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Stupid Question

3323 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by sailingdog, Oct 11, 2009

krozet

Discussion Starter · Oct 10, 2009

Hello;

This really is a stupid question, I have driven to Maryland to finally see my new boat. It is on the hard, I have brought enough tools to equip the army engineer core and every book I could get my hands on for inspection and repair. I have printed the thread about boat inspection, I have contacted the marina and had all my questions answered...

Now I am sitting here tonight going over everything in my head before I set out for the marina in the morning and I am wondering one thing:

The boat is on stands, do I just setup a ladder and climb on board or do I have to wait till it is in the water before I can get my hands dirty under her skirt as it were?

Logic says that people must always go on them when they are on the hard all the time but for some reason I have this nagging question... First of many I am sure.

Oh and since this is my thread I am going to ask another quick question. I am going to hit the boat show one day and my new boat one day, that will leave me one day in DC. I was thinking that the Smithsonian air and space museum would be the best place to see on a short notice. Anything else I might want to find time for? I could always take a sick day and get back to Canada wednesday instead of Tuesday.

Thanks

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TSOJOURNER

· #2 · Oct 10, 2009

krozet said:
Hello; This really is a stupid question...
<snip>
I was thinking that the Smithsonian air and space museum would be the best place to see on a short notice. Anything else I might want to find time for?
Thanks

There's no such thing as a stupid question - so, don't forget to walk 14th Street around midnight. You're welcome. Oh, and jump up and down on that thing sitting on the hard like you were in Hard Rock Cafe. It's a lot more stable than some of us around here.

krozet

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 10, 2009

nuffoftexas said:
There's no such thing as a stupid question - so, don't forget to walk 14th Street around midnight. You're welcome. Oh, and jump up and down on that thing sitting on the hard like you were in Hard Rock Cafe. It's a lot more stable than some of us around here.

14th Street seems pretty long, any suggestions as to where I should start walking? Florida Ave? Massachusetts Ave?

TSOJOURNER

· #4 · Oct 10, 2009

krozet said:
14th Street seems pretty long, any suggestions as to where I should start walking? Florida Ave? Massachusetts Ave?

I would start in Arlington and stay in Arlington. And, even there, I would do it only in the daylight.

Any part of the Smithsonian is great. Just pick one that fits your interests. Having done all that as a child though, including walking 14th Street, I seem to have more fun just hanging out at Washington Channel.

TSOJOURNER

· #5 · Oct 10, 2009

Don't kid yourself!

You just bought a new boat (used I assume) that you plan on fixing up. You don't have any spare time anymore... ever. Take joy in the work you do. I have found Don Casey's book to be an excellent resource. Amazon.com: Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual: Including Inspecting the Aging Sailboat, Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair, Sailboat Refinishing, Sailbo (9780071462846): Don Casey: Books

Congratulations on the new boat.

krozet

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 10, 2009

PrarieRose said:
You just bought a new boat (used I assume) that you plan on fixing up. You don't have any spare time anymore... ever. Take joy in the work you do. I have found Don Casey's book to be an excellent resource. Amazon.com: Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual: Including Inspecting the Aging Sailboat, Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair, Sailboat Refinishing, Sailbo (9780071462846): Don Casey: Books

Congratulations on the new boat.

This is the first of 4 visits I have planned between now and next April, this is just the assessment visit. I need to check the engine and do a complete inspection. Next visit is for any fiberglass issues I find and the engine. Third visit is set if I need to replace the engine, if not I will go over the electrical systems. Fourth visit is for launch, a shake down cruise and to fix anything that will prevent me from sailing it back to Canada. Sailing it back to Canada will happen at the end of the fourth visit. Each visit is set for 7 to 9 days, the fourth visit is set for 16 days to include the cruise home.

Dan Casey's book was in the second bunch that I bought and I have it with me for this visit. It will have dirty finger prints in the diesel section before too long.

steveg353

· #7 · Oct 10, 2009

I lived on our boat for about 5 weeks last year while on the hard. I used an 8’ A-frame ladder….always remember to lash the ladder as a big wind will knock it over while your inside no less. As a 40-50 mph front moved through one night, I also wondered what it would take to knock any of these boats over. They are sturdy but do vibrate in a big wind.

mitiempo

· #8 · Oct 10, 2009

Congrats on the new to you boat - Contest 33 I assume. If it was me I'd spend all my time on the boat. Checking every locker and listing contents, removing manuals to read at home, noting suspect areas that need attention, cleaning or rebuilding or anything in between. Then I'd sit there and note what i wanted to change. Take a digital camera and use it to document every nook and cranny. It will give you a reference at home when you're not sure of something. But I have been accused of obsession when it comes to boats.
Brian

SVPrairieRose

· #9 · Oct 10, 2009

Never Mind a big wind..

The guy next to you will take your ladder first chance he gets. Lash that ladder and lash it well as you will likely be carrying things that require both hands, so a long ladder that you can have a long run and less rise on would be best. I also found that a milk crate or other sturdy box that I could load with items and haul up with a rope was very helpful while on the hard. Oh and unless you have a holding tank on board, you are going to want a few empty jugs on board

St Anna

· #10 · Oct 10, 2009

Well done on your new yacht.
As soon as you climb aboard, its a new life for you. A much better one!

chef2sail

· #11 · Oct 10, 2009

Congrats on the boat. When on the hard I have worked on it many times. Feel free to stay overnight on her.

I work at the House of Representatives in the US Capitol Building. Heres what I would recommmend seeing when I was in DC in the order of interest.

Smithsonian Aerospace Museum (mall)- can take all day

US Capitol Tour- 2 hours and is fascinating in New Capitol Visiors Center.

US Archives (mall)- Takes less than 1 hour has the declaratyion of Indepenedenece, Magna carta, Gettsburg Address etc

Ford Theater and the Museum in its basement- where Lincoln was killed and the conspiracy

Smithsonian Natural History-mall 4 hours- dinosors, Hope Diamond

Smithsonian American History
Smithsonian Indian Museum
Spy Museum
Corchran Art Gallery
Arlington Cemetery
Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial
Jefferson Memorial

Buy a pass for the bus which travels to all these areas when you are down again.

Lastly if you can spend the time to drive to Dulles go see the new Aerospace out there. Space Shuttle, Concorde, Blackbird and every Russian. American, and Chinese military plane from 1950

Dave

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krozet

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 10, 2009

mitiempo said:
Congrats on the new to you boat - Contest 33 I assume. If it was me I'd spend all my time on the boat. Checking every locker and listing contents, removing manuals to read at home, noting suspect areas that need attention, cleaning or rebuilding or anything in between. Then I'd sit there and note what i wanted to change. Take a digital camera and use it to document every nook and cranny. It will give you a reference at home when you're not sure of something. But I have been accused of obsession when it comes to boats.
Brian

Hey Brian;

Yup, Contest 33. You wouldn't believe the information package that the previous owner sent me after I paid the deposit. I was sent original information from the builder on upkeep for the boat, a model brochure with dimensions, characteristics and other info on the boat, and a copy of the mainsail info including measurements, the receipts for the new rigging and for stepping the rigging, receipt from the builder who built the new windows, receipts for new deck hardware, copies of the contracts with the marina, a copy of the sales contract with from the boats previous owner...

But the 4 things I was most impressed with were the originals of all correspondences with the state of Florida to get the title canceled, now I know exactly who to send what too. A pair of complete hand written wiring diagram of the boat, one is just a basic over view while the other is detailed and includes a 'what I need to do list' written by the previous owner as to what they wanted to focus on. A complete package that the previous owner requested from the boat builder who is still in business in Holland, I am half way through translating it as it is in Dutch. The last thing I received that really lifted my spirits is a receipt for engine parts including a new impeller.

I couldn't believe just how much was spent on this boat back in 2007 or how much I paid for the boat when you consider the work and what the previous owner paid. I'll find out today though if I bought a problem or a dream, either way I am a new boat owner and I couldn't be happier.

Oh and I have 2 digital camera's, a flashlight and a mirror (among other things) so I will be spending time going over the boat today from stem to stern. I'll post whatever I find tonight and I am sure that this will be the first of many questions to come over the next few weeks.

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krozet

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 10, 2009

chef2sail said:
Congrats on the boat. When on the hard I have worked on it many times. Feel free to stay overnight on her.

I work at the House of Representatives in the US Capitol Building. Heres what I would recommmend seeing when I was in DC in the order of interest.

Smithsonian Aerospace Museum (mall)- can take all day

US Capitol Tour- 2 hours and is fascinating in New Capitol Visiors Center.

US Archives (mall)- Takes less than 1 hour has the declaratyion of Indepenedenece, Magna carta, Gettsburg Address etc

Ford Theater and the Museum in its basement- where Lincoln was killed and the conspiracy

Smithsonian Natural History-mall 4 hours- dinosors, Hope Diamond

Smithsonian American History
Smithsonian Indian Museum
Spy Museum
Corchran Art Gallery
Arlington Cemetery
Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial
Jefferson Memorial

Buy a pass for the bus which travels to all these areas when you are down again.

Lastly if you can spend the time to drive to Dulles go see the new Aerospace out there. Space Shuttle, Concorde, Blackbird and every Russian. American, and Chinese military plane from 1950

Dave

Thanks for the feedback, I had planned a whole day at the Smithsonian Air and Space museum today but sounds like I should check the US Archives at the same time. I wanted to go too the new Aerospace on a future visit as I think I can spend a whole day there too.

I knew there would be an overwhelming number of things to do and will set aside time on my next few visits to see and do so much more. Thank you for the first hand knowledge. Just another question if you will, I have looked into the transit system and found parking facilities near the light rail system and everything mentions that you can only pay with a pass. But I cannot find a list of places that sell said passes...

Thanks;

Robert

4arch

· #14 · Oct 10, 2009

Most stations do use a card system that is intended only for commuters but a handful have cash lots and/or short term meters. You can find out that information here: Metro - Rail - Parking - Daily Parking

Coming from Maryland Greenbelt or New Carrollton would both be good bets that I believe have short term parking where you don't need the card. Also a lot of stations that use the card system put the gates up on weekends so anyone can park there.

Usually when I go to DC I find that driving and parking downtown on a weekend is less hassle than the metro if there aren't any big events and I get there early. That said, there are a couple big events there this weekend so it wouldn't be a good time to drive in.

The tourmobile bus is good if you want a brief narrated city tour of all the major sights with unlimited on/off for the day. If you're just planning on doing Air & Space and the Archives though, they're both accessible on foot from the Smithsonian metro station.

mccary

· #15 · Oct 10, 2009

As a life long DC (area) resident, I would strongly suggest you limit your touring (walking around) to daylight hours AND stay in the Government corridor (mall area) and the NW area.

The boat show will be a special treat if you have never gone before, be prepared for lots of walking and to take your shoes on and off boarding boats. And take your credit card, resist those urges...

sailingdog

· #16 · Oct 11, 2009

I'd recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, as it will help you determine what condition and what work the boat will need.

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