From sloopscoop@jewellgems.com Thu Sep 18 15:47:07 2008 From: sloopscoop@jewellgems.com (Sloop John B) Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:47:07 -0500 Subject: [Sloop Scoop 2008] #6 We're sailing! Message-ID: <20080918143551.B3B554CE43@braxton.siteprotect.com> Ahoy again-- **If you want to sail tonight (Thursday) or this weekend let me know (e-mail or cell phone).** I'm healing, and have mostly weakness and nerve tingling now, not so much pain. I'll spare you all the details unless you write to ask about them! I have managed to get out a few times in the past few weeks, keeping the load light and making sure I had at least two crew members to help. Thanks to Gordon, the Vangpire, Paul, Thomas, and Chas for making that happen. Thanks especially to Chas and Gordon for doing regular bilge pump duty so the boat didn't sink along the way. Our last sail was glorious and notable. Chas brought the boat from the can to the dock, and the Vangpire brought the boat to the dock when we came in. That was great for me bacause the main reason I couldn't sail after the first couple weeks of my injury was because I couldn't get to the boat. I could have sailed if the boat could come to me. So this is a step, and with a bit more practice with handling the motor I'll have people that can help. On our last sail, also, the Vangire brought along a friend and a couple of young pirates. The eldest, Daniel, who I think was 8 years old, spent a lot of time on the helm as was very good at it. When he first took it, we tried to tell him he needed to push the tiller opposite the direction he wanted to go. "I know," he said--it's just like Flight Simulator. Later when we were motoring, he asked if he could have the "joystick" again. What a great concept for the tiller. I told him it's harder to hold on because of the backwash from the propeller when we're motoring, and after he took it he said, "Yes, I see, the boat does have a great desire go to starboard." Desire, what a great concept for the Sloop's direction. She had a "great desire" to sail herself all summer. It's been a light season, but good when I could be out. And it's not over yet! Fall is my favorite time to be out and we plan on getting out when we can. If you are free weekdays or weeknights let me know. I'm scheduling around "desires" these days. I have to work around physical therapy appointments, but other than that I'm pretty open. We'd like to sail tonight (Thursday) if I can get another person who can help. Wanna go? Also, both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. See the schedule. I may try for a Friday night next week since they have fireworks on Friday nights this fall. Don't give up on the ship or the skipper! Hope to see you soon. Skipper Schuy cell: 773-343-0153 SCHEDULE (many things permitting . . .) ___Thursday 9/18 Evening sail. Be at the harbor at 1815 hours, we'll leave the dock around 1840 hours. They will be selling burgers, etc. We should be back by 2130 hours at the latest. ___Saturday 9/20 Afternoon sail. Be at the harbor at 1400 hours. We should be back by 1730 hours. ___Sunday 9/21 Lunch equinox cruise. Be at the harbor at 11:00 hours. We should be back by 1500 hours. It's not exactly the equinox, but as close as we're going to get to the last day of the calendar summer. Bring something for yourself and something to share. If it's calm and I have enough crew to both sail and cook, I could try the grill, but I'm a bit hesitant to promise it. ___Thursday 9/25 or Friday 9/26 Evening sail. Be at the harbor at 1830 hours. We need to leave the dock by 1900 so we have light to raise sails. We should be back by 2130 hours on Thursday, later if we go to see fireworks on Friday. ON THE HORIZON Fall sailing River Trip From sloopscoop@jewellgems.com Thu Sep 25 21:05:18 2008 From: sloopscoop@jewellgems.com (Sloop John B) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:05:18 -0500 Subject: [Sloop Scoop 2008] #7 Still more sailing to go . . . Message-ID: <20080925195427.326AA4CE5B@braxton.siteprotect.com> Cruisers and crew-- **Wanna sail tonight (Thursday)? Let me know (e-mail or cell phone).** IT'S NEVER TOO LATE Last weekend one of my coworkers, Toni, and her boyfriend finally made it on the boat after being on the Sloop Scoop list for five years. We had a great sail, so let that be an example unto you: the Sloop never stops wanting to meet new friends! FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY Bit by bit I'm able to do more and more crew stuff. Last week I got the boat and brought it to the dock by myself, and did most of the setup work. I even caught the bouy at the can after the sail, thanks to the Vangpire's deft steering. I still need at least two people and at least one of my "crew" to sail so that I don't overdo it, but it feels good to get my mobility back. FALL, GLORIOUS FALL . . . remains my favorite sailing season. I went out twice this week with Gordon on his boat and the conditions have fufilled many of the definitions of perfect. I hope to repeat that tonight, Saturday morning, and Sunday, probably midday. I'd like to get the boat out as much as possible given the partially lost season, and to see people, having suffered a bit too much cabin fever during my healing process, so come on out! If you are free on weekdays, let me know. It's sometimes the best time to get out. The tentative mast dropping, if the weather holds, is October 12th, with the river trip later that week. Hope to see you on the boat soon. Skipper Schuy cell: 773-343-0153 SCHEDULE (many things permitting . . .) ___Thursday 9/25 Evening sail. Be at the harbor at 1830 hours, we'll leave the dock around 1845 hours. We should be back by 2130 hours at the latest. ___Saturday 9/27 Late morning sail. Be at the harbor at 1000 hours. We should be back by 1400 hours, in time to catch most of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival. ___Sunday 9/28 Midday sail. Be at the harbor at 1100 hours. We should be back by 1500 hours. If you can get there early there is a mimosa/bloody mary brunch at the yacht club for the end of the season. The brunch has been $10 for all you can eat and has been quite good. ___Wednesday 10/1 (possible raindate Thursday 10/2) Evening sail. Be at the harbor at 1830 hours. We need to leave the dock by 1900 so we have light to raise sails. We should be back by 2130 hours. ON THE HORIZON Fall sailing River Trip