Marina, Union, WA
Su Sept 11 - Visit Allyn Warf, Allyn, WA
Su Sept 11 - Hood Canal Marina, Union, WA
Mo Sept 12 - Ludlow Marina, Port Ludlow, WA
Tu Sept 13 - Poulsbo Marina, Poulsbo, WA
We Sept 14 - Return to Port Orchard Marina
Th Sept 15 - Event Prep
Fr Sept 16 - Major Event
Sa Sept 17 - Recover
Su Sept 18 - Restock Boat
Mo Sept 19 - Depart Port Orchard Marina
Tu Sept 20 - Docton Docks, Mauri Island, WA
We Sept 21 - Longbranch Warf, Longbranch, WA
Th Sept 22 - Visit Port of Allyn, Allyn, WA
Th Sept 22 - Fair Harbor Marina, Grapeview, WA
Fr Sept 23 - Swan Town Marina, Olympia, WA
Sa Sept 24 - Gig Harbor Municipal Pier, Gig Harbor, WA
Su Sept 25 - Return to Port Orchard Marina
Su Sept 25 - SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS!!!!

Now that's out of the way, I can focus on the left yet to do list and get the list projected out from to departure date. Just think... only 17 days of refit left!

Tomorrow, I'll update the project list for everyone to follow along.

Good night for now!

Campy Out!

Solo Circumnavigation of Kitsap Peninsula, 2011

After a few weeks of thinking and rethinking, I think it's time to set a date and actually start planning my solo sail around Kitsap Peninsula, in a 38 year old, 22 foot Catalina sailboat called "Windsocket". Since I'll be leaving from the Port Orchard/Bremerton area located on the Puget Sound's Sinclair Inlet, the trip will be somewhere just over 400 miles of sailing. I think I'll start just after Labor Day and take three lazy weeks to complete the trip and really soak in the beauty of the Puget Sound.

So looking at a calendar, it appears my begin date will be September 5, 2011. Since I've been working on the boat most of the summer I think it's pretty well prepared at this moment to get underway. Since I have three weeks to get underway as a couple of things I need to add, or modify in order to make it a safe and comfortable cruise for me and Chief my service dog.

Some of you reading this just reread the phrase "service dog". Yes I have a service dog. His name is "Chief" and is a two-year-old Australian Shepherd mix that's just about as smart as I am. I travel with Chief wherever I go. For those who don't know me I'm a 49-year-old guy with Parkinson's disease. I've had Parkinson's for about 14 to 15 years, and 18 months ago I had brain surgery to install a deep brain stimulator in my left brain! After some initial programming setbacks, I feel much better, stronger, and although a bit heavier (up 25 pounds), I feel pretty darn good most days. Back to Chief, he used to help me get around, but now he pretty much reminds me to take my medicine, rest went I'm tired, and finds things went I can't remember where I put them. Chief is pretty cool!



I'm not going to worry too much about the Parkinson's thing. I've had it for so long now that I don't think about it most days, with the exception of taking my medicine 4 times a day. I don't intend to let Parkinson's disease rule my life anymore. I used to sail quite a bit, and after nearly one year off, I'm ready to hit the water again and see if I've still got the mental and physical strength to reclaim myself from Parkinson's. As long as I can move safely, I don't want to miss any opportunities... In other words, I don't want to have any regrets or doubts later on.

So now back to the list of things I've got to do to the boat before going away:

Install a hardwired battery charger
Replace number two battery battery
Install cockpit gear holders
Install anchor cleat forward
Install dinghy cleats (also acts as aft anchor points)
Install a safety "jack" line aft to forward
Test the anchor system
Test inflatable dinghy towing and motor transfer.
Buy new (2nd) crab pot
Buy new logbook
Buy Salmon fishing gear (Will be dragging a line for the duration)
stocked boat with food, supplies, and clothing.
Reschedule dental appointment
Reschedule doctors appointment
Clear calendar for three weeks

It probably seems like a long list, but should take only a week to finish. I figure this day and age of reality shows, websites and blogs, it would only be fitting for me to chronicle this event as electronically as possible, so look for pictures, movies, blog updates, and Picasso picture posts during the trip as I find Wi-Fi availability.

So that's my update for today! I'm looking forward to taking pictures of what the boat looks like, upgrades, stowage, sleeping and cooking arrangements, and bathroom issues.

Stay tuned kiddeeees!  This is gonna get fun!

Campy Out!

Well???

Hey man... Its Summer!

I've been ignoring email, my blog, and the yard, but I have been working on the boat, sailing, traveling with my daughter, sailing with my brother, going on a vacation with my wife next week, and hanging out with The Chief.

I'm sure once the clouds and rainy weather come back, I'll be a little more in the mood to write something.  Until later...

Campy Out!