@kapnkd
Out of curiosity, how many times have you changed the standing rigging in all these years?
Any moments with the boat that particularly stand out that you may want to share? Worst weather shes been in? Ever been close to going down? Hurricane Andrew?
OH BOY!! ...Let's see
IF I can shed some light on some of your
great questions.
...If memory serves me, we've changed the head stay 3 times over these many years, the back stay 2 times and shrouds (uppers/lowers) once. Now living in a fresh water area plus actually removing our mast at end of season has allowed us to carefully inspect all critical components easily. (I actually oversized the head and back stays early on thinking it prudent to strengthen the standing rigging.)
Chain plates and surrounding bulkhead areas were my/our biggest rigging concern for us. New chain plates were installed when we started our total re-fit close to (YIKES!) 9 years ago. We also had larger custom chain plate covers designed/made by Garhauer to better prevent any water intrusion into deck chain plate areas. ...I/we hope to better document our "Never Ending Project" into chronicled segments and then post them for everyone at EYO as a "Been There Done It" advice (and sympathy) post.
My favorite times have certainly been our many trips to the Bahamas and especially cruising the Exuma Chain back before it had become so popular and now VERY crowded.
On one particular crossing coming back to Miami from Bimini in 12' to 15' rollers was an incredible ride! The boat actually rode very comfortably (like a horse going from his/her trot to a smooth gallop.) A friend of mine with his Irwin 30 was also off to starboard. With waves between us - we could only see the very tops of each other's sails. The sun and wind was at our backs and as the huge waves approached - we could see the sunlight shine through the waves creating the most beautiful dancing shades of turquoise I have EVER seen! ...The color(s) actually looked alive as each sliver contrasted so incredibly with the deep Indigo Blue of the Gulf Stream.
On another trip coming back from the Dry Tortugas (West of Key West), I was single handing and got caught in a fierce fast approaching storm. I opted for taking the main down, and sailing only with my mule (130) jib. The boat did very well again but I did have to let the head sail flog a few times. Rain was so intense at times, I could barely see but a few yards in front of the bow! ...Worst part, I was in a narrow channel between the keys and a shallow reef to my South as I headed East. There were markers but far between and NOT visible at all in the rain. I relied on my, then analog Pierce-Simpson depth finder as a means of staying in that channel which worked out fine for me.
Considering I was single-handing, it was the only time I had momentary concerns for myself and the boat. (Not so much the boat - but a failure on my part without assistance to overcome.) There was no panic (no time for it) and again the boat was as capable and unnerved as ever.
...Later that evening at anchor, rightfully - with OVERSIZED cocktail and snacks at hand, I relaxed in the cockpit, reflected back on it all to then paint a water color of the day's incredible storm and it's approach. (included below) - not as easy to paint at anchor so forgive me if it seems somewhat amateurish.
All in all....as much as I enjoyed testing my abilities - the BEST of times - have been with family and/or friends on board sharing in the adventures be it racing or cruising. I was lucky enough to share and bond also with my father and even grandfather back on my Catalina 22 and also with our Ericson. Later with my son, who literally grew up on "CaryOn" he got into racing and we've had some GREAT race moments! For crew, I chose his young friends over the more experienced adults available. On the starting line, others first chuckled, "Here comes that Ericson". BUT as time went on, we got her bottom 'Baby Butt Smooth', added Mylar sails and other go-fast goodies to hear them then say.."Hear comes that DAMN Ericson! My son and his friends STILL race together today and as young adults have a formidable reputation on the water! They've garnered the Lake Erie "Boat of the Year Award" a couple times now on his own boat (S2 7.9).
MOST INCREDIBLE AND MEMORABLE....We as father and son truly bonded strongly thanks to our boat and I am so grateful for EVERY second of time we get to share together!
Lastly, I was very very lucky when living in Miami. there was one hurricane in the mid 70's (name forgotten). I moved the boat from Watson Island WAY UP the Miami River in back of a friends house along with several other sailboats and tied them off like files caught in a monstorous spider web of anchor lines and anything we could find/use! There was no damage to any of the boats and we were ALL at his house at the ready for any needed response.
One other time when living in Sarasota, the "No Name Storm" came through while my boat was at Marina Jacks. Luckily she endured with NO damage.