Introductory Sail and Tebo Gunkhole...

Truman Lake - 11&12 May, 2012

We started the weekend by driving over to Truman Lake Friday evening after work.   I had always seen satellite images of the Tebo islands so was hoping to gunkhole around those islands.  Imagery show trees on the coastline so navigating those island the first time wouldn't be wise in the dark.

Regardless, we were able to rig and launch by the end of twilight.   We were on the water less than 5 minutes before it got dark.    We steered up the Tebo arm under the cover of darkness.



I held the camera up to the Night Vision Scope... didn't work so well.



Trees in the water are pretty much invisible until you're right on them.  There was a half moon but its light was obscured by heavy cloud cover.  I was reducing speed and preparing to retrieve the night vision scope from below when the depth went from 50ish feet to 20ft.   All in a split second, mind you, we were in the middle of the Tebo arm far away from shore when I saw a tree top materialize 20 ft ahead bearing roughly 280 degrees (our 1 oclock position).  I swerved port and barely kissed the top of another shorter tree.  Enough to hear it but not enough to even scuff the boat.  Close call...feeling like an idiot who was negligent, I steered toward deeper channel while Angie ran below and retrieved the night vision scope. 

Our Anchorage for Friday Night. Tebo islands about a 1 mile west.

She took the helm while I first surveyed the water around us with the scope (worth the money to have).  I next went below to check all the lockers and bilge.  All was good.   I dug out the paper charts of Truman and spent some time looking over the depth topology.   We decided to slowly ease into one of the larger bays/coves near us and save exploring the Tebo islands for a weekend when we have more daylight to navigate there.

Morning at the achorage, lots of fish breaking the water...

I got us into a bay and Angie idled us into a cove with me on the bows with the night vision scope calling directions to her.   The first cove was too small to swing on anchor with a disturbing number of trees so we motored to the next, larger cove.

Morning dew covering the decks and intruments at the helm...

Angie inched us in, steering to my direction with my with the scope and she calling out depths to me.   We found a nice spot and I set the anchor.  We had a late dinner and headed for bed.

Angie and I sailing east towards the main Dam.

Relaxing morning sail

We had an appointment to meet a young couple (Kyle and Kelly) from the Kansas City area who were negotiating to by a macgregor at the same marina where we purchased Galactica.  John, from super sport asked if we would take them for an introductory sail on our 26M.  We planned to pick them up at noon at the sterett creek marina.  After a relaxing morning and breakfast of fresh fruit, oatmeal and bacon from Jennings, we raised anchor and as soon as we cleared the cove, we raised full genoa and mainsail.

Angie sailing Galactica down the main channel...

We sailed to the islands at the entrance to the sterett creek arm and then furled our sails and opened Galactica up to power the last mile to the marina where we met both Kyle and Kelly.

They're a very nice couple who were appreciative of the chance to sail and power a mac before buying one.   As soon as we passed through the islands, I gave the helm to Kyle.   We sailed past the dam and started down the main arm where we could only go about five miles due to a bridge crossing the lake.

Angie and Kelly with Kyle at the helm.  

As we were sailing, winds were mounting and a thunderstorm was blowing in to the north.  We sailed at times around/over 6 knots.  When the wind started to pick up to the point that we needed to furl the foresail or put a reef in the main, I lowered the sails and let Kyle power Galactica towards the state park marina.  I figured we'd tie up and each lunch if that marina had a restaurant.   There wasn't one; all the MTL marinas have a place to eat.   As we were heading out, Kelly's father's boss passed us on a pontoon.  Small world.

I decided to call it a day as the thunderstorm grew.  I didn't want to de-rig in lightning and rain again...

Angie popped below and made a light lunch of blueberry muffins and peanut butter & Jelly tortillas.   My hopes of impressing them with my mad docking skills were semi-thwarted by current and wind.   We docked at the ramp without incident and pulled Galactica into the parking lot to de-rig.   Kyle and Kelly stayed to help us lower the mast and prep for travel which went smoothly and was great experience for him.  

It took a bit longer to de-rig as I was talking a lot about different aspects, plus&minus, tips and shortcuts. Right as I put on the last trailer tie down, it started drizzling off and on.  Perfect timing!   We parted ways.  Angie and I headed home. 

multiple storms were rolling in...

Hopefully, Kyle can buy his mac.  We can meet up on some lakes and sail the two macs together.

Here is my YOUTUBE Video of this weekend's sail:

http://youtu.be/W3Yjp6l06vY (Introduction to a 26M, Galactica)

2012 sailing schedule

We just attended the MTLSA planning meeting and have hammered out a race schedule.   Okay, Galactica is not a racer but with handicap, we'll have a lot of fun!

Here is the schedule http://wiki.mtlsa.net/wiki/Racing

Angie and I plan to go to Strictly Sail Chicago the end of January!    We are trying to figure out where our 'big sail adventure' will be this year!   Last year was sailing on the Atlantic and Florida's ICW -- what a blast!  We will do that again some day!  But first, I want to explore different waters and environment with Galactica.

This year's list has narrowed down to:  Arizona/Nevada/Colorado, Lake Superior, South Dakota, North Dakota or the chesapeake bay!

Can't wait!

Happy New Year 2012!!!

We've had snow and below freezing temps this year; however, the New Years weekend had unseasonably warm weather blow in.   I had hoped to end the 2011 year with one extra sail; unfortunately, the warm weather blew in and back out with 20-40mph winds and red flag advisories on each lake that we would have gone to-- so we stayed home and did chores and projects.   I've got to get a foaling shed built.

Galactica glasses and dehumidifier

Christmas was good to Galactica and myself!   Angie bought a matching set of unbreakable glasses for the boat with Galactica's name on them.  Additionallly, I got a dehumidifier to replace the wintertime light bulb I put into the boat!   It's actually a gun shop/vault golden rod dehumidifier but it's sold for boats and RV's also at midwayusa.com!

We've only got a couple mods planned before the 2012 sailing season starts up but I will decide after the Strictly Sail boat show in Chicago this January!

Here is a list of Galactica's 2011 Sailing adventures and mods:

1. March 2011 - new-season-new-mods
2. April 2011 - more mod work!
3. April 2011 - Helm and trailer mods
4.  April 2011 - rewiring Galactica's mast
5. May 2011 - too much rain to sail, new pedestal table mod
6. May 2011 - berth mod and finally provisioning for sail
7. June 2011 - rain stopped, sailing MTL, Missouri
8. June 2011 - Summer Sailstice, MTL Missouri
9. June 2011 - Galactica in Arkansas and Branson Missouri
10. July 2011 - Independence Day sailing, MTL Missouri
11. August 2011 - prep Galactica for Florida cruise
12. August 2011 - Great sailing weekend! MTL, Missouri
13. Auguest 2011 - last minute mods before Florida trip
14. September 2011 - Galactica journey to the sea: Florida!!!
15. October 2011 - Sailing the Magic Dragon: LOz Missouri
16. October 2011 - Fantastic Autumn sail at MTL, Missouri

Hope everyone has a great New Year and better than the past few have been!   I cannot wait until sailing season arrives and I can try out an old spinnaker that I picked up for Galactica!!!

Fantastic Sailing and Annual MTLSA Autumn BBQ

14-15 October, 2011 -  Mark Twain Lake

Winds: 12-15mph
Max speed under sail:  6.9 knots!

Miles Sailed: 19 miles

We provisioned Galactica for a short trip Thursday evening.   On Friday, I got up earlier than normal for ranch chores and was able to stop at the town car wash which has bays large enough for farm equipment--so Galactica barely fits.  I took her to work with me.

Galactica's bath time, getting pretty for a trip to work.

After work, Angie met me there along with our cooler.  We stopped at Long Horn Steak restaurant with Galactica dominating the parking lot.  Afterwards, we headed up to MTL to rig and get onto the water.   Temperatures were dropping fast by the time I had her rigged.

I've put together a video on my youtube channel:   FANTASTIC SAILING WEEKEND ON MTL

We enjoyed a moonlight sail under strong winds as the temperature was plummeting to 42 degrees and there I was, in shorts and sandals.   Angie stayed bundled in her big purple blanket with just her eyes visible.  We sailed until wind and spray started making me numb.  


Captain Douglas:  Sailing with the wind and spray--it was COLD!

I dropped the sail and powered to Full Moon cove to anchor but at the last moment, continued over to Ski Cove since Full Moon had lee shores.

With the new 24 foot chain, our Danforth Anchor held us extremely well even though winds increased to 18 mph over night.



The aroma of frying bacon filled the cabin with warmth!

We basically packed ourselves into the vberth with lots of blankets and were toasty all night.  In the morning, Angie made bacon, coffee and cheesey scrambled eggs with eggs just harvested from our chickens.   The aroma in the cabin was incredible!   We relaxed for a while and I read some of a novel I've been working on.



I motored us over to the public swimming beach which was closed for the season with the thought of trying to pay for our trips with a cheap metal detector.   I beached Galactica in a head wind and proceeded to try to get the detector working correctly.   Angie stayed below cleaning the dishes, cleaning the remnants of Florida sandy beaches and re-organizing the cabin.

My Galactica....adrift and me....beached!



I normally pull the danforth out and secure the boat to the beach.  Normally.   I looked up and my precious beloved boat was gone.

Angie returning with my boat!!!

Looking further, she was drifting in the wind-- quickly.   I knew I could not have run around the bay in time to catch her on the windward shore so I began calling Angie.  She came up, pulled in the bowline, dropped the motor and brought the boat back to the beach!   MY HERO!!!!   She saved my boat!  I couldn't stop laughing.  For some reason, I thought it was funny.

Great Sailing!!!

We raised the sails and enjoyed a day of sailing around.   We saw several boats we hadn't seen before and sailed along with them briefly.   One, had come into the bay off the main channel clearly struggling with sails and were obviously shaken.   It was only their 2nd time out and the strong winds that day shook them.   After relaxing some, they raised their mainsail and stayed in the bay for the day learning their boat!   I remember how nervous I would get the first season.    This season, we are having a blast and are more at ease with the capabilities of Galactica! 

 

We regularly sailed above 6 knots that day!!!

At one point, we sailed near a 32' Catalina which was being reviewed by Good Old Boat Magazine.

Wind Dancer



We then followed the sailboat Mac II into our ramp's cove.  They had a trailer crew made up of sailors from a half dozen boats in the MTL Sailing Association.   Not needing our help, we powersailed in circles under the Main for the bulk of an hour watching how may keelboat sailors it took to load onto a trailer. ;)

Mac II being hauled out for winter maintenance.

We headed back out to enjoy more sailing afterwards.   At one point, we were heeled over pretty far perhaps 35-40 degrees when a big gust hit us.   I lost steerage and instead of laying over on her side, Galactica simply rounded up into the wind in a corkscrew path.   It was fun even though lots of things came loose and crashed down in the cabin.  Angie said that the inclinometer pegged at 50 degrees (as far as it measures)!  

Angie relaxing

Eventually, we headed back to the ramp, pulled Galactica out and derigged.  

We pulled her up to the picnic area pavillion near Blackjack Marina where the annual fall festival and BBQ for the MTLSA was being held!   

Good food!

After enjoying a meal, some wine and fun conversation, we headed back home



Fuel stop in Paris, MO





Galactica heading home... moon and Jupiter visible 



What a fantastic time on the water!   Balanced, both relaxing and exhilirating!

August 2011 - Last minute mods before Florida trip!

Lots of Last minute Mods in the last half of August!

I quickly added new shelves and drawers to Galactica in an effort to make storage easier to get to when using the Galley. No more tubs buried with plates and silverware in them.

Now we have drawers which lock closed and add a homey feeling inside since we tend to cruise and gunkhole a lot in our area. The drawers all stayed closed during sustained 40 degree healing out on the ICW in Florida!

I added a "pantry" with shelf for plates, big drawer for utensils and pantry storage.


Drawers and shelf added to the table.





Angie bought this plastic drawer for under the table and it worked great!



I added shelves in the vberth for books, phones, water bottles, etc....


-----
I replaced the 4 1/2 foot anchor chain on the Danforth with a 24 foot anchor chain!


-----
Fellow sailors in the MTLSA sailing association have mentioned the lack of Port info on Galactica... So I ordered inexpensive port decals from Speedysigns.com and installed it onto the Stern Helm Seat:

1. I removed the seat and brought it into the dining room; then tape it in position.


2. next, I used one of Angie's special cooking utensils to smooth out the bubbles...


3. Next, I peeled back the backing and remounted the seat:


-----

The next mod was to rebuild the carriage for the salute cannon to something more nautical looking and on an adjustable platform which I could tie to the Bow Cleats.

The old maple carriage is visible. Here I'm cutting out the new Oak carriage:


I test mounted the new cannon/platform.


Finally, I stained it and re-assembled the Cannon:


----

The last mod was literally done at midnight before we left for our Florida trip! Angie and people with shorter arms, had troubles climbing up the swim ladder. I installed this new swim ladder grab bar in record time!!



And here it is with the ladder closed. I added 2" aluminum bar on the inside as a 'washer' to strengthen the grab bar.

Great Sailing Weekend: MTL

Solo-Sail, Guest-sail, high 25knot winds, full moon, meteors...

What a weekend!!! Wow! I had a great cruise. Angie could not go this weekend so I invited a couple server administrators from work who've never sailed before. Jess and Aaron. Jess brought his wife, Monica and we had a great time!

The weekend started Friday with me dragging Galactica to work! I left straight from work Friday evening arriving at the ramp parking lot with an hour of daylight left. I rigged her and launched as twilight was settling.


By the time I had the Genoa unfurled, it was dark and a nearly full moon was in the sky!



There were decent 7 knot winds so I sailed out to the main channel and played around tacking until it was getting late. I sailed up to the marina where the winds died.

Coming in that late, I tied up at the end of the F dock by the Tartan T37, Higher Porpoise. I then visited with Tom and Sandy aboard Higher Porpoise until it was late absorbing nautical knowledge!


Saturday morning, I piddled around on Galactica, went to the marina for breakfast coffee and watch Tom wash his boat. Jess, Monica and Aaron arrived mid morning so I gave a brief tour, explained a few things to look for (Jess met the boom later during a jibe... ) and we cast off.




Winds were to be 9-11 knots gusting to 15 all day.





We tacked our way up the main channel and into the Spalding bay for lunch.

Here is Jess.
And Aaron...


And Monica...

I wanted to beach Galactica while we BBQ'd and it'd give Monica the ability to freshen up at the flushing facilities.

HOT SAND!!!!!!!
We got out, ignoring the warning sign and walked up the extremely hot sand in our bare feet. Coming down, I chose to go around following the grass to the shoreline and didn't have anymore hot-feet episodes. Jess and Aaron did a hilarious hot-foot dance all the way back to the boat.



I had chicken fahitas mixed with fresh veggies from our garden but Monica and Jess brought steaks to share!!! We grilled them and feasted!



Afterwards we cruised to Indian Creek anchorage and began a wing on wing run back to Blackjack.

Aaron had to get to a wedding so we furled the sails, powered up the Etec to WOT, emptied the ballast tank and rocketed back to the marina.

After dropping them off, I headed back out. The MTLSA club was going to raft up and Angie gave me permission to stay out another night! While I was at the marina, the weather changed. 25+ knot winds were frantically blowing out of the west!



I didn't know the winds were that fast until I was talking with other sailors who had wind guages on their boats. I was following Wild Goose out but heard him on the radio that he was returning.

I continued under Genoa alone. It was awesome! The heal angle was 25 to 35 degrees. I kept reducing sail every third or fourth tack until I had the lean ranging from 15 to 20 degrees at which time Galactica Soared! She's never sailed so fast!

After the winds died down to 15-20 knots, I was able to take pictures and vidoes again! What a sail! I followed Higher Porpoise to a semi protected anchorage and beat my way all the way up the cove! Here are some pictures of Higher Porpoise after the winds eased and at anchor lowering the plank for Stormy the dog while I beat close hulled up to them:



She's a pretty boat:


Stormy walking the blank...to relief:


After rafted, I boarded Tom and Sandy's Tartan and enjoyed margaritas until other sailboats arrived! Stormy sat with me as I enjoyed mine:


Here is stormy watching Galactica and DragonFly:




I cooked up my fahitas and fresh corn...

...while the full moon rose over Galactica's stern while a beautiful sunset graced her bow!





Weather calmed after dark and I got to enjoy conversation, Tom's guitar and singing and a few meteors!

Here is Sandy and Tom:


In the morning, the Catalina Mucky Duck and I broke away from the raft up and proceeded to sail back to the marina.




I quickly loaded Galactica at the ramp and took my time de-rigging her with the crew of Mucky Duck watching/helping!

What a sailing weekend! I'll post videos soon!
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE WEEKEND! ( put to the music 'Storming New Caprica' )