Macgregor Venture 17

A Blast

2006-10-18T10:05:00.000-04:00

Either this nautical stuff is just in my blood or I am too stupid to know any better!

Day Three - Rock Hall to Flag Harbor

2006-10-16T20:36:00.000-04:00

Whoa what a day! Started at sunrise heading south. It was absolutely gorgeous! I was out amongst the crab boats and the early arrivals of container ships, tugs, and tankers.

The marina in Rock Hall faced the bay bridge and the first couple of hours of the trip where spent closing on the bridge and gaping in awe as I went under it. Oh...didn't get under it before I had my very first encounter with a MASSIVE container ship. It went very smoothly but seeing that thing up close and manuevuering with it left me a little drop jawed. But what a cool experience. I will always give those babies a wide berth.

Not far after passing under the bridge, I spotted a tall ship, under sail, heading north up the bay. I headed straight for it and got some really cool hot of the ship as we passed. I could totally see myself plying the seas on one of those!

The wind picked up when I hit North Beach, MD, so the last two hours were a bit rough, but confidence in one's craft makes a huge difference. This boat rolls in the chop, but you never feel fearful that its going to capsize. Unlike traveling in the V17 where you felt like an bobbing apple at a kinderrgarten halloween party.

I cooked in the boat for the first time tonight. Gourmet mac and cheese. Oh yeah, that was special, but it was camp food. Will try something more ambitious when I get the boat more organized.

'night!

Oh...BTW...please forgive my typos and such. I am blogging from my Palm...

Day Two - Continued

2006-10-15T21:02:00.000-04:00

I am laying here in the settee, looking up through hatch at the perfectly clear sky. The stars are so bright out here. All I can hear is the sound of the water lapping against the hull. Jo really should be here!!

Day Two - HDG to Rock Hall MD

2006-10-15T20:45:00.000-04:00

Its was the first day, for me at least, with the boat moving. I was under power all day as the wind was blowing from the due south and, naturally, I was traveling due south. I guess I could have tacked my way down here but I really wanted to make some time.

And time I made... turns out the beast will do 7.5 mph on glassy water and did a respectable 6mph with a pretty strong head wind. All this with a little 6hp motor. I am impressed...

I am having the time of my life. I don't think that I have ever done anything that felt so good and so damn inherent before. In a former life, perhaps I was a pirate. Muuuwwaaahhhaaaaa

Also turns out that my bargain basement boat includes a working autopilot. I took advantage of that all day. What a difference that makes!!!

Having a blast. Tomorrow I hope to get the sails run up! We'll see!

Day One - Havre de Grace

2006-10-14T21:39:00.000-04:00

I had originally hope, albeit secretly, that everything was going to go so smoothly with the whole boat transition thing. Alas, not so much. Upon arrival, I had to start the motor and get it going. Since nothing so worthwhile is ever easy, I proceded to spend my day getting the motor started. Although I am soooo not mechanic, I amazed myself with my seemingly instictive knowledge of the four stroke outboard motor. Like Costanza practicing celebecy, I deftly negitiated the guts of my new motor and BAM, it started!

I then set upon getting the cabin cleaned (and disinfected) so that I could sleep devoid of filth. That worked out well but took me the remainder of the daylight hours that I had left.

A few things left to do in the chilly morning hours then tomorrow its off to 'sea'.

I have to say Havre de Grace is a charming little town with very friendly and helpful people. Jo would love it here as there are quaint little shops all over the place here!

Where Man Has Gone Before...

2006-10-13T17:38:00.000-04:00

OK...where a lot of men (and women) have gone before.

The reason for this is that I am about to embark on a solo traversal of the Chesapeake Bay - From Havre de Grace, MD down to and up the Potomac to Colonial Beach, VA. I will be blogging about the trip and some of you will be getting regular emails when I post to the blog. I wanted to keep a log for the trip and also to allow you to trace my progress. Partially because I think it will be cool to have and partly to let the "OMG are you kidding me!?!?!" folks from losing sleep about me and my safety during this passage.

So, I guess I will be writing soon! Tomorrow in fact!

Macgregor 26D or 26S wanted

2006-09-20T09:19:00.000-04:00

Looks like the time for this upgrade is rapidly approaching. I have been in business for myself for the last 5 plus years. I am closing the business, and getting a job. Yep a job. I am going to be one of those working stiff sardine's jammed on the Metro every morning. My reward - a new, but used, boat.

After extensive research, conversations with boat owners and more extensive research, I have decided on a Magregor 26D or 26S. For some reason, I am having a hell of a time finding either of these boats for sale within about 300 miles from DC. So, if you have a boat that you want to sell, please contact me!

I am looking for a boat that is structurally sound with sails and standing rigging in good shape. I will probably replace the running rigging anyway. A little TLC is not a problem, however I would like to avoid needing to make major repairs. Also I would hope that there is some life on the trailer tires, at least enough to pass inspection. No roller furling headsail? No problem! No outboard? No problem! I have a wish list of items that would be nice, but are not neccessary for this transaction to take place:

-Bimini
-Mast raising rig
-Bearing Buddies
-Ida sailor rudder upgrade
-Lines rigged aft

Please don't hesitate to email me if you are even THINKING about selling your 26D or 26S!!!

"We'll we're movin' on up"

2006-08-29T12:40:00.000-04:00

Well its only been a season and I think its time to move up. I know, I know.

"How can you succumb to 2-foot-itis in a season?"

I am weak, I admit it. As it turns out, I love my little V17. Its a great little boat. Operative word being "little". But my experiences this past season have led me to conclude that a bigger boat is going to be necessary.

I come from a very German, specifically Pennsylvania Dutch background and was raised in the Lutheran church to boot. Suffering and making due are not just things that occur in life for these two cultures, they ARE life. Well friends, the time has come to bust-forth-with and transcend the barriers of my ancestors. To rise from the bonds of martyrdom, self-sacrifice and a small boat. To boldly buy what no family member has bought before! {Cue theme music}

A Macgregor 26D

Below are the reasons that I have come to this conclusion. Please feel free to interject commentary below and tell me why, perhaps, this is a good or bad idea.

Love cruising, not just daysailing.
I am 6'4" (what the hell was I thinking in the first place?)
Want to be able to at least sit up straight in my boat. Don't need to play basketball in it nor even stand straight up, just at least be able to sit up with some level of comfort.
Would like for me and my passengers to be able to use the port-a-potti without having to attend regular yoga classes. (Please don't write back about how I just dissed yoga)
Would like a place to sleep that allows me to actually roll over if need be.
Would like a boat that feels a little less cork-like in the water.
Would like to NOT feel like a clay pigeon at a skeet range when out amongst other boats, particularly when out among other boats of the power variety with captains of the drunk persuasion.
Would like a boat large enough for a Bimini while sailing. Sun is nice but some days I swear that I am descended from Daedalus.
Really want my passengers to ENJOY themselves.

Now for the reasons I am looking at the 26D.

Really really really like the queen aft berth
Really like the pop-top
Like that its trailerable
Like that its affordable
Like the way the boat looks
Have read good things about the water ballast
Trust Macgregor after my first Macgregor experience

So...after all that, anyone have any thoughts on this or am I just a crazy man? Know anyone near DC selling? They seem to be hard to come by...

Thanks!

Rick

VIDEO - More footage from the Canada trip

2006-08-19T10:42:00.000-04:00

I took off the auto play feature to cut down on unwanted noise.

Just hit play to...well...play it...

A Shout Out to West Marine

2006-08-15T09:13:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to take a minute to thank the people at West Marine for helping to drain my wallet and reinforce the elitist ideals of boating to both the boating and non-boating population. Where else could I go to pay such a premium for products that everyone knows would be 1/3 the price if they were not designed for boating? Where else could I go to get the least knowlegeable service possible (there are, of course, exceptions) and have the opportunity to figure out what I need through trial and error instead of via assistance from knowlegable service professionals versed in the needs of the marine customer?

I would be remiss if I didn't also give a big holler of appreciation to West Marine for buying out the vast majority of their competition to ensure that only at West Marine will I get to pay for things at the monumentally over-inflated margins that I have come to know and love about having to buy things for my boat.

Yes West Marine, congratulations. Your celebration of what American business has a right to do without regard for what American business should do epitimizes all that is capitalism. Great job!

VIDEO - Couple of Day's Cruising on the Rideau Canal

2006-08-08T16:09:00.000-04:00

The video log version! Give the video a few minutes to download before giving up. Its a little bigger than I had expected...

"A Three Hour Tour, A Three Hour Tour..."

2006-07-11T08:26:00.000-04:00

Ah...sea trials. At least that is what I have chosen to call the first several voyages of my newly acquired V17. "Excursion" was an option but the word implies a dull sort of trip one might take via an institution owned bus from said institution with a bunch of institutional-ees. Our trips are certainly not dull. "Cruise" might have been the word except that it implies a blissful embarkation on a grandiose vessel with crew lavishing luxuries upon all who travel within her.

No, I am sticking with "sea trials". I am defining "sea trials" as the period of time during which my experience of boating for 30 some odd years on boats owned, maintained and paid for by SOMEONE ELSE and my experience on boats owned maintained and paid for by MY OWN MEANS merge into the complete boating experience.

And so it goes - Sea Trials - Day 2

It was not a dark and stormy night. The sun was out, the air warm and humid and the wind was a mild 8-10 knots out of the South East. An apparently great day was in store for us! Nothing too challenging in the weather department but enough of our chosen propulsion method to move us along to our destination.

Our destination - Occoquan Village, Virginia where a beautiful lunch (and maybe some ice cream) were to be had along with a lazy walk, eyeing the wares in the quaint shop windows. I had reviewed the charts, checked the depths in the area that we would be sailing in and determined that we would put in at Leesylvania State Park, a stones throw from our destination but allowing me plenty of room to do some sailing in a non-linear fashion. A good time for me (sailing) and a good time for the crew (shopping). The perfect cruise...uh...I mean sea trial...

Upon gathering the crew and setting out for the day, I learned that an acquaintance had, upon learning of our plans, alerted one of the crew to a "better spot" to put in that was in the vicinity of our destination but closer to our point of origin. I was most eager to get out of the car and onto the water so "great", I said. And off we went.

The new put in location (Pohick Bay Regional Park) was very nice. Not crowded, nice ramp and a serene setting from which to embark. We had hit the jack-pot! I instructed the crew to relax while I rigged the boat. I wanted to see if, and how long, it would take to prepare the boat for sailing by myself. I was sure I could do it in 30-40 minutes as I had now rigged this boat once before and made the experience a nearly tool free endeavor with the purchase of some additional hardware which I had installed the week previous. And sure enough, 2 hours later, we were indeed underway! No bother, I thought. One small set back that will get better with time and experience.

The first 2 hours of the trip were indeed blissful. Fantastic weather, a slow but steady and forgiving wind, calm water and beautiful scenery on this part of the Potomac. The dog, in her lifejacket, feet on the gunwales, trying to catch the wake of the boat in her mouth and, much to our viewing pleasure, almost falling overboard many times. I had an opportunity to further explore the handling characteristics of my new craft and thoroughly enjoyed the sailing and the time to talk with loved ones. We had been tacking frequently for some distance and I was looking forward to making a port tack which was going to point us in the direction of a nice long stretch of open water. As we approached a bend in the river and prepared to make that port tack, we started noticing a lot of small bits of driftwood floating in the river in our path. It was, afterall the weekend immediately following the massive flooding that our area had experienced following the torrential record setting rainfall of June 2006. It was expected that there would be some flotsam in the water and we all marveled at the power of the storms to deposit so much land based material into the river. No bother, a careful eye and a few turns of the rudder and we avoided the obstacles in our path.

Onward we went, continuing to tack toward our destination but now with long runs on the much larger expanse of the river that we had entered. The wind had increased, in short bursts, and we were moving along at a good clip at times and at other times slowly but steadily. We headed toward Occoquan bay and noted to the crew that it lay just beyond "that large choke point dead ahead". Yes, blissfully onward we went.

Choke points, it turns out, not only funnel the wind through the landmass on either side in a gusty, somewhat unpredictable manner, they also funnel flotsam, such as entire trees, down river. Bobbing, dodging and weaving between the waterborne forrest, we pressed on, stress level rising, but determined to make our destination! It soon became VERY apparent that I had exceeded my comfort level for sailing and bobbing within the naturally created obstacle course, and I announced that I was going to lower the sails and power out of our little wooded minefield. I would be more deftly able to maneuver the boat around the obstacles under power, so we did.

We rounded the edge of the landmass to starboard and motored down the channel toward Belmont Bay. We had, by now, cleared the debris field and entered much calmer water. Small sandy cliffs to the starboard and other boats of all types to port dominated the waterscape. I counted at least 4 large-ish sailboats plying the bay enjoying the windspeed that the choke point seemed to create. Then out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a large (35+) powered cabin cruiser bearing down on us from directly aft. I mean it was coming right at us and was currently about 500 yards to our stern and closing fast. It felt as if we were unseen and then I realized that we were in a slightly narrow channel and that he would most likely veer to port to pass us on our left as we were hugging the right side of the channel, trying to stay out of the way of faster traffic. I flashed quickly to the boater's class and remembered the responsibilities of the give way craft in a passing situation. Unfortunately, it seemed, that the captain of this craft had cheated on his required exam. He continued his bearing directly at us, only veering to our starboard at about 50 yards and passing us, at full throttle, about 25 yards off our starboard, narrowly missing the channel marker on his starboard side.

I was soon to learn the depth of the water phobia of one of the crew (Auntie Em). I had known that she was uncomfortable with being on the water, but I took her enthusiasm to go to be a sign that her fear was a lesser one, the boundaries of which were wide. Another misread sign on my part. We are in a 17 foot boat. The laws of physics state that a 35 foot plus power boat, traveling at full throttle is going to displace a lot of water with a substantial force and create a relatively sizable wake. I did not need to understand the laws of physics, I could see the wake that the boat was throwing and knew that it was going to be a big one. My little 17 footer has about 1.5 feet of freeboard around the cockpit and having never taken such a wave broadside before, I was concerned about being overturned when it hit us. As soon as possible, I swung the motor to turn the boat to starboard to take the wake head on. The little craft rode up the first wave pitching to what felt like a 45 degree, bow-up, angle and crashed with a slap into the trough between the first and second waves. She handled it with no problem, as I anticipated.

With the power boat's engine noise still ringing in my ears and the boat finally settled and back on course, I glanced over to see Auntie Em, clutching both her PFD and the boat. She was horrified, shaking and white knuckling the companionway opening for dear life. I felt bad but there was nothing to be done. We repeated variations on the above sequence of events a dozen or so times in our attempt to navigate the channel to Occoquan Village. I think that for Auntie's next trip, I might want to consider a portable, battery powered defibrilator. What she experienced was abject terror and I would not wish such an experience on ANYONE!!

With the channel behind us and being well within the "no wake" zone, we started to relax and anticipate a less dramatic continuation of our afternoon. Lunch and ice cream was in sight! We had finally made it and could see several marinas filled with boats. I pictured the crews of those boats laughing and drinking a cold drink and eating sandwiches at the weathered and worn bars of the marina restaurants.

With the village in sight, someone (I can't remember who) noticed that it was already 5PM. I was astounded! With food and leisure within our grasp, we were going to have to forego such pleasantries and return for fear of being left out on the water in the dark, another of Auntie's phobias and apparently a greater one than that induced by the wakes of the reckless and discourteous boaters we met inbound in the channel. And so, we turned around to repeat each step of the journey, and each excrutiating experience along the way, in reverse. At least we had the wind at our backs now and experience had told me that a several hour distance traveled into the wind could be traversed on our return trip in a fraction of the time if wind did not change direction.

We made it past the rude power boaters, negotiated the debris field without incident and were headed, under sail, home when all of the sudden a calm filled the air. The wind had begun to die for the evening and there we were, miles from the ramp, the car and the trailer. With darkness setting in and with no desire to put Auntie through any further phobia trauma, I decided to power us the remainder of the way.

On that particular day, the wind was strong enough and the distance short enough that I felt quite comfortable carrying my full 3 gallon fuel tank to power our reserve motor. Why would I need anything else? We would at least sail one way and I knew that we had enough capacity to motor at least one way should we need to. As it turns out, we motored most of the distance that day and with several miles still to go, the motor sputtered to a stop. I knew immediately what the problem was but was not sure whether we were out of gas or if the can just needed to be tilted to allow fuel to get to the plumbing that directed it to the motor. We were quite in the middle of a broad expanse of river when I discovered that I could not get the motor restarted. I pumped the priming bulb furiously and, in the process flooded the motor. On one of my attempts to start the motor using the pull chord, I gashed a knuckle on the stern running light. At first it seemed no big deal, then I caught a glimpse of the water that had been gathering in the cockpit and it was red. There was blood splattered all over the pull chord of the motor as well as on the motor casing itself. Pretty much a gory mess but it really didn't hurt that much and was not that big of a wound. It was just in the right place to bleed like a stuck pig. I had to stop my attempts to start the motor and, at the crews insistence, tend to the bloody stump of a middle finger.

After the bleeding had been stopped using an "WetOne" wipe with some sort of stinging solvent in it, I returned to attempting to start the motor. To my surprise, it started on the second tug. Off we went but it was becoming obvious that we were not going to make the ramp. I was not even certain that we would make the shoreline, but toward the shoreline I went. The small remnants of fuel slowly burning away but moving us closer to some hope of rescue. I instructed the crew to start looking for people who might be hanging out on one of the plethora of docks that lined the near shore, the Virginia side of the Potomac River. I knew that if the need become dire, we could call for gas, but that was going to mean a blow to my already bruised ego, several hours of waiting on the water at night with a water phobic Auntie Em and I was going to do whatever it took to avoid putting her through such an experience, not to mention my wallet.

"Over there! There are some people sitting at a table on that dock over there!"

I motored toward their dock. It must have been obvious that we needed help because as we approached, a weathered older man directed us to "come on in!"

We did, explained our plight, and through the din of laughter from the young men sitting at the table drinking beer and eating peanuts in the shell, found out that we were to be aided by a generous Samaritan who had gas, but no oil for our 2 stroke motor. Luckily, we had 8 ounces of oil left in a quart bottle that I had loaded onboard just for such an occasion. We paid him $20 for his gas and his trouble, a fee that he was very reluctant to take, but it seemed like a cheap solution to what was evolving to be a major problem. He asked us if we were trying to get back to Pohick and we told him that we were indeed. He pointed to a bend in the river and told us that we had to get around it and one more and we would be home. "Not far," he said.

Thanks to the generosity of strangers, we were on our way. We rounded the two points with the sun going down on us. It was, perhaps, one the nicer sunsets that I have had the privilege of experiencing. We were able to let go, for a time, of the stresses of the day and finally relax during the final leg of our trip, confident in our full tank of gas and our direction home. For me, it was a trying day, wrought with some embarrassments, but one that left me confident in my small craft and increased my level of confidence to handle the unexpected and perhaps even foolishly unforeseen incidents that are bound to arise.

Of course trailering and de-rigging the boat in the dark was a challenge and there was the little incident of me not having put the caps on the water tank or the holding tank of the porti-potti before we set out that day (and yes it did get used) and not realizing until we parked the boat in the driveway. But those are other stories for another time.

Happy sailing!

Inflatable PFD's

2006-06-28T08:31:00.000-04:00

Right, so I am a little obsessed with my new boat. I got up extra early this morning to do a little research on the various message boards so that I can work on my boat tonight. Among other things I was researching clam cleats. Nevermind...long story.

Ran across several threads on the MacGregor/Venture Discussion board about capsizing and MOB incidents. Thankfully, there were also threads about PFD's. Now I am probably the first guy in a line of sailors who doesn't break out the PFDs until there appears to be a need. But...with the onset of man-o-pause right around the corner, I find myself more and more inclined to having things like a charged hand-held VHF and a submersible GPS close at hand at all times.

I have a little boat (v17) and I got a little boat because it is very easy to single-handedly trailer, rig and sail. That said, reading the boards this morning struck enough of my fear chords that the purchase of an auto inflating PFD is now on top my list of purchases. Especially for the single-handed days.

My question for you all is what to look for in such a device. I am not able to identify significant differences between the $350 West Marine models and the $80 model from Cabela's.

Thanks,

Rick

Riveting Things to One's Mast - Topping Lift

2006-06-27T11:38:00.000-04:00

I am going to install a topping lift to my V17 and I have decided on an arrangment that requires a block to be added to the top of the mast and an additional cleat added to the bottom of the mast.

I am pretty handy but I am no metal worker. Hence, I am a bit intimidated by the prospect of drilling holes in my mast and riveting stuff to it. I wanted to run the plan by you all and see if you thought it was sound and also see if you had any advice.

I will a rivet a eyestrap to the port side of the top of the mast. A swivel block will be attached to the eyestrap. I was thinking I would use a clam cleat with a becket at the bottom of the mast to secure the toppoing lift. I would use the eyestrap that is already at the aft end of the boom to secure the business end of the lift. I was going to use some sort of shackle but am thinking that an inexpensive carabiner or quick link would do the job just as well.

Any help?

Thanks,

Rick

Thanks to everyone who has emailed solutions and advice!

2006-06-26T18:23:00.000-04:00

This blog is only 2 days old and I have only been on the message boards for about a week and I am just blown away by all the help and advice I have gotten!

Big thanks to Glenn Doney, Alan Donaldson, Mark Stobers, David Fant, Rusty Nelson, and all of the other folks who have come to my aid!

Post Maiden Voyage Analysis and Mods Needed

2006-06-26T10:55:00.000-04:00

Well the first day on the boat is over and its time to assess the boat and crew. I am making a list of things that MUST be done/acquired before setting off again. This is a small boat and is easy to handle but I will be going out on my own a fair amount and I think a few "simple" modifications will make the sailing more fun and easier.

Please forgive me if my sailboat lexicon is not yet ready for prime time!

Topping Lift - The boat has nothing of the sort. The previous owner had secured a line with bowline to the hardware that attaches the main halyard block to the mast. No bueno. The line was too short to begin with and was a mighty PITA to get secured. The only way to secure the boom was AFTER lowering the mainsail. Again...no bueno.

My plan for fixing this came from Mark's 1971 Venture 17 Restoration page, and I am going to give that a shot. I have never riveted before so I am a little intimidated by the process of drilling holes in my mast, but after reviewing the tools and process of this, I think I can pull off the mod.

His system consists of a block at the top of the mast, a line with a shackle that attached to the aft end of the boom and a line that runs through the block and is (I assume) cleated to the mast. This means that I need to attach a new cleat to the mast as well, unless anyone has a better idea.

Foresail downhaul - One day of standing on the rocking deck of a 17 foot boat trying to gather a flailing jib was enough. I don't foresee it being a terribly long time before such activities lead to a swim, followed by a panicked scramble to get back aboard, particularly if I am alone.

My plan for this is to attach a small block with a shackle to the same bits of hardware to which I affix the jib tack. Run a line with a shackle through the block and up to the eyelet where the jib halyard attaches. From the block aft, I plan to run the downhaul through some sort of lead attached to the outside of the aft pulpit support, through another lead on the outside of the starboard shroud doohicky, and secure the downhaul on the aft starboard cleat for now.

I have read about some sort of sail bag system that acually secures the jib after downhauling and keeps it out of the water but I have not seen any sort of description of how that works. For now, it will just have to be gathered at the front of the deck and I will have to hope for the best. Not sure what else to do.

New Prop - When I first bought the boat I had check both forward and reverse gears and they all worked. Then when I got the boat out, I found that I did not, indeed, have reverse. After very gracious help and advice from both Glenn Doney and Alan Donaldson from the SailNet Board, I am going to try a new prop. Apparently, that makes a HUGE difference. Can't really aford to do all these mods right away, though, so the prop might have to wait a month.

Any advice is most welcome!

Thanks,

Rick

Maiden Voyage

2006-06-25T12:31:00.000-04:00

The first voyage is finally complete!!

Took off from Gravelly Point right next to the runway at National Airport. The ramp is pretty deep and I did not feel like doing the "lower the trailer with the strap" thing that I mentioned in the day 2 experience.

Rigging the boat for the first time was a bit frustrating but it turned out to be pretty easy and I learned a ton. Next time will be much easier now that I have a better idea of what needs to be done and how to do it.

The first thing I learned after getting the boat in the water and being caught in a stiff breeze at the dock was that reverse on my motor does not actually work. This realization was followed by a less than relaxing few moments as the boat drifted away from the dock and toward the amazingly non skid surface of the ramp. The non-skid surface was really appealing as I backed the trailer down the ramp but as my boat drifted toward it rapidly and the fiberglass hull became increasingly in danger of being dashed against it, the non-skid ramp began to loose its appeal.

No the boat did not end up dashed against the ramp. I lept from the boat and managed to single handedly stave off disaster while navel deep in the murkey waters of the potomac. That little incident will not, however, be repeated since I now know that, for the short-term at least, I have no reverse to count on.

Despite a shaky start to the trip, the sailing knowlege came right back to me and we had a great time on the river. The boat handles well and is VERY easy to sail. Several key lessons where gleaned that day:

ALWAYS do a complete survey of the charts for whatever area you plan to sail in so as not to drag your swing keel on the bottom every 3 minutes.
Dragging your keel on the bottom makes a horrific sound the first time you hear it.
NEVER leave the dock without applying sunscreen, liberally, to all of your exposed skin.
Sunburn really F$%&ing hurts!
Have your porta-potti set up BEFORE you need it, educate your passengers on its use and encourage them to use it as needed.
When the owners manual provides a warning that injury may result if the keel winch is not grasped firmly or is released prior to seeing definitive evidence that the keel is fully lowered (such as slack in the cable), one should heed such warnings.
As much as you want them to enjoy it, dogs may be overwhelmed by the first experience and may become attached to your body. Somewhat like a 5th limb.
Summer is hot and heat makes the human body lose a lot of water. You may not realize it due to the phenomenon known as evaporation, but it happens regardless.
The term "self-bailing" does not neccessarily equate to dry feet. Proper footwear should be secured.
Canvas deck shoes are not appropriate footwear.
The police are not always the bad guys. Sometimes they pull you over just to tell you that your boat strap is no longer holding your new boat to the trailer and is dragging 20 feet behind your trailer as you careen blissfully unaware down the highway.

Despite the lessons learned, we had a great time!! The wind was moving the boat but was not so gusty or strong that I didn't have time to let the sailing knowlege come back to me. The boat is really easy to sail and handles very well even with the keel in its up position.

Overall it was wonderful to be out on the water and sailing!!

The Legalities - Day Three

2006-06-25T12:21:00.000-04:00

In case you missed days 1 & 2
Day 1
Day 2

Day 3

This time I am not messing around with work first thing in the AM. My back is now killing me - I can hardly walk at this point. I'll work later after this all comes together.

I don't really know what goes on in the universe or how one day can be so frustrating and the next be so gratifying, but this was what was about to happen to me. It's like some kharmic yin and yang thing that just keeps the world in balance. Who am I to question it, though? I am just grateful for the experience!

I pull up to the trailer and realize that I had not connected the ground wire to the trailer.

"I wonder if that would fix the tail light issue?"

Sure enough, with the lights properly grounded, they work like a charm!

I head to the tire place. The guys at the Goodyear at the corner of 10th street and Wilson get my tires on, and me on my way, in about a half an hour.

"Damn this day is going smoothly. 'Wait for it'."

I pull into the DMV. Again, no line. Straight to the front for me this time. The same guy who told me that I had failed greeted me with a smile.

"All fixed up?"

"Yep, should be good to go!"

20 Minutes later, I am off to the DMV with a brand new inspection sticker on my trailer and my passed inspection paperwork in hand.

The DMV goes VERY smoothly. It took an hour or so, but in the end, I walked out with my brand new license plates, all valid and quite legal.

Next to get the boat.

"Is Goerge here?"

"No, George is off today"

I explained my situation and was told to just go ahead and take my boat and not to worry about the fee because I had been through enough!

Status at this point:

Boat - Registered and Legal
Trailer - Registered and Legal

My back is still killing me, but the rigorous process of getting my boat legal is..."wait for it"...COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buffet-esque once again...

The Legalities - Day Two

2006-06-25T11:51:00.000-04:00

In case you missed day 1
Day 1

Day 2

Finished up some work first thing in the AM then headed out immediately to pick up the boat. Drove it down to the marina, paid my fee and started to offload it into the Potomac. Then I hit my first snag. The swing keel has no appreciable keel trunk and the ramp was too shallow to float the boat enough to get it off the trailer. Time starts ticking by, the truck is in the water to the tail pipe and I am frantically figuring out what the hell I am going to do! Finally it dawns on me. A ghostly recollection penned by the author of the owner's manual. Kinda like that famous line from Field of Dreams:

"If the ramp is too shallow, use a tow strap to lower the trailer into the water."

I attached a ratcheted tow strap to the trailer and to the saftey chain holes on the hitch. Slowly I lowered the trailer into the water and suddenly the boat was floating! It just needed another few inches! OK first problem solved, the boat is now off the trailer!

Off I ran to the DMV! It was 2:30 by now and I still had 3.5 hours to make it through the long DMV instpection station line. I got there and to my amazement, there was no DMV inspection station line! I drove directly into the station and took my place one car behind in the inspection queue. Then it hit me...this was going FAR too smoothly. This was the DMV afterall and I had never had a single easy, straightforward experience with the DMV. Not that they intentionally try to screw you, but in the end, screwed is the state in which you normally depart any DC DMV facility. So I sat there waiting, all the time remembering the scene in an old war movie when the british sergeant tells his men to "wait for it".

"Wait for it..."

"Sir I am sorry to tell you that your vehicle has failed inspection. Your tires are dry-rotted and your left tail light is not working."

The switch in my head was flipped and back into problem solving mode I go.

Boat in water.

Where can I get new tires?

I'll swing by the auto parts store and pick up the supplies to rewire the trailer and get that done while they put new tires on the beast.

If I haul-ass, I might actually be able to get back here and get it re-inspected. "Godspeed foolish, new used boat owner".

"Wait for it..."

With wiring materials purchased and 5 tire stores later, the realization sunk in that this was not going to happen today.

"Gotta order those tires, but they'll be in first thing in the morning."

"Fine, I'll see you in the morning with my open wallet and you can just take out what you need, OK?"

Back to buffet-esque. There is nothing I can do. I go to the marina, explain my plight, and am greeted with,

"No problem. I undertand your issue and man have I got a solution for you!"

And he did!

"Leave yur boat in this spot rite 'chere and come get it tomorraw."

I couldn't ask for more. Gotta love that boating community...AGAIN!!

I drive away and plan on rewiring the trailer that evening so at least that is done. Three hours later that is, indeed, done. Except they don't work. Great - another trip - this time to the mechanic.

"I'll see you in the morning with my open wallet and you can just take out what you need, OK?"

The Legalities - Day One

2006-06-25T10:49:00.000-04:00

Got the boat home on Sunday without a hitch. We just sat there looking at it for a few hours, sipping lemonade and reflecting on the good fortune of getting such a great boat at such a great price. I decided there and then that I was going to repay the kindness of the previous owner, specifically his renewal of the trailer registration, by getting the boat legal and ready to go the next day so that I could send his plates and registration back to him immediately. Unfortunately, no act of kindness goes unpunished sometimes...

Day One

Monday morning I got up and did some work to make certain that there would be no "fires" in my absence and headed for the DMV in the Georgetown Park Mall. I was greated by the "triage" employee, a nice woman with a smile and a "good morning sir, how can we help you?"

I told her that I needed to register my trailer. What do I need to do?

I was then informed that I needed to have the trailer inpsected first and then come back with the appropriate documentation. Not a problem, until she asked me if it was a boat trailer and did it have a boat on it. It did, I told her, and she shook her head with that "silly boat owner man" look and informed me that the boat can not be on the trailer for the inspection! Now I instantly switch from a casual, buffet-esque demeanor and go into problem solving mode. WHERE THE HELL AM I GOING TO STORE THIS THING WHILE I GET IT INSPECTED?? I hadn't done the research yet on marinas becasue I was going to trailer the boat. I knew of a few ramps in the area, but how much would that cost? What if the trailer did not PASS inspection? How long could I leave the boat in the water? Etc, etc.

OK I would figure it out. Next stop Harbor Master's office. Resume casual, buffet-esque demeanor...

The Harbor Master folks were amazing! I could tell from their smiles and friendly faces that I had entered the boating world that I had always known growing up around boaters and marinas with my parents. In about 5 minutes, the paperwork was done and the boat, at least, was legal. I then asked the helpful people there if they knew anything about getting a boat trailer inspected. Again I got the head shake but this time it was accomianied by the "poor poor boat guy" look. They knew my predicament and could feel my pain. I was told, however, that the DMV person was correct. The boat had to come off the trailer...

I ran home and started making calls to the marinas that I knew, explained my predicament and finally found one that would help me out...for a $5 ramp fee, provided that my boat got out that day. AWESOME! Gotta love the boating community!

I'll wait until tomorrow, so I can be sure to have enough time to get all this done...

Found!: MacGregor 17' Venture Sailer/Trailer - $1200

2006-06-25T10:19:00.000-04:00

The decision had been made that a boat was in my near future. Nothing extravagent or expensive as I just can't afford it. It hit me that I had cast off my younger attitude of needing the latest and greatest and realized that I just simply NEEDED to get out on the water!

I researched little sailboats with an obsession. I found ShortyPen's Sailboat Pocket Cruiser Guide and checked out every link on the page. I had narrowed it down to about 5 models for which I was going to search.

I started searching locally with the intention of finding a project boat. Something for around $1000 that would probably require a lot of TLC but that would get me sailing before the end of the summer. I searched on eBay, the Post classifieds and everywhere I could think of and then I hit Craig's List's Boat classifieds. There I found a plethora of available craft but at that time, nothing I really felt like I could afford based on my restoration skills or lack there of. It dawned on me that a trip across state lines would not be so bad and I decided to check out CL West Virginia.

There it was. "MacGregor 17' Venture Sailer/Trailer - $1200"

I immediately emailed the person on the other end of the ether and asked for photos of the boat as well as a more in depth description of its condition and features. The guy on the other end was incredibly accomodating and sent me a couple of images later that evening.

Like an man with an obsession and Photoshop will do, I zoomed in on as much of the hull as possible, looking for the cracks and signs of age that I assumed would be inherent in a boat of this age. Despite my best attempts, I found none!!

I couldn't believe my luck! The boat looked in great shape and the sale price included sails, life jackets and cushions, cover, trailer, 6hp Johnson OB MOTOR, 2 fuel tanks, all new lines and rigging, berth cushions, fenders and a swim ladder. I requested more images assuming that problems with this transaction would appear in the images. These are what I recieved:

I still counldn't believe it! A trip was planned for the following weekend after the owner agreed to hold the boat for me until I got there! With cautious optimism, I embarked on a 3 hour journey to West Virginia to examine (and mostly likely buy) this little boat.

When I arrived and saw the boat I was truely drop jawed. I just couldn't believe the condition of the sailboat. The gelcoat was oxidized and had lost it's glossy sheen but the hull was, save for a few signs of light wear, as new as I had ever seen on a boat of this age. Everything was in incredible shape!! The sails had a little mildew but no tears or signs of patching. The motor had wear on the outside but the inside looked showroom new.

I met the owner, a retired gentleman who was very accomodating, very nice, and VERY organized. He had been only the second owner of this boat and I knew from his personality and manner of having everything "just so" that he had taken great care of this boat. To top it off, he had renewed the registration of the trailer (which was expired when I first contacted him) just so that I would not get a ticket on the way home from WV. I just had to promise to send his plates and registration back to him as soon as I could. I knew immediately that I would be driving this boat back to DC!

We sat down to transact the sale. No problems. He had everything in order and ready to go. After the papers were signed and everything was buttoned up he said, "so...you get a great boat in great condition for the price of a trailer." I agreed and replied by asking him if he was certain that he felt properly compensated. Not the thing to do in most cases but I did feel a little as if I was stealing this rig from him.

Driving home I could not believe my eyes. I looked into the rearview mirror and reflected on how much $1200 can still buy these days. I had, in my younger years, drank up $1200 in a few months and this was something that would bring me so much joy and had, in my mind, the feeling of something concrete and definitive. Not the amorphous and abiguous feeling you get when you spend $1200 on booze or even on some piece of technology that is smaller than the stack of 20's you just handed over to purchase it.