Commander #274 Old Glory

[Stephan]

I should have reefed indeed. I even have that fancy double reefing system, but we did decide to return instead. Once we turned around onto a broad reach the heel diminished a little and we were feeling easier. Inside the Chicago breakwater it got calm enough that we considered going back out, but then we thought it wiser to let it be (it was getting late anyway).

[Stephan]

I think ebb's coamings won't fit my commander. I'd guess them to be short by a foot or two. Anyway, shipping to Chicago is likely to be more expensive that attempting a repair. Did anybody get brand new ones made? What price range are we talking here? $100-$200? For teak or mahagony?

I have no photo of mine here now, might take one tonight. Before they broke completely I actually liked that they were cracked, made them more flexible and comfortable to lean against  

[bill@ariel231]

you are right, the commander & ariel coamings are different lengths. My portside coaming split lengthwise (along the fastners) a couple years ago. I've since patched it. If the split is with the grain it's an easy fix.

[Mike Goodwin]

You will probably need a 1x12x how ever long your coaming is. I'm guessing 10'.
In teak , @ $13 per bd ft , that would be $130 each .
It may be more than $13 per bd ft up to $18 for a premium teak 12" plank .

[Stephan]

Thanks Mike for the estimate. That's pretty hefty indeed. I guess I'll repair them first and replace them when I'm flush with $ (never)
So you say the repair is easy? How so? Somebody recommended a month or two ago that he would (or did) put metal plates (maybe  2 on each side)  to strengthen the boards.

[mbd]

My portside coaming split lengthwise (along the fastners) a couple years ago. I've since patched it. If the split is with the grain it's an easy fix.

Ditto Stephan's request for pointers. Mine is cracked as well, and I also have some rot starting at the foremost end below where it attaches to the cabin trunk. Being generally inept in these matters, I'd love to hear pointers on how best to repair it. Pics would be especially nice...

BTW Stephan, I'm green with envy - what I wouldn't give to be able to get out on the water these days!

[SkipperJer]

Stephan,
As a former mid-Westerner who only got into sailing after moving to the Chesapeake in 1997 I can tell you that leaving the motor in the well while you're sailing alone is a very good idea. Options are a wonderful thing.  Never give one up.  It doesn't slow you down that much and can help you avoid difficult moments.

Also keep your radio on. You'll be amazed at how much more you'll know about what's going on around you.  On the Chesapeake the Coast Guard announces radical weather changes on channel 16.  

And practice anchoring. I daysailed for three years without ever using the anchor.  Then when I needed it it took me 15 minutes to untangle things and figure out how to do it.  I wouldn't drive a car without brakes but it never occured to me to make sure I knew how to bring the boat to a real stop.  

All that said, it just keeps getting better the more you learn so keep going out there.

[Stephan]

I was envious of all those guys in California, mbd. i thought I have it bad here, with a 5 month season - tops. I guess it can be worse...

[Stephan]

Good idea with the anchor. I got three, but I'm sure it's worse than one since the rodes are doubtlessly entangled with each other. I didn't even take them out of the locker since I bought 'das boot'. I'll try it next time, thanks for the hint!

[Stephan]

Perfect conditions! Sadly, the window of opportunity for pleasant sailing is very small in Chicago. I already had to book my winter storage for 2006/2007... Better not to think about it.

[CapnK]

***GREAT*** pic!

[ebb]

Keep all windows of opportunity open wide.
Nice boat.  What is it? A Pearson?

[frank durant]

Ebb...taken fron a previous thread from Stephan..."Frank,

you must have seen my boat ("Das Boot", dark blue, a little beaten up) and my neighbor (pale yellow, a bit further out). I haven't spotted any other Commanders in Chicago"..I saw his boat a week back while at a convention in Chicago

[ebb]

Right, my aging eyes saw the winch base as the end of the cabin, and that black whatever there as a third window.  I believe that Commanders have a mysterious way of looking different in different perspectives - much more than the Ariel.  The Commander is a real easy sleek=looking boat to look at.  I always get a charge when a picture appears!

[Stephan]

I'm happy to see how much you guys like pictures - I'm giving you one of 'Das Boot' in daylight in my harbor. I keep getting people commenting how pretty she is in spite of my attempts to ding her...

Ebb, the dark thing is the portion of the coaming in front of the winches, of course. I guess my plastic winch bases did fool you...