2013 - Day 1

Sunset Hour behind the breakwall

I was admittedly exhausted and sort of just napped, went bodysurfing, and rode my bike around on January 1. It was great. I cruised up to the Hermosa Beach pier with my 4/3mm (winter) wetsuit on and my fins, gloves and foam handplane in the basket on my bike. Caught some long waist-chest high waves underneath the pier, and then had someone come up to me and compliment how my rides lasted longer than the surfers. The water is about as cold as it gets in Southern California and my wetsuit is old, so I was probably only out for an hour.

In Front Of The Breakwall

The other day it was raining and whenever the teak on my boat gets wet, I’m reminded of how much better that looks than when it’s dry and has the “silver” natural teak look to it. Heres what I mean:

So, either I keep a spray bottle around, or I do the project of either varnishing or cetol-ing my teak. Haven’t decided which, and I haven’t the slightest clue how to do it. All of my research varies from “It’s really easy and simple” to “It’s very difficult and takes a professional”. I may start with these cubby pieces in my cockpit to refine my technique. More about this in the future.

I’m determined to go sailing this weekend. It’s going to be sunny and in the high 60s, although the wind forecasts seem weak - which may be a good thing if I choose to solo sail. Of course, as the thought came to mind and I promised myself I would, I just then stepped aboard and onto a single-block piece of equipment which lays on my deck that my furling line rolls through, broke the case around the ball bearings and they proceeded to drop out and roll around. The piece looks to be in the $12 - $80 range, yet a pretty standard mechanism on a marine store shelf so I’ll try to pick one up today.