Category: 219

First off, I heard from the daughter of Sjogin’s second owner. Her note to me from the Contact page spoke of her “many fond memories of sailing on it in 60’s. laying on stomach in bow, with torso leaning over water, ala titanic.” I tried a response but had an e-mail failure. She also spoke of a “swedish captain who got parkinsosn and had to sell.” That would be Mr. Gullberg. When Jon and I bought Sjogin in 1985, the then owner told us she had been built by a Swedish Captain who had sailed Square Riggers ’round the Horn. When he settled in South Jersey he built a small boat in the traditional style to remind him of home.

Melissa, if you read this, please know that I tried to respond to your gracious note but the e-mail address you gave didn’t work. I’d love to hear more about your childhood with Sjogin.

And Mr. Gullberg’s progeny is now hauled, having her Summer refit. She’s almost 50 and still going strong. I hope Mr. Gullberg would approve of her current state.

Regular maintenance this year. The bottom paint just needs a new coat and the deck has a only couple of spots to fix. The Kirby paints are holding up well.

…

Last week near Sunset. Freshly hauled and ready to have her age spots tended to.

…

Gin! Every year the letters are removed and polished. Makes painting easier.

…

The view from the deck looking toward the Bay. The wet slip is where I hope to keep Sjogin for a bit and finish her painting.

…

Here’s a freshly varnished Silent Maid, ready for the anchor start race at Ocean Gate Yacht Club.

More Maid pics at Flickr.

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.

…

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

…

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.

…

Running for home.

…

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

…

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

…

Barberry and Poppies and Iris in full glory.

…

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

…

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

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.

…

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.

…

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.

…

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.

…

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

…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

From Saturday, blowing 30 or so.

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

Broke my barnacles visible rule and sounded my way out and in. Touched for a bit where I half-expected on the way in. Hung my not inconsiderable mass off the lee side and reduced the draft enough to tack an sail up to the dock. Was able to use the tiller line to steer while hanging to leeward. Kind of like reverse hiking. Video later.

First sail of 2009. Reaching up to Swan Point.

Well at least we got out of the basin. About three and a half feet inside, five where I’m at in the pic.

Back after having a semi-grounding. The judicious use of my mass hanging from the lee shrouds and the use of the tiller line saved the day.

Steward! Breakfast stuff waiting for the next watch.

Breakfast as fresco. First breath of Spring. Clocks advance tonight. Ahhhh… post work sails.

New boat project at Beaton’s. They’ve taken the lines off a rowboat built by David Beaton for Mrs. Colie and plan to start selling a few.

Photo by Julia. Our Henry Lauder’s Walking Stick (Contorted Hazelnut) being full of it’s bad self in fresh snow last Monday morning.