From sloopscoop@jewellgems.com Fri Apr 24 17:19:43 2009 From: sloopscoop@jewellgems.com (Sloop John B) Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:19:43 -0500 Subject: [Sloop Scoop 2009] Preseason #1, April 24 - May 2nd Message-ID: <20090424160742.910524CE5E@braxton.siteprotect.com> Preseason greetings-- I figure days like today whet our appetites for sailing in the summer. The Sloop threw off her own covers, yet again, in March, so she she has been anxious to get going after one of the truest Chicago winters we've seen in a while. My back and leg are holding up well. I had a great physical therapist and chiropractors and neurosurgeons and friends and managed to not need surgery. I even went skiing in March and it felt great. Ever conscious and careful, I'm ready for a good, long, uninterrupted season. EARLY LAUNCH -- HELP NEEDED We're aiming for an extremely ambitious launch date this year: May 2nd. That would make for my shortest off -season ever! To make that launch I will need help with washing and waxing the hull, cleaning and oiling the teak (any wood wenches out there?), and painting the bottom. If you are free in the day, after work, whenever, let me know. **I could use help tomorrow (April 25th) for anyone who hasn't already booked their Saturday.** I'll be there at 10:00 or so unless I only have people that can help earlier. I'll probably stay until about 4:00, since I one of the tasks needs about 5 hours to cure. Drop in for however long you can--we can use the help. I'd hoped to work on Sunday, too, but it currently appears the weather will not be permitting. The directions to the boatyard are below. FIND US ON FACEBOOK Any of you that are my friends on facebook have probably already been invited to join the group. It's a great way to see pictures (upload away) and have your memory jogged about the names of those people you were sailing with. It's a closed group, so you need to request to join, but I'll let you in if you request it! The group name is "Sloop Scoop (Sailing on the Sloop John B.)" I'll try not to just duplicate these e-mails, but there will be some duplication. Feel free to friend me too (I'm Schuy or Lisa Jewell (that's the whole name, not two accounts!)). I hope to hear from you, see you at the boatyard, or see you on the water soon. Skipper Schuy/Lisa SCHEDULE (many things permitting . . .) ___Friday 4/24 Work in the boatyard. Be at the yard by 1100 hours. ___Saturday 4/25 Boatyard work. I'll be at the boatyard between 0900 and 1230 hours. Some jobs don't need me there so if you can come late morning and stay after I leave that's fine. ___Saturday 5/2 River trip. ___Sunday 5/3 Work on the mast, probably mid afternoon. ___Wednesday 5/6 Tentative mast stepping ___Friday 5/8 or Saturday 5/9 Shakedown sail (early evening if Friday, morning if Saturday) ---------------- ON THE HORIZON Lots of sailing!!! ----------------- DIRECTIONS (driving) TO THE BOATYARD The boat's located at Croissant Marina, approximately S. 141st St. , just east of Torrence Avenue, in the fenced part of the yard. I usually take the Dan Ryan to the Bishop Ford (used to be Calumet Expy)--the left fork at the end of the Dan Ryan (to stay on I-94, vs. the right fork, which is I-57). I get off at the Dalton exit going east, take Dalton to Torrence (at that point Dalton has become State street), where there is a stoplight (I haven't counted stoplights to that point yet, but it's about a mile from the expressway). Turn left (north) at Torrence and go over the bridge and take your first left at the bottom of the bridge (there should be a sign there for the Waterfront Pub). Take that street (I think it's 141st) until it hits the gravel lot and bear right around the fenced section. There's a lot by the Waterfront Pub, or drive east (the direction you were driving in the yard) until the opening and turn right into the fenced in area yard and follow the line of boats along the fence. The stern is facing the road, so you should be able to see the Sloop's location when you're coming in. It may be best to park in the Pub lot. There's not a lot of parking in the yard. From sloopscoop@jewellgems.com Thu Apr 30 19:21:35 2009 From: sloopscoop@jewellgems.com (Sloop John B) Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:21:35 -0500 Subject: [Sloop Scoop 2009] Preseason #2, May 1 - 9 Message-ID: <20090430180931.C67084D0B4@braxton.siteprotect.com> Ahoy cruisers and crew-- Launch minus two days! We're getting closer! BOATYARD WORK Thanks to Gordon, Chas, Kim, Virginia (who doesn't sail but likes to work!), and new crew Zach and Albert (we're covered now A to Z ;) ) for help with washing and waxing the hull, cleaning the teak (still needs oiling), painting the bottom, and helping me get a new battery. I'm still being gingerly with my back so that I don't reinjure it before I get the boat in the water, so all extra hands are much appreciated. I've doing a facebook countdown and documenting my major task of repairing a crack in the keel/hull joint . We were mysteriously taking on some water last year (not enough to sink the boat unless it wasn't pumped out for a couple of weeks), and we saw a hairline crack when we pulled the boat out. A keel/hull patch was a regular task for the first few seasons but I thankfully haven't had to do one in years. I'm really happy with how the repair came out; I'll be happier if we aren't taking on water! Yesterday I spliced a new mooring line and finished varnishing the tiller. Today I may get a well-deserved rain break, but if it clears up (as it appears to be doing!) I'll head back down and take care of another task or two. PRE LAUNCH HELP: MAY DAY I need help on Friday, May 1st (if you are looking for some labor to do to celebrate May Day). I'd like to get the teak oiled, paint the last few spots on the bottom, check the throttle and gear shifter and get the boat straightened up and ready for the river trip. I plan to be at the boat between 1000 hours and 1300 hours. RIVER TRIP We're on schedule for a Saturday, May 2nd launch and it looks like the weather may cooperate. The usual flotilla of the Sloop, Ilse Marie (Gordon's boat), and Two Acres (Al's boat) will head up the river together as usual. I need one person to come with me on the river trip. We usually do the trip on a weekday to avoid a plethora of powerboats, but people have been clamoring for us to go on a Saturday so that they can come. So far no one I've asked or would ask is available. Back to weekdays next time! **Some experience is necessary: you have to know how to cleat, and tie on fenders and I'd prefer someone who can also handle the tiller if necessary. **You need to be able to get to Jackson Park Yacht Club (JPYC) by 8am. It is an interesting trip. Unfortunately, because of logistics in shuttling cars I can't take a bunch of people along for the ride. If you are interested, call me or facebook me or email me ASAP. Even if you think you may not have enough experience, let me know anyway. I need someone, so it may come down to a warm body who is trustworthy and learns quickly and can get to JPYC on time! BECOMING A SAILBOAT Until the mast is up, we are just a poor excuse for a power boat. So, I need help on Sunday afternoon getting the mast down from the rack and ready to go. If we don't get to it on Sunday, we'll try for Monday. I'd like to raise the mast on Wednesday morning if possible. If you are free Sunday afternoon, Monday (any time) or Wednesday (any time morning through early afternoon), let me know. I'm looking at Friday or Saturday May (9 or 10) for a shakedown cruise, gentle enough weather permitting. I had the roller furling worked on over winter (they recut it, repaired it, and replaced all the blue covering that was falling apart (sorry, Vangpire, we won't look as much like a pirate boat anymore), and I can't wait to see it up! We'll try to do some cleaning and getting the boat together before, during, or after the shakedown, to transform the Sloop from spring work boat to summer play boat. Directions to the boatyard are below. Directions to the harbor are on the Sloop Scoop site: http://www.jewellgems.com/sloopscoop/ I hope to hear from you, see you at the boatyard, see you at the harbor, or see you on the water soon! Skipper Schuy/Lisa ----------------- SCHEDULE (many things permitting . . .) ___Friday 5/1 Work in the boatyard, anytime between 1000 and 1300 hours. ___Saturday 5/2 River trip. ___Sunday 5/3 Work on the mast, probably mid afternoon. ___Wednesday 5/6 Tentative mast stepping. Be at the harbor by 1000 hours. ___Friday 5/8 or Saturday 5/9 Shakedown sail (early evening if Friday, late morning if Saturday) ---------------- ON THE HORIZON Lots of sailing!!! ----------------- DIRECTIONS (driving) TO THE BOATYARD The boat's located at Croissant Marina, approximately S. 141st St. , just east of Torrence Avenue, in the fenced part of the yard. I usually take the Dan Ryan to the Bishop Ford (used to be Calumet Expy)--the left fork at the end of the Dan Ryan (to stay on I-94, vs. the right fork, which is I-57). I get off at the Dalton exit going east, take Dalton to Torrence (at that point Dalton has become State street), where there is a stoplight (I haven't counted stoplights to that point yet, but it's about a mile from the expressway). Turn left (north) at Torrence and go over the bridge and take your first left at the bottom of the bridge (there should be a sign there for the Waterfront Pub). Take that street (I think it's 141st) until it hits the gravel lot and bear right around the fenced section. There's a lot by the Waterfront Pub, or drive east (the direction you were driving in the yard) until the opening and turn right into the fenced in area yard and follow the line of boats along the fence. The stern is facing the road, so you should be able to see the Sloop's location when you're coming in. It may be best to park in the Pub lot. There's not a lot of parking in the yard.