The Big Water

On June 16^th I launched the Flying Fish at the Sanibel Causeway and proceeded to experience my first time out in warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  I was very excited; I had been Fort Myers for about six weeks and had been chomping at the bit to get out on the water. 

Fort Myers Area Near Boat Ramp

            No sooner than I was motoring out into the channel that I grounded the boat for the first of many such occurrences that that weekend.  The water was murky unlike the pristine clear waters of Lake Superior of which I was use to.  I quickly pulled up my rudder, which had just lowered and I’m sure uttered some explanative.

            I quickly learned to motor out into the main channel before lowering the rudder and keel.  That didn’t save me though.  Within minutes I was grounded again on the other side of the channel and wondering where it would be safe.  I actually looked down and saw the bottom was about a foot under the boat and I could see grass; sea grass that is.  There was also a sign close by indicating as much with a picture of a manatee on it.  That was new and different.

            Once I had motored my way to freedom I surveyed my options.  They were few.  I could either go up river in the channel or out to sea.  I chose the later.  I was careful to stay within the markers not wanting to ground out again.  It worked for awhile and I was able to get all the sails up and start enjoying my outing. 

            About and hour later I ran aground on a sand bar a mile or so off of Sanibel Island.  Fortunately, it was sand and not rocks.  Wow, I had tied my record the previous year in one afternoon.  I was doing pretty good; at this rate I would have the boat sunk by the end of June. 

            I sailed the next two days and managed to get the Flying Fish stuck each day, usually right by the boat ramp.  I hit rocks or coral on the third day and the boat made an eerie grinding noise as it moved over the shallow spot.  No worries, it only scraped the keel and rudder.  Both will need some paint.  I have to admit, I probably should have known something was amiss when I saw a bird standing in the water about a 100 yards from my location. 

            After my first adventure out at sea I came to one conclusion.  I needed decent charts for my GPS!  I couldn’t keep running into things, which would eventually be a bad thing.  Like, sink the boat bad.  Not good. 

            On Monday I went to a local Bass Pro Shop and inquired if they had the proper data chip with the charts I wanted.  They did.  I whipped out my credit card and bought the pinky sized chip with the entire US coastal water way data on it. 

           

            Two weeks later on July 1^st I went out again.  This time accompanied by my family.  It was a great sail, very relaxing.  I got the worst sunburn I’ve had in awhile, but am no worse for wear.

            The good news; I hit not a single rock or sand bar the entire day.  My purchase did as promised and guided my safely over the calm waters of San Carlos Bay.

The Ides of March

Wow that water’s cold! Not that I fell in or went swimming, I just put my hand in it.  That is what you get when you go sailing on Lake Superior in March, cold, cold water.  However, with temperatures in the 70’s I couldn’t resist.   Every other sailboat out of Marquette won’t be launched until Late April or May; some of them not until June.   It is kind of sad really.  Summers are fleeting here, so when the weather permits, one should take advantage of it.

At least this year I haven’t fallen in the lake.  Let me go find some wood to knock on.  Okay, much better.  Not that I plan on it either.   Technically it is still winter, but I managed to get the boat in on March 14^th, and then again yesterday, which was the 18^th.  Wow, two times so far.  If I was retired or actually had money, I would be well on my way to beating my own record of 61 days (on my boat). 

The Flying Fish (my boat) is in pretty good shape.  There are some maintenance issues I had to take care of, but nothing that would stop me from taking her out.  The biggest issue was the rudder.  It needed some repairs and a new coat of paint.  I did some fiberglass work on it and replaced all of the bolts at the hinge plate (they were rusting).   It is as good as the day I made it. 

The boat, after an extensive day on the water, leaks.  That is I noticed it was leaking on the rivet line.  Apparently, I will need to apply copious amounts of silicone, or spooge as Tim refers to it, to those areas.  That should take care of the problem.   After all, no one likes a leaky boat, especially me, and especially when it’s my boat that is leaking.  Looks like a job for a couple tubes of silicone and a 6 pack.  Ah, viva la boat repair.

As far as sailing went, yesterday was great.  Tim and I sailed towards Shot point, beating our way the whole time.  There were no issues and it was a fun ride.  We healed quite a bit due to the wind and that’s how I came to find out the boat needed some silicone.  We were using the storm jib as to not get over powered.  The wind was strong enough to warrant it.  Once we turned back I decided to put up my large Genoa….. I like to haul ass.  The sail did not disappoint.  We were doing at least 7 knots for most of the reach back, and I believe we pushed above 8 knots a few times.  I think water skiing would have worked with those speeds.  She almost planed, or at least she wanted to.  One day.  Hum, maybe a bigger sail?

A quick launch scenario

            I don’t know about you, but I like to get my boat on the water as soon as possible.  That is, off the trailer and sailing.  It takes me about an hour to set everything up and actually start sailing the boat. 

            I should clarify.  The only time when set up is an issue is when I am traveling with the boat; for example, when I hauled it out to Montana to sail on Flathead Lake.  When at home, the Flying Fish stays on a mooring and it takes me about ten minutes to board her, stow gear, and set sail. 



Mast Cradle on the Rudder

         When I refurbished my boat, I built a mast cradle which I designed to attach to the upper half of the rudder.  This was accomplished by mounting the cradle through the same holes that the tiller and rudder blade use.  It works great.  However, I have found that over time the weight of the mast is starting to damage the mounts.  The overall effect of which is that there is more lateral play in both the tiller and rudder blade.  I.E. the rudder blade and tiller are loose.  It’s not a major concern at this point, but I am looking at correcting the problem before it gets worse. 

            My idea is to use a sawhorse which can fit in the cock pit and support the mast when traveling.  I’ve seen these on other boats as mast cradles and I think it is the best alternative to what I have now.  No one tells you these things when you first get a boat.  Oh well, live and learn.

            In thinking about it; not only will it eliminate the strain on the rudder mounts, but it will allow me to keep the rudder and tiller set up when traveling.  It could potentially speed up launch time by fifteen or more minutes.  Not to mention recovery and travel preparation.

            I realize that an extra fifteen minutes here and there is not a big deal.  Also, there is a potential for damage to the rudder if it comes loose and gets dragged down the highway.  That would be awesome; show up at your destination only to find your rudder is half the size it was when you left.  Truth be told, I would remove it on any trip longer then an hour or so. 

            On the other hand, I have been at boat launches where powerboat owners gave me the evil eye. This was because I was taking up valuable space with my archaic sailboat; making their comrades wait an unduly amount of time while I set up everything.  “Buy a real boat asshole,” I could hear them thinking.

            Hey, I have all winter to make a new mast cradle.  Only six months to go until launch.

Main Sheet and Boom Modifications on a CM-21

When I first got my CM-21 I didn’t know sailing from flying.  However, I quickly figured out that the main sheet was located in a very inconvenient location; mounted just outside the cabin in the front of the cockpit. 

Old Main Sheet Mount

On the many sailing outings I went on, it became apparent that the original design was cumbersome and limited the overall utility of the boat.  The system consisted of a rail, and a block mounted directly aft of the main hatch.  The rail allowed the block to slide from port to starboard, giving optimal adjustment to the boom.  The main sheet effectively restricted entry to the cabin and limited the sitting space available in the cockpit. 

More then once the mainsheet would lock a passenger or myself into a front corner of the cockpit; or when tacking make it difficult for a passenger or myself to switch sides while turning.  It was an inconvenient and unacceptable set-up and needed to be addressed.  I’m sure other CM-21 owners can appreciate my concerns and have experienced the same.

During my initial period of sailing I had the good fortune to experience other boats and observed how their main sheets were rigged.  It seemed to me that there was a wide array of options as to rigging a main sheet.  This, I’m sure helped me realize that the CM-21 design could use some improvement.

New Main Sheet Mount

In the spring of 2011, prior to launching the boat for the season, I decided to do the modifications.  I had had all winter to contemplate my many options, and decided to go with a simple yet efficient design.  I would mount the main sheet off of the aft stay. 

I had seen this configuration on another boat and thought that it would lend itself well to my CM-21.  It was just a matter of fabricating and mounting the necessary hardware.  All I needed to accomplish my modifications were a couple pieces of aluminum and a new block system.

First, I needed a thin rectangular piece of aluminum to make into both an aft stay mount and a connection point for the block.  This I found at a local fabrication shop and acquired for free.  It was too small a piece of aluminum to have any marketable value, so they just let me have it.  Cool.   The aluminum piece was 3/8 inch thick, 8 inches long by 3 inches wide.  I would have preferred a ¼ inch thick piece, but there were none available.

It took me a couple hours to fabricate the aluminum shank into the shape I had designed.  This consisted of cutting, grinding, sanding, and drilling three holes into the piece of metal.  When it was all said and done, I was very happy with the end result.

Wooden Block

To make the new fitting attach properly I had to shorten the aft stay by about the same length.  I actually shortened it a tad more then the aluminum shank in order to maximize the adjustment potential of the aft stay and to account for the shackles I would need to attach the fitting to the boat. 

I also added to the adjustment potential of the aft stay by placing a wooded block or wedge onto the boat.  This I fabricated and painted.  The wedge is placed between the hull and the aft stay mount; making it possible to adjust the aft stay by a couple inches either way. It also moved the aft stay out another inch and a half making sure that the boom can swing freely.  On my boat, I only had a couple inches between the boom and the aft stay in the first place.  I wanted to make sure the new modifications would work properly and adding more space seemed to be the answer.

New Boom Mount

Next, I needed to add an attachment point to the end of my boom.  This I accomplished by using a long thin piece of aluminum.  The only issue was how to attach the new fitting without compromising the existing configuration.  The new fitting could not restrict the line used to tighten the foot of the main sail; which pulled through a groove at the end of the boom and is attached to a cleat on the under side.

My solution was to bend the aluminum in half and rivet it to both sides of the boom.  I left enough space in the curvature of the bend as not to restrict the tension line of the main sail.  In the middle of the bend I drilled a single hole where the main sheet could attach via a shackle.

So far so good, the modifications seemed like they would work.  It was at this point in the project I actually spent money.  I decided I wanted marine quality hardware to complete the refit of my boat. 

I purchased two blocks (one with an attached cleat), a new main sheet, and several stainless steel shackles.  I took my new toys home and assembled my new main sheet. 

Kicking Strap

It worked just as I had envisioned, opening up the cock pit and eliminating the restriction to the cabin.  Soon, I tried it on the water and it proved to be as effective in actual use as it was in my driveway.

Because I had moved the main sheet from the original position, I now needed a kicking strap.  In the old configuration this was not necessary, as the main sheet eliminated the boom from lifting.  Boom lift was the only consequence of moving the main sheet to the aft of the cock pit.  It was an easy fix.

I used my old main sheet and blocks for the kicking strap and attached them to the mast using a climbing wedge.  The wedge fit perfectly into the bottom of the mast and eliminated the need to add an attachment point to it.  

With the new fittings in place and the addition of a kicking strap my CM-21, the Flying Fish, is ready for action.  The cock pit is now more comfortable then ever and the cabin is easily accessed.   I am very happy with my most recent modifications.  Happy sailing.

The Wilds of Glacier

            Last weekend I had the opportunity to explore Glacier National Park.  Not just drive through like so many visitors, but actually take in all the park had to offer; at least in one little section.

            Joined by my friends Levi and Lucas, we were determined to set out and explore the back country and see what we could see.  The trip had been planned some weeks in advance.  Not really planned, rather an allocation of time.  We all wanted to camp in the deep recesses of the park and had a general idea of where we wanted to go.

            After work on Thursday we were to head up to Glacier for an early start on Friday.  This did not happen.  Levi left and ended up hanging out with a friend who was leaving the next day.  Needless to say, he was worthless on Friday morning.  That’s ok, it allowed Lucas and I to sleep in.  We left for Glacier around noon and did the tourist thing; spending three or four hours checking out the area around Lake McDonald.  It was actually a good thing because I was able to buy some gifts for my family while I visited the lodge.

Lake McDonald

            Lucas and I drove part way up Logan Pass and stopped multiple times to take pictures.  I even took some of him pretending to fly fish.  These were for a newsletter associated with an organization which had awarded him a scholarship.  He wanted to at least look the part; a bass angler getting a fly fishing scholarship.  You go buddy.



Mt. Oberlin



            Later that evening we hooked up with Levi and his friend Carlton.  We would stay at Carlton’s place that night and hopefully get an early start in the morning.  As the evening wore on this seemed like an impossible task.  This was due to the fact that we ended up at a local bar and were settled in for a long haul.  I left at nine or ten knowing that to stay any longer would jeopardize any hope of hiking the next day.  I’m not as young as I use to be. 

            I went back to Carlton’s house, got out my sleeping bag and went to sleep on the front porch.  The rest of the motley crew arrived sometime after one AM according to what I was told.

            At around six in the morning I got up.  I had been pretty much awake anyway and didn’t sleep much that night.  I rousted Levi and Lucas and we were out the door by half past the hour. 

            We decided to go to the permit office at Lake McDonald instead of the Two Medicine side.  It was an hour or more away and there was no telling if we could get a permit if we waited. 

Upper Two Medicine Lake

            When we arrived at the permit office there was already a line. Damn!  So, if you are trying to get a back country permit in Glacier National Park, go early.  We joined the group of back country enthusiasts and waited for fate to grant us passage.

            The available camp sites were filling up quickly, so we didn’t get the area we were planning on, which was Old Man Lake.  We had wanted to do Dawson and Pitamakan pass; a sixteen mile loop staying at Old Man Lake on the way out.  Fortunately, there was an opening at Upper Two Medicine Lake which was in the same general area of high peaks and deep valleys.  Plus it was only a five mile hike.  That was a good thing because it almost killed me.

Mt. Rockwell

            Permit in hand we headed for the trail head stopping for breakfast along the way.  It was eleven in the morning when we finally hit the trail and made our way up to the lake.  Three hours later we arrived.

            It was beautiful, eye candy, and I had to just sit for a while and take it in.  Once the awe inspiring view loosened its grip we found a camp site and settled in.  Then it was time to play.

            It soon became very apparent that nature had no intention of letting us explore without a fight.  The vegetation was extremely dense and there were downed trees to contend with.  If we left the trail it was slow going.  This and the fact that it was late in the afternoon restricted our activities to the area around our camp.  I made it about 300 yards around one side of the lake but got tired of climbing over logs. 

Levi & Lucas

            In lue of hiking we decided to go fishing.  It would keep us busy for the next hour or two before dinner.  Lucas and Levi did great, catching many unsuspecting trout out of Upper Two Medicine Lake.  I on the other hand, only managed to catch sticks and loose two flies.  Certainly not my best day, but at least there was the view; of course I was fly fishing and did I mention there was dense brush.

            We ate dinner at the communal cooking area which also had a bear box.  A bear box is a metal container where we and everyone else camping there, stored our food.  Being known for grizzly bears, Glacier National Park requires all back country visitors to properly store their food to help avoid human / bear interaction. 

            Dinner consisted of MREs or Meals Ready to Eat, which really aren’t too bad on a limited basis.  It’s like opening a Christmas present because you never know what you’re going to get.  However, I wouldn’t recommend them on any trip longer then a day or two; they weigh a ton, most of it being packaging.  I had beef stew and a strawberry shake. 

            After we got to camp Levi had gotten a little annoyed with me because I was carrying around a water bottle with Gator Aid in it.  He said I should only drink that at the cook area.  Whatever, camp Nazi.  His concerns may have been warranted, but I didn’t feel I was endangering anyone and I did store the water bottle in the bear box that night.

Rising Wolf Mountain

            Once it started to cool down the bugs came out and drove us all into our tents.  We played a few games and called it a night.  It was kind of funny looking at each other through the mesh screens of the tents while we kept ourselves entertained.

            The next day we hit the trail around nine and stated the trip out.  I intentionally took my own sweet time stopping often to take pictures and look at the scenery.  It was a beautiful day and I was going to enjoy it.  The hike out took about three hours.  I found Lucas and Levi waiting for me by the car and was rewarded with a cold beer upon my arrival.

Montana

            Montana, if you haven’t been, go.  If you have been, go again.  It’s great.  I have had the good fortune to spend a summer in western Montana and it’s an experience I will never forget.  Besides the new friends I’ve made, I’ve seen some of the most beautiful country in the world, “God’s Country.”

            I found myself in Condon Montana in early June to work for the Forest Service.  There, I met a group of talented and diverse people whom I am proud to call friends.  They come from a wide range of backgrounds and locations; all adding to my appreciation of lifestyles and philosophies, of which I was previously aware of, but had not been exposed to; or, maybe stereo-typed in my perception.  Anyway, my friends more than the location, have made for a wonderful experience.

            I, being obsessed with sailing was able to broaden their experiences as well.  This is because, most if not all of my new friends had never been on a sailboat, and due to the fact that I am such a dynamic personality.  On the flip side, I have been introduced to some very rewarding experiences of my own.

            Last weekend, my friend Levi invited Lucas and me to go to Glacier National Park and stay with some friends of his, “Parkys” who live and work there.  They are a bunch of great folks in their own rite.

The Town

            While in Glacier, the entire group of us went to Polebridge, a quaint little community in the middle of nowhere.  It is nestled in the Flathead valley on the west side of the Park and is home to some commanding views.

            The town, if you can call it that, consists of a mercantile and a small café, with many other out buildings and cabins near by.  Upon arrival, it felt as if I had been transported back in time to somewhere in the mid 1800’s.  To put this in perspective, the only bathroom facility was literally an outhouse.  That only added to the charm of this community.  However, it is advisable to hold your breath when using it.

            The Polebridge café made great pizza and sold beer; a winning combination by my standards.  On the south side of the building was a volleyball court and I soon found myself in a pick-up game with my new friends.  In between getting our asses kicked, we would sit on one of the many picnic tables eating pizza and drinking beer.  I had a great time.

The Game

Playing on the Porch

            One of the neatest things about Polebridge were the musicians who hung out on the porch and played bluegrass.  They kept it up the whole time we were there.  Apparently, the people playing were locals and would play at the café whenever the urge hit them.  I was told it was a common occurrence.  How cool is that. 

            After we had our fill, the group headed back to West Glacier and the Park’s employee housing where we would spend the rest of the night.  Out of the eight or nine of us, we managed to kill a lot of beer.  Hard to believe I know.  I think I ended up on the couch sometime around 3:00 AM.

            The next day was a little rough, but Lucas and I were up and gone by nine in the morning.  I had to run into Kalispell to have my brakes worked on and wanted to get it done and over with.  The rest of the weekend was uneventful and found us back in Condon doing what we usually do, drinking beer and listening to music.

            Future weekends will find me back on the lake at least a couple times.  The others are reserved for exploration.  We are planning to hit Glacier for a backpacking trip.  It’s Levi’s back yard so he has picked “the spot."  It should be a fun trip if it doesn’t kill me. 

Montana Pictures

Town of Big Fork

Angel Point

Flathead Lake

Holland Lake

Bear Print

Mission Mountains

Sunset on Flathead

Cold Lake Basin

Glacier National Park