This morning I awoke feeling fresh and well rested after the travails of the previous 24 hours. Shelter Cove provided a good resting stop for the night. A bit of swell came into the anchorage and we rolled all night, nothing uncomfortable. I headed out at first light, the day turned out sunny and warm,... Continue Reading →
BARE POLES AROUND CAPE MENDOCINO
The same old story, two steps forward – one back. Last night the wind came on very strong. As we approached Cape Mendocino all hell let lose. The wind was howling – no shrieking from the North with great gusts thrown in. It felt stronger than the forty knots predicted. I was unable to carry... Continue Reading →
ANOTHER FRUSTRATING NIGHT
I finished writing and sending off last nights’ log, then settled in the cockpit with a beer and some music. All was well with my world and we were sailing along at five plus knots. Then, in the space of thirty minutes the wind died and we were left struggling along with just the Jib. ... Continue Reading →
HORRID NIGHT, BEAUTIFUL DAY
Last night was a shocker. Not quite sufficient wind to keep the sail from collapsing in the seaway. A little more wind or a bit less sea and everything would have been fine. All night spent crashing and banging, rocking and rolling – all to keep moving at between two and three knots. Our distance... Continue Reading →
ESCAPE FROM NEWPORT
Early this morning Truce and I dropped down the Yaquina River from Toledo to Newport on the ebb tide. Upon arrival at Newport I found the Coastguard had closed the Yaquina River the bar to vessels less than forty feet length. As Truce is thirty-six feet long we couldn’t depart Newport. Very frustrating, the weather... Continue Reading →
RUDDER FIXED
It’s been a full-on sort of day and I feel tired at the end of it – but importantly ‘we got the job done’. The rudder is good. At midday Truce was lifted out the water and half an hour later I had the rudder unshipped and hung off. The bottom bushing was worn and... Continue Reading →
UP THE YAQUINA RIVER TO TOLEDO
At eight this morning I had called the Toledo boatyard and spoke to a helpful lady called Asia – (she seems to run everything in the yard). She could not give me a haul out time but said come on up and we will take you when we can. The idea is to lay alongside... Continue Reading →
RUDDER INSPECTION AND SUNSHINE
Heaps of rain last night and this morning and then the sun came out. Wonderful to feel the suns warmth and the solar cells are charging the batteries again. The diver turned up this morning, a very helpful guy called Carson. He had a good look at the rudder and made a video. All the... Continue Reading →
SUSPECT RUDDER
It looks like I may linger longer in Newport after all. As I was preparing the boat for departure today and running through my checks I noticed that the rudder has excessive play in the pintles. I fear that something may have let go but can’t see any obvious cause. Anyway, I don’t feel comfortable... Continue Reading →
HAIL NEWPORT
After a refreshingly hot shower and a change into clean dry clothes I ventured up the road seeking libation and sustenance. Fortunately, I stumbled across Hoovers Bar which provided both. Good draft beer and real Bacon Berger. Just like you see on TV it had bar stools, pool table, slot machines, men in hats, live... Continue Reading →
The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson 