BCC Elizabeth

To Paint or Varnish The Bulwarks…

Ben Eriksen — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:09:19 +0000

Thinking this was a non-issue, and that cruising sensibilities dictate paint would be the obvious choice, I find myself reconsidering the bulwarks. The Sterling 2 part LP paint I ordered and applied to my bowsprit was difficult to use, to put it mildly. The various mixtures, the weather, the application technique, all had to be [...]

Je Vais Aller En France (Encore)

Ben Eriksen — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:57:14 +0000

The two year plan is to cross the Atlantic in Juin, head to England for the rest of the summer and explore, then make way south for the warmer cote de sud du France, where exactly, only the winds will tell… but I know I’d like to spend some serious time in France, learning to [...]

Fuel Prices Fail US Again

Ben Eriksen — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:39:12 +0000

It seems there is no better motivator for Americans than the dollar. I was truly excited when retail gas prices hit the $4.50/gallon mark this summer. Incentives for fuel alternatives were a mainstream concern. Too bad the prices have fallen again. The US is heavily under taxed on fuel by comparison to European nations, but [...]

Beating The Gale To Martha’s Vineyard

Ben Eriksen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:09:41 +0000

Forecast: SE 25-35kts with gusts to 45kts. Lets Go! I kept a close eye on the weather, and found a 36 hr window of light winds, calm seas, and 60º highs nestled in between two New England Autumn Gales. Perfect! Once again Passageweather.com was my main source of weather info and proved to be very accurate. We [...]

Elizabeth Gets Her Bilges Wet

Ben Eriksen — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:10:15 +0000

I spent the last week doing a few things getting her ready for the launch. Decided to compound, glaze and wax the hull. Not sure why I didn’t do this earlier in the season to protect against the harsher summer sun, but like most things, better late then never. Rebuilt the raw water pump. Took [...]

Schooner Sailing In Maine: Flipping The Switch On Technology

Ben Eriksen — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:45:56 +0000

Captain Garth Wells contacted me a few weeks ago, when his mate quit unexpectedly. I agreed to fill in for the last two trips of the season on the Lewis R. French out of Camden, Maine. The LRF is the first boat I ever worked on, and is still my favorite schooner around. We had a [...]

New BCC Bobstay Chainplate Design - Part II

Ben Eriksen — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:39:15 +0000

Well, it fits. Rosie came up to see his beautiful creation and help me mount it. We mounted the bowsprit, and tied a line to the cranse iron to get the final angle of the chainplates just right. I was concerned when I first got the chainplates, and held them up to the boat that [...]

Almost Ready To Launch, Just In Time For Apple Season

Ben Eriksen — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:49:41 +0000

Cool crisp air, clear blue skies, great sailing breezes… and boats begginning to get hauled for the season… it’s September in Danvers, MA. And I’m just about ready to launch! Better late then never I keep telling myself. It’ll be a anti-climatic launch though, since I’ll just be motoring my way to Martha’s Vineyard. I [...]

Gloucester Schooner Race

Ben Eriksen — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:25:15 +0000

On a seperate note, Teresa and I got out for the 24th annual Gloucester Schooner Race this year, and it was fantastic. NW 15-20, clear skies, 1-2′ seas… couldn’t ask for better conditions. Amongst the schooners were two of my alma maters: The Westward, and The Roseway. I’m looking forward to my 10 days aboard [...]

Cost Estimates, A Shorter List and A Realistic Launch Schedule

Ben Eriksen — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:18:42 +0000

At $85/week for dry storage at Danversport Yacht Club, I’ve racked up quite a bill. My hopeful “6 week project” has become a solid 16 week project. I have a large ziplock bag full of reciepts for all my Elizabeth related purchases…I’m scared to pull it out and tally it all up… but I also [...]