Spring refit projects

In case you're curious about refit and maintenance projects on deck for spring 2019 to prepare Mercedes for launch this season, here is a link for the current list of spring projects updated May 15.  Thanks to Mercedes crewmates for contributing so much time and effort so far to "boat projects"!  It's really appreciated!

Good opportunity for re-wiring 

and replacing fittings on the 

mast while it is unstepped.

Offshore Safety at Sea Seminar

The USSailing organization has created an on-line version of their Offshore Safety at Sea Seminar that is sanctioned by race governing bodies such as the Chicago Race to Mackinac race committee as fulfilling requirements for crew members.

Karen and I attended the full day offshore safety at sea seminar in Chicago last year, and I was dubious that the on-line version could match that.  So I registered and paid for the Offshore Safety at Sea Seminar, and I'm partway through the video and printed materials.  The quality and breadth of the content is extremely good - it's really impressive.  

Topics in the seminar include lending search and retrieval assistance, life jackets and other personal safety equipment, ship's safety gear, medical conditions, weather conditions, boat handling, marine radio procedures, water immersion survival, and lots more.  Material is relevant for any type of sailing - not just sailing offshore.  There are 10 chapters of video and accompanying text and a (somewhat hokey) quiz to take after each.  

Registering for the on-line Offshore Safety at Sea Seminar costs $85.00.  You can sign in and out and get through the chapters at your own pace.  The registration lasts for 90 days.  The results of the quizzes are tabulated, and 80% is a passing score.  You can generate your personal Offshore Safety at Sea certificate after completing the seminar successfully.  

Please give serious consideration to attending this seminar and obtaining the certificate.  It is a very, very worthwhile investment in your safety and that of your crewmates and other sailors on the water!  

Designing Asymmetricals for Mercedes

Open the document linked here, and cast your votes for your favorite(s) in the Comments section, or try drawing one.  If you send an image of your creations to me (Chris), I will include them in the file.  
Here is an updated document including 2 new designs from Steve, numbers 22 and 23.

Some of the designs I messed with, like those between Design 9 and 14, are asymmetrical layouts not mirror imaged laterally.  The sailmaker tells me they can probably lay out the asymmetrical colors.     

Here's the link for the web-based drawing tool: https://www.onesails.com/uk/paint-your-spi/

To lay out colors for an asymmetrical spinnaker, select the "Gennaker" radio button.  Three colors is free; more than 3 costs more.  Avoid alternating different colors across the center of the sail for more consistent stretch characteristics.  I could find no way to save the output except capture the window, paste it, and crop it.  The numbering of these designs starts at 3 because I sent two in to Quantum already.

Note that there are a few subtle differences in how Quantum lays out the design of an A-sail, particularly in the second horizontal section down.  But this English OneSails tool is pretty close.  

Here is one of the images...

Don't forget to vote in the Comments below!

Crew overboard lessons

This UK Sailmakers Newsletter has articles about crew overboard (COB) procedures.  It also contains a link to the report from the Chicago Yacht Club committee that investigated the fatal accident in last year's Chicago-Mac race.  

Reading this report is chilling.  I don't want to be morbid about it, but it is critical to be cognizant of the safety hazard inherent in someone going over the side into the water, no matter what conditions.  And this applies to everyone sailing a boat, whether offshore in extreme weather, coastal cruising, or having a casual daysail!  

Some conclusions from the CYC investigation involved safety equipment (the COB's auto-inflating lifejacket did not inflate), role assignments and executive communication on deck, and the fastest procedures for stopping the sailboat and retrieval.  It highlights the importance of practice to develop the skills for effective COB procedures!  Let's do it!

North Sails How-To Guides

North Sails publishes a variety of "How To" guides that cover all sorts of sailing speed tips relating to everything from smaller one-design boats up through mega-yachts.  Lots of useful reference information that is applicable to us!  Check it out, and bring me any questions you have.  Here's the link...  

North Sails How-To-Guides 

Lake Michigan SuRF January 2019 issue

Here's the January 2019 issue (click on the logo image) of Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation (SuRF) with news and events around Lake Michigan.

Yet another sunset

Here's a great picture of Silk (C&C 110) and Slyaza (J|88) just after the finish on a Wednesday evening race in Lake Michigan.  Photo by Todd Groat.  Beautiful shot!

Person Overboard

The International Sailing Federation has done some research and publishes a guide to retrieval of a person overboard, using what they call the Quick Stop method and describing how a Lifesling works to bring someone on board.  Good information to know.  Check out the full text and diagrams of the guidelines here, and it's also linked on the Resources page.

One Minute Instructional Sailing Videos with Good Info

Here is a link to the American Sailing Association's 'bite-sized' lesson videos.  Good basic information, check them out!

https://asa.com/bite-sized-lessons/

Pea Soup

During our evening sail last week, the fog was as thick as pea soup, as they say!  This is Mercedes sailing up the St. Joseph River, heading back to port. 

Molly, an occupational therapist at Berrien RESA, is the photographer.  What a nice shot!

Hull preparation, from the expert!

What is a picture of a classic Porsche doing here, you may ask?  If you have any interest in beautiful finishes for boats, cars, or airplanes, this post linked here in a sailing forum from Maine Sail is the legendary, definitive, undisputed, always referenced, how-to-get-best-results guide to gelcoat or painted surface de-oxidizing, sanding, compounding, polishing, glazing, and waxing.  Everyone who has tried and erred admits that his advice really works for the most beautiful and long-lasting results! 
https://forums.sailboatowners.com//index.php?threads/buff-magic.105832/

Mercedes launch preparation

Yo crewmates,   If the weather permits, I'm going to try to follow the schedule below to get the boat ready to be splashed.  Anchor's Way tells me we are blocking a boat that wants to launch, so it's time to get motivated!  Will plan to tackle some inside cabin projects once the boat is in the water, and with less time pressure.

If you have any free time and want to come by, I'd appreciate any help!  Wear old clothes!

Gate combo for the entrance drive into the Anchor's Way boatyard is 3214.  Mercedes is sitting to the left of the drive - turning left at the first opportunity past the barrier gets you close.  I expect to be at the boat all day on the weekend days and afternoon/evening on the weekdays.  Text me first to check - 269.861.5119.  -Chris

Friday, May 4 ..... Acid wash the scum line (maybe take advantage of rain for rinsing).
Saturday, May 5 ..... Light sand the bottom, clean up propeller, set scaffolds, tape off the bottom paint, start compounding/polishing topsides.
Sunday, May 6 ..... Finish compounding/polishing topsides.
Monday, May 7 ..... Wax topsides if weather OK.
Tuesday, May 8 ..... Finish waxing topsides [will not be working after 5pm this day]. 
Wednesday, May 9 ..... Tape off topsides, touch up sanding bottom, clean the bottom.
Thursday, May 10 ..... Apply bottom paint, paint the propeller, if weather OK, or
Friday, May 11 ..... Apply bottom paint, paint the propeller.

This is an optimistic all-success schedule, and the work may spill over into the weekend of May 12 (but that Sunday is Mother's Day).