New year, new possiblities!

Tacking out of Polson Bay

It's been an eventful year here for boats and such. And since it's been ages since this blog has been updated I figure the three of you following this blog deserve and update. And with the weather showing signs of lifting for the thaw thoughts have turned to sailing. The big news for 2013 was the acquisition by The Typesetter of a 1962 Lido 14 (#1280). A real one class racing boat. 14' LOA and a 6' beam mean we have now have a means of tackling the Flathead in decent weather and of taking two or more in comfort out on the water. We did several trial sails in the fall and the boat sails wonderfully, trailers well and it opening up many weekends of time on the water. At the present time I am in the process of purchasing the vessel and we are making all necessary preparations for it's return to the water in 2014.

It's a fairly easy list this year. 

1. Inspect, repair, or install new lines, halyards and sheets. The combination wire and rope halyards are in need of work, the main halyard suffering a minor failure last year at dock. The jury ring we came up with worked but we need to get proper length and secured halyards. 
2. Inspect, repair, install new exterior and interior fittings. The upper works are in generally good order. The interior could stand some creature comforts, primarily in storage department. Just need places to stow things to make it a good daysailer.
3. Renew the motor mount. Mounted to the port stern is a solid steel motor mount of unknown vintage. After some brief discussions about its removal "I'm thinking we're not going to get to it this year." "Okay" it was decided that renewing the wooden pad and cleaning and oiling the mechanism was good enough.
4. Motor work. The boat came with a gasoline motor for the mount. At a minimum the motor needs to be tested and tweaked for possible re-installation. The other option is a an ancient trolling motor I picked for seven dollars at a garage sale before I even had a boat. That would require the acquisition of a battery and charger.
5. Finish off interior appointments. The boat needs a good dry bag with most things that might be needed day today. Tools and the like as well as the nautical appointments of a small boat. Might want to pick up a proper compass for the centerboard too. 
6. Trailer inspection. We have recurring ground issue that plays havoc with the trailer lights.

We've also joined up with the South Flathead Lake Yacht Club in Dayton, Montana. They have a wonderful clubhouse, host races which we can crew for and provide a good location for sailing and fellowship. Now it should be understood that our boat (PHRF 263.4) will most likely NOT be participating in the races as we'd have to start the day before but we plan on providing camera boat and other such nonsense.
The S/V Blue Flower will be receiving work this season start as well. She now was a wonderful new set of stripped sails courtesy of the indomitable Andy Linn and steps are underway to get those rigged up. Two major pieces of work lay ahead, the replacement of the front combing and the manufacture of a new centerboard. The combing took damage from an errant ratchet strap and upon inspection revealed itself as not wood as we originally thought but MDF. The plan is to remove it,build a steam box and shape a new wooden replacement. The centerboard, being hollow has been taking water for a year or so. I may try and epoxy along the edges and see if that works but more then likely building a new one is a better bet.
We are right now about a month and a half from doing any sort of sailing at all but it'll be faster and more expensive then we can think right now. I leave this post with short video of the Lido sailing in Dayton Harbor after making the passage from Big Arm, some eight or so miles. The weather did hit us but it was brief. Immediately following the rain the water of the bay was warm to the touch. The worlds largest hot tub. It was amazing. I'm looking forward to more such adventures in 2014!