Back in the Water, Ready to Go.

I call putting the boat back together "adult Legos." I prefer to be left alone while I'm sorting it all out and putting back together. I start remembering why I did things the way I did... I might have forgotten just exactly how it went back together so I always take a picture as a reference. And to whomever adjusted my jib leads, I keep a log of lead locations from all the races. If you don't, you should.

Folksy cont.

Someone please, step up and buy this boat! It's so worth it!

Showcase USA 114 - Folksy

Søren is done. And what a job he's done. Folksy is beautiful and for 38k, she could be all yours. The hours put into this boat make that price a steal. It's a new boat done right. More pictures to follow.

Boats in the Yard 2012

I think Goebel's boat has made the most benefitial improvements.
It's always for fun when there's a bunch of us doing work. It's like church, only different.

Hard at Work in the Hot Sun

It's that time of year again, guys putting in the finishing touches right before the racing season. Bottom paint, varnish, cleets and shackles... One week to go.

Boatyard Hyjinx

Uhmmm.... Mike, there's something wrong with your rudder and I swear I know nothing about it other than it wasn't me.

Two Sprayed, Ready to Splash

Now she's starting to look like a fast racing Folkboat. We'll slap the rudder back on, a few minor details here and there, Splash in Monday and take her for a test spin. Im going solo if I have to. Oh, and that anti Wilson voodoo monkey ain't going nowhere.

Vent Hatch Handle

Yeah, 30 years for a hatch handle was a good run. Now what are my options? Anyone got a solution without replacing the whole thing?

And Now For Something Totally Awesome...

Annika likes to play on the beach and get her hands all dirty. :)

How to Have Your New Rudder Weighed and Measured

First, you find something high enough to toss a line over. Then you fasten you scale and rudder to it and hoist it up. Read the number on the scale and bring it all down.
Then make a trailing edge measuring tool and see if the factory made rudder is legal. Seems a bit silly to have to do this with a rudder that's like the one billionth produced specifically for the Folkboat, but since I'm a suspicious person, likely to cheat at any opportunity, better check to be sure. ;)
Good news! The rudder passed! Now off to other, more pressing boat projects.

New Rules at Svendsen's

The EPA sure is coming down hard on Svendsen's and they sure are making it a challenge to get work done. First, the mast yard is for storage only. No longer can we do any work of any kind. Kinda takes the convenience out of the yard. Apparently, you can move your mast to the tiki hut, but then you're competing with others in the space and who knows what projects they'll have that'll mess up your final coat of whatever product you are using.
Secondly, and most bothersome, is the no working on your bottom prep yourself. You can't wet or dry sand, the yard has to do it all. Not sure why I'll bring my boat back now, it just flat out will be too inconvenient and costly. I wished i had known about these rules before hauling out. It would have changed a lot of my choices.
This is the only place I've ever brought my boat, I'm sad. Looks like its time to invest in a trailer, sprayer and serious sanding equipment and find a place to do the work where the EPA can't find me. I feel real bad for Sean and Svend for having to deal with all this added stress and expensive drainage/ filtration system they have to put in, but everyone saw this day coming. It kinda did need to get cleaned up for the sake of the ecosystem, so I get it. Boats are dirty and pollute the environment with all the powerful chemicals they use. If I could I'd dry sail this boat and save a lot of $ in paint and wear to the boat. Hmmm....

What? Your Crew Doesn't Work on the Boat?

Working on the boat by yourself can be fun. A little alone time to trance out on whatever project you've set out to do. But then there's those times where you are just overwhelmed and a little help and company to ease the load and bounce ideas off can make or break your boatyard experience. This season has been an exceptionally overwhelming and expensive season and if it weren't for Kurt and Patrick I'm pretty sure I would have thrown in the towel and quit. Thanks guys for helping stay focused and keeping it all in perspective.

Maverick Move of the Day

And the award goes to Nick for strapping his mast to his small pickem' up truck and driving it down to Redwood City. Hope you don't get caught!

Haul Out #2

A little more work to be done then we'll be ready to start the season. Now hopefully I'll be able to find a slip in the SF Marina or I'll have to actually get an engine.