10 Years After

“I’d love to change the world, but I don’t know what to do.”- 10 Years

Know that one? A tune can really yank you back in time. That summer I shared a Turnabout dinghy (aka a National 10) with David. We were 10 years old, took sailing class, but more often then not skipped out on the lessons part. His older brother Paul had a baby blue van with a prized Easy Boy in back with shag carpet floor. D and I would wrestle for that seat for the ride home. Why would you want shotgun? Of course there was an 8-track player and Paul had the music: Argent, the Guess Who, Creedance to name a few.

“I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?”- Creedence

Paul had the look of a long haired hippie. Gentle guy. Think Gregg Allman. Not sure if good Paul subscribed to the movement, but I suspected he knew something was happening. We were brats at times. He put up with it. Can’t leave out D’s brother Charlie. His white van had a large American flag on the side. No chair or carpet as I recall. He did keep us in check better. We knew better than to push his buttons too far. Not sure about Paul, but Charlie went on to med school. David was lucky to have them both.

“Cause it’s a good life, too hard to lose.”- 10 Years

Well, that’s a bit off track. My daughter sent this post of hers from almost 10 years ago. That was UNA’s first season and we had taken her for her first overnight. Even behind Milford Haven’s barrier beaches it was a rolling bucking night at anchor. I had given my girl the cockpit and stuffed my little frame into the bow. Morning couldn’t come soon enough though I recall many shooting stars.

My daughter is an original, a good one. UNA has been a good boat. So, here we are, 10 years after.

“And if it’s bad, don’t let them get you down, you can take it.” -Argent

On June 26, 2024 By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA sailing4 Comments

Water and Windows

UNA has been sailing for 10 seasons since that “leaky” maiden trip. Back then I had planned on tent windows, but didn’t put them in. There have been windy nights I’ve reluctantly stuck my head out in the driving rain to confirm the anchor’s hold.

Yesterday I put those windows in. I followed Sailrite’s video. I confess I was only partially successful. Sewing remains a mystery to me. Perhaps it is mostly a lack of patience? In any event the task is done. I believe the wrinkles in the ports are largely due to the stretchiness of the WeatherMax fabric. I did not cut the fabric until after the window and backing were sewn in. While it is lighter than Sunbrella, I’m not sure I can recommend it. Maybe this is all a dry run. I must say even without the mizzen deployed, the boat and tent weathervane quite well even without the bow canvass, the tent stands up to 40+ mph winds. I’ve yet to have a midnight fire drill with it.

UNA is now back in the garage. Putting lead in the centerboard and a road cover are the next projects in line. 10 years should be plenty of time to complete them.

On June 8, 2024June 8, 2024 By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA build & projects1 Comment

Back in The Box

While we’re noting changes, my galley box is updated. I was prompted by, I won’t say whom, a fellow sailer who nearly turned his double ender into a Viking funeral pyre! Yep. He scorched his floor boards while cooking another five course meal. Apparently a three foot diameter iron skillet can generate and reflect enough heat to warrant a fire extinguisher.

As they say, the best experience is someone else’s. So, I screwed copper to the back of my box and added stainless to the bottom making a safer windscreen. Plastic laminate was glued to the removable shelf. A small wooden box holds utensils. Raised rubber disc tile added to the exterior top and bottom protects surfaces from getting scratched and sliding about. Lastly, a new butane stove replaces the old leaking one. Hopefully we’ve avoided more uncontrolled pyrotechnics. Just doing our part.