Jekyll2022-11-25T01:40:33+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/feed.xmlRunning In the NightMast Work and Synthetic Rigging2022-08-30T16:00:00+00:002022-08-30T16:00:00+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/mast/dyneema/rigging/2022/08/30/mast-work-and-synthetic-rigging<h1 id="mast-work-and-synthetic-rigging">Mast Work and Synthetic Rigging</h1>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/top-down.jpg" alt="Top-down" /></p>
<p>Much of the work outlined in this post took place concurrently <a href="/coppercoat/haulout/bottom/topsides/paint/2021/02/19/three-months-of-hell-in-napa.html">while I was in Napa</a> doing my Coppercoat bottom job. I figured there was enough work on my plate while I was destroying and un-destroying my boat’s bottom, so I decided to leave the mast behind at the <a href="https://berkeleymarine.com/">Berkeley Marine Center</a>.</p>
<p>The bulk of the job would be performed by Ryan of <a href="https://www.roguerigging.com/">Rogue Rigging</a>, who was great to work with throughout the whole process.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-being-stepped-1.jpg" alt="Mast being stepped 1" /></p>
<p>It was quite an extensive refit (or, to be more accurate, a series of refits), and since so much was changed all at once, it’s hard to demonstrate A/B testing for any one thing. But hey, I’ll provide a bit of a</p>
<details>
<summary><strong>spoiler alert</strong>:</summary>
<h3>It's way better, now.</h3>
</details>
<h2 id="standing-rigging">Standing Rigging</h2>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-and-mainsail-old.jpg" alt="Mast and old mainsail" /></p>
<p>My old standing rigging was of an unknown age and dubious structural integrity. Considering whomever made the mistake that led to the necessity of <a href="/chainplates/2021/04/25/replacing-chainplates.html">the replacing of my chainplates</a>, I decided it was time for a change. As someone that’s open to new forms of technological improvement, I was curious to learn more about fancy new ways to secure a big aluminum stick to a large hunk of fiberglass, which led me down a very deep, expensive, and time-consuming rabbit-hole.</p>
<h3 id="dyneema">Dyneema</h3>
<h4 id="introduction">Introduction</h4>
<p>Dyneema is a branded form of “ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene” — a form of plastic-like “rope” that weighs basically nothing and has more-than comparable strength-to-size ratios versus old-timey steel wire. There are <a href="https://sustainablesailing.net/2020/11/23/why-dyneema-standing-rigging/">claims</a> that the reduced weight aloft effectively reduces your heel angle, thereby also improving upwind speed and comfort.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/dyneema-terminators.jpg" alt="Dyneema terminators" /></p>
<p>I decided to go with Dyneema mostly for these reasons, and I was told that there’s only one outfit in town to trust — John Franta of <a href="https://www.colligomarine.com/">Colligo Marine</a>. I made an initial call to him to see what he thought of my boat and the scope of the project and after hearing how much experience he had with this kind of work, I decided to go all-in.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-dyneema-spreaders.jpg" alt="Dyneema spreaders" /></p>
<p>I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the rigger I had chosen, Ryan, just happened to specialize in using Colligo’s pre-spliced Dyneema lines and integrating them onto sailboats.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-bundle-new-2.jpg" alt="Mast bundle new 2" /></p>
<p>The installation actually went quite smoothly. But, once it’s on, there are some important things to consider:</p>
<h4 id="considerations">Considerations</h4>
<p>While intuitively, it’s known that steel will stretch slightly as temperature increases, the opposite is true for Dyneema – it will contract when warmed and expand when cooled.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-cheeky-tang.jpg" alt="Mast cheeky tang" /></p>
<p>The Dyneema that I received was not pre-stretched, and although the material is known for being “low-stretch” when under tension, it will still have a bit of give that will be expressed over the course of the first few months of sailing, as the tremendous stresses act on it for the first time(s). The stretch I experienced over my first year has not been especially significant. However, I have tightened it a few times as I’ve noticed it becoming looser, on average, but that has since slowed to almost nothing.</p>
<h3 id="turnbuckles">Turnbuckles</h3>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/turnbuckles-1.jpg" alt="Turnbuckles 1" /></p>
<p>Adjusting isn’t such a big deal if you go with turnbuckles. To save money, it’s possible to have an arrangement of lashings, instead, but the inconvenience of undoing the knots and applying tension manually didn’t speak to me as much as taking a screwdriver and rotating a turnbuckle three half-turns at a time counter-clockwise.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/turnbuckles-2.jpg" alt="Turnbuckles 2" /></p>
<p>While I highly respect The Rigging Doctor, I saw in a <a href="https://youtu.be/4pV6uMIeSHM?t=803">video of his recently</a> that they didn’t bother to tension their synthetic rigging over the course of a few years. He has a <a href="https://www.riggingdoctor.com/life-aboard/2015/9/20/how-to-tension-your-synthetic-standing-rigging-with-deadeyes">post on tensioning with deadeyes</a>. No, thanks; I’ll take the easy way out, here!</p>
<h2 id="mast">Mast</h2>
<p>The mast was still in fine shape, but it had some outdated and corroded pieces to it. There were things banging around inside of it, it didn’t look nice, and there weren’t really enough halyards in case something happened to go awry.</p>
<h3 id="paint">Paint</h3>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/moving-booms.jpg" alt="Moving booms" /></p>
<p>While some paint jobs “make you go faster,” I decided that putting flames on the mast was not appropriate and decided to go with what looked to be the original color of “cream.” It’s not called “classic” ‘cause it’s old, after all. The yard went with AwlGrip Topcoat Cream H8002 and the results were spectacular. I figured I may as well get the main and staysail booms painted at the same time.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/boom-staysail-boom-new.jpg" alt="Boom, staysail boom" /></p>
<h3 id="ladder-steps">Ladder Steps</h3>
<p>The old steps were made out of aluminum, but they didn’t look so good, anymore. They also appear to have been designed to intentionally foul up stray halyards. To resolve both of these issues for the future, I went with folding nylon steps, which would not be affected by UV, would be even lighter than the old steps, and would fold up to make a leaner profile that won’t attract wandering lines so much.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-bundle-new-1.jpg" alt="Mast bundle new 1" /></p>
<h3 id="boom-vang">Boom Vang</h3>
<p>In a future post, I’ll discuss my new sail plans, but I was planning on getting a new mainsail with larger area, as the Ericson 36C’s boom and main are quite small. With some added roach, I would get some additional sail area without further modifications necessary.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/solo-sailing-catalina.jpg" alt="Solo sailing around Catalina" /></p>
<p>With the added area, a topping lift would interfere with the leech’s new edge, causing premature wear that I wanted to avoid. The resolution to this problem, as suggested by my sailmaker, was a <a href="https://www.garhauermarine.com/product-category/mast-boom-mast-boom-blocks-hardware/rigid-boom-vangs/">rigid boom vang by Garhauer</a>. They’re cheaper than others and hold a boom up just as well. The kit required my rigger to make a custom template for the mast and the boom. The custom brackets went on just fine, but it’s important to mention that the bracket from Garhauer is good with the normal forces associated with movement of the boom, twisting forces can cause it to bend, forcing the boom into a new semi-permanent rotation angle, until the piece is removed and hammered back into submission.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/bent-boom-vang-bracket.jpg" alt="Bent boom vang bracket" /></p>
<h3 id="halyards">Halyards</h3>
<p>There was no spinnaker halyard when I bought her, but an old spinnaker was included, so it was important to get one put in. I made a point to tell my rigger that I would like a spare of the main and headsail halyards.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-spare-main-halyard.jpg" alt="Mast spare main halyards" /></p>
<p>As mentioned above regarding the ladder steps, the lines would often get tangled up and become untenable in some situations, should I be alone. I wanted to try and run all the lines interior to my mast, which was now obstruction-free inside.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-lines-interior.jpg" alt="Mast lines (interior)" /></p>
<p>It’s made a big difference. There’s way less clutter against the mast, now, and with fewer opportunities to flail around, the lines have nice, clearly-defined pathways to flow.</p>
<h3 id="electrical">Electrical</h3>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-top-old.jpg" alt="Mast top (old)" /></p>
<p>As was alluded, above, the previous electrical wiring that went through the mast was a complete mess of conduit pipes, improperly-gauged and not-marine-grade wiring, and other unexplainable shenanigans that arent’t able to be observed by known laws of physics.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-spreader-lights.jpg" alt="Mast spreader lights" /></p>
<p>What was put in its place was a silent run of Ancor marine-grade wires and cables:</p>
<ul>
<li>Anchor light</li>
<li>Steaming light</li>
<li>Spreader lights</li>
<li>Coax for a VHF antenna</li>
</ul>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-conduits-old.jpg" alt="Mast conduits (old)" width="500" />
<img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-conduits-new.jpg" alt="Mast conduits (new)" width="500" /></p>
<p>I didn’t require wiring for my wind instrument as I went with a <a href="https://www.bandg.com/bg/type/instrument-sensors-and-transducers/wind-sensors/">wireless wind sensor from B&G</a>.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-top-new.jpg" alt="Mast top (new)" /></p>
<h3 id="step">Step</h3>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-step-old-3.jpg" alt="Mast step old 3" width="250" /></td>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-step-old-4.jpg" alt="Mast step old 4" width="250" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The old mast step’s base was a digusting mess that had no business being in a bilge, right above a keel. It was made of an unidentifiable wood species that had begun the process of disappearing into nothing. On top of the wood was some fiberglass lamination. The step itself was made of (not-stainless) steel with an aluminum step directly above it.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-step-old-1.jpg" alt="Mast step old 1" width="250" /></td>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-step-old-2.jpg" alt="Mast step old 2" width="250" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>This original piece was used as a template and handed off to a metalworker, who welded the new piece, which ended up fitting perfectly to the mast’s base, with an added bonus of looking really cool.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-step-new-1.jpg" alt="Mast step new 1" /></p>
<p>Because I went all-out on the mast’s paint job, even though this piece of art would be hidden beneath the cabin sole, I opted to get it powder coated in a closely-matched color, to make sure that it would last a long time. I also made sure that the new steps base wouldn’t disintegrate and went for a chunk of Starboard, filling any cavities underneath it with West System 105 epoxy, adding 406 thickener to make sure it’s durable and will properly adhere. Above the Starboard, I put a nice, thick layer of Sika Flex, which has a good track record of sticking to plastics and being a long-lasting adhesive that doesn’t mind getting wet.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-step-new-3.jpg" alt="Mast step new 3" width="166" /></td>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-step-new-4.jpg" alt="Mast step new 4" width="166" /></td>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-step-new-2.jpg" alt="Mast step new 2" width="166" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The whole ordeal makes it feel like a worthwhile thing to have done, even though, by the time this got put back on, the boat was without her mast for more than five months.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mast-stepped-interior.jpg" alt="Mast stepped interior" /></p>
<h2 id="running-rigging">Running Rigging</h2>
<p>Standing rigging doesn’t deserve all the limelight.</p>
<h3 id="staysail-furler">Staysail Furler</h3>
<p>When the boat was purchased from the previous owner, in 2016, I took her out for a sea trial. Nobody, including the surveyor was able to figure out how to raise the staysail, because of how weirdly it was rigged.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/staysail-old.jpg" alt="Staysail old" /></p>
<p>Eventually, I figured out how it was [maybe?] supposed to be raised, but it required me to go on-deck, which is already a non-starter. This sail is supposed to be easy to operate. It’s self-tacking, with a boom attached to it, and it’s quite small, so I wasn’t interested in keeping it the most-difficult sail to deal with.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/staysail-furler-1.jpg" alt="Staysail furler 1" width="250" /></td>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/staysail-furler-3.jpg" alt="Staysail furler 3" width="250" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The obvious answer was adding a furler, but it required a few other rigging nuances to be figured out, such as the newly-required concept of an outhaul, which is also sort of like a sheet for the sail and not the boom, I guess?</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/staysail-furler-2.jpg" alt="Staysail furler 2" /></p>
<h3 id="pole-mount">Pole Mount</h3>
<p>Rigging the pole used to be a dangerous game. Being on deck in rough weather is never fun, but holding up a big spinnaker pole with both hands, without the aid of using one hand for support and balance can be a real chore. Trying to thread the needle while hoping that the autopilot doesn’t go rogue during the four-or-so minutes that it takes to raise the pole is wishful thinking. I thought, “there must be a better way.”</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/pole-chock.jpg" alt="Pole chock" /></p>
<p>I’d seen some boats with spinnaker poles mounted diagonally from the deck to the mast, mostly in-line with the standing rigging. While it would mean some more weight aloft, I was still on a favorable weight budget from the savings of switching to Dyneema rigging.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/pole-mounted.jpg" alt="Pole mounted" /></p>
<p>After getting it mounted, which was only about an hour of work, once I found the right deck chock to use, I’m happy to say the difference is huge. Mounting the pole on the mast means it always has one point of contact with something sturdy and it becomes more of a job of rotation to the right spot as opposed to lifting the entire pole without aid.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/pole-raised.jpg" alt="Pole raised" /></p>
<p>I’m able to set the pole and take it down single-handed, each way taking only about one minute.</p>
<h3 id="all-lines-led-aft">All Lines Led Aft</h3>
<p>We’re going to shift in time a bit, to May of 2022, where I was comfortably resting in the beautiful port of Ventura.</p>
<p>I decided to enlist the help of a fellow cruiser, Mitch, from <a href="https://qmtravels.com/">Q+M Travels</a>. I was there when he and his wife, Quincey cast off their lines to go cruising in October of 2020, and they happened to be in the Ventura harbor with me while I was planning this next phase.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.google.com/search/berkeley/photo/AF1QipN87Jot3enmu4GGfn68y96zvkdCWOlCbB6MENMI"><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/mitch-and-quincey-leaving-the-dock.jpg" alt="Mitch and Quincey leaving the dock" /></a></p>
<h4 id="replacing-a-winch">Replacing a Winch</h4>
<p><a href="/departure/2022/04/19/what-happened-on-the-first-trip.html">What happened on Tuesday during the first trip</a> caused a winch to break on the mast, during heavy seas.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/removing-winch.jpg" alt="Removing winch" /></p>
<p>I was replacing the broken winch with a smaller Barient 10, to match the other three that were mounted on the mast. The screws holding the old one in had completely seized. That wasn’t a huge deal, as the replacement would need new holes drilled and tapped, anyway. My mast was equipped with thick aluminum pads welded to it.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/fairing-winch-base.jpg" alt="Faring winch base" width="121" /></td>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/cleaning-winch-base.jpg" alt="Cleaning winch base" width="121" /></td>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/primed-winch-base.jpg" alt="Priming winch base" width="121" /></td>
<td><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/painted-winch-base.jpg" alt="Painted winch base" width="121" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>After fairing, priming, and painting, the new winch looks and operates great.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/new-winch-installed-on-mast.jpg" alt="New winch installed on mast" /></p>
<p>This will only be used as a backup until it’s time for me to actually fly an asymmetrical spinnaker using that newly-installed red halyard.</p>
<h4 id="the-rest-of-the-work">The Rest of the Work</h4>
<p>I decided that going on-deck to reef was just silly. If I’m alone, how could I be expected to get up there, in a favorable wind angle, and maintain my balance while I’m hoping to reduce my sail area?</p>
<p>Newer cruising boats’ designers all seem to have the right idea — lead all the lines to the cockpit, so you never really have to go on deck (and if you do, at least the spinnaker pole is mounted against the mast, now).</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/reefing-blocks.jpg" alt="Reefing blocks" /></p>
<p>Fortunately, I had a lot of spare hardware already on-hand, including some clutches and cleats, and there was a consignment shop within a few minutes’ walking distance away. I had to get some teak riser pads, winches, backing plates, and hardware.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/gear-for-headsail-furling.jpg" alt="Headsail furling gear" /></p>
<p>Previously, I had no way to efficiently furl my headsail, aside from using brute strength and the power of <strong>hope</strong>. Now, I have a clutch where the furling line can be safely secured and optionally fed to a winch, where I can use a handle to grind it in under the worst circumstances.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/gear-for-mainsail-rigging-2.jpg" alt="Mainsail furling gear 2" /></p>
<p>I added some fancy blocks to the deck to run my halyard, two reefing lines, and two downhauls.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/gear-for-mainsail-rigging-1.jpg" alt="Mainsail furling gear 1" /></p>
<p>From there, the downhauls lead underneath my liferaft and to a cleat. They won’t require much force, so this system was not designed for them to be able to go to the winch, easily. The two reefing lines and the halyard are fed and under my dodger, going into a clutch assembly, where they can be helped along by a large winch.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/gear-for-mainsail-rigging-backing-plates.jpg" alt="Mainsail furling gear backing plates" /></p>
<p>Of course, I got some backing plates to make sure my [thick] deck doesnt get ripped apart by the opposing up-forces or the halyard and reefing lines.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/main-raised-by-new-gear.jpg" alt="Main raised by new gear" width="500" />
<img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/gear-for-rigging-new.jpg" alt="Gear for rigging, new" /></p>
<h1 id="closing">Closing</h1>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/rigging-at-sunset.jpg" alt="Rigging at sunset" /></p>
<p>I decided not to make any compromises, sparing no expense and making sure that this boat will be as ready as possible for what I’m expecting from her. We’re going around the world, after all.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: center"> </th>
<th style="text-align: right">cost</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">$238.04</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">+</td>
<td style="text-align: right">$390.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">+</td>
<td style="text-align: right">$7538.55</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">+</td>
<td style="text-align: right">$3059.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">+</td>
<td style="text-align: right">$4697.75</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">+</td>
<td style="text-align: right">$1,837.09</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">+</td>
<td style="text-align: right">$600.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">+</td>
<td style="text-align: right">$643.19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>=</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right"><strong>$19003.62</strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The price was heavy, yes. But, this is my cross to bear while I prepare for the trip of a lifetime.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/mast-dyneema-rigging/cross-to-bear.jpg" alt="My cross to bear" /></p>Mast Work and Synthetic RiggingWhat Happened On the First Trip?2022-04-19T04:00:00+00:002022-04-19T04:00:00+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/departure/2022/04/19/what-happened-on-the-first-trip<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/waiting-to-depart.jpg" alt="Waiting for Departure" /></p>
<h1 id="so-what-happened">So, What Happened?</h1>
<h2 id="the-plan">The “Plan”</h2>
<p>People don’t really change, but plans do.</p>
<p>The forecast for departure, even ten days prior showed some unfavorable conditions for a trip down South from San Francisco to Ventura, such as strong Southerlies (winds blowing from South to North) and rain. I’m not the sort of sailor that is interested in fighting for every possible measure of progress against the wind, tacking back and forth between five and 20 miles offshore. The forecast models all continued to agree and the day before I was scheduled to leave, I begrudgingly submitted and decided it was necessary to delay the departure.</p>
<p>For those that know me, they know I am obsessed with time. In a job interview, when they ask that silly question about your biggest weakness, “impatience” is always the play. It kills me inside any time I will be anything but <strong>early</strong>. The date to leave was pretty arbitrary, but it was still an exercise in patience to say, “There’s nothing I can do about this.” Anyway, two days after the “scheduled” departure of 26 March, there was what appeared to be a more favorable weather window staring at me — five days of Northerlies (winds blowing from North to South), albeit they were pretty strong in the forecasts at 16 knots average speed and gusting to a <strong>MAXIMUM</strong> of 22… it actually sounded kinda nice.</p>
<p>Well, it wasn’t.</p>
<h2 id="departure">Departure</h2>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/shane-sitting.jpeg" alt="Shane, sitting" /></p>
<p>The Bon Voyage event was well-attended by those that have been close to me in the past year. The <a href="/plan/2022/02/22/whats-the-plan-for-departure.html">previous blog post</a> I wrote came in very handy, answering the majority of questions I usually get. At the party, I explained to some of the seasoned pros that I was delaying departure because of weather and I always got a knowing nod from them and some version of “good idea” escaping their lips immediately afterwards. It’s often said that “A sailor’s plans are written in sand.” I didn’t really consider myself a “sailor” just yet, though.</p>
<p>Leading up to leaving, I had really burned myself out with both my job and the number of boat projects I had to do. These extra two days would give me the excuse I needed to rest up. So, for two days, the crew and I just meandered around Berkeley and took life at a leisurely pace. Monday, 28 March at 0800 was the new time to leave. The boat was ready.</p>
<h3 id="monday">Monday</h3>
<p>The crew awoke at 0700 and felt pretty optimistic. My heart was racing a little bit, because when you tell a bunch of people you’re departing to go around the world, you feel a bit of pressure to actually do it. Perhaps I got a small taste of what Donald Crowhurst must have felt before leaving on his ill-fated Golden Globe race departure.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/shane-last-minute.jpeg" alt="Shane, last-minute" /></p>
<p>A few people that are important to me showed up and got some photos and video of my leaving, as well as providing some emotional goodbye well-wishes. We left the dock at 0815, delayed by a halyard snagged around my [broken] steaming light above the spreaders on my mast, which required me to climb up real quick.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/shane-climbing.jpeg" alt="Shane, climbing" /></p>
<p>The tide schedule hinted that by the time we’d reach The Golden Gate Bridge, we would ride an ebbing current out, without any headwind. We ended up motoring for around three hours until The Big Left turn, just outside the last red buoy of the shipping channel leading to the SF Bay.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/golden-gate-bridge.jpg" alt="Golden Gate Bridge" /></p>
<p>At this point, we had eight knots of true wind from the North/Northwest and very small seas (waves). We raised the sails and made the turn, getting around 1.7 knots SOG (Speed Over Ground, measured with GPS, as opposed to through the water, measured with a “knotmeter” paddle wheel), increasing to more than 3 knots SOG soon thereafter. We were ecstatic to have such impressive speed with a heavy boat like mine, especially considering my lack of a light-wind sail plan.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/dustin-on-deck.jpg" alt="Dustin, on-deck" /></p>
<p>After a few hours of sailing, I witnessed an enormous humpback breach the surface ten feet off the port bow, perhaps to wish me luck on the journey, or maybe the opposite. It dove below the surface, waving farewell with its powerful tail before disappearing into nothing, leaving the crew alone.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/humpback-breach.png" alt="Humpback breach" /></p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/humpback-tail.png" alt="Humpback tail" /></p>
<p>We passed Half Moon Bay in clear daylight with about 8 knots from the West at 4.5 knots SOG.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/valeriya-relaxing.jpg" alt="Valeriya, relaxing" /></p>
<p>Things were still good when nightfall came, so we decided to leave the sails up in a DDW (dead downwind) wing-on-wing configuration, which was perfectly stable for us, pushing us along at almost 7 knots SOG on average, with added speed boosts as we surfed down the waves. The Monitor Windvane and its attached Pelagic autopilot were driving us exactly on course, able to correct if a gust or a swell rotated us a bit.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/first-sunset.jpg" alt="First sunset" /></p>
<p>We went by Monterey Bay in the middle of the night at our maximum distance of 25nm offshore with 17 knots from NorthWest at 6 knots SOG. The seas were starting to increase in size, from three-to-six feet, to six-to-ten. We saw bioluminescent plankton in clear trails behind the boat and a clear sky above, with more stars than I had ever seen in my entire life.</p>
<h3 id="tuesday">Tuesday</h3>
<p>Just after dawn, things started to feel different. The wind very quickly increased to 25 to 30 knots. Just before it got that high, we decided to reef (make the sails smaller). We had the whisker pole up for dead downwind sailing, and we figured out that it’s really difficult to take down in any waves at all. We therefore just left it up, attached to the furled up jib’s port side sheet, nice and tight against the forestay.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/wing-on-wing.jpg" alt="Wing on wing on the high seas" /></p>
<p>The mainsail had a preventer line attached to it to stop an accidental jibe from happening if a wave threw our heading off. We loosened up the preventer line as we headed into the wind, where dropping the main down would be much easier. I went on deck to attempt to lower the mainsail. At this point, it’s important to say that I’ve done this procedure plenty of times and am already well-practiced at it, but offshore, things are just different. I was jacklined in as I went on deck. Another crew member did their best to steer into the wind, but we didn’t have enough momentum the boat kept trying to stay at a beam reach. This is when I made my first major mistake of the trip.</p>
<p>Crew asked if we should turn on our engine to help steer into the wind and I shouted (not out of anger; it’s just really loud up there) “No!” Right after that, in about 25 knots of wind and increasing swell (made more apparent by our new relative direction to the waves while reefing), I tried to force the mainsail down and didn’t realize at the time that the halyard was fouled (caught) on my mast-mounted winch, which had suddenly come apart due to a snapring failure. The winch was now inoperable and it’s what’s holding all of the tension of the main. After failing to reef for a while, I turned on the engine and had a crew member steer us into the wind, where I was able to unfoul the main halyard and bring the mainsail down to a double reef. There is no third reef in my main, as I had planned on buying a storm trysail at some later date.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/reefing.jpg" alt="Reefing" /></p>
<p>With that pole up, we decided to continue downwind under just the mainsail sheeted out as far was it could go. That was another mistake. Thankfully, I had cell service most of the time, thanks to <a href="/wifi/4g/lte/wireless/internet/2021/02/02/wireless-networking.html">my LTE to WiFi box I had made</a>. I was able to get in contact with some ground support that agreed to help if I got in a pinch.</p>
<p>SF Bay sailing involves lots of wind most of the time, but paradoxically, it feels like it’s always upwind, both when you depart and when you come back to home port. I started to realize I’m not as familiar with sail trim while going downwind in heavy weather as I thought I was.</p>
<p>I knew that with the main out, it would cause a ton of weatherhelm (the tendency for a boat to try to “come up” <em>into</em> the wind), so I got a hot tip that taking the pole down would be a worthwhile venture. The crew agreed and at some point on Tuesday, we brought the main down all the way, got the pole down, which it turns out wasn’t so bad to do without the mainsail up, and continued with just a “hankerchief” (heavily reefed) jib. In our consistent 25 knots from the north, we started seeing average speeds closer to 5 knots SOG.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/small-jib.jpg" alt="Small jib" /></p>
<p>When I left the dock, my knotmeter wasn’t functioning, which I wasn’t so worried about considering I had redundant GPS devices onboard to guage speed with, but it’s always nice to have it working because it’s able to give better inference of true wind direction when tied to my NMEA 2000 data network. But after a few days of moving fast and getting knocked around, it must have cleared up whatever blockage was stopping the paddle from turning and we were suddenly able to see our speed through this clear blue ocean water.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/night-time.png" alt="Night time" /></p>
<p>We continued to hand-steer throughout the day and the night was more of the same — just hard-charging on our course. At night, you can’t see too much, and you definitely can’t use land a reference point, so all we had to go off for our heading was our instruments, glowing red against the never-ending blackness. If the heading number got too low, we turn to starboard, if it got too high, turn to port. Repeat as needed.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/valeriya-sleeping-bag.jpg" alt="Valeriya, sleeping bag" /></p>
<p>PredictWind showed us arriving in Ventura by no later than 8am on all predicted weather model routes on Wednesday. ‘Looks like I need to update my boat’s “polar” model (the graphed out boat speed with a given amount of wind). There was no way we’d arrive in time. The sleep deprivation and aggravated nature of close-quartered hellscapes led to my next mistake.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/shane-sleeping-bag.jpg" alt="Shane, sleeping bag" /></p>
<p>In the middle of the night, it was decided that we do a little jibe in order to start heading a bit more inland, where the wind was supposed to be less-intense. We only had a jib out, but we made a mistake by not pulling the jib out enough to one side while letting out slack on the opposing lazy sheet. This caused the jib to start flailing wildly. When jib sheets do that, it gets dangerous. There’re a lot of forces acting on those lines. And while the sheets were flapping, I noticed a fouling where the were caught on deck, so I jacklined in and went on deck, cleared the tangle, and then a wave hit us in the darkness. I lost my balance and fell backwards over my lifelines, such that my head was facing downward at the rushing ocean, but I had caught myself and arrested any chance of a fall. I recovered and made my way back to the cockpit.</p>
<p>My crew member yelled at me for doing something so stupid. I’ll die on the hill that they didn’t see everything that happened while I was on deck, but a lesson was hard-learned to move more slowly on deck in any swell.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/dustin-cold.jpg" alt="Dustin, cold" /></p>
<h3 id="wednesday">Wednesday</h3>
<p>The winds refused to let up. After Ragged Point, we were seeing 25 to 30 knots of true wind, consistently. It just refused to let up. Now, one may be wondering, “Why didn’t they just go to their nearest safe harbor?” We were decently far offshore and let’s say the next safe place to anchor (which we had all of them for the coast mapped out) was 20 nautical miles away. With our average speed of around 5 knots SOG, it would take <em>four hours</em> to get there. And once we’re there, then what? The forecast showed the winds only increasing from that point in time, so the following days would be even more windy than if we just finished the task at hand.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/valeriya-steering.jpg" alt="Valeriya, hand-steering" /></p>
<p>We already had too much wind, but we were starting to learn how to tame it with these waves. I learned an important lesson — when the autopilot works, optimism shines through. When it doesn’t, things are too crazy to be comfortable and another side of me starts to come out. It’s one that I’m not so acquainted with.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This isn’t fun, anymore.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Leading up the the trip’s crescendo, Point Conception, I started to doubt myself and my ability to do all of this. I started asking myself “why” I’m bothering to try sailing around the world. What was I trying to prove. I still don’t know the answer, but I mentioned this to some friends and one of them told me something that inspired me almost to the point of bringing an empathetic tear of reprieve to my eye:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>You’re out there wondering why you’re doing this and I’m wondering why I’m not.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It occurred to me that this is literally <em>the</em> dream. It’s what people around the world say they will do, and here I am, actually doing it. Things just felt so difficult when I was relentlessly getting slapped by heavy seas and I realized that even though I’ve over-prepared for the past five years, <strong><em>I, practically speaking, have absolutely no idea what I am doing</em></strong>.</p>
<p>But, the interesting thing is, even though I feel incompetent, somehow, the boat is still floating and we’re going in exactly the right direction. And oh, wait? Our speed is actually incredibly fast??? And, hold on a second, the only thing that broke so far was a winch?</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/oil-rig.jpg" alt="Oil rig" /></p>
<p>Okay. We can actually pull this off. Let’s go.</p>
<p>Right after I realized this, the whole game changed. The sun came out and dolphins started following us. The wind kept increasing — 30, 32, 35 knots from the NorthWest. Point Conception approaches.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/small-jib-point-conception.jpg" alt="Point Conception" /></p>
<p>Referred to in the official pilot charts of California as “The Cape Horn of California,” the unique geography of this part of the state, combined with prevailing wind patterns from the North/NorthWest create a sort of funnel for airflow that force it to speed up before falling off precipitously. I was warned about this trip, but the forecasts all showed consistent weather patterns even past this point. I considered the warnings I was given and while the go/no-go decision was “go” for Point Conception on schedule, we did give it a five nautical mile separation zone from the boat and the shore, because apparently, the closer you get to Point Conception proper, the less predictable things can get, and as the water gets more shallow, the seas become bigger.</p>
<p>Our approach continued, and I noticed something about my boat and how it handles various wind speeds:</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Wind Speed</th>
<th>Severity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>0 to 5 knots</td>
<td>Dead Calm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6 to 12 knots</td>
<td>Light</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13 to 20 knots</td>
<td>Ideal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21 to 22 knots</td>
<td>Brisk</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23 to 30 knots</td>
<td>Heavy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31 knots and up</td>
<td>Heavy</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>There’s no perceivable difference when trying to steer in 23 knots versus 35 knots downwind on my boat.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/santa-barbara.jpg" alt="Santa Barbara" /></p>
<p>So, even though Point Conception was increasing our windspeed by a bit, we started to feel more confident about getting through this. About two hours past The Point, the winds started to ease. By the time we approached the second offshore oil rig, we started to notice an unfamiliar feeling after bring in the SF Bay for so long, <em>warmth</em>. As sunset began, we realized we were in paradise. Still making good speed in our lighter winds, we had passed Santa Barbara as the light went away. Just before it did, I remember looking off to port and seeing the California coast line, using it as confirmation that I’m not crazy and that we’re going the right way. But at some point, I looked off to starboard and saw an equal land mass and got confused. “Huh?” It was the Channel Islands, which are much larger than they appear to be on maps. There’s sort of a mirage that they all converge into a single piece of land.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/santa-barbara-sunset.jpg" alt="Santa Barbara sunset" /></p>
<p>As night fell, so did the winds. The seas were calming, as well. We were still about 17nm from Ventura’s marina village when the windspeed dropped to almost nothing and we made the decision to fire up the engine and motor into Safe Harbor. We called ahead during business hours and notified them of our expected arrival time of perhaps 1 or 2 in the morning. The marina’s advice was to have harbor patrol escort us to our slip.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/self-steer-sunset.jpg" alt="Self-steering sunset" /></p>
<h3 id="thursday">Thursday</h3>
<p>When we were right outside of the charted channel and only navigation lights were visible, we called up the patrol service and they met us right outside the channel, signaling us with their blue police lights and communicating via VHF. We followed them in through the marina’s labyrinth and they led us right to our slip, which I was able to maneuver into and dock without issue.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/ventura-arrival.jpg" alt="Ventura arrival" /></p>
<p>And just like that, at 2am, we were done with the boat part of the journey. It was definitely time for showers on land.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/sea-lions.jpg" alt="Sea lions" /></p>
<p>In the morning, I was able to assess the boat and what may have went wrong on the way. The list of things that broke is as follows:</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Item</th>
<th>Cost</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Missing snap ring on mainsail winch on mast, making winch ineffective</td>
<td>$5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sheared through-bolt on starboard stanchion (may have already been broken)</td>
<td>$3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dickinson Newport stainless diesel fireplace stovetop above-deck (already partially broken on departure)</td>
<td>$150</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>That’s it. Nothing else is damaged. Really, not bad. Things could have gone way worse and maybe they should have, but they didn’t. The crew stuck together and we made it.</p>
<h3 id="epilogue">Epilogue</h3>
<p>The heavy winds seem to be predominantly be behind me (on average), and I have an order for new lightwind sails to arrive soon:</p>
<ul>
<li>135% Genoa</li>
<li>Asymmetric furling spinnaker</li>
</ul>
<p>After explaining the trip to many other cruisers, I was told a few times that this leg is likely one of the most difficult I’ll embark on given the nature of the North American Pacific coast North of Point Conception. More than one cruiser called me insane for making my first departure such a difficult one.</p>
<p>Before departing on the trip, I had arranged to have some celebration on arrival in the LA area. On Friday, we left the boat to hang out in Anaheim for the weekend. We hit up Disney’s California Adventures, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Medieval Times all in one weekend. It was a good way to decompress and it juxtaposed our more sedentary lifestyle over the course of the sail by taking more than 40,000 steps across three theme parks.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/waiting-at-the-bus-stop.jpg" alt="Waiting at the bust stop" /></p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/a-wing.jpg" alt="A-Wing" /></p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/dustin-doing-something-weird.jpg" alt="Dustin, doing... something?" /></p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/space-mountain.jpg" alt="Space Mountain" /></p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/medieval-times.jpg" alt="Medieval Times" /></p>
<p>I’m very grateful to have made it so far, even though I’ve only just begun. The experience hasn’t really changed me; I’m just a bit better than I was before I left. The plan is shifting a little bit, but everything is still within the margin of error.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/happy-crew.jpg" alt="Happy crew" /></p>
<p>There have already been people <strong>trying</strong> to discourage me from my itinerary. <em>They</em> are failing, but <em>I</em> will not.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/the-first-trip/i-love-the-sea.jpg" alt="I love the sea, I guess?" /></p>What’s the Plan for Departure?2022-02-22T16:00:00+00:002022-02-22T16:00:00+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/plan/2022/02/22/whats-the-plan-for-departure<h1 id="whats-the-plan-for-departure">What’s the Plan for Departure?</h1>
<h2 id="goodbye-berkeley-hello-world">Goodbye, Berkeley. Hello, World!</h2>
<p>The Coconut Milk Run – The “Long” Way ‘Round.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/whats-the-plan/world-map-route.svg" alt="Route Plan" /></p>
<h3 id="why-this-route">Why <em>This</em> Route?</h3>
<p>There seems to be a lot of people that are perfectly happy in higher (or lower in the Southern Hemisphere) latitudes, but not me. I’d much prefer a warm climate, where a quick dip in the ocean would cool me off, but doesn’t cause me to freeze while I surf for an entire day without a wetsuit.</p>
<p>I’m allocating some four to five years for the trip as I expect to be on Island Time for a majority of it.</p>
<h2 id="whoami"><code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">whoami</code></h2>
<p>Call me Shane.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/whats-the-plan/shane.jpg" alt="Shane" /></p>
<h3 id="what-started-all-of-this">What Started All of This?</h3>
<blockquote>
<p>The Journey is the Destination.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>There’s been something drawing me out West since before I can remember. I like to think it’s related to my namesake, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_(film)">Shane</a>.</p>
<p>I had this idea to sail around the world in 2009 while sitting in my dorm room in Montgomery, Alabama during my second year in the United States Air Force. I didn’t even know what it meant when I wrote it down, but it felt like something that had to be done. It remained scribbled in some long-lost and forgotten notebook, never to be seen again.</p>
<p>Years later, around 2015, while I was finishing my Master’s of Science in Game Design in Florida, I was learning to code at a hackerspace in Longwood. During a late-night jam session, attempting to make an algorithmic music generation app, I was heading to Wawa with another hacker at the space. We got in his car to go get a sub and I asked where he lived – “New Smyrna Beach, on my boat.” That got my attention; it was the first time I had ever heard of someone even adjacent to that lifestyle.</p>
<p>Now that I knew it was achievable, the old idea came back into my head – “Sail Around the World.”</p>
<p>Does someone just buy a boat they see on the side of the road? What’s involved in the selection process? A lot, it turns out.</p>
<h4 id="comfort-vs-speed">Comfort vs Speed</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>The most expensive way to get around the world for free.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>There are day-sailors, racers, and cruisers. Each type of boat has an appropriate match in a sailor archetype. I’m certainly a cruiser, looking to get somewhere happy rather than as fast as possible.</p>
<h4 id="cost-now-vs-cost-later">Cost Now vs Cost Later</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap boat.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I spent $22,000 on this boat and have put in much more than that in preparing her for departure. It’s possible to buy boats that are the size of mine or larger at the $80,000 to $100,000 range and be ready-to-go, or to buy something that’s less than $3,000 and make it just fine.</p>
<h4 id="looks-arent-everything">Looks Aren’t Everything</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out and meet it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-Jonathan Winters</p>
<p>But, appearances are a big chunk of it. The classic lines of the 36C (The “C” stands for “Cruising”) are rather aesthetically pleasing, but they’re just side-effects of time-tested features of a well-designed bluewater hull, with some tweaks to be more comfortable on a passage:</p>
<ul>
<li>Clipper Bow</li>
<li>Transom-Hung Rudder</li>
<li>Flush Decks</li>
<li>Keel-Stepped Mast</li>
<li>Oversized Chainplates and Rigging</li>
<li>Large Cockpit</li>
<li>Two Cabins</li>
<li>Roomy Head</li>
<li>Encapsulated Keel</li>
<li>Thick Hull</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="what-does-adventure-mean-to-you">What Does Adventure Mean to You?</h2>
<blockquote>
<p>A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not why ships were built.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-John A. Shedd</p>
<p>So many people say they’re “always down for adventure.” A two-hour hike or rock climbing in a gym doesn’t count, despite what the vernacular seems to be trending towards. Without an element of risk, the notion is empty. Failure, while not an option, must still a possibility.</p>
<h2 id="the-sages-of-o-dock">The Sages of O Dock</h2>
<p>There’s wisdom all around. You’ve just gotta look for it and be ready to hear it when it comes. Usually it comes from the bearded men on the dock with a cart in-tow.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>First it’s Christmas, then New Year’s, then Valentine’s Day, then you’re sixty-three years old like me, and you haven’t left the dock.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-Paul</p>
<blockquote>
<p>You’ll see when you get out there – Nobody else has any equipment or experience. You’re over-prepared.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-Paul K</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The hardest part about sailing around the world is leaving the dock.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-Steve</p>
<blockquote>
<p>You look ready to go. Why are you <em>here</em>?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-Brian</p>
<h2 id="departure">Departure</h2>
<blockquote>
<p>Sometimes you need to tether your boats to stop them from following your dreams.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-Anthony T. Hincks</p>
<p>The Golden Gate (to the rest of the Earth) will give me a departure to the West, followed by a left turn and downwind run towards Ventura.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/whats-the-plan/world-map-route-march-pilot.svg" alt="Departure to Ventura" /></p>
<p>According to pilot charts for March (and April lines up nicely in the same fashion), there are only likely two days of the month without any wind, with overwhelmingly-likely Force 4 to 5 winds from the North/Northwest and a following current of 0.7 knots. These sound like pretty ideal conditions for a first passage.</p>
<h3 id="whos-going-on-the-first-leg">Who’s Going on the First Leg?</h3>
<p>I decided there’s no harm in finding some experienced people looking for a trip down the coast.</p>
<h4 id="valeriya">Valeriya</h4>
<p>After buying her own boat in New York, she made a trip down to Florida along the East Coast of the United States. She has since sailed in many races in the San Francisco Bay and cruised in the Canary Islands, Cuba, and Mexico.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/whats-the-plan/valeriya.jpeg" alt="Valeriya" /></p>
<h4 id="dustin">Dustin</h4>
<p>Dustin has been a liveaboard sailor for nearly ten years in Florida. One day, he will embark on Project Freedom, heading to the Galapagos through the Panama Canal and the Caribbean thereafter.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/whats-the-plan/dustin.jpeg" alt="Dustin" /></p>
<h3 id="safety-preparations">Safety Preparations</h3>
<p>I have a big list of redundancies, but here are the significant things I may find useful for survival if things go real bad.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.survivalatsea.com/liferafts/recreational/offshore/revere-offshore-commander.aspx?variantId=d2fee3d2-590c-433d-b0f7-ab8aab699f2a">Revere Offshore Commander 3.0 in a Cradle with Hydrostatic Release</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.acrartex.com/products/globalfix-v4-epirb-emergency-positioning-indicading-radio-beacon/">ACR GlobalFix V4 Category 2 (Manual) EPIRB</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.hondagenerators.net/eu2200i/">Honda EU2200i with Carbon Monoxide Monitor</a></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="bon-voyage">Bon Voyage</h3>
<p>My <strong>Depart</strong>y will be on 25 March, 2022 in the Berkeley Yacht Club.</p>
<h2 id="frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<h3 id="why">Why?</h3>
<p>Why not?</p>
<h3 id="will-you-be-alone">Will you be alone?</h3>
<p>I’m anticipating being alone for the majority of the time. There’s a common misconception that most of the time will be spent on a passage. Much of the time will be spent at anchor or in a marina.</p>
<h3 id="how-does-it-feel">How Does it Feel?</h3>
<p>I don’t feel good or bad about it. It’s just what’s going to happen. I have to do this trip and it’s not even my choice. There’s been some invisible force driving my actions to get to this point and it’s simply time for it to occur.</p>
<h3 id="do-you-have-an-instagram">Do you have an Instagram?</h3>
<p>No. 🖕🏼</p>
<h3 id="will-you-work">Will you work?</h3>
<p><a href="/wifi/4g/lte/wireless/internet/2021/02/02/wireless-networking.html">I have Internet</a> and a remote job, at least at the time of writing.</p>
<h3 id="isnt-it-dangerous">Isn’t it dangerous?</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/elaine-bunting/how-dangerous-is-sailing-round-the-world-6448">Probably</a>.</p>
<h3 id="how-can-i-follow-your-journey">How can I follow your journey?</h3>
<p>Look into RSS readers and use the following link to be notified when new posts are made:</p>
<p><a href="https://blog.runninginthenight.com/feed.xml">https://blog.runninginthenight.com/feed.xml</a></p>
<p>Use a free AIS-tracking service such as <a href="https://www.vesselfinder.com/">Vessel Finder</a>, or just use this link to get my latest whereabouts:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/OUTRUN-IMO-0-MMSI-338349402">https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/OUTRUN-IMO-0-MMSI-338349402</a></p>
<p>Or, just bookmark my <a href="/which">/<code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">which</code></a> page to see where OutRun is in an embedded view.</p>
<h2 id="stops">Stops</h2>
<blockquote>
<p>Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-Brooks Atkinson</p>
<p>The following table’s “Month” and “Year” columns indicate intended <em>departure</em> timeframes and <strong>not</strong> <em>arrival</em>.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Departure Point</th>
<th>Month</th>
<th style="text-align: center">Year</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Berkeley, California</td>
<td>March</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ventura, California</td>
<td>June</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>San Diego, California</td>
<td>November</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cabo San Lucas, Mexico</td>
<td>November</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>La Paz, Mexico</td>
<td>February</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cabo San Lucas, Mexico</td>
<td>February</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marquesas, French Polynesia</td>
<td>April</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tahiti, French Polynesia</td>
<td>May</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ha’Apai, Tonga</td>
<td>September</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Suva, Fiji</td>
<td>October</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Auckland, New Zealand</td>
<td>February</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nouméa, New Caledonia</td>
<td>March</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Port Vila, Vanuatu</td>
<td>April</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney, Australia</td>
<td>May</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne, Australia</td>
<td>June</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brisbane, Australia</td>
<td>July</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cairns, Australia</td>
<td>July</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Torres Strait Islands, Australia</td>
<td>August</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Darwin, Australia</td>
<td>August</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kupang, Indonesia</td>
<td>September</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bali, Indonesia</td>
<td>October</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Singapore</td>
<td>November</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Phi Phi, Thailand</td>
<td>November</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Phuket, Thailand</td>
<td>December</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colombo, Sri Lanka</td>
<td>January</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maldives</td>
<td>March</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Red Sea</td>
<td>March</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cairo, Egypt</td>
<td>April</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Athens, Greece</td>
<td>May</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malta</td>
<td>May</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tuscany, Italy</td>
<td>June</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marseille, France</td>
<td>July</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Balearic Islands, Spain</td>
<td>August</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gibraltar</td>
<td>September</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>La Palmas, Canary Islands</td>
<td>October</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bridgetown, Barbados</td>
<td>November</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grenada</td>
<td>December</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tortola, British Virgin Islands</td>
<td>December</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>San Juan, Puerto Rico</td>
<td>January</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nassau, The Bahamas</td>
<td>February</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kingston, Jamaica</td>
<td>March</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oranjestad, Aruba</td>
<td>March</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colón, Panama</td>
<td>April</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cabo San Lucas, Mexico</td>
<td>May</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Honolulu, Hawaii</td>
<td>June</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Berkeley, California</td>
<td> </td>
<td style="text-align: center"> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h2>
<blockquote>
<p>A captain who does not know where he wants to sail, there is no wind on Earth that will bring him there.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-Ami Ayalon</p>
<p>We’ll see how close to this “plan” I stick. There’s going to be places along the way that I end up wanting to go that don’t align with this plan. Maybe I won’t even enjoy any of this. Some people are concerned I’ll encounter coastal piracy and others are concerned about ocean storms, while still others try to discourage me from going certain places because of beaurocracy at the borders.</p>
<p>No matter what happens or when it does, this is what I must do. It’s my trip, not yours, so let me do my thing!</p>What’s the Plan for Departure?Replacing Chainplates2021-04-25T16:00:00+00:002021-04-25T16:00:00+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/chainplates/2021/04/25/replacing-chainplates<h1 id="replacing-chainplates-on-a-1976-ericson-36c">Replacing Chainplates on a 1976 Ericson 36C</h1>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/n8Ykd1uxZxKaJRnEA"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/unstepping-mast.jpg" alt="Unstepping Mast" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Fill the progress bar</strong></p>
<p><strong>Only for it to reset</strong></p>
<p><strong>Then it starts anew</strong></p>
<h1 id="the-problem">The Problem</h1>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/yP76bmQeyx49EMneA"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-underside-bare.jpg" alt="Chainplates Undersides" /></a></p>
<p>This hanging knee-looking piece is a single slab of aluminum that protrudes through the deck, exposed minimally above, like an iceberg. It is tabbed down the beam, nearly to the cabin sole.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/W68thyMitiY3REQC9"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/damaged-chainplates-2.jpg" alt="Damaged Chainplates 2" /></a></p>
<p>In late October, during the haulout where my mast was removed, an isssue was discovered involving my aluminum chainplates (yes… I know), where the steel clevis pins that attached them to the turnbuckles caused galvanic corrosion between the two dissimilar metals over the course of decades. My rigger, Ryan of Rogue Rigging explained the problem to me at the time.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mt5vPu1ZbmaXPBPU6"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/damaged-chainplates-1.jpg" alt="Damaged Chainplates 1" /></a></p>
<p>The flakes of metal that are resting on the deck are broken-off crumbs of aluminum that were “welded” to the steel clevis pin by way of electrochemical reduction across time.</p>
<h2 id="galvanic-corrosion">Galvanic Corrosion</h2>
<p>The chart below demonstrates how some metals interact with each other when in direct contact, particularly when submerged in an electrolyte.</p>
<p>The vertical axis is the metal that will be corroded by the metals defined in the rotated top row. The white color shows a risky combination that will likely corrode.</p>
<p><br />
<br />
<br /></p>
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<div class="ritz grid-container" dir="ltr"><table class="waffle no-grid" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R0" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">-</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr"></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Magnesium</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Zinc</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Aluminum</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Cadmium</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Carbon Steel</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Cast Iron</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Stainless Steel</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Lead</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Nickel</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Brass</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Copper</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Bronze</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Nickel Copper</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Nickel Chrome</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Titanium</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Silver</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Graphite</div></td><td class="s0 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Gold</div></td><td class="s1 softmerge" dir="ltr"><div class="softmerge-inner" style="width:20px;left:-1px">Platinum</div></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R1" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">1</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Magnesium</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R2" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">2</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Zinc</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R3" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">3</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Aluminum</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R4" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">4</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Cadmium</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R5" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">5</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Carbon Steel</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R6" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">6</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Cast Iron</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R7" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">7</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Stainless Steel</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R8" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">8</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Lead</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R9" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">9</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Nickel</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R10" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">10</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Brass</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R11" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">11</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Copper</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R12" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">12</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Bronze</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R13" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">13</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Nickel Copper</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td><td class="s3"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R14" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">14</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Nickel Chrome</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R15" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">15</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Titanium</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R16" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">16</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Silver</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R17" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">17</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Graphite</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R18" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">18</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Gold</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><th id="0R19" style="height: 20px;" class="row-headers-background"><div class="row-header-wrapper" style="line-height: 20px">19</div></th><td class="s0" dir="ltr">Platinum</td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td><td class="s2"></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
<p><br /></p>
<p>The more noble stainless steel causes the aluminum to corrode, giving me a really big, expensive headache.</p>
<p>Instead of curling into a ball and crying, which is my first instinct, I decide to seek out people smarter than me. The problem was discovered In October, but I would have to wait until February to do anything about it.</p>
<h1 id="the-solution">The Solution</h1>
<p>There is a well-respected naval architect that the Berkeley Marine Center consults with and builds projects for on a regular basis, Jim Antrim.</p>
<h2 id="design">Design</h2>
<p>Although I’d spoken to many others about my aluminum chainplates, nobody except Jim had ever seen or heard about anything like it before. He didn’t seem very concerned, which made me feel a bit reassured.</p>
<p>I proposed going with titanium replacements, because it made sense to me that a highly-corrosive-resistant metal that also just happens to be the strongest chemical element that is known to exist would be a good choice. Jim agreed and got to work, starting with simple templates taken from below deck, along with a few measurements he required.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/wdUC621PqfBAR5Re9"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-templates-1.jpg" alt="Chainplates Templates 1" /></a></p>
<p>Using just what was on that clipboard, Jim was able to do some calculations and come up with some impressive CAD drawings.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/2VwrWZPBfTVTGEmF7"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-cad-1.jpg" alt="Chainplates CAD 1" /></a></p>
<p>The first one shows the forward lower chainplates. These don’t have as high of a tension load and don’t need to be as beefy as the others.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/uGt1B9YR6nTG5b5e7"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-cad-2.jpg" alt="Chainplates CAD 2" /></a></p>
<p>My mast only has one spreader and the load for the upper and lower shrouds are shared by these bigger plates that will sandwich the existing aluminum, aligning on the screw hole patterns.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/K7AqrXEw2cQaRcxo8"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-cad-3.jpg" alt="Chainplates CAD 3" /></a></p>
<p>From here, I was able to cut more-three-dimensional templates out of 1/8” mahogany doorskin. The purpose for making rigid templates like these is to make sure the final shape is going to work out.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/m5jDXPhN8WvUzjH96"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-templates-2.jpg" alt="Chainplates Templates 2" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/HDjSkewZeXCq2LPbA"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-templates-3.jpg" alt="Chainplates Templates 3" /></a></p>
<p>Everything fits. Now what?</p>
<h2 id="construction">Construction</h2>
<p>Titanium is as expensive as it is strong and there’s exactly one place where it’s possible to get reasonably-priced custom Ti<sub>22</sub> chainplates and only one guy to call, John Franta of Colligo Marine.</p>
<p>John was very accomodating and understanding of my problem. Once I had the specs for the cuts, he was all-in on getting my replacements sent out. All he required was the CAD from Jim and they were cut on Colligo’s water jet cutter in San Diego, then sent up here to the San Francisco Bay within about a week.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/CTUtdT3YgqeQ1kEH6"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-laid-out.jpg" alt="Chainplates Laid Out" /></a></p>
<p>Ten pieces of titanium later, my galvanic isloation-induced long-term headache is starting to ease up a bit.</p>
<h2 id="installation">Installation</h2>
<p>When explaining this chainplates issue, people commonly ask, “why don’t you just attach the chainplates to the outside of the hull on the beam?”</p>
<p>I relayed the question to both Jim and Ryan and was told my boat is not designed for that. It’s designed for the shrouds to route exactly where they previously were.</p>
<h3 id="destruction">Destruction</h3>
<p>In order to put the new ones where the old portions previously were, the tips of those icebergs had to be cut off flush at the deck using an oscillating multitool.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/pTcDZQysCGRR5zFw8"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-cut.jpg" alt="Chainplates Cut" /></a></p>
<p>When taking the cut pieces and placing them on top of the sandwiched titanium replacements, the hole patterns match up nicely.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/zFy7R9ur4imHcMaeA"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-overlaid.jpg" alt="Chainplates Overlaid" /></a></p>
<p>Because these new chainplate segments are sandwiched on the old aluminum slabs located below, new slots had to be cut in the deck to allow these pieces to be able to cross between topsides and the cabin.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/JixuxmHao1UGBJoCA"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-deck-cut.jpg" alt="Chainplates Deck Cut" /></a></p>
<h3 id="drilling">Drilling</h3>
<p>These sorts of cuts aren’t something you want to mess up and this next part made me tense up, knowing it can’t be undone. I decided to call in my best “boat guy,” Ichiro, whose work in the SF Bay area is famous for quality and precision. He agreed to help with the drilling.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/jWucYihnkPrfUQGB7"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-drill-1.jpg" alt="Chainplates Drilling 1" /></a></p>
<p>We taped and clamped the new chainplates in the correct spots and Ichiro fearlessly drilled through the old aluminum.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/b4uXiKCFxhZ7M1aK7"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-drill-2.jpg" alt="Chainplates Drilling 2" /></a></p>
<p>Thankfully, Jim’s measurements and templates were spot on, the holes aligning exactly athwartship where they’re supposed to, only offset fore and aft by about 5/8” in either direction as an artifact of the new sandwich attachment style.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/jN8h32YDWSQjiq1R8"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/new-chainplates-in-place.jpg" alt="Chainplates In Place" /></a></p>
<p>If the old pieces that were chopped off are placed back in their old positions, the holes for the pins again align nicely.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/mbDEGA3L21zAoMMn8"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-side-by-side.jpg" alt="Chainplates Side by Side" /></a></p>
<h3 id="final-fastening">Final Fastening</h3>
<p>Although the aluminum below deck is anodized, it would still be susceptible to more galvanic issues if the titanium is butted directly against it. To account for this, I put some thin non-conductive film on the inside portion.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/toi2E9gq453EibmX9"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-insulation-1.jpg" alt="Chainplates Insulation 1" /></a></p>
<p>Along with this layer of protection, I applied Tef-Gel to the holes where the fasteners will go. This substance helps to electrically isolate dissimilar metals, commonly stainless steel fasteners in an aluminum mast.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/F626u1L5x9exYuFJ9"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-insulation-2.jpg" alt="Chainplates Insulation 2" /></a></p>
<p>While the chart above does not show it, 316 stainless steel (specifically) and titanium are quite close, electrochemically, with a very small corrosion potential. The bolts that are used for fastening are 316, which is still dangerous to aluminum. However, the risks of problems happening below deck, assuming there are no outside water leaks, are very low, considering that the galvanic corrosion process requires an electrolyte (such as water).</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/HLzTyhNodZ9Uvaig7"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-fastening.jpg" alt="Chainplates Fastening" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZxUmZyYdbpeRzWuS7"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-installed.jpg" alt="Chainplates Installed" /></a></p>
<p>The Tef-Gel can be cleaned up later with some mineral spirits and a rag. All that’s left is to fill the holes still left in the deck with thickened epoxy and to apply the top plates and seal it all up with some Sika Flex.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/bMzJWhmmVHbANEMN7"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-covers-resize-1.jpg" alt="Chainplates Resize 1" /></a></p>
<p>Oh, whoops. It looks like the starboard-side plate has slightly incorrect spacing. I previously mentioned titanium is the strongest metal (not including alloys) that exists. If I were to try using a file to accurately shave the correct amount of material away, I would burn through them, as titanium is around four times harder than tool steel. Fortunately, the marina has a machine shop.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/2hza2RQMm3EKyBBn7"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-covers-resize-2.jpg" alt="Chainplates Resize 2" /></a></p>
<p>I took the plates to the resident machinist, Gian, who was able to make the cuts to the plates and while he had them, bevel the sharp edges to prevent accidental snags when walking on deck.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/7G4YfoYqMP46mAjV6"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/deck-fill.jpg" alt="Deck Fill" /></a></p>
<p>The deck is all filled and ready to be covered by the top plates and Sika Flex’d in-place!</p>
<h1 id="finally">Finally</h1>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/PTTddL4DChcn4Xg69"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-finished-1.jpg" alt="Chainplates Finished 1" /></a></p>
<p>All Done. This time, I’m using appropriate pins. Make sure your rigger does, too.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/nVbg45B2nQpx2nUt6"><img src="/assets/images/chainplates/chainplates-finished-2.jpg" alt="Chainplates Finished 2" /></a></p>
<p>These new chainplates will outlast me and the life of this boat and I am not mad about it. However, as with all boat project decisions, I’m certain some reader out there will find something to disagree with and make sure I know how wrong all of this is.</p>
<h2 id="cost-breakdown">Cost Breakdown</h2>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Type</th>
<th>Cost</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Design</td>
<td>$750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fabrication</td>
<td>$1230</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Labor</td>
<td>$390</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>I’ve certainly spent more on other projects, so I consider this a win!</strong></p>Replacing Chainplates on a 1976 Ericson 36CThree Months of Hell in Napa2021-02-19T01:00:00+00:002021-02-19T01:00:00+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/coppercoat/haulout/bottom/topsides/paint/2021/02/19/three-months-of-hell-in-napa<h1 id="three-months-of-hell-in-napa">Three Months of Hell in Napa</h1>
<h1 id="abstract">Abstract</h1>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/HBTJJfixnkqXnPoJ6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/lifting-out-berkeley.jpg" alt="Getting Lifted Out at Berkeley" /></a></p>
<p>Antifouling time comes but once every other year, but what if that wasn’t the case? I decided long ago to use whatever option had me hauling out as intermittenly as possible. It turns out there’s a product that promises a ten-year bottom job — Coppercoat, which is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but I communicated with the US distributor, Coppercoat USA, which has their own application instructions that aren’t always in-line with the UK’s. It’s important to follow the directions very closely, reading and re-reading the Coppercoat “Dos and Don’ts” guide available at <a href="https://coppercoatusa.com/">https://coppercoatusa.com/</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/xa8gQvKf1LKL1hVN6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-in-box.jpg" alt="Coppercoat in the Box" /></a></p>
<p>I figured, “While I’m out of the water for <strong>ten days</strong>, why not get the mast figured out?” What could go wrong, right?</p>
<p><strong>A lot.</strong></p>
<h2 id="the-list">The List</h2>
<p>It was probably a bit too ambitious to attempt to do this many things on my own:</p>
<h3 id="bottom">Bottom</h3>
<ul>
<li>Scrape paint</li>
<li>Gel plane</li>
<li>Fiberglass</li>
<li>Fairing</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="coppercoat">Coppercoat</h3>
<ul>
<li>Apply</li>
<li>“Activate”</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="through-hulls">Through-hulls</h3>
<ul>
<li>Fill old knotmeter through-hull</li>
<li>Adapt transducer though-hull</li>
<li>Install new transducer</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="mast-step">Mast step</h3>
<ul>
<li>Fiberglass step location</li>
<li>Get replacement plate and step</li>
<li>Fasten replacement step, plate, and base</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="chainplates">Chainplates</h3>
<ul>
<li>Pull back headliner, expose chainplates</li>
<li>Cut old chainplates</li>
<li>Get titanium chainplates made</li>
<li>Attach new chainplates to knees</li>
<li>Seal new chainplates</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="table">Table</h3>
<ul>
<li>Get mahogany pieces cut</li>
<li>Dry-fit pieces</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="repaint">Repaint</h3>
<ul>
<li>Cockpit</li>
<li>Deck</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p>Yeah… in ten days… right.</p>
<h1 id="blisters-in-the-sun">Blisters in the Sun</h1>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/VZExqkMpsRkwV66q7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/first-glimpse-of-blisters.jpg" alt="First Glimpse of Blisters" /></a></p>
<p>Well, <span style="font-size:36px;">f***</span>.</p>
<p>That’s not what I was hoping to see. Anything less than a perfectly-faired hull is an unwelcome sight, but this many osmotic breaches are going to be a real headache… and probably a backache.</p>
<h1 id="pick-up-sticks">Pick-up Sticks</h1>
<p>Removing my main boom and staysail booms are an easy first step. Anything that makes the rigger’s job faster and easier is worth it.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/EwqFrWM4gc7iHUc46"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/booms-removed.jpg" alt="Booms Removed" /></a></p>
<p>Berkeley Marine Center doesn’t have a crane that’s able to be positioned to pull a mast while a boat is still in the water, so they provide a haul-out at no charge and move the rig to a place that can be reached by their mobile crane.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/iaTPbB2ow3Awp71JA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/mast-lifted.jpg" alt="Mast Lifted" /></a></p>
<h2 id="watch-your-step">Watch Your Step</h2>
<p>Yikes. This doesn’t look like it’s from the factory. The Ericson 36 C’s mast is stepped to the keel, which is encased in fiberglass. At some point, either this or some other mast step was tabbed in, poorly. ‘Looks like I’ll have to fix this at some point.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/5Bg2eSsACtUC3jN26"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/old-mast-step-1.jpg" alt="Mast Step 1" /></a></p>
<p>The mast step itself is made of aluminum and attached to a poor-grade steel I-Beam. There’s all sorts of dissimilar metal issues, considering how moisture could pool up in the step.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/oQmjG7GcRAuq7mpG9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/old-mast-step-3.jpg" alt="Mast Step 3" /></a></p>
<p>This thing isn’t even properly aligned. How could anyone have made this and thought, “yeah… that looks great.”</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZX5WUFPKtPpMQDTp7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/old-mast-step-2.jpg" alt="Mast Step 2" /></a></p>
<p>The old fiberglass tabbing and oil spots will need to be cleaned up before anything else can safely be placed in there.</p>
<h2 id="getting-away-with-the-bare-aluminimum">Getting Away with the Bare Alu<strong>minimum</strong></h2>
<p>I need to explain my chainplates. To allow me to do that effectively, I need you to forget what you think you know about them.</p>
<p>My chainplates are enormous. They are tabbed all the way down my beam almost down to the cabin soles. The are like icebergs — only a small portion sticks out above deck. The rest, below looks like hanging knees, almost decorative in appearance. The catch here, and this confuses everyone, is that they are made of aluminum. To learn more about them, check out <a href="/chainplates/2021/04/25/replacing-chainplates.html">this other post I made that details how I got it fixed</a>.</p>
<p>Yes, aluminum.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/TuE59aoZXjNZrrHD9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/chainplates-4.jpg" alt="Chainplates 4" /></a></p>
<p>There was a steel pin affixing the turnbuckle rigging to the chainplates. This pin was there since at least the last time the standing rigging was changed out, which could have been any number of years (or decades) ago, which means…</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/h9nerxqrZjyCtCk99"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/chainplates-1.jpg" alt="Chainplates 1" /></a></p>
<p>More bad news. Galvanic corrosion strikes again. The steel had corroded directly into the less-noble (unweldable) aluminum. After hammering the pins out over the course of one hour, flakes of irrecoverable metal surround the chainplate cap.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/byknbSjKvzdCUuy89"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/chainplates-2.jpg" alt="Chainplates 2" /></a></p>
<p>I refuse to replace those giant pieces of aluminum. So, I’ll have to compose a plan with some people smarter than me.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/3vo9Q1ysdjto5Rwy5"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/chainplates-3.jpg" alt="Chainplates 3" /></a></p>
<h1 id="float-on-alright-already">Float On… Alright, Already</h1>
<p>Now that the mast was down and Berkeley Marine Center was working on that stuff, I was able to head to Napa two days later to get the show on the road.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/egmWwPHuykBoLS8SA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/lumber-barge.jpg" alt="Lumber Barge" /></a></p>
<p>I set off to Napa with some precious cargo — a few dozen board feet of genuine mahogany, ready to be cut into drop leaf table assssembly pieces once day.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/qeTVz5cB74LQ3fpw9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/arrival-in-napa.jpg" alt="Arrival In Napa" /></a></p>
<p>I arrived about an hour early after about five-and-a-half hours of motoring, riding the current on the way in on a clear, warm day.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/uZmkVL4k939i1vSP7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/truck-haulout-1.jpg" alt="Truck Haulout 1" /></a></p>
<p>Napa Valley Marina uses a truck with a trailer with individually-articulating pads that can be positioned to safely lift a boat out of the water, up an inclined boatramp.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/7AJQu5m4cYvXToJB7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/truck-haulout-2.jpg" alt="Truck Haulout 2" /></a></p>
<h1 id="copper-bottom-jeans">Copper Bottom Jeans</h1>
<p>This is the big show; Napa Valley Marina — currently the only place that’ll let someone DIY their own Coppercoat job in the SF Bay, and perhaps the entirety of California.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/1SDAdXs4rZKNkNXs5"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/hell.jpg" alt="Hell" /></a></p>
<p>The plan was originally to scrape all the old paint off the bottom, but after seeing the osmosis damage, that doesn’t seem to be viable, anymore.</p>
<h2 id="take-it-easy">Take It Easy</h2>
<p>Flex-o-Fold makes, from what I can tell, the best folding prop money can buy, at least for cruisers. I spent a long time researching which prop may give me some advantage, both when sailing and when motoring. It turned out I could get a three-blade prop that is nearly tailor-made to my displacement, engine RPM, and transmision gear ratio.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/DceYqgUXQcaUezfh9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/old-propeller.jpg" alt="Old Propeller" /></a></p>
<p>‘Might as well swap out the old prop for the newer, shinier model. It seemed like an obvious job to do while waiting for the yard to get their plan together for next steps for my blister situation. This was my first time removing a propeller and it was easy; just use a prop-puller and look at a reference image and it comes off without issue.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/BkCM4DAjda2gmMrq8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/prop-shaft.jpg" alt="Prop Shaft" /></a></p>
<p>My prop shaft is a standard 1” tapered, keyed model. Before putting the new assembly on, I cleaneed the stainless steel up.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/2ncXSygkwa994xcC8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/folding-propeller-1.jpg" alt="Folding Propeller 1" /></a></p>
<p>Flex-o-Fold provides excellent instructions for their installation, but even without them, anyone would be able to figure it out.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/cqgfrKzQ6X9nGaWJA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/folding-propeller-2.jpg" alt="Folding Propeller 2" /></a></p>
<p>The opening and closing action is nice and smooth. I’m pretty confident that as long as the gearing doesn’t get too fouled up, just a little bit of centrifugal force will open it up.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/mQu1T2tcKexHJrYQ6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/folding-propeller-3.jpg" alt="Folding Propeller 3" /></a></p>
<p>Look at this drag profile. Not too shabby.</p>
<h2 id="i-get-by-with-a-little-help-from-my-friends">I Get by with a Little Help from my Friends</h2>
<p>Some volunteers from the Berkeley Yacht Club volunteered to come help me out with various things. Every bit helps, and I was grateful for every second they assisted.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/opVNMhBdZJLzwzZk9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/friends-1.jpg" alt="Friends 1" /></a></p>
<p>We remove the old knotmeter, which was mostly out of order. There’s no point in leaving a worthless piece of hardware in! It’ll be patched with fiberglass before leaving.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/kZikZexQmRbVipTb9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/friends-2.jpg" alt="Friends 2" /></a></p>
<p>It seemed to make sense to remove the old rub rail. It was in rough shape, anyway, and was barely hanging on. I was planning to repaint the white topside stripe at some point while I was out here.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/QeQXdE5H5DfKEbYL9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/friends-3.jpg" alt="Friends 3" /></a></p>
<p>An oscillating tool with a carbide blade was the ticket to removing the old stainless steel fasteners. They were installed (the screwheads) from the inside.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/mzkX8BKz2bbbkyf97"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/friends-4.jpg" alt="Friends 4" /></a></p>
<p>The old knotmeter through-hull was massive, giving me a new nearly two-inch hole in my bottom.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/8gd13fZY2SQduoh49"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/friends-5.jpg" alt="Friends 5" /></a></p>
<p>This was the first of many flathead screwdrivers I destroyed when removing through-hulls.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/wtL9X4oDRZms81ak8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/friends-6.jpg" alt="Friends 6" /></a></p>
<p>An extra set of hands makes removing large single pieces of trim easier. I later broke this piece on my own, by accident.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/A7gJWxmU6yPt1isKA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/friends-7.jpg" alt="Friends 7" /></a></p>
<p>These protrusions that house depth sensors are called “fairing blocks,” but I like to call them “fluid friction magnets.” My new depth sounder (and also knotmeter combo) is able to be mounted flush to the hull and compensate up to 22°, which is just about the angle of the hull at the point of this hole.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/8pidesH9YXj8zhbu7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/friends-8.jpg" alt="Friends 8" /></a></p>
<p>Here is what the old depth sounder looks like when removed from its plastic housing. Weird.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q7fpE6U3UYDPri546"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/friends-9.jpg" alt="Friends 9" /></a></p>
<p>And finally, at the end of the day, it’s time to start cleaning up the old gunk when the last time the rub rails were sealed.</p>
<h2 id="pop-it">Pop It</h2>
<p>There’s more than one kind of blister, apparently.</p>
<p>Most boat knowledge is inherited, received in a tribal manner. Some of it can be found on blog posts like this, but almost none of it can be considered objective or “absolutely” true. But I swear to you, I had blisters in both the gelcoat AND in the fiberglass.</p>
<p>The gelcoat zits seemed to be under some pressure and no matter which direction you face, they popped right into my mouth, which is particularly interesting considering I was masked.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/fCrcth3zjh3hoikY9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/gelcoat-blisters-1.jpg" alt="Gelcoat Blisters 1" /></a></p>
<h2 id="boats-are-like-onions">Boats are Like Onions</h2>
<p>The last bottom paint application was performed four years prior at KKMI in Richmond. There were some hude blisers thata were patched on the starboard side, but the vast majority were left alone as they weren’t large enough to worry about, according to my surveyor.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/LEPuwihct1EJaS5L6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/rudder-layers-1.jpg" alt="Rudder Layers 1" /></a></p>
<p>It seemed like a cool idea to try and use some varnish/paint stripper on the bottom. The previous layers were all one-part applications, so it made sense that they could at least be partially stripped off.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/2KdoUygh395LXALD6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/rudder-layers-2.jpg" alt="Rudder Layers 2" /></a></p>
<p>Once the stripper was applied, the embedded cupric oxide was visibily reacting to some chemical in the stripper, causing a near-instant patina effect on the top surface that permeated below over the course of an hour.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/X5TNoZiC3mh3aciy7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/rudder-layers-3.jpg" alt="Rudder Layers 3" /></a></p>
<p>Taking a scraper to it, even after giving the varnish stripper time to work, it was clear this wasn’t going to work. Look at this mess. Just LOOK at it!</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/X5TNoZiC3mh3aciy7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/gel-peel-1.jpg" alt="Gel Peel 1" /></a></p>
<p>Gel Planer to the rescue. The yard has a tool that’s designed specifically to cut to a precise depth in a form factor similar to a large men’s electric facial razor. The tool is used to vertically stripe, from left to right.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/MxsoRXJ3NebNAEbg6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/gel-peel-2.jpg" alt="Gel Peel 2" /></a></p>
<p>The Ericson 36C has some awkward curves in the stern that the Gel Planer had issues conforming to. These would have to be revisted with a grinder (and a delicate touch), followed with an orbital sander.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/S9vJz5AAUfyyH98W8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/gel-peel-3.jpg" alt="Gel Peel 3" /></a></p>
<p>When you look at the cross-section of where the gelcoat was removed, you can clearly see some of the layers. In order, from top to bottom, we have:</p>
<ul>
<li>red bottom paint</li>
<li>blue bottom paint</li>
<li>red gelcoat</li>
<li>white gelcoat</li>
<li>gray barrier coat</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/MKquV64tV9iaGLXN7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/gel-peel-4.jpg" alt="Gel Peel 4" /></a></p>
<p>Now we’re getting to some more microscopic views. Existing patches of previous fairing and filling start appearing, as well. Note all of the voids in the compound. That can’t be good, can it?</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/AQtUJDQkXkpd5D35A"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/gel-peel-5.jpg" alt="Gel Peel 5" /></a></p>
<p>Based on the chipping that’s occurring, it seems obvious that there isn’t good adhesion between some of these layers, indicating at least one poor bottom job application.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/qw6C1AJzSwGnCh6Z7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/gel-peel-6.jpg" alt="Gel Peel 6" /></a></p>
<p>And now for the least understood type of blistering — pox. These small lesions were only on the starboard side, but numbered in the hundreds. It was likely nearly one thousand, although an exact count was not possible to get.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/E9K2u2yT4CTroVMF6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/gel-peel-7.jpg" alt="Gel Peel 7" /></a></p>
<p>After a first pass of scraping, Gel Planing, grinding, and a rinse, things aren’t looking so bad, are they? The labor for the yard peeling off the gelcoat was an even $4000.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ms32n6799g7s2BDf8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/gel-peel-8.jpg" alt="Gel Peel 8" /></a></p>
<p>The port side had many blisters, but their average and maximum sizes were larger, particularly on the keel.</p>
<h2 id="if-it-bleeds">If It Bleeds…</h2>
<p>The fiberglass blistering was caused by uncured resin from the original layup in 1975. Over time, water intrudes through gelcoat, past barrier coat, and pushes up against the glass fibers that are supposed to be encased in a cured polymer. But, for whatever reason, the mixture didn’t appear to have completed, leaving behind a highly water-soluble red fluid that does nothing but fill space, with the potential to absorb even more water into it.</p>
<p>After the fiberglass was exposed and cleaned, on hotter, windier days, it would find its way out of its prison, seeing air for the first time since it was originally mixed.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/yAujAnscQd93hT3b6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/uncured-resin-1.jpg" alt="Uncured Resin" /></a></p>
<p>This fluid, when dry, returns to its state from before it was wet. In time, when exposed to air, it will harden up a bit, but will be easily washed away with even a little bit of water. That leaves the conclusion that the resin (whatever type it may be) was not properly mixed when catalyzed.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zm5rKcCPecaXmcNaA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/daily-grind.jpg" alt="Daily Grind" /></a></p>
<p>After powerwashing the hull, it would displace the resin in the lightly-colored voids (pictured above, easily visible on the port side photo). While the resin is waterlogged, its reduced viscosity allows it to leak out from the fiberglass, which can then be easily identified and cut out with a grinder.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/bM4GQCzK85bzJbRV8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/grind-1.jpg" alt="Grind 1" /></a></p>
<p>Amongst the grinding marks, this numeric graffiti that’s visible is my way of documenting moisture meter readings. I put the baseline initial readings in red Sharpie, so I’d be able to compare them to readings I took in the future. The meter maxes out at <strong><span style="color:#800020;">35%</span></strong>, and the lower the figure, the better. The “average” rating I got on this pass was around <strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">30%</span></strong>. Although the science behind these measurements is dubious (it’s actually garbage), it’s recommended by serious boat people that you should be at <strong><span style="color:#AAFF00;">15%</span></strong> or, the Holy Grail number of <strong><span style="color:#00FF00;">12%</span></strong>. We’ll have to see how <strong>The Great Drying</strong> turns out.</p>
<h2 id="ice-and-fire">Ice and Fire</h2>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/NgTP7NNRgfKPyYdcA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/grind-2.jpg" alt="Grind 2" /></a></p>
<p>Winter <strong>nights</strong> in Napa can get pretty chilly. On a dry evening, the temperatures usually get to just below freezing, where a thin layer of ice can form on the deck.</p>
<p>Winter <strong>days</strong> aren’t as warm or dry as summer. The relative humidity can hover at around 50%.</p>
<p>The combination of these two things aren’t great when you’re trying to “dry” out your hull. Airflow will do a great job of wicking away moisture from a substrate, as long as the moisture content of that air is lower than the saturated material. Getting it hot doesn’t hurt, either. Knowing this this, I had an idea:</p>
<p>A <span style="font-size:72px;">FLAMETHROWER</span>.</p>
<p>Flames will evaporate moisture, create turbulent, random airflow, and speed up drying time by a couple of exponents. I used the following equation to calculate what I needed:</p>
<p><a href=""><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/math.svg" alt="Math" /></a></p>
<h2 id="hiking-the-skirt">Hiking the Skirt</h2>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/g9gvTCuhpF6yEGks9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/skirt-1.jpg" alt="Skirt 1" /></a></p>
<p>Using some tarps, I was able to fashion a “skirt” to hold in some heat for what was to come next. I happened to think it looked beautiful in a way, like the boat was smashing through a large wave even the she’s on land.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/NeHup2CSFoSR5xND7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/flamethrower-1.jpg" alt="Flamethrower 1" /></a></p>
<p>This flame, which used 15 gallons of propane per day, burned with the power of a thousand suns, heating up even the boat’s interior to 80° F throughout a freezing night. After four days of near-constant usage, I had worked my way through 60 gallons of gas.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/zTyYRm6htVP3t5MbA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/skirt-2.jpg" alt="Skirt 2" /></a></p>
<p>Also under the tarp were two fans and a large dehumidifier that was sized for a house, just to give another little edge on reducing the moisture content in the skirt.</p>
<p>Take note that I did leave a fire extinguisher out front, just in case.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/pf6e9KdM7x9AvFsF7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/flamethrower-2.jpg" alt="Flamethrower 2" /></a></p>
<p>Propane was getting expensive and a fellow neighbor gave me this diesel flamethrower for free. It seemed much safer. Diesel is flammable at ambient air pressure, as opposed to combustible like propane gas. This model also had an automatic shutoff that was able to be set to a specific temperature, with an electric auto-ignite. I used this for an additional four days to bring the moisture numbers down further… and it worked. My “average” moisture readings are now at a nearly constant <strong><span style="color:#AAFF00;">15%</span></strong>!!!!!</p>
<h1 id="high-and-dry">High and Dry</h1>
<p>Times are tough and people can’t always be relied on, least of all yourself.</p>
<h2 id="alls-faired-in-love-and-nevermind">All’s Fair[ed] in Love and… Nevermind</h2>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/kbAs79Dtd9xT2kvr7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/love-and-war.jpg" alt="Love and War" /></a></p>
<p>I went through a breakup during this period, where a long-term partner split up with me in front of the boat in the middle of the hardest part of the work at the peak of our relationship. This was the beginning of a period of declining optimism.</p>
<p>Sometimes it just takes one small thing to make you feel powerless. After that, the downward spiral starts.</p>
<h2 id="when-chaos-reigns-it-pours">When Chaos Reigns, it Pours</h2>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jv8LTuVc1uTo4p2E8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/chaos-reigns.jpg" alt="Chaos Reigns" /></a></p>
<p>After one lost job, a death in the family, and an apparent standstill of progress later (all in the same two-day-period), I’d had enough.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/VuMFt8644bzTKJgQ8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/hell-or-high-tide.jpg" alt="Hell or High Tide" /></a></p>
<p>After a couple days of constant back-breaking work, feeling sullen the whole time, it was time to make some drastic changes and decide how the heck I’d escape Napa, and when it could be done.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/814GhWvTiQd9xBsd7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/napa-sunset.jpg" alt="Napa Sunset" /></a></p>
<p><strong>I started asking people for help</strong> and I started making a plan.</p>
<p>I was getting out of Napa on <strong>23 January</strong>, an arbitrary date that felt achievable, come <strong>hell or high tide</strong>.</p>
<h1 id="fair-enough">Fair Enough</h1>
<p>Maybe I can’t make it perfect, but this is an opportunity to smooth out the hull I hopefully wouldn’t have for another ten years.</p>
<p><em>Sigh</em>, I guess I’ll take advantage of it.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/RUzid4zU8f7sLxacA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/fiberglass-template.jpg" alt="Fiberglass Template" /></a></p>
<p>After carefully inspecting the hull where I’d ground out many hundreds of damaged areas, I was able to identify 128 blisters that were large enough to possibly be structurally-relevant. So, I traced them all out in conctentric circles to the exact shapes of the holes.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/QWayn95hgCo32JKL6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/fiberglass-cutouts.jpg" alt="Fiberglass Cutouts" /></a></p>
<p>These cutouts are pretty big. When you look closely, it becomes obvious that the bulk of the osmosis damage was in the mat layer on top and the structural fiberglass beneath is in great shape.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/cnP3JfH3gEQFNMT56"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/fiberglass-patches-1.jpg" alt="Fiberglass Patches 1" /></a></p>
<p>After cutting the numbered spots out from 1708 cloth, you can see how they fit the original anomalies. Just look at this mess on the starboard keel.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/wx3JdWLwtYhNjdH39"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/fiberglass-patches-2.jpg" alt="Fiberglass Patches 2" /></a></p>
<p>That cluster of damage was caused by osmosis.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/qobxdRnjEdN1mAZi8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/fiberglass-patches-3.jpg" alt="Fiberglass Patches 3" /></a></p>
<p>The damage appears to be more severe the lower below the water you go. Perhaps greater water pressure speeds up intrusion past moisture barriers?</p>
<h2 id="a-mostly-even-keel">A Mostly Even Keel</h2>
<p>The fiberglass patches helped, but there were still a great many divots in the glass that had to be filled in. Coppercoat shouldn’t be applied over an active minefield.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/72jRczQSpmKMXTNd9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/totalfair-1.jpg" alt="Totalfair 1" /></a></p>
<p>I chose TotalBoat TotalFair given a few things I’d read about its capabilities. It seemed forgiving and easy to use and it mostly was, but spreading it out took a lot of physical effort, particularly on the curved spots of the beam. It’s tiring stuff and spreading it out alone is really intimidating over an area as large as my boat.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Kq6Ung4GNAoFKwHFA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/totalfair-2.jpg" alt="Totalfair 2" /></a></p>
<p>Mixing it up is done “by eye.” The instructions basically say as long as it’s some shade of uniform green, you’re good to go.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/bc33ccRWHUMZu8DT7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/totalfair-mixing.jpg" alt="Totalfair Mixing" /></a></p>
<p>I started out just mixing it on paper, which got torn up, then tried cardboard, which also didn’t work great, then I found that a block of pine that I got for free at Home Depot worked great.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/beMHZdB7R2qLQz926"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/totalfair-3.jpg" alt="Totalfair 3" /></a></p>
<p>This is clearly going to take more than one pass…</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/pk5paTQ1t4pZLcR16"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/totalfair-4.jpg" alt="Totalfair 4" /></a></p>
<p>Few things feel as good, intrinsically, as finishing a pass of applying fairing compund.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/wixoAe4Gr2HJk8Yx6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/totalfair-5.jpg" alt="Totalfair 5" /></a></p>
<p>Spraying off the dust after a sanding round and looking at the shine is pretty nice, too. But this is just the first application. It doesn’t actually look as good as this photo suggests.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/TeatoQZtGyYLt6oZ7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/407-1.jpg" alt="Four-oh-seven 1" /></a></p>
<p>I went with West System 105 resin, the 205 fast hardener, and 407 low-density filler to see how this would go compared to TotalFair.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/hTTvwctzrLBvq5oE8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/407-2.jpg" alt="Four-oh-seven 2" /></a></p>
<p>While in the middle of this step, it felt like a good time to patch over the old knotmeter hole with some fiberglass patches.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/EqzYWwq8VmhUcgpw5"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/407-3.jpg" alt="Four-oh-seven 3" /></a></p>
<p>This is starting to actually look really good. We’re starting to pass the “finger test,” where you run your hand over the hull’s lines and can’t tell where the old damage was because it’s so smooth. Sure, the color isn’t uniform, but that’s fine for now.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/sUwQ3xfLvtYVDhSF6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/407-4.jpg" alt="Four-oh-seven 4" /></a></p>
<p>There were, however, still some spots that required a third pass…</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/vAvwbA42qTFMpXnk8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/407-5.jpg" alt="Four-oh-seven 5" /></a></p>
<p>So, I kept at it. As I said at the beginning of the section, I wouldn’t have another opportunity for years. Another day of cure time is still within the tolerance of my <strong>23 January</strong> departure date.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/rhndGDm1R9kxch1J8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/407-6.jpg" alt="Four-oh-seven 6" /></a></p>
<p>I know it looks gross here, but after this was sanded, you could never tell a two-inch hole for the old knotmeter was ever here.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/czePNSHMagxsWAx18"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/407-7.jpg" alt="Four-oh-seven 7" /></a></p>
<p>Look at this and tell me it isn’t beautiful. You can’t.</p>
<h1 id="its-like-watching-copper-dry">It’s Like Watching Copper Dry…</h1>
<h2 id="tarpe-diem">Tarpe Diem</h2>
<p>You may have noticed above how in the middle of fairing I put up a tent structure. The weather in Napa was really starting to turn for the worst. I took advantage of the good weather while it was there.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/3xLz4X5nYrYqAG4dA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/tent-1.jpg" alt="Tent 1" /></a></p>
<p>It just happened to look like an alien spacecraft when it was done. That suits me just fine. These tarps were reused by the yard when I was done with them.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/MHw7sivPAuTg1MXj9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/tent-2.jpg" alt="Tent 2" /></a></p>
<p>I had to accomodate my arch and solar on the stern, so I just patched it all closed however I could.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/7HDKP35WV5L1yyks7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/tent-3.jpg" alt="Tent 3" /></a></p>
<p>It’s really a big labyrinth of interconnected sheets that created a watertight seal from the top down.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Du5PWSrVjoFizLTc9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/tent-4.jpg" alt="Tent 4" /></a></p>
<p>Even during the notorious California winter rainstorms that hit while it was up, the tent didn’t allow water intrusion.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/g6RMtECBhJFtkXJz7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/tent-5.jpg" alt="Tent 5" /></a></p>
<p>I left some low-wattage LED lights on underneath the tarp and it gave off some cool god rays from the seams of the tarps.</p>
<h2 id="erect-tile-conjunction">Erect Tile Conjunction</h2>
<p>There was some information I’d found that suggested that a ceramic barrier coat would have 1% the permeability of an epoxy-based one, such as Interlux 2000E. Coppercoat USA recommended I go with Ceram-Kote 426, which is sometimes used as a barrier coat for pipes.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/eF5xiey6A5VNfZN29"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/ceramkote-mix-1.jpg" alt="Ceramkote Mix 1" /></a></p>
<p>Ceram-Kote 426 is a two-part product with a 2:1 mixing ratio.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/GMs4RjrvaPi9g1LT8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/ceramkote-mix-2.jpg" alt="Ceramkote Mix 2" /></a></p>
<p>I bought a corded powerdrill to mix it for the recommended number of minutes using a paint mixer attachment.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/hC3K2wz4irFbMzfY8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/ceramkote-layer-1.jpg" alt="Ceramkote Layer 1" /></a></p>
<p>After two thin coats applied one day apart from each other (wet-on-tacky), the bottom is really starting to look fantastic, at least compared to before.</p>
<h2 id="it-gets-knocked-down-then-gets-back-up-again">It Gets Knocked Down, then Gets Back Up, Again</h2>
<p>At this point, I’m so excited. Coppercoat application day has arrived!</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/cK4XzPZUKRfjk3Si7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-mix.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Mix" /></a></p>
<p>There are three parts to the mix. There’s the Part A epoxy base, the Part B epoxy hardener, and the Part C copper powder.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Rmi9VYinc5WcnBDA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-crew-1.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Crew 1" /></a></p>
<p>Just read the “Dos and Don’ts” guide from Coppercoat USA and find someone that’s willing to mix full time while your other volunteers apply the stuff.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/VDQzvwEqBbsK6WaY7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-application.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Application" /></a></p>
<p>If it’s your bottom job, don’t be afraid to check on your volunteers to make sure everyone has the right expectations of how thick the product should be applied. After the second coat, the majority of the bottom was really starting to look great. Here’s a progression of how mine looked after each coat:</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/cnDwu7YuTr9hA1xYA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-layer-1.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Layer 1" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dr7TLoR4FFMG96mq8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-layer-2.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Layer 2" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dEBMyrqssCJTa3r66"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-layer-3.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Layer 3" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/f4V2krZpr752vosa6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-layer-4.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Layer 4" /></a></p>
<p>It took around seven hours for five people applying one coat after another to finish the full four coats, but we did a really thorough job.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/h7y6pBnTgqs7DT5v7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-crew-2.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Crew 2" /></a></p>
<p>I’m so grateful to the DIY community at the Napa Valley Marina. The people really made all the difference. I’ve made some (hopefully) lifelong friendships. And the skills I learned while there will stick with me indefinitely.</p>
<h2 id="time-cures-all-epoxies">Time Cures All Epoxies</h2>
<p>Some just take longer than others.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/htgtArwWPFcerzjx7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-tape-peel.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Tape" /></a></p>
<p>Lots of people talk about how satisfying it is to peel tape. I don’t really get that sensation, but the fact that this job was almost in the books was its own brand of satisfaction.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/fCfptdov1Ck8B3gA6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-water-damage.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Water Damage" /></a></p>
<p>Despite my best efforts with my tent, I had a small amount of water intrude onto the starboard side. I believe this was actually condensation that had accumulated high up and dripped down as I was coming on or off the boat at some point as opposed to rainwater getting in, which is still possible.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/hdcVCxQsMBCAMQUj8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-water-damage-grinded.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Water Damage Grinded" /></a></p>
<p>This damage to the Coppercoat wasn’t a big deal and didn’t delay me at all. I still had to apply under the jackstands and I could fix this up and reapply when that time comes.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/1HEPky1c2P9ez6Fo7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-propeller.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Propeller" /></a></p>
<p>I also applied the CK426 and a few layers of Coppercoat to the propeller, carefully making sure none of the movement of the gearing was impeded. Since I had the extra kits of Coppercoat, why not?</p>
<h2 id="hey-sandy">Hey, Sandy</h2>
<p>Coppercoat is useless if it isn’t sanded. At a molecular level, the surface tension of the curing epoxy completely encases the copper powder spheres, eliminating their capabilities of performing a high-surface-area biocide. Just sand according to the Coppercoat USA sanding guide to make sure copper gets exposed.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/QT6rCPUD1GdegR7r9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-sand-1.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Sand 1" /></a></p>
<p>When I started, I was using a random orbital sander with 320-grit sanding nets and holding the sander flat. I noticed that this started to really burn through the Coppercoat, which isn’t what I wanted. After holding the sander at an angle such that I was only hitting it with the edge of the sanding net, I noticed a big improvement in the sanding job quality.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/AUcAYyMowM5iUXvVA"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-sand-2.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Sand 2" /></a></p>
<p>This looks a bit uneven compared to the unsanded views, but “the fish don’t care.” As long as the bottom of my cruising boat prevents hard marine growth, this will do just fine. It’ll turn a more uniform green over time, anyway.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vn7jfJy94o4MuPdH9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-sand-3.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Sand 3" /></a></p>
<p>To prevent the water drip issues that were pictured above while the Coppercoat cures, I put up some extra tape drip edges for any moisture that found its way onto the hull.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y1sowomNcaHTLnoA7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-sand-4.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Sand 4" /></a></p>
<p>The prop and the rest of the bottom are all sanded and looking great. I’m very happy with how this all turned out!</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Kyme1ZMcuAa7oCox5"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/coppercoat-sand-5.jpg" alt="Coppercoat Sand 5" /></a></p>
<p>With the tarp removed, my boat finally gets to see the sun, again.</p>
<h2 id="doing-a-through-job">Doing a <del>Through</del> Job</h2>
<p>Thorough*</p>
<p>We’re on the home stretch! Finally, all that’s left are a few relatively small jobs and cleanup.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/nmezUbgey5MyxRhb6"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/through-hulls-1.jpg" alt="Through Hulls 1" /></a></p>
<p>This was my first time installing through-hulls. Given all the other changes I’ve made while out in Napa, adding the possibility of new leaks wasn’t something I was ecstatic about.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/T3xgri2qWvnu7G668"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/through-hulls-2.jpg" alt="Through Hulls 2" /></a></p>
<p>And here I am drilling a 2” hole in the bottom of a completed Coppercoat bottom job for a new transducer. This is not something you want to mess up.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/4cdyFhd2xSJmEHHz5"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/core-sample.jpg" alt="Core Sample" /></a></p>
<p>Nice and thick glass sandwich construction.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/y2t58LByCXi4CSLX8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/through-hulls-3.jpg" alt="Through Hulls 3" /></a></p>
<p>This is definitely where some people get upset with me. I had a bunch of spare stock of 4/4 mahogany board that I didn’t want to waste, so I got busy making some backing plates out of it. Before installing, I applied three coats of epoxy to the exterior to keep them sealed from any possible moisture intrusion.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/EacrhRkQfaSSCr1x7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/through-hulls-4.jpg" alt="Through Hulls 4" /></a></p>
<p>All of my new through-hulls, lined up and ready to be installed. The goal was to install all seven in one day.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/mrL5FzAq9mgnsdnt7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/through-hulls-5.jpg" alt="Through Hulls 5" /></a></p>
<p>I never shy away from a chance to show off something I’m proud of.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/XdpBD3KiZHTpXDB19"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/through-hulls-6.jpg" alt="Through Hulls 6" /></a></p>
<p>This is the transducer before being fully seated flush against the hull and before it was tightened all the way down.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/iikq98WMMa64L5JZ9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/through-hulls-7.jpg" alt="Through Hulls 7" /></a></p>
<p>The new fridge scoop and sink drain installations turned out nice.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/SLYQNEjq6zRMwKrE7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/through-hulls-8.jpg" alt="Through Hulls 8" /></a></p>
<p>I’ve got three through-hulls for the head and another scoop for the raw water intake for the engine cooling system. It’s all looking great! Sikaflex 291 makes it really easy to create hermetic seals that you can be confident in.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/H5DowYNo9HCVvuaq5"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/through-hulls-9.jpg" alt="Through Hulls 9" /></a></p>
<p>Even my backing plates look decorative. Sure, the surrounding glass inside the cabinets could stand for a cleanup, but give me some credit?</p>
<h2 id="homeward-bound">Homeward Bound</h2>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/AAeLnFW6XR46gVFb8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/top-down.jpg" alt="Top-Down" /></a></p>
<p>With my through-hulls all patched, seated, and cured, there’s nothing stopping me from leaving the following day.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/2cQaToWssTmQLo6Z8"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/ready-to-go-home-1.jpg" alt="Ready to Go Home 1" /></a></p>
<p>Again, admit it, you think this is sexy.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:48px;">Admit it!</span></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/u82bubj4BWqMnQEZ9"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/ready-to-go-home-2.jpg" alt="Ready to Go Home 2" /></a></p>
<p>I had a volunteer help me clean up my area the evening before departure. What a surreal feeling that was. I had been stuck in Napa for three months, unable to receive deliveries and without a fridge or even a working bathroom closer than 1/5 of a mile away. And here I am, picking up the pieces to let me escape with a clear conscience.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/942zmk7TczkuAAv46"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/top-down-angled.jpg" alt="Top-Down Angled" /></a></p>
<p>After three months, I departed Napa. I <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/mdbg8QzJzEXNocAo6">live-streamed the entire trip back</a>, from being taken off the jackstands in Napa to arriving in Berkeley.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/47yJZxQubGwu4hf26"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/home.jpg" alt="Home" /></a></p>
<p>It only took me around five hours of motoring before I made it back home to Berkeley. Nothing broke, nothing went wrong. My newly-cleaned bottom, combined with the new Flex-o-Fold propeller pushed me along at a consistent 7.5 knots through the water, which is a full 1.5 knots more than before with the same 2600 RPMs. If I temporarily push it to 3000 RPM, I can break 8 knots and have an impressive wake follow me.</p>
<h1 id="epilogue">Epilogue</h1>
<p>I rested for an entire week after getting back home. Soon after arriving, I locked in a new job. Things really started to all-of-a-sudden become more stable and look up.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dkDw42iXzUPUiam16"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/berkeley-sunset-1.jpg" alt="Berkeley Sunset 1" /></a></p>
<p>My life, and I’m sure most others behave like waves…</p>
<p>Frequently, mine feel like fair-weather waves, never getting too uncomfortable, but in the worst times on the hard, I got a taste of the bad troughs. My last partner told me once that I should embrace all feelings, good and bad, and to feel them as much as I could.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/QL5LmFrMKXHs9xUi7"><img src="/assets/images/napa-bottom-job/berkeley-sunset-2.jpg" alt="Berkeley Sunset 2" /></a></p>
<p>The clouds are starting to break for me; things are calming down, and everything is becoming clear. There’s more to come and I can’t wait to share it.</p>
<h1 id="special-thanks">Special Thanks</h1>
<p>Ichiro, Dustin, Charlotte, Ibrahim, Brent, Andy, Leah, Charles, Seth, Ruth, Garrett, Joel, Emma, Linh, Teal, Jane, Bob, and Stephen.</p>Three Months of Hell in NapaWireless Networking on a Sailboat2021-02-02T20:00:00+00:002021-02-02T20:00:00+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/wifi/4g/lte/wireless/internet/2021/02/02/wireless-networking<h1 id="wireless-networking-on-a-sailboat">Wireless Networking on a Sailboat</h1>
<h1 id="abstract">Abstract</h1>
<p>Network connection is a common thing today’s sailor wants while out on the water for longer periods. The problem of cell coverage and available signal often arises when in a marina or even when going below deck.</p>
<h1 id="4g-lte">4G LTE</h1>
<p>There’s an answer for those problems above and it runs off DC power.</p>
<p><a href="https://ltefix.com/">LTE Fix</a> has an excellent series of guides and a highly-knowledgable support staff that can answer questions from compatibility all the way to expected power consumption.</p>
<p>I used their guides located at <a href="https://ltehacks.com/">LTE Hacks</a>, including this one for gettings started — <a href="https://ltehacks.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=74">Introduction to Building and Configuring a WiFiX/GoldenOrb/ROOter Cellular Router</a>.</p>
<h2 id="breakdown">Breakdown</h2>
<p>The following segments are how I built my unit in the summer of 2020 and the best options will likely have changed by the time you read this.</p>
<p>I use <a href="https://fi.google.com/">Google Fi</a> with my setup, with their “unlimited” plan, which offers 22GB per month of full-speed, unencumbered data, where after that quota, data speed is capped at 32KB per second, per device. The SIM that’s in the modem is a data-only sort without the capability of dialing out with a phone number like a standard SIM. I share that card on the same plan as my primary phone.</p>
<p>A good reason to use Fi is it allows (mostly) seamless transitions across countries, which can be an asset on a boat when moving from one port to another. But it also piggybacks on T-Mobile and Sprint’s antennas (in the US), giving a higher likelihood of getting a signal by any nearby towers. If you’re in some faraway land, it will automatically use that area’s agreed-upon network without the end-user having to do a thing.</p>
<h2 id="parts">Parts</h2>
<p>The total cost I incurred for parts for this build was $520, including enclosure and antennas.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/mVsBZHrULkfTYPmJ6"><img src="/assets/images/wireless-networking/cart.jpg" alt="Router Parts" /></a></p>
<h3 id="modem-and-router">Modem and Router</h3>
<p>This is where you don’t want to go too cheap. Buying the right modem can make a big difference in the maximum potential speed you’ll see for downloading and uploading.</p>
<p>I chose this router because for a 36-foot vessel, I didn’t need to broadcast a signal across the Bay.</p>
<ul>
<li>Sierra Wireless EM7565 CAT-12 LTE-A Pro Modem</li>
<li>NEXQ6GO Cellular WiFi Router - NEXQ6GO-M</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="enclosure">Enclosure</h3>
<p>Marine environments are harsh. Keep your router, modem, and DC to DC converter in a completely-enclosed area to keep it going as long as possible.</p>
<p>The WiFiX enclosure comes with poor-quality galvanized fasteners to keep the top and bottom of the fixture held together. I would recommend getting some 304 stainless M4 x 40mm flathead machine screws to make sure they won’t ever disintegrate from salty sea air and rainwater.</p>
<p>I decided to go the extra mile and mount the enclosure directly underneath my radar assembly (photo at the end of the post).</p>
<ul>
<li>WiFiX Medium Router PCB Enclosure Kit</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="antennas">Antennas</h3>
<p>The antennas need to be placed at least a few feet apart to give better signal and the higher up they go, the better your signal will be.</p>
<ul>
<li>(2) Wilson Electronics 9.88-inch 4G Wide Band Omni-Directional Marine Antenna w/ SMA Male Connector</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="miscellaneous">Miscellaneous</h3>
<ul>
<li>Mini PCI-E to M.2 (NGFF) Key B Adapter with Top SIM Card Slot</li>
<li>(2) Shakespeare Antenna Mount Nylon Ratchet</li>
<li>DC Voltage Converter Automatic Buck Boost Converter DC 8V-40V to 12V 3A</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="cables">Cables</h3>
<ul>
<li>Proxicast 6 ft Low-Loss Coax Jumper Cable (50 Ohm) - N Male to N Male</li>
<li>8dBi WiFi RP-SMA Male Antenna 2.4GHz 5.8GHz Dual Band</li>
<li>U.FL to SMA M.2 NGFF UFL to SMA Female MHF4 IPX4 IPEX4 Ipex Connector Pigtail WiFi Antenna Extension Cable</li>
<li>SMA Adapter SMA Male to RP SMA Female Jack Connector for RF Coax Cable Wi-Fi</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="wiring">Wiring</h2>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/14t1E3D6BpBkMLdPA"><img src="/assets/images/wireless-networking/parts.jpg" alt="Router Parts" /></a></p>
<p>I have a 12V lithium bank. From there, I have a 12V DC to DC converter to keep the voltage to the modem nice and smooth.</p>
<p>The power draw is a smooth <strong>0.1 amps at 12V</strong>.</p>
<h1 id="closing">Closing</h1>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/SrXHhLtKfQMZFh2t9"><img src="/assets/images/wireless-networking/installation-1.jpg" alt="Assembled System 1" /></a>
<a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ioRggJyWn5RXzcD3A"><img src="/assets/images/wireless-networking/installation-2.jpg" alt="Assembled System 2" /></a></p>
<h2 id="results">Results</h2>
<p>Results depend on time of day, tides (height of the boat relative to shore), and a few other things.</p>
<p>A one-to-one test from inside my insulated cabin showed the following results:</p>
<h3 id="installation">Installation</h3>
<p>Ping: 44
Download (Mbps): 8.95
Upload (Mbps): 8.14</p>
<h3 id="pixel-4a-on-lte">Pixel 4a on LTE</h3>
<p>Ping: 45
Download (Mbps): 1.89
Upload (Mbps): 0.42</p>
<h2 id="need-some-help">Need Some Help?</h2>
<p>If you decide to make something like this, send me an email and I’ll help you out for free.</p>Wireless Networking on a SailboatInstalling a New Electric Anchor System2020-10-21T17:00:00+00:002020-10-21T17:00:00+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/foredeck/anchor/windlass/2020/10/21/installing-a-new-electric-anchor-system<h1 id="installing-a-new-electric-anchor-system">Installing a New Electric Anchor System</h1>
<h1 id="preface">Preface</h1>
<p>I wanted to take the boat out for a peaceful weekend at anchor. I chose a common spot in the SF Bay, Aquatuc Park, on the northern shoreline of San Francisco. I got all geared up and ready to go.</p>
<p>My relevant equipment:</p>
<ul>
<li>Bruce Claw Anchor (35 lbs)</li>
<li>HySpeed Manual Anchor Windlass</li>
<li>5/16” G43 Chain (200 ft)</li>
<li>No Rode Line</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/zQxEqjjURcxYqEMX6"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/before-installation.jpg" alt="Before Installation" /></a></p>
<p>Just a few months prior, in September, I successfully anchored without a problem at Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay, but the conditions at Aquatic Park were different.</p>
<p>After I pulled into the anchorage, the wind was Westerly and the current was ebbing out to sea, creating opposing forces that made anchoring feel impossible. I got a good workout trying to raise and lower that manual windlass three times. But the boat was being pushed too much by the wind, such that the bow was facing the opposite direction of the chain (which was being pulled by the current). I wasn’t able to set properly and decided to engage Plan B and head back to home port.</p>
<p>On the way back, I decided I wanted to minimize the possibility of this ever happening again. Time for another project…</p>
<h1 id="refit">Refit</h1>
<h2 id="anchor">Anchor</h2>
<p>An anchor system starts with an anchor. I found myself all-of-a-sudden watching videos of anchor tests for hours at a time. Independent creators make these sorts of decisions so much easier. Boat merchants notably don’t have enough reviews on their products for consumers like me to make informed product choices.</p>
<p>After what I hope was enough research, I decided to put an overbuilt anchor on my overbuilt cruising vessel, a 55 lb <a href="https://www.mantusmarine.com/product/55-lbs-galvanized-steel-mantus-anchor/"><strong>Mantus M1</strong></a>, which is sized as a storm anchor for my 17,500 lb boat.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/u8hBnQwJaUPUo68JA"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/mantus-m1-added-1.jpg" alt="Mantus M1 Added 1" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/W5wytAR1Ky5ifKTP9"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/mantus-m1-added-2.jpg" alt="Mantus M1 Added 2" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/9t23hEwzv7Fyv5TT9"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/foredeck-before.jpg" alt="Foredeck Before" /></a></p>
<p>A couple of problems become obvious right away. First, and most importantly, that roller furler is in the way of the Mantus deploying. Secondly, that windlass isn’t sized to haul up an anchor that heavy. One less-obvious controversy is the overall condition of the foredeck.</p>
<p>It’s not very clear from the photo, but from my boat’s original purchase agreement (from the ’70s), there was teak covering it. Look carefully at the photo above and observe the rust spots from fasteners that weren’t properly removed or sealed.</p>
<p>Because I’m about to do major work up there, now’s the time to do it. ‘Funny how one poor day anchoring starts stacking up to more and more difficult projects (which has a direct correlation to money).</p>
<h2 id="parts">Parts</h2>
<p>I decided to go with a higher-powered windlass than I needed. It seems like a motor that can handle a boat one size larger is the way to go, which is why I chose the <a href="https://www.lewmar.com/node/11622"><strong>Lewmar Windlass H3</strong></a>, 12V along with a few extra creature comforts, such as a handhed remote for the foredeck and a wireless remote for any situation where I need to run around and trigger the windlass.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/GgxzPPXEi2nNJzYj9"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/package-arrivals-1.jpg" alt="Package Arrivals 1" /></a></p>
<p>Having what I consider to be a pretty-looking boat, there were some aesthetics to take into consideration. I liked the look of having the horizontal windlass on the foredeck and decided to go for something sleek and unoffensive to get the same effect.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/cZyGcxTBTWjQNo3fA"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/new-windlass-in-box.jpg" alt="Lewmar H3 In Box" /></a></p>
<p>The old bow roller looks like it was forged in the Ericson furnaces and was made just for this vessel, but it had to go. Check out all of these holes; despite its appearance, I don’t think it was there when the boat was built. There are some photos down below that support this train of thought.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/t8iSWSyunKQbKmCn8"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/remove-old-bow-roller.jpg" alt="Remove Old Bow Roller" /></a></p>
<p>I hired some assistance to help me get this project done. Positioning is informed by alignment, so getting this step wrong has some pretty horrific implications down the line. We planned the whole time to build a plank, effectively extending my LOA so the new bow roller has enough “meat” to grip to be structurally stable.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ECN1284NeVJtWYrY9"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/align-new-bow-roller.jpg" alt="Align New Bow Roller" /></a></p>
<h2 id="mental-health">Mental Health</h2>
<p>During any long, stressful project, it’s important to enjoy the little things. Among all of the other arrivals, a [<code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">self</code>] care package of boiled peanuts.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/y7qyiqaN2v7buJQp8"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/boiled-peanuts-in-box.jpg" alt="Boiled Peanuts In Box" /></a></p>
<h2 id="bow-plank">Bow Plank</h2>
<p>I had some spare 4/4 teak lying around and it just happened to be the perfect size to use to laminate together and make a nearly two-inch-thick monster. The second image below has the two-dimensional template which was derived from the alignment step. There’s a hole in the center of the wood in the fore section to accomodate my forestay.</p>
<p>Although the Ericson 36C is fiberglass, the hull is lapstraked and has the appearance of being wood construction. There’s a heavy compliment of teak railing. Going with this timber theme, I think the bow plank design is both practical and beautiful. By the end of this post, I think you’ll agree.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/1oxSEPWWUeGTUPZc8"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/bow-plank-clamped.jpg" alt="Bow Plank Clamped" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/iXCkfq7EQkRihWSG9"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/bow-plank-template-with-overlay.jpg" alt="Bow Plank Template with Overlay" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/njDR4NtufGGxEvCA7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/bow-plank-unfinished.jpg" alt="Bow Plank Unfinished" /></a></p>
<h2 id="foredeck-proper">Foredeck Proper</h2>
<p>Looking at the “before” photo, it’s horrifying it ever looked like that. It feels really good to have all the old rust spots drilled out and filled with epoxy (and in one spot, plugged with wood and fiberglassed over). The uniform appearance of the renewed foredeck is a huge improvement. After it was all cleaned up, the gel coat was in decent shape.</p>
<p>The first step is a primer, <strong>Interlux Epoxy Primekote</strong>. Using a two-parter that has a chemical exothermic curing process makes me feel better about its long-term potential. It creates a good solid seal against water, which will behave as a first line of defense against any water intrusion.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/MZC1bGkVTdFB67RE8"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/foredeck-primer.jpg" alt="Foredeck Primer" /></a></p>
<p>Next up is the paint, <strong>Interlux Perfection, Snow White</strong>. Another two-parter, this stuff was decently easy to apply. I recommend simply rolling it on instead of using a brush. Perhaps I’m an amateur, but a small bit of fine-grit sanding cleans up any orange peel, no problem.</p>
<p>It was physically painful to look directly at, which is pretty cool. I was snowblind from the paint job.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/R7PkejTrw6AQ8xpT8"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/foredeck-paint.jpg" alt="Foredeck Paint" /></a></p>
<p>Apparently, the seabirds weren’t a fan of the job I did. A sniper struck me right as the last layer dried.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/yVht64NsooCWA5md6"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/bird-poop-on-foredeck-paint.jpg" alt="Bird Poop On Foredeck Paint" /></a></p>
<p>To top everything off, <strong>KiwiGrip</strong> in cream. This final touch really brings the foredeck back to life. It’s so easy to apply, too.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/b1tyMjz1kWVvoTXM7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/kiwigrip-at-night.jpg" alt="KiwiGrip at Night" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/hQceQiXi5Aje5mAr8"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/kiwigrip-in-daylight-1.jpg" alt="KiwiGrip in Daylight 1" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/e7JAEYxGx3LsDYyYA"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/kiwigrip-in-daylight-2.jpg" alt="KiwiGrip in Daylight 2" /></a></p>
<p>Drilling holes in a boat always makes me nervous. Seeing what the foredeck core looks like makes me even moreso.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/UUmuckeWMKCgWPZcA"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/drilling-windlass-wire-hole-1.jpg" alt="Drilling Windlass Wire Hole 1" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ef5f9UA2KpABz9WJ7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/drilling-windlass-wire-hole-2.jpg" alt="Drilling Windlass Wire Hole 2" /></a></p>
<p>After a solid cylinder was extracted, I was delighted to see dry, golden plywood sandwiched between very thick fiberglass.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZG8Mt8Pd3zFzWZ2C6"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/foredeck-core.jpg" alt="Foredeck Core" /></a></p>
<h2 id="dry-fitting">Dry-Fitting</h2>
<p>This is where we hope we did the right thing in the first alignment step.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/yNeUvWwJdmV5GwWf7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/aligning-windlass-1.jpg" alt="Aligning the Windlass 1" /></a></p>
<p>The sight picture is looking good.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Sn2DEQNyojabRF7RA"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/aligning-windlass-2.jpg" alt="Aligning the Windlass 2" /></a></p>
<p>Adding the anchor, you can really start to see where this will end up.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/4A2gTe3aY5DsvLSS9"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/windlass-aligned.jpg" alt="Windlass Aligned" /></a></p>
<h2 id="my-nightmare">My Nightmare</h2>
<p>I have a spacious anchor locker, but as you go further forward, things get tight, fast. This is all the way under where the old bow roller. The new creepy-looking globs are mahogany plugs with some G/Flex epoxy. But what’s worse are these old bolts that aren’t atached to anything. It made through-bolting in this step pretty painful (including the itchiness from the anchor locker).</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/nKCMDUkeHWHY5GaQ8"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/under-foredeck-bolts.jpg" alt="Under Foredeck Bolts" /></a></p>
<h2 id="wiring">Wiring</h2>
<p>I have another boat guy for extensive wiring projects. I had to run a lot of wires through from the battery compartment to the new dedicated AGM battery under the V-berth. I went that route to reduce the high-current wire run and to simultaneously separate the windlass power source from my house bank.</p>
<p>The AGM is charged from my lithium BattleBorn batteries via a <strong>Vicron Orion-Tr Smart Isolation DC to DC Charger</strong>.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/txMvvczQ3Vgf4uyE8"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/windlass-wiring-1.jpg" alt="Windlass Wiring 1" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/VDsRwqN1Acrpsiox7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/windlass-wiring-2.jpg" alt="Windlass Wiring 2" /></a></p>
<p>To start, I only wired in two control mechanisms:</p>
<ul>
<li>A handheld remote</li>
<li>The chain counter (which doesn’t currently count chain as wired)</li>
</ul>
<p>In the work backlog is adding the handheld, tethered controller and a stationary rocker switch.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/rRbNLDMR28wEky8z7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/windlass-operation.jpg" alt="Windlass Operation (video)" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/4ELMH2vqeGniZwrb7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/windlass-remote-mount.jpg" alt="Windlass Remote Mount" /></a></p>
<p>Next up, it’s time to mount the $2000 piece of wood onto the bow. The goal was to “make it look like it grew there.”</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/9NzEPJst7APkRivP9"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/bow-plank-finished.jpg" alt="Bow Plank Finished" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/mcSw91cQk2195jxy7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/bow-plank-mounted.jpg" alt="Bow Plank Mounted" /></a></p>
<p>Putting the anchor onto its final pedestal is a good feeling. It looks strong enough to use as a battering ram to sink any enemy ships that try to plunder me.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/AoT2vyQoNbjCYuMVA"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/anchor-system-complete-1.jpg" alt="Anchor System Complete 1" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/K1gGNFTQBgn3TmN39"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/anchor-system-complete-2.jpg" alt="Anchor System Complete 2" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/wbNnioXC3v7HWEbd7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/anchor-system-complete-3.jpg" alt="Anchor System Complete 3" /></a></p>
<h2 id="scenery">Scenery</h2>
<p>I had to swap out my wind instrument as it had stopped working. While I was up there, I looked down to see this epic scene:</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/NAw5Zcy6RqigjdZa7"><img src="/assets/images/base/top-down-from-mast.jpg" alt="Top-Down From Mast" /></a></p>
<h2 id="testing">Testing</h2>
<p>Single-button operation is a really great feature. I don’t have to run up to the foredeck to lower or raise the anchor. The scenario I imagine is what if my sails are destroyed (or my mast is down) and my engine fails? I don’t want a complicated process to drop the anchor in such an emergency.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/XYVWrZCjGdSuHqMUA"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/anchor-system-complete-4.jpg" alt="Anchor System Complete 4" /></a></p>
<p>The wet look is still in style on SV Outrun. There’s a 316 stainless plate I put down to protect the wood from the Mantus swivel.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/2CjCFeLKMLP8AEuc9"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/bow-plank-steel-plate.jpg" alt="Bow Plank Steel Plate" /></a></p>
<p>After such good results in testing at the dock, of course I had to go for a real trial, so I headed out to Treasure Island to make sure the Mantus had the holding power to let me eat lunch on the hook in peace.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/3UX183zkAqHaRRVi6"><img src="/assets/images/base/outrun-wide.jpg" alt="Outrun Wide" /></a></p>
<p>After dropping the Mantus and plenty of scope, I put some rolling hitches on the chain to make sure I wouldn’t destroy my windlass and foredeck on the first go-around.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/fwvhZG5ZTKn9AJHu9"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/anchoring-in-clipper-cove-1.jpg" alt="Anchoring In Clipper Cove 1" /></a></p>
<p>It was a bit unnerving, having spent a lot of money and time on something I wasn’t <em>absolutely sure</em> would work. But, using a range of my pulpit and some distant trees over about a minute, there was no movement. We were locked into the mud.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/W3y5jTpgN3ALuEws7"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/anchoring-in-clipper-cove-2.jpg" alt="Anchoring In Clipper Cove 2" /></a></p>
<h2 id="lunch">Lunch</h2>
<p>Success! Time for lunch.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/HHfYMnYNLA7eNfcN6"><img src="/assets/images/anchor-windlass-installation/anchoring-in-clipper-cove-3.jpg" alt="anchoring In Clipper Cove 3" /></a></p>Installing a New Electric Anchor SystemMaking Custom Cockpit Cushions2020-08-02T15:20:00+00:002020-08-02T15:20:00+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/cushions/sewing/canvas/sunbrella/2020/08/02/making-custom-cockpit-cushions<h1 id="making-custom-cockpit-cushions">Making Custom Cockpit Cushions</h1>
<h1 id="intro">Intro</h1>
<p>The Ericson 36C’s cockpit is enourmous. It’s also asymmetric. The companionway entrance is offset slightly to starboard and hatches in the seats aren’t quite mirrored. Standard off-the-shelf box cushions just aren’t going to work.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/MNv3rGHXBPZGKAEX7"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/cockpit-layout.jpg" alt="Cockpit Layout" /></a></p>
<h1 id="design">Design</h1>
<p>To make an accurate estimation of materials required, I decided to do a rough sketch:</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/HcTfWH6H9i62LKz69"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/first-sketch.jpg" alt="First Sketch" /></a></p>
<h1 id="supplies">Supplies</h1>
<p>The sketch isn’t quite to scale, but it turns out it takes loads of material to sew these cushions. These six seats required the following supplies from my favorite online retailer, <a href="http://sailrite.com/">Sailrite</a>:</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: center">quantity</th>
<th style="text-align: center">name</th>
<th style="text-align: center">cost</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
<td style="text-align: center">Foam Closed Cell 1-1/2” x 56” x 48”</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$467.40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">4 yards</td>
<td style="text-align: center">Sunbrella Marine Grade 6031-0000 Burgundy 60” Fabric</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$95.80</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">10 yards</td>
<td style="text-align: center">Dura-Skrim Patterning Material 74”</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$29.50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">4 yards</td>
<td style="text-align: center">Cushion Underlining Black 54” Fabric</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$31.80</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">65 feet</td>
<td style="text-align: center">Naugahyde Universal Vinyl Welting / Piping Pure White</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$42.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">Seamstick 1/4” Basting Tape for Sailmaking & Vinyl (50Yds)</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$16.80</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">10</td>
<td style="text-align: center">YKK AquaGuard Reverse Tab Slider #5 Black Non-Locking Pull</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$4.50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">15 feet</td>
<td style="text-align: center">YKK Continuous Zipper Chain #5 Black (Coil Chain)</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$5.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">10</td>
<td style="text-align: center">DOT Twist-Lock Fastener Cloth-to-Cloth SnapRite Button Back Set (Nickel Plated)</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$12.80</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center">30</td>
<td style="text-align: center">SnapRite Fastener Cloth-to-Surface Set 3/8” Stud (Nickel Plated)</td>
<td style="text-align: center">$19.35</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Total: ~$725</strong></p>
<p>Imagine what it would cost to have someone else make them!</p>
<p>I used a <strong>Singer Heavy Duty 4423</strong> with a walking foot to do the sewing.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/HzZHfC4rARTyaCsJ8"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/singer-4423.jpg" alt="Singer 4423" /></a></p>
<h1 id="measuring">Measuring</h1>
<p>I followed <a href="https://www.sailrite.com/How-to-Make-Cockpit-Cushions-Box-Cushions-Video">a Sailrite tuorial on making your own cockpit cushions</a>. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a cockpit with such square sides?</p>
<p>The patterning material (Duraskrim) from the list above is perfect for templating out oddly-shaped box-like structures! Here’s what it looks like to outline and cut out the correct dimensions:</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/2QNmUevTZDdC7BmZ9"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/duraskrim-pattern.jpg" alt="Port Side Pattern" /></a></p>
<p>This part is the easiest, but it’s also the most critical. If you mess up here, everything else that follows will be wrong. I felt some pressure to get this right and I’m glad I took the time to do so.</p>
<h1 id="building">Building</h1>
<p>Now we’re getting to the good part.</p>
<h2 id="cutting-the-sunbrella">Cutting the Sunbrella</h2>
<p>There’s more than one way to skin Sunbrella, but the best way is by using a hotknife. It makes quick (albeit smelly) work of cutting through the fabric, making sure the edges won’t ever fray as they would from even the sharpest of fabric shears.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/CSZBVfkjoE2xYwsEA"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/first-cut-port.jpg" alt="First Cut Port" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/d9jBQQMpb8u8RZ8n6"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/first-cut-port-fore.jpg" alt="First Cut Port Fore" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/gd73ceuUvGHRZfXD8"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/cut-strips.jpg" alt="Cut Strips" /></a></p>
<h2 id="sewing-on-the-piping">Sewing On the Piping</h2>
<p>The Singer I used made quick and easy work of this part. The walking foot was essential to make sure the material would be fed correctly.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/xcHL9ypCVrZfbgh79"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/center-piping.jpg" alt="Center Piping" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/tR2qT9aD2WYqx2nV7"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/aft-piping.jpg" alt="Aft Piping" /></a></p>
<h2 id="sewing-the-side-strips-on">Sewing the Side Strips On</h2>
<p>I made sure to put the zipper pulls on the side that would be against the hull, so they wouldn’t be visible. Sewing these on was quite a bit tougher than the first pass on the piping. I ended up breaking a ton of needles on this step. The toughest part was the thickest portion of the zipper pull where the material was six layers deep. I actually messed up and made them too short, having to add extensions on the later.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/iBhKLkuUwFsQZKTs7"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/zipper-pull-strip.jpg" alt="Zipper Pull Side Strip" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/BzAbz4uRHJYe4DHg9"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/side-strips.jpg" alt="Side Strips Unsewn" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/BiRQ4bHUsWYtyRun9"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/side-strips-sewn.jpg" alt="Side Strips Sewn On" /></a></p>
<h2 id="sewing-on-the-underliner">Sewing on the Underliner</h2>
<p>This step didn’t break as many needles. It’s sewing through the same number of layers, minus the piping, and the underliner isn’t as tough of a material to puncture through.</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/PcSib3FwNyHXD7vM7"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/completed-cushion-1.jpg" alt="Completed Cushion 1" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/nMzEz9UHYp1X6qDNA"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/completed-cushion-2.jpg" alt="Completed Cushion 2" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z9NWdLh9w3BnwsGk6"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/completed-cushion-corner.jpg" alt="Completed Cushion Corner" /></a></p>
<h2 id="finished-cushions">Finished Cushions</h2>
<p>I’m very proud of how they turned out. It really adds to a bare cockpit with old, deteriorating gel coat (a project for another day). I didn’t get any pictures of cutting the foam, but that step was trivial. I used the exact template of the original Duraskrim pattern, slicing with an electric kitchen knife. That made the foam fit extremely (seriously) tight. It was a two-person job, forcing the closed-cell mat in, but it really makes the cushions pop!</p>
<p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/qqgvAKzaVcp3zqWx6"><img src="/assets/images/cockpit-cushions/completed-port.jpg" alt="Completed Port" /></a></p>
<h1 id="retrospective">Retrospective</h1>
<p>This whole construction process took me a week, where I was on paid-time-off from work in isolation during the early days of COVID-19. It was big effort, but everyone that sees them compliments on how well they turned out, and I’d have to agree. The cushions pictured directly above weren’t properly rotated in the photos, but I promise they fit just fine.</p>
<p>They also double as flotation devices. Closed-cell foam is buouyant, firm, and you can never have too many emergency life rafts, and making them look good makes that much sweeter.</p>
<p>Please ignore the clutter in the photos. <a href="/about/">OutRun</a> is only 36-feet long and I have many projects always happening concurrently.</p>Making Custom Cockpit CushionsSetting Up A Signal K Server with a USB Gateway2020-08-02T03:30:00+00:002020-08-02T03:30:00+00:00https://blog.runninginthenight.com/signalk/nmea2000/2020/08/02/signal-k-server-setup-usb-gateway<h1 id="setting-up-a-signal-k-server-with-a-usb-gateway">Setting Up a Signal K Server with a USB Gateway</h1>
<h1 id="preface">Preface</h1>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEA_2000">NMEA 2000</a> is a useful protocol.</p>
<p>The ability to bridge multiple, diverse, arbitrary sensors from multiple manufacturers gives hacker-types like me ideas for building out applications based on data that may be available.</p>
<p>The only problem is the data provided by NMEA 2000 isn’t quite accessible from the start. “Messages” sent from the network come across through a protocol known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN_bus">CAN Bus</a>. You need an interface to translate into something that’s usable.</p>
<h1 id="options">Options</h1>
<p>There are a number of all-in-one options to handle these sorts of translations. The <a href="https://ikommunicate.com/">iKommunicate</a> creates a webserver accessible from any device with a local network colnnection. At $300 (at the time of writing), that’s a bit expensive for something that is merely a middle-man. The real draw is convenience — attach the iKommunicate to the network’s backbone via a drop cable, plug in your device (computer) to the supplied ethernet port and you’re off to the races, ready to use JSON data via the open source <a href="https://signalk.org/">Signal K</a> protocol.</p>
<p>Introducing alternative gateways to achieve the same result. Both of these devices are around $190 (at the time of writing) and convert the NMEA 2000 drop cable connection to a USB plug for a computer:</p>
<h2 id="digital-yacht-ikonvert"><a href="https://digitalyachtamerica.com/product/ikonvert/">Digital Yacht iKonvert</a></h2>
<p>I previously tried the Digital Yacht version. I had an excellent experience with their customer service staff, but in the end, the iKonvert wasn’t able to provide me with data.</p>
<h2 id="yacht-devices-ydnu-02"><a href="https://www.yachtd.com/products/usb_gateway.html">Yacht Devices YDNU-02</a></h2>
<p>I decided to go with the YDNU-02. I didn’t realize when I purchased it that it ships from Russia and would be caught up in customs for nearly two months. But, now that I have it, I’ll explain how I got it running.</p>
<h1 id="setup">Setup</h1>
<p>I performed these on Linux, but a translation to MacOS or Windows wouldn’t be hard to find.</p>
<h2 id="current-network">Current Network</h2>
<ul>
<li>B&G Wireless Wind Instrument</li>
<li>Garmin Steadycast Heading Sensor</li>
<li>Raymarine AXIOM 7 DV Multifunction Display (GPS)</li>
<li>Standard Horizon GX6000 (AIS Receiver)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="gateway-preparation">Gateway Preparation</h2>
<p>The YDNU-02, as shipped from Yacht Devices does not arrive in a configuration that is compatible with Signal K. The mode will need to be changed to <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">RAW</code>. This is the biggest hurdle I ran into to get this process going.</p>
<p>See <a href="https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server-node/issues/1090#issuecomment-667598345">this Issue on GitHub</a> to learn how to perform this step.</p>
<h2 id="signal-k-server">Signal K Server</h2>
<p>The following instructions require an installation of <a href="https://nodejs.org/en/">Node JS</a>.</p>
<p>I decided to <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">clone</code> the source code from the <a href="https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server-node/tree/c1ddf33da76da8ce4f4b442dd7f19c45ff3f8ffd">Signal K Node Server Repository</a> (c1ddf33da76da8ce4f4b442dd7f19c45ff3f8ffd was the latest commit when I did this):</p>
<div class="language-shell highlighter-rouge"><div class="highlight"><pre class="highlight"><code><span class="nv">$ </span>git clone https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server-node.git
<span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">cd </span>signalk-server-node
</code></pre></div></div>
<p>When cloning from source, the repository’s directions are a bit vague. Here are the steps I performed:</p>
<div class="language-shell highlighter-rouge"><div class="highlight"><pre class="highlight"><code><span class="nv">$ </span>npm <span class="nb">install</span> <span class="nt">--unsafe-perm</span>
<span class="nv">$ </span>npm run build
<span class="nv">$ </span>npm <span class="nb">install </span>serialport <span class="nt">--unsafe-perm</span> <span class="c"># very important</span>
<span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">cd </span>bin
<span class="nv">$ </span>./signalk-server-setup
</code></pre></div></div>
<p>After performing that step, I chose the <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">~/.signalk</code> directory for my project settings to live. To launch <code class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">signalk-server</code>:</p>
<div class="language-shell highlighter-rouge"><div class="highlight"><pre class="highlight"><code><span class="nv">$ </span><span class="nb">cd</span> ~/.signalk
<span class="nv">$ </span>./signalk-server
</code></pre></div></div>
<p>You can then launch the dashboard at <a href="http://localhost:3000">http://localhost:3000</a>.</p>
<h3 id="dashboard-setup">Dashboard Setup</h3>
<p>Click the “Login” button in the upper-right to create an admin user. Immediately after doing so, log in as that admin user. You’ll now see more options in the left navigation bar. Select the option shown in the following screenshot:</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/signalk-setup/server-connection-location.png" alt="Server Connection Location" /></p>
<p>After you’re on that page, make sure your configuration resembles the following:</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/signalk-setup/server-connection-configuration.png" alt="Server Connection Location" /></p>
<p>Click “Apply,” then restart the server.</p>
<h3 id="data">Data</h3>
<p>All of a sudden, I get beautiful data from <a href="https://localhost:3000/signalk/v1/api/">https://localhost:3000/signalk/v1/api/</a>:</p>
<div class="language-json highlighter-rouge"><div class="highlight"><pre class="highlight"><code><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"vessels"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"urn:mrn:signalk:uuid:2819432c-ed0a-4a9f-a2cd-47c4412d72f0"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"uuid"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"urn:mrn:signalk:uuid:2819432c-ed0a-4a9f-a2cd-47c4412d72f0"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"navigation"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"headingMagnetic"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"units"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"rad"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"Current magnetic heading of the vessel, equals 'headingCompass adjusted for magneticDeviation'"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mf">1.0301</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.0"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.607Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">127250</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"magneticDeviation"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"units"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"rad"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"Magnetic deviation of the compass at the current headingCompass"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">0</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.0"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.607Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">127250</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"position"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"The position of the vessel in 2 or 3 dimensions (WGS84 datum)"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"longitude"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mf">-122.3156456</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"latitude"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mf">37.8665382</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.3"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.674Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">129025</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"magneticVariation"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"units"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"rad"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"The magnetic variation (declination) at the current position that must be added to the magnetic heading to derive the true heading. Easterly variations are positive and Westerly variations are negative (in Radians)."</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mf">0.2313</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.3"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.086Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">127258</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"speedOverGround"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"units"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"m/s"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"Vessel speed over ground. If converting from AIS 'HIGH' value, set to 102.2 (Ais max value) and add warning in notifications"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">0</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.3"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.558Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">129026</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"courseOverGroundTrue"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"units"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"rad"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"Course over ground (true)"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mf">3.6615</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.3"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.558Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">129026</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"datetime"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"Time and Date from the GNSS Positioning System"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.17700Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.3"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.360Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">126992</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="err">...</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"trip"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"log"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"units"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"m"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"Total distance traveled on this trip / since trip reset"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">0</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.3"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.673Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">128275</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">}</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"log"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"units"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"m"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"Total distance traveled"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">0</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.3"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.673Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">128275</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">}</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"environment"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"wind"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"speedApparent"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"units"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"m/s"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"Apparent wind speed"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mf">3.52</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.1"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.642Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">130306</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"angleApparent"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"meta"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="p">{</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"units"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"rad"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"description"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"Apparent wind angle, negative to port"</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"value"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mf">3.0193</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"$source"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"usb-gateway.1"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"timestamp"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="s2">"2020-08-02T00:40:46.642Z"</span><span class="p">,</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="nl">"pgn"</span><span class="p">:</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="mi">130306</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">}</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">}</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">}</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">}</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">},</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="err">...</span><span class="w">
</span><span class="p">}</span><span class="w">
</span></code></pre></div></div>
<p>You’re now ready to make whatever you’d like with this data. Stay tuned to see what I have planned for it.</p>Setting Up a Signal K Server with a USB Gateway