June 2012 Issue of The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine by The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine

The Great Lakes Mariner

Cover/ Inset Photos Courtesy of Robalo Boats

The 2012 R305 by Robalo - A Versatile Fishing Machine and Family Cruiser - Pg. 22

Photo by Charles McCian

Paying Tribute on Memorial Day - Pg. 10

A Quick Look - Pg. 16

Camping “On the Hook” Pg. 34

Mutt of the Month - Pg. 7 What's Up Dock - Pg. 20 Classifieds - Pg. 46

We’re Great Lakes Proud (Pg. 6)

Marina, Fishing Charter Service, Mobile Home CT, RV Park

Bait, Tackle, Pole Rentals, and Ice Extra Available in our On-site Bait Shop

The Great Lakes Mariner

A Sticker and a Cause The logo (pictured above) is easily recognizable to any Great Lakes boater; and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the idea. Buy the sticker for either $3 or $5, depending on the size, and a portion of the proceeds go back into helping to maintain our beautiful bodies of water and the Great Lakes region. The cool thing is, you can also go to their Facebook page and suggest to them what fund or project that you would like your purchase to benefit. Then place the sticker somewhere adventurous or ingenious and send a picture of it to them - Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helpful to the region and fun. Purchase yours today at the GLP Shop on Facebook.

The Great Lakes Mariner

“If I were any more relaxed, I would need medical attention.” - Leo Enjoying the Kalamazoo River near Saugatuck, MI

If you would like for us to consider your pet for our Mutt of the Month page, please go to thegreatlakesmariner.com, under the “Your Input” tab, and send us a photo. Please include the Pet’s name and home-port. If your pet is chosen we’ll send you some Great Lakes Mariner Gear. The Great Lakes Mariner

Photo Courtesy of Yacht Island Design

Do you think the palm trees can handle a Great Lakes winter? Obviously, the Europeans dream big and take their company names a little too literally. This concept boat from Yacht Island Design, comes complete with a pool, tiki huts, a waterfall, and it’s very own (hopefully non-lava producing) volcano. I have a feeling that this one will never actually see water, and if it does the Great Lakes will not likely be a destination, but it is cool that designers are dreaming and exploring possibilities in boat design. See some more of their concepts here.

HEY SEARAY! Since you guys obviously aren’t keeping up with the times, I completed this concept design for you at no cost - I’ll expect to be invited to the launch party next spring!

The Great Lakes Mariner

Take Your Camera on Your Next Fishing Trip and You Could Win Big ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 16, 2012 – There’s a lot to pack before you head out for the spring fishing season. Just don’t forget the camera to take shots of your catch to submit to the BoatUS Angler “Catch of the Month” photo contest at www.BoatUS.com/angler/contest, which kicks off this week and runs monthly through October 31. Monthly winners, one freshwater and one saltwater, will receive a one-year BoatUS Angler membership with basic on-water towing and roadside assistance, a $50 Visa gift card and a “prize pack” filled with fishing and BoatUS Angler gear. In addition, winning photos will appear in BoatUS Angler Magazine and Tacklebox monthly fishing e-newsletter. Monthly winners will be automatically entered Angler Sean Riley of New Port Richey, Florida, won this tarpon mount to win the grand prize in in last year’s BoatUS Angler photo contest. November: an upgrade to unlimited on-water and on-road towing assistance, a high-quality fish replica from The Fish Mount Store, and a $50 gift certificate from BoatNameGear. BoatUS Angler’s roadside assistance “club” for boat trailers and tow vehicles and its on-thewater towing service helps anglers spend more time fishing and less time worrying about breakdowns. Visit www.BoatUSAngler.com for more. Anglers can also check out all of the photos submitted at www.BoatUS.com/angler/contest.

The Great Lakes Mariner

Photo by Timo Kamph

The Great Lakes Mariner

Photo by Jim Voorhies

Photo by Fovea Centralis

Photo by Charles McCian

The Great Lakes Mariner

By Mary L. Bodnar

nthusiastic boaters with plenty of time on their hands often have their boats ready for launching well before Memorial Weekend, but for those in dry stack buildings, many times boaters are at the mercy of wily weather conditions and a cranky dry stack crew. Dry stack guys are generally a likeable bunch of fellows with an intact work ethic, but in many cases, they have to remove the big luxury yachts off the dry stack floor before they can get your boat down off the shelf. This was the case for me for many years when my hull didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hit water until after Memorial Weekend. Thus, Memorial Day marked the beginning of the boating season, if you got lucky. For those of us up on land for winter, access is much easier and by Memorial Weekend, most of us are in the harbor, ready to go, even if the Great Lakes are not ready for us. Lest we forget that Memorial Day is about more than the kick-off of the boating season, cookouts, picnics and family boat outings, we need to be reminded that Memorial Day is an important day of remembering the men and women who gave of their lives while serving courageously in our United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day, originating after the Civil War. It was originally conceived to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers. Simultaneously, southern organizations had decorated Confederate graves in

The Great Lakes Mariner

Richmond and other cities during the Civil War, but each region recognized its own date in the month of May. Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars by the 20th century. Since then, it is now observed on the last Monday of May and is a United States federal holiday, earning its rightful place. In the early 1900’s, Memorial Day became an occasion for more general expressions of memory, honoring the dead whether they had served in the military or not. As erudite boaters, it is important to pay tribute to all who have died at sea, whether it is the Great Lakes or our vast oceans, which have claimed their lives. It is estimated that 700 merchant ships were lost in World War II alone while 6,600 mariners gave their lives in this global conflict. The American Merchant Mariners’ Memorial Monument in Battery Park in New York City stands as a great commentary to honor those who have given their lives in the act of service. Battery Park became the world’s first immigrant depot decades before Ellis Island was even built and long before the Statue of Liberty was erected. The American Merchant Mariner’s Memorial Monument commemorates the thousands of merchant ships and crews pressed into military service since Revolutionary War times. 14

The Great Lakes Mariner

Photo b

Photo by Tim1965

Left: The Merchant Mariner’s Memorial at Battery Park in Manhatten. Above: The U.S. Coast Guard Memorial at Arlington, Virginia.

The monument, conceived in 1976 and dedicated in 1991, was constructed based on a faded World War II photograph of a man overboard, struggling beside a sinking merchant marine vessel, while another man aboard ship is grasping his comrade. A third merchant mariner stands by. The monument stands on a rebuilt break wall in the harbor. Adding to the sense of realism prompted by the monument’s imagery, is the ebb and flow of the tide, an aspect of nature that by Timo Kamph compounds the work’s emotional dynamic. Though the monument recreates a specific scene, it stands to honor the thousands of merchant mariners who have died at sea in the course of our nation’s long history. This Memorial Day, why not take time to find out what monuments may be found in your area of the Great Lakes? And when you find one, online or near your harbor, take a moment to bow your head in silence to pay tribute to those who have died in order for us to have a better way of life – on and off the water. The Great Lakes Mariner

A Quick Look: New Boat Models Hitting the Market Grady-Whiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Freedom 335

ffering a ton of amenities for both a fisherman or a family, this boat will ensure that your day trips are done in style and comfort.

The Freedom 335 offers a considerable back deck, a head enclosed in the port side console, a wet bar with a refrigerator and optional built in grill, and of course the fishing necessities, like a couple of large insulated fish boxes (that double as dry storage) and an optional 32-gallon live well. Another nice touch for comfort is the retractable sunshade covering the aft of the boat. A lot of creature comforts, up to 700hp of motor capacity, and the Grady-White name - that can never be a bad combination.

The Great Lakes Mariner

RINKERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 290 Express Cruiser N

ew for 2013, the 290 Express Cruiser, provides a lot of boat for a modest price. Rinker loads up the standard features on this one - like cherry cabinets and Corian/ Staron counters, refrigerator/ freezer, microwave, snap-in carpeting, and a full-camper canvas to name a few. Powered by a 300 hp MerCruiser 350 Mag, available in several colors, with a base MSRP of only $82,999, this one may tempt quite a few buyers. See the manufacturer websiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 290 EC page.

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The 225 Dorado by Scout

ew for 2012, the 225 Dorado features the NuV3 fuel-efficient hull, which purportedly saves fuel, and subsequently money, throughout the life of the boat. The boat is comfortable for fishing or cruising and comes with standard features like Flexi-teak covered dual swim platforms, a fold-down bow table, a portside console enclosed head, lots of room for electronics and tons of storage for fishing gear, fish and family items. See the manufacturer websiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 225 Dorado page. The Great Lakes Mariner

What’s Up Dock? New products and exciting innovations in the boating market!

SPL2000 AIS-VHF Splitter

D i g i ta l Ya c ht

As technology continues to enhance (or invade) every aspect of our everyday lives, many boaters have decided that resistance is futile and have embraced electronics whole-heartedly. Unfortunately, the more gadgets that we put on our boat, the more antennas we need, eventually making our boats resemble an aquatic porcupine. Digital Yacht’s SPL2000, an AISVHF Antenna Splitter, helps de-spike your porcupine by allowing one VHS antenna to receive a DSC VHS signal, an AIS signal, and AM/FM signals with one antenna. Available at Signal Marine for $280.83.

Optimus 360 - joystick control system Teleflex brings us joystick control for twin outboards with the new Optimus 360. This new system allows your boat to move “forward, backwards, diagonally, rotate on its own axis, or even move sideways to accomplish tricky docking maneuvers.” Using “SmartCylinders” and actuators, your motors will move and operate independently based on your movement of the joystick, allowing amazing maneuverability. The system should be hitting the market in June with a cost for the entire system in the ballpark of $18,000.

The Great Lakes Mariner

Te l ef l ex M a ri n e

Sea-TeeTM Inflatable Rash Guard

S e a -Te e

This award-winning product provides swimmers, paddle boarders, surfers, and others with skin protection in the form of a sleek, non-binding “tee-shirt,” while providing 8+lbs of additional buoyancy when you need it. This product should provide some peace of mind when facing exhaustion or rip currents. Available from Jamestown Distributors for $109.00.

EEL Shorepower

M a ri n co

EEL (Easily Engaged Lock) eliminates the old threaded ring on your charging cord, to provide a watertight seal that can be connected with one hand. The EEL also provides its user with an LED to illuminate your boats charging outlet and an LED that remains visible while connected let you know there is power in the cord. Available from West Marine. 30amp cords start at $69.99 (50amp starts at $499.99.)

Pop-Up® Telescoping Bow Light

Ac co n M a ri n e Featuring a 316-stainless steel housing coupled with LED bulbs, this Pop-up bow light is not only attractive, it is also duarble. Pops up to a 9” height and is approved to a 2 nautical-mile range by the USCG. If you would like to add this beautiful light to your boat, it’s available from Accon Marine for $420.14.

If you have a new product that you would like featured in What’s Up Dock? Please go to www.thegreatlakesmariner.com/reader-submissions and let us know.

All Photos provided Courtesy of Robalo Boats

Robaloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2012 R305

Robalo’s 2012 R305 T

he flagship of the Robalo fleet is their beautiful R305. This flagship isn’t just a pretty face, it is a fishing machine that serves just as well as a fantastic family daycruiser. Robalo is known for building quality boats and hitting all of the marks on their finishing touches - true to form, the R305 will not disappoint. As far as handling goes – a Kevlar reinforced, sturdy hull cuts through chop nicely as the boat is propelled along by twin Yamaha motors. The least expensive motor option for the R305 are Yamaha F250XCA’s, but with the next option being Yamaha F300XCA’s, providing an extra 50hp for roughly $3,000 more, it’s an option worth exercising. Robalo also offers twin F350XCA’s but this will run you an extra $13,000 over the F300XCA’s, so the decision to step up again may not be quite as easy. Maneuverability of the R305 is also enhanced by an optional 5.5” bow-thruster, which really makes this a nimble boat. Once you step on-board the R305 you’re greeted with a large, open back deck that is well suited for all of your fishing needs. Robalo also provides a fold down transom seat for comfort while cruising to and from your favorite fishing hot spot. In the portside aft corner, Robalo has provided a 25-gallon live-well/ cooler, the boat has a second 30-gallon live-well/ cooler under the jump seat. You also get two 99-gallon, pump-equipped, fish-boxes to ensure

the catch arrives home fresh. There is also a nicely equipped bait station, complete with a sink and tackle storage, just to get you ready to catch all the whoppers or prepare the fish for lunch. Forward of the bait station, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find an L-shaped seating area on the portside, flanked by the Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chair on the starboard. In front of the Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chair is a neatly organized instrument console with ample room for any electronics that a boater may desire. Robalo offers buyers several The combination of power and fishing amenities (left) combined with refined features, such as cherry cabinets, solid surface counters and beautiful flooring (right), works nicely to keep everyone in the family content while aboard the R305.

Wonderful Dockside Reading...... Lubber’s Log - A Journal of One Mariner’s Experience in Moving Up By: William L. Gills

Love boating? Remember your first season in your new boat? Lubber’s Log is a boating journal and adventure story told in an entertaining, amusing style of the author’s first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. If you’re a first time boater, there is tons of useful information to help you get started in your new foray into boating. If you’re a veteran boater, you will surely recall and relate to all the mistakes and joys of those new, exhilarating experiences, both large and small.

Sailing to the Far Horizon -

The Restless Journey and Tragic Sinking of a Tall Ship

By: Pamela Sisman Bitterman

Of the legions of wayfarers who shared in the tall ship Sofia’s diverse and colorful history, only seventeen were on board when she went down. Of those who survived to tell the tale, none has . . . until now. More than twenty-five years ago, Pamela Bitterman began her journey on board a 123-foot, sixty-year-old sailing ship being readied for its second global circumnavigation. The details of events from this journey endure as vividly today as when Bitterman was a naive “shellback” swabbie, later ship’s bos’un, and finally acting first mate. In the end, she was merely one on a life raft of grateful survivors. Hardcover has sold out on Amazon, but you may email the author directly for an autographed copy .

The Latest News from Purgatory Cove By: Paul Esterle

Lookin’ for a great place to keep your boat? A place with lots of amenities, skilled craftsmen and great service? Well, keep on lookin’, ‘cause we do things our own way here at Purgatory Cove Fish Dock & Marina. Purgatory Cove is a place unto itself. Run by Sam, Lefty and Wade, Purgatory Cove staggers on from one misadventure to the next. Follow along via weekly letters from Lefty and Wade... The Great Lakes Mariner

Robalo’s 2012 R305 electronics option by Garmin; such as Garmin 5212 GPS, Garmin Radar 4kW 24HD Radome, Garmin Radar Digital Open Array, and/ or Garmin VHF Radio. This area of the boat may also be covered with an optional hardtop, which really enhances the aesthetics of the boat and provides great protection from the elements. Inside the nicely appointed cabin of the R305, we find a galley (suitable for preparing small meals) with a single-burner stove, microwave, small refrigerator, and single basin sink nestled into a solid-surface countertop and cherry laminate cabinetry. The head, which also features a solid-surface counter-top, contains all of the usual amenities and is adequate for a boat of this size. Forward of the galley and head is the standard collapsible dinette but the R305 also features both port and starboard “pullman” berths (the backrests of the dinette lift up to form sleeping areas.) In addition to the collapsible dinette and forward berths, the R305 also has an aft sleeping area that is surprisingly spacious. All in all, if your desire is a versatile and functional boat that will satisfy the fisherman as well as the family, the R305 is a very worthy contender for your hard earned dollars. Above-right: The overhead view of the R305 provides a good idea of the spaciousness of the back deck and cabin. Below-right: The size of the head on the R305 is suitable for a boat of its size and nature and, thankfully, Robalo has included the same beautiful touches that can be seen throughout the rest of the cabin. The Great Lakes Mariner

By Paul Esterle

Rudder feeling spongy? Finding water infiltration? You may need a

Rudder 28

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rectomy The Great Lakes Mariner

Rudderectomy M

any “Classic Plastic” fiberglass sailboats have an Achilles heel, their rudders. A common malady suffered by these rudders is water intrusion, resulting in internal corrosion and waterlogged foam. This problem is exacerbated in cold climates where boats, hauled for the winter, undergo multiple freeze/thaw cycles. The result can be rudder delamination and failure, the internal corrosion of steel components that results in the rudder post turning inside the rudder and even the rudder falling off altogether. Most of these rudders where constructed in the same manner; a mild steel plate is welded to the rear and/or front of a stainless steel rudder post. That assembly is then placed in a two piece rudder mold. The mold halves have had gelcoat and then fiberglass layers built up before closing around the rudder post assembly. Then high density foam is injected into the rudder interior, resulting in a strong, lightweight rudder. Over the years, water can find its way into the rudder interior. Groundings or striking an object can fracture the fiberglass rudder skins and allow water in. A more common problem is the area where the stainless steel rudder post exits the fiberglass rudder shell. Over the years, the bond between the fiberglass shell and the stainless steel rudder post breaks, allowing water in. There are currently several different firms who can supply replacement rudders for our classic plastic boats. In many cases, they built the original rudders for the boat builders. However good this solution is, it isn’t cheap. Given the current selling price for many of our older boats, it could be a substantial investment. Different methods have been tried to remedy the water intrusion problem. Holes drilled in the rudder bottom will allow water to drain while the boat is on the hard. I’ve heard of people injecting alcohol inside the rudder and then applying heat in an attempt to displace the water. Some have even tried to apply a vacuum to the rudder to suck the water out but that usually only results in collapsing the rudder and fracturing the rudder skins. Let’s face it; it took years to waterlog those rudders and it would take years to dry them back out.

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The typical rudder repair is accomplished by splitting the rudder shell along the leading and trailing edges and prying the two sides of the rudder apart. Once that is done, the waterlogged foam is removed and the steel components cleaned up and A foam board template of the rudder should be prepared repaired. The problem arises when trying to get everything back prior to any disassembly. together. Without the supporting mold, the rudder halves are hard to align and keep aligned during reassembly. It is difficult to get the rudder shaft properly positioned so that new foam can be injected. Recently, a fellow sailboat owner contacted me for advice and assistance in rebuilding his rudder after reading an article on rudder repair I had written. Together, we came up with a process to minimize the usual repair problems yet accomplish an effective repair.

The preparing of this jig is crucial to the overall success of the repair. It’s simple and relatively inexpensive - so don’t cut corners while making it!

At the beginning of the job, we weren’t sure if we would be able to remove part of the rudder skin and reuse it. So we took a little time and made templates of the rudder cross sections. We made these from artists foam board, very stiff and inexpensive. These templates would allow us to reshape, relaminate and fair the rudder surface if we couldn’t reuse the section we were going to remove.

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Rudderectomy The first steps began after the rudder was removed from the boat and brought home. First, we removed all antifouling; a sharp scraper made fast work of it. The next, very important step was building a jig to hold the rudder components in alignment when reassembly time arrived. The jig itself was laid out on a sheet of Âžâ&#x20AC;? chip board. The chipboard was dead flat and would not be subject to warping as a plywood sheet might be. With the rudder lying on the jig base (chipboard sheet), we epoxied wooden blocks to the base around the periphery of the rudder. This would fix the rudder laterally. Then wooden wedges were inserted under the bottom surface of the rudder and adjusted so that the leading and trailing edges where the same distance above the base and parallel to it. The wedges were also epoxied in place. With the rudder located on the jig, the next step was to place similar locating blocks around the rudder shaft. These blocks needed to be very sturdy in order to support the weight of the rudder shaft from the portion of the rudder stock outside of the rudder shell. Screws or bolts are needed to apply that kind of pressure. In our case, we were also lucky to have a tiller mounting hole in the rudder stock that we could place a piece of threaded rod through and tighten in place on the chip board with a washer and nut.

Where exactly you cut your rudder may vary depending on its construction but cutting in several inches from the edges leaves a sturdy compartment for the rebuild. 32

It was now time to cut the rudder open. Instead of splitting the shell down the leading and trailing edges, we moved in several inches from each edge and cut there. We were lucky

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Cont. on Pg. 41

By William “Bos’n Bill” Gills

Boat Campin

y wife and I are campers. No, not in the traditional sense at a designated campsite in a tent or caravan, but in a boat on a body of water for a day or two or more. Both are considered outdoor recreational activities, the only difference for us and so many others being the vehicle and the venue.

Photo by

Just what is the allure about camping on a boat at an anchorage of your choice when there’s always the uncertainty of stormy or unpleasant weather, or that your anchor might drag in a stiff breeze? That some guy whose night vision has been compromised might ram your starboard quarters while you sleep or your starter or house battery might run dry with all those electrical appliances and safety lights drawing down the juice, your bilge failing as you take on water, you and your crew going down with the ship? These are often the musings of fictitious, overactive imaginations, for these things rarely if ever occur and they could prevent you from enjoying one of boating’s most pleasurable experiences. To be sure you have to be prepared for the worst case, carry the proper equipment, take the proper precautions, but once organized you should have the tools and wherewithal to handle just about anything out of the ordinary that comes your way. Personally, we like to camp because we’re energized by the challenge of semi self sufficiency, the unpredictability of the elements and the freedom to chose the day’s activities on a whim, unfettered by the conventions and demands of daily life on terra firma. “On the hook” one has a myriad of choices and options. You can wake up with the sun or sleep in, fish, swim, relax, read, feed the birds, explore, BBQ as you watch the sun set and gaze at the stars and moon emerging in the immense black dome in the heavens so often obscured by trees or other building structures on land. Best of all, there are no time constraints unless you decide you want to impose them. You can leave the watch and clock at home. 34

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ng - â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the Hook â&#x20AC;?

y Loren Sztajer

, s i h t e e s u o y n Whe d o o g a e b y a m it ! r o h c n a o t t o p s The Great Lakes Mariner

Boat Camping - “On the Hook ” In our earlier days as trailer boaters we were often troubled at having to return to the launch ramp before sunset so we could beat it back home to have supper at a decent hour. This was after securing the boat to the trailer, taking the hour or so long drive home, washing down the boat, flushing the outboard and putting away all the gear we had packed for the day. We felt we were missing out on a major part of the boating experience; instead of relaxing we were harried. Things are a bit easier now that we’re in a slip and most everything we need in the way of basic household/boat accommodations, staples and entertainment are left on the boat. We’re prepared for anything and everything. Having the comforts of home at the marina including shore power, hot showers and a protected cove is great, but there’s something missing; the sense of adventure, freedom and the challenge of the unknown. Perhaps you have a same yen for adventure and self reliance. If so, I have a few ideas to share with the uninitiated, those who have thought about camping but have never tried it. I’ve outlined below a few things you might consider in your camping plan before setting out. Don’t be discouraged by the length of the list, you won’t need all these things.

What To Bring

Food and beverage is a given, the only limitation being the size of the cooler(s) you bring, the size of your fridge and how much storage space you have. If you’ll be grilling you’ll need plates, napkins and utensils, butter or margarine, salt, pepper and other seasonings, a BBQ grill (propane recommended) or a butane stove, fuel and a torch lighter, spatula and tongs. Don’t forget a sponge/rag, paper towels and garbage bags (plastic grocery bags will do) because you’ll be cleaning up afterwards. Consider keeping the grilling simple with hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken. Other food staples might include eggs, bread, buns, crackers, nuts, fruit, salad ingredients, mini cereals, cheese, mayo, ketchup, relish, canned tuna, peanut butter, coffee, tea and juice. 36

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A beautiful roof is an essential part of a beautiful home. Call the company that has ser ved Sout heastern Michigan for over 24 years.

Boat Camping - “On the Hook ” Water is the most important beverage. We find that if you freeze bottled water it’ll stay cool much longer and can serve the dual purpose of keeping the cooler on ice (you should store enough ice for a couple of days). The other beverages are a matter of choice, but count on having at least 7-8 bottles of water per person per day. On person essentials are sunglasses, brimmed hat and long sleeve and long pants for cool evening weather and mosquitoes, sweater, sweatshirt or windbreaker and swimwear if you’re going in the water. Don’t forget the sunscreen and towels. For entertainment consider music, games, cards, books, magazines, fishing gear, rafts and inflatable toys. Simple bedding like comforters, sleeping bags work well for sleeping and don’t forget your favorite pillow.

Before You Shove Off

Outside of the importance of communications (VHF radio, cell phone), navigation (nautical charts showing your course and chosen anchorage, GPS/Chart plotter), safety (PFD’s, flairs, fire extinguishers, sound producing devices, working navigation lights, first aid kit) and proper anchor and weight for the size of your craft, there are a few things you should do before shoving off to ensure a safe and relaxing camping trip. 1. Test that all your electronics (GPS, chart plotter,VHF) and running lights to be sure they are in good working order. 2. Check the latest weather forecast in your area using, the NOAA broadcast on your VHF, TV marine forecast or smart phone weather apps. Pay particular attention to wind and wave conditions, weather fronts, short and long term forecasts. 3. Check the tidal information at the anchorage where you’ll be anchoring. 4. Check the bilge for leaks and that the bilge pumps are clear of debris and functioning properly. 5. Leave a boat plan with a relative or friend or your local marina. 38

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“On The Hook”

1. When you arrive at your destination be sure you’re not in swing distance of any of the other boats in the vicinity taking into account possible changes in wind direction. After dropping anchor, slowly back off on the line to be sure it’s set. You’ll feel it grab and you’ll begin to swing on its set point. After the anchor line is secure on the bow, you can shut down the engine(s). A 7 to 1 ratio of anchor line to water depth is a safe bet in relative calm conditions.

The U.S. Power Squadron offers a free float plan template on their website. Simply fill it out and leave it with a friend, relative, or your marina or boat club.

2. Be sure your coolers and fridge lids and doors are secure. Electricity is at a premium on the hook. To keep well charged when you have no shore power and you have been running down your battery stores, use a generator to power up your battery(s) or run your engine for 20 minutes to half an hour each morning to restore battery capacities.

3. If you’re in a populated anchorage it’s a good idea to put a colorful marker, like a small buoy on your anchor line so other boaters can see it and won’t foul your anchor line. Display a white anchor light all night long. There are some aftermarket lowvoltage lights that you can plug into your 12 volt outlet that draws very little current. Camping on the water is much like camping on land and like preparing for any vacation or time away from home, unless your going on an all inclusive holiday, it takes thoughtful planning and preparation. It’s not as burdensome as it might seem and it’s the key to an enjoyable foray into independent living, on your terms, “on the hook”. Nothing beats hearing the calming sound of waves gently lapping against the hull, watching the sunrise, sunset, feeling the cooling effect of water or a soft breeze on a hot day. Try it just once, it won’t be the last time you leave the ramp or dock for a night or two or more. I guarantee it.

The Great Lakes Mariner

Rudderectomy that we could obtain the original construction drawings which showed the location of the rudder shaft assembly within the rudder, so we made the cuts just outside its limits. This removed a large portion of one face of the rudder but left the leading and trailing edge intact, leaving the now open rudder still rigid. It also facilitated putting things together later since all cuts were made in flat sections. Finally, a channel was cut out to expose the top of the rudder stock where it exited the rudder. The cut itself was made using a metal cutting disk in an angle grinder. The cut was made at an angle to provide a tapered edge on the rudder opening, important in a later step. We took care in removing the rudder face so that it could be reused. Even though the foam turned out to be completely waterlogged and decomposing in some areas, it still held quite tenaciously to the skin. We worked a combination of chisels, large screwdrivers etc. into the cut which allowed us to lift the rudder face from the foam little-by-little without damaging it.

The poor condition of this rudder was very apparent after opening it up. After removing the rudder stock and reinforcing plate we carefully dug out the old foam. The Great Lakes Mariner

Rudderectomy The waterlogged foam could now be removed with a variety of tools, chisels and scrapers mostly. Once the rudder stock and reinforcing plate were exposed, they were carefully pried out and set aside for refinishing. The opening in the rudder provided more than enough space to dig out the reaming waterlogged foam. The stainless steel rudder stock was still in good condition but the reinforcing plate was starting to corrode. The rust was ground away, down to shiny steel, and rust converter was applied. This converted any remaining rust to an inert coating and was followed with two layers of protective metal paint.. With the waterlogged foam as well as the rudder stock and plate removed, it was time to finish cleaning out the remaining foam from inside the rudder cavity. The surface was dried with solvent and lightly sanded to provide a good surface for the new foam to bond to.

After thoroughly cleaning the rudder stock and reinforcing plate, both the shell and inner parts were placed back into the jig and secured. Using some epoxy, the inner parts were held firm in place as the remaining cavity was filled with foam. 42

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Rudderectomy The rudder alignment jig now proved its worth. The newly refinished and repaired rudder stock and reinforcing plate was placed in the jig in its correct position inside the bottom half of the shell and firmly bolted down. In addition, it was glued firmly to the shelf with a few judiciously applied gobs of thickened epoxy. This accurately placed the rudder stock and plate in the rudder cavity and held it firm while foam was applied. The two-part high-density polyurethane foam was mixed in small batches in disposable A generous application of 3M5200 prepaper cups and clean cans. The two parts were vents future water infiltration. premeasured accurately then mixed together quickly using a paint mixer in an electric drill. The foam must be mixed quickly (less than a minute) as it starts to foam almost immediately but must also be thoroughly mixed to cure properly. Small batches were mixed and poured then allowed to harden before applying the next batch. This allowed careful placement of each batch to eliminate any voids or airspaces in the foam. The rudder cavity was slightly overfilled and then cut back and sanded to the proper profile for reapplying the section of rudder skin initially removed. Before it was replaced, however, the foam around the rudder stock was removed and replaced with a generous bead of 3M5200 all around the stock. This step is important for the long-term water tightness of the rudder assembly. Normally, the fiberglass rudder skin is formed around the rudder stock. The differential expansion and contraction between the stainless steel rudder shaft and the fiberglass rudder shell eventually breaks the bond around the shaft and allows water to enter the rudder. The slightly flexible 3M5200 bead provides a flexible seal around the shaft.

A recessed area was ground away on each side of the skin to make a shallow channel for the fiberglass cloth and epoxy.

Before replacing the top section of the rudder skin, the edges were tapered with a grinder. The section was cut with a taper on the rudder opening, the taper on the section of skin forms a shallow â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vâ&#x20AC;? in which to laminate layers of fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin. The skin section itself was epoxied in place using a thickened epoxy mix as the adhesive. After allowing the fiberglass/epoxy joint to completely cure, we sanded it down and faired it into the rest of the rudder surface. A barrier coat followed by bottom paint completed the repair, all at a fraction of the cost of a replacement rudder, Better yet; the resulting repair solved the potential fiberglass/stainless steel potential leakage area. The finished product, ready to sail.

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