I definitely don't plan to turn this blog into a home for gear reviews, but I wanted to pass along a small addition that we added to the boat that may be of interest to others.
A cellular signal booster. We chose one from Wilson Electronics. www.wilsonelectronics.com
I was even able to buy a full kit created for marine applications. A small marine antenna. 20' of low loss cable. An AG Soho 60 amplifier. Some more cable and a inside panel antenna.
The premise being, catch the single, amplify it and then redistribute about the boat.
So far, I am very happy with it's performance. Where there is a signal of only a single bar, I can now amplify it to 5 bars. That's sweet!
So, why do you need your cell phone on a boat?
I am always in search for more weather information when I am on the water. Knowing the weather makes life on board, so much easier. Sure, marine weather forecasts are put out several times a day, but the element that is missing is radar. Forecasts can be for quite a large area, having a visual picture of where rain and thunderstorms may pass through is a huge bonus.
Just the other day we watched a large front roll down the North Channel, all the time it appeared it was coming right at us. Before it got to us, the front decided to swing north.
We got to continue enjoying our day!
A cruising family's chronicals into their 2012-13 sabbatical.
26 July 2012
22 July 2012
Day 1
Before I get started I would like to acknowledge Services Ontario. What a bunch of bafoons!
In a effort to get things out of the way early. We tackled travel insurance way back on March 29th. Admittedly, I got great help when I dialled their 800 number, but when we drove over to the Walkerton office things started to feel not quite right. We started hearing bureaucratic junk like "the process does not allow us to apply for the change until 5 weeks before the application date." But, it also says allow 4-6 weeks for processing? We had no choice but let the system do it's thing.
Fast forward to last week. I sold my truck, so I returned my license plates to, you guessed it... Services Ontario. The plates went easy. "One more question, can you look up the status of our Health Cards?" She says "There is no record of any application for change in the system."
So, on one of the hottest days of the summer so far, Kerri, Macara and I hop in the car and drive over to Walkerton. After a quick explanation of our situation, the clerk flippantly blurts out "it's probably in Kingston and they haven't dealt with it." To which I replied, "No, I don't think so!" After a further explanation of what I already knew, the other clerk got a sinking feeling a strolled over to a filing cabinet. "Here is you application right here" she says in a folder labelled "Things to do in July".
Let's just sum this up by saying we are still in some administrative difficulties.
With a couple other issues to wrap up and a mediocre forecast, Saturday becomes our new departure date. Even with that, it may pick up a bit in the afternoon. Alarm clocks set for 4am!!!
Like so many years in the past, Shrek 2 is packed and ready to go with us.
It was a beautiful starry morning which lead to a glorious sunrise. I always love this first morning on the water.
Macara was pretty excited too. In an effort to negotiate her to go to bed, she arranged that she would like to take mom's spot on the bow when we cast our lines. She had it all figured out. Mom would take the helm and dad would work with her. She got her way.
In a effort to get things out of the way early. We tackled travel insurance way back on March 29th. Admittedly, I got great help when I dialled their 800 number, but when we drove over to the Walkerton office things started to feel not quite right. We started hearing bureaucratic junk like "the process does not allow us to apply for the change until 5 weeks before the application date." But, it also says allow 4-6 weeks for processing? We had no choice but let the system do it's thing.
Fast forward to last week. I sold my truck, so I returned my license plates to, you guessed it... Services Ontario. The plates went easy. "One more question, can you look up the status of our Health Cards?" She says "There is no record of any application for change in the system."
So, on one of the hottest days of the summer so far, Kerri, Macara and I hop in the car and drive over to Walkerton. After a quick explanation of our situation, the clerk flippantly blurts out "it's probably in Kingston and they haven't dealt with it." To which I replied, "No, I don't think so!" After a further explanation of what I already knew, the other clerk got a sinking feeling a strolled over to a filing cabinet. "Here is you application right here" she says in a folder labelled "Things to do in July".
Let's just sum this up by saying we are still in some administrative difficulties.
With a couple other issues to wrap up and a mediocre forecast, Saturday becomes our new departure date. Even with that, it may pick up a bit in the afternoon. Alarm clocks set for 4am!!!
Like so many years in the past, Shrek 2 is packed and ready to go with us.
It was a beautiful starry morning which lead to a glorious sunrise. I always love this first morning on the water.
Macara was pretty excited too. In an effort to negotiate her to go to bed, she arranged that she would like to take mom's spot on the bow when we cast our lines. She had it all figured out. Mom would take the helm and dad would work with her. She got her way.
Everybody was up and ready to go.
Did I mention it was beautiful morning?
Shrek was running strong. A welcome sight.
And then we got to Killarney Mountain Lodge. Now I love the Lodge. I make every effort to stay there before any of the other marinas in Killarney. We have been going to KML for over 10 years. As soon as the long range weather told us that Saturday was a go, Kerri made reservations. Shrek 2 was still on the service dock when we arrived, but Julie had that look on her face. I knew something wasn't quite right.
Take it away Jerry Seinfeld...
"You know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to hold the reservation. And I think that is really the most important part"
Long story short, after being asked to wait for 2 hours, they managed to make room for us on the fuel dock. Friends of ours who decided to join us just Friday night, they got proper slips.
Oh well, can't change it. And we still had a great time!
09 July 2012
It's almost time to go.
The last time I moved, my prize possession was a stereo and I was moving out of my parent's house. I have worked at the same place since I was 19 years old. Getting ready for a year long boating adventure and all the extra stuff that goes with it... that's new to me.
We have been getting shots. Extra trips to the dentist and the optometrist. I had a wisdom tooth pulled for my troubles. We have been trading this insurance for that insurance. And we have been selling stuff. The Sea Ray is sold, finally. The boat trailer went 2 days later. I am selling my truck. It's 'Let's Make a Deal' time.
Meanwhile, Knot Yet is getting filled up. To the point were some stuff is getting hauled out.
I finally got my new chain. 3/8" chain weighs 1.49lbs per foot. Last week I had 200ft delivered, right to the dock. No more wimpy 15ft of 1/4" chain. Better still, no more dirty rope on my decks. Now that we are all chain, it gravity feeds nicely in the anchor locker.
The dinghy davits are installed on the swim platform. No more towing the dinghy! Or loading it into the cockpit! The dinghy got treated to a new motor. Our beloved Nissan 9.8hp just wasn't getting the three of us up on plane anymore. Enter, a brand new Yamaha 15hp 2 stroke, capable of getting the three of us up on plane, plus an extra adult. Smiles all around.
Seven scuba tanks have found a home in the fish box. BCs, regs, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins are still searching for a home.
Safety equipment. We have never kept a 'ditch bag' before. We have spent hours considering 'this' or 'that'. A lot of the stuff we have always carried and now it just has a strategic home. The biggest addition is still in the mail, but I finally decided on a PLB over an EPIRB. The PLB may not be the ultimate for a cruising boat, but it suits me the best. I plan on carrying it with me on other land based adventures, as well.
You get the picture. Lots of new equipment. The boat is starting to squat a bit. No room left for luxuries.
Back during our boat shopping, we looked at plenty of Oceans. I looked at one Viking. I was impressed by the engine room. The previous owner had laid the boat out for doing his own maintenance, right down to a dedicated stereo system in the engine room. So, before we even had our boat, I had purchased a shiny stainless steel, 5 drawer tool box. For the life of me it has not found a suitable home and is now off the boat. My tools now lie in tupperware boxes under the couch. Less than glamourous.
I am big fan of Pelican cases, my camera gear is protected by several of them. Not for the next year, we don't have the room.
So that is now the theme, if we don't 'need' it... off it goes.
One more week! Sometime next weekend we will head for our annual pilgrimage to the North Channel. We will spend some time with family and friends. More importantly, we will try and figure out how everything sits. We have the option one more trip home before heading south.
Exciting times for sure.
We have been getting shots. Extra trips to the dentist and the optometrist. I had a wisdom tooth pulled for my troubles. We have been trading this insurance for that insurance. And we have been selling stuff. The Sea Ray is sold, finally. The boat trailer went 2 days later. I am selling my truck. It's 'Let's Make a Deal' time.
Meanwhile, Knot Yet is getting filled up. To the point were some stuff is getting hauled out.
I finally got my new chain. 3/8" chain weighs 1.49lbs per foot. Last week I had 200ft delivered, right to the dock. No more wimpy 15ft of 1/4" chain. Better still, no more dirty rope on my decks. Now that we are all chain, it gravity feeds nicely in the anchor locker.
The dinghy davits are installed on the swim platform. No more towing the dinghy! Or loading it into the cockpit! The dinghy got treated to a new motor. Our beloved Nissan 9.8hp just wasn't getting the three of us up on plane anymore. Enter, a brand new Yamaha 15hp 2 stroke, capable of getting the three of us up on plane, plus an extra adult. Smiles all around.
Seven scuba tanks have found a home in the fish box. BCs, regs, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins are still searching for a home.
Safety equipment. We have never kept a 'ditch bag' before. We have spent hours considering 'this' or 'that'. A lot of the stuff we have always carried and now it just has a strategic home. The biggest addition is still in the mail, but I finally decided on a PLB over an EPIRB. The PLB may not be the ultimate for a cruising boat, but it suits me the best. I plan on carrying it with me on other land based adventures, as well.
You get the picture. Lots of new equipment. The boat is starting to squat a bit. No room left for luxuries.
Back during our boat shopping, we looked at plenty of Oceans. I looked at one Viking. I was impressed by the engine room. The previous owner had laid the boat out for doing his own maintenance, right down to a dedicated stereo system in the engine room. So, before we even had our boat, I had purchased a shiny stainless steel, 5 drawer tool box. For the life of me it has not found a suitable home and is now off the boat. My tools now lie in tupperware boxes under the couch. Less than glamourous.
I am big fan of Pelican cases, my camera gear is protected by several of them. Not for the next year, we don't have the room.
So that is now the theme, if we don't 'need' it... off it goes.
One more week! Sometime next weekend we will head for our annual pilgrimage to the North Channel. We will spend some time with family and friends. More importantly, we will try and figure out how everything sits. We have the option one more trip home before heading south.
Exciting times for sure.
01 June 2012
How do you get from Georgian Bay to the Bahamas?
Take the Trent-Severn Canal across Ontario...
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Take the Erie Canal to the Hudson River right into New York City...
Cross the sounds of North Carolina. Then tuck in behind the barrier islands of South Carolina...
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Bypass New Jersey to enter Delaware Bay. Come back down Chesapeake Bay before entering the ICW at Norfolk, VA...
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Cross the sounds of North Carolina. Then tuck in behind the barrier islands of South Carolina...
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Skip by Georgia and then tuck back in behind the barrier islands of Florida...
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Circle around the Bahamas until work calls or the hurricanes chase you out...
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15 May 2012
The old taps are gone!
I know, they are just taps. But, for me, they were like that first scratch on a brand new vehicle. They stuck out like a sore thumb. They had to go.
My idea of going like brand for like brand, even after calling Moen for technical advice, still resulted in brute force and ignorance. Those old taps just didn't want to go. In the end, I took a saw to them and cut them out.
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| Old tap. New soap dispenser already in place. |
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| New taps. |
In a related story. Kerri has wanted to get the cockpit combing pads re-upholstered. So, we started removing them. Port side, starboard side no problem. This is easy. Then the transom??? How did they bolt these on? We got one nut off, but how were we going to get the others. Even if we get them off, how would be reattach them? The only access to the nuts was from down below decks and up inside the transom. About a 3 ft reach. I would never be able to thread a nut back on. It's time to call Ocean for some hints. Well... you don't remove all the nuts. The one we had removed was a locking point. The others, were in a key hole type arrangement. Slide the whole unit to the left about 3 inches and there are holes to pull out each bolt. Thirty seconds later the final pad was removed. Thanks Tom!
Good thing I hadn't resorted to my usual brute force and ignorance.
Ian
07 May 2012
It's good to be home.
Even though the folks at Bay Moorings in Penetanguishene treated us well, it sure is nice to be home.
I have got stuff to do!
Those old taps are almost gone. They are now damaged beyond repair. It's not that I wasn't committed before, but there is no turning back now. I thought that by replacing Moen taps with Moen taps, that this job would go smoothly. Plug and play? In the last 10 years, they have even changed the thread on the soap dispenser bottle. Nothing is the same. So much for that brand loyalty idea. Back at the Ocean factory, it looks like they installed the plumbing and taps before dropping in the sink. I REALLY, don't want to have to remove the sink to complete this job. I will say that they made this job a little tougher than it needs to be.
I have a set of dinghy davits in the front living room. They have been there for close to month. They have to go.
Not to be out done. Kerri has a new table that she bought for the cockpit. It is set up in the front living room as well. I won't lie. I am not a fan of this table idea. My money says it finds it way to a beach fire somewhere. I bet it never sees the Bahamas. It too, needs out of the front living room. After that, it had better be on it's best behaviour.
We have got three Icom VHF radios onboard Knot Yet. I have heard nothing but good things about their radios and couldn't be happier to have them. Except one of them, it's mic cord has degraded terribly and the sheath is all but gone. Just the individual wires remain, it's not long for this world. I met the Icom Canada rep at the Toronto Boat Show. He set me up with a contact to get me a new mic. Except, the guy sent me the wrong mic. Come on, man! It looks like I have to box that up and send it back. We have surprisingly little marine support in our area, considering that we live right on a lake.
My to do list hasn't got a whole lot smaller. Still lots of purchases to be made before we leave. Unfortunately, the boat name suits me.
If anybody can point me in the right direction regarding PLBs vs. EPIRBs or both, I sure would appreciate it.
Ian
I have got stuff to do!
Those old taps are almost gone. They are now damaged beyond repair. It's not that I wasn't committed before, but there is no turning back now. I thought that by replacing Moen taps with Moen taps, that this job would go smoothly. Plug and play? In the last 10 years, they have even changed the thread on the soap dispenser bottle. Nothing is the same. So much for that brand loyalty idea. Back at the Ocean factory, it looks like they installed the plumbing and taps before dropping in the sink. I REALLY, don't want to have to remove the sink to complete this job. I will say that they made this job a little tougher than it needs to be.
I have a set of dinghy davits in the front living room. They have been there for close to month. They have to go.
Not to be out done. Kerri has a new table that she bought for the cockpit. It is set up in the front living room as well. I won't lie. I am not a fan of this table idea. My money says it finds it way to a beach fire somewhere. I bet it never sees the Bahamas. It too, needs out of the front living room. After that, it had better be on it's best behaviour.
We have got three Icom VHF radios onboard Knot Yet. I have heard nothing but good things about their radios and couldn't be happier to have them. Except one of them, it's mic cord has degraded terribly and the sheath is all but gone. Just the individual wires remain, it's not long for this world. I met the Icom Canada rep at the Toronto Boat Show. He set me up with a contact to get me a new mic. Except, the guy sent me the wrong mic. Come on, man! It looks like I have to box that up and send it back. We have surprisingly little marine support in our area, considering that we live right on a lake.
My to do list hasn't got a whole lot smaller. Still lots of purchases to be made before we leave. Unfortunately, the boat name suits me.
If anybody can point me in the right direction regarding PLBs vs. EPIRBs or both, I sure would appreciate it.
Ian
02 April 2012
Having a boat that is 'ship shape' is only part of the adventure.
Kerri and I both took this past week off. The objective was to take care of some of the finer details that require our presence.
Insurance. We all know how much fun insurance is. Naturally, it got shoved to the back burner. But, the time has come and it is all taken care of now.
OHIP (that government provided health care that we all take for granted), well it turns out they are a lot more flexible than I ever gave them credit for. And, thanks to a very knowledgable, pleasant and easy to understand Customer Care Representative at Ontario Services, I was soon on my way to printing out the required forms and applying for my 1 year out of country coverage. It turns out you can apply for up to 2 years of out of province coverage as long as you meet their exemptions list and maintain a primary residence in Ontario.
Travel insurance was just as easy, thanks again to another very knowledgable, pleasant and easy to understand Customer Care Representative. Life is not always this easy and that is why it was worth noting. My union provides it members with a policy that allows 60 days per trip, out of country travel insurance. I called them up and coverage was a simple as paying the difference to extend it for a full year.
Vaccinations. Don't put these off! We have just enough time to get ours in before we leave.
Now that that is out of the way, how about some fun stuff.
It is time to turn the fishing boat into a cruiser.
Davits. New dinghy davits are on order. After much debate, we decided on St. Croix Marine Products Model 820 roll-on davits. http://www.davit.com/roll-on820PullOn.html As Macara grows bigger, the old 9.8hp complains more and more about putting the three of us up on plane. (Mom and dad haven't changed a bit, it is all the kid's fault.) A new engine is in our future. So, we wanted a davit system to match. Roll-on seemed to be the answer, but I didn't want a system that would launch from only one side. I guess we will soon see if I am happy with my choice.
Anchor system. The windlass has a new wildcat (chain) capable of 3/8" rather than the wimpy 1/4" chain that the boat came with. Last spring, I purchased a very pretty 55lbs stainless steel Delta FastSet anchor, but it doesn't fit the bow roller properly. I am currently getting that rebuilt. The original 22lbs Fortress anchor has been demoted to a second anchor. Sleep is easier with better ground tackle.
The head. As a fishing boat, you are either at the dock or out in the ocean fishing and as such the boat's head system has only two choices, to the holding tank or direct discharge with each flush. The Great Lakes and Intracoastal Waterway are No Discharge Zones, so during that period of the trip we will be valved directly to our holding tank and seeking pump out stations as we get full. The Bahamas are a different story, pump out stations are few and far between. The accepted practise is to pump overboard. I don't want to do that at my anchorage. I have no interest in swimming right beside were I just flushed. The plan is to re-plumb the boat so that the only choice is that every flush goes to the holding tank. Only then I will have the option of pump out station or to go out to sea and 'take the dog for a walk'. For those that know me, I have a very weak stomach when it comes to this subject. Watching me work will be quite entertaining (if you enjoy watching a guy suffer).
Communications. We are having a Wi-Fi and cellular amplifiers installed. Extending the range of the comforts of home will make the trip more enjoyable. She is already equipped with satellite TV, I just need to reopen an account.
Making her all pretty.
Taps. I have always hated the galley taps. I could never understand with all the appointments this vessel has that it was built with such ugly taps. This is no longer a problem.
New bolster cushions. 10 years of Florida sun and salt air have taken their toll on some of the exterior fabrics.
A full hull buff and wax. I used to take great pride in this job on the 30' Sea Ray. I am going to get Knot Yet professionally done once and then see if I can't keep her up. She is significantly more fibreglass and on plenty more inconvenient angles.
We should be on the water sometime in April.
As I write this our count-down timer keeps on ticking. Only 120 days until this is all real.
Kerri and I both took this past week off. The objective was to take care of some of the finer details that require our presence.
Insurance. We all know how much fun insurance is. Naturally, it got shoved to the back burner. But, the time has come and it is all taken care of now.
OHIP (that government provided health care that we all take for granted), well it turns out they are a lot more flexible than I ever gave them credit for. And, thanks to a very knowledgable, pleasant and easy to understand Customer Care Representative at Ontario Services, I was soon on my way to printing out the required forms and applying for my 1 year out of country coverage. It turns out you can apply for up to 2 years of out of province coverage as long as you meet their exemptions list and maintain a primary residence in Ontario.
Travel insurance was just as easy, thanks again to another very knowledgable, pleasant and easy to understand Customer Care Representative. Life is not always this easy and that is why it was worth noting. My union provides it members with a policy that allows 60 days per trip, out of country travel insurance. I called them up and coverage was a simple as paying the difference to extend it for a full year.
Vaccinations. Don't put these off! We have just enough time to get ours in before we leave.
Now that that is out of the way, how about some fun stuff.
It is time to turn the fishing boat into a cruiser.
Davits. New dinghy davits are on order. After much debate, we decided on St. Croix Marine Products Model 820 roll-on davits. http://www.davit.com/roll-on820PullOn.html As Macara grows bigger, the old 9.8hp complains more and more about putting the three of us up on plane. (Mom and dad haven't changed a bit, it is all the kid's fault.) A new engine is in our future. So, we wanted a davit system to match. Roll-on seemed to be the answer, but I didn't want a system that would launch from only one side. I guess we will soon see if I am happy with my choice.
Anchor system. The windlass has a new wildcat (chain) capable of 3/8" rather than the wimpy 1/4" chain that the boat came with. Last spring, I purchased a very pretty 55lbs stainless steel Delta FastSet anchor, but it doesn't fit the bow roller properly. I am currently getting that rebuilt. The original 22lbs Fortress anchor has been demoted to a second anchor. Sleep is easier with better ground tackle.
The head. As a fishing boat, you are either at the dock or out in the ocean fishing and as such the boat's head system has only two choices, to the holding tank or direct discharge with each flush. The Great Lakes and Intracoastal Waterway are No Discharge Zones, so during that period of the trip we will be valved directly to our holding tank and seeking pump out stations as we get full. The Bahamas are a different story, pump out stations are few and far between. The accepted practise is to pump overboard. I don't want to do that at my anchorage. I have no interest in swimming right beside were I just flushed. The plan is to re-plumb the boat so that the only choice is that every flush goes to the holding tank. Only then I will have the option of pump out station or to go out to sea and 'take the dog for a walk'. For those that know me, I have a very weak stomach when it comes to this subject. Watching me work will be quite entertaining (if you enjoy watching a guy suffer).
Communications. We are having a Wi-Fi and cellular amplifiers installed. Extending the range of the comforts of home will make the trip more enjoyable. She is already equipped with satellite TV, I just need to reopen an account.
Making her all pretty.
Taps. I have always hated the galley taps. I could never understand with all the appointments this vessel has that it was built with such ugly taps. This is no longer a problem.
New bolster cushions. 10 years of Florida sun and salt air have taken their toll on some of the exterior fabrics.
A full hull buff and wax. I used to take great pride in this job on the 30' Sea Ray. I am going to get Knot Yet professionally done once and then see if I can't keep her up. She is significantly more fibreglass and on plenty more inconvenient angles.
We should be on the water sometime in April.
As I write this our count-down timer keeps on ticking. Only 120 days until this is all real.
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