Cold Sail and the annual 'Thawing Out Party'

First Sail of the 2012 season!   The MTLSA's annual 'Thawing Out Party' was our first trip out this year.  Although, we had a mild winter and warm spring, temperatures dropped as this date approached!

Galactica all washed up and prepped for travel...

We had commitments which prevented us from heading up to the lake the night before or even in the morning.  We arrived in the late afternoon, rigged and launched.   We sped to the marina under power.

19 knots....

Temperatures quickly dropped as we moved from dock to dock in a rolling pot-luck.  We first berthed Galactica at the A dock where appetizers were served on several sailboats then moved her to the dock where she'd spend the night. 

MTLSA sailors socializing.

Angie kicking back at dinner time.

Captain Douglas with a Malbec in a new Galactica glass!

In the morning, Angie and I enjoyed oatmeal and fresh fruit with our coffee for breakfast. 

I believe she was saying something along the line, "you are a complete idiot...now get that camera away from me!"

After we cleaned up the boat, we set sail under genoa only as storms were rolling in.  We made 5.2 knots with this sailplan...not bad!

5.2 knots under Genny only!

It felt great to be back on the water!

The big sailboat 'Island Breeze' was being moved to Chicago.  It ended up being towed to the ramp.

passing the 'tow boat' returning from the ramp

Galactica patiently waiting for me to retrieve the tow beast and trailer.

Angie pulled Galactica, mast up, out of the water.  Instead of having her tow it to the ramp parking lot, I had her pull it 1/2 mile to the sailboat lot where Island Breeze was having its mast removed.

being prepped for transport to Lake Michigan.

Single line reefing, outhaul, cradle-jacks!!!

Boat, mast up.  Some of the cattle and horses nearby...

Today, I replaced the factory outhaul line and cleat with a custom outhaul.



factory out-haul



The new outhaul has a longer, thinner line.  I removed the factory out-haul cleat and line.

 Next, I installed a cheek block where the old cleat was.  Afterwards, I installed a new cleat.  

new out-haul

Next, I begain installing the single line reef system by installing a new strap eye on the forward starboard end of the boom.  This is where the reef line will be tied with a bowline.


new starboard forward strap eye for single line reef

On the opposite side from the strap eye, I installed a new cheek block. This is 2: down from the sail track.  The line goes up through reef ring on sail and down to this block.




new port forward cheek block, 2" from sail track

 


Mid way down on the port side, I installed a strap eye.  5'3" from either end and 2 inches down from sail track.  The reef line goes through this guide.

new strap eye for single line reef system.  this is middle of port side of boom




port side cheek block for single line reef



The aft port side cheek block is 9 inches from the end of the boom. (Dog not included)  The line goes through this block and up to the aft reef ring and back down again, on the starboard side.

I installed the boom back on.  Below, is a picture showing the new aft end check blocks and cleat for the single line reef system.  The line goes through this starboard block and terminates on the cleat.

new out-haul and new single line reef sysetm



I installed strap eyes and hooks for the cradel jacks.


This picture shows one of my time saving tricks.  I drilled a hole in the end of the factory bolt holding the boom onto the goose neck.  I replaced the nut with a ring-ding.

 



hook and strap eye for cradle jacks. 



Below, shows the new jacks! 



cradle jacks in place!

Thunderstorms blew in as I was lowering the mast.  I was able to get Galactica back into the barn just before the storm hit!

more mods: speakers, rudder blocks and a cleat!



Yesterday evening,  I added a polycleat on the port side so that I can neatly hang the roller furler's line while underway.

New PolyCleat for furler line

Angie has a difficult time raising the rudders and the daggerboard when they are down and full of water.  In an effort to make the rudders manageable by her plus make it easier for me, I've added two blocks to each rudder line.

Rudders re-rigged!

I moved the line from the lift side of the rudders to the old factory padeyes from the original lifelines.  I added a short line to the rudder with a block at the end. 

 The rudder line goes through a block hanging from built in rings on the stern rail seats down through the lower rudder block and back up to the padeye.

Hole for port speaker...

Hole for Starboard speaker...



New Speakers!

Tonight,  I installed two marine speakers out in the cockpit and routed all the speaker wire behind bulkheads up to the stereo!  That took several hours.   If it doesn't rain,  I'll pull Galactica out tomorrow evening, raise the mast and begin some more rigging mods!



Our Sailing Association is having the season kick off party this weekend.  I hope it doesn't rain so that we can put Galactica and get some sail time!!!






Modifications and prep for first sail of the season!

Things have been extremely busy!  I am finally getting some time to prep the boat for this year!   Although we could have gone to the lakes as is, I wanted to improve the rigging for single-handed sailing.

First up is to re-rig the main Halyard.  Couple reasons.  I found that I often would sail with just the roller-furled genoa because it was easier and I didn't have to climb around the deck.   Additionally, last fall we came off the Atlantic with weather building and large waves.  Angie was a little sea-sick and had to take the helm while I lowered the main on a widly pitching boat.

New main halyard blocks mounted!

I've got a new, longer main halyard which had to be replaced anyway due to the last 5 or 6 feet getting trimmed off by the prop down at TableRock Lake on the Arkansas/Missouri border.   I also picked up a blue "down-haul" line to help pull the sail down.  The lines-lead-aft kit from Blue Water Yachts has a dual turning block, a dual cheek block and three spinlock clutches.  

My son and I mounted the new turning block near the mast base, behind the power coupler.  Once again, I fabricated an aluminum backing plate as I don't like using just a little washer inside the fiberglass.



inside view of new double turning block



We mounted the dual cheek block just forward of the factory cheek block for the daggar board.

inside view of new dual cheek blocks

I made an aluminum backing plate for the cheek blocks too.

I mounted the three spinlock clutches just forward of the starboard foresail winch.   I added three 5"polycleats in the cockpit near the same winch.   I rerouted the daggarboard line from its cleat to the innermost spinlock clutch and polycleat.  I want better line/sheet management in the cockpit.

New Spinlock clutches and line management poly cleats

I also wired up a new switch by the main door of the stables and installed a blue/white LED rope light down the center of the roof trusses.  

This is to give me a runway light to align Galactica's mast up on while backing in.  It worked beautifully!!!!  Normally I have to take a number of tries and adjustments to fit her into the barn.  I backed up in one straight shot with her centered in her bay--in one attempt!!! 

Tomorrow night, I hope to mount another polycleat, run new blocks and lines for the rudders and maybe begin installing marine speakers out in the cockpit!