Lost at sea?

[Chuck Rose]

No. We knew exactly where we were at all times.

Seriously though; we arrived at Neah Bay at 1930 hrs on Thursday but,
due to the peculiar situation at Neah Bay, we were unable to
communicate very well with everyone. I was able to contact my brother
, David, but not Gary (Who posted here that he had heard from the
Coast Guard) and Laura was able to talk to her mother but I was unable
to get on line and even the land lines worked only sporadically.
Yesterday we motored up the Strait to Port Angeles and are now tied up
at the Boat Haven guest dock where we plan to stay until Thursday. At
the moment we are enjoyng a beer and nachos at a pub with free Wi Fi.

In a nutshell: We left Honolulu at 0640 on May 26th with fair winds
and moderate seas. Bree and Chuck got seasick immediately and Chuck
remained so for a staggering 21 days (A new personal record). Our
Tiller Pilot (tm) failed on the third day after only about eight hours
of operation which was a major inconvenience but we were able to get
the boat to steer herself with a bit of experimenting. No help when
under power though. We had several other minor gear failures but the
only serious one was the forestay coming apart during a gale 1200
miles Southwest of Cape Flattery. After that we were unable to hoist
a jib and averaged only 30 to 40 miles a day with our worst day at
minus two miles progress. Although we began with eighteen gallons of
diesel, we were forced to run the engine to keep our batteries charged
up to run the water maker as our solar panels were ineffective after
the first two weeks due to the constant overcast. By the fiftieth day
we had only enough fuel for an estimated 60 miles motoring. We had to
wait through four days of dead calm 120 miles off Vancouver island
until we got close enough to start the engine to run in.

We were cold, wet and uncomfortable but never in any real danger,
although we did run out of chocolate. We learned a lot and we have
some great stories to share.

The boat needs quite a bit of work (Some things that would never show
up in a lifetime of day sailing or weekending come into very sharp
focus when you leave a sail up, constantly, for two weeks) so our
plans have changed and we'll be staying in the Puget Sound area for a
while. Laura's Dad is lobbying for us to go to Blaine to effect
repairs. We'd very much like to see all of the PNW VEGAtarians and
could use some advice concerning long-term moorage where we can live
aboard while we sort things out on the boat.

Thanks to everyone for your concern and prayers. Special thanks to
Per Brohall.

Chuck, Laura and Bree
SV Lealea,V1860
Honolulu
(Port Angeles, Washington)

 

[mphalv]

So glad that you are safe and sound! We're eager to hear more about your
voyage when you finally get the time to tell it. Today, we finally launched
Double Fantasy. Not an auspicious beginning, as we forgot to put the radio
antennae on, so Paul will have to go up the mast next time we're out to the
boat. And while docking, I misjudged our speed and fell onto the dock. Of
course, there was an audience. No injury, except to my pride. It is amazing how
rusty one gets over the winter! Anyway, hope you are able to get Lealea
repaired quickly, and be on your way once again.

Melanie & Paul Halvachs
V1826 Double Fantasy
Holden, Maine
************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at

Improve & Protect your PC, Devices and Life with AOL Products | AOL

AOL provides advanced security products to help prevent attacks, boost your internet speed to browse faster and shop more safely. AOL also offers 24x7 support.

discover.aol.com

 

[albinvega1493]

Hi Chuck and Laura,

We are all so glad to hear that you arrived safe and sound. Some of
us who have Vega's in the San Francisco area were looking forward to
a possible Vega get together if and when you head south. After you
get everything taken care of just let us know when that will be and
we will see if we can plan something.

I am curious about exactly what part of the forestay rigging
failed. I know that the Bow forestay bracket has been a problem in
Vega's. Was that it or was it the wire cable or a turnbuckle? Just
curious.

We got our Vega in the water finally 3 weeks ago. We named
her "Kemanalea". She was originally "Cheers" then "Freya" Have no
idea what Kemanalea means, we made it up cause we liked the sound of
it. It means whatever we want it to at the time. Have been out
every weekend since we got her in the water. Forgot to run a line
through the pulley on the aft side of the mast for the topping lift
before we put up the mast, so my wife winched me up in a Bosun's
chair. Don't want to have to do that very often, certainly not at
sea.

Take care, keep us posted on your plans.

Larry Bissell
"Kemanalea"
albinvega1493@...

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Chuck

Welcome back from all in the UK and VAGB. Nice to know that you are all
safe and well.


Cheers Steve Birch and all at the VAGB

 

[mphalv]

Hi Larry,

It is comforting to know we're not the only one's to forget a basic rigging
chore. Paul will be up in the Bosun's chair this weekend!

Smooth Sailing,

Melanie & Paul Halvachs
V1826 Double Fantasy
************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at

Improve & Protect your PC, Devices and Life with AOL Products | AOL

AOL provides advanced security products to help prevent attacks, boost your internet speed to browse faster and shop more safely. AOL also offers 24x7 support.

discover.aol.com

 

[o2n7dcolin]

First great to hear that Chuck and Laura have arrived safely. Can't wait
to hear the details.
Larry just wondering if you used the original winch on the mast to haul
yourself aloft? I've heard that it wasn't up to the task. Colin on Isis
V-703Larry Bissell wrote:

 

[trevy_kins]

Hi Gang,

It certainly is a great relief to hear of Lealea's safe arrival!

On a more prosaic note, I've just put Mystic Rose back into the water
and wonder if anyone has any suggestions how to adjust the combi. The
engine seems to rev up too high before the propeller blades begin to
rotate into the forward position; whereas, the prop begins to rotate
into reverse at a very low rpm. Is this correct? If not, can I simply
adjust a linkage?

Thanks, Trev (Mystic Rose V2915)

http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=1835072/grpspId=1705065791/m
sgId=11063/stime=1185343438/nc1=4430620/nc2=4507179/nc3=4725795

 

[stevebirch2002]

Have a look at adjusting teh baldes in conjunction with the accelerator
on the injector pump. All done by simpl cam etc so have a look and see
what can be done. There is an instruction manual on the website that can
be downloaded that explains any adjustment.

Cheers Steve B

 

[vega1860]

Brian,

After some phone calls it looks like Bellingham would be our best
bet. We called this morning and they can accomodate us for a
reasonable price hauled out of the water, although we could do what
needs doing at a work dock without hauling out. It would be great
to see Jim again. Gloria stopped by for a visit in Hawaii a while
back.

We'll give you a call when we get more settled.

Aloha,

Chuck and Laura Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
Honolulu
(Port Angeles, WA)

 

[albinvega1493]

Yes, used the original winch on the mast. But I had my arms and
legs around the mast the whole time just in case -- there were a
few tense moments. No, I had not heard that the mast winch was not
up to that task. Don't know if I would have done it if I knew
that. I think next time I will take the mast down rather than go
up. I built a mast step with a hinge on it. Goes up and down
nicely with the winch on the cabin roof.

Later.

Larry Bissell
"Kamanalea"
albinvega1493@...

 

[vega1860]

Aloha Larry,

I saw a boat in Honolulu once with the name "Kamanawanalea" (Think
about it for a minute) made up names can be fun.

I tried using the winch to go up the mast but found it much easier
to use the halyard to haul a four part tackle to the mast head and
haul myself up using that instead of the winch, MUCH easier. You
don't even need a helper. Still not as easy as taking the mast down
though, if you have a tabernacle mast step.

One wire in the forestay parted about eight or nine feet above the
deck. That one strand is sticking out about eighteen inches with a
small tuft of wire above it where it broke off. We don't know the
cause yet.

We will be going down the coast next year and would love to do a
Rendezvous along the way after the PNW Rendezvous, perhaps in late
July or August. We have plenty of time for planning.

Malie ke kai,

Chuck and Laura Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
Honolulu
(Port Angeles, WA)

 

[rchrdcoe]

The last time I went up the mast, I routed the line to the cockpit
winch. Seemed to work better.
Richard, V1812

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi All

Here in teh UK we have purchased (as a club) a DeeFee mast ladder,
fantastic piece of gear and works a treat. Easy to use, safe and
reassuring to use. If I can use it (I aint small) then anyone can.

Cheers


Steve B

 

[pjacobs55]

My prefered mast climbing method is a 32' aluminum extension ladder,
with the feet tied down on the deck and the top lashed to the mast.
This method allows many trips up and down for forgotten or dropped
tools. The downside is that it's really hard to find a good place to
stow the ladder when at sea ;-)Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

 

[hheiduck]

I've been using "Mast Mate" for several years, works great and is super simple. Loaned it out to others to use on non-Vega boats, works just as well. no winch action required, in fact no second person required...simple and I feel safe using it. Matter of fact last time I used it I had to go up several times (needed tools and hardware) and you're up and down fast and secure, really, just a quick walk up the mast! Take a look at the Mast Mate web site.

Hans Heiduck
V 1874, Flicka