Sedna's 37VT02 Operations Manual

From Larry Motschenbacher:

I thought I would send along a copy of a little manual I started writing when I originally bought Sedna.  I spent years in engineering for Alkalies Pipeline, and before that had been a pilot and flight instructor in Alaska.  Creating a manual was sort of an automatic response for me.  I had never attempted a manual for a boat and was new to larger boats but I tried to be as complete and and accurate as I could.  Also, I learned a lot  about Sedna while preparing the manual.

I wanted to share it with others in hopes it might serve as a possible starting point for other Lord Nelson owners.  I suspect there are enough differences between individual Lord Nelsons to make the effort a worthwhile
and learning exercise.

Anyway, if you see any value in it, please feel free to pass the attached copy of the Sedna O&M Manual on to other Lord Nelson owners who might be interested in having a copy. If you do, please caution others that this information may NOT be correct on their boat and they should verify each point on their own.

New Name: Saltwater Joys 37VT12

Roger Brown  writes:

A friend of mine by the name of Wayne Chaulk wrote a song about the quiet pleasures and simple comforts of rural Newfoundland, my home province.  There is an underlying theme throughout the song that suggests the rejection of the busy urban lifestyle for one that embraces simplicity.....my new quest as I plan for retirement. The name says it all.....Saltwater Joys

Two Chefs on a Tugboat

By Dee Anderson, Jack Robert 37VT17

Lee and I both love to cook.  In our “land galley” this is not a problem as we have plenty of room to move around each other and work at the same time.  On the other hand, our “river galley” poses a bit of a problem.  There is only room for one cook at a time and that cook needs to be VERY ORGANIZED.  As a result, we have arrived at the following “rules” for our meals.

1. Plan meals in advance to be certain the necessary ingredients are on board.  “Oops! I forgot the eggs” does not work well when we are motoring up or down river.

2. Decide who the Master Chef is for the given meal.  

3. The Sous Chef  (“able bodied assistant”) is responsible for setting the table, pouring the beverages, staying out of the way and cleaning up after the meal.  No kibitzing, suggestions for herbs and spices or back galley driving are allowed.

4. The Master Chef must organize all ingredients, utensils and equipment before starting the preparation phase.  Because the refrigerator top is also the prep counter it is important to have everything ready or precious time is spent moving things aside to get back into the fridge (while the Sous Chef is treated to colorful commentary). 

5. Every attempt is made to have the entire meal ready to eat at the same time.  Sometimes, however, we have a “progressive meal” and it behooves the Sous Chef not to complain about this.

6. The meal is then enjoyed by both and there is no quibbling over who has the cleanup detail.  (Note: it is helpful, although not required, if the Master Chef cleans up as he or she cooks.  This makes the Sous Chef very happy and might result in a larger glass of wine than expected).

Midwest Rendezvous chefs for the breakfast buffet
Dee and Lee Anderson

Forward fuel tank removal

Just in from Bob Allnutt, Victory 37VT02

Yesterday was good, I got the forward port tank out. It took about 3 hrs. of work with a big hammer, crowbars, Sawsall, and come along. It was tight but not as bad as the starboard forward tank, that one took over twice as much time and was very difficult to move. The boat is a mess so the next step is to clean it up and make design drawings for a welder. 

Fuel Tank Removal

Bob Allnutt, Victory 37VT02 is currently replacing his fuel tanks.  It turns out that tugs with the six fuel tank configuration share the same port-forward and starboard-forward tank size as their four tank sisters.   But, unlike later tugs with four tanks, Victory's floor joists are resting directly on top of his tanks.  This makes it much more difficult to get the tanks out.   Loren Hart said that an LNVTs tanks are designed to be removable--he didn't, however, say when they initiated the removable tank program.   It was clearly after hull #2. 

 Another difference between the tugs with four fuel tanks and those with six, the latter are self leveling.  That's because there's a tap at the base of each tank that's plumbed to the other two fuel tanks on the same side of the tug. 

  

In their Own Words: Loren Hart, Tommy Chen and Jim Backus

The following is a video made of the LNVT principals speaking at the 2006 International LNVT Rendezvous in Seattle's Bell Harbor.

YouTube video posting courtesy of Sally Seymour, Sally W 37VT42

AC Safety Tests You can Do Yourself

The National Electrical Code is changing.  Don't get caught in the dark.  The following is from Jim Healy's blog, "Cruising Aboard Monk36 Trawler Sanctuary".  His write-up is an excellent step-by-step approach to make sure your tug's electrical system is ready.  Included below is only the article's introduction.  The rest of the article can be found here.

This article describes a series of test measurements intended to be performed safely by boat owners/operators. Little or no prior knowledge or skills with electricity, electric circuits or the regulatory codes, components, materials, workmanship and techniques involved in installing and servicing AC electrical systems is needed. There is never a need to contact a “live” electrical circuit. The tests assess the safety status of a boat’s AC electrical system. These tests can a) expose non-compliance and/or b) confirm compliance with a key subset of safety elements of the ABYC E11 electrical standard. Compliance of the boat to ABYC electrical standards is becoming more and more important. As shore-side facilities upgrade to the requirements of newer versions of the National Electric Code (NEC), boats that do not comply risk being left without AC electric power. For background information on that concern, see my article, “Emerging AC Electrical Concern".   Continue reading...

Welcome Aboard New Owners Patty and Bob Raichle, Mary K 49VT02

My wife and I bought the Mary K from Ed and Kathy Smith in August.  She is now docked at the Skyline marina in Anacortes.

We had quite an adventure coming up the coast [in early September]. Our calm waters turned nasty about half way between Westport and the Straits. We encounter 25kt winds and pretty rough seas, all in the dark of night. But the Mary K plugged along and none of us got seasick. So all was good. However, about 2 hours past Cape Flattery the exhaust elbow developed a bad crack and we filled the engine room with exhaust. We had to be towed to Port Townsend (had BoatUS insurance).

The second biggest problem was filthy fuel tanks. The rough waters churned up all the crud in the tanks. In anticipation of that very problem I tried to get the boatyard in Scappoose OR to clean them but they failed. In two weeks I will have inspection ports installed and really clean the tanks.

Bob & Patty Raichle

The Neptune Diner

A Little Boatyard Humor

Every Tuesday during boating season John Isaksen, 37VT35, hosts several men friends for lunch aboard Neptune. The menu is always the same: grilled cheese sandwiches with ham and tomatoes. The dock master at the marina has a wicked sense of humor and for years has tormented John relentlessly with his sick sense of humor. 

The Seymour's recent visit to the Isaksens fell on a Wednesday, a day late for grilled cheese fare, but there was evidence that the Neptune Diner was still up and running this late in the season. This sign gave warning that the dock master had too m much time on his hands. And note the panel of four signs in the background, hanging from the trim above the windows on the tug.

Good-natured John has saved these ribbings to share with friends. He has notebooks full of them. Note the one of the far right. Here's a close up.

With such notoriety, why would anyone want to step aboard?

Well ... we took our chances and the Isaksens, as usual, rolled out the red carpet. We came for the visit to show friends from the UK what our tug looks like. (They brought lunch.) We joked about how fortunate we were not be be subjected to the usual fare from The Neptune Diner. The day was filled with laughter. Life is good. Thank you Isaksens.

Welcome Aboard New Wannabes Marianne and Gregory Campbell

Marianne and Gregory live in Surrey, BC, Canada and are interested in a 49.   Marianne goes on to say:

Gregory and I have been sailors, but we have decided its time to explore our own backyard of the PNW in a warm confines of a LNVT. As one of your photos that I came across..."Life is too short to own an ugly boat", is exactly why we are seeking a LNVT. We are restorers by nature and we appreciate classic design. We have and own a few vintage cars that we have fully restored and we vintage race three of these cars. We also fully restored a 1973 GMC Motorhome. Used that lovely motorhome for a decade. Gregory is a mechanical engineer and he is meticulous in getting the job done correctly. And we love exploring! Thats a bit of who we are. Hope to own our tug soon! Marianne

Welcome Aboard Wannabes Al and Diane Robichaud

Al and Diane Robichaud

Al and Diane Robichaud are very ehtusiastic wannabes.  They attended the 2014 East Coast Rendezvous and are regulars aboard Neptune 37VT35 and Sally W 37VT42.

The Robichauds are cranberry farmers.  They have eight acres that keep them very busy from April until October.  This year's harvest was in late October.  It's grueling work.

Allan and Sally Seymour, Sally W, recently visited the Robichauds, went on a tour of some cranberry farms and took the following pictures.

The plot is flooded, and the berries are released from the low-growing bushes by these beater contraptions. Talk about built-for-purpose.

Cambodian workers travel between farms to do the collection.

Once all the berries are released and floating, they are gathered and sucked up into a chute which fills the truck on the left.

Elusive Window Leak

Crack in the stailess Z-frame

Just in from John Mackie, John William 37VY68

I've been chasing a leak in the starboard window since we bought the boat. Yesterday I removed the glass and did some caulking and thought I finally had it.  This morning the leak was still there so the glass and trim came out again and I discovered a crack in the frame. Appears to be from forming the tight radius with the press brake.  Before claiming victory I removed the teak trim inside and cleaned out the old caulk and poured water, with red dye
over the crack. No leak, so out came the whole window. The window had been installed at some point with 3M's 5200 but it came out with some persuasion and colorful language. About ready to reinstall with 3M 4000 this time and will let you know how it goes.

Crack repaired

Z-frame out 

Articulated Rudders

Here are two examples of articulated rudders that have been installed on LNVTs.  Why these rudders are effective is discussed on this web page: RudderPower.com/rudder_theory.html.

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Tortuga 37VT69 (more photos)

Minot's Light 37VT53

John William 37VT68's new Bimni

This just in from John Mackie:

It's done. Color matched perfect.

Welcome Aboard Lyndsay Caleo, Ursa 49VT03!

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The following just came in from Lyndsay Caleo:

It's official, I'm an LNVT owner as of last night[30 October 2016]! I'm sure I am going to have lots of questions moving forward...I very much look forward to being in touch and being apart of the LNVT community!