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Living on Board full time and going South (part 5)

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/13/2006 : 18:14:05

Living on Board full time and going South (part 5)

If you thought we changed our minds or we were not getting along in the rather cramped space of our C250 cabin after being on board now for over 21/2 months you were mistaken... it so happens that we still love it and feel at home both on the water and on land... As Arlyn Stewart commented before the C250 makes a wonderful and convenient land cruiser... but... not all people would agree... more about that later!!

Without doubt all of you know where on the map San Diego, California is located but... perhaps only a hand full have experienced the welcome, hospitality, friendliness, helpfulness and willingness to accommodate and make road weary sailors comfortable. The “can do” attitude started when we made the reservations at the Marina Village on Mission Bay close to Sea World. Granted that Catalina Fleet 7 members who have their home on L dock had something to do with this too... Thanks again you guys...!! Ineke Schreurs at the marina office right away booked us on L dock slip 4 close to the others, looked after truck and trailer parking, street maps, some do's and don't and made us street wise...

All that remained for us to do, after our arrival from an exhausting drive from Buellton, Ca, through busy LA, on November 20th, to San Diego, was to launch the boat on Mission Bay, and parking of the equipment or so we thought... However...while stopping underway for a short rest and checking the boat we came to the conclusion that yet another part had shaken loose and was lost overboard... this time it was the fore stay turnbuckle... a vital part in raising the mast. Since we arrived late in the evening just before the weekend with stores closed we decided to go to Campland RV park to stay until the parts could be obtained. When checking in as a 25ft trailer(and NOT a boat) at Campland RV we raised some eyebrows including a visit from the camp ranger but were otherwise left alone. As we experienced before, people coming by our site expressed positive responses to the idea of using the boat as an RV.

For several reasons we stayed in the RV park for 4 days and wanted to book one more night before launching the boat which, in the meantime, had undergone a thorough inspection and was, we felt, launch ready. To our consternation and total surprise when requesting the extra night at the RV park office we were told, with money already paid over the counter and rudely shoved back at us, that since we were a boat and not an RV we could not stay in their park... even after we had been there for 4 days registered as a 25ft trailer... believe me, my temp and blood pressure hit the extreme. Again, since this happened on a Tuesday and in wintertime, the RV park was near empty. Yes... I tried everything including making sense, but had to give up before exploding... @#$%#&!!! What in the world is happening to common sense on this continent!!! Others including ourselves suggest that if you travel by boat for Pete's sake, drape the boat with bedsheets, paint windows on the side to make it look like an RV, have a grey and black poop line stick out the side, ask for a full service pad complete with a tv disk and growl like a diesel. This has to be the most ridiculous ruling I've ever come across... And... as if boaters rate as people from another planet...!! Besides we are what you call part of a mature group and not 20 year olds looking for some action...

Yes... in spite of some hic-ups we thoroughly enjoy it and love to travel with our equipment regardless of hoopee doopee's encountered. Pulling the boat to a launching area ready for mast raising and floating the C250 brings along another set of expectation, anxieties and a long checklist to make sure the next step is pulled off without trouble... We tell ourselves to take our time, double check and do things right... boat with centerboard up and locked, rudder and tiller secured, mast up, motor primed and pre-run, trailer cable unhooked, skipper on board, all is ready for back-up by Johanna, who, since there is no dock, will have to drive the truck and trailer, launch the boat and drive to park the truck and trailer on the parking lot and then quickly walk and jump on board to assist in locating our slip on L dock for the first time. Later after we located, docked and tied up the boat without incident we retrieved the truck and trailer... That evening we celebrated and treated ourselves to dinner at a nearby fish and chips place... We have been back several times since.

We again realized that being on the water is were we belong... (Campland RV park would agree) the entire atmosphere has changed, including our own pace. Looking through our port windows and out of the cockpit, feeling the movement of the boat and tidal currents below us, gave us a great feeling of satisfaction and expectation... in addition we were going to meet the boys of dock L Fleet 7 with whom we had been in contact through this forum... Before long Mike McIlroy drifted by and after introductions told us who's who and where everybody's boats is located. Mike spent several hours telling us about his sailing and boat experiences and left us laughing our hearts out... We encouraged him to share some of his hilarious encounters on this forum. That evening we met Jim Baumgart..... who took off work a little early to meet and welcome us and to lend us his sea charts and suggested places to go. Where we going to stay until the 9th of December and watch the boat parade of lights from a “Fleet 7 raft-up”, on Mission Bay was the question fired off by Jim... The idea sounded great and we told Jim that we would be delighted to join.

In the meantime we received from Ineke at the marina's office the word that she would change our daily rate to a monthly charge and thereby greatly reduce our docking cost... so much so that we are now able to tour this wonderful country until we are 90 years old (just kidding) Thank you Ineke!!

On Friday we had the pleasure of meeting Charlie (CAngle) the other C250 WB hull 799 owner. In the meantime Gary and Susan Norgan (Classical Cat) had already invited us earlier to go sailing with them Saturday afternoon while Jim Baumgart (Indiscipline) requested Sunday to be ready for cast-off at 10:00 am. precisely...

Off we went on Saturday with two C250 WB and Gary and Susan in their spiffy looking C25. Weather and wind conditions were absolutely ideal and I hate to report to the frozen stiff, snowed-in, winter-bound, tarp covered, driveway sailors, (I well know the feeling) that with the 3 boats we had a great sail...!! (PICTURE)and just for the record it went through my mind, that perhaps, just maybe, our boat could “out-sail” the other two... (two boats on the water makes a race doesn't?)

well good luck, keeping up with C Angle who has all kinds of electronic gadgets to make single handed sailing possible was taking a toll until we saw Gary and Susan in their C25 Classical Cat with a 150 genoa pulled so far away that they were a speck on the horizon and when they returned sailed circles around us. All in good fun and afterwards we invited the winner to pay for an excellent outdoor seafood meal on San Diego Bay.

The following day Jim Baumgart took us sailing in again perfect conditions... (watch out for kelp beds outside the channel) Catalina's beach rudder came in handy several times!!

Oops... with pleasure we interrupt for just a minute to announce the arrival of our 10th grandchild, Kirsten Hope Grasmeyer on December 8th 2006. Mother and baby are doing well... This is the time that we would have been happy to be home. Congratulations Tom and Dawn and big 2 year old brother Ethan. By the way, our daughter Carmen and husband Terry Lewis are expecting our 11th grandchild in April and we're are looking forward to a short visit home to meet the new arrivals. Seems life goes on without us!!

You may have noticed our bikes hanging helplessly and exposed to the elements from the front of our truck and may have read our comments wondering about the wisdom of the bikes along in the first place... Well... Mission Bay has proven to be a bikers heaven with miles and miles of designated paved, well maintained bikes routes. We do get our exercise and work-out as we ride, wearing short sleeved shirts and short, to the beaches, shop, watch the high serve at Ocean Beach pier (PIER PICTURE) and other sights... Even Seaworld is only a short bike ride away... We love it!! And yes... we're planning to extend our stay here in San Diego into the new year.

Since the days are rather short and nights long we have been looking and finally located a small boat size TV, DVD and whatever else player. The placement of this unit took a little doing and we finally ended up adding a shelf to the head's bulkhead over the port-side settee. The shelf is completely supported without drilling any additional holes by clamping small brackets behind the teak hull trim and using an existing screw hole on the opposite side while leaving space behind the shelf to run cables and avoid squeaks!! The rabbit ears antenna is located below the V berth against the hull and will receive several stations... You just have to be careful where to sit for optimal reception.

Took me a day to obtain a free (I'm Dutch you know) sample of the wood flooring shelf and fit a teak fiddle from a piece of 1x2x6ft teak planking that I had brought along “just in case”. Yes, in time, I'll cover the SS support bracket with a teak wood carved bearded face... While on the subject of making things, I'm very happy that I took along my entire tool-shed which is now paying great dividends.
(SHELF PICUTRE)

Johanna designates a fair amount of energy and change locating and writing postcards and then spending endless hours and miles looking for stamps and mailboxes. She likes it and kids do appreciate it though!!

You may have noticed that this report was delayed in posting... The problem was that I that I could receive but not send stuff. This frustrated me to no end and even phoning my computer guru son Tom a thousand miles north of Vancouver, BC no solution of fix could be suggested. Yesterday the whole day was spent locating a Mac Computer store to deal with the problem. Apparently as you travel local area servers have different ports. Another server had to be obtained/installed, in my case Gmail provided by Google free of charge with a port code of 587 rather than the port code of 25 which my home server operates on... So... for those who plan to travel this is something you'll encounter. My compliments to Greg McClendon of the Fashion Valley Apple store who searched, stuck with it and found a solution

In closing, I have spent many pleasant hours sitting in my boat (tarped and with the heater running) while sailing/cruising to many a destination and exotic location while never leaving the driveway... I'm sure I'm not the only one and you'll understand. This trip you guys is everything we've dreamed of and more... every morning when we wake up in our cozy and warm V berth we just have to take a minute and realize that it is real this time... If you ever plan to do a similar
thing just don't wait but do it!! Now!!

See you soon on the water...

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2006 : 18:55:55

Another great installment Henk. I'll be able to include this in this next issue of Mainsheet. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2006 : 18:59:22

Some of us dream... and some of us live the dream!

Outstanding report Henk! and your quite handy with the wood working too.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2006 : 19:11:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by zeil
 
... If you ever plan to do a similar thing just don't wait but do it!! Now!!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Henk,

Thanks for the inspiration. I've yet to find the right boat and I keep vascilating about the wisdom of buying this hole in the water into which I will pour many dollars. Stories like yours remind me that life isn't a dress rehearsal. Go out a grab some!!!

Wishing you fair winds and friendly campgrounds....

Edited by - John Russell on 12/13/2006 19:13:10

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2006 : 20:22:34

Henk, I'm green with envy!

Regarding the RVCampland fiasco...Do these campgrounds allow tent camping? If so, at the next camp, tell them your are tent camping, but you are also trailering a boat. When you get to the site, simply throw one of those small, 5 minute setup pup tents on the ground.

Edited by - on

gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2006 : 21:41:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">All in good fun and afterwards we invited the winner to pay for an excellent outdoor seafood meal on San Diego Bay<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Well, maybe I'm Dutch, too, because we didn't actually buy a meal (yet

) for the....other boats

Susan and I had a terrific time sailing, rafting, and hanging out on your boat. We'll be down again soon to get in more sailing.

Hopefully, someday, we'll make a return trip up north and sail in your waters.

BTW, in your picture of Classical Cat (with reefed main) do you see a shark or maybe a dolphin at the surface off our stern?
(Probably just too much work making my mind a bit goofy)

Keep watch on L Dock for the rest of us....and enjoy!!!

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 12/14/2006 : 14:07:41

What a great advenure! Those sailing photos make me long for spring. And, as someone who is spending a lot of time under a tarp with a portable heater, I appreciate your comment about the joy of all time spent on a boat. Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us.

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 12/14/2006 : 22:40:32

Dennis...
Hopefully the trip reports are interesting enough for your readers and I am able to locate Internet servers with sufficient strength to sent the installments. Number 5 has given me enough headaches to last a month ...

Tom...
some mornings everything seems like a dream... then... I stretch a bit and BANG my head again for the hundreds time on the cabin's roof. Both of us are calloused everywhere... The C250 forward reading light are blood splattered!! (just kidding)

Knotty Cat...
Send me your picture and I'll carve your likeness in teak... (just kidding) am glad you enjoy the scribblings... we have lots of fun

John re still searching...
Just this morning a 1980 25ft Lancer ¾ keel was sold on L dock of Marina Village, Mission Bay complete with a dingy electrical motor, Honda generator, 5 sails clean and as a whistle for the unbelievable amount of $1200.00 US. True it needed a bottom job, some new cushions and a few other things but... my goodness... I phoned my son in law yesterday in Canada to come to SD buy it and trailer the thing home, fix, clean and sell it for a profit... too late.. we should have acted quicker... Thanks for your well wishes and fair camp grounds...

Don...
Thanks for the suggestion of using a tent... perhaps the boats pop-top will do?? The funny thing is though that when we are somewhere inland, away from water, we don't seem to have any problems... In fact in one RV park the manager/owner took pictures to send to an RV magazine and... he placed the pictures on a bulletin board for all to see. He came over afterwards and told that he thought the way we traveled was kat's meow and loved the idea... Would love to have some more suggestions and/or ideas of what to do if we are refused again... One thing though... at the next RV Park we're just going to say that we are a 25ft trailer... period!!!

Gary:
Before anything, I want to apologize that I omitted to credit you and Charlie for some of the photos used in the posted story...
And now... yes... you bet... we're are looking forward to the “free” dinner we “earned” when you out-sailed Charlie and myself last Saturday with a reefed main sail you said??
Rubb it in Gary... rubb it in!! (just kidding)
Come to think of it why, for heavens sake, did Catalina change the design from a C25 to C250... The lines of the C25 are, in my opinion, clean and pleasing, sails and seems to handle well and is very roomy inside. We indeed would love to have you sail our home waters... take your foul weather clothing and snow boots along... The unidentified object behind your boat looks very suspicious and will, time permitting, be closer examined... Could be something aiding you??

C250WK #433
Eugene, Oregon
Nothing wrong with a little driveway sailing and being safe and sound with the heater roaring. Things could get worse such as burning out the heater, tearing of the tarp by snow overload or your wife interrupting your dream (just kidding) Glad you enjoy our experiences.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 11:43:55

That Lancer has been for sail for about 2 years with no offers. There is a 115 HP outboard on it. It doesn't run. 115 HP is not a typo.

The boat is built like a tank and passed survey for another prospective buyer, but the deal fell through when they could not get the boat out of the slip.

They were asking 12,000 not 1200. Surprised they came down by a factor of 10!

Since the boat arrived, I've never seen it used. I've met the owner on the first day but never seen him down at the boat for any reason since (not even 4th of July).

Lancer - strange combination of a power boat and a sail boat and not very good at either.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 11:52:03

Better than the Mac!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/15/2006 : 18:32:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimB517
 They were asking 12,000 not 1200. Surprised they came down by a factor of 10!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I've found there is a HUGE difference in what some owners think their boat is worth and what someone else is willing to pay for it. I know of sailboats that have had "for sale" signs on them for years.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2006 : 00:20:50

Have sure enjoyed all the reports so far so keep them coming. It's sure good to see and hear the good news from the sailors. Will try to contact the "Someday Lady" crew next summer when in Abbotsford visiting my folks with Dad, the sailor, at 100.

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2006 : 13:24:51

Jim I'm confused...the boat in question was a 1980 25 ft Lancer Sloop sailboat with rollout furling, two jibs, spinnaker 3/4 keel and dingy included docked and for a few days on L dock. The asking price published on the flyers distributed on the docks was $1950 and sold 3 days later for $1200.00 The boat arrived on the dock a few days before, was quickly cleaned up by the owner with loads of stuff taken from the boat.

Just so happened that the new owner was trying to sail it unsuccessfully to another dock, banged (not yours) into some other boats and was in a bit of a pinch... So happened that we were just coming in from a sail when we noticed his dilemma and quickly motored over, threw him a line and towed the Lancer's new owner to his dock... located right as you come into the harbour... the boat with years of bottom growth was a slug, it took us some doing to motor-tow him in. This is were boat handling gets to be a little tricky given the harbour's sea room, proximity to other boats as well as tide and wind direction.
BTW I'll post a few of Lancer's pictures I sent earlier to the kids.

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2006 : 13:48:34

Jim... here is an image of the boat in question... is that the same boat as in your outline??

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2006 : 13:18:49

That's not the same Lancer. The one I was thinking of is just about across from you.

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2006 : 21:26:55

Hey Jim... am looking forward to your coming to Abbotsford this summer. Perhaps we can sail together... we should be home sometime September'07 and hope to meet you
Went spinnaker sailing today with the other Jim (Baumgart) and loved it... pictures to come

Edited by - on

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