The Stone Age built in 1974 in Nanaimo, B.C.
LOA: 60'
Beam: 14.5'
Darft: 9'
Registered Tionnage : 36.44
Power: Twin Mercedes OEM 636
Sail Area: 2,225 Square feet.
Fuel: 500 gallons, Water: 250 gallons (yes, we have a watermaker)
Stone Age is a Jim White Designed ferro cement sailing vessel. yeah, I know - Ferro Cement?? Are you nuts? .. Well, iguess in answer to both.. Yes. She's cement. and yes, I'm a little nuts. but i also know a little about them - John Sampson was a very good friend - may he rest in peace - and he taught me a great deal about how to properly construct one. And what to look for. After I had surveyed this vessel, I told him about her and turns out that he and his wife Pat were very good friends to the previous owners and he knew the boat intimately. And then asked me why I hadn't bought her yet... That was the next thing we did.
She was the last keel laid at the Nanaimo Foundry in 1974. After that she stayed upside down for a few years in their storage yard to cure. The beautiful thing about cement is that the longer it sits, the harder it gets. AND when concrete is cured in water - it gets even stronger still. I know - Sidewalks don't float.. But you see concrete floating docks as the norm now.. Hmmmm..... Here's where the strength of a ferro cement boat comes from. Her armature (framing) is built starting with 1 & 1/2" & 1 & 3/4" steel pipe as the main keelson (bottom of the keel), strategically placed frame stringers and stations of the vessel. Then 3/8" steel longitudinal stringers every 4 inches with 5/16"" steel frames every 6 " welded at all the intersections. Over that are layers of 1/2" squared woven and intermesh steel inside and out, tied to the main sttel cage armature. It's a pretty neat sight seeing a ferro vessel , or anything really, before the plaster is poured.. It this steel framework where all the strength comes from on a Ferro boat. The plaster (special mix for extra salt resistance) is really only there to keep the water out and was poured in one go taking 12 people 27 hours. Then she was laid to rest and hydro cure properly.
After a couple years of sitting in the yard, the hull was flipped over and the engines installed. (twin Mercedes 636 OEM diesels). She was launched and sat in Nanaimo Harbour for about 3 years after that. Unfortunately, the original builder died and the next owners got hold of her. Both of them avid sailors and adventure seekers they had some big plans for fitting her out and chartering over the years they would have use of her. These wonderful folks added the Mast and rigging, fitted the interior with spartan accomodations and used her while they decided what they were going to do with the interior. 18 years later, they decided it was time to move to a smaller vessel and we came into the picture.
We acquired her in October 2004. The interior had a plywood sole throughout, two cabins had a bunk set up, and some of the hull was insulated. Other than that she was pretty bare inside. Systems we added immediately were
Electrical (12v & 110)
Water and watermaker - 250 gallon tank with hot and cold pressure water. triple filtered through carbon block.
Fuel tanks put in service - 2 - 250 gallon
Propane
All new Garhauer deck hardware
Radar
GPS
Sounder
VHF
Looking for a HAM to install.... VE7YHO
First room we fit out was the galley, then the head. Then we moved aboard. Looking back, it was a huge mistake..It's been fun and frustrating.. trying to build and finish the vessel while there were 4 of us living aboard. I do NOT reccommend this. As much fun as it's been, building something like this while you are using it is the most difficult thing to plan and accomplish I have ever taken on. Never again... Our house in Sanctuary will be finished before we use it...
We did manage to get the third stateroom done farly quickly after that so Kingsley didn't have to sleep in a hammock anymore.. Thing was - He was dissappointed about it.. He really liked the hammock. :-).. We also got Charlottes cabin fit out and the forward storage area in the companionway. The saloon, dinette and galley are all but the trim done and the mid cabin is now my shop. It's really nice to have a shop on board - even though it has very limited space. We are blessed to be as well equipped as we are. Lucy and I are in the aft cabin.
As far as vessel trim inside - We are going to finish that in Belize with tropical hardwoods. Better to do it with $6 a board foot teak (Belize) than $36 a board foot teak (Vancouver Island - OUCH!) We have spent the last year on as much safety and sailing equipment as we can to make the trip to Belize as safe as possible. Including a minor re-fit of the engines. Trim can wait.
We have built her to live on comfortably yet take a seaway with just a little prep to make her easier to get around on while "dancing on the ceilings." The "Ceiling" BTW, is the nautical term for the covering boards on the inside SIDES of the hull - not directly above you - on a boat, directly above is called the deck head. This is where the term came from.. When a sailboat is really working into the wind, she is heeled over quite a bit, thus "Dancing on the Ceiling."
Had we stayed off the boat and finsihed her, we would have left for our 'round the world journey much earlier than now, but (perhaps) missed out on the opportunity that we have now taken advantage of in Belize. The energy of this wonderful place works in weird fashions... An engine malfunction turning into the opportunity of a lifetime for us. We had to take it. The difference is that we turn left at the Panama Canal this time instead of south to Peru and across the Pacific the long way around. A really good 'Shakedown' for when we are ready to go the rest of the way. We are very happy about this change as it gives us (me) the sailing fix we (I) need as well as a new home base to "be from" when we do go the rest of the way around. We will re- look at this in 5 years or so. Maybe this trip will be enough. All I know is we are all very excited about it.
Funniest part is, we were going to end up in Belize anyway - we were going to go the long way around. We really like it there.. Now we have this awesome opportunity to help form a super community in a small place called Sanctuary, Belize. See their website here: http://www.sanctuarybelize.com We'd love it if you were to join us down there too.. For a visit or for a life change. If you are interested in any of the developments Eco Futures has going, just drop our name when you talk with them.. The folks at Eco Futures in California will treat you like a King & Queen. They are super gracious people that are really excited about the opportunities they have to offer in Belize. Sanctuary is one of 3 super developments They have on the go.
So here we go on a shakedown sail to Belize to start a new life in a new community. Sanctuary - Here we come.
Sitting in Drake Bay, California. Almost exactly at lat 38N It`s been a hectic couple of weeks and we have been very happy with the performance of Stone Age. Thank you Jim White, wherever you are, for designing a terrific and seaworthy vessel. You did a great job.
The run out Juan De Fuca was quite uneventful.. A bit of fog, but a motor trip. Zero wind. Got to Neah Bay in very good time from Port Angeles on the second. Set anchor and has a shower, got some Pizza and played a few tunes. Had some fun. Stayed a couple days to get a few more things in order (although not enough so it would turn out) and when we went to the dock for water, met Tim, the skipper of a Seattle based tug and he was kind enough to set us up with a great big tray of fruits and pastries that were well enjoyed by everyone. Thanks again Tim.. They were much appreciated while going through the gale... Hope we see you again sometime...
We headed to the fuel dock only to get cut off by some little outboard fishboat that couldn`t wait in line for his turn.. Had to abort the approach we were on to accomodate this individual. The wind was really starting to pick up and Stone Age can be a bit to handle into a small spot like that so we dipped the tank and found 150 litres and decided it was sufficient for our trip to San Francisco. We left Neah Bay with bright sunshine and just enough wind to get a good sail going. Was a pretty uneventful afternoon and a great start to our journey into the open ocean.
Neah Bay
We set out the main and Genoa and started moving along. Clear day and everyone enjoy`s their watch. Later the Fog starts to roll in and the radar goes on. Visibility goes down to about 1/4 mile and night sets in. Genoa struck for the night and we run under main alone. Going good until it's really dark and the winds pick up a bit.. Challenging to keep her on course and seas start picking up.. Because of the rolling and pitching the boom in really pumping and slamming – Should have put out a preventor – and have used them a bunch since then -
Stone Age's Genoa.. About 1250 square feet.
We did finally get some clear skies to see the stars a bit, but it didn't last long. Peter and I were out on our night shift and got to see some. Peter has been a great Morale booster and lunch maker. Stays up with us through the watches and helps to keep us a bit more sane than we would be otherwise. Sure am glad he's around...
September 5'th we awake to pretty calm seas and some pretty spectacular sights – What sights are there really on the wild blue yonder? Lucy saw Lava. Or was that a sunrise?? We'll never really know because we aren't going back to Canada for awhile anyway, but I'm sure it's still there so most likely a sunrise.. :-) She was pretty tired... Also - Whales. Many whales... One with a calf. Very neat. Really don't know what type but I believe they were grey whales. Very small dorsal fin for the size of them. Sorry the pictures didn't really turn out....
No wind so we decide to motor for a while to gain a little headway and charge the batteries. Pretty uneventful after the whales. Wind picked up and went to raise the main once more and found a wee bit of damage to the gooseneck.. The keeper had let go and the only thing holding the pin in was the preventor safety – the pumping the night before had not only bent the boom hoops, but also dislocated the gooseneck pin and bent the upper pracket – Yikes.. well repairs to be done.... We also listened to the radio for the weather and found a bunch of bad news coming our way... Got out the hammer and pry bars to re-locate the pin – set in a new keeper and then set to ensure the reefing was set up as best as we could. Then we set in a deep reef because we knew it wasn't going to be pleasant...
Next few days were a bit challenging. First thing in the morning Lucy called for a reduction in sail so Kings and I went to the fordeck and doused the Genny and set the Staysail for a more comfy ride. Waves were building and it wasn't quite enough so we rased the yankee as well. Started heading inland to see if we could skirt this building nastiness. Nope. Fell right on top of us.
Winds built to a force 8 and 30 foot seas with swell and wind waves. Lasted for 3 1/2 days. Gusts to 100 mph and steady 40 – 50 knots. Spray blowing not only off the tops of the waves, but off the ripples in the troughs as well. Never seen anything like it before – well – except in the movies.
Some pics and videos of the build up to and the tapering off, but too busy hanging on during.. Surfing a 78,000 pound boat was not in the plan for this trip – Weather called for 15 – 20 knots on the stern and clear skies... Ha – Man plans, God laughs... One wave got us broadside and put about 4 feet of green water in the cockpit. Another got me astern when I went back to see if there was anything more I could do to enhance Lucy's drouge to keep a more steady course. I looked up and is sure looked like she was going to rise, but the wave coming over the swell decided to raise up even more – SOAKED.... Really happy I had on all my foulies and gumboots.. Lucy wasn't so lucky... She went below to get dry clothes on and just as she was getting back into her gear, the 4 feet came into the cockpit and some went through the hatch and re- soaked all her newly dry layer of warmth.. Grrr.... And on it went...
Never once felt unsafe on the boat. Did feel in awe many times however. Reaching 7 and 8 knots at times while only flying the Dodger was pretty intense.... Set up the never before used storm jib and the bolt rope frayed.. It backed on a surf, and popped most of the hanks off when it filled again and I had had enough...
On the 9'th we layed ahull and waited the rest of it out. Drifted 20 miles in the right direction. AND got a good sleep. Very cool.
Next morning we set off for San Francisco – Only to be short on fuel by about 5 gallons so we had to lay a new course for Bodega Bay.
Bodega Bay
After Many hours of motoring and another night of Lying ahull (for rest that didn't come) we finally made Bodega Bay. Interesting approach in that the channel is only 11 feet and it's about a mile or so in.. Found the fuel dock and decided to tie up and lick our wounds – And get a really good rest.
Little yellow bird landed and just took a break. We were about 50 miles offshore still.
One night led into 2 nights because there was just too much to be done to be ready for another few days at sea to make San Francisco Bay. Neat little town with very friendly people.
Also ran into the S/V Shannon there. They were brought in by the coast guard the first night we were there and I wondered if that little green hull we were looking at the bow of was them.. They turned it around and yes indeed it was them.. Lucy, Kingsley and I went over and spent a great evening shooting the breeze with Carolyn and Kathy. Really enjoyable time with boat drinks and good munchables. Hope to run into them again along our way.
Also met Jim and Julie from Waeldwind just before we left. Great couple heading to SF bay and up the canals to Stockton. Like to see them again as well. Great couple. Gave us lots of local knowledge and just a real nice chat dockside.
Set out that day after showers and settling up with a full tank of water and fuel. Winds were kind of light on the way out so we set the Genny and ran with N/W'sters and following seas out to Point Reyes. Beautiful afternoon sail until the winds built again to 25 to 30 knots. GPS hit 11.2 that I saw.. waves were building and it was time to Gybe so we could make Drake Bay to settle in.. That didn't go so well so we just struck the sail and set off the rest of the way under power – It was only a few more miles anyway..
Rounded Chimney rock and headed into the bay – (Pics to come..) Seas subsided greatly but the winds did not.. Went in as far as we dared and anchored in 15 feet of water with 120 feet of rode out – we NEEDED it – yikes how it blew in there.. Made a good chafing guard for the rode, even set the kellet, but it had to be coaxed down because a 7:1 scope is a pretty shallow slope. Amazed that we held fast in sand and eelgrass – didn't drag an inch. CPS really knows what they are talking about when they say 7:1 is optimum in a blow. Never had to do it before – also have never had the room either.. Drake Bay is HUGE and there were only 6 or 7 boats in there.. None with a dingy in the water.
They blew for another 2 days so Lucy re-vamped the aft head and aft cabin so we could use it more easily and I re-did the electrical on the windlass. Anchor went out, but no way of pushing a button to get it back... Hmmm.... thought I learned about a marine environment when I moved to the west coast, but nope.. Down here – things go away quickly.. had to re-wire the switch and cables from what we had to a better quality and added a quick release on the windlass switch. Also the solid brass hinges from Rona aren't.. After 2 weeks of use they have rusted the brass finish completely off and stained out newly painted cockpit. A bit preturbing, but not a whole lot we can do about it right now.. Except write a letter to Rona about it and ask them to really check their suppliers. Don't think it was Rona's fault. I think their suppliers mis labelled the items. Anyway – we'll work it out and carry on...
This morning (September 17'th) was quiet and calm when I opened my eyes at 7 am so it was time to leave. Got out and motored to San Francisco.. The coast guard cutter Sockeye was heading out of the Golden Gate as we were heading in... and as soon as they saw Stone Age heading in they turned around and followed us.
Sailing under the bridge was a pretty cool thing to do. A marvel of engineering and a sailors icon. Almost the same as crossing the equator. Ok – not quite, but pretty cool none the less.
(More pics of S/F bay and area in the next post.. We have to get moving now or we won't make Monteray today... )
Then we hit the traffic in the Bay. Wow talk about busy. Expected because it was an absolutely beautiful Saturday afternoon.. I'd have been sailing too if I lived here. Kingsley was at the helm and I heard more than once a, Ahhh!!! just because of so many boats. Imagine English harbour on a sunny afternoon with 2 – 3 times as many boats. Counted about 4 races going on, many just out for the day and a few charter sails going on – never mond the ferries and coast guard cutter, Sockeye.
When we got through the mayhem that was S/F bay on a beautiful Saturday Afternoon, we got boarded.
They hailed us and said they were coming aboard so we let them.. It was a great experience.. The guys were very courteous and professional but not to the point of being sticks in the mud. Very friendly and fun. They checked the bilges and flares and all the other things they do with the safety inspection and we passed with zero violations. All in all it was very cool meeting some new friends.. I'll call them our heros because these are the guys who head out in stuff we want to get rescued from.. Respect.
Nice place. Folks are a bit more stand offish here though. Back home when a wave is given one is usually returned.. Here we found that some waved but the majority didn't – even when they were looking right at us when we waved – this isn't Canada seems that some folks just need a bit of warming up to.. Super nice folks when you do...
Anchored in front of Horizons restaraunt in Sausalito at the end of it all, got the dingy's in the water and headed for shore. Walked a few miles and saw some sights. Went for a fish and chip dinner with ice cream chaser then headed back to the boat to work on this for a while. So here we are – basically up to date.. Now for movie...
More pics and stuff from San Francisco on our next post.
We are now in Morro Bay, about 120 miles south of Monterey. We'll catch you on the next update...
