Havasu Area Sailors Rendezvous at Steamboat Cove

Some rough cut clips of last weeks sail to Steamboat Cove....Great time with Great Friends...

Siti-Toof 2 disease.....

Heard of it?

I think I have it. 

I've been sailing since about the 7th grade. I'm edging towards the 50 mark now, so I will let you do the math,  but it's been a while. Through those years many different hobbies have gathered my attention at one time or another. Radio Control Airplanes, Scuba Diving, Real Airplanes, Sailplanes, Hot-Air Balloons, Photography, Video, ...yeah...I tend to bounce around. In fact, I can remember it severely pissing my dad off that I, unlike him, bounced around from one thing that interested me to another.  It has never bothered me a bit that once I felt I had mastered something, or at least taken it as far as to where the challenge and fun had worn off, I would moved onto the next thing. I probably would have more $$ in the bank had I stuck to collecting the Lionel Model Trains I started collecting when I was in high school, and never tried anything new....but I would not have led half the life I have. No regrets there, for even one second.  

One thing, however, has pretty much been a constant in my life since the 7th grade. Sailing. Why? I have no idea. I had no "in" into sailing. I knew no-one that did it, nobody in my family and none of my friends.  But the first time I saw people sailing on our lake, I knew I had to do it. What I did  not know, was what a life changer it would be for me. 

Like so many, I started small and the boats eventually started growing. First an 8 foot plastic catamaran,

 then windsurfers, beach cats,

17 footers, then 23 footers...

then,,,,,,,      

STOP!!! 

que the scratched record sound effect!

What happened? Never any bigger than a 23??? What??? C'mon.... Every sailor has it. I had it. You know, that desire to just keep sailing bigger and bigger craft. Yes, someday 'Jo and I were gonna own a "big boat" that we would keep at the coast.  They call the disease "two foot-itis"...that nagging uniquely American trait of never being satisfied with what you have and always wanting more. Bigger, faster, heavier, longer, etc, etc, etc. 

Here's the issue with a "Big Boat"....

I can't afford it!!!! LOL 

 I cant afford it and I only recently realized it. hahaha This last summer we were actually looking at making the move, getting the "big boat", and realizing the dream.  It was kind of a cruel joke when I finally figured out the punchline...but there it was ....punching me squarely in the face. "HEY STUPID...YOU DO NOT MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO LIVE THIS LIFESTYLE!" .  Actually, I thought I had it figured out where we could afford the big boat, and in truth, we actually could. We just couldn't afford the slip, maintenance, upkeep, repairs, etc etc etc,, Maybe it is more correct to say....we could afford it, IF we were willing to modify enough other aspects of our current lives to do it BUT we are not. At least not right now.

Along comes Scout:

Now oddly enough and totally unrelated to this exploration into the possibility of purchasing a "big boat", about the same time I was finishing up work on "Scout" getting her ready for her first sail. Scout was another "exploration" into new territory. A truly capable micro-cruising boat of only 13'10". Seriously?  LOL  How can that be? And who in their right mind would allow themselves to be seen on such a ridiculously small craft? No self-respecting sailor who has spent years moving up through the boat sizes, honing his skills to someday sail the "oceans blue" would be caught dead driving this thing. Right?  Wrong!....at least in my case. 

The last few months has been a re-invention of sailing for me. I have had so much fun and joy sailing this pint-size plywood boat that I strap on like a backpack to go sailing, I can't even tell you. The initial complete and utter disappointment upon the realization that slip fees at the coast were going to be in the $700/month range for a big boat (and that, that was not a number we were willing to part with)  has been replaced by the sheer joy of a whole new arena of skinny water cruising grounds right close to home, just sitting there waiting for me to explore them. The amazing ease and speed of rigging/de-rigging this little boat makes going out for a day-sail a no-brainer.....even if only for a couple hours. Her ability to handle some pretty stout conditions, and also to be driven manually without the hassles associated with internal combustion engines in the marine environment, make her incredibly capable and versatile..and FUN. And when we are done blasting along the shoreline, I bring her home on her micro-trailer, towed with my paid for, 28 year old,, gass-sipping, beat-up, old mini-truck........

and tuck her safe and sound into the garage. It's about as close to "Free" sailing as I think I am likely to get. 

Suddenly there are a myriad of new sailing events on the horizon that I wish to attend that previously were no-can-do's. Events that traverse water thin enough that most would consider it a puddle, yet more than sufficient to sail Scout confidently across. There is also another whole community of sailors to meet and become friends with. Folks that discovered many, many moons ago, what is just now becoming apparent to me. Many of them are the pioneers of the beach-camping, micro-cruising genre. And there is lots of new stuff to learn, because even though Scout is still a sailboat, she is a micro-cruiser first and foremost, not just different in length but style of sailing and certainly in state of mind. Really could there be a better boat for the Pardey call to action of "Go Small, Go Now" than a true micro-cruiser? Now I realize that they were referring to "going over the horizon and not coming back",  but that is not in the cards for everyone. In fact,  the truth of the matter is...most of us will never do it.  Even for those that will achieve it, but are still years away from the departure date....a boat like "Scout" gets you out of the recliner, on the water, and barely makes an impact on the savings account. And don't think for a second there are not lessons to be learned sailing a small boat.  I can tell you....there are. The bonus is, as they are learned, skills improve and confidence builds.

Some of my friends "get it"...most don't. That's OK. 'Till I sailed her, I didn't totally "get it" either. I was intrigued a bit by it, but I didn't really "get it". 

I work for a living and will be working for years to come. It's not in the cards that I will sail away over the horizon in a $300k Bristol Channel Cutter....and honestly, ....it sounds wonderful but I am not sure if I would love it or not.

 I have had just a tiny taste of some longer distance coastal passages in "Dauntless". Enough to realize that 95% of the people that profess they want to do it,..have absolutely zero idea of what they are talking about.  Enough to realize that I like to do it for relatively short durations, when I know eventually, I will be going home to a warm bed that does not move, a hot shower, and  no thought in the middle of the night of a dragging anchor, slatting halyard, or stretching dock line.  A home where more than likely I will not feel nauseated for 10-12 hours at a time, and all my crap is out in the garage to play with. I have determined for myself that all that stuff is fun for me on a "part-time" basis only.  LOL 

Here is the lesson I have learned.  "Does that make me any less of a sailor?" Answer for me ..."No".  No-one can answer that question for you....but you. Truly though ...the real question needs to be "Does the Sailing you ARE doing make you happy?"  and the answer needs to be "Yes".  If it is, it really does not matter what anyone else's opinion is because when it comes right down to it..it's your call.  If it does not make you happy....what's the point?

 I sailed Scout the other day in the company of 9 other boats, all larger. There was a time when I would have been consumed with envy of the others. I love their boats. Every one of them has it's own special characteristics. And then there was my boat... little "Scout".

 As I sat there on the beach,all the boats tied up in front of us...I found not a twinge of envy. Rather....I found it awesome that everyone there loved the boat that they were sailing, as their boat  fit their particular style and budget at this particular moment in time. Without those boats, every single one of them.....we would not have all been there enjoying the evening. So every boat that was there....was the "perfect" boat. Why? Because its owner was not at home thumbing through a magazine "wishing" he was out there joining us, or somewhere else sailing......they were doing it, living it, loving it. 

 The median age of those of us that are partaking in this pocket-cruiser/micro-cruiser thing , well.....let's just say we are not spring chickens.  At this age...if you are not finding something to bring you joy....you are throwing away precious seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, or God forbid ...YEARS....that you cannot retrieve. If you think sailing is your nirvana as I do....get off your ass and find something to sail, be it 90 foot long or 12.....get it....and Sail It! Once the canvass is up and the sail drawing, I guarantee you, you will be consumed in the joy of the moment. It is an escape from reality like no other. Size doesn't matter.....participation does. 

For the time being, anyway,...the answer to the question for me is suddenly..."YES!" I am happy doing exactly the type of sailing I am doing. I still love my pocket-cruiser, "Dauntless",  and will continue to sail her as well.  I also love this little micro-cruiser "Scout". It appears as though big boats are "out" for me...and that's OK.

On the way home the other day I pulled up to the gas station with "Scout" in tow. The guy at the next pump laughed and said...  "Gotta love that!...there is no ego associated with THAT boat!" LOL   I took it as a compliment of the highest order. :-)

So back to the title of this blog.....Yes, I have it. A raging case of "Siti-Toof 2" disease ( 2 foot-itis in reverse!) Surprises me too! But I just keep looking at my favorite boats online and in magazines.....each one two foot smaller than the last. 

Of course, don't forget....I am still me and always will be.  I reserve the right at a later time to change my mind and pick out whatever size boat I can afford and brings me joy. Why? because that is why I do it. You should too. 

photo by Nathan Adler

Awesome Time at Steamboat Cove

We spent Saturday night at Steamboat cove, about 6.5 miles South of town. It ended up that we actually

photo by Nate Adler

had 10 boats join us down there. What a great 

evening

The idea had come about to sail down and enjoy the full moon and Leonids Meteor Shower. Well,  one out of two ain't bad.  LOL  The full moon was SO bright....the meteors were all but absent from view. Oh well, it didn't matter a bit. The company was fantastic, temps were perfect and we had about every sailing condition you could think of. 

photo by Nate Adler

It was a brisk upwind sail to get down there. Gradually as the evening came on the wind backed off to nothing. I got a late start in Scout departing the marina about 1:30pm. By the time I got down there it was getting dark and I skated into the entrance to the cove under sail just about 20 minutes after sunset.  There was just enough breeze left to sail right up to the beach. Perfect!!!! 

There was much chatter about boats, sailing, life, and friendships..then everyone retired to their respective craft or tent to relax and grab some sleep. Although a light breeze came up during the night, we were all cradled in Steamboat's protective arms and never missed a wink of shuteye. 

photo by Nate Adler

photo by Nate Adler

photo by Doug Ames

After a rousting out of bed around 7:30 , it was time for some coffee, a quick bite to eat, clean up the site, and push off  for home. The breeze had died so A.B. in his West Wight Potter 15 and I got out the human propulsion tools and got underway. 

Everyone else also started for home.  Sliding up the AZ shoreline with some favorite music playing , I was rewarded with one of my favorite sights that this area is famous for.....Bighorn Sheep , 4 of them, feeding on the mountainside above the water. Right about then a south breeze started....and it filled in!!! Out came the sails and we had a beautiful dead-downwind sail all the way home keeping pace with Don on his Monty 17 and John on his Compac Suncat.  What a great sail! 

I think we all had a great time and I hope we can repeat some similar get-togethers again before the season is over in March. 

Thanks to everyone that came out to make it a super fun time. :-)

Full Moon - Clear Skies

Meteor Showers -Great Temps

Good Friends

Scout's Headin' to Steamboat

This is what it's all about! 

The last full moon found "Scout" and I beating back upwind on the Bosunator Challenge. The conditions were so incredibly beautiful I pledged to myself that I was gonna take advantage of living here and having such a simple little boat to rig and sail more.

This Sat/Sun we will have a full moon again all night long.

Temps are forecast to be in the 70's for highs and around 50 for lows with clear skies.

Let's Go!!!

It just so happens that the Leonids Meteor Shower is also scheduled for this weekend.

 Any stargazer knows that a full moon and viewing of meteor showers are not ideal companions....however...I just could not pass up the opportunity to get out there again. A friend of mine from Flagstaff floated the idea of boat camping at Steamboat Cove for the night, away from the city lights, to enjoy some stargazing, nightime sailing, and good company. I could not resist.  After mentioning that we would be meeting up down there, it now appears that numerous other sailors may join in ....in fact quite a few.  Awesome. :-)

Route - Lake Havasu City to Steamboat Cove - 6.5nm

Steamboat Cove is about 6.5 nm south of town. An easy sail, or even a do-able paddle if the winds don't co-operate. In the summer it is pretty loud in there with powerboats galore, big stereos, bikinis, and all sorts of raucous going on. Not my favorite place. But once fall arrives and the boys of summer go home...it is stunningly beautiful, quiet, and well protected.  

Desert Bighorn Sheep seen often at Steamboat 

It is a regular occurrence to see bighorn sheep gracefully step down the steep mountainside with their young to grab a drink from the river. A sight I never grow tired of. 

Steamboat Cove

Boat-In-Only Camping Beach

The cove goes way back in once you round the almost hidden entrance and there is a beautiful boat up campground at the back with ramadas, picnic tables, and rest room facilities. Depending on water levels there is a fair amount of sand/gravel beach to beach a boat on, and plenty of room to anchor off.  The high sides of the cove are around you 360 degrees making it excellent protection should the wind come up through the night. 

I expect to have a blast with my sailing friends down there as we marvel at the creator's universe and the incredible nature he has blessed us with. Nothing formal planned here. Just a bunch of friends gathering  at random. I suspect that there will be an awesome time sitting around a campfire till the wee hours. Will post a report when I get home on Sunday. 

Looking forward to seeing whoever can make it. 

This , my friends, is what it's all about. If you read this and think you might show up make a comment in the section below as a "roll call"! 

See you there! 

s

Fun Sail Tonight

Got out there tonight in a way that only a Micro-Cruiser can. 

At 3pm Scout was on her trailer in the garage...by 4pm she was under sail on the water....got a super 3 hour sail in, in beautiful conditions, off the water around 7:30...home with Scout all tucked away in the garage safe and sound by 8:30.  Luv it!!!

Tried out a few of the latest mods. 

Mainsheet Fairleads

Fairleads top view

The fairleads for the mainsheet worked great at keeping it from engaging the rudder or anything else. They also seem to make for a better sheeting angle hard on the wind. I am very happy with them so far. 

New Sheeting angle downwind

Fairleads on Transom

New sheeting angle beating

New sheeting angle reaching

     PVC Air Scoop

The Air Scoop is a success. Definitely increases the volume of air and the push behind it. It's a little awkward to rotate by reaching into the vent box...but it's do-able and not something you are doing every 5 minutes. Aiming it directly into the apparent wind really increases the air flow into the cabin. It does not appear to interfere with anything, which is what I was worried about. 

You can also see in the pics above I have made the wiring for the anchor light, anemometer, and VHF exit the mast above the deck. This is because it was a royal pain trying to have it exit under the deck, and within the vent box. I was afraid it was going to cause me to lose control of the mast as I tried to use one hand to feed the wires to the appropriate "wide spot" in the deck for them to feed through...while balancing the mast with the other hand. I have wired the light and anemometer wires through an Aqua Signal deck plug. I have yet to pass the vhf coax through yet but will do so using a Blue Sea Systems Cable Clam. For now I just have the coax coiled up right there. I also added a 90 degree elbow to the exit point on the mast to prevent water from entering if it rains. 

Moved Anemometer...I moved the readout for the anemometer to the right of the vent box and at eye level .....I like it there a lot better than where it was. 

I'm big on two things. 1. Cutting down rig/derig time...and 2. making the boat easier and easier to single hand. Little things make a big difference when coming in to the dock. Usually, since I am not using a motor I am busy furling sail, or dealing with yuloh as we approach the dock. Having things "set" and ready to rock prior to arrival is the key. I already installed bow lines that lead back to the companionway and are secured there always ...ready to go...on BOTH sides of the boat. Tonight I figured out a better way to secure them..as well as a way to have the stern lines mounted, yet secure, and easy to deploy upon arriving at the dock. More on this later. :-) 

Yuloh...  I think I am getting it!  Tonight, once the water went to glass....I was yulohing at 2 knots pretty effortlessly compared to when I first started. The angle the blade dips in the water makes a huge difference.  I am finally figuring it out. I also have a Standup Paddle arriving at West Marine tomorrow and I will carry that as well as a way to change out what muscle groups I am using on long rows.  And....I am going to rework the paddle end of the yuloh. I have learned enough about it to now know that the foil is cut backwards on the blade.  I think after that re-work I should really be able to "get my groove on" with the yuloh....at least I hope!! :-)

Dry Launch/Retrieve!...yep figured out a system to get the boat in and out....with dry feet! Thank goodness!! The water is getting cold and is only going to get colder!