January 2008 – Hove to off Swan Point

Strange doings.

Albert Strange (1855-1917) was a late Victorian/Edwardian artist, yacht designer, writer and lover of cruising in small boats. A group of folks, mostly in the UK, have been hosting meetings and cruises since 1978 under the auspices of the Albert Strange Association. I have a copy of a book on his designs, watercolors and such. I’ve grown accustomed to double-enders as you can imagine and Strange’s canoe yawls share the same waters as Sjogin: the North Sea and the Baltic.

Intrigued by a post on the WoodenBoat Forum from the Secretary of the ASA, Dick Wynne, I finally went over to the Strange side and joined as member number 102.

Constance, a Strange canoe yawl of 1899.

Here’s a link to the Association web site. Lot’s of interesting cruising stories. Here’s the Post welcoming me. Thanks Dick.

Go Giants!

Russ

Brrrrr

Looks like we’re in for a cold snap. Went down this morning to empty Sjogin’s bilge and turn off the float switch for the automatic pump in case we get a hard freeze. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on her.

Ready for a freeze
Manual pump ready.

Antifreeze!
Brrrr on deck, comfyish below.

Griffiths drawing
Drawing by Maurice Griffiths from Swatchways and Little Ships, a collection of some of his stories of cruising the Thames estuary. Note the lee boards on the little barge yacht. It’s my current read on board. (Re-read actually.)

Vahan
Another of his sketches; about the same size as Sjogin.

WoodenBoat has my review of Sjogin’s wood stove

in the January/February 2008 issue. Needless to say it’s a real treat to have a byline in this great magazine. I’ve been reading WoodenBoat since the first issue over 30 years ago. I’ve had a number of responses to the article, one from the brother of some one I went to high school with. Thanks for the opportunity Matt. (WB Editor)

Spoke with the stove builder, Andrew Morse yesterday and he said he sold several stoves to folks who read my review and has had calls from Europe and beyond. WoodenBoat has a world wide reach. Too cool.

Had a pleasant sail yesterday morning. Happy to see it so warm for mid-January. Last year this time we had solid ice in the upper Bay. I’ve had to turn off the pump off only once so far this winter.

WoodenBoat, January/February 2008 issue
I hope readers don’t think I’m the one in plaid showing clear Man-Sardine love. I copied the image and have it on Flickr with the title “Man-Sardine Love”, a new DSM. Or it could be titled “Russ in 2023.”

Hove to off Beatons today. Nice breeze out of the northwest, about 5 to 10 knots. Cool enough for a fire and the usual. Out for about an hour or so; going no further than Swan Point and a run over to the club. Next sail will be decidedly warmer with no need for a fire.

Derelict barge still aground near Swan Point. No response from the NJDEP despite repeated calls. You all are welcome to call them at 1.877.927.6337 to request the removal of this abandoned barge and potential pollution hazard. Note the drums and canisters left loose on the deck.

Tom Beaton and the first Sneakbox
Tom Beaton and the first Beaton Sneakbox. Varnish work just about done. Work continues on Quest, the Watch Hill 15 being totally rebuilt.

A couple of beach pics from New Years Day

and fresh ice for Sjogin. Also some Beatons progress pics.

Julia mittens
Julia and her Christmas mittens.

Squan Beach
Looking south from the Army Camp dunes.

Ice bound. First skim ice of the season last Saturday. Clear now. Having a ice free basin this late augers well for a trouble free winter.

The first Beaton Sneakbox built in 1938 nears restoration with a new steam bent coaming installed last week. That’s a Watch Hill 15 in the background starting a full rebuild.

Keelless
The rebuild starts with removing the keel. The decks already been removed.