Patriot's heading to Catalina Island this weekend

I thought I'd mention that I'm heading out to Catalina Island this weekend (Nov 1-3 2013) in case anyone from the forum fleet will be there. We will be leaving MDR early Friday morning destined for Avalon. Saturday afternoon we will tie up at the Isthmus before heading home late morning Sunday. This will be my first sail over there in Patriot and my Second In Command's first sailboat trip ever so it should be an interesting time. If anyone is over there feel free to stop by for a beer and a chin wag.

I'm just finishing up on some post-sale maintenance including the installation of a new AGM deep cycle battery, 15W solar panel (the mount is a little dubious but it's good enough for this trip), LED strip mood lighting in the vee berth:woot:, electrical deck fittings for the cockpit rail mounted speakers and finishing up the repair on the compass unit of the Tiller Master I purchased a few weeks back. The compass tested bad and I've been unable to source a parts unit so I tore it open and repaired the problem. I'll be posting pictures and an explanation of the process at some point in the future. I hope to get it mounted in time for the Friday morning departure but it may not happen.

I hope to see you there!

Sounds like fun. And the weather is supposed to warm up. Here's to a breeze--

Here's to a safe passage on your maiden voyage. I hope the fog that we have been having in the am gives you a break. Good time of year for a Avalon trip because the crowds are going to be a lot less, you may probably have most of the Isthmus to yourself this time of year as well. http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/twoHarbors/webcam.php Wish I had the time this weekend.

You may get more responses to possibly metting up with other E-Boats if you post this in the So Cal section.

Beam Winds Patriot!

Thank you Jeff and Christian, I reposted that in the SoCal regional section of the forum. Christian I viewed your video of your Eastport pram build. I am impressed. I'd love to have a small, lightweight dinghy for my E-27.

Thanks. The pram works well for me, it sails delightfully and rows well and fast with one person and OK with two unless into a wind. Greatest virtue is that one person can manhandle it over the bow lifelines easily, and at only 7'6" it fits on many bows for transport. Also tows very nicely on a short painter. The dinghy gets lots of compliments--you just don't see many varnished mahogany boats anymore.

The downside is that you can take one other person ashore, and maybe a child. Inflatables really can't be beat for taking the crew to dinner. And the newer models can even be rowed.

Last weekend at Catalina we had about a dozen boats for a rendesvous. I watched everyone else inflate their dinghies, lower the outboards, deal with gasoline. Going home their profiles were spoiled by an outboards on the pushpits and somewhere they carried a deflated pile of wet rubber. I had two oars, which always start even after not being used for two months.

I'm not touting wooden prams, and may someday need an inflatable. But I'll really hate to give it up. Lap-lap-lap is the sound of ripples against the hull as you row or sail, silent and old-time fine.

Be sure to follow up with some Ericson photos!

I sure will. The only photos I have are from the sale.

It looks like I'm going to need to add bilge pump to my maintenance list. I plugged in a 300W inverter to the aux power receptacle and now the bilge pump 3 way switch light is on and the pump doesn't work. The wiring is a mess and I think something is grounding out. I'm finding wires spliced together with packing tape. Ugh.

Voice of Reason will be heading over to Isthmus Cove on Saturday Morning. This will be her first trip out since having the engine reset and splashed back in the water. We're excited.
We'll be dining at the Harbor Reef restaurant on Saturday night.

Jim McCone
Voice of Reason E-32 Hull #134
Redondo Beach, CA