Ice free!

The lengthening daylight has worked it’s magic and the ice has left the Bay. Last weekend saw the last ice in the basin and now it’s time to continue off-season sailing.

One of my WoodenBoat Forum friends, Steven Bauer, is here from Maine on a family visit. He’s coming by tomorrow and we’ll try to squeeze in a sail, conditions permitting.

Reflections
From last weekend. Meltwater on top of the ice make a perfect mirror. Looks calm though it was blowing over 25kts last Sunday. Here’s a bit of video:


It was neat seeing the gusts ruffle the melt water while the ice moved due to the wave energy. Getting thinner.

Perfect mirror
Here’s another one. What a perfect mirror.

Ice free
Taken this morning. And now the Bay beckons. Maybe tomorrow will see my first sail of 2009.

Speedwell
The duckboat is Speedwell, our 1951? Phil Clarke duckboat. She needs a bit of work to get her back on the Bay. I’m going to give her a lug rig to make it easier to sail for those north of fifty. The standard rig is a cat with a leg-o-mutton sail with the foot almost as long as the hoist. The boom on the standard rig is only a few feet off the deck, which is fine for an eight year old. You really need to “duck” when tacking these boats.

A visit from young Mr. Cooper

I was working upstairs at home this past Wednesday when I noticed a large bird flying towards the house. It was, what we later identified, a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk. It landed in the Silver Maple 12 feet from the window where I was working. I imagine it couldn’t see me too well as it spent a half an hour de-feathering and eating a small black bird. Rain of feathers on the new snow was a sight.

Here’s a video and pic of the event.

Cooper's Hawk
They are noted for the ability to fly through trees in pursuit of dinner.

A gift from the gods….

Analog visit this weekend

from digital friends Joe and Phil of Cold Spring on Hudson. Both are WoodenBoat Forum members and have been seen in these pages before. Ideally I’d be reporting on a sail to the ice fields of Barnegat Bay but said ice has remained in the basin at Beaton’s.

These days Sjogin looks a bit (in concept only) like Shakleton’s Endurance, beset by thick ice. No fears though; with her slack bilges, Sjogin gets lifted a bit but no real harm.

Phil and Joe
Phil and Joe. We stopped on the way down and picked up breakfast then squeezed in below to eat by the fire. I think we exceeded some occupancy standard.

Willow Girl
From our yard walk: Willow girl. Painted on the transom of the Hankin’s cruiser Willow.

Beatons
Back porch. A view up the “creek” at Beatons.

Ice
Still frozen. The Bay is opening up but the basin ice remains. Nothing to do but feed the stove and dream of open water.

Fun weekend. Go Pittsburgh.

Ice!

No sailing for a while. About four inches of ice in the upper bay. A little open water by the Bridge but that’s about it. Had about three inches of ice in the bilge. Chopped most of it out and then pumped dry. With a fire below it wasn’t too bad.

Looking forward to Jeff’s return with his friend Shasha. He’ll be here for a week, then on to the Keys for a visit with his brother and Mom.
No sailing today
No sailing today! Bubblers working around the pilings.
Plank end
Plank end from the Quest restoration. Jersey white cedar; perfect kindling.
Paul on a sunny afternoon
Friend Paul on a sunny afternoon
Snow!
Just a dusting, but enough to please.
Afternoon light
Afternoon light; starting to notice the later sunsets.

Recent bits

Waiting for friends to come over and sit by the fire and watch the Giants game. Herewith are a few pics from the last couple of weeks.

ice
Ice last weekend. About a half an inch or so, gone by Wednesday. Brisk westerly breezes.

At the sizzle
Warm fragrant breezes below. Last Sunday.

The horror
Near inventory crisis. Last bit went in the tea.

Sleeping warriors
Sleeping warriors. A few of the A-Cat’s wait for the call to battle, varnish renewed and scars tended to.

Ready for Spring
Ready for Spring.

And a Happy New Year to all

No 2009 sailing yet but had a pleasant visit yesterday and today. The bilge pump float is off as the bilge water is cool enough to freeze. If the float isn’t disabled it may rise with the ice and not drop and shut off the pump. Also the discharge hose is probably frozen as well.

So I warmed up in the cabin before pumping by hand. She’s not leaking too badly now and can be left alone for a day or two. And when it gets cold enough the leaks freeze!

Ice season
Ice season. Between Beatons and my regular visits we’ll keep her afloat.

Current read
Currently reading a collection of stories from the world of shoal water sailing in small boats. Read an excerpt from Four Months in a Sneakbox by Nathaniel Bishop. He made a voyage in 1874 from Pittsburgh to the Gulf Coast in a 12′ by 4′ sneakbox similar to my own Speedwell.

Solid comfort
Solid comfort indeed for this frozen fingered sailor.

Dry below
Dry below.

Finishing details
Finish work on Quest, still a way from the first coat of varnish.

___________________

Cardinal
Visitors returning to the rehung feeder. No squirrels yet…..

Dusting
A dusting this week, no real snow yet. Click on the pic for a larger size.

Happy Holidays all

and our best wishes for a Bright New Year. The prize for best gift again goes to Julia, who, in a lapse of her usual good judgement, gave me a Flip video camera. Be forewarned that the initial thrill may not wear off for some time. In any event here are few pics and videos from the past few days.

After a great Christmas and Boxing Day I was granted a gift of a pleasant sail yesterday. Though somewhat dreary weather, it made the warmth below that much more appreciated.


Please excuse these first efforts.

Swan Point
View from the cabin off Swan Point. Hove to in a gentle southerly with a bit of fog. With the North going current she moved very slowly over the ground.

Land?
Christmas greens still intact. Nice quiet day.

Just back from a quick second sail.
Delightful sail.

Ogee!
Coamings faired on Quest. Note the nice ogee by Mr. Smith.