Sail La Vie, LLC

We're getting a late start on the water this year - but are enjoying the boat.

The canvas winter cover is off, sails are up - including a new Halyard for the genoa, the bimini and dodger are back up and have received a coating of waterproofing/UV protection.  Water tanks have been flushed and we now have running water and a head.

Sail La Vie now has new batteries.  The old ones had a few dead cells and the motor barely turned over.  Just put in new Lifeline AGM batteries and the engine starts right up.  Have been running the boat on battery power the last few days and the voltage has barely dropped!  Installed a 12 volt starter battery and four (4) 6 volt house batteries - the storage area and all connections remained the same and the complete installation took about two hours with the help of my son Michael.  Following the successful installation my son's girlfriend Ali and Vicki and Dave from two other boats in the Marina helped celebrate and we downed two bottles of wine; one a deadly Zin and the second a Cabernet. 

The Dinghy was stored on the foredeck for the winter and has received a fresh coat of bottom paint.

We also have put a new handle on the fuel shut-off.  Bought a stainless steel drawer pull, drilled out the hole with a #21 drill, then tapped it with a #10-32 tap!

Lifelines & Wood Trim

We are installing new lifelines and adding a second gate at the cockpit.  This will make boarding much easier.  Bought the Suncor do-it-yourself kit.  Put up one piece to make sure we know what we're doing.  Have added two stantion braces, one fit nicely, the other required some heat and a little twist due to the slope of the deck.  The newly installed brace requires some polishing following the heating.

Had work done on the teak trim by "The Boat Shop".  www.boatrepairnewyork.com.  The Boat Shop has sanded and cleaned all the teak.  Floors, rubrail and bow sprite are oiled.  Seats over the lazerettes and companionway have been varnished - so we'll have a little sparkle.

Float Switch

The #$#%* float switch in the bilge has stopped working again.  This is the third float switch I've installed in three years!  Does anyone know if I'm doing something wrong or does everyone have similar experiences? 

First Sail of 2010: May 16th

Neices, nephews and cousins from Pennsylvania enjoyed a cruise past the Statue of Liberty, followed by dinner at Baha in Jersey City.

Alek at the wheel held a steady course. 

View from the bow.  Kate is checking the main and Steve is keeping a watchful eye.

We all enjoyed the sail in fresh 15 to 20 kt winds.  Almost nothing broke - the genoa block on the starboard rail lifted up a little - will have to rebed and use longer screws and see if we can get some throughbolts and backing plates.