E38-200 - Using Waxed Canvas Tarps for Winter cover

[Kenneth K]

Ken has a good point, though as I understand it, your winter storage is on land.

Ok, I get the proposal now. But, it's hard to get behind any idea that intentionally brings more water INTO the boat. On land or sea.

Like Jeff said, all that PVC is ripe for replacing, but the first thing I'd get rid of is that U-loop in the drain. Can't imagine what purpose that serves, unless the PO who installed it couldn't achieve tight-enough hose bends to make a more direct connection. I'd try something more like this:

My port outboard scupper had an extremely tight S-curve in the hose. I couldn't find a high-quality 1.5" hose that would bend that much, so I cobbled together some pre-formed silicone hoses (45 degree and 90 degree silicone hoses from Amazon). And I got rid of the PVC elbow in the process.

 

[ky ed]

Wow Jeff we went to the high school! Im class of 80. Thats so cool, what a small world it is till you try to sail around it. I went to Lakeview Elementary and grew up on Southeast corner of lake.

Maybe I'm not following you. If you drill a hole in the white U-shaped hose, won't water from the cockpit fill the hull and ultimately sink your boat?

Kenneth i am on the hard in a cold climate for winter storage. Im trying to prevent any water that accumulates during winter to drain water out of low spots of hoses and make its way to bilge and drain out the garboard plug at bottom of sump in keel

 

[ky ed]

Ok, I get the proposal now. But, it's hard to get behind any idea that intentionally brings more water INTO the boat. On land or sea.

Like Jeff said, all that PVC is ripe for replacing, but the first thing I'd get rid of is that U-loop in the drain. Can't imagine what purpose that serves, unless the PO who installed it couldn't achieve tight-enough hose bends to make a more direct connection. I'd try something more like this:
View attachment 54278
My port outboard scupper had an extremely tight S-curve in the hose. I couldn't find a high-quality 1.5" hose that would bend that much, so I cobbled together some pre-formed silicone hoses (45 degree and 90 degree silicone hoses from Amazon). And I got rid of the PVC elbow in the process.
View attachment 54279 View attachment 54280

Thanks for the ideas. A new old boat has issues no doubt. Where to start is always a problem for me. Firstly getting her home safely and got that done. Then its was winterizing the Atomic 4 and making sure it was full of antifreeze. got rid of fire hazards like wiring that was unfused and undersized. All thats done. Now the project is to get mast centered on top of boat and get a tarp over and cockpit to keep out most of the snow.

 

[JP in Sandusky]

We removed the tarps and winter "frame" (ha!) from Moon Shadow this weekend. All turned out very nicely, except the green waxed tarps left green dust all over the deck. It took a good 3 hours to broom and wash it off. (most of it.)

The yard in Buffalo does not stock black vc17. I was curious what "classic" red would look like anyway. I have to say, we are quite pleased with the end results of our paint and tape job.


I understand this will turn darker, more of a maroon/brown, after she hits the water.

My neighbors in the yard recommend washing the topsides with dish soap water, and then a "wash/wax" combo product. It will be a few weeks before I can get back up there. If anyone thinks dish soap is a bad idea, please let me know. If there is a consensus around here on waxes, I am all ears.

She gets the mast stepped back in May.

 

[Christian Williams]

I've always been told that dish soap removes wax. Not perhaps an issue if you havent spent $1200 on a boat compounding and waxing job lately.

Yesterday I washed the boat with car soap containing wax (effortlessly wash and wax at the the time!). Was the boat shinier? Yes it was. Label seems to suggest bad for environment, but type was so small I couldn't read it, so can;t be that bad.

Great revelation was $16 car-wash mop on a stick, which allowed scrubbing without bending over. I can bend over, but paramedics are required afterwards.

 

[windblown]

The yard in Buffalo does not stock black vc17. I was curious what "classic" red would look like anyway. I have to say, we are quite pleased with the end results of our paint and tape job.
View attachment 55018

I understand this will turn darker, more of a maroon/brown. . .

The VC-17 "original" that goes on as copper-colored turns to black once immersed in the fresh water of Lake Ontario.
FYI: Our cover came off this week. It was a DIY project two years ago. I expect it to last 15 years. So far, so good.

 

[JP in Sandusky]

I've always been told that dish soap removes wax. Not perhaps an issue if you havent spent $1200 on a boat compounding and waxing job lately.

Yesterday I washed the boat with car soap containing wax (effortlessly wash and wax at the the time!). Was the boat shinier? Yes it was. Label seems to suggest bad for environment, but type was so small I couldn't read it, so can;t be that bad.

Great revelation was $16 car-wash mop on a stick, which allowed scrubbing without bending over. I can bend over, but paramedics are required afterwards.

View attachment 55019

Using a car soap / wax combo was more what I was thinking I would try. I know using dish soap on a car means you have to wax it asap.

Car wash stick seems like it could easily be worth it.

 

[JP in Sandusky]

The VC-17 "original" that goes on as copper-colored turns to black once immersed in the fresh water of Lake Ontario.
FYI: Our cover came off this week. It was a DIY project two years ago. I expect it to last 15 years. So far, so good.

Now THAT is a winter cover. Very nice.

Thanks for the explanation on the bottom paint. I am getting antsy to get past all of this prep work, and finally get the boat in the water soon.

 

[JP in Sandusky]

Lastly, with my boat 6.5 hours away, can anyone here with a 38' give me an idea of the area on the transom I have to work with for my "port of call" letters?
That is, I need to change "Stowe, VT" in the below picture, and I do not know how much room, left to right, to budget. The USCG requires the letters be 4 inches tall, and I fear whatever I do will be very "smushed."



Somehow, I need to fit 4 inch letters that say "Sandusky, OH" in that space. If I put "OHIO" below Sandusky, centered, how many inches left-to-right do I have for "Sandusky" in the area below "Moon Shadow" on the transom.

I know, I know, just measure it, but again, the boat is currently a long trip away. I only have one more visit, to prep the mast, before she splashes.

 

[Out There]

I am pretty sure the 4" rule only applies to name and not hailing port letters, i may be very wrong though

 

[Christian Williams]

Despite regs, I doubt the USCG cares about letter sizes, which are naturally variable depending on boat and aesthetics.

My opinion is that a transom name or port "reads" fine even when partially obscured, so we're not really constrained to open space.

But I have learned to work with mockups and tape rather than measurements. Boat name ought to satisfy, and various fonts and sizes are possible, and my method of guessing always resulted in several re-orders. It is something you live with, and bugs you if sightly wrong (I always thought my hailing port on the 32-3 was too big and too ugly a font).

it is possible to print out huge letters in any font using a computer, (600 size, typed into the type-size box, prints out about 5" tall). The letters can be mocked up and taped to the boat and seen as they'll actually look.

Anyhow, it is something I'd take my time with, based on not taking enough time with it myself.



The boat name and hailing port aren't supposed to be separated, either--according to regs.

 

[Loren Beach]

O34 - Non-Skid done, Name on

As of today the scaffolding is put away. The name and hailing port is back on both sides, and even new "Ericson Olson" decals are back on each side of the cabin. The new non skid works exactly as it should. Shoe soles "stick" to it, but it seems...

ericsonyachts.org

Picture of ours in this entry. I followed advice of a friend & long distance cruiser who hated seeing all the info on a transom , because when passing the other boat, at sea, he liked to ID them from the side. Also, transoms often have too much other stuff attached to them to find a clear area for a name and port.
He found that reading the flank was easier for next following up with a VHF hail.
(No one right answer, just alternatives...)

 

[JP in Sandusky]

I am pretty sure the 4" rule only applies to name and not hailing port letters, i may be very wrong though

@Out There, @Christian Williams and @Loren Beach ... thanks! This might be the third time this week someone has gently (and politely) told me to stop worrying so much about trying to make things "perfect" before we hit the water. "The boat is never done. Just go sailing."

I started getting anxious about my "USCG" list when I reviewed the survey and was reminded my fire extinguishers and flares are out of date. That turned into reviewing every last little thing, as if I was planning some month-long voyage, rather than just splashing the boat.

I talked with a friend with a print shop, and asked him how many weeks of lead time he needed. He laughed, and said he could print what I need in 5 minutes, if I am willing to just stand in the lobby and wait.

 

[Out There]

When you gonna putter across, maybe I could steam out to wave at ya

 

[Out There]

Speaking of your crossing, when are you planning that?
Just for an Idea... I bought my boat in Lorain OH and it took 22 hours to get from Lorain to Erie PA in windless conditions puttering at about 5-6 kts.
If you go in May beware the may flies. We got covered with them last year being the only lights on the lake at night, it was so nasty with them crawling in any exposed orifice. Peak emergence is at 68 degree water temp.

 

[JP in Sandusky]

Speaking of your crossing, when are you planning that?
Just for an Idea... I bought my boat in Lorain OH and it took 22 hours to get from Lorain to Erie PA in windless conditions puttering at about 5-6 kts.
If you go in May beware the may flies. We got covered with them last year being the only lights on the lake at night, it was so nasty with them crawling in any exposed orifice. Peak emergence is at 68 degree water temp.

Well, that is lovely!
I am aiming for around May 22. I am currently not planning to sail at night, since it will be me (rookie captain) and my brothers (rookie crew.) I am thinking Buffalo --> Erie -->Ashtabula-->Cleveland-->Sandusky. (I really have not planned the trip, yet.) Lots into the wind, I suspect. I know it will cost some time to come to port each night, but that is alright.

I'm planning to post in the "great lakes forum" later this month to ask for any feeback on the route, as I get it more nailed down. PM me if you think this won't work.

 

[JP in Sandusky]

Speaking of your crossing, when are you planning that?
Just for an Idea... I bought my boat in Lorain OH and it took 22 hours to get from Lorain to Erie PA in windless conditions puttering at about 5-6 kts.
If you go in May beware the may flies. We got covered with them last year being the only lights on the lake at night, it was so nasty with them crawling in any exposed orifice. Peak emergence is at 68 degree water temp.

Also, do the May flies come out further offshore?

 

[Out There]

Also, do the May flies come out further offshore?

We came across on May 28th last year and it was like a mill pond. We stayed about 5 miles off shore so we wouldn't have to worry about many obstacles. We left at about Noon and got to Erie about 9-9:30 am the next day so most of the middle of the trip was over night. The May flies hatch from the mud under water so they are all over the place, anything with a light is going to get a full assault.
In the second pic
1. Anchorage for weather
2. Anchorage if zero weather but only zero
3. Marina with transient dock (Bay Harbor/Sun Life)

ignore the anchorage symbol, that was good for my Catalina 22 but not a 38 foot

 

[Out There]

Also the guy who manages the Oasis marina in Lorain also manages a transient only marina in Cleveland if you want to look him up. They were nice people