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Deadhead! or What I did on Saturday

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/13/2012 : 09:52:56

This past Friday night I got a call from my marina manager. He told me that a girl who was watching her parent's boat while they were traveling had seen a deadhead in my slip. I didn't think much of it, I'd seen what kind of flotsam floated into our marina on a daily basis and figured it was just an errant log. I figured I'd go down on Saturday morning, maneuver it out of my slip with my long boat pole and guide it down the fairway to the pass through that's specifically designed for this. When I got there, this is what I found:

About an hour before low tide:

The top is about 2-1/2' in diameter, and the log is about 15' long, and sticking in the mud of the bottom. The white stuff around the top? That's gel coat...

Pretty close to low tide, notice the tilt since it's no longer floating upright.

I was sort of at a loss as to what to do, so I called my marina manager back after texting him a picture of the deadhead. We decided to move my boat into another slip and he'd call one of the other members who has a working boat to come help tow it away. Since both my tillers are in the shop to be refinished, I had to recruit someone to help me walk SL around to the slip two slips south of mine. Rita hadn't come with me because I'd thought this would be a fairly easy job.

A few pictures w/o SL in the slip:

Notice the bow of the C-27 who is now our slip mate. When at rest, our boats are about 18" apart, neither one of us could figure out how the damn thing got between our boats, but I imagine there's a nice line of little bumps in my new paint job where it worked it's way along.

Notice the pronounced lean, this is pretty close to low tide now.

Here's two of my dockmates towing it away to wherever deadheads go to die (somewhere responsible up the Duwamish River, not exactly sure where). Notice how it floats with only about 2" out of the water. Imagine hitting that at speed, at night. Our fairway was generally deep enough for them to keep towing at a constant (very slow) speed, but occasionally, it'd bottom out and stop them dead until it tilted over enough to get dragged free of the muck & continue.

And making the turn out of the fairway into the main river (not coincidentally with my friend's boat Sedna in the background).

After I'd walked them to the entrance of the marina with the longest spiked boat pole we have there, there was little left to do for me, so I gathered up the extra lines and got them stowed, and put the boat pole away and went looking for someone to help me get my boat back into it's slip.

It was a surprisingly long day, plus it rained the entire time, I was glad I'd brought my Gore-Tex jacket with me and some waterproof gloves.

That'll teach me to doubt the word of a mariner's daughter...

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 10:18:10

Those things scare the hell out of me.. but we really only hear of them on the rivers. When you run the river and you think you see something in the water, avoid it. I've seen lots of boat drivers run right over leaves and such and think they are gonna have a rude awakening one day.

I don't like to run the river right after a flood.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 10:33:44

I'll bet, even if just for a moment, the woodworker in you wondered about the beauty of an old submerged log turning into something more beautiful on your lathe.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 10:36:03

I've bounced off of a much-much smaller one while in the river, only a couple hundred yards from where this occurred. It was about a 4x8 beam, maybe 12' long floating horizontally. It was late in the day, and the glare off the river prevented me from seeing it. We got a great thump on the bows somewhere and it bumped down the side of the boat & got stuck under our dinghy, which started towing it. I thought since I already have it in tow, I'll try to maneuver it to the side of the river instead of the middle-right-ish where I picked it up, so I tried that, but as soon as the turn got transmitted to the log, it slid out from under the Avon and continued downstream.

I never run over anything if I can avoid it, but sometimes you put yourself into situations that don't seem dangerous, and then all of a sudden, they are. While out sailing last year, we came across a giant mooring buoy covered with sea lions. Rita always likes to see them and hear them bark, so I angled toward the buoy so she could get a closer look. Almost too late I noticed the 2-3" mangled nylon hawser attached to the buoy floating just subsurface which would have entangled my keel at best. I managed to steer around it, but was really irritated at myself for getting so close to something, even at slow speed, that could have harmed the boat. Fortunately we cleared the end of the line by several feet, but the pucker factor was high.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 10:42:51

John,
For longer than a moment, trust me. I have a lot of time on my hands right now (got laid off in January), so I'm clearing out my shop and getting the lathe ready for some production turning.

I really couldn't come up with a good way to get the log out of the water, onto my truck and back to my place (or a lumber mill). I figured it was roughly two tons or more of log, and my truck couldn't easily carry that load (the weight is fine, but the length would make it tough with a ton or so dangling out the back).

However, almost concurrent with my layoff, I injured my back (day before New Year's) and so going out into my cold shop is hard on my back. Days like today (cold, windy & snowing), I tend to spend on my computer learning how to write Iphone applications even though I've got several projects I could be working on in the shop.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 10:54:07

I feel your pain, David. I quit looking and just assume I'm "retired" at the ripe old age of 59. Sounds great, right? Wrong! I'm bored to death, not to mention broke. Thank god I re-enlisted all those times or I'd be hungry and homeless too! Good luck with your search.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 11:16:09

Well, I'm considering "retirement" as well at 52-almost 53. We have a nice chunk salted away in IRA's, 401k, stocks, etc., plus Rita can begin to draw down on her retirement fund in Malaysia in about 2-1/2 years or so (aged 55). I only did 5 years in the USN, so I don't have that to fall back on.

I really have no desire to go back to work at another company, which is why I'm learning Iphone app stuff. I've got two friends who are still at Microsoft who both want out, so we're doing brain storm sessions about every other week to come up with ideas for several apps, I'm reading lots of books and articles, etc. We've got about 8-10 ideas spec'd out, and I'm doing wireframes for how they'd work, while one of the other guys comes up to speed with Apple's development environment (he's the programmer). The idea is to come up with half a dozen or so applications that provide a monthly residual income such that we don't have to work constantly to maintain a decent living. I don't mind working on stuff like this, but "going to work" has completely lost it's luster for me. Every time I think about going to an interview, I get a real headache from stress. Even just a stupid phone screen with a recruiter gets me wound up. Plus having grey hair in the computer industry is a detriment. In fact when I interview I always do a high and tight beforehand so the color of my hair isn't so obvious. I don't want to do that any more.

Rita & I are considering moving back to SE Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand) where our funds would go a lot further, plus she's positive she can easily find a job there to continue her career (show producer, trade shows, television, etc.) although I'm not sure I'd want her to. However, I have ideas for businesses over there, if nothing else, I can teach English (current curriculum is to teach all subjects in Malay except Science & Math). Concerned Malaysians are busing their kids to Singapore so they can get an education in English there instead of in Malay. However, the further you get from Singapore, the more difficult that is to do, and Kuala Lumpur (where Rita's from) is a three hour drive (five by bus) to Singapore, plus you have to go through customs and immigration 2x a day.

Man, talk about hijacking your own thread...

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 12:50:38

Yepper .. I understand one of the greatest growth areas is in Healthcare. Changing peoples behavior with apps that interact with the patient. In ophthalmology you could probably cure 30% of blindness from glaucoma alone if you could just get older patients to follow their prescribed eye drop schedule.

Much less save the government money...

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 13:11:50

So (to continue my own hijack), an app like that is what actually got me started thinking about writing Iphone apps. When I hurt my back about 10 weeks ago, I was taking pain killers when the pain was bad (and when I say bad, I mean INTENSE). You're only supposed to take them every so often, plus I was taking NSAIDS as well to knock the inflammation down, and I couldn't for the life of me remember when I'd last taken any of my meds. Normally this isn't a problem for me, but narcotics really mess with your memory (or at least mine), so I went looking for ways to use my Iphone to help me remind myself when I'd taken my drugs last. I couldn't find anything so I started thinking about how I'd go about it, if I were going to write the app. Then I talked to one of my friends about it and we started brainstorming how we could do it, what kind of information, how many timers, etc. Fortunately I'm long since off of the pain killers, and only occasionally taking NSAIDS for annoying pain (like today) so the impetus for that particular app has waned, but I think you're right, there would be a market, and I hadn't thought about the uses for tracking other things like eye drops for glaucoma.

I never spec'd out that particular app, but I think I will now.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 15:17:56

Returning to topic a bit, I just got a nice thank you note from the marina manager. He's contacted the Corps of Engineers to come get the deadhead from where the guys towed it upstream to, some place called "Riverside". They're going to come get it with their crane and remove it from the river and thanked us for dealing with it.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 16:44:36

When they finished "Truckin'" the deadhead upstream, did they say, "What a long, strange trip it's been"?

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waterbaby
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 17:15:15

David,
Congrats on taking what surely was a negative in your life and trying to find a way to make it a positive. I think 'Work' lost it's luster for me a long time ago but finances force me to continue plodding along. It's great that you're able to think of new ways to put your hard earned skills to good use and I'm sure with diligence and determination it will work out for you.

As for your log - if someone had called me and said there was a 'Dead Head' in my slip I would have called the police. See how much I'm learning from this forum! :)

Edited by - on

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 17:16:10

Just curious, what is the protocol (if any) if you happen upon a deadhead out in open water?

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 18:14:00

glivs - we put out a securite, but not much else.

Last time I had to do that a powerboat screamed right over the log to come alongside and ask where it was <insert facepalm here>

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 18:14:56

David, I don't know if you are looking for more ideas for your soon to be company, but if you are fire me off a quick email.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 18:45:54

We would put out a securite as well. I'd imagine there would be a reasonably quick response if it were in Elliott Bay due to all the commercial traffic.

Chris, email inbound soon.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 21:47:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 So (to continue my own hijack), an app like that is what actually got me started thinking about writing Iphone apps. When I hurt my back about 10 weeks ago, I was taking pain killers when the pain was bad (and when I say bad, I mean INTENSE). You're only supposed to take them every so often, plus I was taking NSAIDS as well to knock the inflammation down, and I couldn't for the life of me remember when I'd last taken any of my meds. Normally this isn't a problem for me, but narcotics really mess with your memory (or at least mine), so I went looking for ways to use my Iphone to help me remind myself when I'd taken my drugs last. I couldn't find anything so I started thinking about how I'd go about it, if I were going to write the app. Then I talked to one of my friends about it and we started brainstorming how we could do it, what kind of information, how many timers, etc. Fortunately I'm long since off of the pain killers, and only occasionally taking NSAIDS for annoying pain (like today) so the impetus for that particular app has waned, but I think you're right, there would be a market, and I hadn't thought about the uses for tracking other things like eye drops for glaucoma.

I never spec'd out that particular app, but I think I will now.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
We're dealing with this exact issue at the moment. My mom (84 yrs) had knee replacement surgery about a month ago and she kept taking Hydrocodone until last Thursday even though she wasn't having any major pain anymore. That mixed with 8 other prescription meds and she's gotten herself all jacked up by taking the wrong meds at the wrong times, taking too much, using when it wasn't needed. Now she can't remember a lot of things, gets confused, etc...

Yesterday morning she got herself all wound up and hit the Life Alert button and told them she might hurt herself. Spent 14 hours at the hospital yesterday and we just got home from admitting her to a Geriatric Phsyc unit. Doctors think the meds are causing the problems because she has never shown any signs of this type of behavior and a few weeks ago she was as sharp as a tack.

Sorry for getting off topic but an app that would help her keep up with her meds would be very helpful. Only problem would be it would need to be for the Android operating system.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 00:21:28

Gary,
Sorry to hear about your mom's troubles, I hope she gets sorted out quickly.

Regarding the application needing to be an Android version, what I've learned in the past couple days is that you can write a web based app as opposed to a native app (EG: Android or Iphone specific) which will allow it to run on virtually any smartphone's browser. Then, if you want to monetize the app, you can use another application that will cross compile it into many different platforms. Of course there are limitations and drawbacks to this, but the technology is pushing back those limitations almost daily.

What I really need is a Mac laptop or Mac Mini to do my development on. You have no idea how hard it is to say that after ten years at Microsoft.

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Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 07:02:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 
What I really need is a Mac laptop or Mac Mini to do my development on. You have no idea how hard it is to say that after ten years at Microsoft.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Admitting it is the first step.

I made the switch to Mac in 2007.....and have never looked back. For my personal computing needs, it's been the best decision I've made.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 07:47:21

David I sent you an email - all niche market stuff, but maybe helpful.

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