Archives
The southeasterly wind was perfect! Under full main and jib, Sampaguita, a Flicka 20, charged toward the starting line for the Cruising Two class, just under hull speed and close-hauled. One hand on the tiller, one on the mainsheet, Olivier luffed the main in the gusts to keep the rail out of the water. I fine-tuned the jib. The sound of the water rushing by would charm any old salt as we sat… Read More
I will be attempting a west-to-east transit of the Northwest Passage in the summer of 2022 as crew aboard a French-owned and built Boréal 47 sailboat. This trip begins in Anacortes, ends in Brittany, France, and starts in early May. I previously transited the NW Passage in 2019 from east to west, crewing aboard Breskell, a 50-foot cold-molded sailboat. That trip began in Newfoundland and ended in Port Townsend. So you could say… Read More
Sometimes with boats, you have to think outside of the box. The tool box, that is. The latest installment of The Resourceful Sailor does just that in an effort to remove the external chainplates from Sampaguita. The full article was published on February 18, 2022 on ‘Lectronic Latitude, the online version of Latitude 38. A special thanks to Monica and the crew for keeping the column alive. Click below for the full… Read More
What do you do when your aging sailboat hardware needs rebuilding or replacing? The Resourceful Sailor takes a look at some of the possibilities using the Schaefer round bar traveler as an example in, A Traveler’s Story. A special thanks to Latitude 38 and ‘Lectronic Latitude for publishing it on January 24, 2022. It takes a look at rebuilding an oldie, but goodie found on Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20s. Thank you for… Read More
Looking for a little more light in the cabin? How about a better view from down below? There’s a new Resourceful Sailor installment, Transparent Drop Boards, which highlights how I made acrylic drop boards for Sampaguita, a 1985 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20. The full article was published in Latitude 38‘s online magazine, ‘Lectronic Latitude, on January 5, 2022. Thank you for checking it out, and special thanks to Monica and the crew,… Read More
A new Resourceful Sailor Series installment is here! After a rig refit, the mast of Sampaguita, a Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, needed to go back up. Could it be done at the dock? Could it be done single-handed? You betcha. Latitude 38‘s online magazine, ‘Lectronic Latitude, has published “Raising the Mast of a Small Sailboat with the Resourceful Sailor – The Solo Version” on December 17, 2021. This article and video go… Read More
The Port Townsend Sailing Association, Blackbird Associates, and Steve Scharf have relaunched the 1979 CHB Trawler race committee boat, Committee. (Yes, that’s the name. Underworld sounding? Or a little like naming your dog, Dog?) Fresh from the Port Townsend Boatyard, simplified for purpose, and with a new electric motor, Committee is meant to augment the local sailing community and to oversee the local Thunderbird fleet and PHRF buoy and long-distance races. Originally put on the hard for… Read More
What could be more salty? The latest installment by the Resourceful Sailor Series in Latitude 38′s online ‘Lectronic Latitude, centers around the addition of Breskell‘s crow’s nest for her transit of the Northwest Passage. Thank you to Monica and the crew for publishing “Shouldn’t Every Boat Have A Crow’s Nest?” on May, 12, 2021. For the full article, follow the link below to ‘Lectronic Latitude: https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/shouldnt-every-boat-have-a-crows-nest/
I can’t thank Monica and the crew at ‘Lectronic Latitude enough for their support. They have done it again. On March 12, 2021, they published my latest Resourceful Sailor Series piece, Outboard Thermostats – An Open and Closed Case. “There is a simple test to determine if a thermostat is opening and closing properly. Place it into boiling water. It should open in the water and close when removed.” Click the link… Read More
The battery-testing meter on Sampaguita, my Flicka 20, was not working properly. I was particularly missing it while swinging on the hook. In addition to slow cooking stew on the solenoid-regulated stove, there were long, winter nights under the anchor light and short stormy days with limited solar-charging opportunity. Monitoring the batteries health was no longer flick-of-the-switch easy. Thank you to Monica and the crew at ‘Lectronic Latitude and Latitude 38 for… Read More
sailingwithjosh
Sailing With Josh 