Category: Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD

It’s a Wrap

Tucked in for a few months.

I awoke excited to see Little Bird this morning. I hadn’t visited her for almost 2 weeks. A hoped for sail between Christmas and New Years didn’t happen. I do however catch a frequent glimpse of her green hull across the creek through the trees. Her proud bow points her sprit in my direction to face those days of NE winds that beat a path downriver. I imagine Bird saying, “I’m here. Let’s go.”

We’ve shared some lovely sails and overnight cruises this past year. Now winterized, bare of sails and under cover, Little Bird will once again wait patiently for a haul out and freshen up. That will be sooner than we expect, but not soon enough. New gunnel guard is planned for the dinghy Gigi. She will be a better freight and dog hauler for future cruises. The pram Tuna though significantly lighter is a wee under what’s needed here.

The days are getting longer. We can dream of Spring, some boatyard work and that first overnighter which has always been sublime-

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances projects4 Comments

Full Moon

Temps lately have been close to historic lows here for July/August. Sailing? You had to ask? Took Little Bird for a short lazy downwind afternoon trip across Mobjack to Browns Bay for the evening. Swimming, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres met the sunset. later reading under the forward hatch below was short lived. I did catch the full moon. Amazing, but not photographable via phone. The big bright dish got reduced to a small white dot set in the midnight sky. Still, believe it or not, I saw it. Luminous and beautiful throughout the night, a gentle breeze and 65 degrees made for an easy slumber.

The following morning provided some of the finest sailing home. Once clear of shoals, I lashed the tiller and watched the boat beat back home. Wonderful. Another log entry. Short but sweet. Lookie here:

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances sailing2 Comments

Lazy Hazy Daze

For good portions of the summer, it’s what it is. Light and variable winds, hot and sunny. Had 4 good sails to windward both up and down the river over several days. Here is a short iMovie video via phone from yesterday afternoon’s sail. D

Just daydreaming really.

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances sailing3 Comments

Red, White and New

Old G4 socket with new G4 LED that lacked the lumens

Little Bird came with what appear to be repurposed cabin ceiling lights. They have wonderful glass globes with massive bronze bases. I don’t believe they’re original to the boat as evidenced by abandon holes behind the bases. I’m also doubtful the old G4 bulb sockets belonged to the fixtures’ manufacture.

New SPDT switch and sockets with old bulb

The G4 bulbs weren’t bright enough, drew extra amps and produced heat. Granted warmth is a plus in cool weather, but more sailing is done in warmer weather. Enough rationale, I decided to make the lights both white and red (no, not green of blue or whatever the latest night vision “fad” is). I also wanted the lower current drawing LED’s. To make this work, the single sockets were replaced with two BA15D bases per fixture and the switches replaced with SPDT, single pole double throw, on-off-on switches.

New glow

Now we’re ready for the disco!

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances projects2 Comments

First Flights with Little Bird

SEABIRD an “the guy” with crew.

She’s a beauty. Took almost 4 years to find this Frances 26. Those who have them tend to hold on to them. The first for sale ad I saw was for a boat in Connecticut. The fellow who answered said he decided not to sell, but he introduced me to a local guy who graciously let me see his. I was hooked, but of course, he too wasn’t selling. A year or so later another ad leads to a call to a doctor in Chicago. We talked for an hour or so. He confirms that he is indeed selling. I buy a plane ticket, rent a car, book a room and spend the better part of the following day listening to how wonderful the boat is. I make a strong offer. The crazy doctor says he’s not selling! I still want to bill him my travel expenses. Shortly thereafter I hear that there is an owner of two Frances and that he was ready to sell one. Nothing. Some months pass and I consider a project Frances in Maine. After study and survey, that made no sense. However, someone has bought that one and is overhauling it. Alas, I get the fine Chickadee to sail while waiting out somebody who will sell their Frances. Eventually it did happen. I’m thrilled. Little Bird, then Seabird, was actually the first one I had even seen. I fell for the boat then and can’t believe I’m sailing her now. She has been so well cared for with exquisite attention to details. Though 44 years old, she is as close to new as you could expect. From masthead to bottom, this boat has been loved. Little Bird is a distillation of all the cruising boats I’ve known. All in a 26′ package.

Here is a short video of three short overnight cruises thus far. Looking toward many more. With her diesel heater, the season is just starting.

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances sailingLeave a comment

Projects?

Regent Point

Hard to even believe there might be any projects given the excellent care and attention this Frances has received prior to my ownership. I believe I am the 10th in a good line of stewards. I pray I don’t muck it up!

I’ve now had three overnight outings in Little Bird. Two short trips originated from Regent Point Marina on the Rappahannock River where the boat was recently hauled. We sailed to the Corrotoman River and later to Carters Creek. On the sail home we ducked into Horn Harbor. Perhaps more on those later.

So, projects, or better, additions. I’ve installed a Noco 2 bank battery charger. Chickadee burned through 2 Powermania chargers in short order. The company has since closed its doors. Wonder why? This Noco unit claims to be waterproof and “smart”. An identical unit was lastly used in Chickadee and seemed to deliver. So, here we are again. Good so far. It’s tucked up in the starboard quarter berth out of the way, but easily readable.

Green means full.

Also, I put another USB plug where a hole once was inside the companionway. Perhaps a vulnerable location, but like I said “hole”.

Twin USB’s in old hole.

Otherwise, we’re making efforts to bring aboard only gear we need. The tool bag did start out slim, but it is getting thicker. Projects!

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances projects10 Comments