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Any fellow SD'ers have canvas shop recommendations? Time for dodger to be redone...

Well, it was a unique last quarter of the year, to say the least. Starting with ongoing ludicrous business travel, then the death of our beloved dog, then 2 weeks later (and the most significant) the passing of my stepson (absolutely the worst thing that can happen-my wife has done remarkably well), selling one house and buying another (downsizing and moving closer to the coast), and the resulting move (the last one!), it made for a whirlwind of emotions and a huge drain on everyone. We came out of it stronger and more thankful, for sure.

Now, it's a new year, and attention gets put back on the boat! Our last sail was late September before all of the tragedy. On that outing, I filled up with diesel. The next time I was able to even look at the boat in late December, I had diesel in the bilge. I assumed it was a hose, tank fitting or leak at the tank. I got all the diesel out and left it, checking periodically to find trace amounts. I went down last week, ready to tear into inspection of the fuel tank, but opened up the engine compartment and saw a slight pink trail. A quick start of the motor showed a small leak in one of the fuel lines going to the fuel filter-talk about being happy. The coincedence of happening when I filled up made me quickly ASSUME the worst, but in hindsight, I remember motoring quite a bit that day, due to low wind strength.

So, this week is replacement of that line, inspection/replacement of all others, oil and trans change, new coolant, new impellers and general early spring maintenance. Early Feb will see new varnish (I'm outsourcing that-time is precious these days) and a haulout for bottom paint and a new thru-hull for the Tack Tick sender, so I can install the instruments I've had on the shelf for months.

Then, new dodger canvas, as one of the seams is letting go, and it's time.

So, here's to a much better 2013, and one that will see us using our "beach house" a lot more! 

We took my stepson and his girlfriend out today. She wasn't sure about whether she'd get sick, so we took it easy on the bay, we stayed pretty much north of 4 kts under main only, in a nice 10-12 kts breeze. Pretty relaxing, and more evidence on how well these boats sail.

I've got the work travel blues, which has had me gone all too much this year. I've not had the boat out in weeks, at this point. I type this on a plane out of Omaha...

The good news is, my wife hired a cleaning service that washes the boat every other week. While I have always enjoyed washing my boats, it is kinda nice to think about arriving to a clean one. 

I look forward to a nice sail next Weds, although the holiday is on the worst possible day of the week! Maybe, I'll get another in the weekend of 7/7-seems like a lucky date to me.

I bought an Achilles LS4-RU and a Honda 2hp outboard last week. The motor is unbelievably light at 26lbs! I've got a new SUP paddle board coming this week-I got hooked on these in Maui a couple of weeks ago. The summer of fun on the water begins!

...I was told we're going sailing this Saturday! 

It may not sound like that big a deal, but Saturday is pretty much the first time I'll be home in about 14 days, and only for one at that, as I fly out again first thing Sunday. Work is ludicrous right now, but then again, I'd say life is good. Can't wait to get home Friday night!

Replaced my "ginormous" instrument pod with one a bit smaller....also a new Chart Plotter for good measure. Anyone want to buy a used CP170C by Standard Horizon? The other instruments will go to the great beyond. 

I've also got a Tack Tick dual display and a triducer to go in later this year. I need to put the new thru-hull fitting in when we haul her for paint late this year. If I get a Wind Instrument, it will go on the other side of the CP. I may put an inclinometer in place to fill the gap in the meantime.

I also bought some .220 plexiglass at Home Depot and made a new cover for the instrument panel. 

Well, I'm going to ditch the old Kenyon instruments I have, depthsounder was dead and now my Chartplotter died too....so I ordered today:

Standard Horizon CP190i chart plotter
TackTick T103 Speed/Depth system with single "triducer"
NavPod GP104 "4 instrument" pod

We've got a huge NavPod housing on the pedestal guard now, 15"w x 13" tall, so removing it will open up a whole lot more visibility at the helm!

I'm going to mount the plotter in place of 2 instruments, and put the TackTick display on the opposite end. This allows me a slot for the TackTick wind unit, if I get motivated to buy one of those down the road.

As soon as I hoisted my main for the first time, I discovered the not so optimal line routing from the blocks at the base of the mast to the deck organizers. I bought a $3 cutting board and made a couple of 3/8" thick spacers to lift them up a smidge. 1/2" would've been better, but these were a definite improvement. So, $3, plus a couple of more $ for some 2" long 1/4-20 screws and a bit of sealant, and voila. The blocks are 2" X 5 3/4" and the 5/16" holes I drilled are 2 1/2" center-center, in case anyone wants the details.

We finally got around to "christening" LVD this past Saturday, on our watch, and took some friends out sailing. We started out motorsailing in pretty much dead calm conditions until we got past the shadow of Pt. Loma, and got a good westerly breeze. We spun a 180 and sailed back up the bay with decent pressure the rest of the afternoon.

I do need to get a window cut into the headsail, however, as we have a really low foot, making for a very large blind spot. I'll have some telltales put on the headsail at the same time.

No surprises, just a really nice first full afternoon sail. 

Well, other than cleaning and little piddly stuff, I got into some of the meat on the new boat today-I put a new exhaust hose in. The old one was pretty cracked-wouldn't be surprised if it was original, but there was a dip at the rear in the lazarette that I don't think woulda come out of the factory. At any rate, I bought 19' from Catalina Direct (they've been awesome-I asked someone to call to confirm it would ship the day I ordered-they did!) just to be safe. The threads I'd read said it took 17'. I had about 30" left over, so the 17' is a safe bet in my opinion.

The old hose was very stiff and formed in the shape it was in, making removal a stubborn task. I got smart pretty quick and cut it in three pieces-made removal pretty simple-EXCEPT getting it off the through hull at the stern. I played tug-of-war on that for at least 30 minutes-ended up rotating the short 4' piece (after cutting) while pulling. Sprayed some Silicone spray down the hose for good measure-finally started to pull off.

I found out a 6'2"/200lb man can indeed get entirely into the Port cockpit locker to affix the new hose with zip ties and pull old hose out the hole going forward. 

I've searched using numerous terms, but can't find anything concrete. When sea trialing, the throttle lever hit the pedestal guard, and only allowed about 2500 rpms. We could get 6 knots, at that range. As the new boat is 100 miles away until next week, I can't look, but I'm assuming I could take up some throttle cable on the lever at the engine to get more throw? Anyone else seen this? Thanks,

My wife and I just bought a C34 up in Marina del Rey on Friday. She's an '88 named La Vie Dansante. As we're longtime Jimmy Buffett fans, the name stays! At any rate, we think we scored pretty well, as it just came on the market, and was a trade-in on a new Jeanneau. The J dealer was the broker, and it was priced well in the marketplace, and more importantly, very well-maintained. Other than maybe some updating of electronics next year, she's ready to sail. I spent several hours with the surveyor, and certainly have a to-do list, but nothing of any major concern.

She will be delivered the next week-I had some foot surgery a couple of weeks ago, and go back into work mode next week, so I'm not in any position to bring her down to San Diego myself.

I've been away from boats for the most part, since 2000, so it is great to have a nice boat again to enjoy. It'll be docked at San Diego Yacht Club, I've been a member since the mid-90's.

I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions, but what a great site this is. Happy New Year, all!