4 Days Til Hammer Time

28 November 2011

Doggie missed daddy while we were in Charleston!

It's officially "The Holidays" now... I hope everyone had a safe and fun Thanksgiving!  Doggie and I were able to slip off for a few days and spend Thanksgiving with family in Charleston.  My mom made an awesome dinner for us, and I had a great time catching up with everyone.  I took Doggie out to Folly Beach and let him play in the waves, and then downtown to learn what its like to be a "city dog."  The only thing missing was my other half, who unfortunately had to work all week, BUT here is the good news; FOUR more days left before he is finished here and we head back to the Hammer.  There is A LOT to do when we get back...




THE TO-DO LIST:

1. Build the head
2. Finish building the quarter berth
3. Interior trim work
4. Settee cushions
5. Quarter berth mattress
6. Overhead
7. Engine work
8. Install oak flooring
9. Install nav lights 
10. Install cabin lights
11. Build dodger enclosure
12. Mast wires
13. Build and glass in anchor chain box
14. Build aft deck bench
15. Finish mast steps
16. Finish insulation
17. Adjust steering cables
18. Paint

THE MAJOR PURCHASES LIST:

1. New Sails 
2. Wifi Antennae 
3. New Dinghy
4. Outboard Motor
5. Water Maker
6. 300 Feet of Anchor Chain
7. Mattress & Cushions
8. Quarter Berth Froli Sleep System

A big list, yes- we definitely have our hands full for the next few weeks!  We are planning to have a couple of visitors while we are still in Florida to come hang out and help out with boat work in exchange for beer and a cockpit view of sunset.


~ C

Green Eggs & Ham

22 November 2011
 

In my pre-liveaboard life, I was accustomed to a big refrigerator, plenty of cupboard storage, endless countertop space, a four burner stove, and an oven that accommodated a baking pan larger than a cereal bowl.  No doubt that most people used to this comfortable kitchen scenario would turn their nose up at the idea of my wonderful little galley.  I will admit that going from a very roomy kitchen in my Myrtle Beach apartment to a cramped 32' Irwin sailboat galley was a tough adjustment- especially when I was no longer cooking for just myself but for our crew of two.  Thankfully, on our current boat the galley is "L" shaped as opposed to the old boat's galley which was a straight line stove top and a sink.  This difference in shape makes an unbelievable difference in what you can do in the galley.  It gives me what I consider now to be a decent amount of space on the Hammer.  Here are a few lessons I have learned in my transition from kitchen to galley.  For our readers that are boaters, I'm sure you can relate to these!

• Good lighting makes life much easier.  It is hard to see if your chicken is cooked in dim light!

• Ventilation is crucial- without it you will A) stink up your entire boat QUICKLY, B) choke the crew and guests with smoke, and C) make the boat miserably hot really fast.

• Countertop space is precious- keeping it uncluttered and clean makes cooking and preparing meals a lot more enjoyable.

• Cupboard space is a luxury.  We built a pantry devoted solely to storing pots, pans, and eating-wares, and it is barely enough.  

• Pressure cookers are great tools in the galley as they save time and propane.  The newer ones are a snap; no more beans on the ceiling. 

• Plastic reusable storage containers are fantastic for food storage.  Extra packaging on food products is annoying, and takes up too much space.  Plastic storage containers that fold down into themselves is a handy discovery I made, and it saves a good bit of space.

• Organizing your storage space according to what you use most frequently is something I continue to learn the hard way over and over again when I go digging for something specific and ten things I don't need fall and crash all over the place.

• Make sure you have plenty of propane BEFORE you start cooking!  Another aggravating lesson I have learned is that half way through cooking a meal is not the ideal time for the LP tank to go empty.  We installed opaque LP tanks onboard so we can check the levels at anytime more accurately than with just a pressure gauge. 

All things considered I love the Gremlin's Galley, even in its unfinished state.  I'm looking forward to several years of feeding friends and crew from it!


~ C

Back to the Future

20 November 2011

T-MINUS TEN DAYS AND A WAKE UP UNTIL WE CAN AIM OUR TAIL LIGHTS TOWARD THE CAROLINAS AND HEAD FOR THE HAMMER.  IT HAS BEEN THREE AND A HALF MONTHS SINCE WE BOTH SPENT THE NIGHT ONBOARD.  WHILE AWAY THE CREW HAS BEEN USING EVERY SPARE MINUTE TO PLAN, CONJURE, PLOT AND DRAW OUR FIRST TWO WEEKS BACK AT THE BOAT.  THERE IS A HAND FULL OF TASKS ON THE PUNCH LIST THAT WE WANT TO GET FINISHED WHILE AT THE DOCK BEFORE SAILING SOUTH.

-G

Going Sailing with Doggie

16 NOVEMBER 2011

A COMMON QUESTION WE HEAR IS HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CRUISE WITH A DOG?  WHILE IT IS GOING TO BE A NEW ADVENTURE FOR US (THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST TIME CRUISING WITH A PET) WE HAVE DONE OUR RESEARCH, TALKED TO OTHER PET-LOVING CRUISERS, AND PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO OUR PUPPY PROVISIONS AND GEAR.  LUCKY FOR US, HE QUICKLY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE BOAT AND THE LIVE-ABOARD LIFESTYLE WE INTRODUCED HIM TO WHEN WE MADE HIM A NEW FAMILY MEMBER LAST SUMMER.  PLUS HE IS A VERY WELL BEHAVED ADULT DOG, SO THE HARDEST PARTS OF TRAINING AND GETTING HIM ACCUSTOMED TO THE BOAT ARE OVER... NOW ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS TEACH HIM TO SAIL AND MAKE COCKTAILS!

IN MAKING OUR PREPARATIONS, WE HAVE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION MANY THINGS (THANKS TO THE HELP OF CRUISING WEBSITES, MAGAZINES AND EXPERIENCED CRUISING PET OWNERS).  OF COURSE, MAKING SURE DOGGIE IS IN GOOD HEALTH AND CAPABLE OF TAKING ON SUCH AN ADVENTURE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE- BUT THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TOP FIVE QUESTIONS WE HAVE ASKED, AND HAVE HAD ASKED OF US.

TOP 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHEN CRUISING WITH A DOG:

1.  WHERE WILL HE POOP?
FUNNY, BUT IT IS OUR MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTION!  WE HAVE A FEW FRIENDS THAT PRETTY MUCH ALL USE THE SAME METHOD.  THE DOG USES THE BOW TO DO HIS BUSINESS, AND THEN IT IS WASHED OFF.  IF THE DOG IS ALREADY TRAINED FOR GOING OUTSIDE IN THE GRASS, A LITTLE PATCH OF ASTRO-TURF UP AT THE BOW IS A GOOD IDEA (WE WILL BE USING THIS METHOD).  I HAVE HEARD THAT IN ORDER TO GET HIM TO USE THIS PATCH IT NEEDS TO SMELL LIKE DOG URINE, SO PERHAPS A LITTLE BOTTLE OF ARTIFICIAL DOGGIE PEE IS A GOOD IDEA (CAN BE FOUND IN PET STORES).

2.  HOW WILL YOU KEEP HIM FROM JUMPING OFF THE BOAT UNDERWAY?
NETTING AROUND THE LIFE LINES IS A GOOD IDEA, AND PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON.  IF NOT THIS, THEN YOUR OTHER TWO OPTIONS (OF WHICH WE ARE AWARE) ARE TO KEEP HIM TIED UP IN THE COCKPIT OR TO MAKE HIM STAY BELOW DECKS, WHICH IS NO FUN FOR DOGGIE.

3.  WHAT IF HE FALLS OVERBOARD?
BEFORE YOU TAKE A DOG CRUISING, MAKE SURE HE CAN SWIM!  ALSO DOGGIE LIFE JACKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT PET STORES AND MARINE STORES.  A LANYARD ON TOP OF THE LIFE JACKET/HARNESS WILL ALLOW YOU TO PULL HIM BACK SAFELY ONBOARD (MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BOAT HOOK WITH WHICH TO RETRIEVE THE LANYARD).  GOOD PRACTICE FOR A MAN-OVERBOARD DRILL!
     
4.  HOW DO YOU PROVISION FOR A DOG?
JUST LIKE YOU WOULD PROVISION FOR YOURSELF.  MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH MEDS (FLEA, TICK, HEARTWORM, ETC.) TO LAST UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO GET MORE FOR HIM.  PLAN HIS FOOD RATIONS AHEAD OF TIME AND BUY FOOD ACCORDINGLY.

5.  HOW DO YOU HANDLE CUSTOMS?
EVERY COUNTRY IS DIFFERENT.  UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE SOME PLACES THAT WILL MAKE YOU PUT YOUR DOG INTO QUARANTINE FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS.  IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS IDEA, YOU MAY WANT TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND AVOID THESE PLACES, OR FIND A FRIEND TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DOG WHILE YOU VISIT.  I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU CHECK OUT WWW.CRUISERSFORUM.COM BEFORE GOING ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT EVERYWHERE YOU GO.  THIS WILL TELL YOU WHAT THE CUSTOMS PROCEDURE IS, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, AND WHAT PAPERWORK IS REQUIRED WHEN BRINGING A PET INTO A FOREIGN COUNTRY.  BE SURE TO HAVE ALL OF YOUR PET'S VACCINATIONS UP-TO-DATE AND THE APPROPRIATE PAPERWORK AND TAGS AS PROOF.


OF COURSE THESE ARE JUST THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS, AND THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER AS WELL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT CRUISING LIFE WITH A PET?


~ C

Successfully UNemployed

13 NOVEMBER 2011

WELL, I AM NOW SUCCESSFULLY UNEMPLOYED!  (FOR A FEW MONTHS, ANYWAY.)  CAPTAIN IS NOT TOO FAR BEHIND ME, AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WE WILL BE SITTING IN OUR COCKPIT HAVING A BEER AND GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS OF PLAYTIME.  WHILE I AM WAITING FOR HIM TO FINISH UP I HAVE PLANS TO MAKE A FEW NECESSARY PURCHASES, CLEAN, PACK, PLAN, AND ENJOY A LITTLE FAMILY TIME FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY IN CHARLESTON.



AS FOR OUR DAY OFF THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE LOCAL LODGE PUT ON A DINNER FOR THE LADIES. WE DRESSED UP AND ENJOYED AN EVENING OUT.  WE WENT OUT AND HAD A FEW BEERS AT A DOWNTOWN COLLEGE BAR AFTERWARDS AND MET SOME NEW FRIENDS THAT WERE OUT CELEBRATING THE WIN FOR CLEMSON.


HOPE THAT EVERYONE ELSE ALSO ENJOYED A GREAT WEEKEND!

~ C

Honor, Courage, and Commitment

Happy Veteran's Day to my brothers and sisters at arms.  
I salute you for your service and sacrifices.


-G

New Sails, Part 3

10 NOVEMBER 2011 

 

SO THERE WE WERE... CAUGHT BETWEEN SPENDING THE EXTRA BUCKS ON BRAND NEW CUSTOM MADE SAILS, OR GOING THE INEXPENSIVE ROUTE OF BUYING USED PRETTY-CLOSE-TO-WHAT-WE-NEED SAILS.  I WILL BE COMPLETELY HONEST AND ADMIT THAT I AM TOTALLY CHEAP WHILE HE IS THE VOICE OF REASON THAT REMINDS ME THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.  HE BELIEVES THAT IF A PRODUCT IS NOT TOTALLY RELIABLE THAT IT WILL DEFINITELY FAIL AT THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT.

WE LAID OUT ALL THE PROS AND CONS, WEIGHED EVERY OPTION AND FINALLY DECIDED TO HAVE MACK SAILS IN STUART, FLORIDA MAKE OUR SAILS.  THEY HAVE A SOLID REPUTATION, WHICH IS BACKED UP WITH AWESOME PEOPLE, GREAT SERVICE, AND A FANTASTIC GUARANTEED PRODUCT.  I COULD QUITE LITERALLY WRITE SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS ON JUST HOW SATISFIED WE BOTH ARE, AND HOW HAPPY I AM THAT WE DECIDED TO LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF REASON!

~ C

Galley Gadgets & Comfort Foods

23 OCTOBER 2011 

I'VE BEEN PREPARING OUR PROVISIONS LIST FOR WHEN WE CONTINUE OUR CRUISE THIS WINTER. I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE THOUGHT OF ALL THE NECESSITIES, BUT YOU NEVER REALLY  KNOW WHAT YOU WILL REALLY APPRECIATE UNTIL YOU ARE UNDERWAY.  SPACE IS SOMEWHAT LIMITED IN MY GALLEY/PANTRY AREA, AND HE DOESN'T LIKE IT WHEN I TRY TO LOAD UP THE WORK/TOOL AREA WITH A ZILLION OF MY FAVORITE GALLEY GADGETS AND EVERY TYPE OF SNACK KNOWN TO MAN. THEREFORE, I'M TRYING (WELL... STRUGGLING, RATHER) TO DECIDE WHICH OF MY GADGETS NEED TO BE GIVEN AWAY, WHICH ONES ABSOLUTELY MUST GO ON THE TRIP WITH US, WHICH ONES I NEED TO ADD TO MY COLLECTION BEFORE WE WEIGH ANCHOR, AND AS WHICH SNACKS AND FOODS ARE BEST TO HAVE ONBOARD WHILE LONG-TERM CRUISING.

I NEED YOUR THOUGHTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THIS TOPIC.  WHILE WE HAVE DONE SOME CRUISING IN THE PAST, IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE OUR LAST TRIP SO WE ARE A LITTLE RUSTY WITH THIS PROVISIONING STUFF.  I TEND TO LEAN TOWARD THE JUST-IN-CASE IDEA THAT YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU COULD POSSIBLY THINK OF NEEDING- YOU GUESSED IT- JUST IN CASE! UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO WHERE NEAR ENOUGH ROOM FOR THIS JUST-IN-CASING, SO I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT HAS BEEN HELPFUL, NECESSARY, AND LOVED IN YOUR GALLEY DURING YOUR TRAVELS!

~ C

Dinghy Hunt

It has given us it's best but now it's time to put her out to pasture.  Now the hunt is on for the next dinghy. Any suggestions on a good cruising tender?  

Our old inflatable. 

-G

The Great Pumpkin

Happy Halloween 


-G