Sailing Cambio

Category: Maintenance

  • Chasing The Big Departure

    Chasing The Big Departure

    I have been stuck in this Fort Pierce Florida marina for over 3 months. There is always a reason I can’t leave and it is always because the mechanics here are either very slow, or don’t do the work right or, to be fair, in the first month, waiting on parts ordered. I’ve run into some really solid great folks here as well an down the road I’ll talk about Scott, who has done wonderful things to my boat. he’s a great human being and the sultan of pay it forward who has given me a lesson in pay it forward that I’ll carry for a long time. among these guys, there are also drug dealers, thieves, prostitutes living for free on derelict boats up on stands that will never see the water again. It is a mix, and I’m happy to have fallen into the “right crowd”.

    I am frustrated that i’m about 140 nautical miles from my dock in Grand Bahama Island and only have 3 things to clear before i go.

    1. A sea trial. The last time they said it was all set to go, June 7, I got 3 miles and the same three bolts broke and schmecked up my transmission. I got hauled back and they fixed it in a way. They then told me it was all fixed and I photographed everything and asked some questions. It turns out, for example that they had not tightened the same transmission bolts. If those bolts break in the Atlantic, I’m pretty well screwed again, The next time I recall a problem, the owner brought a mechanic over and fine tuned the whole thing. And forgot to put oil in the transmission. But now, we are at the point where a sea trial is the last thing. Except:

    2. Another mechanic was on the boat doing a check on the vibrations i wanted checked. One of the things he said was “do you see where the prop shaft is going through the hull, how the bearing (shaft seal) is bending because it is cocked because the prop shaft is too long. ” Jason said that the vibration is too long and putting pressure on the v drive. He inspected the vdrive area and said that he was going to go right over to Tim and tell Tim what he found. He advised us not to do the sea trial that day. That is ad verbatim and I have little idea what it means, but I want to know before I sign off on it.

    3. Weather window There has been great weather to go from here to Bahamas for the last 3-4 weeks. great weather means to me 10 knot winds or less, and 1-2 foot waves. Now that I believe I’m getting close to -leaving, i still need nice weather and today, 8/12/2024 they are tracking hurricane Ernesto which is supposed to go up the East side of the Bahamas and so it is safe for me, probably. But the gulf stream will still stir up and make it a difficult crossing.
    So I wait.

    I’ve been working on the boat somewhat, but I do admit that I’m cloistered in and haven’t been feeling very energized. I’m studying boat parts and when I get to Bahamas I plan to do some studying, writing and photography. I got the urge to play with chatGPT today and that’s the topic of the next post on this web site. Sorry I haven’t been posting, I”m doing my best to get sailing again..

  • +1 905 321 2291

    +1 905 321 2291

    There are only a few reasons to call this number. 

    1. If you want to buy a canvas cover for a 41’ Cheoy Lee sailboat.   I have one for sail. I’m going down south and won’t need it for many years.  It is a ‘Natty Genco’ and a recent quote for a new one is over $7,000.  I’m asking half that at $3500.  
    2. If you have some time to join the crew of Cambio for her long distance cruise from Lake Ontario and going to the Caribbean.  We are looking for crew for all or part of the trip and this would be a perfect gap year project or a bucket list endevour.

    As an alternative, you could do the following:

    You could also email to philcheevers@hotmail.com

    You could scope out the boat and her skipper at www.sailingcambio.com  

    Looking forward to hearing from you! -Phil

  • There’s always something…and it is on Cambio

    There’s always something…and it is on Cambio

    The tasks seem to be getting smaller these days, thanks to Jeff and other people who chipped in. This is good.  The big tasks are dwindling and the remainder of the tasks are either a few big ones that are taking a normal amount of time or small ones in which finding the right tool often takes longer than doing the task…and then putting it away again. 

    Here’s a sample of what we did over the last couple of days, without mentioning the raspberry pie systems development that Jeff is doing. Stay tuned for some amazing developments in boating systems by Jeff.  

    • Tune the shrouds
    • Add opening strings to make the bifold doors open easily.
    • Installed new VHF extension cord to the steering station
    • Installed the lazy jacks
    • Installed the vang
    • Replaced the windlass battery (thanks Fred)
    • Installed reefing lines
    • Fixed 3 of 5 mast lights (thanks Fred)
    • Freezer is adjusted right on
    • Ordered parts for toilet
    • Removed the broken SSB radio
    • Cleaned some spare lines
    • Secured dinghy on Davits for rough weather
    • Fixed and installed new boarding ladder. (Thanks Keith)
    • Tested windlass
    • Fixed power on chart plotter

    However, as Pierre coined, rule #7, “There’s always something else”.

  • Progress is happening

    Progress is happening

    Today is May 19 and we progress.  

    We progress on preparing the boat, we progress on the relationships we build, we progress on our health, and we advance on our dreams.    

    My brother is up here for a few weeks and he has brought energy and focus with him.  Today we did some space management, Prepared the dingy, fixed the safety bridal for the motor, removed the VHF remote wire and ordered a new one, started getting the Starlink installed and a host of smaller incidental jobs.  We did another calculation on the new solar panel plans and went over the system design, which now includes, raspberry pies, a Raymarine legacy system, androids, Ipads, openCPN, and a host of other things. 

    To put it in perspective, I did the space management and got the screwdrivers when my brother needed them.    I’m pooped.  

    It’s good to be busy but besides the maintenance and preparation, there’s a lot of other things that I’m going to have to address over the next week.   I have some side hustles that will make this boat trip a pleasure.  I’m also helping some of the prospective crew with their side hustles.  Marketing, writing, and promotions are necessary.  

    So is recovering from the bilateral knee replacement 4 months ago.  It is getting less and less painful, but there’s aways that moment where I hesitate, knowing that getting up will hurt but it must be done so I do it.  The hurt is less and less each week but I’m tiring of the pattern.

    It will rain tomorrow and that will shift all of our efforts into the cabin, which is fine.  We have a long list of things to do both inside and outside.  

    Tonight the rum and the cigars were a treat.   Now I need some sleep.  

  • Natty Genco Canvas Boat Cover for Sale

    Natty Genco Canvas Boat Cover for Sale

    As we get ready to go south, we won’t be needing the boat cover and we are offering the Genco canvas cover for sale. We just won’t need it for a few years.

    It comes with an aluminum frame and completely covers the gelocoat topsides. It is available in St. Catharines, Ontario. It is in great shape.

    I called Genco, who made it originally. They quoted me just over $7000 for the new boat cover for the 41′ Cheoy Lee Pedrick fiberglass boat.

    I’m asking half price, $3500. It is in great shape and covered the boat last year perfectly.

    Please Call 905 321 2291 to inquire.

  • 2023 Splash Prep, Christmas in the cradle, and Cover for Sale

    2023 Splash Prep, Christmas in the cradle, and Cover for Sale

    Cambio is arranged to splash April 24, which is pretty early but I can’t wait for the season to start.   

    I’ve got a half a list that contains the things that must be done before the boat goes in the water.  They, of course are priorities.     Then there’s the longer list of things that can be done after the boat goes in the water.   They are less priorities, but I have longer time to do them.  This means that the priorities on the post splash list tend to be a bit looser, and every day I add more to the post splash list. 

    Both my knees are complaining about the knee replacements 8 weeks ago and they are complaining loudly.  I can climb the 12 foot ladder but I’m not so steady coming down and I don’t want to be working there alone yet.  So the village has come together to help me out and I’m very thankful.

    Thanks to Tyler, Fred, Sam and Rob, who got the Genco cover off yesterday.  Today Henri did most of the puzzle solving by putting the bimini together.   Keith has fixed the ladder so that it drops further into the water, making it easier for crew to get out of the water.  Keven is replacing some halyards and making  up some other lines that are needed for replacement.

    When the boat is coming out in the fall, enthusiasm has waned with the approaching winter and boat putaway is somewhat sloppy.  But when spring is approaching and after that a fantastic sailing season to be followed by a fabulous adventure in the Caribbean, there is no waning, just raining, as we get the boat back into Bristol Shape. 

    And it was a bit like Christmas today.   I’ve been hunting through returns centres and salvage places looking for stuff for the boat at cheap prices.  Some of these I wouldn’t buy if they were close to regular prices, but the deals have been too good to pass up.    I got a set of walkie talkies for 5 bucks.  The second set was 3 bucks.  The moisture meter was just 5 bucks.  A 30 litre waterproof bag was just 5 bucks.  And so on.  I brought the first pack to the boat today.  I had forgotten all the great items I’d gotten and it was like Christmas opening them up, and then a bother trying to find the right space to store them in.   It will all work out.

    Speaking of the Genco cover, it is for sale.   I’m not going to need it for the next 3 years at least so it is a fine tarp cover with frame for a 41’ boat available for pickup in Niagara, Canada.   I also have adjustable stands (7) to support Cambio for sale.  Inquire anytime. 

    /

  • Boat maintenance: the 55-point skipper’s checklist

    Boat maintenance: the 55-point skipper’s checklist

    • Katy Stickland compiled this list for Yachting Monthly magazine and it is a great checklist for spring. I’ve posted it here so that I can find it in 2 weeks when I commission Cambio, and for next year when I do it all over again.
    • If it helps you, send Katy a note. Authors of good articles love to hear that stuff.

    The ultimate boat maintenance checklist to make sure your yacht is ready for launch and the start of the sailing season

    Check your rudder for hairline cracks or damage

    Boat maintenance: the 55-point skipper’s checklist

    Boat maintenance: Mast & Rigging

    Check all your standing rigging connections. Credit: Colin Work

    • The mast cap is out of sight, out of mind 99% of the time, but serves multiple functions: backstay, forestay, cap shrouds, radio antenna, nav lights, halyard sheaves. Rotate mast and boom sheaves to check they are not misaligned or worn by a bad halyard lead. Lubricate sheaves with WD40 or silicone grease.
    • Spreaders, gooseneck, mast heel, kicker, mainsheet and topping lift connections all need checking for wear, damage or corrosion.
    • Check for galvanic corrosion between different metals.
    • Check electrical connections, deck and spreader lights.
    • Wax mast tracks and luff grooves with candle wax or Teflon spray.
    • Standing rigging: Look for areas of wear or stranding on the wire. Check mast tangs, T-ball joints and rigging screws.
    • Wash furling drum and swivel and check they move freely. It’s common for the top swivels to become stiff and sometimes seize, which can compromise the forestay wire.
    • Running rigging: check for chafe and that the shackles aren’t seized. Sheets, halyards, warps: wash in fresh water to get rid of salt and grime.

    On Deck

    Below Deck

    Head, bilge & gas

    Check bilge pumps it might sound ok but is it actually attached to a hose?

    • Check impeller on bilge pumps and grease with water pump grease only (Vaseline will rot impellers)
    • If you have an automatic bilge pump, check float switches work.
    • Dry bilges thoroughly then if water appears after relaunch you’ll know you’ve got a leak.
    • Fill water tank and add purifier such as Puriclean or Milton
    • If the pump on the heads is stiff look to service and lubricate with silicon grease.
    • If you have a gas sensor, check it works.

    Boat maintenance: Below waterline

    Hull and skin fittings

    Check jubilee clips for rust. Credit: Bob Aylott

    • Most vessels have DZR (dezincification-resistant brass) seacocks. Look for any signs of corrosion on the skin and tail joints, which are common points of failure.
    • Ensure all valves are greased.
    • All hoses should be double-clipped. Check jubilee clips for rust. Do you have wooden plugs attached in case of emergency?
    • Check skin fittings are free of blockages/ growth or antifouling.
    • Check anodes have plenty of life. Don’t forget prop shaft and saildrive anodes.

    Rudder

    • Check leading, trailing and lower sections for damage or hairline cracks.
    • Check for play in bearings, stock or quadrant. Movement should be minimal. Grease steering cable.

    Keel

    • Check for stress cracks or movement internally and externally – especially at the keel root and around the internal framing or matrix, and around fastenings and backing washers.

    Prop shaft & stern gland

    • To check bearings, grasp prop in both hands and try moving it up and down and from side to side. There should be little, if any, movement – no more than 2mm.
    • Check P-bracket for stress cracking from misalignment or damage.
    • Stern gland packing. Many yachts have some form of deep-seal arrangement that has a service life of around seven years. Those that have a proper stuffing gland will need to be greased to prevent drying out and getting brittle. The gland may need pulling down or repacking at some point.
    • If you have a saildrive, check the condition of the seal and the metal ring that holds it in position. Again, note the seals have a life expectancy of between five and seven years depending
      on manufacture.

    Boat maintenance: Mechanics

    Engine

    Check all filters

    • If you didn’t change the oil when you laid up, change it now.
    • Change fuel filters.
    • Remove rags stuffed in outlet pipes from winterisation.
    • Impellers – if removed at lay-up – reinstall with a smear of water pump grease.
    • Reinstall the engine belts and check tension: there should be no more than half an inch of play.

    Saildrives

    • Check oil levels. Check durability of the gaiter seal. Check rubber faring and reseal if necessary.
    • Change internal engine anode.
    • Check engine mount is secure.
    • Check diesel tank for water from condensation. Drain off or replace fuel. Add an appropriate biocide to help kill off diesel bug.
    • Check inaccessible wiring, such as bonding wires from the anode and earthing wires from the starter motor. Clean the terminals and smear them with Vaseline or silicone gel.

    Batteries and electrical systems

    • Check electrolyte level if yours is an open lead acid battery; tighten battery securing straps and make sure vent for gases is clear. Clean terminals and coat with Vaseline. For sealed batteries, check the condition of indicator light, or other charge indicator.
    • Switch on instruments and use backlighting to help reduce any condensation.
    • If the anode looks serviceable for another season, check bonding and wires. If they haven’t worn at all they may not be working so check Ohm resistance max 0.2 from propeller to anode.

    Sails

    • Check for chafe, wayward stitching and tears. Do you carry a sail repair kit?
    • Take to a sailmaker if the sacrificial strips is worn out.

    Charts

    Make sure your navigation apps are up to date

    • Update charts from Notice to Mariners.
    • For electronic charts, check with your supplier how to update. New chartplotters can connect to WiFi, or you may need to connect the chart chip to your PC at home and download the update.
    • Download operating software updates for your chartplotter and instruments.
    • Make sure your subscriptions for navigation apps on phone and tablets are up to date with the latest charts.

    Safety

    Gas system

    • Check age of hoses. If they are over five years old, they should be replaced. Check for kinking or wear in gas hosepipes. If in doubt, replace.
    • Check hose clips are tight. Hoses behind cookers should be armoured.
    • Check thermal cut outs on hob, grill and oven work.

    Harness/lifelines

    • Check stitching and get repairs done by a sailmaker if necessary.
    • Jackstay and Danbuoy lines: check condition and points of security.

    MOB lights

    • If you have the traditional type, check the bulb, battery and that it actually works. The new types have various ways of testing, and all have an expiry date.

    Lifejackets

    Is your lifejacket fit for purpose and in good condition? Credit: Theo Stocker

    Stanchions/lifelines

    • Check stanchions and make sure lifelines are still suitably secured at each end and cords and pins are in good order.
    • Watch out for wire failing if you have plastic sheathing.

    Flares

    • Make sure these are in date, in a watertight container and are easy to reach. It’s worth having gloves and goggles to hand too.

    EPIRBS

    • Make sure these are in date and registered with the correct contact details.

    Liferaft

    • Ensure this and the hydrostastic release are within the service date, and you are aware of its contents.
    • If its secured with a rope, consider if you could release it in an emergency with ease.
    • Make a grab bag up with essentials
  • Toronto Boat Show

    Toronto Boat Show

    I went to the Toronto Boat Show with a couple of friends this past weekend.  I couldn’t walk so far or so well so I was focussed on what I wanted to see.   

    • Solar Panel system
    • Ports Book for Ontario
    • Liferafts
    • Limited lookabout

    I’ve gotten a Starlink, a couple of laptops and all rechargeable lighting and other tools.  I’m also preparing to spend more time away from shore power and anchored out away from docks.  This suggests that my 190W solar panel from 2007 needs to be upsized.   I’ve decided to shop for an 800W system which hopefully will fit on the current arch.  I’d take the current solar panel off and replace it with 2 rigid panels.  I’m unable to measure the current arch for fit but I hope I can use it as is.  Otherwise there’ll be some welding/bolting to do.

    This implies a bigger MPPT and may demand more or bigger batteries.   I’m not sure I’m ready to go to lithium yet but my 4 6 volt golf cart batteries may not hold enough charge.  I haven’t done the inventory of usage yet.  Before all this I acquired a 1000 amp inverter to replace the current 300 amp inverter and this tempts me to use bigger 110v power than ever.  I’m not sure that’s a good idea, but there it is.

    The back up system, in case house batteries discharge, Is the 95amp alternator on the motor and starting batteries and windlass batteries to start it.  

    So I’m shopping for a larger, entire solar system.   

    Toronto is on Lake Ontario, far from the ocean.  I should not have been surprised that there were lots of dinghy sales booths but I did not see a single life raft company at a Toronto boat show.  But I was.   I’ll have to google life raft companies and spend the time on my butt reaching out to them. 

    The big win for me was the new edition of the Lake Ontario Ports book.  It came out this month and lists every port on Lake Ontario:  descriptions of each club and marina with information on getting there, phone numbers, repair shops, and town essentials.   I happily bought it and over a beer, checked out the places I’d been in 2022 and brought back memories.  I am planning to cruise the hell out of Lake Ontario this year before heading south and this is the ultimate planning guide for me.

    I remember in the 1990s sailing my 24’ Shark in company with another Shark (Lady Carol’s Aquarius) from Kingston to Niagara on the Lake.  

    These Sharks had a compass and nothing else, but Lake Ontario is fairly easy to navigate.  If you are on the west end, you can take a sighting on the CN Tower in Toronto.  If you are on the East end, follow the shoreline.   There aren’t many rocks and one Shark sailor (Miss you Bo) used to sail up to the shore and ask anyone mowing their lake shore lawn which way to go.  

    Carol had the official chart of Lake Ontario and I had the Ports book.  I’d follow her to the entrance and she would follow me into the harbour. 

    What did I learn during that trip on Sharks from Kingston?  Drunken olives are made by draining a jar of olives and pouring in vodka to replace the olive juice.  Place in bow in the morning and it is ready for consumption when you dock in the evening.   And a few other things.

    As I was walking through the many large retail booths a thought struck me. While I liked looking at the shiny new things, I didn’t really need any of them. Cambio is very well equipped. So I looked harder for something to buy and really didn’t find anything. I need some bib sailing pants but that was it. This realization made me feel rather good for the state of Cambio’s inventory for this spring.

  • A Cut Above

    A Cut Above

    In 3 weeks the doctors will cut open my knees, shave them down, and install new knees on both legs.   This has already made me more philosophical than usual but has changed the way I look at my plans somewhat.  They cut in mid February and I’m laid up for some time, getting better every day.  But there’s no “official fix day”.  It is a gradual improvement thing that makes planning a bit tricky.  

    I’m still leaving for the South on September 1.   I plan to have the boat launched about May 1, which is 3.5 months after surgery.   I don’t know if I’ll be able to climb the ladder to get to the boat to do the required pre-launch required tasks.   This might mean changes in priorities or a change in the May 1 launch date until the boat is ready, perhaps June 1.  

    The things I’ve identified as pre-launch priorities are: 

    • Pay Insurance
    • Remove boat cover
    • Change zincs / get spare zincs
    • Replace spreader lights
    • Test all mast bulbs
    • Put up flag halyards
    • Install spreader boots or baggywrinkles

    Most of these have alternative methods usually involving bosuns chairs or snorkels, but let’s do it the safest and easiest way possible. I also want to wash the topsides and buff out the scratches that are proof of my docking lessons, but they can be done afterwards, with more difficulty.

    In the mean time I’m studying, watching youtube videos on sailboat maintenance and lifestyle (shoutout to James, Plukky, Ryan, Sophie, Kika and Dan and all the others who cheer me up in Canada’s winter’s grasp.).

  • On July 20 Storm we had the furler destroyed in 43 knots

    On July 20 Storm we had the furler destroyed in 43 knots

    It has been a year since I committed to buy Cambio.  That launched a furious rounds of planning, building spreadsheets, researching options and outsourcing advice by reading and following sailing YouTube channels.  

    It is interesting to compare last year’s plans with this years plans, now that I’ve been through a season with Cambio.

    Last year my plan was to sail the boat all over Lake Ontario in all kinds of conditions.  I needed to have both me and the boat in good enough shape to leave for the Caribbean on September 1, 2022.

    This year I have the same plan, to leave for the Caribbean on September 1 2023

    I’ve a long list of somber lessons from 2022, some of which are covered in other parts of this log. 

    Had I left on September 1 2022, I would have run into hurricanes Fiona and Ian somewhere between about New York and Norfolk.  This would not be good.  I’m very aware for the 2023 season that I’ve got to remember that angry weather will have to be watched and dealt with (aka avoided).  Will I go out to Bermuda and turn right towards Bahamas?  Will I take the ICW? (I don’t really want to spend a lot of time motoring.)  Will I follow the shoreline 20-30 miles offshore while avoiding the Gulf Stream?  And what will the prevailing winds force me to do?  All of this is determined by the weather in close up observations so at this point being aware of future decisions is all I can do now.

    The critical dates for the fall departure are August 1 (which is the go/no go decision date), September 1 (the departure date), October 15 (The New York canal system closes) and December 1 (The nominal end of hurricane season in the Caribbean)

    Last year I had planned to buy some big-ticket items here in Canada. They included in somewhat priority, Dinghy & Motor, Freezer, Liferaft, Watermaker, Ais transmitter (I have a receiver), Wind self steering, Standing Rigging inspection, Solar Upgrade. 

    In the July 20 Storm, Matt and I had the furler and genoa destroyed in 43 knots of wind and effectively broke the boat for going upwind meant that we sailed 40 miles through the storm and then another 100 miles to Kingston on a broken boat and high wind and waves.

    I had a forced 6 week maintenance period in Kingston where the engine was overhauled, the propeller was repaired, the sail was resewn, the mainsail reefing, lazy jacks, and assorted lines were ‘restrung’, and all the major systems, including the standing rigging were checked.  The furler was repaired in October.   Other than the dinghy and motor, which were bought before the storm, the big ticket items simply were not purchased. 

    However, there is a new list.

    • Liferaft.   My advisors tell me this is not negotiable and I tend to agree.
    • More power by installing new solar panels.  I think I’ll be going from almost 200 watts to 900 watts.  Among other things it provides greater redundancy to power the autopilot which is a critical system.  The alternator produces 85 amps when the motor is running.  The batteries may need to be upgraded.
    • Starlink (already purchased)
    • Go Pro (already purchased)
    • Drone
    • Items that are no longer on this year’s budget, if ever, include Watermaker, Wind self-steering, Freezer, AIS transmitter.   I either have enough redundancy planned or don’t need them this season.

    So it has all been about risk management, limited resources (people and money) and building redundancy, all program management concepts that hold over from my previous career.  And the same tools, budgets on Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, even the dreaded PowerPoint. 

    It’s January 3.  I only have 120 days until launch.