The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...
- Thread starter JamesTXSD
- Start date
Discovery":3f6esps5 said:
Hi Brent and Dixie,
Great to hear from you!
That was my BIG concern. Bill (my neighbor across the street) has always been impressed with our C-Dory. He said it has good gelcoat on it. His thought on wax is: you keep adding stuff on there, it dulls, then you add some more. You have to be careful that you don't buff too much gelcoat off, but he says that would take a couple decades on our boat... and by then, you'd need to paint it, anyhow.
It's not like I think he's the guru for all boating things, but he has given me some good advice over the years. He first suggested I try buffing it out several years ago, and my concern was exactly what you wrote. But, the color was looking flat and dull... so, I figured what the heck. After doing all that work today, I have to say that I am impressed with the results. If you look at the second photo in my post above, you can see my reflection in the blue. It doesn't cover the scratches (hey, we use the boat), but the color truly looks brighter and richer.
I watched one of his guys working on a boat, and just did what he did. Bill lent me his buffer - WAY different from my inexpensive plastic buffer that I put wax on with. This has a slow RPM, plenty of torque, and weighs a ton. They use it everyday in their shop, so it has to be heavy-duty. I went easy with the wet 400 and 600 sand paper (and put a drop of soap in the water)... and that was unnerving, then put Aqua Buff 2000 on the surface with a brush. Then put that buffer to it. I sprayed water on occasionally while buffing - brings out the shine and keeps the buffer from burning the gelcoat. I did small sections at a time... and when done, stepped back to look it over. I like the results. Not sure I'd do this a couple times a year, but that's what he recommends, minus the wet sanding. He said that was just to remove the wax build-up.
So, I'm reserving judgement for a while. But, I have to tell you that I was SO inclined to put a nice coat of wax on there today when I was done buffing. 8) If my arms didn't feel like rubber when I was done with the buffing, I might have.
I'll post here as we use the boat.
What are your winter plans? Heading to Rockport?
-----------------
Hambone, don't do this on my say-so. This was a giant leap of faith, especially making that first swipe with the sandpaper. Waxing is a lot less work, for sure. I've been using Meguiars Wax on Wild Blue since she was new, and it seemed that the wax was not bringing the shine back... and I was getting salt crystals sticking in the wax. Didn't care for that. I was told that a buffer like the one I used will run about $300; I'm not ready to run out and buy one. But, like I said above, I'm happy with the results. This is the best Wild Blue has looked in a long time.
Now, to get the bottom job done and get her back in the water!
Best wishes,
Jim
Wild Blue went in for her bottom job this morning. I was the second one in the boatyard at opening time, right behind the assistant manager...
After the workers checked in and got a cup of coffee, they went right to work on getting her off the trailer...
Lifting the stern with the forklift to get access for the straps for the travel lift...
Up she goes...
Rolling to her place in the yard where they will work on her...
They set timbers under the boat before the jackstands. I asked if they would be playing Jenga under my boat, referring to the timber stack under there... pretty sure they didn't get the joke...
Setting on the stands...
Wild Blue looks pretty tiny sitting in this lineup...
I had to chuckle when one of the workers who doesn't speak much English ran his hand over the blue stripe on the hull: "Nice finish."
Well, at least someone noticed. 8)
Best wishes,
Jim B.
After the workers checked in and got a cup of coffee, they went right to work on getting her off the trailer...
Lifting the stern with the forklift to get access for the straps for the travel lift...
Up she goes...
Rolling to her place in the yard where they will work on her...
They set timbers under the boat before the jackstands. I asked if they would be playing Jenga under my boat, referring to the timber stack under there... pretty sure they didn't get the joke...
Setting on the stands...
Wild Blue looks pretty tiny sitting in this lineup...
I had to chuckle when one of the workers who doesn't speak much English ran his hand over the blue stripe on the hull: "Nice finish."
Well, at least someone noticed. 8)
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Hi Hambone,
We've had that "bigger boat" discussion a few times over the past few months. We both come to the same conclusion: the trailer is the accessory that makes the boat so usable for us. Or: not here... it is a LONG ways to anywhere from the Tropical Tip, even more so by water. Oh, I glance at the occasional motorsailor or trawler, but the space advantages don't (yet) outweigh the getting somewhere disadvantages for us.
Plus, we probably should spend some time in Wild Blue after our time away before making any rash decisions. :wink: If all goes as planned (and one has to understand that is a different reality here), Wild Blue goes back in the water tomorrow. We checked on her again today, only that small bit by those blocks under her hull that need to be painted.
I am like a kid on Christmas Eve. 8)
Best wishes,
Jim B.
We've had that "bigger boat" discussion a few times over the past few months. We both come to the same conclusion: the trailer is the accessory that makes the boat so usable for us. Or: not here... it is a LONG ways to anywhere from the Tropical Tip, even more so by water. Oh, I glance at the occasional motorsailor or trawler, but the space advantages don't (yet) outweigh the getting somewhere disadvantages for us.
Plus, we probably should spend some time in Wild Blue after our time away before making any rash decisions. :wink: If all goes as planned (and one has to understand that is a different reality here), Wild Blue goes back in the water tomorrow. We checked on her again today, only that small bit by those blocks under her hull that need to be painted.
I am like a kid on Christmas Eve. 8)
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Back where she belongs...
http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2011/11/ba ... longs.html
I feel for the folks up north who are putting their boats away for the winter. After a 6 month C-Dory "hiatus," we are looking forward to lots of time onboard Wild Blue. Checking engine hours, we are WAY behind our normal annual usage; hope to remedy that in the months ahead.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2011/11/ba ... longs.html
I feel for the folks up north who are putting their boats away for the winter. After a 6 month C-Dory "hiatus," we are looking forward to lots of time onboard Wild Blue. Checking engine hours, we are WAY behind our normal annual usage; hope to remedy that in the months ahead.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Captains Cat
New member
Looks like you found what you wanted under the tree Jim! :thup
Now go put some hours on that engine!
Charlie
Now go put some hours on that engine!
Charlie
Yep... dolphins. Lots of 'em. Great to be back on the water again! It wasn't a sunny day in the Tropical Tip, but my attitude could not have been brighter. Wild Blue felt great; we did a "once around the island", poked into the Gulf, made our way down the ship channel, and had a great dolphin "show"...
Looks cold, but it was in the mid-70s...
My favorite shot from our own private dolphin show...
Spent the afternoon getting things back on the boat; she looks a bit bare here...
The details: http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2011/11/more-like-it.html
Feels good to finally be "home."
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Looks cold, but it was in the mid-70s...
My favorite shot from our own private dolphin show...
Spent the afternoon getting things back on the boat; she looks a bit bare here...
The details: http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2011/11/more-like-it.html
Feels good to finally be "home."
Best wishes,
Jim B.
The wind is howling and there is a spitting rain...
Yeah, sounds like a good day for a boat ride.
As expected, the water was sloppy... the weather weasels called it: rough bay conditions. Wild Blue called it: fun. We ran around in a couple of the local channels before heading out to the ship channel; mostly just checking out what has changed... boats moved, some new docks, way fewer shrimp boats. Into the channel, it was pretty flat on the south side of our island with the north wind. It felt good just to be out.
As the boat bounced around in the chop, Joan said, "It doesn't look that bad."
Coming out from behind the island... "Um, I'd call this 2 1/2 foot waves stacked right on top of each other. One heck of a fetch from the north."
When we got to the jetties area, the waves were crashing over the jetties, making them barely visible...
First time in a very long time there wasn't a single person out there fishing. :wink:
Wild Blue got a thorough fresh water wash down when we got home, but no point in wiping her down - the wind is just going to howl through the night. A typical norther for here. Certainly no where near what the folks in Alaska are dealing with in that current storm. Perspective... last week when the boat was getting the bottom painted, it took an extra day - there was one day when it was in the low 60s and windy. The yard manager said, "I couldn't ask the guys to go out in that weather." :roll:
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Yeah, sounds like a good day for a boat ride.
As expected, the water was sloppy... the weather weasels called it: rough bay conditions. Wild Blue called it: fun. We ran around in a couple of the local channels before heading out to the ship channel; mostly just checking out what has changed... boats moved, some new docks, way fewer shrimp boats. Into the channel, it was pretty flat on the south side of our island with the north wind. It felt good just to be out.
As the boat bounced around in the chop, Joan said, "It doesn't look that bad."
Coming out from behind the island... "Um, I'd call this 2 1/2 foot waves stacked right on top of each other. One heck of a fetch from the north."
When we got to the jetties area, the waves were crashing over the jetties, making them barely visible...
First time in a very long time there wasn't a single person out there fishing. :wink:
Wild Blue got a thorough fresh water wash down when we got home, but no point in wiping her down - the wind is just going to howl through the night. A typical norther for here. Certainly no where near what the folks in Alaska are dealing with in that current storm. Perspective... last week when the boat was getting the bottom painted, it took an extra day - there was one day when it was in the low 60s and windy. The yard manager said, "I couldn't ask the guys to go out in that weather." :roll:
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Great day out on the water yesterday: high in the mid-70s, crisp blue sky, and very light wind (it's been a while since we've seen any of that light stuff). With no schedule, no destination, and no plan, we decided to see just how economical we could run. Spurred on by the "best fuel economy" thread here, I kept the RPMs at 1800 max, giving us between 5.5 and 6.4 knots. We traveled 26.8 miles and used 4.2 gallons, resulting in a fuel economy of 6.38 miles per gallon. Numbers based on GPS for distance, fuel flow meter for fuel used; over the years, the fuel burn shown on the Navman has proven to be very accurate.
Usually, I don't have the patience for that low speed along that route - get away from the coast, and it is quite arid here, making for less than spectacular scenery... a lot of sand and a few desert plants. The ship channel is a man-made ditch, about 15 miles long from the Laguna Madre to Brownsville.
We did some dolphin and bird watching along the way, and dropped the anchor out of the channel for a lunch stop. There was a lot of tug activity as we got close to the port, so we didn't go very far into the port. On the way out, we swung through the shrimp boat basin... fewer boats than we've seen in the past.
While traveling back to Texas after our summer up north, we found an inexpensive stand for the iPad; you can see it here to the left...
For anyone interested, we found the stand for $15 at a Brookstone store. With the calm conditions today, it sat fine on the dash or the table. We're thinking it will need some Velcro® mounting for rougher conditions. We've used the iPad handheld in the past on the boat; this seems to be an inexpensive alternative. It's made of wood, with spring loading to hold the iPad (made for the original iPad only, not the iPad2); not sure how durable this will be over time. Here's a link: http://www.brookstone.com/ipad-stand-ad ... -swiveling
Calm water along the way...
We entertained ourselves as we neared home, listening to the chatter on the VHF: two tugs with barges were coming through the PI area enroute to Brownsville; a container ship in the port getting ready to shove off, heading towards the Gulf; and two of the larger excursion boats in the area coordinating where they were going to stop to get the boats close together for a wedding that was to take place on one of the boats... you could hear the crowd in the background on their radios... sunset and dolphins as a background for the ceremony. Should make for a memorable occasion.
Home as darkness settled in, unloaded and washed down the boat. Nice day.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Usually, I don't have the patience for that low speed along that route - get away from the coast, and it is quite arid here, making for less than spectacular scenery... a lot of sand and a few desert plants. The ship channel is a man-made ditch, about 15 miles long from the Laguna Madre to Brownsville.
We did some dolphin and bird watching along the way, and dropped the anchor out of the channel for a lunch stop. There was a lot of tug activity as we got close to the port, so we didn't go very far into the port. On the way out, we swung through the shrimp boat basin... fewer boats than we've seen in the past.
While traveling back to Texas after our summer up north, we found an inexpensive stand for the iPad; you can see it here to the left...
For anyone interested, we found the stand for $15 at a Brookstone store. With the calm conditions today, it sat fine on the dash or the table. We're thinking it will need some Velcro® mounting for rougher conditions. We've used the iPad handheld in the past on the boat; this seems to be an inexpensive alternative. It's made of wood, with spring loading to hold the iPad (made for the original iPad only, not the iPad2); not sure how durable this will be over time. Here's a link: http://www.brookstone.com/ipad-stand-ad ... -swiveling
Calm water along the way...
We entertained ourselves as we neared home, listening to the chatter on the VHF: two tugs with barges were coming through the PI area enroute to Brownsville; a container ship in the port getting ready to shove off, heading towards the Gulf; and two of the larger excursion boats in the area coordinating where they were going to stop to get the boats close together for a wedding that was to take place on one of the boats... you could hear the crowd in the background on their radios... sunset and dolphins as a background for the ceremony. Should make for a memorable occasion.
Home as darkness settled in, unloaded and washed down the boat. Nice day.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Sunrise and fog - a nice morning onboard.
The details: http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2011/11/been-while.html
And a preview...
Can't see a thing out there...
Back to the dock...
Best wishes,
Jim
The details: http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2011/11/been-while.html
And a preview...
Can't see a thing out there...
Back to the dock...
Best wishes,
Jim
Nice rack...
We added a couple sets of J-type racks to carry kayaks...
I didn't take a photo of it, yet, but we also added a new higher back helm seat... comfortable, but it raises me up a bit, so I'll need to make a footrest so I'm not tip-toeing. Still in the consideration/discussion/design stage for bolsters for the dinette seating to make it more comfortable.
Looking forward to some cooler weather (did I say that??) for some overnighting. It's been hot and windy most days since we arrived back in south TX.
Thanksgiving today... I'm thankful for a bunch. Really glad to have this "home port" on the internet. A beautiful day here, just Joan and me (and little Izzy)... no way to cook the turkey on the boat, so maybe we'll get out after our big meal. Since we aren't in Phoenix with the kids, we will miss out on the madness that is Black Friday - we have helped them with their Angel Tree for the past few years, but they are on their own this time around... and doing a great job with it.
Even though the stores have had Christmas displays since before Halloween, this date seems to kick in the holiday season... and I have signed up for the Lighted Boat Parade; looking forward to doing that again, it's been a few years.
Happy Thanksgiving, C-Brat friends.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
We added a couple sets of J-type racks to carry kayaks...
I didn't take a photo of it, yet, but we also added a new higher back helm seat... comfortable, but it raises me up a bit, so I'll need to make a footrest so I'm not tip-toeing. Still in the consideration/discussion/design stage for bolsters for the dinette seating to make it more comfortable.
Looking forward to some cooler weather (did I say that??) for some overnighting. It's been hot and windy most days since we arrived back in south TX.
Thanksgiving today... I'm thankful for a bunch. Really glad to have this "home port" on the internet. A beautiful day here, just Joan and me (and little Izzy)... no way to cook the turkey on the boat, so maybe we'll get out after our big meal. Since we aren't in Phoenix with the kids, we will miss out on the madness that is Black Friday - we have helped them with their Angel Tree for the past few years, but they are on their own this time around... and doing a great job with it.
Even though the stores have had Christmas displays since before Halloween, this date seems to kick in the holiday season... and I have signed up for the Lighted Boat Parade; looking forward to doing that again, it's been a few years.
Happy Thanksgiving, C-Brat friends.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Jim B.
Read your blog post yesterday and as always, it is interesting and informative. Curiosity compels me to ask what seat you installed. Getting the right helm seat is always an issue. Our boat has Garelick seats and while they look like they should be comfortable, the foam is not dense enough and they are not!
Happy T'Giving in the Tropical Tip.
Jim M.
Read your blog post yesterday and as always, it is interesting and informative. Curiosity compels me to ask what seat you installed. Getting the right helm seat is always an issue. Our boat has Garelick seats and while they look like they should be comfortable, the foam is not dense enough and they are not!
Happy T'Giving in the Tropical Tip.
Jim M.
Hi Jim,
Here's a look at the seat...
We got it at Bass Pro Shop (new one just opened in our area); the model is Tourney Special, Big Man Boat Seat. It didn't get great reviews on-line, but I spent a lot of time in the store, trying out different seats... even took Wild Blue's original seat in with us to compare size and foam comfort. This seat is firm; I've only sat on it a couple hours at a time, but so far it's comfortable. The higher back is great. I mounted the seat about an inch and a half forward compared to the original seat - fits better for me. The seat bottom is very close in size to the original. Not sure if the seat in the 25 is bigger than the one in the 22
And a bonus: there were two pieces of teak used as spacers under the original seat. I'm planning on a shelf under the table, and that teak is just what I need for the trim. I cut some HDPE from an old cutting board to use as spacers under the new seat.
Beautiful day out there, after our turkey dinner - check out the water...
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Here's a look at the seat...
We got it at Bass Pro Shop (new one just opened in our area); the model is Tourney Special, Big Man Boat Seat. It didn't get great reviews on-line, but I spent a lot of time in the store, trying out different seats... even took Wild Blue's original seat in with us to compare size and foam comfort. This seat is firm; I've only sat on it a couple hours at a time, but so far it's comfortable. The higher back is great. I mounted the seat about an inch and a half forward compared to the original seat - fits better for me. The seat bottom is very close in size to the original. Not sure if the seat in the 25 is bigger than the one in the 22
And a bonus: there were two pieces of teak used as spacers under the original seat. I'm planning on a shelf under the table, and that teak is just what I need for the trim. I cut some HDPE from an old cutting board to use as spacers under the new seat.
Beautiful day out there, after our turkey dinner - check out the water...
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Doing some buddy boating with our friends Herb and Wilma onboard their Ranger 27, Willie's Tug. Since Wild Blue has been in storage for a while, this is a good shake-down of all the systems.
Yesterday, while chugging up the ICW, the autopilot had a nervous breakdown. Of course, while I was eating hot soup at the helm. :roll: Checking it later, it turned out to be a broken bracket on the hydraulic steering; patched it together and will get another one ordered and see if I can get this one welded.
Otherwise, all systems good to go. We are having a good time. Some details...
http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2011/11/up-icw.html
And a preview...
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Yesterday, while chugging up the ICW, the autopilot had a nervous breakdown. Of course, while I was eating hot soup at the helm. :roll: Checking it later, it turned out to be a broken bracket on the hydraulic steering; patched it together and will get another one ordered and see if I can get this one welded.
Otherwise, all systems good to go. We are having a good time. Some details...
http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2011/11/up-icw.html
And a preview...
Best wishes,
Jim B.
The busted part...
Joan likes to say, "It's a boat. It's always going to need something." I'm grateful I have an understanding spouse.
The part that failed is a little bracket called a linking arm, connecting the hydraulic steering ram to the autopilot linear rudder position sensor...
It's the little metal bracket with the bolt and nut holding it together in the middle of the image. A small steel part with two holes. Here's the rub: you can't buy it. Well, you can't buy just that part... Raymarine (the autopilot mfg) only sells it as part of a "kit"... for $50... plus shipping and tax. The smart move is to take the part off and see if I can get a local welder to fix it and make me up another one. The reality is: it is holding together for right now, so I'm not looking to mess with it until I can get the replacement. You know that old saying, "If it's only broke a bit, don't fix it." :wink:
I shopped around online, but no place that looked reputable said they had it in stock. So, my good friends at Raymarine happily took my money. One of the guys at a place I called said, "Manufacturers seem to be doing that more these days. They can't make anything on one small part, so they 'bundle' it, call it a kit, and force you to buy other stuff you don't really need just to get what you DO need."
Yep. It's a boat... :roll:
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Joan likes to say, "It's a boat. It's always going to need something." I'm grateful I have an understanding spouse.
The part that failed is a little bracket called a linking arm, connecting the hydraulic steering ram to the autopilot linear rudder position sensor...
It's the little metal bracket with the bolt and nut holding it together in the middle of the image. A small steel part with two holes. Here's the rub: you can't buy it. Well, you can't buy just that part... Raymarine (the autopilot mfg) only sells it as part of a "kit"... for $50... plus shipping and tax. The smart move is to take the part off and see if I can get a local welder to fix it and make me up another one. The reality is: it is holding together for right now, so I'm not looking to mess with it until I can get the replacement. You know that old saying, "If it's only broke a bit, don't fix it." :wink:
I shopped around online, but no place that looked reputable said they had it in stock. So, my good friends at Raymarine happily took my money. One of the guys at a place I called said, "Manufacturers seem to be doing that more these days. They can't make anything on one small part, so they 'bundle' it, call it a kit, and force you to buy other stuff you don't really need just to get what you DO need."
Yep. It's a boat... :roll:
Best wishes,
Jim B.
hambone":11u9od38 said:
Hi Mike,
No idea what caused the break. I did have seals in the hydraulic ram replaced when we first got home. No other sign of wear in that area. I'm sure each install is different, and that bracket has plenty of room for adjustment in the wider hole. That design makes for a longer narrow opening, and it broke in that opening. I did get 5 1/2 years out of that part... and now I'll have the "kit" in case anything else in that install... OK, I don't even want to say that.
Best wishes,
Jim
Jim-
If you have one made, make a single hole instead of the slot, and go with a heavier/thicker gauge metal, if it would fit OK.
It might be worth a call to the Raymarine technical rep to see if they've had trouble with that fitting, etc. He/she might even send you the part for free.
It's worth a try, and you're one of the most persuasive people I know.
Good Luck!
Joe. :teeth :thup
If you have one made, make a single hole instead of the slot, and go with a heavier/thicker gauge metal, if it would fit OK.
It might be worth a call to the Raymarine technical rep to see if they've had trouble with that fitting, etc. He/she might even send you the part for free.
It's worth a try, and you're one of the most persuasive people I know.
Good Luck!
Joe. :teeth :thup