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Home, Hagerstown, Annapolis - Lotsa Dates - April 17th

Lots of stuff has happened, and here is

"All the news that fits, we print ... "

This blog will be a bit long. You may want to take in a Power Nap before diving in.

We start by some images of Snow. Minnesota - Right? Then, I am going to cool the engine with an Inboard Radiator which I will make. One less hole thru the hull to worry of. Then, a week and a half ago, I surprised Marcia and delivered her Boxster for her to use in Hagerstown. A week later, one of my scheduled visits, I am back out there and we looked at a series of used and new Big Boats and did some sightseeing as well.

Here are some ramblings I wrote at 38,000ft on the way home.

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But first off, a Genuine and Sincere Thanks to these folks who took time from their day to help us lust for a larger vessel. Each is very patient and kind.

Tim Wilbricht
Annapolis Yacht Sales
(Beneteau Dealer)

Glenn Bell
Bill Marrow
Adventure Yachts
(Brokers)

John Middleton
Sail Annapolis
(Catalina and Bavaria Dealer)

Roger Johannson
Free State Yachts
(Hallberg-Rassy Dealer)

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I am writing this blog on a small laptop I purchased from my oldest son. Now I too, can feel like a student as I set around an airport on the floor or aboard an airplane and type important things. The part I like the best, a six hour battery even when being used with normal screen and disc thingies.

This Blog, or Web Log, Web being the name of the Web of satellites hovering above that comprise the Internet. Btw, Al Gore did not think up nor create the Web, some really smart guys at a University did. The original intent was to provide a means for the US Military to send messages around the world that once sent, would get thru with even half the satellites not working. Hence Inter-Net.

The World Wide Web, WWW, prefaces most of our address schemas, and using MyWebName.com will get to any website nationally, and then www.MyWebName.com any place inter-nationally.

The Com stands for Company, Org for Organization and Net, for Network.

Howzzatt?

I have not been doing much on Island Sunset. Last weekend I left work at 1:30 Friday and drove Marcia's tiny red Boxster from Quainte Lil Woodbury to Hagerstown. Got there about 11:15 the next day. 64.5 mph average speed when moving. Stopped for 5+ hours and napped or pee-ed. Mostly the latter. When God made me, he grabbed the bladder designed for a pygmy. One more of my lifelong issues I deal with. Total time door to door was 22 hours and 16+ hrs driving. 1025 miles.

She knew I was up to something, she simply did not know what.

Surprise, surprise.

This past weekend, was my turn to head there, so I left Thursday night and stayed thru Sunday. On Friday, we looked at the Hallberg Rassy 39 again. Plus, got a peek at a 40 and then The Monster, a 46. Lust and desire have once again taken on a far different meaning than ever before.

Saturday, we contacted three dealers, and looked at new and used Beneteau's, Bavaria's and Catalina's. Marcia thought it wise to look at something other than high priced, woodlined, safe, impeccable, desirable, Ocean Unlimited vessels.

No comments in these links. Takes too much time. The Cat375, Bavaria's and Beneteau's (except the 46) are new. All else are used.

Hallberg Rassy 39

(From our Thanksgiving Visit) (I wanted to revisit this one as, it fits all our needs, and -price- so very well. I just wanted to soak it in for a few minutes.)

Hallberg Rassy 40

Hallberg Rassy 46 - (WOW!)

The chairs in the Hallbergs, and the impeccable quality inside and out and an absolute feeling of being cradled in total safety do the trick every time (for me). It is nice my Best Friend does not give me alot of grief over things we should not even be dreaming of. BUt, that means an expensive vessel.

Even on Lake Pepin, winds and storms can come up so quickly. It is these times, where the quality and seaworthiness of a vessel, can (literally) save your lives.

One day, when "work" is totally and completely optional and we do not care one twit of wrinkly clothes (outside the home) we will have a larger vessel. One capable of total safety and one capable of going anywhere we want. Even, across the bay for a hamburger. Or, around the world. Oh, and one whereby we tell each other how happy we are - all the while concealing the butcher knives and extra line here and there, waiting for the appropriate moment when we can ... ... ... . . :-O

I have decided, of those we have elected to Public Office represent "us", I am simply wasting my life listening to any "news" of their latest expensive shenanigans. So, I am going to revert to a part of my life long ago, when I did my things and ignored these idiots, derelicts, thieves and scalawags.

So, starting now, I will get Island Sunset ready for the water, then fix the house and prepare it for sale, followed by the interior of Island Sunset in preparation of joining my wife. I am so very tired of Minnesota Crappy Weather.

We found the Chesapeake Bay is immense. 200+ miles from one end to the other and 30+ miles wide here and there. To be honest, the first time I go out on that body of water, I will be afraid. Simply, afraid. Just as I was last summer on Lake Pepin. I guess I am getting old and the folly of my misspent youth? Largely forgotten.

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The pix ...

Pretty. But, if I am that sick to see one more snowladen image, I can either subscribe to the National Geographic, or dig up an old postcard from my ones of Benson, Mn.

Now, to make a radiator. Gotsta clean the garage.

Before ...

After ...

There it is. I did not throw much out. This time.

We will use alot of copper fittings like this. If, you scan "Dokken's Rules Of Common Wisdom", there is an entry "Thou shalt not use, used fittings in the plumbing projects.

I made a jig to hold the tubes.

All soldered, ready for another layer.

Soldering flux, roll solder and a propane torch to heat it all up.

More tubes. A bench saw works great to cut them up.

Half done. In all, there will be 120' of half inch copper just in the actual radiator. And another thirty feet or so, getting the water to and from the engine.