Category Archives: Uncategorized

As most would verify, owning and working on one’s sailboat is associated with unusual situations and predicaments oft requiring boat yoga. In other words, putting one’s torso and limbs into unusual positions for extended periods of time to accomplish a job. Work also requires work in tight spaces. That part of it is a challengeContinue reading “Boat Yoga”

When we took delivery of the Swan there was a full inventory of headsails including three spinnakers, a storm Jib, regular jib, and three Genoa sails. There were also two mainsails. Every single sail was rotten, had holes and rips, and we deemed them unsafe. I worked with Quantum Sails in Richmond to begin theContinue reading “Sail Inventory”

One of the things I appreciate about classic boats is they are replete with old fashioned ways of doing things relative to some of the newer vessels with the modern electronic conveniences. For example, the diesel tank on the vessel does not have a float or gauge or any sort. One simply removes a boldContinue reading “Fuel measures”

Sometimes, new things fail. Always be cautious. On July 4, we had a great time on the water. After shutting down the vessel at the end of our sail I performed my usual post-sail check before leaving the boat. The lowest part of the bilge, where the two manual bilge pump intake hoses are seated,Continue reading “Dripless Shaft Seal”

Finally! After 9 months of phase 1 of a retrofit, and two new engines, we took delivery of S/V Ruby two days ago. Instead of moving the vessel from the engine shop to the dock we decided to go sailing. It was our first sail as the vessel was not seaworthy when we made theContinue reading “Inaugural Test Sail”

Just as the cardinal and lesser winds may shift about, play tricks, and cease to blow and ultimately fail us….so may the iron wind that we rely upon when needed.  Most sailors know that iron wind refers to the engine of a sailboat. I replace the nearly 50-year-old and previously rebuilt Perkins engine in S/VContinue reading “Iron Wind”

Westernmost part of mainland coastal California. 124.4095 West The Cape is on the Lost Coast. Reachable by car via the Mattole Rd out of Ferndale CA. Wanted to hike but fences and no trespassing signs coupled with lack of a trail made that virtually impossible. The 30 kn winds added to the near impossibility. It’sContinue reading “Cape Mendocino”

I saw this at the harbor today. The rigger who has been working with me on RUBY said this was likely due to a starboard upper swage fitting failure. This is less common with rod rigging. It seems this break must have occurred without the main hoisted. I see a lot of vessels flying aContinue reading “Don’t neglect your rigging!”

Gilles Combrisson has nearly finished the rigging work. The only thing remaining for this phase of work is to run the main sail reefing lines and to tune the rig. We may service a few winches over the next few months, too. Work accomplished includes: New forestay and backstay New furling drum New rod rigging,Continue reading “Rigging Service”