Grenada 2018 Un-Jamming The Main

Under sail

January 2018

We really enjoyed our time in Grenada.  It was fun exploring new areas, trying new things and limin' with good cruising friends.  But it was time to go.  We wanted to go to the Bequia Music Fest again.  It is always held the third week of January.

Before we could leave Grenada we needed to sort our our jammed main.  With a furling main, we have to be sure to furl it in at the correct angle.  At the end of our sail from Trini we didn't exactly have the proper angle when we furled it in.  We attempted to fix it at anchor in Grenada one morning BEFORE coffee aka being fully awake.  We made it worse.

Luckily, our neighbor at anchor was a sailmaker for several years.  Tom asked her if should would mind giving advice / helping.  She said she would be glad.  "I have had to deal with jammed sails many times through the years of working as a sailmaker."  We also got help from Paul off sv Kelly Nicole.

We put sv Honey Ryder on a mooring ball so we wouldn't have to worry about sailing around at anchor or un-anchoring ourselves.  We didn't think it was too badly jammed and it didn't look that way but let me tell you what, it did not want to come undone at all!  I ran the winches and halyards.  They all pushed and pulled and pushed and pulled some more.  And the wind pushed the sail this way and that.... we hoped it would help pop it out.  No.  Tom eventually had to go up the mast.  Even then we could not get the last 5 ft so we dropped the main.  Surely that would do it.  No.  It was still stuck.  It was folded over on itself at the very, very top.  OMG!  Tom had to take off the plates on each side of the mast and they had to work it around from the inside.  Seriously.....what a pain in the arse but they finally got it.

HUGE thank you to Bronwyn off sv Sea Swan and Paul off sv Kelly Nicole.  We could NOT have done it without them.  *Sorry Deb if we caused you and Paul to be late to the dinghy concert.

Going forward, we are super careful that we have the proper angle and all things are lined up for furling.

Happy Birthday Bling

Bling bling

For my birthday Tom surprised me with a new anchor.....sort of.  I say sort of because a cruising friend accidentally told me this summer when it arrived in Trinidad and we were KC.  "Your new anchor is here."  Ooops.

Wrapped up like a proper birthday present

I was THRILLED.  It is a known fact that most women like bling.  A gift of bling gets a big thumbs up.....and maybe more.....ehm.  Boat bling is two thumbs up with certain boat chicks (SISO =sailing in sail out).

New anchor chain

So this fall when we returned to Trinidad we collected our new anchor chain and my birthday bling.
Our previous anchor chain was very rusty.  The trip of the Esiquibo River sealed it's fate.  There are no facilities in the Caribbean capable of re-galvanization.  Actually, cruisers used to get it done in Venezuela but those days are gone (for now) as it is not safe to cruise there currently.  *We hope that changes in the near future as stories of cruising days gone past there sound wonderful and we look forward to the day when we can safely cruise there.

Shiny

The choice of anchor is like asking Ford or Chevy, Republican or Democrat, Bud or Coors, salty or sweet?  Ask this in company of a group of cruisers and you are sure to get a wide variety of answers, discussion, and potential raised voices and maybe a fight if it's a long happy hour.  The truth of the answer is that there is NO perfect anchor.  NONE!  Anchors are designed for specific bottoms (anchoring floor).  Modern anchors are designed as best they can be for as many different bottoms as possible.  However, it just isn't possible to design one for ALL bottoms.  So you buy the best solution for the type of bottom you will be anchoring in most.

Old (left) New (right)

Our previous anchor - a CQR was THE anchor in it's day.  It is a good anchor.  However, technology has come a long way.  The new anchor is a Rocna 20 - 42 some pounds.  It is THE anchor of the day......according to many.  It has many kewl features.   From the Rocna web site - "The roll-bar ensures that the anchor always arrives at the ideal angle for penetration, and the setting skids guide the fluke tip which acts as a sharp chisel cutting into the seabed. With a third of the anchor’s weight on its fluke tip, an instant reliable set is ensured with every use.  Of all anchor types, a concave fluke gives the greatest resistance, and through clever design Rocna provides the largest fluke area possible. In very soft seabeds, this provides the holding power to secure your boat. On hard or weedy sea floors, Rocna’s chisel tip ensures that it cuts through and bites deep."
Well there ya go!

We decided to go with 175 ft of  5/16 G4 (high test)  galvanized chain.  We prefer all chain for our primary anchor rode.  However, we ditched our old chain last year in Carriacou - giving it to Lumba Dive to use on a dive buoy.  After that, we used our 75ft of chain and 150 ft of nylon line (5/8).  It worked just fine.  That given, for purposes of sleeping through the night, ALL chain is much preferred by me - so I don't freak out AND for Tom so I don't wake him up when I am freaking out.

It fits

We are pretty excited to use this new set up this coming season.  I posted a pic of the new birthday bling on FB.  Many,  many of our cruising friends left comments saying that we are going to LOVE the Rocna.  One cruiser warned Tom to hang on when anchoring the first time.  "It really bites so hang on".  I hope so.

UPDATE -
We are currently in Grenada in our second anchorage.  LOVE the new chain and my birthday anchor bling.  The Xmas winds have arrived aka it has been blowing and yet, we are set.  Woo hoo.

New anchor and chain in action

PS - if you are a cruiser, sailor, boater and you have a different anchoring configuration, good for you.  I post this only from our experience standpoint.  Chevy, Ford, Democrat, Republican, Bud, Coors, salty or sweet......I don't care.  It's all good.     

Sail To Dominica

Our enclosure

Have I mentioned how much I love our cockpit enclosure?  I do.  And yes, dear..... I am saying it here in writing!!  This is one of the best upgrades/investments we made to sv Honey Ryder.  We had three different squalls on our sail from Martinique to Dominica.  We saw winds up to 30 knots and substantial rain, but we stayed dry and comfortable.  Not everyone can say that.  Many of our catamaran friends get soaked with each drop of rain or splashing wave.

Rear View Mirror -What Else Do Sailor's Do In The Winter?

Doors for access panels Tom plans to cut in both heads. 

January 2013.  They order sailing stuff - equipment, gear, raw materials.  And they plan projects.  Many, many, many projects.

Our companionway doors arrived this week!  We had a cheaper, less sturdy wooden pair of doors like this (from a totally different company than Zarcor) on our C30 and we LOVED them.  So much better than putting in hatch boards, taking out hatch boards, putting them back in, taking them back out.  We are very excited to have top, quality Zarcor doors for s/v Honey Ryder.

I am like a kid as Xmas every time the FedEx guy shows up at the front door with another part or spare.  I think I might be freaking him out with my enthusiasm.
*The snow last night reminded me of this Rear View Mirror posting so I thought I would pull it out and post it.  Yes, I said the SNOW last night.  That is not a typo or a rear view mirror comment.  It's May 3rd and we have snow on the ground!  It's absolutely crazy.  

Yeti Coolers

Have you seen these coolers?  In a word AWESOME!  Our good friend Kevin was pretty sure we could use one on s/v Honey Ryder so he ignored the "no gifts" for Tom's 50th bday and showed up at the party with this little gem as his gift to Tom.  Simply the World's BEST coolers! 

As you can see, we have already put it to good use in a test run.  No doubt this will be a great addition to s/v Honey Ryder's standard gear.  Be sure to check out these coolers out at Yeticoolers.com - Thanks Kev!!
*They are certified bear-proof by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee in case that is important to you.  Whatever the hell that committee is comprised of!

Meet Ms Moneypenny

Loaded up on the trip home

It's almost Thanksgiving and there isn't a lot of sailing going on in our neck of the wood.  So I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce you to a new piece of boat equipment....sort of.  Meet Ms Moneypenny, my new boat folding bike.  Actually I have had her for a little while.  We have been getting acquainted as I get used to riding a much smaller (wheels and frame) bike.

Danger - Stay 500 Ft back

Today was a lovely fall day with temps close to 70 so I pulled out Moneypenny and we popped down to "the Village" for a few items from the grocery store.  Amazingly she can carry quite a bit.  However my ability to bike back up a small hill on the way home with the full load is not.....as in I usually have to get off and push near the top until it flattens out.   Oh well. 

Building a padded bag so she can be folding down and greased for storage.

 

Lifeproof iPad Case - 4 Proofs

Big instructions right on the case itself

For my birthday earlier this month, Larry (the cat) and Tom got me one of these kewl cases for our iPad.  *And yes, poor Tom has to deal with both my birthday and our anniversary in one month.  However, he always handles them both like a champ.

These cases are amazing.  Water proof, dirt proof, snow proof and shock proof.  If you haven't seen them, you MUST check out the company video.  The CEO does some talking about the product and then promptly shows you how the cases can take water, dirt, snow and shock.  The shock is a bit of shock when watching as the CEO just drops the iPad while talking.  It's an OMG moment. 

Submersion test

I will confess that it took me a few mins to even figure out how to open it.  Hey, it didn't open easily and I was afraid I would break it before I even had a chance to use it.   I've done that before on a few items.

I used a jar to keep it submerged for 30 mins

I did read the instructions carefully and watched a You Tube video on how to start using the case...mainly because that was funny.  One of the first things you do is test to be sure it's water proof.

Drying off the outside - moment of truth....

Not with your iPad in there but a piece of plastic.  Submerge for 30 mins.

DRY inside

If you have installed everything correctly and closed it up right, it should be bone dry inside and ready to use.

Proper alignment is important each and everytime

The key is two, yellow rubber gaskets.  One on each side.  It was a bit weird at first having the screen exposed.  I had a screen protector on it previously.  And I have not felt the need to take it with me when I soak in the hot tub just to prove a point that it is water proof.  I did put it in the case for the last trip down to the boat as sort of test drive.  I hope to never really HAVE to test it out....as in accidentally dropping it or putting it where Mother Nature can test it....but on the other hand, life happens.

Leaves on the deck are the extent of my testing so far

It's been in this case ever since.  I like the feel of the case.   The rubber keeps it from sliding around on surfaces.  I like the toughness of it.  Various iPad charging cables fit differently.  One is very tight.  Another works easier.  My auto charger won't fit work at all.  After several weeks of use I can report two thumbs up so far.    

FCC Licensing - Clear as Mud

As we started to tackle the FCC licensing for s/v Honey Ryder, more questions and confusion popped up than answers.  We needed to get a Ships Stations license and a Restricted Radio Operator license.  Two items, big deal.  But wait, don't we already have an MMSI number that we got when we installed VHF with AIS.  Yes, but we discovered that the MMSI number we got was a free one from BoatUS - like the Standard Horizon manual said to get - in the instruction manual.  O-Kay....how does that work with the FCC licensing.  It DOESN'T!  Let me repeat that.....it DOESN'T.  If you never plan to leave US waters then a free BoatUS MMSI is just fine and dandy.  However, if you ever have future plans to sail over to The Bahamas or Bermuda or down island, then the BoatUS MMSI is worthless.  The FCC does not recognize the free BoatUS MMSI number. 

VHF with AIS

Ok, simple enough.  Just get a new MMSI through the FCC and program it into the VHF with AIS.  MOST VHF units allow two different MMSI numbers to be programmed in before the unit has to be sent back to the factory for reset.  Whew!  We already used one on the first go so that leaves us one more.  Whew, again.  But wait.....further reading of the instruction manual it said BE VERY CAREFUL ENTERING THE MMSI NUMBER BECAUSE IT CAN ONLY BE ENTERED ONCE.   Did you get that, ONCE... as in one freaking time.  What genius thought this up!  I am told it's to keep theft of VHF radios down.  What F'ing ever!  I called Standard Horizon.  "Is there really only one time for MMSI entry?"  The guy said "No, (hope rises in me) but......(ugh, hope is dashed) you have to enter the MMSI twice thus using up both times."  WTF!  Argh!  So we had the unit yanked out and shipped back to the factory for clearing.  Double ARGH!!  I strongly suggested they add to instruction manual the item about any boat going offshore should get an FCC MMSI vs a free BoatUS MMSI - dumbasses! 
 http://www.fcc.gov/ - general site
Now the fun of registering with the FCC.  I used Captain Marti Brown's book Marine SSB Radio For "Idi-Yachts" to guide me through the licensing online.  BUY this book!   Nothing else I have read during my research made the licensing process as clear.

https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do
Step #1 Register with the FCC's Universal Licensing System - get a number and password
Step #2  Apply for Ship Station License and pay the fee $100
Step #3 Apply for Restricted Radio License and pay the fee $60
Easy, right?  For the most part it was but I did have a bit of a search on the web site to find what I needed.  And I ended up calling the FCC twice to ask what I should or shouldn't be checking on the ships station license.  Both times I got right through to Dixie.  She was super helpful, nice and patience.  I got all the steps completed, printed off the confirmation numbers and then figured I would have to wait until at least Monday at the earliest to get my assigned licenses.  This is the government after all.  I logged on this morning just for fun and much to my surprise, we now have an official Ships Station License with FCC issued MMSI number and a Restricted Radio Operators License.  Woo Hoo!  Official at last.  Now we will get the new MMSI number programmed into the VHF and we can check all those items off the TO DO LIST.   

SSB Mysteries Revealed

s/v Honey Ryder came with an Icom m710 SSB.  Kewl.   Nice when equipment is already installed and working.  One less thing to buy and add to the boat thus saving $$$$.  However learning to use it has turned out to be a whole other adventure.  Step One - turn it on and play around with it thus figuring it out.  Oh no.  Not that simple.  We got nothing.  Not a sound other than static.  The buttons were NOT intuitive at all.  We couldn't even figure out how to tune it.  Many acquaintances and friends said "just tune in the channels and start listening."  Seems like a D-uh thing but we soon found out, not so easy!  Okay.  Step Two - get out the instruction manual and read.  WOW!  Might as well be written in some ancient lost tribal language.  Clear as freaking mud.  *Seriously who writes these manuals as most are gibberish!  Hint - if you are a manual writer, once you have completed whatever manual, done all the edits and it's perfect....take it home to your significant other and have them read through it (provided they aren't a manual writer as well).  If they can't easily understand and recite back what to do in plain English, start over!  Step Three - get my HAM license.  Yes, it's not the same as marine SSB but I thought it would help me understand the SSB.  A little but not much.  Step Four - hang out with JoCo Ham club/guys to learn and get advice on our marine SSB.  It helped a little.  Great group of people but once I started asking Marine SSB questions, they would say....."uh, don't know about marine SSB".  Step Five - find a fellow cruiser with SSB for help.  Enter - Bob from s/v Shazza.  HUGE help!

Step  Six - read "Marine SSB Radio For Idi-Yachts" by Captain Marti Brown.  OMG - terrific book.  She writes in plain English all about SSB - especially the confusion of licensing.  I would HIGHLY recommend Captain Marti's book.  I emailed her to let her know how much I appreciate her book and to ask her a couple of additional questions.  She was quick to respond back.  She also has a web site www.idiyachts.com you should check out as well.  Finally, thanks in part to this book and help from Bob, we are getting it.  Now we just need to go back to the manual and work through it together to figure out what channels have already been pre-programmed in by Icom and the previous two owners, check the receive and transmit channels, simplex/duplex,  and practice tuning into various net and such.  It's been a steep learning curve and we aren't done yet but it's getting better and we are excited to start using this valuable tool.

Addition to the Fleet

Tom has actually had this folding kayak for a couple years but only used it on a limited bases because the Hobie Mirage was always at the lake, handy and ready to go.
Some pending deck maintenance meant that all the "stuff" stored under the deck needs to be move out temporary, including this kayak.  Tom hauled out the folding kayak and gave her a good scrub.  I have yet to try it and we have been discussing getting it out anyway.  We are hoping/planning on getting some practice  paddles in soon at the lake.

I didn't realize there are so many pieces and parts.  The plan is to take this along on s/v Honey Ryder for some fun exploring.

The Allusive Magical Fire Hose

If you will remember, I/we have been on the hunt for old fire hose to use as chafe guard on the dock lines and various other areas of s/v Honey Ryder.  I previously documented my attempts - Magical Fire Hose and what we finally ended up with.  Thanks again dad!  However, we are still without the allusive FLEXIBLE fire hose.

JR and Sabrina

Enter Fireman/Sailor JR Biron to the rescue.  He "procured" us the above roll of used, soon to be dis-guarded by his fire house fire hose.  It will be PERFECT for s/v Honey Ryder.  Thanks so much JR.  Sailors are just the best people!!!

New Stuff - Gear or Toys?

Ah, the age old question.  Spouses have been asking this question since the first cave person brought home yet another bow or added another newly carved stone chair to the cave.  And then there are the categories when it comes to gear - vital, necessary, nice to have, luxury.  This is where is gets grey and crosses over to toys.
So having said all that....check out our new "gear".

Hand crank coffee grinder for freshly ground coffee.  Yes, it takes a little work in the morning vs pushing the button on the coffee grinder but still way better than store bought, stale, pre-ground.

Ice maker.  Always messing with getting ice, refilling the cooler, having ice for cocktails, melting, getting more ice, transporting ice....ia a pain in the ass.  Enter the counter top ice maker.  This thing ROCKS!

It make 9 magically ice cubes in 7-14 mins.  And yes....we are making ice in our aft head!  It was the perfect spot for this little gem with plenty of room, ventilation for the until, electricity, and a drain in case of leaking or spillage.

 I read all the instructions (so female of m), plugged it in this morning and it has been making ice non-stop since for the cooler and bevs throughout the day.  Loving it!

Check Out My New Sailing Shoes

Not! Although, we have seen a surprising number of these type of shoes teetering around the the boat show in Annapolis. Generally it's late in the afternoon and the shoes are worn by some obvious deck fluff or even a non-sailing chick that is equally stacked on the top end as well. What?! They have to be to balanced on both ends to keep from heeling over. It's basic sailing balance people! We usually witnessed the wearer of these type shoes parading onto a mega yacht only to see her later ridding piggyback off said yacht on the back some male sailor/sailor want to be...shoes in hand. I guess it's sort of a reefing down maneuver...so to speak.


















These are my current sailing shoes. Keens are great sailing shoes since the soles are non-marking and they protect "this little piggy" (toe/toes) from sailing toe injuries. If you have ever caught or banged your toe on something you know protection is a good think for your piggies.


















However they do give one funny tan marks on your feet.


















Weird tan lines don't bother me in the least but I did catch a customer doing a double take at my feet and the tan marks the other day. The look on her face told me that she was curious and even perhaps a tad concerned but just didn't know how to bring it up in a business setting. She never did. *I bet she washed her hands after we shook hands upon my departure. :)

**Of course the first set of shoes is REQUIRED footwear for powerboat chicks at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Just so you know.

Cross Utilization

A fun little challenge - I have discovered that I quite enjoy hunting for gear to outfit s/v Honey Ryder. I keep an open mind and look in places other than "marine chandleries." Army surplus store, RV shop, auto canvas shop, various industrial businesses, etc...
Our red light at the nav station has shorted out and needs to be completely replaced. I found this clip-on one at a bike shop. AND it has a solar and USB charger. Bonus!
*This is not to say that we don't buy proper gear where it is vital. So you will NOT find any big box hardware store bargin bin line on s/v Honey Ryder. No Way! Hardware store, none marine blocks - no again.

Grocery Getter

This trip we are minus a rental car. No worries.















The resort rents bikes. AND if you return it in under 4 hrs - FREE. Sweet!!














AND this little jem has a basket on the front. That will come in really handy for putting a few items up there.














But of course I got cocky and bought too much. Being the foodie that I am I tend to to this almost every time I am at the grocery story....."ooooh, special on whatever- I'll just get a little of this and some of that and a bit of this and whomp up burgoo #5t", and next thing you know I have umpteen bags and enough to feed 20.















Never fear. I have a backpack and two fold up grocery sacks. *I don't know where or how I thought I was going to carry the two additional bags. I am not one of those talented women from a far off continent that can balance a small village on her head. Hell, I was having a hard time trying to remember the brakes are not on the handlebars like my bike back home but instead old school - slam the peddles in reverse. OMG!














However, somehow I managed. I don't think I could have gotten one more item on my person/or bike. *Emily and Barry - not bad for an amateur eh?















Ding ding - out of the way. Human pack mule coming through. And yes, I know the other words for mule. No need to let me know in the comments section my punny friends.

*You might be curious to know why I didn't ride my new folding bike. Well.....I don't have it yet. Long, frustrating story for another day. But I have not given up hope. I am choosing to believe that the jackwagon guy that is the seller is just the king of goofballs and that he really will come through. If not, you won't have to read about it here. You will know because you will read about it in the news "Deranged, outraged female sailor beats man to near death with very nice jib line because he didn't deliver on a Craigslist folding bike."

Folding Bike

If the dinghy is our car for s/v Honey Ryder, then this must be her.....bike. I have been hunting and hunting on area Craigslists for a folding bike. I have found many but most where already sold by the time I found them. *And by the way.....if you list something on Craigslist and you sell it - REMOVE THE LISTING!!! Argh!

Anywho, this little lovely popped up in Manhappiness so I had my cousin Steve go check it out. He says it's like brand new. He did some wheeling and dealing and now we have a aluminum folding bike for s/v Honey Ryder. Yay! Thank you cousin Steve. The checks in the mail. Now it just needs a name. What do you think....Goldfinger? Auric? Hummmmm?
















And yes, I know the math doesn't quite add up. Tom + Sabrina = 2. Number of folding bikes = 1. Which means someone is walking. We will start with one and see how much of a pain it is to store, how much we use it and how it holds up to the elements.