Did everyone see the new video? I can’t tell how people know about it. I know a lot of people have an RSS feed on the log page, but I don’t know if that works for the videos too??
Well I got the first paint on Splendid’s bulwarks day before yesterday. All I can say is “WOW”! I’m really happy with the Mothane (Mobile paints). It has a really hard and durable finish. As soon as the weather breaks I’m painting the foredeck, installing two cleats, installing the windlass, a foot switch, and the spigot for the wash down pump. Darrin will be laying glass and I’ll be finishing and painting behind him. I need to figure out all the wiring, battery installation, breaker, and switches for the windlass.
I really hate this weather, it interferes with my work! That being said I believe in the world around me. I may not always agree with the direction it pushes me, but I do if you know what I mean. The wind is blowing a steady 25-30 kts and the air is cold. Tonight it is supposed to be in the 20’s. Thank God for propane and diesel heat. Cold days like this are baking and cooking days on Splendid. For lunch we had home made hummus and pesto on home made bread. It was really good. Tonight we are baking brownies, and having Darrin over for a pasta dinner. Sam and I have 6 lbs of blueberries and strawberries in the fridge waiting to start a batch of wine but it is just too cold. It needs to be over 70F to start the fermentation process.
I’ve really been yearning badly for sailing lately. My buddy Gary on “Plan B” called me from Mexico today. I really miss my cruising friends as well and keeping up on the SSB radio I miss it sooooo much. I’m really looking forward to sharing it with Sam and Guin. I’ve been too long in this place and I feel like I’m getting soft.
Anyway. My friend Buddy forwarded me the following words by John Masefield:
“Sea-Fever”
I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
John Masefield (1878-1967). English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.
The wind will turn soon.
Cheers everyone.
– Alex
Published in Alex Dorsey
The RSS feed only shows your new log posts (and maybe the new comments too). I see the new video logs only because I am subscribed to your youtube page, so when I visit youtube (which I do daily) it lets me know when there is a new video… So it is not automatic.
Ok, the video also shows up on your ‘members home’ page, I didn’t realize that because I usually come straight to the log page via my rss feed.
Alex, I wish I could explain how good it makes me feel to read your logs and watch your video. It makes coming into work in the morning much better when I can read a new log or watch a video. I always have dreamed of sailing, but with two kids, a beautiful wife, and no money it isn’t looking good for quite a while. Keep up the good work and enjoy the wind changes.
You are a paradox, simple living baking bread, making wine,but depending heavily on electronics!, have you considered learning Celestial Navigation? HO229 Having Celestial as a back up, when all those black boxes fail . Be well
Hi Alex, Sam and Guin,
I can see the video as soon as I log in, don’t need to go to youtube.
This morning it was -22 Celsius here in Toronto, Can’t wait for spring and go sailing.
Keep well !
Luis
Thanks for the plug, brother. I love the line: “And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover”
The weather has got me down too. Morale is low on S/V Alas. The boat has been rocking violently for days. If I relax my abdominal muscles I will surely and shortly end up on the floor. Luckily my boat is very small, and it’s not a very far drop.
Sitting here at anchor, not being able to work on the boats is very annoying, but the promise of warm weather and fair seas keeps me going. We will make it out of here some day, right????
As far as the GPS/Celestial Navigation argument goes. I would much rather rely on the sun, planets and stars than an electronic device any day.. But the fact of the matter is I do not own a nice sextant. I do on the other hand, own a couple of GPS recievers. The day someone buys me a decent sextant is the day I will listen to them telling me I’m a substandard sailor for using GPS. Then again, after I owned a sextant, I likely wouldn’t be using the GPS much.
Alex: I don’t think hbigtautog was referring to the satellites themselves failing. I think he was suggesting that your receiver will fail. …which it will, eventually. batteries die, things get wet. $#1T happens.
Sun, please come out. Wind, please stop blowing 30kn. Fiberglass, please stop being itchy.
That magellan thinger you have is pretty badass for updating the website, Alex. Not to mention weather updates. Anyone who thinks weather is not important is no sailor. Anyone who thinks Alex doesn’t need to update this website, should probably close their browser.
Cold, irritated, and hopefull,
Darrin
I cant wait to read more ships logs when you guys get underway, I have a whole division of the U.S Navy reading this stuff,,,, keep og going alex, alot of people wish they could live this life!
Hey Alex,
The website is looking great. Glad the Cheoy Lee is working out for you, they’re great boats aren’t they? Hope to see you on the high seas soon! It only gets better!
Terry & Karen
S/V Sora
Terry & Karen
Good to hear from you guys :) How’s Cass? Yeah, I love the Cheoy Lee, sooo much room too. Your last boat was a Cheoy lee right, what make?
Hope you guys are well.
– Alex
hbigtautog
I can get my Latitude with celestial and plan on further developing the skill. However the reality is It would take an act of God for the GPS networks to stop workig, and I always know my position so if they did stop working I could dead reckon/plot my way to wherever I need to go. That coupled with easily finding my Lat lets me sleep at night. As far as my electronics go, they are mostly for receiving weather and communicating with my website. Cheers- Alex
HI Alex
On my boat the ideal windlass used a solenoid mounted in chain locker beside the windlass motor. Every 12 months the solenoid became a ball of rust. After a couple of solenoid changes I drilled 3 appropriately sized holes in the bulkhead and routed the 2 large wires and one small wire through the bulkhead and mounted the solenoid in the vee birth up high on the chain locker bulkhead. I never had a problem with the solenoid again.
Bill
Dear Alex,What i meant to say,is that Black boxes fail,with lightning, humidity, etc.I think the likelyhood of satellites ,failing ,or being turned off,is unlikely.I get the impression,by watching your DVD,s that keeping a Dead Reckoning plot was not really a priority.I thought you didnt carry paper charts, or plotting sheets.Please correct us ,if i am wrong on this.Yes LAN,(Local Apparent Noon)is a good skill that you possess for knowing your latitude.I am constantly in awe of the sight reduction tables, the Rude Star finder, and the challenge of learning the constellations,and the 57Navigational stars.I believe Celestial is an art,that cultivates, pride, self esteem, and something you and your new family, can learn together,as a family activity.The little young lady,can learn about astronomy,along with other valuable skills,you and mom are teaching.I believe Celestial is an art,a science,and a lifelong pursuit.Its comparable in many ways to the art of winemaking and self-sufficiency
hbigtaut,
No worries.
I do carry paper charts, I’d be crazy not to. I think you could see that in the 2nd DVD??? I also keep a spare GPS in a metal case in my ditch bag along with a bunch of other goodies. Your right, celestial is an art and one I hope to master one day. I have a crappy plastic sextant and hope to win a nice brass one on ebay but always get outbid, arggg! however I’ve never felt like I’d be in trouble if my navigation went down.
On a side note, I met a funny single-hander on a little 25′ boat years back. All he used for navigation was an old moldy world Atlas and no GPS. He was a bit wonky but seemed to make it about. He said he was often surprised with his destinations tho :) I thought it was a unique way of getting around.
Cheers.
– Alex