Author Archives: lewisblevins

Repaired a few osmotic blisters expected on a hull of this age. Faired a few keel joints. New engine cooling water intake seacock placed. Barrier coats applied. Antifoul paint in place. Polished hull. New naming decals placed. The engine replacement is nearing completion. Engine replacement by Helmut’s Marine in San Rafael. Hull work by Carlos’Continue reading “Out of Water Service”

I didn’t think the floorboards in the sailboat looked all that bad. Not for a vintage vessel from 1977. They were acceptable. Or so I thought. I made the mistake of using acetone to remove the glue from the back of one of the floorboards that covers the area above the propeller shaft. My goalContinue reading “Refinishing Floorboards”

It took a long while. But…..custom-made mast base blocks for Ruby have arrived. Having these saves a tremendous amount of work and significant modifications in order to use something with standard or uniform commercial applications. Keeping it as original as is possible in a world that has changed a lot since 1977. Hats off toContinue reading “Mast Base Blocks”

Ruby, our Swan 431, is temporarily decommissioned. The engine is now out with replacement expected to take place over the next few weeks. We decided to replace the engine as I’ve had one engine failure underway. All turned out well. It did test my wits, though, and I recognized it’s important to do everything possibleContinue reading “Engine Out”

The vessel seems naked without the standing and running rigging! Earlier today, I enjoyed the opportunity to closely observe the process of disconnecting all the stays, halyards, sheets, boom and vang. I watched in awe as the rig was lifted from the boat by a crane operator employing a small crane. Much of the standingContinue reading “Rig service”

As most of you know the bilge of a sailboat is the space in the lowest parts of the sailing vessel. For many, the bilge is considered the space under the floorboards. The bilge is mostly empty but it may contain a number of things including wires from here or there to somewhere, various throughContinue reading “Bilge Pumps”

This site was formerly known as Sailing Skiron.  As you can see, it now goes by a different name.  Much of the content is still relevant.  It will, however, head off in a different direction beginning today.   Skiron, my beloved sailing vessel, which I sold a few years ago, was named after the GreekContinue reading “Sailing Ruby”

It’s the end of an era.  SKIRON has been sold.    I’ve absolutely loved being the owner and operator of this fabulous vessel.  The very day I took ownership I was humbled and a little overwhelmed as she was a complex vessel, had sailed, basically, around all parts of the world, and I recognized sheContinue reading “A new era begins as one ends”

I had a recent opportunity to navigate a friends sailboat during his tag sail in order to earn his skipper designation through Club Nautique. Back on a Beneteau. Or maybe it was a Jeanneau. I don’t remember. I just don’t care for those boats. At all. The camaraderie and friendships, however, as well as theContinue reading “Hitchhikers on the big seas.”

I’m reminded of the hit song “Radar Love” by Golden Earring released in 1973 every time I flip the toggle switch to turn on RADAR aboard Skiron. I was 12 years old. The song was popular for years as I used to hear it driving at night long after I received my driver’s license atContinue reading “Radar Love”