Sailing today? NO

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Las Velas de Pablo

February 22, 2014

We really wanted to go out sailing again today. However, we decided to stay on dock and get some more work done. We truly need to get “Pablo” up to Santa Cruz. The stress of the distance is wearing on us both physically and emotionally. There are things that need to be completed before we can take the journey home.

Steve installed the new VHF with AIS, I inventoried the first aid kit. Steve reconnected all the Mast wiring only to discover that the Nav lights on the mast are not working. UGH! We made a hit list of all the things that have to be done to move the boat. We will spend our time working on those items and those items alone. Everything else, including sailing, can wait until we get her to Santa Cruz.

things still to be done before the move:

  • 12 volt outlet working (to charge iPad for nav program)
  • repair masthead nav lights
  • replace running lights with LED
  • install jack lines
  • do something about disintegrating dodger
  • check auto pilot
  • repair and re-install whale gusher 25
  • connect router (for GPS)
  • make room in the lockers for crew
  • clean out cockpit lazzerette
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There was no fog predicted in the weather report

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Las Velas de Pablo

February 21, 2014

Today we took “Pablo” out sailing. Our excitement alone could have filled her sails. We went through our setting off checklist, discussed our plan, secured the cabin and off we went. We got off the dock with our usual “that didn’t go exactly as planned”, but as always we were off safely (getting out of our slip has been an ongoing challenge for us). We made a quick stop at the pump out station to pump the holding tank and then we were on our way.

The winds were 10 knots from the south. And when all three of her sails caught that wind, oh what a beautiful sight. We spent about 40 minutes playing with her sails, seeing how she tacks, learning just how tight we need to trim her sails to make her happy. We were grinning like little children at the fair.

We could see of in the distance a wall of fog coming in and we spent about 15-20 minutes deciding if we should go in. Captan Steve made the call and by the time he got the jib down we were covered in a think marine layer of dense fog. He started the motor and gave me a heading while he pulled out his iPhone. (no, we were not calling anyone) He used the iSailor app on his iPhone to navigate our way back into the harbor. With only 200 feet visibility, Steve said it was like playing a video game. Just keep the boat on the screen on coarse. EEK! All the while I listened for the sound of law mowers.

We learned a lot today about ourselves and each other. You never know how your relationship is going to hold together when the pressure is on. And sailing blind can be a bit intense. We did beautifully. We worked together seamlessly. I am so proud of us!

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Another weekend, more work

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Las Velas de Pablo

From Captan Steve

2/13 Thursday

Just me. Sherri had to stay home and work. I arrived about 3:30. Worked with Kim on the main sail. It was hard to raise last weekend. It seems to be ok. We will work with it more. The whale gusher 25 (I have been working on it at home) is still having issues with the gasket. I will try again tomorrow.

2/14 Friday

re-glued the gasket on the whale gusher. Put a gallon of kerosene into the holding tank on the deck. Caulked the turtle as it seems to have a small leak and rebedded the spinnaker pole bracket. Installed the two new fire extinguishers and clamps. Repaired the broken Nav light on the bow. All this before 11am. Spent the afternoon tracing, labeling and sketching all battery and battery charger wiring.

2/15 Saturday

Installed the new VHF connector to the mast wiring and it works! I won’t win any awards for soldering, but it works.Gusher still having issues. I am sure it is the door gasket. I will bring it home to keep working on it. Big job! Filled the fuel filter that I had to replace when Vince and I put water in the batteries. The filter was in the way so we had to remove it. I did not refill it correctly upon reassembly. Ran the engine and everything works great. Hooked the spinnaker pole back into the bracket I re-bedded yesterday. I still need to figure out the control lines.

Very fulfilling weekend. Lots of accomplishments!

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A weekend of firsts

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Las Velas de Pablo

This weekend was a weekend of firsts for us and “Pablo”

We arrived on Thursday 2/6 under cold and rainy skies. After two trips of trudging our gear and food down to the dock in the rain, we started a fire in our coal burning stove. First #1. Yippy! We were warm and toasty all night. I placed pillows along the hull on the port side of the v-berth to keep the draft down and we slept wonderfully. We had chili for dinner. Our first one pot meal, as we are testing out recipes and cooking styles for the journey ahead. First #2. Yummy, a definite keeper. We decided we could even have it without meat if necessary.

chili

“Pablo Chili”

1lb ground beef, 1 can tri beans, 1 can stewed tomatoes, 1 small can corn, 1/2 onion, 3 tbl spoons fajita mix, 1 package of corn bread. (heat beef, onion, and canned ingredients in skillet and cook corn bread in the oven on top of chili)

On Friday 2/7 Allan and Joe from PMR came around 10am so we could go out for our sea trial under motor. First #3, “Pablo” heads out to sea! The guys from PMR checked her new engine while we cruised out of the harbor and into the open sea. Getting up to about 5 knots, the trip was short but sweet. Dolphins frolicked around “Pablo” at the harbor entrance as if to welcome her back to sea. After getting her back to dock, we got the all clear from the mechanics. Yahoo!

We spent the rest of the day getting the reefing lines and topping lift set on the main sail. We raised the sails at dock and discussed the setting off procedure for our first sail in the morning. We had fajitas for dinner, cooked on the BBQ, First #4. We had not used the grill on the boat before today.

Our first sail!

Our first sail!

Saturday 2/8. The Big Day! Steve and I took “Pablo” out of the harbor and raised her sails. First #5! There was NO, and I mean NO wind. We watched as her sails flopped around, but we were smiling. The experience was extremely educational.

At the end of the weekend our bodies ache, our brains are tired, but we are happy!!

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diving into the bilge

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Las Velas de Pablo

February 1, 2014

Kim,the master rigger, came by and helped us put the boom back on. He drilled new holes on the mast just above the stripped ones so we could reattach the gooseneck. Boom, sails, and sail covers now back on. “Pablo” is starting to take shape!

We spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the bilge and auto pump switch. We brought the shop vac from home and filled the bilge with water and cleaner. Then vacuumed it out. We repeated this process several times. After testing all three pumps (one automatic and two hand pumps) we discovered that the Whale Gusher 25 accessed in the galley needs to be repaired. Bummer! We also discovered that we have repair kits already on board. Yay! So we removed the pump and will take it home to rebuild it.

Fingers crossed, next weekend we will have that sea trial and get this baby out into the open water!

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Lessons in patience

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Las Velas de Pablo

January 31, 2014

We arrived yesterday under cloudy-windy skies. Got moved in and got ready for our sea trial with Allen from PMR tomorrow morning. He wants to be with us the first time we motor “Pablo” into open water to make sure there are no problems and to make any adjustments on the new motor.I think thats a great idea. It was a windy, windy, windy night, but we slept well in our little home on the water.

Awoke today to winds of 15 knots gusting up to 25 knots. We decided to cancel the sea trial. Bummer! We spent the day working on other projects instead. In our attempt to put the boom back onto the mast we discovered that the threads for the screws attaching the gooseneck are stripped. UGH!!!!No boom today. Oh well. Steve installed the raw water filter that we removed and repaired months ago. Sherri made new fender whips. And we busied ourselves with many other little projects.

We really, really, want to get “Pablo” out sailing. We have owned this boat for five months and we have yet to sail her. We are in a lesson on patience. One that I know will get re-learned again and again.

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Back to work!

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Las Velas de Pablo
working on the new engine

working on the new engine

Deckhand Vince. Thank you!

Deckhand Vince. Thank you!

From Captain Steve

1/23/14

Back on “Pablo”. Vince and I are working on the boat this weekend (Sherri had to stay home and work her regular job) The rigger has completed installing all the standing rigging and she looks great. Now lots of work!

1/24/14

Spent most of the day learning the engine and fuel systems. Fixed some things, caulked some holes, worked with Vince to get things back in order. Was startled by sea lions playing around the boat just before going to bed.

1/25/14

Worked with the electrical system. Figured out the battery charger. Spent much of the time – with help of Vince and our dock neighbor s/v Chugalug- adding much needed water to the batteries, which are located in a hard to get at location. Vince got the outboard motor running and we had a nice dinghy ride.

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Can we have our boat back now!?!

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Las Velas de Pablo

back to the water

January 16, 2014

Wow! Who would have thought “Pablo” would be in the boatyard this long? Certainly, not us. What was that lesson learned about everything taking three times as long?

We got the call that “Pablo” would be ready by Friday to put back into the water. Wahoo! So we left Santa Cruz early Thursday morning giddy with excitement. Halfway down the highway we get a call from the boatyard that she is not ready. What!?! Well, we were halfway there and we were coming. So we will see you shortly we said with all the politeness we could muster. After arriving we find that the engine mechanic is still working on installing the new motor. He might be done by Friday afternoon if he pushes. Steve and I, frustrated, check into a hotel. We would be back at the yard in the morning to check on the progress. We were now like a dog with a bone and we were not letting go.

We got to the yard around 9:00am. The mechanic did not show up until almost 10:00am. He let us know he should be done by 11:00 if everything goes well. Great! We got ahold of the rigger (the mast has to be re-stepped before we can move the boat). The rigger says no problem if she goes in by noon. So, Steve and I go for a walk and putter about. Back to the yard by 11:00. Ready yet? No. Ugh! The rigger is there and lets us know he has to take his daughter to the dentist at 2:00. Now the conversation turns to the idea that the boat will not go into the water until Monday. What? No way! Somehow through all of this Steve and I remain calm and pleasant. We explain that we will not be here on Monday and that if we do not get her into the water today we will not be back for a few weeks (those home obligations. Work, family, friends. We are living a dual life)  In the end the rigger comes back after his daughters dentist appointment, the yard crew works after hours, and we are stepping the mast by spotlight and can only jury rig the rigging enough to get her back to her slip in the morning. Steve and I slept on the boat in the ways. After all the frustration and last minute chaos it was good to have her floating again.

The whole ordeal was not any one person’s fault. There was so much to coordinate. I am sure that Steve and I being 5 hours away did not help matters. We learned to stay calm and to remain kind to others. It was probably our polite behavior that endeared us to the mechanic, yard staff and rigger that got us into the water today. People did not have to stay late nor did they have to go that extra mile. They did it because they chose to. And we are grateful.

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Thanksgiving- no boat

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Las Velas de Pablo

November 25, 2013

Ok, so it was a little overly optimistic to think we would get “Pablo” back for Thanksgiving.

We took a drive south to visit Steve’s brother Jeff in Venice, Ca for turkey day. We stopped by the boatyard and it was closed. I am certain we looked ridiculous hanging on the fence starring at out boat on the other side. Perhaps we are getting a bit obsessed.

Oh well, no boat. Still we are Thankful for all the many Blessings in our lives!

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Out of the water!

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Las Velas de Pablo

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November 7, 2013

We arrived at Vintage Marina at our usual 2:00pm. Today we spent the day removing our belongings, we deflated the dinghy and secured it on deck and spent our time getting ready for the Haul out tomorrow.

Friday morning we were up early and feeling a bit nervous. We headed over to the boatyard. Upon arrival I found that I could not step off and tie off because of the design of the boatyard double decker dock. Luckily the deck hands came to the rescue.

We stood and watched as they put “Pablo” into a sling, removed her mast and hauled her out of the water. Like mother hens we fretted and paced, taking pictures and nervously laughing. We stayed until she was resting in her cradle. We gave her one final pat and sadly left her in this unnatural position.

We look forward to getting her back soon with a new motor, new prop, freshly painted mast, working sheaves and new lights. We are so, so ready to take “Pablo” out to sea and to take her home. Surely it won’t be long now!

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Getting ready for the boatyard

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Las Velas de Pablo

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October 31, 2013

We have spent many weekends over the last couple of months traveling the five hours back and forth between Santa Cruz, Ca and Oxnard, Ca (our home and Pablo’s current location). The trips are starting to wear on us. We speed down the coast, work like mad for two days, and then speed back home to our jobs and home life. It is like living two separate realities.

This weekend we will be getting “Pablo” ready to be taken out of the water next week. Our hope is that she can get a new motor, her mast reworked and get back into her slip by Thanksgiving. The sooner she is back in the water, the sooner we can take her home. It will be so much easier to work on her when she is only twenty minutes from our front door.

In preparation for the haul out we removed her sails (main, jib, and staysail). We removed her boom, removed the cotter pins from her rigging. Also, we removed our belongings and secured the galley and lockers.

It was sad to see her without her boom and sails. It was also hard knowing that we would not be working on her for a few weeks. However, we were happy the necessary work was going to get done and the thought of bringing her home kept us smiling.

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Getting to know you

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Las Velas de Pablo

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September 2013

As with all new relationships there is a getting to know you stage and that is exactly what we have been doing with “Pablo” We have scrubbed down her decks and interior, started going through her lockers, and looking into every compartment and nook. There is much to be done to get her ready for the long voyage, but we hum while we work and though the days are long and hard they are satisfying (mostly).

We will need a new engine and the mast needs to be removed, painted and to have the sheaves and lights worked on. Things for which we will have to turn to experts for help. We ordered a new engine, a 38hp Beta marine, from Bud Taplin which should be here in a month or so. We have lined up a mechanic, rigger, painter and boat yard. Now all we have to do is coordinate the work. (ha!) That is easier said than done. We are finding out that everything takes three times as long as predicted and costs twice if not three times as much as expected. But we are still starry eyed over our new love.

Since the boat will not be taken out of the water for a while, we decided to start working on the things we can do. The list is as follows and I have no doubt that I have forgotten a few things:

List: Remove raw water strainer and repair, fix the leaking head (human error, oops!), repair three of the nine winches, replace life ring, flush and clean water tanks, replace interior bulbs with LED, learn fuel system layout, learn electrical layout, learn water system layout, check outboard motor, learn anchor set up, make new cover for outboard motor, repair running lights on bow and stern, and basically went over every inch of “Pablo” with a fine tooth comb.

Soon we will do the prep work for taking her out of the water. That I am certain will be a whole new learning curve. One that we look forward to. Did I say we were having fun, because we are. We are loving every minutes of this, every success, every missed step, every lesson learned.

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Up the mast!

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Las Velas de Pablo

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September 2013

Steve went up the mast! I have to say that this is probably one of the most nerve wracking things I have done with Steve or “Pablo”. And I was on the dock.

We had to see what was happening with the sheaves because we were having such a hard time hoisting the main sail. So Steve, the brave, put on his bosun’s chair and with the use of a halyard and a wench I helped hoist him up. Yay for mast steps because with them he was able to hold most of his own weight.

Once up top he greased the sheaves, but they still didn’t move. When the mast comes off for painting we will have the sheaves worked on as well.

Once he was back on deck there were shots of tequila to quiet the nerves. Both his and mine. Hope we never have to do that in a blow.

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We bought a boat!

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Las Velas de Pablo

August 23, 2013

Steve drove down to meet with the inspector alone. Which made me sad, but really, what was I going to do anyway? Watch? It was best that I stay put and get work done. Ha! I clutched my cell phone all day waiting for some bit of news. Meanwhile Steve was crawling all over “Pablo”, looking into the bilge, pulling the anchor chain out of her lockers, tapping her hull with a hammer. The inspector gave her the all clear stating that they don’t make boats like this anymore.Whew! Now all that was left was the sea trial. Steve and Paul took “Pablo” out to sea and Steve was in love. I could feel his excitement through the phone when he called me later to say the deal was done. We were now the proud owners of “Pablo”, our Westsail 32 that was going to take us to wonderful places to meet wonderful people. Our dreams just got a whole lot closer to becoming reality.

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Meeting “Pablo”

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Las Velas de Pablo

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August 17, 2013

We drove down to Oxnard from Santa Cruz to take a look at the Westsail 32 “Pablo”, which was docked at the Vintage Marina in Chanel Islands Harbor. We had already been poring over the specifications in the sales writeup and knew just about everything about her. We had studied her water maker system, engine, lighting, whale gushers, sails, etc. If she was everything we had read about her we knew we were going to be boat owners before long. The five hour drive down the coast was quiet with only nervous chatter about what we should look at and the right questions to ask. Reminding each other not to look too eager. How would we signal each other about our feelings? Something big was about to happen and we could actually feel our reality changing.

We met Paul, the owner of “Pablo”, who was a really great, no bullshit kind of guy. The boat had been his Father’s, and then his and he had spent part of his childhood sailing and living on the boat. We could sense that he wasn’t selling her because he wanted to. It was more that he wasn’t taking care of her the way he should and could not give her the time and money necessary to keep her up and to be honest it showed. The poor girl looked droopy and sad. The engine was working but was held together by bubblegum and rubber bands (not really, but kinda). Her dodger was dirty and falling apart. She had varnish peeling off and just looked dirty and neglected.

However, when we went below deck and felt her warmth we knew she was ours. This was a boat that would take us to far away places and keep us safe. Her well vanished interior glowed under the dirt. Her port lights let in rays of sun that must have beamed themselves to us from the lower latitudes and her gentle rocking whispered of anchorages both beautiful and exotic. She stole our hearts.

We left that day with a handshake and a promise that if she sailed well and passed inspection we would gladly pay the asking price. We skipped all the way back to our car and starting dreaming BIG dreams, which became the central topic of all conversations between ourselves and anyone who would listen. I think our friends started to duck us because we had that glazed silly look in our eyes and our conversations were becoming a bit boring as they always turned toward “Pablo”. Oh well, we didn’t care. We had “Pablo” and each other and our dreams. Life got very blissful for a while.

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