Been a Busy Summer!

Two catboats. The Bolger Bobcat S/V Zodiac is new.

  It's been a busy summer and I've been awful about updating. But here is a series of pictures that will update you on what's been happening with the IPNCo. 

7/16 New rudder for Kat Boat.

7/23 Learning to sail catamarans on Lake Coeur d'Alene

7/25 Ran the committee boat for the first time with Dan.

8/1 Sailed from Big Fork to Sommers and back.

8/9 Spend the weekend on Flathead

8/11 Picked up a new catboat

 In these unprecedented times (ugh) I've done more sailing then I ever have before. I have at least two full weekends of sailing left this year if not a few random days here and there. I'm off to Idaho week after next to sail both CdA and Pend Oreille, then the big hullabolloo for Labor Day up at the Yacht Club. And I have a boat to work on now too.

A July 4th to Remember

At Rest in Finley Point

 One thing I adore is having a boat that is not just functional, but beautiful too. I get questions and stares everywhere I go. From the Yacht Harbor to the gas station, everyone seems drawn to my little boat. The most asked question is "Did you build it yourself?" At this point I'm really close to answering yes. Because it sure feels that way.

 Over the beginning of the summer we've had quite a few days on the water. I sailed from Big Arm to Finley Point, a bucket list sail I've wanted to do for awhile. Spent the night on board with The Lady, and spend a fine 4th of July weekend out at Dayton. I've also lost one anchor, broken the lazy jacks, and seen what fine manners the boat has when sailed close hauled. And in front of me this week I have work. But more on that later.

Replaced the halyard cam cleats with horn cleats.

 The fact is we're still spending money at a decent rate to get the boat to the proper condition. And a lot of the work can only be found through empirical testing. This last weekend is a good example of that. My main ground tackle for the last few years has been 100' of nylon rode, backed with 10' of 1/4" chain and a Mantus Dingy Anchor. Other then a want to not stay put this has been a tried and true anchor system for awhile now on my boat. Never drug, reset with wind changes and reliable. On Independence Day however that was not the case.

 The forecast for the whole weekend was perfect sailing weather. The sun would be out to power the thermals that make the Big Arm/Dayton area some of the finest and most predictable sailing in the northwest. And if the morning of the 4th was any indication then that would be the case. I ended up overnighting in Dayton Bay after failing to make Cedar Island from Big Arm. I woke up and spend a wonderful day sailing to Wildhorse and back. By my count we had 17 sailboats out on the bay, enough for me to have to try and remember my rules of the road. That's rare.

Didn't quite make that Cedar Island on the 3rd

Hot breakfast=Luxury on a small boat

Sailed all the way to the beach

Wild Horse Island was very busy

Anchor down for the evening

 Recently I've been playing around with a stern anchor to stop the boat from dancing. Seemed to work well. With the usual solar easterlies blowing I dropped my bow anchor and set the stern one as well and got to work making dinner. Unbeknownst to me the wind has shifted 180 degrees and picked up. Dayton, unlike Big Arm is very deceiving when it comes to wind strength and apparent effects. Whereas Big Arm will become a churning mess of whitecaps and obvious doom, Dayton simply gets a touch lumpy. It took me a few minutes to figure out why my stern anchor was suddenly taut and my bow anchor line was slack. And then my sense of time goes out a bit as tends to happen when things happen rapidly. I let out all the scope to my rear anchor and that held for a bit. But as I watched the parallel shoreline it started to move. My first anchor dragging event. Knowing I could not reset as I drifted closer to the massed boats at the dock I tied the end of the stern rode to a fender and tossed it over board. Firing up the electric spanker I managed to work my way upwind and into the Bay. I reset my bow anchor and felt it bite. But the boat, true to it's nature swung broadside to the wind and took the full force beam on. That was enough for my hook to start dragging once more. I was again headed for a wall of docked boats. The hook reset temporarily and I thought "The hell with it!" hauled in the anchor and made a beeline for the service dock at the Dayton Yacht Harbor. I just needed to attached to something with no chance of movement. A fellow sailor caught my lines and helped make me fast. Everyone I spoke to up at Harbor House told me to get a slip. I spoke with one of the owners and secured an offer for a slip. I mistakenly tied up in the pump out dock but made sure to get out early in the morning.

Dayton Winds 7/4/20

 There was an upside to all this. I got to watch the most amazing fireworks display on my literal doorstep. I woke at 0530 to the sound of wavelets on the hull. The wind was still from the west, down a bit from what I remembered but decent sailing. I sailed off the dock around 0610 and figured I'd wait the wind out then anchor. Or I could beach on the dingy dock. But I was hungry and hauled the sails down in preparation for the morning respite.  The electric spanker refused to respond. With appropriate salty language I hauled the sails up and bore away from the boats back into the bay. The original plan was to sail to Big Arm, where my car was waiting, but I had instead asked The Lady to come haul me out at Dayton. I needed to ensure the Yacht Harbor got my payment for services rendered. So I simply sailed around the bay as the sun came up. I attempted to be as technical as I could. Worked on close-hauled sailing a bit, seeing where the luff would ruffle and catch the lifts and the headers. On Kat Boat the 1st reef is a good amount of working sail for all conditions. We chased the puffs as the wind slowly died down. By 0845 it was still again. I dropped my bow anchor on a short scope and waited. And sure enough, like clockwork, at 0900 the easterly solar wind set in. I hauled in the anchor and sailed to where The Lady waited at the new Dayton city dock. Although set up for power boaters it's a fine place to end a trip. It certainly was a 4th of July to remember.

What a display!

Morning rush hours at the dock

Famous Flathead Water

On the way to the dock.

Now sitting at home I can touch on a few things I learned. I lost the mushroom anchor when a powerboat removed my fender, which thankfully was retrieved. I've replaced it with a Danforth and the original 10' of 1/4" chain on a 100' of rode. My bow anchor now sports 20' of chain. I feel better with this tackle. I would like to thank all of my fellow sailors I interacted with on the 4th. My imposter syndrome not withstanding all knew the wind was not in the forecast, was not usual, and wanting to ensure my safety. They made this small boat sailor feel welcome all during the week and that meant a lot. I learned later someone blew a mainsail lug in the blow. And true to form Big Arm was a washing machine during the wind event. I'm not the only sailor who decided not to anchor that evening. We'll go out and anchor again in Dayton Bay I'm sure. But with some knowledge and forethought we'll hopefully be in a better way. And isn't that what this is all about?

My SPOT track.

First Weekend of the Year

A Record of Two Days Under Sail

First overnight trip of the season is in the books. Not quite what as planned but excellent sailing and a good time had by all. First time Big Am to Skeeko and back. Tacked the Cromwell Narrows on the return. Fell asleep to nesting osprey. Was a good time. I did accidentally have a timestamp on my camera but I think it works. Next weekend is rainy. We'll see when I hit the lake next

Cresting Arlee Hill

A great day for sailboats

Hobie Cat on Dayton Bay

Nesting osprey in Skeeko Bay

Sunset

Out of Helena

Overall we had a great sail. The sleeping out went well. I think that was largely due to using two anchors for the first time. I hung a mushroom anchor off the stern and stopped the boat spiraling at anchor. Granted we had to reset it due to north winds at 11pm the stay on the hook was much more comfortable. All in all a good shakedown for the year. With the all my off water events cancelled till September I expect there will be far more sailing this year then last year. I'm certainly looking forward to it.

Spring or Winter?

Empty slips at Dayton Yacht Harbor

 After two days of 70 degree weather, hit with a Winter Weather Advisory and had a bit of a winter wonderland. But during those two days I got a bit of work done. Here are some photos. Launch is set for April 25th, location TBD.

Twisted shackles for the halyards.

Sail rigged. Overpeaked in this image.

Cowl vent added.

Framing for the seats.

Interior cleaned.

Back under cover until next time.

Little Jobs

Sanded parts waiting for varnish

 We are at the strange time in winter. The weather is just warm enough to do outside work but not warm enough you want to stay in it for any extended time. So it's time for little jobs. I've removed what I could, hatches, door trim, a paddle and took it to my fathers for sanding and varnish. We've taken a timber I was saving and it's being turned into a rough boom. Today I've cleaned the port locker and will do the starboard later. Mold is a problem but we're ensuring that it's taken care of. The dry environment of Arizona was not ideal for the little spores but in the slightly damper environs of Montana the lockers have the slightest film. The plan is to seal them but they need to be clean before that step is taken.
 The boom has been removed and stripped as has the gooseneck. The original gooseneck is in a bad way and is in now way ready for the heavier boom I have coming. The search for a new one begins.

Bent in places it shouldn't be

 The hope is by getting these little jobs done now they won't have to be done later. I've also taken a rasp to the leeboard guard, hoping for a more vertical orientation. This was a failing noted by the former owner and resulted in slight lee help. Hopefully this will correct this but only sailing will let us know.

One of Four

Julia L. (Kat Boat) and a Michalak Philsboat Rend Lake 2009 (J.Michalak photo)

 The more I sail my boat, the more I work on it, and the more I learn of it's history I'm always wondered why we only know of three hulls that have been built. Of those three my boat, considered the prototype by the designer, is the only one still actively sailing. As I mentioned previously there was a Fatcat1 that was designed first. In Jim's words, "There was a Fatcat1 but I don't think I ever tried to sell it. Would have been similar to Fat2 but with a chopped off pram bow, sort of like Blobster." I'm guessing the overall design simply lent it self to the pointy bow the second iteration ended up with. And a fine boat it is to. If there was a boat I'd do a Texas 200 in, the FatCat2 is high on my list. I'm surprised no one has. So I thought I would go through the history of the known hulls.

 There was a first completed boat. Built by an octogenarian named Walter with a few modifications it was destroyed in a trailer accident and there is no record of it being ever sailed. 

Walters Fatcat2. Notice the winch forward to help with mast raising (Courtesy J. Michalak)

Here you can see the boom crutch. (Courtesy J. Michalak)

 Sometime in 2006 Kenneth Purdy had a hull completed. So far all I've found are some small pictures in the Duckworks archive. 

Kenneth Purdy's Fatcat2 hull. (Kenneth Purdy photo)

(Kenneth Purdy Photo)

My boat was second but also the first. Mike Sandell showed up at the 2009 Rend Lake Messabout with the first Fatcat2 to float. She was stock at that time save for airboxed seats and a modified cabin top.

Julia L. under construction. (Mike Sandell Photo)

 Eventually the fine attributes that make her the boat she is today were added through subsequent years. It's interesting to note that Mike built one of the other cat rigged boats Jim has designed, the Vector. The mast tabernacle is I think really makes the vessel a more usable vessel overall. The Julia L. was sailed all over the mid-west and at least once in it's new Vegas home at Lake Mead. Now she's the perfect cruiser on the largest naturally occurring body of water west of the Mississippi. And she's seen salt water too. 

 The third boat we are aware of is the only other Fatcat2 with video evidence of it's life.

I've corresponded briefly with the former owner, Patrick Johnson, over YouTube. As I understand it the boat was built in North Carolina, eventually sold to the west coast Florida. The sails seen here are by Polysails and was by all accounts a fine boat. At some point a dodger was added and she cut a find silhouette. 

Fatcat2 #3 (Patrick Johnson Photo)

 And that as near as we can tell are all the Fatcat2 ever built. I wonder how many plans have been sold to boats built. A shame really because the boat has a lot to offer in a small package. Maybe we'll see more in the coming years. 

*This post will be edited as new information arrives

A Dream is a Wonderful Thing

Venture 21

 The Typesetter, Dan and I have been meeting these last few Saturdays for coffee and solving the countries problems. But mainly what we do is talk about boats. Plans for the summer and beyond. This Saturday was blog worthy. Dan has told me for about a year about a boat that looks like mine behind a fence where he took a walk. It looks abandoned and he's curious. Well the obvious question is to ask but that hadn't been done yet. So being the kind of friends we are Mike and I decided it was time to go take a look at this boat and see if questions couldn't be asked.
 And that his how we came to be standing in an open yard talking with a gentleman in his house coat about his Venture 21. Turns out he raced O'Day Daysailors back in the 70's at a pretty high level and the Venture was a bit surplus to his needs. The top deck had been removed then reattached with fiberglass. All the parts where there. And the whole thing may be had for a cool grand. We thanked him and returned to the car satisfied with the knowledge we now had we did not when we first clapped eyes on the boat.
 As we journeyed back to my own yard for some work, I mentioned that asking about sailboats is fraught with peril, as you never know what the answer will be. Especially for a boat that has been sitting for some time. As I headed down 3rd Street I caught something vaguely boat shaped out of the corner of my eye. We turned around and came back and there was two seat kayak, skin on frame, sitting in the yard. Turns out it was a Folboat and belonged to a local historian and was on it's way to the dump. Well the offer was made and  eventually returned with the boat ending up with Mike.
 And that is how dreams start. By asking a question. Then it's up to you to find the answer.

On the the next story of it's life

 On the Kat Boat front the sails are off and in Dan's possession waiting a trip up to Kalispell and a visit to the sail loft up there. A date has been made to get the boom to the millwright. Things are moving along.

Full Sail

146sqft

 I just heard from David Grey of Polysail International and my new sail ships today. I can't tell you how excited I am. David has done work for me and some of my friends over the years and it's always top notch stuff. I made the decision with this sail to increase the size by around 10sqft while keeping the two reefs I have in my dacron sail. I'm excited to see how the performance changes. Performance is an interesting word when you relate it to a 15' boat for sure.
 My father and I have begun making plans for boat work. At the top of the list is making a new boom. I have the lumber and it will most likely be professionally milled to spec. Not to mention the sealing of the airboxes and varnish, varnish and more varnish. The plexiglass I ordered to remake my companionway boards arrived as well and I'll have those professionally cut in the next few weeks.
 I exchanged some recent photos of the boat with Jim Michalak in exchange for a new plan sheet after my dog ate one. I also asked about the FatCat1. I was told it was a very much the same but with a flat pram bow like his Blobster. A very curious and interesting design idea for sure. I think the finer entry helps in waves and looks a bit better with the lines of FatCat2. Not to mention hard to go forward with a centered mast.
 Progress is slow but we are making progress and with the weather the way it is I am very happy for that.

Getting a Mast Up

Taking up the wood in my tabernacle

 Kat Boat suffers from a compressed tabernacle and some of the upcoming work is how to stabilize it. I'm not sure the reason precisely but the bolts are simply going through the beams that make up the ingenuous system of support. Originally the mast was to be stepped by hand but when Mike built the boat he came up with the winch system to make it far easier. Jim Michalak mentioned it in dispatches even.  We have some ideas on what to do and we'll see what form it takes. Leading the pack right now is metal plates to spread the load and stop the compression.

Joint separating and even the washer is compressing.

Work to do.

Salt Water 2019 Part 2: Salt Water and Schooners

In front of the NWMC

 The show is only a single day but we received permission to stay one more night as we had reservations at the Sequim Bay State Park the following evening. Our mission at this point was simple: We were going to sail on salt water or bust. The 21st of July was to be the day. The NWMC has a coffee stand in the lower floor. And while I stayed there it was a treat to simply pop my hatch and stroll over to Velocity for a chocolate croissant and a mocha. Something I could get used to. Launching from the NWMC is reserved for the rowing club and although we may have been able to get away with it the Port Townsend Boat Haven made a far better launching point for our adventure.  
  In addition to the Palooza there is also the Pocket Yacht Crooza which follows the event. Now this year it was scheduled to be a few days of sailing on Sequim Bay. Due to a variety of reasons beyond the scope of this blog that idea fell through about a month before the event. We had booked a campsite for three nights in anticipation and decided to keep them regardless. But some hardy folks were planning a sail to the east and spend a few days exploring the area around Marrowstone Island. And because of that we were but one of a small fleet launching that day. Sailing with friends is always more fun!

A huge racing yacht at Boat Haven

Dan by the Hawaiian Chieftain

Tiny fish in the harbor

 The Boat Haven is an amazing place. And we intended to explore more once our sail was done. We paid the $10 a day fee and proceeded to get the boat in the water. It was very interesting to see the difference in ramp design a tide causes. Ahead Standard on the electric spanker made for nice steady cruise out of the marina. This is the first time I've ever navigated in such quarters and we had no problem. Once past the break water we went head to wind, raised the sail and we were sailing.
 I'm not sure what I expected once we were on the water but it was business as usual. With the exception of keeping an eye out for ferries, lobster pots, and kelp mats. These are all hazards I don't usually run into on my normal cruising waters. Eventually we made our goal to sail to the beach in front of the NWMC where we had seen the SCAMPs the day before. If they could do it so could we!
We threaded the needle and ran ashore. A brief stop to see to necessities and then a perfect beach launch. The water was just cold enough to make the process interesting.
As we headed out into Port Townsend Bay a mast hove into view. And then another. I grabbed my skippers spyglass and when it's measly half power magnification did not help I used the superzoom on my camera. It was a schooner inbound under iron spanker!
 With shouted orders the Kat Boat quickly came about on an intercept course. Surging under a growing breeze I had intended to take her in charge. Turns out a 15' catboat is no match for a 107' schooner under power. We did get to watch her undertake the dance of the anchor and we sailed close by to hail them. I do enjoy to give a hearty "Whence and wither?" Turns out it was the 1922 Schooner Merrie Ellen. We sailed close by then  blasted under her bowsprit, gave three rousing cheers for gaff rigs and began our return to port.

Such a wonderful boat! The one behind ain't bad either

Proud skipper and a fine boat

Saltwater sailors!

 Our sailing done for the day we headed for Forks to visit a friend. We checked in to our campsite at Sequim State Park and took the surprisingly long drive to the coast. Being so close to the ocean we just had to see it. And so it was on to La Push where we gazed at the mighty Pacific. I will say now that looking out across that horizon it is my day to sometime sail beyond it. But not to far.

Bring me that horizon

 There were many more adventures the next day. But that is for the next time.