Puma Skyline

Volvo Ocean Race Leg 6

Ericsson 4 wins leg 6, the only North American stop in the 37,000 nautical mile, eleven-stop Volvo Ocean Race, perhaps sailing's most thrilling international event.

Team Puma--mostly Newport, RI based--arrives at Fan Pier to cheering fans as daylight fades.

Boston Bound

Sailing...Boston bound to welcome the Volvo Ocean Racers. Photo shows us sailing towards downtown Boston where we plan to live afloat for 3 weeks at Boston Waterboat Marina, walking distance to the race village.

Alone in Newport Harbor

It may be cold outside but we have nearly all of Newport Harbor to ourselves on this beautiful spring morning.

First Sail of 2009

The first sail in New England is always a very cold one! It may appear that I'm not having fun yet but it feels good to start the season early and it's nice having Narragansett Bay all to ourselves.

Afloat, Again!

Watching my "home" get splashed yesterday at New England Boatworks (NEB) in Portsmouth, RI.

Now a couple of days work to put her back together again.

Splash Day, Spring '09

After four months ashore and forty-plus inches of snow, I am returning to life afloat because the calendar claims it's spring.

New Transport Hits the Water

Today was a special event for the Event Horizon crew. Our new transportation--a 2008 rigid bottom Avon 310 inflatable rib--was delivered and placed in the water for its first time. We found an excellent deal during the winter through Conanicut Marine's chandlery that also included free storage. We still have our trusty 2004 Avon Rover R280 air bottom, which conveniently roll-ups for storage down below, that we will continue to use while cruising (because my captain refuses to tow a dinghy). Already enjoying the comforts of this larger and sturdier dinghy, and know our guests will too.

Volvo Ocean Race Coming to Boston

The excitement is mounting...it's only a few weeks before the incredibly gripping Volvo Ocean Race arrives at Boston's Fan Pier. Mark your calendars and invite your friends to meet dockside to welcome one of sailing's most thrilling events to the US.

Antigua Anxiety

The recent altercation in English Harbour that resulted in the shooting death of an Australian captain has yachts departing the once perceived safe haven of Nelson's Dockyard. After reports of increased crime last season, including the costly ATM banking scam, and now death, Antigua officials will need to restore confidence fast.

Armchair Sailing

The Big Picture, a Boston Globe photo blog presented by Alan Taylor, is featuring Sailing, Around the World -- 30 incredible images from 2008.

Snowy December at NEB

Hibernating at NEB

It's official. Event Horizon has been hauled out at New England Boatworks, Portsmouth, Rhode Island for the winter. My captain expressed concern "After three years of continuous use, it's time to let the hull dry out to avoid any long term damage".

Good news, upon lifting all moisture readings were normal.

Newportant

At the last minute Event Horizon decided against heading south for the winter. Her crew is contemplating their inevitable fate of returning to the “real world”...

On Thanksgiving Eve we moved into a little newly furnished apartment in downtown Newport, RI. It's a month-to-month arrangement while we explore land-based opportunities and let Eve dry out for the winter.

Pirate Tragedy in Venezuela

As we consider our winter options and begin to allow the promise of warm weather sailing sway our decision, we are abruptly reminded of cruising dangers beyond those of Mother Nature. Noonsite has reported another piracy attack off the Venezuelan coast. In recent years piracy has increased around the globe, particularly in southern Caribbean, Indian Ocean and SE Asia, and the trend is expected to continue as the worlds’ economy shifts.

Fall Signs

There is no denying it, fall has arrived...

Harvest colors decorate my surroundings.

Squirrels are frenzied.

People are leaf peeping and apple picking.

Distinct autumn smells mingle with brisk winds.

Dog walkers are wearing jackets.

Boats are vacating marinas and disappearing.

Undecidedly Ready

Event Horizon, shown above, is back in the water. She is ready to sail south but her captain remains characteristically undecided about a winter plan...

Secret to Bottom Paint

The secret to a great bottom finish is using Interlux 355 Vinyl-Lux Solvent as a thinner with the VC Offshore paint and applying with West System foam rollers.

Due to recent environmental laws, wet sanding is no longer an option in Rhode Island so we elected to dry sand using an orbital sander with a built in vacuum that we rented from The Ships Store & Rigging in nearby Portsmouth, RI.

After applying 3 coats of VC Offshore, the entire bottom was sanded with 400 grit, which is the finest grit available in the required disc size. My captain claims "in retrospect it would have been more efficient to do a first pass with 240 followed by a second pass with 400 grit".

J & J Marine

We seem to make a habit out of getting a “lift”, and yet again in a different boatyard.

My captain decided to have the boat’s bottom painted while temperatures are warm enough for his preferred Interlux VC Offshore bottom paint to set properly and quickly. It’s been 3 years since we last applied bottom paint, which used to be a toiling annual ritual where we spent days applying and wet-sanding between 3 coats of paint before literally polishing the project off with 600-grit to achieve a perfect racing bottom.

We got quotes from every Narragansett Bay area facility with a large enough travel lift. After checking out their facilities, we opted to try J & J Marine near mouth of the Taunton River in Somerset, MA. Initially unknown to us, my captain was “pleasantly surprised by the yards infrastructure including a 40 ton travel lift and state-of-the-art spraying booth, their experienced staff, a well stocked store room and helpfulness.”

Under Construction

A visit to the New England Boatyard in Portsmouth, Rhode Island never fails to delight a sailor. On today's trip I saw the new Titan racing yacht still in her mold as shown in the above photo.