Ready To Launch This Saturday!

[Ward H]

Last year I got caught up doing a lot of deferred maintenance, including a complete bottom job, on our still new to us O'day 25. With a cold and rainy spring and waiting for warm weather to install new rub rail, we didn't launch until mid-June.

This year things went better. Recent good weather allowed me to complete my To Do List today:

1. Installed hardware to run lines back to cockpit
2. During maintenance on winches found they needed to be replaced. Installed new self tailing winches.
3. Replaced rudder gudgeon, one cracked, one bent. Did pintles as well.
4. Installed battery switch, DC Outlets, BusBars and MRBF terminals with fuses.
5. Sent sails out for cleaning and inspect/repair. (Original sails)
6. Washed & Waxed the topsides.

Just need to connect battery, outboard electric and hang the sails. Looks like a go to launch on Saturday.

I'm sure someone will spot in the 3rd photo that I need to trim the corner on the hatch runner to improve the lead of one of the lines.

The last photo is of the proud Admiral and her buddy Copper, our 5 year old Golden Retriever.

 

[Indysailor]

Looking good, Ward! With all the work you did last year, you deserve to put in early. I like the smallish profile of that battery switch; what's the make?

 

[Ward H]

Thanks Indy.
That battery switch is the M Series from Blue Sea. I chose it because of the smaller size and the amp capacity easily fits my electrical system.

 

[cb32863]

Nice!! I did similar things to mine in regards to running the lines back to the cockpit. They sure don't leave ya much room there between the handrails and the hatch rails do they?? If I can get the forecast to go my way, I am sanding and what not on the bottom on Friday, painting on Saturday and finishing up some small things then too. Hoping to splash before that following weekend but, we all know how schedules and boats go so it will probably be closer to the week of the 15th. Still better than the last two years when it has been July. Oh, got me a brand new mainsail last year too. I would highly recommend that purchase.

 

[Picflight]

Nice looking boat. Is that a Subaru in the background?

 

[Ward H]

cb, while old, the sails are in decent shape. They are on the upgrade list and were before new winches in priority, until the winches froze up and I found they were in really bad shape. Maybe next year.

Picflight, Thanks. That's our 2008 Saturn Outlook.

 

[RichBone]

Good job. The boat looks good. Nice job on leading the lines back to the cockpit. Looks like you also ran the reefing line back too. You might want to consider installing a small winch (I used a Lewmar #6 for mine) behind the rope clutches. I think Forespar makes a #4.

 

[Ward H]

RBone,
Thanks.
I have the photos of your layout that I have looked at several times to plan what to do.

Ran main halyard and two line reefing back.

I went back and forth on whether I should add a winch or not. Decided to give it a bit and see how it goes. I can always add one later if needed.

 

[Indysailor]

Just arranged to splash Saturday as well!
I swear, it never gets old, the anticipation of getting the boat wet again, the joy of that first gust.

Provided it's not 40 degrees and raining.

 

[Ward H]

Yep, I could take the easy way out and the yard would put it in the slip for me. don't even need to be there.
What fun is there in that?

Admiral is already planning our first sail on Sunday.

Sounds good Indy!

 

[Hydro Therapy]

Ward, your boat is looking very nice. I'm a bit South of you. I will be docked off of Bay Ave in Somers Pt.

I was hoping you could educate me. What are the red ropes in your pictures used for?

 

[Ward H]

Hi Spooled,
I used to windsurf at the park there in Somers Point until the jet skiers got too thick. Did my first sailing across the parkway on the power plant side on a 16' or so O'day and a 22' O'day a friend had as part of a sailboat rental operation.

Here's the story on the red lines.
The winter I bought the O'day, I read an article on making your own lazy jack system to contain the sail when dropping it.
I had dropped the mast so while it was down, I installed blocks on the spreaders and ran the red lines through in preparation of making the lazy jacks. I also had a spare block and open attachment point where the back stay connects at the mast head so I ran another red line to the stern in case I needed it for anything.
Well, that was last spring and the red lines still just hang there. I'm hoping to get to making the lazy jack system this year but until then they are just decorations.

 

[lp_gilbert]

Hi Ward looks good. I'm bringing my 19 O'Day to somers point for the first time this summer. We're berthing it at the marina at 800 bay. it will be in the water in a week or two. I've always moored so docking in a slip should be an adventure. What marina are you at. Hope to see you around.

 

[Hydro Therapy]

Thanks Ward, I remember the sailing marina that was in Beesleys Pt. I remember renting a Sunfish on many occasions. Then at 15 I bought a little 11 foot dingy (Blue Claw) and kept it at that marina. It's to bad that marina no longer exists. All of the low bridges have been replaced with taller ones which greatly enlarged the sailing area.

Gilbert, I saw that slip rental sign at 800 Bay last week. Unfortunately I already locked into a slip at Smittys Marina, probably 100 yards or so south of your location. I hope to put my 22 in next weekend. I will keep an eye out for you.

 

[Ward H]

Spooled,
Is Smittys the same place that has the restaurant? We loved eating there. Are they still open?
The guy who had the rental concession was named RJ. I gave his wife windsurfing lessons in exchange for sailing lessons. Then he let me take out a boat if it was not rented. Also gave windsurfing lessons on the other side at a beach near the restaurant that was on the water at rt 9.

Gilbert, you will enjoy being in a slip. I believe there was a little current in that area? that may make it interesting but you'll get use to it.

Weather is looking good for this weekend. Hope to hear a lot of good splash stories next week.

 

[Hydro Therapy]

Ward, you may be thinking of the Tuckahoe Inn restaurant. It sits between the Parkway and route 9 bridges. The restaurant is still open and they have docking for those that come by water. They usually have an outside band on the weekends. Several times last summer we anchored overnight.

 

[Indysailor]

Carry on without me mates, I had a bicycle accident yesterday, broke my dang elbow.

 

[Brian S]

Dude!

That totally sucks! I hope it heals quickly and well!

 

[Ward H]

Wow man, that sucks big time. Think you'll be able to get in part of the season after it heals?
We got delayed a week. Too many things got in the way.

Spooled, yes Tuckahoe Inn was where I taught windsurfing.
About a block north of the Rte 9 bridge there was a small restaurant that did breakfast on the back dock and dinner on road side of the building. "Smitty's" sounded familiar. Haven't been there for years.

Should be good weather this weekend for those who will be getting launched.

Indy, hope it heals fast.

 

[Indysailor]

Thanks.
The bone doctor says it could have been worse and that in a few weeks it will feel a lot better. No cast, and she wants me to try to use it as much as I can tolerate. Fingers crossed that there aren't chips floating around in the joint, and if all goes well I'll get some friends to help launch next week and be a passenger for a few more.