VENT TRUNK

Today, I pulled TARDIS out of the garage to step the mast. My neighbor, Larry, came across the lawn carrying a couple of beers. He rarely comes over empty handed. :-)

The third coat of paint has been spread, and I think that's all she will get. A non-skid will be applied to the deck also.

The vent trunk on a Paradox is unique. The halyard and furling line come through the deck into the vent trunk, and then into the cabin. At the bottom of the mast step, there is a drain hole. The electrical box is mounted to the left of the vent trunk. The batteries will be on the other side of the bulkhead the box is mounted on.

Wiring for the running lights will come down through the mast, exit the mast below the deck, and will plug into the harness mounted inside the vent trunk. The hole for the wires to go to the box has not been drilled yet. Wires have already been run from the box to the pump located in the aft storage space.

A list has been made of all the hardware that is needed. The sail will be purchased as a kit from Sailrite. Oh yeah, and a trailer.

TARDIS Has Paint!

I can't seem to paint anything without getting it in my hair! Today was no different, but I'm so excited that there is paint on s/v TARDIS. I was asked how many coats I was going to apply. My answer, "I don't know." Maybe three? I will know when I get to the last one.

I decided to use the Glidden Porch & Floor, off white. A navy blue stripe will be painted just below the toe rail.

I love the look of wood! So, of course, I will not paint everything. Many pieces will be painted with spar varnish; toe rail, hand rails, hatch board, cabin rails, mast, boom, spar, rudder stock and tiller.

I am also asked about my splash date... and again, my answer is, "I don't know". But one thing I do know, there will be a party at the splash!

Puddle Duck to Pool

As some of you know, I have two PDRacers.

Today, I thought I would take the tarp off them and make sure they are okay. Wow, my tarp has not been doing it's job... it is worn out! The Ducks were stacked one on top of the other. The blue Duck, the one on top, had about 4 inches of water standing in it. The poor think was pretty pitiful looking. Green and black stuff covering the whole thing.

It was built to keep water out, not in. The ply has started to delaminate in a couple of places. Okay, now what do I do with it? I had already wondered this because I didn't see myself ever sailing it again. Then I had a thought.... it's been really hot lately....and it does hold water very well. Hummmmmm, I got it! A pool! So today, it was decommissioned and took on the role of POOL!

I pulled it off the trailer, slid it to the backyard and began the clean up. When it was cleaned and leveled, I started the filling of my new pool. My neighbor's patio is just on the other side of my chain link fence, so I use the sail for privacy. Clever, huh?

Ahhhh, refreshing. I will enjoy it much more as a pool than a boat. I am planning a pool party this weekend, drop on by!

TX200...Paul's Mott to Seadrift

Friday June 15, 2012

Winds were high, but we flew both sails. I took us across San Antonio Bay. It was a short day, we arrived at Seadrift about 1:30 pm.

While I was standing around visiting with folks, Mike Beebe came and asked me if I wanted to take a ride in his paradox. Without hesitation, I said, "YES". I grabbed a paddle and climbed in. We paddled out of the marina, which was not a small feat. The winds were right on our nose and blowing hard. Once out, Mike raised the sail and I took the tiller. Mike was so nice to do this for me. He knew I was building one and thought it would inspire me to get my paradox finished. He was right.

There was a meal for us this evening, along with cases of donated Shiner beer. We were treated very well.

This year, there were 6 female folk that made the trip. We all had a great time and did not regret our decision to do it. I made many new friends and I plan to keep in touch with them all.

Cathy and Charlie

Rosa keeping the Sailor Jerry safe.

Awdree, Lindsey, Me and Brittany

I was asked many times if I would make the trip next year. My answer, yes... in TARDIS.

TX200... PIYC to Paul's Mott

Thursday June 14, 2012

Okay, I thought I would get the best sleep of the trip in the air conditioned building. But, it turned out to not be true. Lindsey and I were wishing we had pitched our tents on the grass.

Mike Beebe, in his paradox, made getting out to the channel look easy. It was not that easy for us. It took us several tries to sail out, but we did it.

Crossing the Corpus Christi Bay was rough and very wet. I will now have to explain that Traveler is a "wet" boat. In rough waters, the bow parts the water, it splashes on the amas and then is thrown back into the boat...and on who ever is sitting in the boat. You would think this in a bad thing, but it turned out to be a plus. Many of the other participants in this trip complained about the heat. I never felt hot, because I was doused with water quite frequently and rarely drying out.

We arrived at Paul's Mott at 2:30 pm. We were the second boat to arrive, and for some reason, I am proud of that fact. On Paul's Mott there are no trees... but there is no mud either! The boats are beached on shells. Yes, I know it looks like sand, but it is solid shells. They don't hold tent steaks very well.

We are standing there watching the remaining boats sail to the island, and we see Ranger capsize. John and Bill are sailing her, and they both go in the water.

When it is apparent that they can not right the boat themselves, two boats with motors are taken out to rescue these two men.

Andy Linn made his famous dive from the rescue boat to the capsized boat. John could not make it back into the boat, so he hung onto the transom and was towed to shore with the boat.

Once close to shore, the boat was bailed out and pulled to the beach. No one was hurt. Well, except Andy's camera.

The island was buzzing with excitment. There will be a wedding! Who, you ask? A few years ago, on a TX200, Chris Tomsett and Cathy Wright met on this very spot... Paul's Mott. He grew to love her more than shrimp, and she grew to love him as much as she does Major (her dog)! So, they decided they should get married on this little plot of land. So the planning began.

There was a tropical theme to this wedding. Everybody was given a lei and the girls wore grass skirts. Andy Linn became a licenced minister just to preform the ceremony. And it wouldn't have been complete without the costume, and preformed in front of the mast that resembles a cross.

There was cake and champagne. The ceremony was followed by a gumbo and rice meal prepared by Jason Nabors. And let me tell you, it was very tasty. Jason did a fantastic job fixing the meal right there on the beach. I was impressed.

TX200...Hap's Cut to PIYC

Wednesday June 13, 2012

Yes, everything I heard about Hap's Cut is true. The mud is DEEP, and hard to wash off. The redeeming quality about Hap's Cut is the big beach and shade.

This is Major, Cathy Wright's dog. He is a well traveled dog. As everyone was packing and loading their boats, he patiently waited by the gear and anchor to be put on the boat.

We left Hap's Cut around 7:15 am. It was a smooth sailing day. Lot's of dolphins and one jumped out of the water within 10 feet of our bow.

This is Mike Beebe's paradox. He says she is not quite finished, but finished enough to make the trip. I was glad to see a paradox on this trip.

We arrived at the entrance of PIYC (Padre Island Yacht Club) and the wind was right on the nose. Some had to be towed in if they did not have a motor. We brought a motor, so we anchored, pulled the sails down and mounted the motor. We were able to get in to a slip with no trouble.

Priorities... after getting off the boat, I grabbed a beer... and then took a shower. I washed off three days of sweat, salt, mud and felt human again. There was a hamburger meal served that was so good, complete with potato salad, beans, chips, brownies and ice cream. Oh, and A/C !

The chart was pulled out and the next days route was discussed.

The yacht club was kind enough to let us camp out on their lawn, or roll out a sleeping pad in the building or on the patio. I thought to myself, I will sleep good tonight. Awdree Green grabbed me and told me she wanted me to sleep upstairs in the room where she would be staying. Later in the evening, around 10:30, I was ready for sleep. Unfortunatley, a group of gentlemen were playing cards on the other end of the room, so the lights were on. Within minutes, they started to disassemble and the lights were turned off. I thought now I can sleep. I laid there and listened to the snoring. Quickly I realized I would not be able to fall asleep, so I got up and went down stairs. There I found Gordo Barcomb sitting with a beer and a book. He shared an extra beer and we visited for quite a while.

TX200...Port Mansfield to Hap's Cut

Tuesday June 12, 2012

We pulled anchor about 7:15 am and headed out across the Laguna Madre, caught the channel and headed north. Winds were behind us and about 20 knots. We stopped for lunch. Had tuna sandwiches and tea. Andy Linn and Lindsey on Ooze Goose stopped also.

Traveler hit 10.7 knots and averaged 7, with only one sail up.

Our next camp is Hap's Cut. I had heard the stories about the mud there. And, they are all true. But, there is a big shade tree with a picnic table. Everyone gathered and exchanged stories.

Lindsey was crew for Andy Linn. I understand that Lindsey heard many stories from Andy. Even after 5 days of conversation, I'm sure she hasn't heard but a few of Andy's many tales. Everyone fell in love with Lindsey and was glad she was on the trip. We want to see her join us again next year.

Below are the boats beached and anchored at Hap's Cut.