New Gangplank: Part 3

The rat bars were finished last time, so we move on to the stanchion bases. They are held in place be four 1/4" through bolts to make them fully secure. 

To properly back them, I used a 1/4" piece of starboard cut a bit larger than the bases to help spread out the loads.  

The bolts are held in place by locking nuts with 1" washers. All fasteners involved are stainless steel to avoid dissimilar metal corrosion with the stainless steel stanchion base. 

The nuts on the underside could scratch the deck when we carry the gangplank on deck, so additional sticks of mahogany were installed with bronze screws. The sticks are stand more proud than the nuts, protecting the deck from scratches.  

Once again, after all pieces were fitted, they were also all removed. I didn't want the hardware to get in the way of the tung oil I needed to apply to the rat bars.  

Lastly, padeyes were installed at the ends to serve as anchor points for the lifelines. They are attached with #8 stainless steel screws. Since I didn't want nuts on the underside so close to the edges, I installed them with wood screws, 1 3/4" long. It uses all but the last 1/4" of the plank, so it should hold very securely. 

With the padeyes in place, the whole plank was oiled liberally and allowed to dry

New Gangplank: Part 2

After the plank had received a few coats of tung oil on all sides, it was time to begin assembly. 

The rat bars on this gangplank are mahogany attached with silicone bronze screws. The rat bars were evenly spaced and then taped in place to avoid movement while the screw holes were drilled. 

Before each hole was drilled, all the bars were re-measured to make sure everything was still in alignment.  

One side was drilled to completion while the other side was held in place by tape. Screws were introduced to further hole the bars in place add the other side was drilled, once again measuring everything before each hole. 

At the end, all the rat bars were held in place by the outside screws. At this point everything was disassembled. 

Each screw hole needs to be drilled three times for screws made with cut threads. Once for the threaded portion, once for the shank, and once more to countersink the head. 

The screw holes in the plank were re-drilled with a hand drill, then the rat bars were re-drilled for the shanks and again for the head. 

All the bars were numbered so that they could easily be relocated at assembly time with the numbers written in the orientation to the plank.  

All the rat bars were re-installed and tightened down fully. Lastly, using a hand drill I drilled the middle screw hole for each rat bar, being sure to only drill the bar section for the shank diameter, as it would be too large a hole for the threads to engage.  

Summer Cruise Day 25

Today was the last day of our summer trip. We set sail in the early morning to make it back to Baltimore at a reasonable hour. The winds were predicted to be light and variable, so I wanted to give us plenty of time.

We slowly made our way out of the river, mostly thanks to the current from the leaving tide. Once out in the bay, the winds were just as predicted: light. We set the drifter and set ourselves on a broad reach. 

As we rounded Thomas Point Lighthouse, I saw something rather interesting off in the distance. The epitome of speed sailing, a maxi yacht, motoring along. with all of its sails covered and put away. 

We figured that if anyone were to be sailing on a day like this, he would be the one, but instead they were moving along very slowly under power. I would have loved to see this yacht under full sail!

We continued our way North towards Baltimore, but as we were passing Gibson Island, the winds died. We sat for quite some time and I offered the idea of anchoring for the night and returning to port tomorrow morning. Maddie had her heart set on being home today and wanted to keep sailing until we made it home!

We pushed on, watching the sun set over the trees of the western shore. Around 11pm, we finally entered the Patapsco River. It was pitch black around us with the glow of the city off in the distance. Four drones came down and buzzed by our boat, then disappeared into the darkness of the night. Another boat passed by us with no navigation lights on, we couldn't see him, but we could hear his engine noise. We were concerned because his noise kept moving around very erratically. Luckily he also disappeared into the distance. 

While we were away, a fatal boating accident occurred when a power boat slammed into the pilings of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing several of the passengers and wounding the rest. Because of this tragedy, more navigational lights were installed on the bridge and in the river. 

All the new lights severely disoriented me. I used to sail the river by night and know exactly where I was and where I was heading without the need for my chart plotter. I knew where the buoys were and where the unlit buoys were! With the new lights and the buoys flashing at different rates from before, I was completely lost! I turned to my chart plotter to find my position and found that I was so far off course, I was going into Curtis Bay thinking that I was on course for the Inner Harbor!

I resigned myself to following the chart plotter and compass for navigational aid as I made my way up the river. I was finally able to locate the range amongst all the new lights to lead me up the river and into the Inner Harbor. 

We pulled into our slip at 12:30am, dead exhausted and ready to sleep. We were also starving and decided to tie up the boat, and then go out into town to find someplace open to get a good land cooked meal! Luckily, our favorite place was still open. Off to Koopers for a delicious burger! 

We made it back, our trip was a success, and we got engaged! It's a wonderful introduction into our cruising life!

Summer Cruise Day 24

Today we sailed further up South River towards Liberty Marina. Maddies brother was performing that afternoon, so we borrowed a car to go see it. The marina was the easiest way to get back and forth from the boat and car.

Maddie took the helm while I worked the deck to get us going. It's important to make sure that all hands on board are capable of doing all the tasks of keeping the sailboat running. Should something happen to one of the crew members while out at sea, all responsibility will fall on the other crew member.

Maddie pointed out how much smaller the volume of our boat is compared to the powerboats around us. I pointed out to her how that is our entire home!

Summer Cruise Day 23

After our adventure, it was nice to be in the same waters where we began. We took this day to relax and lounge around all day!

We rowed Morty to shore and explored Quiet Waters Park. Morty was so happy to be back on land! It was nice to spend the whole day relaxing, reading, and lounging around.

Our parents came out to join us in Harness Creek and to celebrate our engagement, as well as our safe return!