We're finally back in the water and back to our home marina at Dare Marina. The 3hr transit went uneventfully, the best kind. Engine ran smoothly with no problems. New packing gland ran a little warm but not bad. I will loosen it up a little.
We launched the boat on Wednesday and spent the day running the engine and checking alignment, which needed to be adjusted. Thursday we transited back to Dare Marina.
Here is an unusual view of the keel of an Island Packet. The keel is designed to be a "lifting body" shaped just like the wing of an airplane. The lift generated by the keel is what enables the boat to sail slightly upwind, up to about 45degrees with efficiency for an Island Packet. Other sailboat types use different keel designs, but most require a much deeper keel to generate the same amount of lift. Our 38ft boat has a keel that is 4ft 9in deep, quite shallow for a cruising sailboat. Inside that keel is the 9000lbs of ballast, fully protected by a thick layer of fiberglass. No keelbolts on an Island Packet.
It was a hot day with the wind astern for the first half of the run, then we were able to turn into the wind and generate a breeze. The crew did a great job (although not much to do on a pure motoring run). We saw two sets of dolphins along the transit. They came over to see us but didn't stay to play. Too focused on eating I suppose.
Now its time to tackle all the above the waterline tasks. Buffing up the deck, redoing the teak, new running rigging and other jobs. Eventually we need new canvas for the dodger and bimini and enclosure. I still need to check the refrigeration and air conditioning. All the other electrical systems appeared to be working properly.
Its 4th of July week and temperature in the 90s. Typical for July and seems to always be the time I am working on the boat.
We launched the boat on Wednesday and spent the day running the engine and checking alignment, which needed to be adjusted. Thursday we transited back to Dare Marina.
Here is an unusual view of the keel of an Island Packet. The keel is designed to be a "lifting body" shaped just like the wing of an airplane. The lift generated by the keel is what enables the boat to sail slightly upwind, up to about 45degrees with efficiency for an Island Packet. Other sailboat types use different keel designs, but most require a much deeper keel to generate the same amount of lift. Our 38ft boat has a keel that is 4ft 9in deep, quite shallow for a cruising sailboat. Inside that keel is the 9000lbs of ballast, fully protected by a thick layer of fiberglass. No keelbolts on an Island Packet.
Note how the keel tapers to only a couple inches wide at the stern. That aerodynamic shape is what gives it the "lifting body" result.
It was a hot day with the wind astern for the first half of the run, then we were able to turn into the wind and generate a breeze. The crew did a great job (although not much to do on a pure motoring run). We saw two sets of dolphins along the transit. They came over to see us but didn't stay to play. Too focused on eating I suppose.
Now its time to tackle all the above the waterline tasks. Buffing up the deck, redoing the teak, new running rigging and other jobs. Eventually we need new canvas for the dodger and bimini and enclosure. I still need to check the refrigeration and air conditioning. All the other electrical systems appeared to be working properly.
Its 4th of July week and temperature in the 90s. Typical for July and seems to always be the time I am working on the boat.
