Marlene A. Sassaman's Blog – November 2011 Archive (8)

Years ago a sailing friend who specializes in building hydrofoils reminded a group of us that change only takes place via revolution or evolution. This was related to the development of such performance boats as high speed hydrofoil sailboats.It also applies to life. Take for instance the sudden change to a spouse left alone by his or her mate's untimely death. Suddenly decisions have to be made which may cause major change; selling a house, moving in with other family members, getting a…

Reading the Yanmar Diesel Manual was overwhelming at first. I scanned each page of it a few months back as I transitioned it into a looseleaf notebook. Important pages, like what type of oil to use and the maintenance checklist were put in a plastic sleeve. During my daily boat check on Monday I was too tired to take on any real tasks, like sanding the eyebrow the protects the gps in the cockpit, I slithered below to sit at the galley table. After gazing out the stern castle window, which…

Here comes another lesson to learn about diesels. Maybe I should keep a log of each thing I learn....well that's another blog entry. For now my concern is that the last two times, about a week apart, that I started up my Danny Diesel, 2 gm yanmar she made that grinding kind of sound that makes you say, "Come on baby, you can start!" Someone told me yesterday that a diesel should start up right away. So, do I check the battery, the alternator, or what?????

I had a guy look at my wiring…

Several times in the past month I read this statement. Not sure where or who wrote it, but I wish I would remember it and quit wasting time. It goes something like this:

           It is easier to make friends with sailors than to make friends into sailors.

This week-ends' GAM sponsored by the 7 Seas Cruising Association had a mediocre attendance. The two GAMS I attended during the past 4 or 5 years had many more attendees, vendors and speakers/seminars. Guess everyone's budgets are low. Or, perhaps, it's just the same old thing.

 On the one hand cruising, with all its technological/electronic gadgets, has made sailing safer. Perhaps, for some it has lost its appeal.  Certainly the median age is within the realm of being considered…

After  an encouraing phone conference with Jim Brown, designer and author, I am compelled to suggest you take the time to visit his website:

outrig.com

It isn't every day two pioneers in the multihull faction have dinner together. So it was last Monday when Jim Brown on the left and Sam Bradfield had the opportunity to swap stories of their involvement over the past 50 years. Jim gets kudos from his Searunner line of trimarans while Sam boasts advances in the world of hydrofoils. Sam's latest design has been recently…

Tomorrow is here; I have my food diary ready to carry with me and the reality of how attached I have become to my many possessions. For the cirumnavigation and certainly for my life after I can't take sailboards, snowboards, murals, paintings, life size pictures, flower vases, office furniture, my custom cherry wood bedroom suite, faux suede big chair, total gym, weights, recumbent bicycle, beach cruiser, dolls, and oh dear I can't leave my 62 year old Teddy Bear . . .

Whew, this is…