Well, I did it-doing it...

NightWing · #1 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010

Just moved aboard my '77 Catalina 30.
Picked it up in MarbleHead 2 weeks ago. Sailed her to the Sandwich
Boat Basin in weather that changed my mind about a Catalina's
sea worthy-ness. (Gusts to 40)
Laid over a day while the weather calmed down
and continued the next day in 10-15mph winds to Watch Hill in 14hrs. Got in at 1am. (Once Point Judith was in sight I could smell home)Very happy with the boat. Now I just have to do ...everything.
I am ecstatic. Love my cozy little cabin and walking the docks in the morning.
Cooking and cleaning, watching Netflicks on the laptop.
It's been plenty warm. Using a little electric heater and have a Dickinson
Newport propane ... but I'm not impressed with that at all.
I'm thinking of enclosing the chimney with another S.S. flu I've already aquired then mounting a fan in that to try to draw off some of that heat and force it to the floor. I still haven't insulated or wrapped her yet.
Looking for another sail or two before that while I'm waiting for my permanent winter dock.
I'll be the only liveaboard here this winter. That sucks a little and envy you guys with neighbors. I am good friends with the owner here (were in a bluegrass band together) and all the crew. That's one leg of the stool that got me here. The other two are: I spent a couple of weeks sailing Penobscot Bay with a friend on a CD 25 and was plenty comfortable with 2 of us.
2: I want to be where there's palm trees every winter.
It wont be this winter however.
Well, time to make some coffee and bacon & eggs on my little Origo
while the sun peeks through my portals.
I am LOVING it. I just need to make sure I'm warm and cozy in the bitter
cold this winter and it will be the best thing I ever did!!!

I'll be back with 100 questions.

GilStump · #2 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010

We love it too. Our old boat was in pretty bad disrepair, but it is coming along. We have been aboard now for 3 winters (NYC). We have two oil radiators, a big one in the main cabin and a little one under our Vberth. We put a heating pad at the foot of the V and we have a little fan heater to bring warm things up quickly. But, feet are a problem. My solution is a pair of ventless croc clogs. I just pop em on top of the oil radiator for a jif then there are super warm and stay that way, even when its 2 degrees outside. Have fun!

WanderingStar · #3 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010

You guys certainly have spirit. I sail all winter but live at home!

BubbleheadMd · #4 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010

Wow, congrats.

I hope you don't get socked with too much snow. Keep your raw water intake seacock closed so the snow doesn't push you down and flood your boat.

And hang the engine key from the seacock, so you don't forget to open it when you run the engine!

It sounds like a great adventure.

rockDAWG · #5 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010

Congrats man...... Sounds like a beautiful beginning. Thanks for sharing, love to hear more as you moving forward.

rockDAWG · #6 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010

Congrats man...... Sounds like a beautiful beginning. Thanks for sharing, love to hear more as you moving forward.

deniseO30 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010

coffee perking on the stove and the smell wafting throughout the boat is also a wonderful way to wake up. (if your a coffee lover)

jrd22 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010

Love your enthusiasm, congrats on the new boat. Dickinson Newport has a lot of happy owners, maybe some of them can offer advice to make yours work better.