Is It Spring Yet? Chores & Dog Walks - Episode 302 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat

[@AcornToArabella]

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor BetterHelp. Click betterhelp.com/acorn for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy with a licensed professional specific to your needs.

[@Elizabeth-n3v2u]

This is not a good sponsorship, I'm really surprised at this channel for promoting it. Better help has been in all kinds of trouble for not employing actual therapists, horrible customer service, and scamming their customers and employees. Some basic research shows how sketchy they are, their reputation is bottom of the barrel. As a low income person who has to fight for access to *actual* mental health care, companies like this cause a lot more harm than good. Please do better, yall.

[@KingJellyfishII]

Please just do some research into betterhelp. They have been known to illegally sell sensitive medical data to advertisers and underpay and overwork therapists.

[@flt528]

Betterhelp is a Wall Street invention whose sole purpose is to profit from a combination of three factors: 1) health insurance plans pay for mental health services, regardless of quality; 2) any nitwit with a C minus grade point average can get a credential like "mental health counselor" from an online diploma factory and put themselves out as a "therapist" covered by insurance; 3) the covid pandemic made videoconferencing mainstream, and more importantly prompted healthcare regulators to allow mental health providers to practice across state lines (over the internet), which they weren't allowed to do before. Private equity, Silicon Valley, and Wall Street lept at the oppoturnity to enlist the unemployable dregs of the mental health world, log them into online chat sessions with desperate "patients," and then bill the heck out of insurance. The quality of "therapy" is maybe one step up from an AI chatbot, and therapist compensation is commensurate. Betterhelp is just one of several vultures getting rich off this racket.

[@eugenio1542]

​@@Elizabeth-n3v2uThank you for the warning. I'm so suspicious and angry about a supposedly empathetic and supportive medical service which isn't 😢

[@eugenio1542]

To be honest. I loved the construction and community involved. Not relating. Fair winds. Over and out ☝️♥️

[@stickshaker101]

Nothing like a company shooting itself in the foot, nice work Spectra!

[@AcornToArabella]

Not all distributors are created equal. Fortunately we found Defender Marine in Connecticut and they were super helpful!

[@andreas0s]

Argh, really? That spectra customer service need a class at customer service, yeesh..

[@jimbenning2814]

In discussing the Spectra issues in would be good to know source of the mis-application info from Sprectra themselves or a Spectra dealer. Also for Steve's positive comment I'll guess that Defender Marine isn't the original dealer. @@AcornToArabella

[@argentum530]

Spectra makes good equipment, but some of their employees are ignorant of the needs of a particular boat. They should have asked a boatload of questions...

[@benhetland576]

I don't now much about these water makers, but does it not have a pressure switch to turn the pump off when the max setting (limit) has been reached? At least that's how the water pump for my house/well works. I can mechanically adjust mine, but it is possible to do it electronically as well. That assumes that's all it would take, of course, but it sounded like maybe some other modification was required as well...

[@johnhufnagel]

steve in the snow: oof. it's gross. akiva: are you kidding? I was MADE for this!

[@Zacks-Channel]

Ben, one of my favorite editing choices you make is the sped-up footage tied with the real-time sound of the thing that's happening (like when Steve shovels the snow off Arabella in this video). Unnatural sounds really take me out of a video, and most every KZbin channel that speeds up footage also speeds up the audio to the point that it totally distorts what it should have sounded like. I love being able to get a window into the actual sounds from working on Arabella, and it's an editing choice I wish was the standard everywhere! Seriously, I appreciate it every single time you do it.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks Zach. I appreciate that. I would rather listen to a record skipping than a man hammering at 4000% speed.

[@alshaver3742]

I couldn't agree more. That's an excellent editing choice!@@AcornToArabella

[@iaincole69]

+1 to this, it's a great choice

[@Cberg7793]

When you were making the sail bags out of the old sails I was thinking that the color was horrible. After seeing them installed, I love it! It makes the Arabella even more beautiful

[@quibblegaze]

0:12: ⛵ Preparing Arabella for sailing by lacing new sails with strong dyema line to ensure secure attachment. 4:32: 🚴‍♂️ Exploring new trails and finding time for outdoor activities with the help of a therapy service. 8:54: 🌊 Observing water levels during high tide, anticipating potential flooding, and enjoying the snow with a dog. 14:34: ⏳ Routine boat maintenance tasks demonstrated with makeshift tools and gravity-assisted emptying process. 20:59: ⚙️ Issues with feed pump due to cold water temperature causing high pressure and pump shutdown. Timestamps by Tammy AI

[@CharlieDoubleWhiskey]

Alternatively, could you install an in-line water preheater to bring the intake water up to an optimal temperature? Maybe something as simple as diverting the intake line so that it runs through a coil next to the diesel heater?

[@tbjoyrider]

Steve: "the weather is gross". Akiva: "what are you talking about? I love it". 😂😂😂

[@chriswarner5915]

how about putting a heat exchanger on the water inlet to the water maker? pre-heat the intake water to an operable range to keep the pump happy..

[@fordfan3179]

BTW, those sail bags came out great! They absolutely look like they belong there. Size, fit, color, everything!

[@ronsamson537]

To avoid getting bacteria from your mouth in your water tanks while using the same siphon you can push the hose down into the bottle until mostly submerged then plug the opening and withdraw from the bottle. No sucking required and no spit added to your tanks.

[@nathandenny5575]

Or plunge it rapidly up and down in the bottle until a flow is achieved. Works really well when cleaning my fish tank.

[@ericborden-c9m]

Hey Steve; been following your journey for a long time. Great job. .Any chance the next time that you head off the dock, could you do a quick walk around that Pete Culler leeboard Sharpie? Happy Sailing!

[@robertorr7410]

As a former Maryland resident... I must say watchjng snow videos from Florida are GREAT!!!!

[@peterhaan9068]

Looks good from Az also!

[@Studio51media]

Even looks nice to a guy STILL stuck in MD!

[@OZCamperTravels]

Haven't seen snow in over 50 years, if I never see it again I won't be disappointed

[@JacqueHarper]

Balmy 28 ºF, comfy chair, walking together on the beach . . . you guys are truly living the dream!

[@russwabuda1556]

thank you for being as reliable as sunrise.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for watching all those sunrises! ❤️

[@GenuineAussie1]

Oh you two on Valentine’s Day 😊👍 Mid summer here in Aus!!

[@lennyf1957]

13:34 I can't think of anything nicer you can say to the person you love and want to be with. My beloved wife and I never walked anywhere without holding hands.

[@samunro01]

Agreed, sails and bags look great!

[@gordonquickstad]

I was waiting to see Akiva shake that snow-covered coat inside Arabella. They always wait until they're inside to shake. Yah, the stack-packs look great! They help give Arabella a trademark look! Good job!

[@michaelcirincione9378]

Looks great guys! Nice weather coming this weekend, go and enjoy a winter sail! As Robin knows, we go from Jan, to Feb then to March, March, March then to June! Be safe!

[@jamesboardman609]

Spring is right around the corner !!!! Although the water temps keep things a little cooler her on the Cape. And who’d a thunk you’d need a snow shovel on a sail boat!

[@truckdano966]

Hey Spectra, you should comp them the new pump and educate your sales engineers!

[@Slikx666]

The colour of the old sails from victoria look really good, it gives Arabella a classic feel. And Akiva reminded me of some dogs i used to know, it was the "Want to go for a walk?" bit. I miss having dogs in my life.

[@markwaters8907]

Good morning all, thanks for my weekly fix,

[@twinprimeable]

1:40 should you dye the last inch or two of the tail end bright red so you can see it flapping in the breeze when some hitches come undone?

[@ThaJay]

"It's a little breezy" Opens the hatch and shows us horizontally falling snow xD

[@mossfoster5317]

Have you considered a filler neck and cap for the water tanks? a flexible large bore neck that screws down the current cap thread and travels to a locked cap on deck. Although theres probably a reason you don't have one already

[@SimonCurlis]

Steve, have you thought about making a cover that secures to the mizzen boom and toe rails to keep snow filling the cockpit and rear deck? I'm curious if this fresh water is an issue for timber care. In Australia I've seen a bunch of boats that add "tent" shelters for shade and to keep cool at anchor. You must be on only youtuber with a snow shovel on a boat at the moment.

[@howardmarshall5713]

Great video today Steve. I must say today you look a lot better today. the darkness has gone from under your eyes. Amazing what some good sleep can do for your body. enjoy the ride up and over the trails.

[@PaulJohnson-lm3if]

In case you haven’t seen it already, I highly recommend Sailing Yabá. A young couple in Brazil is repairing a large boat to use as a platform for teaching scuba diving. They are helped by a bunch of older men who have built or repaired scores of boats using somewhat unconventional techniques. For instance establishing a waterline without using a laser level, not steaming any planks and a bunch or other interesting techniques!

[@DarkenSeyreth]

I started watching Sail GP and noticed all of their super technical sails are all Doyle made. It's awesome that Robbie Doyle himself takes time to talk to Steve when they must be massively busy.

[@AcornToArabella]

Its truly an enormous honor that he's donated so much time and material to our project.

[@fordfan3179]

Does it make sence to tent the cockpit area from the boom when a big snow fall is expected? Good clean area to exit and enter the cabin, sheds the snow off either side of the boat, etc

[@schrodingersmechanic7622]

I spent a winter in Saratoga Springs. Saw enough subzero days and April snow to last a long long time

[@Tomhohenadel]

Can’t wait for Steve to get some good sailing days and get some sailing experience for future endeavours.

[@lory2622]

It must bet delightful to see your sails all tucked in warm and cozy under a blanket of frozen snow.

[@firefighterfarmer]

Love the progress and the work and the continual updates to the boat. I also love the time you get with Akiva and Robin on getting out and enjoying the space around you. I like your thought process on the half hitch. You could also add a knot on the end of the line or even a safety knot so even if it gets loose it wouldn't come undone. Cheers and can't wait for the warm weather here either.

[@rolandtb3]

Such swings in the weather. Good to get off the boat, whether riding or walking. Oh mid-morning coffee breaks. Sacrifical water jugs with spigot and hose. Or shower bag with spigot. All until you swap out the pressure block for the lower 7% recovery.. Interesting they recommend one for cruisers, but declined to ask about destinations north or south of 54.

[@gerardvila4685]

Pretty clear the guy could not imagine anyone being on a sailboat in freezing temperatures.

[@chuxmix65]

Cape Cod in winter is truly a special place! "I can see Steve and Robin from my house!" Not really. But not by much... The Alvin submarine to my right and Steve to my left... So tiny on a globe...

[@gutzb4ll]

Who is the "they" that chewed the chord?

[@AcornToArabella]

The snow blower came through early that morning and nicked the cord. Not a big deal, and at least Steve didn't have to do the whole walk to shore with the little shovel!

[@nikolasmaclean4450]

Came to the comments looking for the answer to the same question! I was wondering what manner of harbour rat did that one!!!😅

[@gutzb4ll]

Or the elusive New England wire piranha!

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

At first I really thought that maybe some sort of fish might have nibbled on the yellow extension cord. 😁

[@TwZlr.]

I said out loud, "Who the f^@# is they?" and I was immediately scolded by my wife for cursing around my son. Lol. Good thing the wire is still safe to use!

[@roytally8329]

Having watched your project from the beginning, I am delighted with the ever fresh and interesting content that make up your videos. I can't imagine a better outcome for you as a couple moving ahead into a sailing lifestyle that is ever challenging and rewarding physically and spiritually. Well done!

[@bobbell2355]

That is one thing that I have never needed to do to my little ski boat out here in So. Cal... Shovel Snow off of it. That made me cold just watching. Thanks for sharing the experience.

[@passinthru4328]

Wonderful variety in this video. Arabella looks good even with a layer of snow. Who were the "they" that chewed up the power cord sheath? I love how calming Akiva seems to be.

[@AcornToArabella]

They are the good folks who plow the long walk down the dock.

[@bytorsnowdog5885]

Sorry to hear of the water maker troubles. So enjoyed the walk on the beach!

[@mgmcd1]

Well done. I hope you can get down to the Chesapeake Bay where I live sometime next year at this point.

[@rodneywroten2994]

Love the cover over the enter hatch from ouyside to inside

[@mikeskelly2356]

Pick up a cheap 3/4" ID garden hose, cut the 'female' end about five foot long to use when refilling the water jugs, and use a piece of the remainder, slit lengthwise, to tie wrap over the shore power cable at all the major chafe points. So much easier to replace worn hose than worn power cord...

[@jefflovejoy2997]

Beautiful snowstorm. Saddest time for me is when the sun comes out after it has been snowing really, really well. I love watching it snow. This year we have had crap for winter here in Upstate New York. Lots and lots (too many) of really cold days (in the low teens and twenties, with lots of wind), but almost nothing for snow. I think we only plowed the driveway and sidewalk once this winter. Bummer.

[@BrianS-wo8kb]

Homebrew shops sell autosiphons for transferring beer/water out of 5 gal jugs like that. Initiating the siphon would be easier but the inner tubing diameter looks about the same so probably wouldn’t speed up the water flow rate.

[@davidcole217]

Arabella is surely a beautiful boat. The snow pictures were great and I think proof that plans for next winter should include lower Latitudes.

[@MaShcode]

Until I’ve had my coffee, I’m only capable of talking about coffee, is my mantra… The windy beach would’ve been a good place to brush out Akiva. Maybe the next warmer, breezy day. ❤

[@joecioe8566]

I get chilled just watching the video

[@AcornToArabella]

Sometimes you gotta just walk the dog. 🐶

[@alfredrichter6236]

If you have to pay for the new pump yourself, without getting any refunds from the company, you should put in the new pump parallel to the old pump. In that way you have the option to run either one or may be both at the same time creating more freshwater in less time.

[@johnhufnagel]

or at the very least, using the investment in the pump. when he mentioned it being a temperature problem, I was already spooling up in my head "ok, so how can we warm the water before it goes through the pump."

[@donwilliams3626]

Snowed in at the dock looks pretty. Pretty challenging too!

[@cybermanne]

I agree with Robin. At least on video the color contrast of the white sails and the red-ish covers looks really good.

[@J-Justice666]

Steve, too big of a hose won't hold a syphon. You can set up a 5 gallon bucket on deck with a hose screwed into the bottom side of it and run it down into your tank. Just tip your water jugs into it just like when you reload an office water cooler. No need to watch it while it drains.... it'll drain on its own and won't overflow the bucket (same principle as the office water cooler)... And you can you can use a larger hose..

[@nutsmcflurry3737]

If after the water maker is up and running, you might consider a screw in extension with a funnel on top, to tip your water jugs up side down.

[@aitchhennequin3979]

Watched the series for many years with much pleasure a d will continue to follow the adventure now the fun will be starting when you adventure north. How do the lifepo batteries fair in the cold as Iam thinking of an upgrade here in spain were we live off grid. Happy cruising

[@rogerkircher]

I'm impressed with your sail covers.

[@brianchambers8885]

Steve, Robin, and team. How about a list of the projects you mentioned in last weeks episode you’d like to complete before leaving. Then you could put in a quick update each week on where you are on completing the list? Also, who comes up with the funny titles at the end of each episode?

[@AcornToArabella]

Its a good idea, and I had the same thought. You might end up seeing something like this soon. And I come up with the titles for Steve and now Robin, edit the videos, and now handle the youtube comments too. hello! -Ben

[@olivier2553]

I have seen devices that you install on your siphoning pipe, you shake it a couple of times and it starts the siphoning for you, without having to suck on the pipe.

[@GiantRiderRob]

So cool that there are now trails in Yarmouth. Great to see you all getting out and doing some stuff away! I spent some time in Falmouth back in the 90's. My GF at the time got to do SEA program there and it was awesome.

[@mojavejoel]

It seems like running the water through a homemade heat exchanger (several coils of copper) and using cabin heat to bring the water temp up would be an economical and easy fix.

[@AcornToArabella]

It could work, but a fix that doesn't eat into the available space inside the boat is far preferable at this point.

[@Bob_Burton]

The siphon might work a little faster if the bottom end of the red tube were cut at an angle so that it could not be obstructed by the side or bottom of the water container

[@badcat4707]

Good morning Akiva , and Crew 😸😺

[@AcornToArabella]

Morning! ☀️☕️

[@samunro01]

Mate I think you’d do really well on Arabella with a classic collapsible fabric dodger that can be expanded right back to the helm. The Swedes and Norwegens make dodgers that expand to become entire aft deck tents for when at anchor. Surely some producer would sponsor you a custom construction.

[@johnhufnagel]

I was thinking "that boy needs a tarp or something to tent over at least part of the house top and the cabin opening, to keep things 'dryer'." not being a boat guy myself, I guess that's what a "dodger" is?

[@TheMatthewlonergan]

Nice outro edit with the water jug... 🙂

[@MrConverse]

14:15, it reclines… whether you want it to or not! Lol

[@anthonya.gentry8882]

A Glacial Greetings to you all! I was wondering if, in all your time recovering from deicing the ship, you hear word from or communicate at all with the old gang back in western Massachusetts? Particularly from Jack a that crowd? Hope he, and his, and you all, are doing well!

[@charlottenee8018]

The Sail Life channel had the same exact problem and are replacing the block too (~500$). If I didn't know better I would think that Spec was intentionally not asking potential customers what waters they plan on cruising!

[@AcornToArabella]

Going against the herd does have it's disadvantages.

[@stevencarpenter8841]

So sad. Instead of getting a dig here, they could have helped a little on the cost to correct it and been presented with a positive supportive recommendation from Steve. Dumb on their part.

[@musicbro8225]

I think it's pretty shocking frankly. What use are experts if they just make assumptions about their customers needs!? That's a severe limitation to the units functionality.

[@chesterfeenstra4619]

Those sailing covers are awesome very classy, good on you

[@sparkyenergia]

The packs look good. They almost colour match with the natural wood on the boat.

[@timnoneya811]

oh and, Steve that lashing on the forward edge of the yard will most likely cause an issue at some point with your topmost slide on your sail. the closer to the mast that you can get that lashing afixed to the yard the less load that top slide will see. Right now that lashing is pulling up and back, it really needs to be pulling directly up inline with the mast.

[@RobertFay]

*- Please, at **16:25**, who or what are the "they" that chewed up the extension cord?*

[@chriscmoor]

The ice was here, the ice was there, The ice was all around: It cracked and growled, and roared and howled, Like noises in a swound!

[@blinkinbaboonbiskit]

12:13 -- Akiva be like "my boat's messed up with snow. I need frens...

[@ulie1960]

shoveling snow on a crusing sailboat.... that's something the other canals never show..... 😉

[@Ernescme]

Which others? You might want to check Alluring Arctic Sailing

[@ulie1960]

@@Ernescme ok, you are right there are a few, but the majority are sailing the barefoot route. At least I knew about Ran and Uma. And the Delos crew also went to Svalbard. And Kika from Uma even went for a swim there....

[@philipstreechon4523]

You could also heat the water before it goes into your water maker

[@christopherdahle9985]

Very frustrating that I cannot remember the name of the tool Mr. Denette is using to tie off the throat of the sail in the opening shots. Weirder still that I can remember Steve's last name and rattle off all of the parts of the sail (tack, luff, throat, head, peak, leach, clew, foot...) itself, but not the name of a tool I've used hundreds of times.

[@davidgerhardt8855]

I am curious as to why the marina has Arabella and the other 'over-winter' boats tied up the the outer end of the docks and not closer to the land.

[@AngusJohnson-ei1kk]

As soon as you said your pressure was climbing i said they got sold the wrong unit . Sorry to hear ,your not the first that's been sold the incorrect unit . North Atlantic has more surprises than not . Good clip you two . Angus SV Violet Walters

[@AcornToArabella]

There is plenty to shake out before setting out too far from shore, thats for sure!

[@AngusJohnson-ei1kk]

Your both are young and you have plenty of time so enjoy all of it.

[@stevenhorne5089]

You need a splash of color on that boat. Royal blue would be good.

[@richardmoist95]

On the water maker. Would it be possible to warm the sea water before it goes the water maker? Warm water off the engine.. Just a thought.

[@jimking9205]

I'm with Robin on the importance of keeping to the coffee schedule.

[@techristopher8077]

The copper preheater may work, but, you seem to already have it solved. A small check valve on the siphon tube might help. Most would be small enough to go in the bottle. Of of my scout leaders had one and just shook the 'pump' up and down and soon had the water flowing. I'll ask around and see if the local troop has seen one.

[@worldexplorer75]

I half expected a new snowman crew member joining you!

[@pparker5113]

I was wondering how you were going to do the sail lacing. Looks fabulous!!!

[@Ayns.L14A]

Happy Friday everyone ,

[@legend7ify]

...............Looking GOOOOOD!

[@davidbamford4721]

Hi Steve, we have a lot of grief from our dog when we have to go out and leave him at home. He hates being left out and barks and howls when we have to leave him behind. How do you cope when you have to go somewhere and you can’t take Akiva?

[@andrewgilbrook4155]

Did I miss-see the video. I always thought the out haul should be adjustable. Saggy sail with a bow for light winds, tight and flat for heavy wind.

[@billstuart8481]

Hi Steve. I was wondering if you've been working out a design for a perminate dodger?

[@theoldman8877]

Could you use waste heat from the engine or cabin heater to raise the water feed water temperature for the water maker ?

[@Pamudder]

Is there a way you could preheat the inlet water up to 50% in cold weather, perhaps with a loop around the cabin?

[@buffaloj0e]

Watching from tropical Queensland Australia and it is very peculiar seeing someone at the beach in their snow gear.

[@rick91443]

Happy Friday from Normandy....cheers richard

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Richard!

[@Bruin4Life]

Sounds like Steve didn’t give enough information or ask enough questions of the Spectra Watermaker technical people. When I think of cruisers, I also think of those sailors who are cruising the Caribbean Ocean or South Pacific Ocean waters and not the waters of the northern climes.😊

[@gilray1977]

I realize that your stacpacs are 'virtually' still in the prototype stage.... but have you you thought a continuous loop zipper pull line ? If it worked smoothly it would add convenience and a modicum off safety.

[@paulmcmanus6222]

Thank you, Steve. I can't sleep but, at least I have something educational and entertaining to watch!

[@stevencarpenter8841]

I am confused. Who chewed up the yellow extension cord? Is the "they" someone with a snowblower or the chewing done by some sort of winter critter?

[@AcornToArabella]

The snowblower did it. Not much out there but ducks at the moment.