Nothing to see here

Seriously, not much to report. The last week in Northern CA included what the media would have us believe was Stormageddon. The media hype contributed to every school district in the region being closed last Thursday. It was the combination of incredibly high winds and 3-6" of rain that had people scared. In reality, we did have 36 mph wind and 4" within 24 hrs. But they came in order. First the crazy wind, then the downpour. 

I had brought a large and very thick (10 mils, I think) white tarp to the boat. I used a wood burning knife  to cut a slit down the rear middle to accommodate topping lift and the backstay. I used around a dozen bungees to hold it down. I had felt good about it before the weather report said gale force winds. 

I wasn't hopeful there'd be anything left, but I did a better job than I thought. There were two reinforced grommets that had pulled out, which is a pain. But all told, I replaced a few bungees that had pulled out and it's all good again for the rain which will come again tonight.

A quick check down below decks revealed that we had no leaks. That was the real goal. I have no idea if it was the tarp, so I'll just be glad. 

I also restocked the fridge with Tecate and wine. And dropped off a nautical pillow my wife bought for the boat last week. 

My daughter and I are hoping that next Saturday there isn't any rain because she'd like to have a sleepover on Hideaway with a friend. 

Well cushioned

When my wife said we needed to get the interior cushions replaced right away, I thought, she was focused on the wrong things. I spent some money getting safety equipment (life jackets, harnesses and safety lines for kids); a toolset; square cushions for the cockpit; and food that's just add hot water (hot chocolate, instant Starbucks coffee, and oatmeal). I ordered a new propeller. And I plan to update the cockpit covers. 

But interior cushions? Sure, it's a 1977 boat, and the cushions looked original. Did it matter? Wouldn't we be spending most of the time in the cockpit? I mean, in reality, we're going to be primarily day sailors. An overnight trip or two would be great. I just didn't think that's going to happen for some time. I still need to become a proficient sailor. The weather is getting wetter and colder. I figured cushions would be a down the road upgrade.

Jane was insistent. And she couldn't have been more right. We did some comparison shopping for upholsterers. Prices ranged greatly. Then we ended up finding a guy just on the other side of the bridge from us in Oakland, Tony at a company called Bay Trim. He does automotive and marine work. His prices were reasonable, and his turnaround was just a couple weeks, inclusive of ordering the dark royal blue marine canvas and materials. 

Jane had a work trip this weekend. I picked up the cushions on Friday, and my daughter helped me get them from the truck to the boat. It was a little like a simple puzzle to get the cushions in the right  spot. And then I spent an hour stapling Velcro to the wood of the seating area to match where Tony had the reverse Velcro added to the vinyl backs of the side and back cushions. 

And they look great. My daughter tried out the pilot berth, the V berth and both settees. I sent photos to my wife so she wouldn't have to wait until Thanksgiving to see them in person. 

Now there is one fix still needed by Tony. The small triangular cushion that goes in between the main cushions of the V berth rests on edges below the other cushions. So the foam must be a few inches taller. It was not. So I expect Tony to correct it. Otherwise, I'm completely happy with this purchase and vendor. 

Jane was right. It makes the boat feel different. And now maybe we'll accelerate how quickly we get out for a few overnighters. So check them out. 

Serious Props

I just received my new Campbell Sailor prop. Is it odd to be so excited about a mechanical device? It's partly because the old prop is corroded and potentially a danger if it were to break during a family outing. It's also because this brand of prop is designed to give much more thrust at the smaller size, and for a fixed three blade, it doesn't drag as much when under sail as a standard one. 

Now to find out when the soonest our newly sourced diver can get it on Hideaway. 

Here are some photos of the new prop. It's surprisingly heavy and the machining to get it to my boat's specs are evident. At the bottom is a graph that shows the efficiency of this prop type over other fixed blade designs.