Girls Take the Helm

By Elizabeth Becker

In late July, an enthusiastic group of 16 young women, average age 13, boarded Adventuress in Friday Harbor for 3 days of sailing, learning, and exploring.  Except for one group of five Girl Scouts who had journeyed all the way from central Oregon, the girls didn’t know one another.  But any hesitance quickly evaporated during the opening circle, lunch, and Watch Group orientations.  A sunny afternoon of sailing kept everyone busy hauling on lines, tacking, and taking turns at the helm.  At anchor in McKay Harbor off Lopez Island, preparations began for the evening program, which would include resource reports and game night.

One of the unique aspects of Girls at the Helm is having a group of women mentors aboard to share their passions and expertise with the participants.  On this trip, the five mentors shared their interests in wildlife biology, teamwork, photography, tall ships, and water quality.  The crew, which was mostly female for this trip, added plankton and sail theory to the mix.

Furling the jib in windy weather

On day 2, the ship headed south and east into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, heading up Rosario Strait.  The sun and calm seas of the day before had given way to cooler temperatures, stronger winds, and sizable swells, giving all aboard a taste of saltier sailing.  Heading back through Thatcher Pass brought smoother waters along with a bit of rain. But once at anchor in Blind Bay off Shaw Island, the sun came out and there was plenty of time for climbing aloft, sailing Ayashe, and doing some fancy knotwork.

During dinner, the participants had an opportunity for some one-on-one time with the mentors, with an assignment to ask them questions and then share the answers with the whole group during the evening program. The girls did an awesome job with their presentations, which were followed up with skits by each Watch Group.

The trip ended far too soon. Day 3 brought Adventuress back to Friday Harbor under sunny skies. The girls left with great memories, a better sense of their abilities, and a new window into what’s possible.
“I learned that I’m stronger than I thought.” ---participant

Studying plankton

The Intrepid Mentors

Hauling up the mainsail

Studying the charts

Learning Adventuress' sails

Preparing to go up Adventuress' mainmast!

Road Scholar Day 3 of 6 day voyage – Headed down the east side of Whidbey Island

Submitted by Ann Collins, Catherine’s mother

Yesterday was a bit rainy but not enough to stop anybody from enjoying above decks.  Most of the folks aboard went to discover Hope Island, spotting eagles and other wildlife.  A hike across the island was a welcome stretch of the legs with the delightful surprise of a rope swing over the bay upon arrival at the island – all ages took a turn!

I’m finding that I’m just enjoying the whole atmosphere, with time to think about all that life has given me with my daughter and my grandson Ben with me on the trip.  It feels like life has come full circle from the time I was a youngster, especially as I watch Ben learning what it takes to be comfortable at sea.  I grew up cruising the Maine coast in the 1940s and early 50s on a wooden yawl named the Fortune.  It has been years since I’ve spent time on a wooden boat, and it brings back all the memories of things my mother and father taught me about living on a boat. I hope I can share some of these things with Ben, as he is absorbing the shipboard culture alongside the enthusiastic Adventuress crew.

Today, we had the opportunity to climb way up into the rigging, and Ben loved it so much that he didn’t want to come down.  I trusted that despite my own fears about climbing, that I’d be able to return him in one piece to his parents at the end of trip.  Ben, on the other hand, was elated to have reached the top!

Transom Timelapse Video

Adventuress' new transom is on!  We took a photo every 5 minutes over 6 days while Haven Boatworks shipwright Leland Gibson crafted the new transom.  The video turned out awesome!

December Shipyard Update

By Zach Simonson-Bond

Phases II and III of Adventuress' Centennial Restoration have been flying by.  December saw some exciting milestones from both the starboard bow and counter stern!

Phase II: Starboard Bow

Arthur Minnerly puts in the last futtock

The most notable accomplishment on the starboard bow is the completion of framing just before December 25.  Shipwrights Brad Seamans and Arthur Minnerly lead the replacement of Adventuress' frames and they did so with excellent attitudes!  Often, you could hear them swapping jokes and speaking in accents and they methodically strengthened the starboard bow.

Their scope of work extended from the new stem, installed last year, to the starboard midships reframing that happened in 2005-2006, and from the top plank to just below the waterline.  Planking on the starboard bow will begin in January, 2011.

Other Phase II accomplishments include the fabrication of a new chain plate and associated strapping which are currently being galvanized before they are secured to Adventuress.

Phase III: Counter Stern

The counter stern project has also had some exciting milestones, namely a strengthening of the entire steering system from the rudder to the wheel.  

Shipwright Andy C. works on the housing

A new rudder design has been completed that will provide more strength and stability for Adventuress' next half century.  An added benefit of the new design is that it will allow the rudder to be more easily removed and inspected in future years.

The rudder attaches to the Edson "worm steerer" at roughly deck level.  The worm steerer is a gear which provides mechanical advantage between the ships wheel and the rudder, making Adventuress easier to drive.  While strengthening the rudder, it was also decided to rebuild the box that holds the worm gear.  Shipwrights Blaise Holly and Andy C. are working on a new housing that will provide increased security for the worm gear and strengthen the entire system.

Leland with the transom blank

Meanwhile, shipwright Leland Gibson has been making a transom "blank."  Essentially, it is a curved board that the transom will be cut from.  Leland has been laminating boards together, two sapele with a top layer of teak, in preparation for the new transom!

Last, we're excited to announce that a large piece of white oak, 25 feet long, has been identified in New York for the horn timber.  It will be shipping in early January.  Shipwright Blaise Holly has already made the pattern for the timber and waiting eagerly for its arrival.

Maintenance
Regular maintenance is also moving steadily forward.  The inclement weather has kept our volunteers mostly under cover.  As a result, they have completed the disassembly and cleaning of Adventuress' blocks, the soles (or floors) of the ship are getting many protective coats of varathane, and the ship's spars have been scuffed in preparation for varnish!

Dont forget!  We have a Volunteer Work Weekend coming up at the end of January.  Come join us and help prepare Adventuress for her next sailing season.  The Work Weekend will be on Jan. 22 - 23.  Click here for more info.

Thank you all who have volunteered or donated during these projects.  You are keeping Adventuress in the best shape of her life!

Brad removes excess fastener material

Nate and Tom working on blocks!

Volunteers, Futtocks and Gift Memberships!

By Zach Simonson-Bond

There has been a lot going on in the office and on the boat since Joshua's last update. We've picked up some new volunteers, the starboard bow project is roaring along, the Counter Stern Restoration is well underway, our usual maintenance projects are getting checked off and we're now offering Holiday Gift Memberships!

New Volunteers

We're honored to have three more volunteers for this winter's restoration. Jane Burleigh is back with us! A familiar face aboard Adventuress, Jane has sailed aboard our ship for three seasons and is contracted for Spring 2011.

We've also picked up Levi J., a superb addition to the team. Levi comes to us from Chicago bringing with him a great attitude and a lot of tall ship experience. He sailed aboard the schooner Windy before coming to Adventuress and he's excited to learn more from the Haven Boatworks shipwrights.

Last but certainly not least, Nate Seward has returned to us from the sloop Clearwater in New York. Bo's'n, sailmaker, rigger and sailor extraordinaire, we're lucky to have Nate back for Phases II and III of Adventuress' Centennial Restoration, and as crew in Spring 2011.

Phase II Update: Starboard Bow Progression
By the end of November, the shipwrights of Haven Boatworks had replaced 18 futtocks (futtocks make up a frame). Since then, they have put in another 32 bring the total to 50 futtocks replaced. These guys are good!

"All of the new futtocks will be in by Christmas" said Haven shipwright Brad Seamans, who is leading up the starboard bow reframing.

Brad Seamans installing futtocks

Brad believes the frames will be faired off (smoothed) and lined off (lines drawn to indicate where planking goes) so that planking can begin begin shortly after the new year!

Phase III Update: Counter Stern Restoration
Shipwright Blaise Holly has been working diligently on the Counter Stern restoration. In November, the project began by removing the original horn timber, which is essentially the backbone of Adventuress' stern. It will be replaced with a single 25 foot long piece of wood! Blaise has been laying out the pattern for the new horn timber while we wait for the log to arrive.

The work on the horn timber necessitated the removal of the ship's rudder. This presented an excellent opportunity to rebuild the rudder while it's off, so we'll be doing that too.

Refinishing fo'c's'le sole boards

Maintenance
While Phases II and III are underway, we are simultaneously pursuing our regular maintenance projects. Our Winter Mate, Ryan Short, has been leading those projects with great success.

"Things have been going well now that we have a couple new folks on board," said Ryan. "More work is getting done!"

Aided by the occasional drop-in volunteers, the winter crew has completed an impressive list so far including: repairing the fo'c's'le hatch, servicing Adventuress' many blocks, constructing a cover for the mainmast, and refurbishing the fo'c's'le sole boards.

Holiday Gift Memberships!

I would be amiss if I didn't mention our new Holiday Gift Memberships! Give the gift of sailing aboard Adventuress in 2011. You can purchase an Individual Gift membership for your special someone, or a Household Gift Membership for a whole family.

Click here to purchase a $50.00 Individual Gift Membership

Click here to purchase an $85.00 Family/Household Gift Membership

Shipwright Blaise Holly and volunteer Jen G. remove fasteners from inside the lazarette

Adventuress Haul Out

By Zach Simonson-Bond

Yesterday, started out with bright stars and a crescent moon as I rode my bicycle to the Boat Haven shipyard.  I was excited to see Adventuress hauled-out again so I rode fast.  As I arrived, I was wished good-morning by a smiling crew; it was obvious their excitement matched my own.  Adventuress was scheduled to haul out at 8:00 a.m. and there was plenty of prep work to do.

We quickly finished the pre-haul out chores: warm up Jefe (our small boat), get rid of extra docklines, do the engine checks, and so on.  The heavy haul-out lift--a beast and beauty of mechanical prowess--honked across the harbor signaling they were ready.  The sun had just come from behind the mountains as Captain Korie backed Adventuress into the lift.

Adventuress
     Slowly
          Left
               the Water

It's very difficult to describe how odd it is to have Adventuress suspended in mid air.  Obviously, having 98 tons swaying gently in the lift straps is mind boggling: you can walk beneath her, clearly see her lines, touch her keel, and admire.  For me, having sailed on her so frequently, her transition to land is a little jarring.  It's hard to accept that this lively ocean entity will rest land-locked for 4 months of restoration.

After Adventuress was entirely over land, we paused for cleaning.  We had a bet with the Port that we could wash the grime from Adventuress' hull in a half-hour.  Donned in foul-weather gear, eye protection, and fueled by the challenge, the crew sprang to the pressure washers and methodically blasted the hull clean.  Thirty minutes later, Adventuress was clean but the crew was FILTHY!

The heavy-haul out slowly wheeled Adventuress to her place "on the hard," just beside Haven Boatworks.  It's been great to see familiar faces again: Blaise, Leland, Brad, Joe, Antonio and all the other shipwrights.  I admire these folks for the quality of their craftsmanship, but also the quality of their character.

The rest of the day we took care of necessary things:

• We deflated Jefe and stowed it for the winter
• Emptied the grey-water
• Set up the winter grey-water system
• Dried docklines
• And little things here and there

The shipwrights began setting up the scaffolding for the major projects that lie ahead: the starboard bow restoration and the counter stern restoration.  I'll explain that more later, but if you absolutely need details, you can visit our website: http://www.soundexp.org/index.php?page=centennial-restoration-project

Today begins Adventuress' biggest winter project while under Sound Experience's care.

YOU DID IT! Our Exceptional Community Came Through Again!

By Zach Simonson-Bond

IT JUST HAPPENED. Thanks to our exceptional community, we have officially reached our 29 Dollars, 29 Days: Getting Kids on the Boat campaign goal!!! That's $58,000 raised to support our work to educate, inspire and empower young people through powerful on-the-water education programs aboard Adventuress.

We are floored by the tremendous support from our community. Gifts and pledges came in from old and new friends, families, past participants, Board members, staff, crew, and many more! People contributed from all over the United States and even some from Canada. ;)

So, What Now?

Well... watch our movie again because all WILL be well! :D

Also, Adventuress will soon be undergoing Phases II & III of her Centennial Restoration project. I'll do a blog post soon, but to curb your curiosity visit our website: Centennial Restoration webpage.

Last, if you still want to make a tax-deductible gift to support our 29 Dollars, 29 Days: Getting Kids on the Boat campaign, we are still accepting gifts and pledges (but not talking your ear off about it anymore). www.29dollars.org

I can't wait to bring you more updates about the exciting restoration work this winter. With lots of pictures! Oh and some videos too!

Still beaming because of our amazing community,

Zach

Thank You Cards From Participants!

Hey Everyone,

This is so great! Recently, a group from Quilcene School District wrote thank you letters to our Crew for their time aboard Adventuress.

It is gestures like these that make everyone at Sound Experience beam with pride for our mission, our programs and our ship.

You can help us continue to reach out to schools and youth groups throughout Puget Sound. $29.00 is the cost to put one student aboard Adventuress for a 3-hour educational sail. Please donate at to http://www.29dollars.org

Zach Explains 29 Dollars, 29 Days