Upgrades for Technology!

Tammy and I upgraded the vessel with DC power receptacle, and a DC fan in the V-Berth.  So now we can plug in and charge iPhone's, iPad's, or run an inverter while at anchor.  I got in my version of Kilroy was here.

Tammy and I were able to go out and enjoy Galveston Bay for a few hours!  How peaceful!

Plans

Tammy and I spent a rainy day visiting with Our Way Too crew, we all were making plans of moving cruising, closer to a reality!  Our land obligations; of course in the form of bills are holding us back..........but in retrospect this is not that far away.  We have set in motion a fast track to pulling the lines free.  Oue debt is low. Our minds are free. Our desire is high.

It is great to enjoy sitting on S/V Living and Loving Life in the rain as well.

Out for a tour

Since Tammy's hip replacement we haven't been out so I got brave this time, deciding to single hand the boat and take her for a ride.  I constructed a lasso to catch the cleat and hold the boat in place when docking, since my faithful crew cannot step onto the dock just yet.  We motored around the Galveston Bay for a while then returned to the dreaded docking.  I missed the cleat but was moving slow enough that Tammy caught the next cleat, with the lasso, on the finger pier and all went well with her still being my crew; so much for me single handing it..........lol!

Bosun's chair or Boatswain's chair.

So I was introduced to the bosun's chair this period of day's off.  It is a chair with padding to allow work to be performed aloft of high up the mast.  My friends Billy and Tammy of S/V Ruby Begonia needed the spreader boots re-attached and a flag pulley attached to the spreader.  So we hoisted Billy up, cleated the halyard off, and let him perform his work.  On the way down the bosun chairs rigging grabbed him under his ribcage and took his breath away, he quickly recovered.

S/V Ruby Begonia - Billy


S/V Our Way Too needed to replace their steaming light with and LED and remove some plastic shroud covering that was causing corrosion.  So First Mate Katie was using her foot to operate the self tailing winch unlike three of us hoisting Billy up.....

S/V Our Way Too - Dean


Wiki states that instead of high ranking officers climbing aboard ship they were hoisted with a Boatswain's chair and since they were usaully heavier with the higher rank and required more sideboys to lift them.

In conclusion having an electric self tailing winch is awesome!  I want a flag pulley too, but I'm still shy of heights.

Learning the safety features of the marina!

 

I am washing my Hunter 25 and slip (while wearing Teva's and not my boat shoes) falling down the side of my boat hitting my leg then fall onto the concrete finger pier then into the marina.  My leg felt as if it were broken but just feels like it and looks like it, thank goodness.  Tammy was startled and suggested that I swim over to the ladder to get out, since I couldn't pull myself up and she couldn't either.  I took my iPhone, wallet, GMC key fob out of my pockets, while my lifeproof case came open and drowned my iPhone.  Swimming to the ladder took three tries before learning how to use it, which all I had to do was pull on it and it slowly slides into the water then walk up the ladder.  Someone walked by just glancing at me.

Lessons:  I think next time I will go ask, if I see someone in the water if they are ok.  I will definitely learn how to use any other safety features I see, before the need arises.  The old saying 'be careful out there' is pointing at me.........ouch!  Key fob still good and opening my car doors, but not my expensive iPhone; has technology gone backwards?  Oh yeah, that's the bottom part of my thigh.

Dolphins

 

Well we saw dolphins and Tammy got a shot of our friends!

 

We also sailed out along way....

The Science Project

 

Tammy left some strawberries and other fruit in the Hunter ice box for her sister to use, but then ended up forgeting the items and with the heat of the summer.  The fungi or whatever grows on strawberries looks unfriendly and smells awful.  Dean and Katie were able with the help of anti bacterial cleaner to this remove ferocious creature from the Hunter ice box.  So even a few days can allow things to change there shape.

Sailing / Swimming in Galveston Bay

 

We took Sam and Willie sailing out into Galveston Bay and we ended up swimming.

April / Lupe / Alex / Anthony going for a ride......

April and her crew were able to go for a ride around Galveston Bay with us on Monday!  Here are some pictures.  And we never saw JAWS!!!

Dinghy Tour

Dean & Katie crew of SV Our Way Too took us on a dinghy run for an hour or so.  We toured the marina's from a waterside view; lots of gorgeous boats.  We went out into Galveston Bay for the go fast view.  Then on Tuesday we were in demo mode of a yellow dinghy, woo hoo!

Sailing with Captain Paul Kindling

On a trip which ended up in Houston for the night, Paul and I decided to take L&LL out for a sail.  Tammy told her coworkers she wasn't talking to me over this (sailing her boat without her) but then they asked her how did she know where I was at and what I was doing lol!

S/V Living and Loving Life Video

First Real Sail

Tammy and I sailed S/V L&LL for the first time!  We were able to use the wind motor for 2.2 knots.  Our friends Billy and Tammy Conklin; in S/V Ruby Begonia another 25 Hunter; were taking photos of us while they sailed.  We were gratified with the ability she gave us of moving along Galveston Bay only propelled by the wind!  Now were dreaming of cruising, America's Great Loop or maybe the Caribbean.....

Vacation

Daughter Amanda with Devin and Colin before their quick ride on S/V L&LL before their return to Colorado.

Sails up in port for pre-sail check.

So we spent some vacation trying out S/V L&LL, First Mate Tammy and I explored Clear Lake and the channel after the kids headed back to Colorado.

We anchored in Clear Lake to test out our book knowledge of anchoring, whew it worked, while we made friends rather quickly with a motorboat headed straight for us and he signaled the oncoming waves with a California hello......Hidy-ho, neighbor!

Trailer Sailing aka Driving.

So Tammy and I finally got a trailer built and moved the S/V Living and Loving Life to Kemah, TX. 

After 12 days to build the trailer and pick it up in Kemah; we drove to Corpus Christi, TX and had it lifted onto the trailer.  The trailer had to be fit to match the Hunter 25.  After a power wash and scraping the barnacles off, we lowered the mast and strapped it down for the ride to Kemah.  That was the first time we saw her out of the water and 3' 11" draft is tall; I don't think the 14' tongue extension is going to allow us to float it off the water line is up to the roof of the truck.  Driving the H25 was no problem except for the truck having a cam sensor go out.  We parked the boat at Seabrook Shipyard for the lift out the next day.  Just to hold true to the whole trip, they rushed us just like the city lift did.  We didn't get the mast up until we got into the water.  Thanks to Tammy Conklin and Dean Calkins, his expertise, and their muscle raising the mast was accomplished.  Then I asked Dean to skipper it across to the Portofino Harbour Marina.  He cranked up the motor and brought her up to speed and I asked if this was too fast, and Dean promptly replied "No, you have to have steerage..." with a chuckle; what a newbie I am!  I learned many items every step of the way, from the trailing, mast lowering/raising to even running the Hunter 25 with a motor.

Much appreciation to everyone involved for showing me and helping me with this undertaking!  It's fantastic to have friends!

So, the Hunter 25 is in Kemah, TX.  Now Tammy and I have to apply our ASA Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification and SAIL!

Parents on board S/V L&LL

My parents hung out with us on S/V L&LL (this is not LOL Christy!) and went for a 30 minute tour!

Stock photo....lol....

Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted....

You know; "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted"; we started out to move the boat but things broke.  The main sheet broke (new one needed), the clevis keeper also broke that holds the main sheet down (I need spares), the engine wouldn't idle when warm (adjusted idle up), the main sail has a couple tears, some main sail stitching needed (took the main sail in for repair), no Boom Vang (put a new one on), and I killed the engine sitting on the fuel line (how embarrassing).  I also learned the engine will not stay in the water in 3 to 4 foot seas.  The boat hasn't been sailed in quite sometime.  Was able to spend 7 days hanging out with my wife and our boat.  We managed to replace the old water bladder just need to get a new hand pump; during a thundershower in the middle of the night I found 3 leaks; (sealed the speed gauge; sealed the entrance, and sealed the teak hand rail); and sealed the ice box.

I definitely had an experience which caused a lot of learning and oh yeah boat repairs.  Wish we could have moved the boat to Kemah, possibly next time off.

March 30, 2012

Chris, Tamala, and Jaime went out sailing today,,,it was a little windy...they were going to try to go to Rockport today...decided to move her to Kemah...but decided weather was too bad for them not enough experience...so...just staying another month here in Corpus...Chris and I will be spending the week here in Corpus...enjoying days and nights on the boat...storm came up so we discovered a few leaks...had bottom cleaned...found out main sails needs repair...taking it in Friday on our way home...we rebuilt engine...hoping to take her out several times this week to make sure...not sure when we will be moving her to Kemah...talked to Captain Chris to see if he would help us out in May and sail her around...need to have it there for June for family reunion...kids can't wait to sail...neither can we...

Preparations for sailing!

We worked on the sailboat this week.  Replaced the original standing rigging; replaced the batteries; pulled the Tohatsu 15hp motor for a complete annual; replaced the Windex; replaced the anchorage light; replaced the navigation lights (red & green); wired the new VHF radio; pulled the water tank out in preparation for replacement while removing sedimentary layers, which looked liked it dated back to 1978 when the boat was manufactured, from the bilge/water tank area, using an age old bilge yoga technique; and Tammy reworked some of the teak wood including the tiller from a gray color to a nice teak brown color with character.  The wiring was updated to utilize the battery Both/1/2 switch.  The diver is scheduled this week to clean the bottom removing the green garden of undergrowth and any stowaways such as barnacles.

We are in preparations for moving the sailboat from Corpus Christi, TX to Kemah, TX.  Preparing to navigate around the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and through the Intracoastal Waterway.  Quite a bit of knowledge mining, sailboat prep, and supply gathering.  We are having a blast, if I could only wake Tammy up to do this one last thing!

Wow, now who was thinking we would jump in the sailboat and sail away into the sunset with an umbrella flowery drink?

Tammy, Tamala and I can now sail the boat.....

So we finished the American Sailing Association ASA101 and can now sail our boat; well once the standing rigging is all replaced.  We had a blast.  The first day the winds picked up to 40 knots and about an hour early we had to knock it off, learning had ceased to exist.  The second day we had to make up the hour.  Man overboard drills etc.  As soon as my next time off we are sailing!

March 5, 2012

Spent first night on boat...it was great...we have a clanging outside...but for the most part slept well...rocking didn't bother either one of us...of course winds were calm...just piddling today...cleaning her up and getting to know her...she is starting to come together and become our own...enjoy spending time with Tamala also...she is great on the boat...still thinking of moving to Kemah port...just being patient until we know what she will do and we know what we are doing...next trip down the mast will be fixed and we can take her out...till next time...

March 2, 2012

Winds were better...class was better...wind started picking up later and we were a little frazzled...but we made it through and all passed our test...Captain Chris came to our boat and hung out...gave us some pointers about our boat...complimented is was a nice little sailing vessel...we feel if the winds aren't too high tomorrow we could take her out and play...but we still needs lots of practice...engine is working fine so we always have that...very glad we took lessons...

March 3, 2012

Took our first lesson..OMG...it was 25 knots of wind gusting to 35...it was fast and furious...it was hard to understand...Tamala pulled us out of port and I was able to pull into port...but all the I between was intense...unfortunately I accidentally Jibed...it was nerve racking...fortunately we didn't know what I did and no one got hurt...Captain Chris was a little worried...no one was hit by the boom...we were all aware of it swinging back and forth the whole time above our heads...tomorrow winds will be calmer...only 5 to 10 knots...it will be less wind and stress...realized there is a lot to learn about sailing...

February 29, 2012

So far expenses haven't been too bad...have a few more to add...boat slips for Corpus Christi for March are $228.25...we've spent about $200.00 in gear...

Well we purchased the 1978 25' Hunter!  Champagne had by all at the ceremony!  Tammy cleaned the outside.  I worked on the outboard motor with partial success, got it to run and found the carb needs cleaning; it has sat too long.  Had the standing rigging checked out, the spreader tips are to be replaced along with all the standing rigging but the mainstay.  I will get the outboard serviced on March 1st, in case we need to use it (I suspect new sailors as ourselves, will have no choice but to use it in and out of the marina, lol).  Sailing class on March 3rd and 4th for Tammy, Tamala and myself.  The rigging will be installed on the 5th.  Then next break from work she will sail, woohoo!  Can't wait to be bug hunting with S/V Veranda http://veranda422.blogspot.com/.

February 15, 2012

Well, it's a done deal...$2400.00 and she's ours...We decided on her name...Living and Loving Life...because that is what we do...we bought boat soap and washed her down...she looks great...saw some of the rigging and tips need replacing...found a guy to do that for us...little less than $1100.00...more may need to be done...but glad we are doing it to be safe...haven't looked at sails yet...hoping they are good...if not replacing them also...Chris worked on the motor...seems we need to order parts for that...we want her to be safe for smooth sailing...signed up for sailing lesson on March 3-4...Chris, Tamala and I are all taking the class...this will be fun...

Training Vessel

Tammy and I found a 25' 1978 Hunter in very nice shape for our training vessel.  We were looking for something quite a bit larger, but it spoke to us.  This should allow us to learn what size we really need.  It is currently in Corpus Christi, TX on the t-head there.  We will arrange the paperwork in another week when I'm off again and spend five days on her, seeing what she needs.  Also take the basic sailing course while were there.  We will keep it there until the end of March (slip is paid till then),  then see if were brave enough and the weather is good to move it to Kemah, TX.  Play awhile there and then move it too the Dallas / Fort Worth area and spend many days on call playing on the lakes around there.

January 28th, 2012

Found our sailboat 1978 25' Hunter.  She's a beauty.  Asking $2600.00.  She's in good shape as far as we can tell.  Settled for $2400.00, got a bill of sale and going to finalize next trip to Corpus Christi, TX.  Chris and I both felt her talk to us.  After looking and talking about several boats she's the one.  Nice teak wood on inside.  Very happy feeling about this.

Well surfing on the web............

Well surfing on the web found several other options, one in Destin, FL a CM32' looks nice; and another project in Corpus Christi in disguise as a Morgan 33'...we'll see if they call me back?

Hmmmmm!

Tammy and I  (Chris) are going to change our 'Living and Loving Life' theme to 'S/V Living and Loving Life' which S/V means Sailing Vessel.  We are going to look at a boat; hopefully not a project boat; to learn to sail on around our current adventure, wish us luck.  Maybe learn how to afford to make sailing around the world a current adventure.