Saved By Friends, Unstepping the Mast (Ep. 78)

[@colinmcgregor1544]

Odd hearing yourself described by others on KZbin. Any event, it was a mostly good, somewhat strange trip 🙂. For anyone wondering about the number of days I had with Madison that was driven by the US health insurance I had paid for (I wasn't sure how long I would be needed), any event this turned into a problem that could be fixed by throwing money at the insurance company.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Aye, though I don't think I knew that was the limiter at the time. Ended up overshooting that in the end, heh.

[@colinmcgregor1544]

@@TheDigitalMermaidThere were three things that concerned me, time wise. There was the health insurance. There was some financial stuff I wasn't sure I could do remotely (turned out I could). There were some vitamins my doctor had recommended I take that I was running low on (found a USA pharmacy that had vitamins that were good enough...). All problems, but all manageable.

[@somebody1869]

Just imagine your comfort level five years down the road, when you hear “a noise” somewhere in your boat while you’re in some remote anchorage enjoying sundowners with other cruising friends. You hear the noise, and immediately know what could cause it, why, where it is, and most importantly, what to do about it in order to get back to the important matters at hand - watching the green flash. You know your boat, you’ve had your hands on *everything* in there. I know my boat and everything in it. It’s a good feeling.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

This is a really nice thing to imagine... And ya, all this work of fixing her up and repowering her is going to be very much worth it when I'm out on my own and something goes wrong or sounds unexpected. :D

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

HOWdy T-D-M, ... I can't WAIT for the >NEXT Episode !!! COOP ...

[@planecrazy9208]

My weekly dose of this fabulous project and my favourite mermaid. Pure magic! Keep it going Madison xx

[@RoyBlumenthal]

Awesome as always. (While I know nothing about Matt, I've learned that it's often best to assume that there were very sound reasons for whatever happened. In his case, there are a million things that might have gotten him to dismount from the voyage. Maybe he has depression. Maybe something awful happened that he felt unable to communicate about. A whole bunch of maybes that aren't framed as "He abandoned me.") Right. Therapy over. Pay the receptionist on the way out.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

haha! I tried really hard to give the benefit of the doubt. At the time I recorded that, I was still kind of shocked that he left without telling me, more than that he had left. Had he told me Thursday that he wasn't returning, I could have started looking for help sooner. In any case, you're absolutely right that whatever his reason was, I don't know and it really doesn't matter. In the end, it all worked out. :)

[@RoyBlumenthal]

@@TheDigitalMermaid And no matter what some smug git in the comments says, those things still hurt like crazy. But hey... You've got a cool boat, and nothing can take that away from you! (Oh. Wait. That's a TERRIBLE line of reasoning. Sheeeeesh.)

[@Thorupjens]

I love the Canadian flag at the stern. You reflect on the positive, instead of the negative. That made me happy. Sometimes way to much energy. I hope you have a way to relax. A warm blanket, cup of hot chocolate. Well a hot shower is always a good way to relax. So happy for you. Thanks

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

It's really nice being able to fly the maple leaf. ^_^

[@Jaantoenen]

Spray foam is top insulation.

[@RustyBrock-s2l]

Enjoy watching your videos

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Appreciate you watching, thanks! ^_^

[@jamesthepuerilis]

thank you for sharing your adventure with us, am really enjoying the trip.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I'm happy you're enjoying it, James!

[@phygital1]

Madison, You’ve acquired a lot of knowledge along the way, and I’ve enjoyed how over time you started to use more and more sailing / boat parts vernacular along the way… You’re doing what many dream of, and are an inspiration.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Inspiring others is the very reason I wanted to start this channel, so that you. :D

[@dc1544]

when you put and bolts in mask use blue lock tight enough to just barely cover threads. That will keep bolts from locking up and seizing. IT also helps bolts from loosening.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

It will help with the aluminum/stainless gaulling?

[@KevIsOffGrid]

Nice to dig deeper into the boat and see how its all looking.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Yup, I've learned soooo much about my boat. It's going to pay off later on crossings, I have no doubt.

[@segwaytothepicture1109]

👍

[@airgead5391]

I think the small VHF cable will be RG58 or so. Long wire in the mast: better quality pays off in less losses, so better performance VHF. The small one is fine for a limited length.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Ah, so small one for the relatively short run in the boat, thicker for the longer run up the mast. That makes sense.

[@steveharvey7358]

Hi this episode was my first time seeing your video logs. I like your video on this unstepping the mast or No masting your vessel. Lol People still haventfigued out UN means No. Excuse my lingistic refrence. A hobby. Your video was very informative and easily understood. I like your chioce of wordings. I am not a sailer. Ut for about a year l have been doing some learni g through videos to see what it takes to be a capt. I am in Hamilton Ont. I will have to watch your videos. I learn well by watching I like Maritime words and terms You vessel is seeking cure and maintenance to a couple problem areas l see. Im sure on board that tasking never ends as all vesels need maintenance even us human vessels from time to time. I look forward to seeing more videos. New freind Steve l guess people have dreams of sailing .For some its vacationing in warmth and sun swimming with fishes, Others its global navigating the globe or vistiting other places. For me it would be the challenge to learn sailing to be self reliance the travel by sea to fare off places. There is a romance one has with the sea. A Mistress one could say. It has been said one you have felt her touch it is hard to leave her and you will long for her. We make everthing a female its the Comforting and belonging feeling. Any way best to you.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Welcome! Sailing is very addictive, I agree. Since I finished the trip, I've wanted to get back on the water... I can't wait to get the electric motor installed and get back on the water. :)

[@alan-sk7ky]

21:37 yes Madi split pins, it's the americans that insist on ahem 'cotter'

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Aaaah, so both names were right, just depending on context. Thanks!

[@jimsvideos7201]

Fun fact, the laser blaster noises in Star Wars were made by hitting the guy wires on a transmission tower with a Crescent wrench.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I didn't know that, and that's awesome!

[@charlesolson9019]

I've been slowly catching up on your older videos, and I had a bit of a surprise at 3:20 when I saw Amanda Y., who is one of my oldest friends, sitting in your cabin checking her phone. Then I realized "wait... her wife's name is Susan... and they live in Toronto... and she posts photos of them sailing a big sailboat on Lake Ontario... and they're both great big nerds, or at least Amanda is... [checks Facebook] and that looks exactly like Madi's crew member Sue." So presumably Amanda had come down to meet Susan when she was departing your crew. I never completely trust my ability to recognize people, but if I'm wrong, then that's a *really* bizarre set of coincidences.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Small world! Yup, same Sue and Amanda.

[@airgead5391]

A grounding plate usually is a Swiss cheese from itself. A porous metal plate.

[@mausball]

One note, the Deutcsh connectors you mentioned for the mast wiring are not waterPROOF, they're splashproof. If you submerge them they will fail.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Oh, that's very good to know, thank you! I'll have to troll around Mouser or Digikey for properly waterproof options then.

[@OversampleReality]

Love this series. I wish you all the best

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I'm really happy you're enjoying it! :D

[@pederb82]

Nice to see your excellent progress! :D Proud of ya! :D

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Awe, thanks Peder! ^_^

[@rexmyers991]

Aye - please don’t reuse cotter keys. Auto parts stores have kits with all different diameters and lengths. Very reasonable priced. So glad the mast came out with no major problems. You go, Girl.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Thanks Rex! I won't, I didn't clarify in the video, but I was thinking if I couldn't find replacement pins AND restepped on the way home, so only for a couple days. In any case, I didn't need to in the end.

[@dc1544]

Don't take it personal. People are people. Keep up your dream and remember its your dream not theirs. Half will not be able to handle it and half of them will hide not handling it. Its hard having trust in people. a lot want to help with being crew but most do not understand what it takes. Being on a boat with no personal space is hard. Remember we are all made differently and some can handle it and others can not. If you do a ocean crossing first do a 3 day test of crew. Go out far enough you are 1 day away from land. This will help your crew get a basic understanding and will allow them to make up their minds if they can handle it. So many things happen when people can not see land. You dont want to be out and have a person freak out. Some will.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Aye, this is true. One of the many valuable lessons for me, from this trip, is understanding how I need to be better at figuring out who is a good fit to be crew. Taking test sails before going on a crossing will absolutely be part of it.

[@mozismobile]

Come to Australia, you'll be well equipped to communicate with the locals :)

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Hahaha!

[@redrockroger]

Cotter pins should be single use only, due to metal fatigue when bent.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Aye, I should have clarified; I considered them for reuse _only_ if I restepped on the trip home and couldn't find (enough) replacements. I'd want new ones if at all possible, and if I used old one, they'd have been replaced at first chance.

[@dc1544]

If you are grounding to the water you need something that will not allow any electrical current return from water. Isolation Transformers is what they use. Going electric you really want to add this. Also being at a dock their is a lot of stray current in the water around your boat.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I'm certainly going to be adding galvanic isolation, yup. With the power I'll have, it wouldn't take much to boil my zincs off in a hurry.

[@charles.neuman18]

37:30 So that was you in the past, saying that you in the future will see us in 10 minutes, after you upload the video? Did I get that right?

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I meant that I'd start recording the next video, in real time, about ten minutes later. I knew that it would be longer for you folks to see it.

[@charles.neuman18]

@@TheDigitalMermaid Ah got it. It was fun to try to unravel the time warp thing.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

@@charles.neuman18 Aye, I'm really looking forward to getting caught back up to near real time.

[@charles.neuman18]

@@TheDigitalMermaid It's fine either way for me. I'm finding lots of new things, even though I know the basic plot already. Like I didn't know how much work it was to prepare for mast removal. (I forgot about all those wires!)

[@SalingSamantas]

I remember being in the same maina doing all the same stuff a year ago. Fond memories.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Get yer boat done so we can buddy boat, sir! Also, when's your next video? ^_^

[@tastiger91]

The joys of finding new messes to clean.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Boat life! There's much more to come...

[@mikeunum]

04:20 - Girl please slow down. You set yourself under so many pressure that things WILL go wrong. Please...

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Oh and boy did things go wrong... haha. x_x

[@CodeSquares]

I think I missed it, but *why* are you unstepping the mast? Just to see what shape the step is in, or are (well, were) you motoring under a lot of bridges on the way further North? We have a stepping rig at our club, I should really go see how it works.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

There are bridges on the Erie Canal too short for sailboats to get under.

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

HOWdy Madi, ... YOU are today's SURPRISE visit 🙂 Thanks... I drove my antique Mazda MIATA up into ONTARIO but had to TOW it Home = car DOA in Ingersoll ... that "silly little 3/8" drill motor adapter" is one that I constructed my entire 30 Panel Ground-Mount array with ... COOP ... the WiSeNhEiMeR from Richmond, INDIANA ... ...

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Aye, it's not usually when I upload, but I was a bit later than I hoped to get it up this week. :) Sorry to hear about the Miata, I hope it turns out to be an easy fix!

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

@@TheDigitalMermaid ... Sadly - the 1993 MIATA was an Automatic Transmission car ( and NOT many 1993 MIATA's were AUTOMATICS ) & alas the transmission is TOAST = probably now just a derelict for SPARE Parts now 😞 COOP ...

[@patchmack4469]

bread for ducks is fine, make sure its soaked first, its only if they eat dried bread it can block them up, so pre soak it, and chuck in water - i used to fish crayfish back in the day, and a couple of friendly swans got very friendly and insisted on me sharing my muffin, naughty but nice - i had the pleasure in saving one of the signets, bless after it became separated from its mother (bread is very bad for hedgehogs, they cannot digest it) if its any use, i'm watching a couple rebuild a boat, i seem to be doing a lot of this boat watching, and they don't really interest me, anyway, these two are making a fabulous job of it, especially all areas down below, oh er, everything is soooo clean (but for how long) if you get a chance watch 'Sailing Magic Carpet', (as if you don't have enough to do hehe

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I've seen a few of their videos, but I'm always keen on hearing about other builders. So thank you very much for the recommendation! I'm glad wet bread isn't too bad, I did toss it in the water for them. God they were cuties! ^_^

[@patchmack4469]

@@TheDigitalMermaid ducks are pure comics - they always make me giggle - i've had a robin popping down to feed behind me today - who doesn't love a robin, they are always so tame, i used to work in aviation, we had a small engine crane and a pair of robins decided to nest in the back of it, good job we didn't need it, i often put some food up for them and the chicks - i could be working under a plane, turn round to get a tool from my box and the robin was there on the handle, he so nearly landed on my hand to take some of my sandwich, bless, but i'm a real sucker for wildlife - don't like snakes but found myself chasing one beside a river along the tow path just to observe it

[@TKomoski]

Sounds like a never ending fix on yar boat

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

That's how boats are, new or old. :)

[@airgead5391]

Please don't reuse the old cotter pins: bad practice. Buy new. also all sizes as spares.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I should have clarified in the video; I was thinking about if I did restep the mast, and couple find replacements at that time. I'll always use new cotter pins long term. :)

[@airgead5391]

@@TheDigitalMermaid Good!