Working on brightwork all the way through late December

Stripped, sanded and stained.  Later on will use epoxy over laid with spar urethane.

Update long overdue

Our boom and main halyard problems have been resolved.  But two weeks ago we were the only boat in the marina with just a single bladed prop (I know - it ain't possible - but we did it).  Just about a grand to get a replacement (BOAT - Break Out Another Thousand).

Still - we are now enjoying some great sailing on beautiful Seneca Lake.

First sail completed

After an interesting winter and our share of problems this spring - we have finally completed our first sail - on the Genoa alone since we can't fly the main yet. First was the issue of getting the boom onto the mast of this 1984 Hunter 31. Three men and a boy took almost an hour to get it mounted. If it comes off again, I am buying the retrofit kit! Then we find out that when the mast was being stepped and there was a problem with a halyard disappearing into the mast and having to unstep and restep, the main halyard seems to have popped off the sheave - or something. Still, it is fun sailing on Seneca Lake. Glad to be back on the water....

Hattie L aground August 22, 2010

About 8:00 or so on August 22, 2010, upon departing the pier at Miles Winery on Seneca Lake with the winds out of the NNW at about 25 knots, one of the mooring lines dropped back into the water and was snatched up by the propeller thus robbing me of any power. The winds and waves drove her into shallower water and effectively grounded her.

The above photo doesn't look that bad, but to get her off the shore and into deeper water for the tow back to Watkins Glen required a tow boat from Glen Harbor marina and a pickup truck shore pulling a line on the top of the mast to heel her over to about 45 degrees to clear the fin keel from the bottom.

After all was said and done, the shaft was bent as was the strut requiring pulling from the water and transfer by truck to Ithaca, NY for repairs. We anticipate she will be transported back to our home marina to spend the rest of the winter on the hard without the mast being stepped.

This has thrown a wrench into some plans we have for interior refinishing, but since it was at the repair facility, we decided to have the bottom soda-blasted and coated with VC17, a new depth guage installed and roller furling installed.

Now, we wait impatiently for spring and the promise of a good sailing summer.

Commodore's race to Lodi State Park

The Finger Lakes Yacht Club had their annual "race" to Lodi State Park. About 10 sailboats left the Harbor Marina at Watkins Glen about 10:30 AM on the way for an unofficial race to Lodi State Park followed by the Commondore's picnic at the park and an overnight on our boats.

The race was run under typical Seneca Lake winds - flaky! On Hattie L we chugged along, but several times got up to 7 mph - exciting for us as relative newcomers to the sport.

Several miles short of the destination, the winds just up and quit. At that point, almost everyone fired up the cast iron sailes and motored the rest of the way.

Anchoring was done successfully and Mary and I took a swim and the water was refreshing, but not too cold.

During the picnic, we got weather forecasts predicting winds up to 60 mph from the west. Since we were on the east side of the lake, it was decided that a run to the west side would be in order. Mary and I were the last to arrive and anchored a little deeper that three other boats - as we were setting the anchor, the storm hit. A lot of rain in a short period of time with only mild winds.

In the morning we realized we were lucky to have anchored a little deeper. The seaweed is heavy this year and the three other boats near us had a lot of seaweed to clean off their anchors, we had only about 50 pounds or so.

After a nice breakfast at Rainbow Cove, we headed south under no winds and light rain conditions - motoring all the way. In the afternoon, after we got back, the winds came back.

But that is the story of Seneca Lake - winds or not - and you can't even depend on winds from a specific direction.

Summer continues onboard Hattie L

Can't believe that it has been so long since the last post. Summer goes way to quickly. Yesterday we had what may be our best ever sail. We tried the 150 Genoa for the first time and find that the boat is much easier to sail with the larger foresail!

No photos of us sailing well yet - but one of these days. As with any older boat, there are little things to keep us busy - repacing a port light, replacing port seals, trying to get a successful pumpout when the marina has three adapters and need four.Still, will try to come back sooner and do a better job of keeping up with Hattie L.

We Learn More About Hattie L

Let's see - found out we have a full symetrical spinnaker complete with turtle, sock and sheets. Now to get up the courage (and some knowledgeable crew) to fly it -and hope to get some photos with it flying.

Then there is the water tank - it leaks at the top. Will be going up during the weak to do a little caulking job around the lid. Hopefully the water system will work without having to crawl into the lazareet and pulling a suction on the outlet pipe of the pump to get it going. May need a new pump since it doesn't seem to want to self-prime.

Oil change - no where as daunting as I expected. Bought a $40 oil changer from Westmarine and it works like a dream - 2 liters of oil isn't that much after all.

We sailed three times this last weekend, all with the 110 (or is it 130) job - this weekend will give it a try with the 150 Genoa.

What do I think we need yet?

• Wheel brake for the pedestal steering - someone removed the handle and spares are no longer available but there is a replacement available.
• Pedestal guard - hard to find the right one to use since we don't have a Edson pedestal - but might be able to use an Edson guard.
• Drink holders - got to find someplace to set the liquid refreshment
• BIMINI - an absolute necessity when the sun beats down
• Furling headsail - right after we get the bimini!
• Some replacement plastic windows for the Gray ports (unbelievably crazed from the sun)

The list will probably never end - but I am told a boat costs less than counselling sessions!!