Sjogin – Page 15 – Hove to off Swan Point

E-Scow action

The local fleet was out this morning for some tune up racing just south of Swan Point. Nice breeze out of the ENE about 4 to 8. Reached out and eventually hove to off Sloop Point, just SW of Swan Point. Managed to be near the weather mark for some close up viewing.

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ENE wind
With the wind out of the ENE, it was easy to turn her around, pin her to the piling, raise sail and pull her out. The jib’s backed and the helm’s up so she falls off after a bit of pulley-hauley.

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Trim...TRIM
Trim…TRIM…TRIM!!! On the way to the start.

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All the E’s on the Bay now use asymmetrical spinnakers. Neat drag race.

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Bill and his Sea Sprite. There are several of these practical and handsome boats around this end of the Bay.

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Ghost and her cousins. The last of the new rowboats has been sold. Stay tuned for rowboat races this Summer.

Off to the Silent Maid launching in Philadelphia tomorrow afternoon; pics to follow.

Another Chamber of Commerce weekend.

After a week of seemingly endless rain and gloom, the local Chamber of Commerce has again arranged for beautiful pair of days. Managed my usual short sails Saturday and Sunday. A lot more traffic yesterday but had a nice building sea breeze.

Finally started to hack back the holly hedge. It seems to thrive in damp cool conditions. All of the perennial’s are competing for bed space which is as it should be. Unfortunately the Bindweed seems to like these conditions as well and needs attention. All in all a nice Spring; not to hot (sorry Julia) and just enough rain.

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What may be the last fire of the season as it was cool and damp enough Saturday morning.

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At rest
After Saturdays sail. The jib’s backed so it doesn’t flog and the topping lift’s set up to take the drive out of the main. She lays quietly against the dock this way and won’t bang about.

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Running home
Running for home.

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Joe and the Gale
Friend Joe and his boat The Gale moving along nicely in light air.

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Original is closest
The original is in front. The first one sold was rowed home by her owner and daughter.

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Barberry and Poppies and Iris in full glory.

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Lush
Overgrown hedge to the right before shearing. The bright pink flowers are coral bells.

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Julia at dinner
And here’s a pic of Julia enjoying supper on the porch. The season’s begun.

A fine last day of May.

It’s also son David’s Birthday. No sign of same as he’s busy teaching at J-World in Annapolis. Cushy huh?

Had a quiet sail Saturday morning. Nice breeze from the WNW about 4 to 8. Was able to reach the T Dock by shifting jib sheets while hove to. Basically sailing quite slow and needed the tiller line for just the last few feet. Also slow enough not to do any damage. He hopes…

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Hove to
Hove to in the basin. Sjogin will tack herself when the jib sheets are shifted. This close sailing can be done from the comfort of the companion way, nice on cool days.

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Tom and Serena
Serena, looking Beaton Fresh, being placed on her mooring by Tom. Randy’s down below tidying up. Sailed circles around her in the almost empty basin.

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Stem details
Bow details along with peeling paint on the stem. A normal sign of “it’s time for a haul.”

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Tom and the Rowboats
Tom, talking about the rowboats. The first delivery is supposed to be today.

Spyder activity this morning

Down for a quick visit today and found the crew of Spyder getting ready for a shake down sail. Had a chat with the crew and a viewing of Sjogin’s stove.

Had a fire and the usual, then home to weed. Seems like a particularly fecund Spring this year though the damp soil makes for easy removal.

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Chompin' at the bit
Spyder, chomping at the bit. Perfect breeze for the first sail of the season; light out of the SSE with a promise of more later. Clearing fog as well. I think she’s the first one in.

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Under way
Looking Beaton’s fresh. The Yard pampers the fleet over the winter. Cover comes off and in she goes. John Brady built her last year and she’s ready for her Sophomore Season.

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Done!
Done; at least the first two are spoken for. One may be raffled for a local charity. The last two will be finished as Spring work permits.

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Tom preaching to the choir
Tom, looking at what the wood shop has brought forth. Nice work, men.

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Reflections
Last week after watering the moss. The goal is to have a grass free back yard.

Another rainy weekend.

Seems we’re in a pattern of weekend wet spells. Morning visits yesterday and today for the usual.

Rowboat progress with paint buildup underway. Quiet at Beaton’s otherwise.

Dampish
Dampish. Rain on and off, breeze from the NNE about 10 or so.

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Warm below
Warmish below. Another chapter read in R o t S.

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Varnish and paint build-up underway.

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Gain and no gain
An interesting method of combining plank end treatments

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Blackjack beauty
Classic Blackjack. A Hubert Johnson beauty from the 60’s

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A far too early view of the Shark River taken from the NY train last week. Spent Monday through Thursday at an audit in Lower Manhattan.

Stole an hour this evening

and managed a short sail after work today. Conditions ideal, with an 8 knot southerly and plenty of water. Went out for about an hour, enough for a quick fire and tea. Only the second sail of the year. I need to work on my average.

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Ready
Ready to go. With the wind out of the south I leave the jib backed and cast off. Sjogin looks after herself while I coil the painter.

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Nice afternoon light. Ready to heave to and light a fire.

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Reflections and a nut. The nut being the business end of Sjogin’s depth sounder.

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Osprey love. The returning pair working on a new clutch. The things you see.

Weekend pics

We had a visit this weekend from Bob McHugh, in town for our friend Dave’s 60th. Bob just had his 57th Thursday.

McHugh
Birthday boy down below on Sjogin. Enough breeze to stay put and enjoy the bright sun and warm stove.

Number Four started
I guess they’ll keep building them till they run out of shop space. Number Four on the mold. Details and finishing next.

Plank parts ready to go
The planks are cut to a pattern, beveled and steamed to shape. I’m pretty sure about the steamed bit.

Details
Getting to the 100 grit stage. I think this is the one that’s going to be finished bright.

Riveter's Kit
Riveter’s tools. I remember using the one with the tape to rivet Ghost. You can see how the head takes on a copper sheen after a gazillion taps.

Air on!
From Saturday, blowing 30 or so.

Good show this year, the squill are starting to spread.

Foggy visit to Beaton’s

after work Thursday. Tempted to go out and poke around in the fog but light air and a little too thick o’fog. Opted for a watch below and another chapter in Riddle of the Sands.

Fresh Garvey
Nothing like the sight of the freshly painted yard garvey as a sure sign of Spring.

Re-rigged Lift
The Railway Lift has been re-built with new motor bits. It acts like a train with a very very shot set of tracks to run on. The straps raise and lower to haul and launch boats. Built by Tom’s Grandfather David in the 50’s? I’ll have to ask Tom. Early version of the now ubiquitous Travel Lift.

Motor bits. Rebuilt by the staff in the off season. It’ll see heavy use this launching season.

Thick o' Fog
Thickish. And showers imminent.

The trap. This is where Dollman leaves Davies to his own devices. The lee’est shore imaginable.

Skiff progress at Beaton’s

The crew at Beaton’s has started on the third of the new rowing skiffs. Classic yacht quality construction. Hope to have a row in one when done. Put your order in soon, I think the first two have been spoken for.
Third skiff
Third one is underway. All of the bits have had patterns made to make it easy to duplicate parts. Looks a little factory like in the Wood Shop.
Factory floor
Plenty of room for skiff building. Tom hopes to use these skiffs as fill in work when major projects allow.
Riveted breast-hook
Note the rivet through the breasthook. Nice attention to detail.
The adventure continues
Continuing with Riddle of the Sands. Perfect small boat reading. On line copy available here.
Comfort on a raw day
I imagine Schlei Fiord in October would be comfortable with a Sardine stove at your elbow. One of my daydreams is to follow in the Dulcibella’s wake in Sjogin. Let’s see…ship her to Flensburg, a tour of the Baltic and then on to the Frisian Islands….Hmmmm. Next life perhaps.