Sailing Season 2023 is Finished

 Just a quick update on the Bolger Bobcat, now named Whoa Nellie. We've added some epoxy and I added a single layer of paint. It should be noted the paint is not the final bottom paint but another barrier to protect the wood this winter. But with the area for the skeg and the centerboard masked off I think it looks pretty sharp. From thirty feet away. While squinting. It was a rush brush job after all. 

Now epoxied up to the sides.

Add a good tarp and we're good to go for storage.

It was a good year of sailing. Ran some races. Didn't come last in all of them. Boat on the hard in the yard for another month for hopeful work. I'll do a major update post later but for now it was a good year. 

Smugglers Run 2023

1130-0501

Saturday July 8th 2023

  The day started early as a good sailing day should. I had laid out my clothes the day before so was ready to head out and pick up the crew by 0545. Regular readers will no doubt know The Typsetter, a long time friend and fellow sailor. He was a veteran of Smugglers Run, having given the event it's name, and was crew for me in 2022. He had his hand baggage when I pulled up in front of his house and was ready to go. Spirits were high as after a stop for coffee we headed north. Earlier in the week we had prepped to install the forestay and were equipped to finish it. The plan was to get the minor boat work done, get the vessel in the water and hold the skippers meeting for the yacht club race being held that morning.

Triple through bolted. Not going anywhere.

 The rigging of the forestay went well and we splashed the boat. Mike motored it over to The Old Harbor House Dock and we went and attended the skippers meeting. The plan had been to hold the Smuggler Run skippers meeting immediately after but as we were the only attendees we knew what was up. There was another possible participant but alas they were called away. Next year! As a race steward for the SFYC we piled into Kat Boat and used it's mighty klaxon to start the race. Thanks to the count down I can give you a blow by blow of that moment.

1020-blast as the ten minute warning.

1025-blast to start the the five minute start sequence

1026-blast for the four minute

Somewhere in here we lost the forestay with a metallic clank and the sound of cable on the move. The Typesetter moved forward to ascertain the damage as I looked at my watch and tried to think of options. The race had to start regardless.

1029-blast for the one minute

102930 "I just lost the mainsheet!" "I need to get the race started!"

1030-blast for the start 

The idea was to follow the fleet out but that wasn't going to happen. The mainsheet was the easy part, pull the boom in and reattach. The forestay on the other hand was going to be a dozy. I had it made locally and the crimp failed to hold. This speaks to the force that a cat boat can put on it's rig and why it's so important. For a moment I was utterly defeated. "There's nothing to do but call it. I don't feel comfortable on a long sail without it" It needed to be said and it was the smart thing to do. Immediately following this pronouncement I looked at my feet. And the 75' of 3/8th Raid Braid I had purchased just in case "We'll make a new forestay. We have good rope. That's what I used all last season." I just need to panic first. Then calm deliberation is my process. 

Kat Boat beached for repairs.

Typsetter and I at work.

  And that is just what we did. We beached the boat, as catboats do, and quickly got to work. We lowered the mast got the cable off and attached the line in it's place. We used the turnbuckle to get it drum tight and pushed off. Only about three quarters of an hour gone. We were back at it. The usual thermal in Dayton that gives us a solid Force 3 was in full effect and we took full advantage of it. We caught the fleet returning and waved them goodbye. Our goal was to pass Cedar Island and carry on into the lake. But try as we might the doldrums still caught us. 

 I should explain the doldrums as they exist on the western side of Flathead Lake and in particular the east side of Dayton Bay. There exists a perfect triangle of utterly no wind that I've never NOT gotten caught in. The insidious thing is you'll sail right into it all full and bye without a care in the world and the next thing you know you have wind lines on all sides, cats paws on the water and slating sails. It's utterly maddening. The Typesetter was sure he had it licked and I still have no reason to doubt it. We've been here before after all. We stayed close inshore and observed a beautiful cutter to match her effortless progress. 

Gorgeous BCC under full sail.

 We also enlisted the help of the J24 Sverre J to find out where the wind was.  We'd match her course and with the knowledge aboard the racer that far exceeds our own we'll be in the clear. It was truly a cunning plan.But with one major drawback. A Michalak Fat Cat 2 is NOT a J24. They left us well in their wake and we blissfully sailed into the doldrums. Blast. 

 Eventually we fired up the electric spanker and made our way very slowly north towards Shelter and Cedar Island. As we made our way towards the hoped for end of the accursed triangle we came across a pair of MacGregor 26's having a gam. That's the joy of the lake meeting up with your friends on your motorboats with sails and enjoying life. Shelter Island is known for the huge chateau that is built on it. In my opinion it's tastefully done, that is it could have been far worse. As we passed Rock Island we saw the breeze ahead. Raising sail and sheeting home we made our way further north and into the main body of the lake.

The open lake. That's Cedar on the right.

 Sunday, July 9th

And so we sailed. And sat. And sailed. And sat. The goal was to break the 12 hour barrier or at least beat our time last year. We didn't do that. But what we did have was some wonderful memories as we headed up the lake. We've heard what winds might  do as we headed north. But we had no idea how much fun it would be sailing past midnight with the stars high above and the lake stretching out in front of us. Or how lights and towns play tricks on you as you see them in the dark and from the the lake side. Or that the port side navigation light would blink in time with the waves. We need to get that fixed actually. I'm not going to try and write a full blow by blow. Part of it is because I was so sleep addled I don't remember it well enough to properly recount it. And also because for a lot of it you just needed to be there.  I grew up on stories of these epic voyages in small boats and would hang on every word. And here I am with my own epic voyage and I'm unsure of how to tell the full story of the dark time, from sundown. It's good conversation, guessing at the wind and sailing when we can. It's looking at spots of light and trying to make them match our charts and finding out where a northerly wind will REALLY take you. For the record it wasn't north.

Dinner at sea. Wonderful.

Heading into a smoky sunset.

We crossed the line at 0501

I had gotten about an hour of sleep and when I awoke we had no wind. "We better motor in the last bit" my companion suggested. So we lowered the rig and did just that. I put the Typesetter off watch and tidied up. As I was flying my clubs burgee and that of my office a decent harbor furl was called for. The shock cord furling inspired by Marshall Marine does a fine job of that. As we ghosted along the entire eastern horizon became pink and purple. The mountains became visable and I was confused for a moment. It struck me that it was dawn. We had been on the lake all night. We passed the outer trestle at 0501. We had not improved upon our time of last year, coming in an hour later. But the sense of accomplishment was even greater. As I navigated the last bit into the North Flathead Yacht Club I thought of why we do this. Because we can. We see sights no one else does. And do it at our own hand. It's truly an amazing thing to do. And my little boat is up to it. As is my stalwart crew.

 In closing I'd like to thank The Typsetter who puts up with me and keeps this sailing thing a going concern. The North Flathead Yacht Club for their wonderful hospitality. And all of those who enjoyed my story here and elsewhere as we make plans to do it again. Next year. But this story isn't done yet. We woke up around 0800 and had even more adventure. But I'll leave that to the next post. 

Done.

Preparing For the Longest Sail of the Year

 

The Typesetter Working on the New Forestay

 For the second time the Western Montana Small Boat Association is putting on it's long distance event on Flathead Lake, Smugglers Run. From Dayton To Somers taking most, if not all, of the day. Final work is being done on Kat Boat to ensure we're in good shape for the run. As planned the Fat Cat 2 does not have a forestay. With our heavier boom and larger sail it's become apparent that this is going to be a necessity. Final work will be done the day of the event but the rough parts are taken care off. Stocking the larder and prepping the electronics will take up the remanider of the day. 

 Plan is to star with the South Flathead Yacht Club race fleet and then go slow, go north. We've been in touch with the North Flathead Yacht Club and have secured overnight spots. Excitement is high.

Git Her Done Continues

 

The Worlds Only(?) Skidder Powered Travel Lift

 The wind blew westerly today which on the southern Flathead portends poor weather ahead. But with clearing skies it was enough to be working on the boat. I need to ensure we're at least able to go sailing this weekend if not aesthetically perfect. This means that the leeboard guard needs to be reattached. I also wanted to redo my peak and gaff halyards. So to work. 

The night before I glued up my leeboard guard. Mixed it to a peanut butter like consistency and clamped and screwed it. Set it in the utility room to cure overnight. I was overjoyed to see that it had done exactly as it should and was solid as could be. Almost like it never broke. I was very pleased with this development. Then it was into the truck with a quick check this time to make sure I had the tools and supplies I needed and it was north. 

 Thankfully the work went quick. Because we had taken both parts home it was a simple matter of setting the bolts back into the guard. Then a bit of work getting the board back in and just like that the boat was whole again. According to my friend Carl I'm a Class 2 Boat Builder now which means I can use epoxy without fear. And that has made jobs like this so much easier. It's not pretty but it's functional. So with the guard on it was time for the next set of projects. I should note so far less then a half an hour has passed and I had budgeted three hours for projects. On top of that I am planning on coming up later in the week to finish what I don't get done here. This is why this is a blog and not a vlog. There isn't enough moving content to make it interesting. 

It's nice to have a chandlery just a click away

 I could stare at the line set up of Katie M. for hours. There is so much detail that I can use it's amazing. And it set me on a course to change my line setup for my running rigging. On the starboard side of the boat at least. That includes four lines: Throat Halyard, Peak Halyard, Leech Line, and First Reef. The halyard blocks are in a rather awkward position forwards and in a case of It Came Thatwayitis it's never been changed. But it's time. I ordered new bronze deck blocks to replace the Ronstan Jib Blocks that were in place for my halyards. This is directly from the Katie M. and it should work a bit better. The blocks went in quickly with all new stainless steel hardware and were bedded with butyl tape. The interior of the boat means that the original plan of giant fender washers in the 1/2" deck wasn't possible but I'll be VERY surprised if the blocks go anywhere. Since the bronze jam cleats I picked up are shorter in profile my plan is to elevate them with a nice piece of wood to make them easier to use.

This layout needs updating

 In the process of getting the blocks to a place where they will work I found all the lines forward need to change. I also need to remove a bunch of hardware that is now superfluous and fill all the holes, sand and paint. The cabin roof presents challenges in directing lines aft. I think I'm going to move to a fixed leech line and eliminate it's run aft. That just leaves the forward first reef line. More staring is needed. I also added the new quarter boards from Matt Cline of Salvation Navy fame. They are just in place with wood screws for the time being but they look so much better now.

A good overview of the work completed today

 Five days remains until the official launch for 2023. The goal is a functioning boat and continuous work throughout the next few months. Having the boat on the hard and not at home is a game changer when it comes to working on the vessel. This means afternoons can be devoted to projects that distractions at home always seem to put off. If all goes well we'll take the boat home better then when it came up and do it again next year.

Yard Work Begins

Kat Boat at rest

  The time has finally come for Kat Boat to live somewhere else during the summer. I sail out of of and around the Dayton Yacht Harbor and after a few summers decided it was time to bring the boat up for the season. And there is work to be done! We had our first underway of the year this last Sunday. Just a out for about an hour but everything seemed to work well. The Typesetter and I took the forestay off for the cruise and the boat didn't seem the worse for wear. 

Obligatory sail shot with two burgees and the ensign.

 

  Upon returning the leeboard guard was ripped from the vessel during a disembarking. It happens. So that will need to be fixed before the 24th of the month and the opening of the club season. It's actually quite a list.

• Fix leeboard guard
• Replace and reposition gaff and peak halyard blocks using deck blocks
• Replace current halyard cleats with brass jam cleats
• Touch up the paint where able
• Rebond the rudder plys for the season. 
  
• Add rubrails to cabin top and bow
• Intstall trail boards

 Should be able to punch it out over the weekend. The Lady is off to family gathering so I'll be left to my own devices. The plan is to make a list of what I need, bring up and get it done over on or two mornings before the heat chases me off. Should be easy enough. Famous last words I know. But time will tell.  

This is not ideal.

Well that's not right.

Seattle and Port Townsend 2023

 The first week in June we headed west as we are want to do every other year. The goal as always was to pack as much as we could in just a few days. A few repeat experiences and some new ones. Dan was along for the trip and we left super early. Seven hours later found us in Issaquah, Washington and the Cougar Mountain Zoo. After a quick trip to see the animals we checked into our hotel, Comfort Inn SeaTac and took the light rail into town. We had a schooner to catch. 

 Readers of the blog will remember last time we sailed in Seattle the SV Obsession was fired upon by a schooner in Elliot Bay. This time we took the schooner, Bay Lady out for a cruise. It was my first time on a schooner and was everything I hopped it would be. Here is that story in pictures.

Bay Lady in Bell Harbor Marina

Helping haul the mainsail

Deckhand

At the Helm

 

Down the deck

Raising the head sails

 Bay Lady was custom built for charter sailing in 1989 and runs 85' in length. Her hull and rig are steel with wooden spars. On our sailing day both head sails, fore and main sails were used. It was an amazing feeling standing next the the helm, hands behind my back and looking down the sweep of the vessel. I understand a bit more now about standing an officers watch in my Napoleonic naval fiction books. We also spent a bit of time examining the gaff rig and how we can improve our own. The captain was kind enough to offer some advice on that as well. Seattle's Tall Ship is most certainly worth a trip. We may well go again next time we are in the area and sight seeing.

 The next day it was up early and on to Port Townsend. But first I wanted to stop at the US Undersea Museum in Portsbo, something I've been meaning to do. It was awesome and we'll have to go back to get it all. Wonderfully done. 

USS Montana License Plate

"Damn it Bill! Slow Down!" DSRV Mystic

"Target Subaru Impreza! Speed 0! Range 75 Yards! Angle on the bow 20! Match sonar bearings and shoot!"

 We had a day sail planned with Left Coast Charters, something we've done in the past. I never pass up an opportunity to sail a catboat. Certainly not a wooden one built where it sails. Katie M. is a Crosby inspired cruising catboat, ~23' in length depending on what measurement you want. She was built at the wooden boat building school in Port Haddock, WA and was purchased after only a few times out. Eric Brown and Alyce Flanagan rebuilt the boat and now sail it on a charter basis out of the Point Hudson Marina. She's a cool boat with a custom electric drive and fresh flowers on board. Eric called us and let us know the winds were due up and if wanted to move our sail back a few hours. We did and it was well worth it. There is nothing like an almost hull speed sail on a well reefed cat. I would know.

Alyce and Eric with my CBA Burgee

Heading for the bell buoy

Dan and Kat enjoying the ride

Triple reefed new sail and logo

 

 All to soon we were reaching back into town. Eric gave us a quick waterfront sail by and then it was down with the rig. The electric motor brought us smoothly back to the dock and with a slick docking maneuver it was over. I can't speak highly enough of the whole operation. A true class act in every way. The best way to see a Victorian sea port is in a Victorian era working boat and Left Coast Charters will let you do just that.

 The next day we woke up early to ensure a spot in line for breakfast at the Point Hudson Cafe. I had the same meal I had the first time I wandered in back in 2019, Raisin French Toast and eggs. 

 

Food art

 

 After breakfast we needed some help with our Bobcat sail from The Artful Sailor. To work with a master sail maker was a joy and a pleasure and Salty Sue is wonderful. Sadly our schedule meant leaving the sail and we look forward to seeing the finished project. Worth a stop for sure.

Emiliano and Kat

 After a day of sightseeing in Port Townsend it was another night at the Fort Worden campground and then back to Seattle. In Seattle we stopped by the Center for Wooden Boats and I took some photos there.

Dan and a schooner

Chewbacco?

Kitten Bow

Kitten at rest

 All in all it was a wonderful trip. The sailing was excellent and was good to be near the salt water again. Right now we are planning a return trip in 2024 for the Pocket Yacht Palooza and Crooza. But more on that later.

How Far We've Come

 

  The footage above is what started my thoughts on building and eventually buying this model of boat. As a matter of fact that's the very boat you've seen in these pages. This was during her debut at the 2011 Rend Lake Messabout. The very same where she was fresh from the builder yard, was sailed with her designer aboard and made history as the sailing prototype. Seeing it new means we can look back at the changes that were done to the vessel over the years. It won't be an exhaustive list but as the current owner I'll hit the highlights. I think a numbered list should do it. 

1. Colors-The tabernacle and main hatch are white. Both are bare wood now. The side decks are bare wood and are painted today. The paint scheme remains the same but the color is now a navy blue with buff accents. 
2. Sail Attachment-The sail here is attached as per plan, simple rope loops. Currently the boat sports a spiral luff attachment that is adjustable. 
3. Mast Tabernacle-I can't be certain but I believe the pivoting tabernacle was a later upgrade. Jim actually has a whole post on this. But it does make it far easier to set the mast. 
4. Motor-Here you see the original 1954 Evinrude Lightwin that originally equipped the boat. We're electric powered currently. 
5. Sail Size-Original polytarp sail of 136sqft. Kat Boat sports a wonderful tanbark 145sqft today.

Those are just the things you can see. I can tell you the lamp cord electrical system has been updated. Benches and hatches improved. But she still cuts through the water just as well. Notice how the foot of the bow is out of the water. That makes for a wonderful smooth ride. The bow will cut waves the boat can't go over. 

 It's nice to look back on his boats life. It's documentation throughout it's career means better work moving forward. Mike did a find build and I hope it continues to get better as the years progress. 

Mike S. and I in Beaver, Utah where I took over as caretaker for the FatCat 2 prototype.

Built for Messing About

 

Second Reef in Smoke

Note: This particular entry acts as a companion piece to  video I did which you can find HERE.

  The sail of a catboat is one of it's most iconic features. It is true that a gaff rig is not a requirement of being a catboat per se, it is a feature most identified with the breed. And the FatCat 2 is no exception. This is a tale of two sails and how the FatCat 2 #1 came to wear a bit more laundry then what she was designed with. 

 If we look at the sail plan of the FatCat 2 which according to the plan sheet #3 originally drawn in December of 1996 the vessel sports a sail of 138sqft. (Foot of 13'9", Leech 17'5", Head 10' 6", Luff of 8' 6") This was the sail that the then Julia L. was launched with. The first sail of the boat was polytarp and by all accounts did a very fine job. In fact during the boats maiden outing at the 2009 Rend Lake Messabout the designer Jim Michalak got to sail aboard with it's creator Mike Sandell. You can read the account of this excursion on the plans page for the design on Duckworks. The one thing I would like to draw attention to is Jim's closing sentence NOW, I gotta tell you that I sailed a bit with Mike and the boat struck me as being light with a really big sail, so don't skimp on the reef points! While i don't disagree with the need for reef points I'd like to discuss a bit more how this boat has handled in my experience. 

 Traditionally the shallow draft of a catboat is combined with weight down low and a good centerboard. I've had the opportunity to sail a few different catboats and while my experience isn't vast I'd like to think I've got a decent handle on what they feel like as a sailor in the interior of the Rocky Mountain west. One thing they all have in common from a Beetle to a big Crosby is they pull like a draft horse. But by the same token they'll settle down nice if you reduce that sail area. And the FatCat 2 is no different. I think this unfortunate wording in the boat description may have put potential builders off the design. And that is a shame. 

 According to the plans page the maximum degree of list before you go over is 50 degrees. Kat Boat is equipped with an inclinometer and I don't think in the almost five years of sailing the boat I've seen over 15 degrees. Sure it could happen but that's the same on any boat. The fact is there is so little submerged displacement in the hull the boat will loose leeway before it heels. The sure sign your over canvased is you just stop sailing well. Trying to sail the boat flat will give you the best results and pushing for heel to go faster is a fool errand. The vessel will lie hove to quite nicely, a common quality in catboats, and as I've often said on these pages has no ill manners I've yet found. 

Original boom and Dacron sail

 

 So what does this have to do with the sail? Sometime before June 2011 the Julia L. acquired a Dacron sail from the Duckworks loft. That was the sail I purchased the boat with. After two years of sailing the decade old sail needed some work and was ready to be retired. I asked David Grey of Polysail to craft for me a new sail about ten squares bigger using the same spars. He obliged and from his shop emerged the new sail for the boat. Two seasons later I ordered a Dacron sail from Duckworks to those specifications with the work being completed in tanbark by Really Simple Sails. The result was just what I wanted and it makes not only for a very aesthetically pleasing boat but a very functional one too. 

 I think this sail is now a far more correct size for the boat. We move along in light airs with authority at full sail, have no issues under a single reef in about ninety percent of the conditions I've sailed and double reefed I've yet to encounter an issue where I'm unable to sail if the rig is set up right and that is the goal for the moment. My finest sailing yet was under second reef heading across the lake. It was fascinating screaming along at hull speed with such a small amount of sail up the bow of the boat shouldering the waves aside and the whole craft a living thing. 

 It should be noted I've also altered the rudder with less depth and more length, straightened the  position of the lee board a touch as suggested in the design page, added a much stouter boom then stock, and tried to optimize the rig for the type of sailing I do. But I can't think of a better boat in it's class for the work. And I wish more people would get to know this fine boat. The lack of ballast has not hurt my safety if taken as an encompassing theme. That is to say we may not be serious sailors but we sail seriously. We understand and do our best to mitigate what risks we can and ensure skill when risk finds us. If there is a boat I think could do the Texas 200 well it's this one and am surprised no one has built one and attempted. As a solo or couples overnight gunkholing boat it's great. It would shine as a family day sailor or a kids first "big" boat. It'll teach you what you need from the construction to it's sailing.

 I'm pleased to be the current caretaker of such a boat. We stand as an oddity from our sail rig to our design. We're not quite somethings but we definitely are other things. We turn heads wherever we go and the amount of appreciation we garner is always satisfying. Not to mention cameras always seem to find us along the Yacht Harbor dock. And I'm okay with that. 

The FatCat 2 is perfectly designed for simply messing about in boats. 

 

Life on the Hard

Seeing another vessel should be a cause for happiness and celebration

 What is it about sailing off to somewhere were not in waters known or unknown that holds us in such a grip? As I look out my window now a light snow falls and I can only imagine what my familiar waters look like right now. Well the posts by MT Icebuds tell me plenty. I'd need a catboat on skies in order to go sailing. Something to consider I guess. But here we are nine days in to 2023 and I'm already gearing up for the next season. Not only for the work and sailing I'm going to do in my own boat but the sailing I have planned on other boats in far away places. I've dug the boat plans out and stare at them mentally running through the work I have to do this spring. I read Sail Magazine and browse the lovely emails that Small Craft Advisor thoughtfully places in my inbox. I have sailing on the brain and while it's lovely I would dearly love to know why.

 I've heard it said that humans are bred to face adversity. That we're never fully happy unless our hair is on fire and live and limb are really on the line. That's its the genetic trait that has kept us ahead of all the other animals or some other such exceptionalism drivel. While I suppose that explains wanting to chase a hard westerly or sail around the world single handed it doesn't explain why I just want a calm day sail more then just about anything right now. I can see and feel it. That wonderful lake breeze we get in Dayton just a shade under concerning. It's steady and predictable and you have all day to enjoy it. The tiller is alive in your hands and the main soars above you and you haven't a care in the world save for what's in front of you right there and then. That's the opposite of adversity I think.

Play some Jimmy Buffet already!

 Anyone will tell you I'm a planer by nature. Trying to put in order the future so I know what's coming up. I often say having something to look forward too is one of the driving forces in my life. And that is the version of me that is normally here. But that other version, you see him in the picture up there, that's who I want to be more often. He's on a timeline but right now in the moment the only thing he's worried about are the fickle late season winds and how it's going to alter his course right now. He's looking at the sail, the partner is enjoying herself in her cabin and if he can stretch this moment out a bit he do everything to do so. He doesn't need the horizon, just enough wind to allow him to direct his own course on this familiar patch of water for what may well be the last time the season (It wasn't). I want to be him on this beautiful but still winter evening. 

 The cynical part of me things how I'm going to be frantic and frustrated once I get into the work I need to do this spring. How I'm going to invent a timeline and try to keep to it even thought it really doesn't exist. I'll fret over this and that, drag my friends into pointless arguments and annoy those I live alongside with dire warnings of what I have to do and what will happen if I don't at a time of my choosing. The other side of me me knows it'll all come together and I'll have a good summer of it no matter what. I say it to my customers constantly "Sure beats a day at the office, right?" But the boat list is long and weights heavily in my pocket and on my mind. It just needs to warm up.

 It's tough being an inland sailor. And one in a region where we don't really get to take care of the impulses and desires as we ought. The things outside our control conspire against us in a never ending cycle and it's annoying. But deep down in corners of my soul I don't talk about much I wouldn't have it any other way. This break is what I need. Because once it does warm up that lance drops and those boat project windmills become dragons once again. And woe to the boat project that keeps me off the water. It'll just be a few months.