misc. rambling,rants,raves and short stories

[drams_1999]

Curtis,

I am new to this board, but have been reading posts for the last year and a half since before I got my '09 M. Wow your story is amazing. I'm not sure I would have publicly anounced all that happened to you.

I can appreciate your feelings, I was in the "shallow water Navy" and considered myself experienced in all things nautical (except sailing), so I decided to conquer the "ahem" more sophisticated way of getting around after taking a couple of trips on friend's sailing vessels over the years. I must admit there's nothing like hearing only the sound of waves sliding past the hull without all the vibrations, noise, and exhaust fumes.

I agree that if you haven't done so, you should take a class. Also, the Chapman Piloting "Bible" will help too. I learned how to trailer a boat at 16 with the couple of paragraphs in that book alone. It also has everything you'll ever want to know about boating, and some good very basic sailing stuff too. I also bought a few sailing books and read them cover to cover, but the best thing I did was buy a sailing rig for my canoe. I learned all the basics on that before I even bought my "Aquarius". There's no better way to learn about an accidental jybe than by accident on a small boat that really won't be hurt too much. By the time I received my Mac, I already knew all the basic principles and physics for sailing with the main alone. I had the dealer show me the basics for the jib (I got a hank-on to start with) and the rest I have done by trial and error. Obviously I am still a newbie but I haven't had anywhere near the bad luck you have had.

....and by the way, my big brother drives a cab in NC so I undertsand what you must feel like with your schedule.

Among my mishaps in the first year:

1. drove under some branches once after setting up the boat, luckily the branches broke before my mast did, but they fell all over the deck and were very difficult to clean. I considered myself lucky.
2. trusted the fuel gage on my 12-gallon tank; that won't happen again. I thought I had about ten gallons, but discovered (after powering about 7 miles from the dock with only about 7.1 miles of gas on board) that it will not read correctly if it is backwards and on the non-level trailer. Luckily, I was able to sail all the way back to the channel and motor in on fumes. The trip was deemed a "successful failure".
3. forgot to remove the trailer strap before launch; turns out a Mac has enough bouyancy in reserve to "hold up" an aluminum trailer, although not too stable.
4. Been "caught" in 2 lightning storms, learned not to go out between the end of May and the beginning of October in S. FL, (our "monsoon" season), if anyone is interested, you can get a slight shock from your M's helm if lightning strikes nearby.

That's about all I can remember, I'm sure I had a few more minor incidents that I dealt with on the spot, I hope my experiences help you out. Good luck and fair winds!

[MD Dunaway]

Ahoy Curtis! Those things happen to everybody. Was out sailing the v21 the other day and a coil of rope fell overboard. No big deal. Looked over expecting to see it trailing alongside. Nope! It went up in the trunk and got wrapped around the keel. At the end of the day finally got the keel most of the way up. Didn't have another rope long enough to pull the boat over to the ramp on the far side so walked it over the ramp on the near side. You know, the one that is closest to the trees! I knew the mast would hit so I went real real real slow. Still ripped the WinDex off. After fighting with the keel and fighting to get the boat on the trailer with the keel partly down, I forgot to take the rudder off before driving up the ramp. Its OK, now I don't have to take it off to do that any more. Ground about 3/4" off the end. The next day I got the skid steer loader and lifter the boat up, and got the rope out. Overall, it wasn't a bad day. Hang in there.

[Chinook]

Since this thread is drifting into disclosure stories of things that can go wrong when out on the boat, I might as well own up and tell the story of the maiden voyage of Chinook. It was mid March, 2002 and I couldn't wait to get out on our new 26X for her first cruise. We opted for nearby waters and early one Saturday morning headed east on I-90, bound for Wanapum Pool on the Columbia River at Vantage. It was a lovely spring day down on the river. It took me over 2 hours to get the mast raised and the boat ready to launch. It seemed so much easier when the dealer demonstrated it all to us. We finally got the boat in the water and started off upriver. My plan for this first trip was to just motor and get the feel of the boat, so I never even tried to sail. We ran a dozen miles upriver and anchored in a lovely little cove, at the base of towering basalt cliffs. The experience of swinging at anchor that night was captivating, as was the sound of waking next morning to the songs of birds, echoing off the cliffs. Around midday a breeze kicked up and I knew we needed to head back to the ramp. Once we got out on the main river it was really starting to blow. As I came in to the ramp cove, I figured I'd better drain the water ballast out, because I wasn't sure I could get the boat onto the trailer and up the ramp with the tank full. In the process I managed to drop the hook attachment to my brand new boat hook overboard. In the 25 to 30 mph wind I had almost no control as I tried entering the rock lined ramp cove. Every time I got close to the little dock I'd blow around and have to reverse hard to back out for another try. I eventually managed to ding a rock with my brand new prop. I wasn't sure I'd ever get that boat out of the water. I finally got into the dock, and tried, unsuccessfully, to tilt the motor up. (Turned out one of the tilt solenoids was faulty). I hadn't read far enough in the manual to learn about the manual tilt feature, and so had to pull the boat out with the motor down. When I went to attach the winch strap to the bow eye the strap fell off the reel (I wasn't backed far enough down the ramp). It took me a while to get things reattached. By this time it was nearly dark, and taking the mast down in the darkening evening, with the wind still howling, boat hook tip on the bottom of the river and a nice chunk missing from one of my new prop blades, I was seriously wondering if buying this boat had been a big mistake. I ended up driving home with the motor down, with about 3 inches of clearance from tip of skeg to pavement, and at a very slow speed. In the ensuing weeks I ordered a new prop, got a new boat hook, learned about the manual tilt feature, and got the solenoid repaired. Fortunately, I didn't let these initial "newbie" setbacks discourage, and subsequent outings were more successful and enjoyable. The memories of that first cruise's frustrations have faded, but the magic of our first night at anchor lingers still.

[curtis from carlsbad]

Wow.Great responses from everyone!I felt much better after divulging everything that had happened to me.I had been bottling it up for months but didn't want to post everything unless I was sure I was going to keep the boat .It was good that I didn't make a rash decision and sell prematurely.I knew that I had to wait for a few months (when I was at my lowest)just to be sure that my negative feelings about proceeding would stay.However, the feelings subsided and the original fervor quickly took hold again(even more than in the beginning).I like to be brutally honest in the taxicab with the customers about myself and things related to the cab industry or our conversation.I don't say things to the customer about them that they could be insulted by even if I feel it about them.I need their return business .I hope the forum members feel as good about divulging their rookie mistakes as I did and it serves a useful public service.Other rookies or potential Mac owners can learn from us through vivid examples rather than just generalized information from the owners manual(although it is good).I feel like I'm lying to people if I try to omit negative details about "how'd it go with the boat last weekend".I do strongly emphasize the good though as it seems to be outweighing the bad.When the bad things happened my initial thought was : "I thought I was smarter than this".Then I thought about why things had happened over the course of all those weeks(fatigue,haste, over- confidence).When I first saw the boat on the internet about 6 months ago, I stayed up until 6 am drooling on the computer.I couldn't believe someone had designed something like this and I could get one.I lost sleep for about six weeks after this and couldn't get the boat out of my mind.A couple of years ago I saw a television spcial about people that had their own private islands.The show mentioned that some islands for sale only costed about $70,000.I found a website that had listings and it was true!However I could not convince my wife that we should try to get one.The only affordable islands were off of Nova Scotia,Canada and I would have to spend maybe $3000 a trip just to get the family there each time(4500 miles away).I tried to find some islands off of California but virtually none existed.As I drove the taxicab up and down the coast where I work,I gazed out at the ocean imagining an island there,close to my region,within reach.This daydreaming sustained me for quite a while but I couldn't shake the idea from my head ,I still wanted to buy an island and go and sleep overnight there.So,when I stumbled accidently upon the Mac website it completely replaced the island idea instantly.I want to anchor up overnight right off the beaches of Carlsbad and sleep there (preferably with family,wife is keen to idea).I will learn to anchor on my next lesson and practice it until next spring before I try this.The GPS has an anchoring alarm that I hope will work.There are some huge kelpbeds that I want to anchor upwind from so that if anchor drags and GPS alarm fails the kelp should catch anchor or line.The island would have cost 70,000-$90,000 and a small cabin maybe another $70,000 so the Mac at +- $36,000 sounds like a real bargain and I can use it a lot more than maybe twice a year.I also discovered a new ocean sport that I think I'm going to love that I wouldn't have thought of-sailing. Sincerely ,Curtis Becker

[Kelly Hanson East]

Curtis

Anchoring is an important skill because it has safety ramifications when you are anchoring in a 'traffic area'

Here is a starter link (Don Casey article)

You need to consider

- what kind anchor to get
- size it
- get a good chain rode leader
- get the right size and length of nylon rode

Get a backup anchor for either high wind or in case you lose your tackle.

[Laika 26X]

I navigated and pushed sticks( helmsman/planesman) for @ 175,000 nautical miles @ 3 years underwater so my confidence level when I bought this boat was high.However what I forgot was that everything we did was under the watchful eye of the senior sailors until we got it down(qualified)each watchstation. We also went to specialty Naval schools for weeks to prepare for some of our duties.

Curtis,

Which boat and what years?

QM2 (SS) USS ULYSSES S. GRANT SSBN 631 (G)
79-83 Cold war...the "Good" years.
6 Patrols out of Holy Loch, Battle Stations Helmsman, QMOW, Contact Coordinator, did the Sonar Watch Quals, but not permitted w/o supervision, 3 x Blue Nose, etc.
Crossed the Atlantic 3 ways….by air (most do), on (Some still do) and below (Some rarely do).
I've been sailing since '93 I'm very active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary (constant FREE training with all sorts of insurance benefits) and working on my 50 ton license.

The point here?

Defecation occurs..All the time, from the novice to the old salt. So how does one minimize risk?

You already know! As a bubblehead you were trained, and you CAN use it here.

To minimize risk, develop checklist's then USE THEM...I have 'em all, and use them regardless of who's with me. (What were we taught about compartment bills? Rig for Dive, DC etc??)
Everything from Spring Commission/Fall Decommission, to Launching, Getting Underway, Radio procedures etc. (they're in Microsoft formats, hail me if you want copies in emailed) or go here http://www.engsrvtch.com/LAIKA/ an look under procedures.
I even have a LAIKA Qual sheet (remember getting your Dolphins??) that my son loved. That's how he earned his LAIKA Ball cap, qualified crew get the fouled anchor, passengers just get the name. It sure adds another element. All from my 4 years below the waves.
This is LOTS of fun, despite some inherent risk.The good things in life usually do.

Above all, never give up or surrender with a dream....I'm sure ALL my fellow Mac owners agree there!

Godspeed,
“Sub” Ed Tordahl

[Kelly Hanson East]

(from a civvie)

qualified crew get the fouled anchor

If I remember the tradition correctly, Ed, this stands for "No matter what the circumstances, get the job done"

Bravo Zulu....

[Russ]

I want to anchor up overnight right off the beaches of Carlsbad and sleep there (preferably with family,wife is keen to idea).I will learn to anchor on my next lesson and practice it until next spring before I try this.The GPS has an anchoring alarm that I hope will work.There are some huge kelpbeds that I want to anchor upwind from so that if anchor drags and GPS alarm fails the kelp should catch anchor or line.

These are all wonderful ambitions. There is nothing like being on the water away from everything and people and enjoying the sunset and stars at night. Even better with something soft next to you while sipping an adult beverage. You will also learn that whatever food you eat, it tastes so much better on your boat. The peace of watching the moon glitter off the ripples of the water is so relaxing as is waking to the sound of sea birds and waves on the beach. And a man who works 90 hours a week needs that kind of relaxation.

However, this form of recreation is not as simple as the brochure. Your comments about learning to anchor makes me want to reiterate the need for training, especially if you are planning on boating offshore. One of my pet peeves is watching some yahoo bring their boat in to anchor and heave the anchor and line over the side, tying it off and going for a beer. They believe it is the weight of the anchor that magically keeps them in place and are surprised when their boat starts drifting for the rocks or worse yet, me. There is much to learn about this sport and as my father always taught me, there are no hardware stores at sea. You must know what to do in every situation when you are out there.

I cannot stress enough the importance of getting training and education. Some aspects are pretty simple, but if your long term goals are to head to Catalina for the weekend, you MUST get educated. You must learn what to do in an emergency and how to handle basics. 90% of the boats in my marina don't know how to tie their boats to the dock. They just wrap lines around and a cleat until the boat stays still. When you are 5 miles offshore and something goes wrong, you need to know how to keep you and your family safe and get back home. You will need to learn what to do if someone falls overboard and how to deal with extreme weather.

You have a great dream and my hopes are that despite your poor start, you will find years of boating pleasure as most of us have. You have bought your own private island and even better, you can move it to change the scenery every day.

--Russ

[John Jessie]

Curtis,

There is a web site called latitudes and Attitudes that has free how-to videos for sailing, including sailing to the dock, man overboard procedures, sailing up wind, etc. Great site with lots of helpful tips.

Good Luck and Good Sailing!

[John Jessie]

Curtis,

There is a web site called Latitudes and Attitudes that has free how-to videos for sailing, including sailing to the dock, man overboard procedures, sailing up wind, etc. Great site with lots of helpful tips.

Good Luck and Good Sailing!

[curtis from carlsbad]

Response to "Sub" Ed Tordahl: Uss Richard B. Russell.Was at first in the Fireman subfarer program then switched to Seaman apprentice and eventually became a QM3(ss) after 1 year cranking/Deck division then striking.(Special Projects boat).Great 4 years!Check out our website www.ssn687.net.I went aboard the Grant "just to take a look" in 87 at Roton Groton.Tower was broke that year-I lucked out.

[curtis from carlsbad]

1987-1991. www.ssn687.net (New crew pictures,Tony Cuthbertson donations,pic #1 the guy surfing in photograph in Spiderman colored wetsuit is me ) Also just for s#*#s and grins check out : funwatercraft.com I have a hydrobike and ride it straight out through the surf into the ocean here in Carlsbad.Hull speed is about 5-8mph so I don't think it would tow well behind the Mac.Wonder if an aluminum cartoppable v-bow boat 8-10 feet long with small outboard astern would tow at 15 mph behind Mac.This might make a nice tender for boat.Would go to Catalina under motor this way then sail around for a couple of hours,pick an anchorage and stay the weekend.

[Laika 26X]

A fellow QM...excellent!! And a Fast Boat one at that! Your former training included navigation, Rules of the Road International and Inland) etc! Which is as important as learning to sail itself, so the boating basics are there, just remember here in the US we use the IALA "B" (Lateral) system. Boy I hated remembering twice the Nav stuff back then!! After you get past the novice hump, you’ll do fine. Focus on setup and breakdown of the Mac and all her systems (just like the old Qual day's), then sailing. I would take a day from work, ensuring the ramp was empty, and do nothing but practice setup, launch, retrieval, breakdown. Take another day and practice slow speed dock maneuvering. Step by step.. Its true one can learn to sail in a day, and that it takes a lifetime to master, that's the fun.!All will come with time and experience. Like it was mentioned, there are a lot of good sites, and just as many opinions. I recommend the 8 hr ABS course for basics as a refresher. I teach that as well as more advanced courses in the Auxiliary. You may want to invest in a good sailing course. Why not? It’s an investment. I was sailing of 7+ years when I took my ASA 101 Basic Keel boat Course, I loved it! Worth every penny even at that experience level. Get with the local sailors for local knowledge. Crew on some weekly racing fleet. It’s all there.
I'm a big believer in training, that's why I volunteer with the Auxiliary. I love teaching for it teaches me...over and over.
BTW, as I said earlier, defecation happens to all, and it's all about risk management. For me risk management even includes everyday things like the ride to work, asking the wife for money, opening the mail...!!
Someday I’ll tell all about my ramp incident, I nearly lost my life by being dragged under by the trailer. Thank goodness the rear dug into the sand and prevented my body from being completely immersed as I was pinned, all this with the family watching. Not to mention engine failure with fast currents in an inlet with angry rocks coming my way, and the prop wraps, heavy weather, etc. This board is full of stories like mine. But we make it through and come back cause we love it (or perhaps can’t afford therapy for suicidal behavior….I dunno).

BTW, the RUSSEL, she was a long hull STURGEON class, right? Now razor blades along with the GRANT! Awesome web site

Good luck and keep us posted sailor!

“Sub” Ed

Oh, before I forget , a piece of advice I learned years ago from an old salt: "Neutral is your friend".

[curtis from carlsbad]

Our sister ship the Parche was in the drydock at Mare Island the whole time I was stationed there.They were doing something "big" to her.We were merely filling in for her during the 4 years I was there.We were at right about 300 feet so I don't think we were a long hull. I have 20-30 photographs and non-classified documents I will submit to the RBR website during some future weekend.I am going to look for a Ulysses S. Grant website or general info on computer for fun this weekend( Then a surf on Sunday).I know I will be able to master this boat with time and experience.Fundamentals of sailing I have down in my head from reading ,however I will gradually get the real time on the pond during the next many years. My father moved us down to Mexico when I was 11 years old so I was raised there(Ensenada & Tijuana).He had raised me by himself. I started deep sea fishing on 70 foot wooden sportfishing trawler type boats when I was 11 and often the captain would sneak down to the galley and get drunk on tequila(under the guise of going down there for chorizo or machaca burritos).So he would let me drive boat towards general direction of Todos Santos island (around 9 miles offshore).The 20-25 American tourists aboard didn't really figure out I was driving alone or skipper was drunk( they didn't go into galley much as the deckhands would curse, yell and joke amongst each other loudly in Spanish -it was sort of their area).The deckhands would drink all day also.I used to pay $5 per day to go out on boat 5 days a week.I would catch about 75-125 lbs. of fish per day.Then I would target an American that hadn't caught many fish (either lack of experience,seasick or too drunk) and sell them my catch for $20.I would say: "Show these two gunny sacks full of fish to your girlfriend on the pier".They would be elated!(power of suggestion). I would fillet all of the fish for another $3 on the 1 1/2 trip back.All the deckhands would be doing this also.
I could make a good wage as long as I didnt lose too many spoofer or crocodile lures to the barracuda(Factories only paid @ $3 per day at the time ).The drunk skipper would somehow move us from fishing spot to spot and take us back home.Sometimes we would be in a school of large gamefish and we would start pulling up fishheads with the bodies eaten off.The deckhands would emerge from the galley with a shotgun,furious.They would aim the gun over the rail to sea and shoot seals/sea lions with a slug when the creatures would surface.They would also frequently deploy explosives( Green colored 6 or 8 inch long waterproof M-1000 looking things)Anyone could buy these on the streets of Ensenada for $1 each in those days.All this seemed normal to me at the time as I was a kid.Carcasses with holes in them would frequently wash up on the beaches while were surfing along with used hypodermic syringes,rubbers, and other human waste.I never caught typhoid fevor from these waters but a friend did once.Your skin would burn and tingle until you rinsed off after a surf.The waves were perfect with no other surfers fo miles.I once had to get quickly on a wave in when a large shark with a spot on it's fin made a close pass by us.There are now environmental groups in Ensenada that have curtailed some of the pollution and killing of seals.I still have the beach house I grew up in but seldom go down there anymore(3-5 times a year).So I got a lot of time at the helm during those years and later on the sub.When I was 13 &1/2, I became the sole source of support for myself and my father( He didn't want to go back to work).So I fished until I was 15 and then went to work in Los Angeles and San Diego.I didn't go to school basically from age 11-17 but when I joined the Navy they sent me to a diploma mill and made me get a GED.I was later amazed they offered me submarines but I think they base it on aptitude and ASVAB/AFQT score.Hope some forum members have enjoyed these stories!-Curtis Becker

[GregR]

Curtis,
If you want to give your 26M away CHEAP, I am your guy

Just kidding. Sounds like all of us who are comtemplating a purchase can learn a lot from your ordeal and hopefully we can avoid some of the same issues.

Good luck (but PM me if you want to unload it)

Greg