27 April 2011

Delivery Info

Hi Gang!

Well, the mast is built up (but not up,) the rudder is installed and painted, and our own Maskwa is ready to be lobbed into the drink later this week (gently, of course.)

While we were working on the mast today, Don noticed that the "Sheeve" at the top of the mast for the jib is not quite right; it had a lot of play in it, and it should be stable. The guys at Larson's are working on that right now, and we'll be up and running when it is delivery time.

Transportation:

Union Pacific/North Line Train 321

There are no early trains up to Waukegan on Sundays. Here is the sked for Sunday, May 1st:

Ogilvie Center 10:35
Clybourn 10:43
Ravenswood 10:48
Rogers Park 10:52
...
Waukegan 11:50 (end of line)

If, like me, you fall asleep on trains, (or flying, for that matter,) the fact that the end of the line is where you want to get off the train comes in handy. Don will be down there early, but there will still need to be quite a bit of work done in order to get her ready (like rig the mast, run the running rigging, etc...)

Life jackets are mandatory. Right now we have who I know is going at the bottom of the list. The weather forecast is calling for strong winds out of the South the day/night before, so it'll be a good thing not to have to do the delivery early. Hopefully the winds will pass through, and the seas will have a chance to die down.

You will need foul weather gear. Layers are good; more layers are better. With no wind, you can count on a 5 hour trip at the very best, and more likely a 7 hour trip if the winds are anywhere close to the bow. Plan accordingly.

As of the last email I got, Here is who we have going;

Don
Crystal
Ute
Megan
Adam
Carly (still at 85% and holding)
Andrew (if the bitch wakes up in time)

Plenty of people to bring the boat down. I am pretty sure that one of Don's brothers plans on doing the ride, too. So far there is no need for food; plan on someone sent for a food run before the boat leaves the dock.

Hope you all are well, and I will be thinking of you as I bounce around flying in Florida (where it'll be in the 80s all weekend... damn work!)

Cheers!

Scott
Maskwa

26 April 2011

Start of the Season

Hi Gang!

Well, looking at the start of Sailing Season 2011, it's going to be a bit sparse.

We have the delivery from Waukegan to BPYC scheduled for May 1st, with rain dates of the 2nd and 3rd.

After that, we will have at least 1 weekend practice; it's still a bit to cold out to be doing our Wednesday night practices, but we may schedule something to keep us fresh there.

Out first 'Regatta,' we will actually be Race Committee for, and that is the Abe Jacobs, on Sunday, May 22. This used to be a 2 day event, but there are not a lot of boats registered for the regatta anymore, so it has been condensed into 1 day of racing to shake the cobwebs out. More details to come there, but things are still up in the air because of what's going on with Area III anyways... but plan on R/C that weekend.

For those of you new to the boat, R/C work involves setting up the race course, judging the starts and the finishes, and generally having a good time and horsing around on the boat for hours at a time. We don't sail it, we judge it. It's a great way to learn how races are run, and what is expected.

We will not be doing the Spring Opener or the Olympic Cup, so our first real race will be the Long Distance Classic on Sunday, June 5th. (Wow!! So Late in the Season!) The schedule has been in quite a flux, but this is how it is panning out for us at the moment. We will try to get a practice sail in on the weekends, to get us up to speed. Directly follow the Long Distance Classic, we'll be dropping off those who cannot take any more, and then spinning out to finish the racers coming back from the St Joe - Chicago Race. We could be on the water until very very late, so if you can't stay, then when we are done with our race, you can hop off when we go ashore to resupply the rum.

The Wednesday Night Beercan Series starts with the annual "Tune Up" Regatta on the 25th of May, and then the 17 race series starts on June 1st. This is the best time to come out and learn what we are doing.

That is all the news at the moment. Things have been kind of slow, and the boatwork is mostly done. Don needs to make sure the rudder is installed Tuesday (tomorrow,) or at the least we will be directionally challenged. Rudders are difficult to install once the boat is in the water.

Cheers all!

Scott
Maskwa

08 April 2011

More on boat work!

Work Party Participants,

For those who are coming tomorrow, I should be set up to put everyone to work about 10:00 am.

For those who may be first timers coming from Chicago, Take 294 North and exit at Belvedere Rd. going east. Keep going until the water is in view and the road ends. Then left to the second stop sign (or is it three)where you make a right turn, go about 100 yrds and then left. The location is the W building at Larsen’s Marina in Waukegan. It is just after the silos and the building along the road to Larsen’s. If you get to Larsen’s you have gone too far. Anyone who is lost or needs detailed instructions give me a call (312 446-5386).

I will have a sliding door open so everyone will have easy access to the boat. We are in the back row on the north end of the building, not our usual first row position.

The plan is to wash and wax the hull and complete as much of the bottom sanding as possible. A few other items may be completed depending upon how much we can accomplish with the main tasks above.

Any plans for a second day of work can be planned after we see what needs to be finished after tomorrow.

See you in the am.

Don

Bear Email

Maskwa Crew and Friends,


The Spring is rapidly creeping up on us. A few slaps here and there are still in the winds, but it will be great sailing weather soon. I hope everyone has been working out to increase the appropriate sailing muscles (this includes the glass to mouth coordination) and reading their favorite tactics and sail trim books.

We ended the season with two firsts in the shortened Tri-State race. Some practice before the races and we should be able to have some first place finishes early in the season as well.


I have been working on various items on the boat. The cabin sole is again refinished awaiting for the first dropped winch handles and sailbags to initiate the new finish with some additional dents and scratches.


The high tech clutch for the jib halyard has been rebuilt for the fourth time. The mechanism however, is completely different from the original design and required removal of the clutch from the cabin top for replacement. Spinlock has hopefully finally solved the problem of slippage. The main halyard clutch will be rebuilt using the last old style clutch innards and replaced with the new type after it begins to slip (about two races??) .


Sails are being evaluated at UK. Nothing decided on replacements. After all, it is tax time.


The rudder was removed and I have been working with C&C to minimize play in the rudder which has been present since the boat was launched. The bearings are self aligning both top and bottom. The steering quadrants had a great deal of a gray sludge material coming from the top bearing. This appears to have been junk from the time of construction. The top bearing was difficult to remove and was not self aligning due to the dirtiness preventing any rotation. It took some effort, but the top and the bottom bearing are now both very clean, coated with McLube and ready for duty. Measurements of the rudder stock indicated the play was from a possible incorrect specification of the bearings. C&C provided some rudder tape to increase the diameter of the rudder sleeve and this will hopefully reduce or eliminate the rudder play. For those who have ventured down the lazarette to the steering quadrant, the gaiter which keeps the water out, had two large tears. A replacement is supposed to be on the way. A second gaiter will also be obtained as a backup.


Other various minor repairs have been completed or in progress.


The big question is when will we wash, polish and prepare MASKWA for the season. My schedule has been rather unsettled and I apologize for not setting dates sooner. However, the following are the days which will be scheduled for boat prep. This weekend both Sat and Sun (9 and 10 April) and next Sat (17 April) will be the possible dates. I would prefer to get as much done this weekend as possible. It will take less time if we can have several people on one day and some follow-up people on the second date.


So who can volunteer for the days above? Please let me and Scott know so I can plan the projects. The first will be washing and waxing the hull. I have already begun sanding the bottom, the rudder is finished and the keel is half completed. I would like to paint the bottom no later than 17 April. Of course it requires someone who likes to get dirty to assist me in sanding the bottom.


I will be inspecting and working on the mast during the week of 25 to 29 April. If anyone has some free time to help wax and build out the mast, it is a good time to learn what is way up there in the air. Let me know.


The next big date is launch and departure for Burnham. Launch is on Thursday 28 April, departure is Sunday 1 May.


My hands are blistered, my airways clogged with grit, but my smile grows daily as departure gets closer. I look forward to seeing everyone on a regular basis as the sailing begins.


The Bear