No shame in going back

It is that time of year for Craig Kurath and his friends to make annual pilgrimage to Lopez Island on Cest Si Bon 37VT38 for the Tour de Lopez.  Today's portage to Friday Harbor didn't go well, unexpected 8' swells made the decision to turn tail, easy.  Back in port now salving our nerves and egos with beer and chocolate chip cookies.  Will make another run tomorrow.

Thistle 37VT47 gets a make over

Thistle spent some time this Winter getting her hull repainted. In addition to new paint, the small cosmetic cracks below the bulwarks were ground, filled and faired.  Layers of fiberglass were also added above the rub rail to add strength and prevent the cracks from reoccurring.  She is back in the water and owners Ed and Mary Ann McChain cannot wait to get aboard and do some cruising.  

Pilot House Door Sanding

From Peter Reich
Teddy Bear 37VT15

Inside of doors stripped and 3 coats so far, hope to get final on today. My Fein tool has a V-groove sanding attachment which took old finish out of grooves in about 30 seconds per door! I use the attachment off the machine by hand between coats to sand the grooves and works great.

Pilot House Door handles

From Peter S. Reich. 

peter@reichboat.com

"Teddy Bear"  LNVT37 #15

Moved sailboat out of garage and brought in Teddy Bear parts to varnish.  Inside of pilot house doors need to be stripped. One set of door handles came right off and other backed off 1/4" and then stuck hard.  Didn't want to pry and risk damaging wood and came up with following idea.  Tied one handle to my vise, other handle to come along.  Cranked it tight as I dared.  One light tap of hammer and BANG, they were apart!  Easy and no damage.

Northwest Winter Dinner

The NW Winter Dinner was a great time for LNVT owners to get together.  fabulous food and great friends, what could be better?   

A special thank to Randy and Yvonne, Hiaqua 37VT03, who hosted this year's event.  [photos from Lou Steplock, Pet Tug 37VT66]. 

In addition to some really fabulous food, we had in attendance the following:

Bruce and Margrit (ex-Equinox) 

Bill & Macy (Lady)

Tom & Janis (Thistle Dew)

Debbie & Lou (Pet Tug)

Ken & Pat (Polar Mist)

Joe & Laurie (ex-Hiaqua)

Randy & Yvonne (new Hiaqua)

Mike & Julie (Wally)

Dale & Diane (Brigadoon)

Jose (Carolina)

Alice (ex-Guinea Rider)

Craig (C'est Si Bon)

Mike & Barb (Raven)

PNW Rendezvous: Save the Dates

2017 Canadian Lockage Permits

Seasonal Lockage Permit for Canada – Free for 2017!

To celebrate Canada's 150th birthday, the 2017 Seasonal Lockage Permit is free! It allows passage through lock systems on all of Parks Canada's national historic canals throughout the entire 2017 navigation season.

Website link:  goo.gl/L67oMt

John William 37VT68: Running AC ducting

From John Mackie

The AC duct is going from under liquor cabinet to fwd port corner of galley under the corner cabinet. I had to remove the stove, the stainless heat shield and the gasket material underneath and then cut out the plywood bottom of the stove cubby hole.  I made a template for my trim router to cut a 7 in hole for the insulated hose and screwed it to the bulkheads to gain access to the unused storage areas. These needed to be close to the hull to allow room for the 30 in the drawer under the stove. 

As you can see from the pictures big people shouldn't own small boats. It took 6 hrs to remove everything and 30 minutes to cut the 2 holes, 5 ft arms would really help. Tomorrow if I can move I will start putting everything back again and then I can start on the hose running aft.

Sent from my iPhone

Another Jim Backus design

This boat in Indiantown was recently spotted  by Heidi and Ken Maitland, Victorious 37VT26.  The owner told them about the designer connection to LNVTs -- She was designed by Jim Backus who was the naval architect and designer of the 37' and 49' LNVT.

2017 NW Rendezvous

Barb Lawrence, Raven 37VT04, is heading up the PNW Rendezvous.  She reports that it will take place July 14 to 23.  We'll  start out in Kingston and end up near Bellingham. Stops are at Holmes Harbor, Coupeville, maybe Anacortes, and Bellingham.  We're looking at adding a San Juan destination too.  Possibly Sucia or Lopez.

  There are a couple of boats talking about starting the 13th in Poulsbo to ease the journey from the South.  Kind of a pre-rendezvous Rendezvous.

  In a few weeks we'll have everything firmed up and the information posted on LNVT.org.

Jack Robert 37VT17 in Soundings Magazine

Victorious 37VT26 Spotted in Naples, FL

Victorious spotted yesterday by John Howell, Nellie D. 37VT63, on the municipal moorings in Naples, FL.

Tug Spotting ~ 37VT23

La Salle just seen heading into the shed for sprucing up at the Fairhaven Shipyard.

East Coast LNVT Rendezvous 2017

Announcing the annual LNVT East Coast Rendezvous. This year's event will be hosted by John and Ellen Isaksen and their family, Neptune 37VT35

July 27-30, 2017 (Thursday-Friday)

Location:
Fairhaven, MA
Fairhaven Shipyard
50th Fort Street

Point of Contact: Randi Isaksen (John and Ellen' daughter), 774-644-0644, sail2525@comcast.com. You can reach John at (774) 644-7457, Ellen at (774) 644-0643 or at their home (508) 997-2230.

Slips can be reserved* through the Harbormaster, Fred Stenquist, 774-263-3357, fred@fairhaveshipyard.com
Price is $2/foot and $15 for 30 amp
No reservation deposit required

The quaint town of Fairhaven is a great backdrop for the gathering. Attendees can walk through town, shop and visit the whaling museum during their stay. There will be folks available to to provide transportation to laundry mats, grocery stores, hardware stores, etc. The Agenda is still being planned and various details will be updated as they are finalized.

Thursday:
Arrivals throughout the day
Lunch on your own
Dinner is a Pizza party at the marina in the "Vintage Shed"

Friday:
Coffee and goodies at the marina in the "Greenhouse"
09:30 Tug Talk in the "Vintage shed"
Lunch on your own
Tour of a scallop boat
Pot Luck Dinner in the "Vintage Shed"

Saturday:
Coffee and goodies at the marina in the "Greenhouse"
Walking tour of Fairhaven
Lunch on your own
Tour of the harbor with John Isaksen
Catered Dinner featuring fresh scollops in the "Vintage Shed" with pot lock desserts

Sunday:
Coffee and goodies at the marina in the "Greenhouse"
Departures throughout the day

New crew member

Wally 41VT02 just added a new (and possibly the cutest) crew member.  Looking forward to seeing him aboard in the Pacific Northwest.