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After recently reading of a disaster
when another Catalina 22 tipped over, one of the cockpit lazarette
hatches popped open and filled with water, and the boat quickly sank, I
decided to do something about my setup. I have small locks to
secure the lockers when I'm not onboard; I've always just removed them
as soon as I'm back aboard, open the hasps for easy access to the
interiors, and hung the locks back on their respective latches.
This has left Chip Ahoy vulnerable to the same risky situation which
sank that other boat. |
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Yesterday I picked up a pair of small
carabineers which I now use to replace the locks as soon as I remove
them. The carabineers can be easily and quickly removed, but
otherwise will hold the lazarette seats tightly closed. (Jul. 10,
2006) |
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Hailstones from the storm of July 11,
2006. An apparent tornado touched down on Marblehead Neck, but a
couple of miles away, that
wiped out most of the
Flying Scot fleet during its national regatta hosted by the
Corinthian Yacht Club. On the Neck, hailstones were reportedly the size
of baseballs! |
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Today my longtime buddy, Michael -- one of our crew who
took "Idle
Hours II" down the East Coast to the Florida Key in 1978 -- visited
from his home now in Arizona. We took Chip Ahoy out for a sail in
perfect conditions, rounding Great and Little Misery Islands (in the
background) in record time for Chip Ahoy and me, coming back through the
channel between them and Bakers Island. Thanks Michael for that
great dinner afterward that you treated Barbara and me to at
The
Landing, overlooking Marblehead Harbor. (Jul. 14, 2006) |
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Yesterday I brought Chip Ahoy over to the Beacon Street
boatyard (Marblehead Trading Company). I had it hauled-out to have
the keel checked out and the bottom painted before my annual cruise. (Jul. 19, 2006) |
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The refurbished keel definitely needs "touching up" with
some epoxy. I'm also having the yard replace the keel hanger and
pin, and add the CD spacer kit -- both of which I've had "in stock" for a couple
of years. (Continued below and at further
link.) |
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While I'm at it -- upon the opinion of too many whom I
respect -- it's time to replace the temperamental 1985 Tohatsu 9.9 hp
outboard. As they've pointed out, strenuously, the way I use my
boat, my life depends on it to work. I've got a new Honda 8 hp
four-stroke coming down later today. Ouch on the checking account -- but
I'm hopefully buying at least peace of mind for my upcoming extended
cruise down to the Cape and through the Cape Cod Canal and its
intimidating current. |
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The new Honda 8hp four-stroke, sitting in the shop at
Ryan Marine Services -- mine now, for $2,373.00 including tax,
ouch -- almost what I paid for boat, motor, and trailer a few years ago!
(Jul. 19, 2006) |
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While hauled out at Marblehead Trading Company's Beacon
Street yard, I'm having the keel hanger and pin replaced. Here,
yard manager Tommy is in the act of replacing it. Note the score
on the keel from forgetting -- just once! -- to loosen the keel locking
bolt. (Jul. 20, 2006) |
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The old (and not too worn) keel pin.
Tommy's going to have to knock it out to replace it.
-- MORE
HAUL-OUT 2006 Keel Work -- |
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NEXT |
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It's never-ending ...
but Sailing Season '06 has begun! |
