A Weekend In the Sail Loft

Back in March -- which seems like a lifetime ago -- I signed up for a sail repair seminar put on by Port Townsend Sails, the sail loft that's making Vicky's new set of sails.   Ty and I agreed that at least one of us should have basic sail repair skills before we do any major trips, and since I generally like any craft involving fabric, needles, or or thread, I eagerly volunteered.   Ty also thought it'd be good for me to have a marketable skill so that he could send me off to make money if we ever found ourselves penniless in some foriegn port.

The two-day seminar started bright and early on Saturday morning, so we left Seattle on Friday to sail up to Port Townsend. 

Although the the clouds threatened rain pretty much the whole time, we still had excellent wind and slivers of blue sky.   By the time we popped out of the canal nearing Port Townsend, the winds started picking up from behind and we found ourselves swiftly hopping up and over white caps. It was quite a relief to arrive safely at Boat Haven and tie up for the night.  Ah, Boat Haven.... our home away from home.

As soon as Vicky was settled in her slip, we made our way over the the Pourhouse, our other home away from home.   Ty tried a pumpkin beer and a seasonal cider, both of which he gave rave reviews.  Since I never try new things, I had white wine, which I also gave rave reviews.

The walk back to Vicky from the Pourhouse along the beach was gusty, but beautiful.

 On Saturday morning, Ty and I walked across town from Boat Haven to the Sail Loft, which is located at the Point Hudson marina near the historic downtown of Port Townsend.  The seminar was divided into four classes, three of which were hands one tutorials of pretty much every basic sailmaking or repairing skill.  We learned how to sew in rings, repair rips and holes, attach various types of patches and chafe protections, and we even got to practice sewing seams on the large, industrial machines.

The Sail Loft a breathtaking place.  Well, at least for me!  Everywhere you look, there are assortments of tools and materials, organized on wooden shelves that extend from floor to ceiling. 

We used punches to make holes before sewing in rings, but we also learned ways of sewing in rings without a punch, which I don't think many folks carry on their boats.

My favorite part of the seminar was the hand sewing classes, where we learned all the basic stitches that could be used for any repair job.  We also practice sewing on leather, which required super heavy duty needles.

While I was in class, Ty worked on various projects and roamed the boatyard by boathaven.  We even saw another Cape Dory 27 who was only two boats ahead of Vicky in production.  Ty also found this beast who was looking a worse for the wear.  Scrub brush, anyone?

On Monday, we left Boat Haven around 7:30 in the morning to catch favorable currents for the trip home.  One of our new sails -- the genoa -- was finished, so without too much trouble, we got it hung on the front roller furler and were able to sail home with her.   Ty and I both thought that with the new genoa, Vicky was better able to sail close into the wind, which made for less tacking and a shorter trip home.

Pick & Pull

And now for something not Vicky-related….

For the last couple months, Ty has been plotting his next big project: He will be converting his beloved El Camino from gas to diesel.  This is exciting for two reasons: (1) Camino currently gets about 13 miles-per-gallon, which is hard on the ozone, not to mention the pocketbook; and, (2) once Camino is converted, we'll officially be in the same club as Daryl Hannah of "Splash" fame…. i.e., diesel El Camino owners.  Ms. Hannah owns/owned what must be the most famous diesel El Camino ever.

Ty's already acquired the new diesel engine, but is still in the process of collecting the other various bits and parts that he'll need for the conversion  So, on Sunday, we made a trip out to the Lynnwood Pick & Pull.  The Pick & Pull is basically an automobile boneyard -- dead cars open for the picking as far as the eye can see.    While Ty crawled in and out of various trucks, pulling out grease-covered gems, I snapped a couple pictures.

At the Pick & Pull, the cars are organized in rows by type -- compact cars, sedans, pick-up trucks, SUVs, and big vans.  Ty spent his time among the suburbans.   

I loved coming across this bumper sticker on the back of an old, baby blue Ford, especially because at the Pick & Pull, you CAN take it with you.

I didn't take any pictures of Ty, not that he'd be recognizable since he was covered in grease from head to toe.  But I did snap a picture of this fellow, who was getting quite a haul out of this old Jeep.

All in all, the trip was a rousing success.   That said, there are still quite a few parts that Ty will need for the conversion, including is a transmission so there'll be many more trips to the Pick & Pull in his future.  Ty will be posting about his progress in the coming months, so stay tuned.