Commissioning Challenges on Steriods

I struggled with the title of this article.  What few words could I use to characterize the seven day period between 2/17 to 2/23).  I finally came up with "Commissioning Challenges on Steroids."  Each of the words has a meaning:

• Commissioning: The boat is not fully commissioned even as of this writing and probably will not be until April 1.
• Challenges: Literally everything in the 7 day period has been challenging and sometimes not so pleasant.
• Steroids: Symbolizing in the extreme.

So here's my tale:

The boat show ended on Monday the 17th at 6:00 PM.  I spent the entire morning from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM with the electronics supplier learning to operate the navigation, entertainment and security systems.  We ultimately "knocked off" the navigation and entertainment systems.  There turned out to be a serious glitch in our navigation system specifications that was finally resolved by Jeff Druek, Outer Reef's president (and to my complete satisfaction).  We did not get to the security system.  I finally got to enjoy the last hour of the Boat Show at the Miami Convention Center.  As you can imagine, I did not get to see very much at the world's second largest boat show (Fort Lauderdale is number 1).  Lesley and Amelia arrived Monday night.

Amelia at 16 months exploring her new surroundings
(Notice Cat in the Hat.  At 16 months Amelia is totally involved with books)

Tuesday was a dead day.  Guided Discovery was locked in by a set of docks that were installed after our arrival  We had to wait until Wednesday at noon for the docks to be removed.  While I cannot remember what I did, I do recall that I did not get to bed until 2:00AM.

Outer Reef's very fancy "office away from home" is gone

Wednesday (2/19) at 1:00 PM was our (i.e., Lesley, Scott, Amelia and my) scheduled departure from the Miami Boat Show.  Well, not quite.  Captain Randy announced at 12:15 PM that we were departing NOW.  Show Management was removing the docks and we had to get in line (a long line) to make the 1:00 PM W 63rd Street bridge opening.  Diana and Kodi, who were ferrying the car to Fort Lauderdale barely had time to get off the boat.  My friend Pam, who wanted to cruise north with us, and her friend missed the boat entirely.  

Show Management releasing us from our prison

Diana and Kodi watching as we depart

Boats behind us waiting for the bridge to open

Boats in front of us waiting for the bridge

The W 63rd Street bridge opens on the hour for a total of 10 minutes, two of which are allocated for the opening and closing.  That leaves 8 minutes for boats to pass under the bridge.  We were in line with no less than 60 boats, 20 in front of us and at least 40 behind and most of them big.  Do the math.  Eight boats a minutes have to pass under the bridge for everyone to make it on this opening.  Now I can see Captain Randy's urgency.  Miss this opening and its an hour wait.

We made through at the 6 minute mark

More excitement.  Outer Reef did a video shoot including a half hour with a helicopter on Biscayne Bay.  Captain Randy ran the boat at full throttle so that the boat would "look pretty" underway (at a whopping 9 knots at 50 gallons an hour).  After the shoot I took the helm and throttled back to a rational 1,600 RPM at 10 GPH and actually increased our speed.

Reader Note: The 63 at full throttle achieves a speed of 15 MPH.  We were only doing 9 on Biscayne Bay.  Captain Randy explained that shallow water sucks the boat's stern down and that that accounts for the speed reduction.  During the Cat sea trial the following day in deeper water the boat achieved 15 MPH at full throttle.

We then headed north from Biscayne Bay into Government Cut and then into the North Atlantic.  As we approached the sea we encounter 4 foot waves on the nose.  We turn north and headed for Fort Lauderdale with 3 to 4 footers on the starboard aft quarter.  The boat's stabilizers handled the waves beautifully but, unfortunately, 16 month old Amelia got her first case of "sea sickness."  Lesley was not thrilled.

Port Everglades at sunset as we returned from the Miami Boat Show

We finally arrived back at Marina Bay Marina at 8:00 PM.  Notable occurrence: I docked the boat for the first time.  Winds were calm and there was plenty of room to maneuver.  I used he Glendenning Remote and "commanded" the ship from the boat deck.  Bottom Line: A good landing in an easy situation.

Thursday (2/20) at 8:00 AM Troy from Pantropics, the local Caterpillar dealer arrived, to perform a sea trial to activate the engine warranties.  Back down the New River (approximately 6 miles at 6 MPH) and out to sea.  Sea trial completed and back to Marina Bay Marina.  I piloted the boat most of the time and handled the landing, again under ideal conditions.  Scott accompanied me on this trip.  Lesley and Amelia stated behind.  Troy finished at 3:00 PM.

Meanwhile, did I mention that our punch list continued to grow? 

Friday (2/21) at 9:00 AM Chris from Concord arrived to familiarize me with the GOST security system.  We finally ended our session at 3:00 PM. Notice that I did not use the word "finished."  Speaking of words, the word "frustrating" does not begin to describe my experience with the GOST system.  Reader will recall that we had problems with this system from the get go including an unintended activation of the siren on our first night on the boat.

Where do I start?  Let's start with what the system does.  In addition to being a security system, the system monitors temperature, electrical power and high water in the bilge.  The system is a computer chip attached to a cell phone.  Hence, activation requires a SIM card and monthly phone service.  The cell phone enables the user to control the device from a cell phone.

Even before Chris arrived we had problems.  I sent Diana to Verizon for a SIM card.  She got it and it did not work in the GOST.  Oops.  Chris forgot to tell us that the only SIM card that works is AT&T.  So Diana went on a fools errand.  Oops again.  Turns out Verizon's system is based on CDMA while AT&T's is based on SGM.  See explanation below.  Bottom line.  A CDMA device does not communicate will with a SMG device especially if the communication involves touch tones.  Short and simple.  AT&T does not easily recognize Verizon's touch tones.  You would think that the dealer would have forewarned us that we needed AT&T phones to use GOST successfully.

Explanatory Note: What's the core difference between CDMA and SGM? It all has to do with the way your data is converted into the radio waves that your cellphone broadcasts and receives.  GSM divides the frequency bands into multiple channels so that more than one user can place a call through a tower at the same time; CDMA networks layer digitized calls over one another, and unpack them on the back end with sequence codes.

The SCDM / SGM thing really complicated the process and we wasted gobs of time trying to get my simple LG phone to communicate.  We finally gave up and used Diana's cell phone, which proved to be slightly better but, unfortunately that caused other problems.

Now to the device itself.  When it calls you or you call it, it requires the use of touchtone inputs.  These inputs are in response to prompts from the system which offers the options at a machine gun pace.  The system is NOT user friendly and the system's voice is HOSTILE.  Further the prompts themselves are not easily understood as they were not written with the user in mind.  Add to this the inability to put our cell phones on speaker so that Chris could hear what I was hearing (as the speaker interfered with the GOST's ability to interpret the touchtone do to the noise.  It gets worse but I'll write about this later.  Just the process of describing this raises me blood pressure.

Reader Note: To be continued with my Thursday 2/27 discussion with Robert at GOST.

Did I mention that the punch list continued to grow?

Explanation: The boat finally arrived on February 2.  We closed on February 10.  We moved to the Miami Boat Show on February 11th.  Outer Reef normally requires 30 days to commission a boat.  Our was "partially commissioned" when we left for the show exactly 9 days after she splashed.  Hence, the growing punch list, which I am fully confident that Outer Reef will successfully address every issue.

Meanwhile, Lesley, Scott and Amelia were aboard.  Background: When we planned this vacation and Lesley booked the flights we were anticipating the boat's arrival in late December.  That was optimistic to say the least.  The combination of the ever increasing punch list and the demands for my time essentially took me away from enjoying my lovely granddaughter.

Future Captain Amelia

That said I did work in a little time for Lesley, Amelia and Scott but clearly I missed the boat on this very important part of my life. 

Back to the rat race.  On Saturday I spent the entire day (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) with Captain Randy learning the boat's systems.  We literally went from stem to stern at each level discussing the boat's systems and equipment.  Captain Randy did a spectacular job.  Our day ended with using the davit to lower the AB DLX 13 into the water.

Finally, I was free and we all decided to take the tender and motor down the New River to Los Olas Boulevard for a family dinner.  No sooner did we start then Lesley announced that there was a lightening from a cumulus nimbus (thunderstorm) cloud just off to the north.  Discretion being the better part of valor we scraped the dingy ride and went for dinner at the Rendezvous restaurant on the Marina Bay Marina property.

Sunday morning arrived and I finally had no one to see and my punch list, which while still growing, was, at least, up to date.  That's the good news.  The bad news was that Lesley, Scott and Amelia had to leave for the airport and 12:00 PM.  We decided to take the tender and motor down to Los Olas Boulevard for breakfast.  The photos below tell the story.

Amelia Sunday morning on her second dingy ride

AB DLX 13 parked at the Los Olas Boulevard public dock

We had breakfast at the Old Fort Lauderdale Breakfast House

Scott Lesley and Amelia at the Fort Lauderdale Science Museum

We motored back to Marina Bay Marina, packed the car with the kids and off to the airport.  A very difficult week had finally come to a close.

Written by Les.

Post Script: Marquip arrived on Monday to finish the installation of the boarding ladder.  They were only able to mount the stairs to the port side bulwark install the starboard side bracket (used to secure the stairs).  They could not install the bracket as they were missing striker plates.  Add another item to the punch list.

Boat Show #2 - Trial by Water

As mentioned in previous articles, I have a contractual obligation with Outer Reef that lets them use Guided Discovery in four boat shows.  With Miami complete there were three to go.  By previous arrangement we had agreed to do the Passagemaker Lake Park (Florida) TrawlerFest  (2/27 to 3/1) and the Palm Beach Boat Show (3/22 to 3/25).

Guided Discovery at Marina Bay Marina (notice the tender is off the boat)

The plan for Lake Park: Diana and Kodi would drive north while Pam and I cruised the boat to Lake Park.  Captain Randy scheduled our departure for 6:30 AM to enable us to make the bridges before they close down for the rush hour (8:00 AM to 10:00 AM).  He was commanding the Outer Reef 70.  Today was my first solo cruise.

Pam joined the crew on Tuesday evening in anticipation of the early departure.

We departed Marina Bay Marina on schedule and headed east down the New River with the 70 in the lead.  Fifty minutes later (7:20 AM) we connected with the ICW.  We had no delay from the 7 bridges along our way.  Nine minutes later we entered Port Everglades and six minutes after that we were in the Atlantic Ocean.  At 7:35, we turned north bound for the Worth Inlet some 44 miles ahead. 

The conditions were perfect.  Temperatures in the low 70s, calm seas and light winds out of the south.  You could not ask for better.  We set the throttles to 1,600 RPM and began cruising at 11 MPH.  The fuel burn rate showed 10 GPH (1.1 GPM).  Not bad.  Our ETA for the Worth Inlet was 11:59 AM.

The 63 is a totally different experience from our 48 Sundancer.  Commanding the 63 from the flybridge is magnificent especially in perfect conditions.  The helm chair is super comfortable, the visibility is very good and there is no engine noise.  The only sound is the wind, which was minimal as the wind was behind us and our forward motion mostly cancelled it out.

The forecast called for winds to pick up around noon to 10 to 15 knots from the southwest and then beyond that for a chance of showers late in the evening as a cold front moved south across Florida.

I utilized Garmin's G2 Vision capability and let the system determine the optimum route.  G2 Vision takes into account our draft of 5 feet and air draft of 31 feet (i.e., our height above the waterline to the top of the antennas) to map the optimum route.  G2 Vision took us along the shoreline within 1 to 2 miles for a perfect view of the magnificent homes along the way.

As the morning progressed the winds began to shift to the southwest and increase in velocity as predicted by the forecast.  At noon when we turned west into Worth Inlet we were a bit surprised  by a 15 to 18 knot winds and a gust that registered 26 knots on our wind indicator.  Why the surprise?  Simple.  We were heading north at 11 MPH with the wind at our tail and that masked the increasing velocity.

Why do I tell you this?  Well, it is material to what happened as we approached the channel to our destination, Lake Park Marina, and the situations (emphasis on the plural) that followed.  

Back to the journey.  Pam and I shared the helming and she was in command as we headed town the inlet and around Peanut Island to connect with the ICW.  I took over as we approached the channel to Lake Park Marina.  

Randy in the 70, had reached the marina about 10 minutes before us and was already docked when we reached the channel.  Oops.  There were two boats (a 40 something and a 48 Krogen North Sea) holding station in the 1/4 mile channel and the wind was blowing at 15 to 18 knots.  We too needed to hold station and await our turn to enter the marina. 

Explanatory Note: As a general rule, we often had little traffic approaching marina when we did the Great Loop.  Boat shows are different.  The day before the show when the boats arrive there is considerable traffic.

It was clear from our position just outside the marina that we were going to face the challenges.  First holding station in the ICW and the Lake Park channel.  Second, getting through a narrow harbor entrance that was made EVEN NARROWER by a barge (stupidly, carelessly, thoughtlessly, etc.) parked at the harbor entrance and a concrete jetty that extended out on an east west line.  Third, getting past the 70 to dock to its starboard in what appeared as a narrow fairway even from a 1/4 mile distance.

Did I mention that this was my first solo cruise?

Challenge #1 - Holding Station: Those of you who follow this blog may remember (assuming you have nothing better to do) that the wind blew me aground while holding station just north of a bridge in Sarasota Bay.  While it was a gentle grounding, it was still a grounding and it slightly bent the starboard prop.  Here I was faced with the same type of problem.  A narrow 200 foot width on the ICW and a 100 foot width on channel to the marina.

We held station for 20 minutes while waiting for Show Management to give us the green light.  I used the opportunity to get a better feel for the boat's maneuverability.  My goal was to hold he nose into the wind.  What I learned was that the thrusters are powerful enough to pivot the boat in her own length and to move the boat sideways with the wind on her beam.  The engines, on the other hand, are less effective in pivoting the boat.

Explanatory Note: The 48 Sundancer pivoted easily in her own length.  The 63 does not.  The difference is hull design.  The 48, which is a planning hull, has a flat bottom and very little draft at the bow.  The 63's displacement hull has a keel and deep draft at the bow.  That limits the engine's effectiveness in pivoting and turning the boat.  Fortunately, we equipped the 63 with hydraulic 12" bow and stern thrusters powerful enough to maneuver the boat.  And hydraulics thrusters, unlike electrics can thrust as long as the engines are running.  Electrics time out when the motors get hot.  This often occurs in less that 1 minute.

Challenge #2 - The Barge: Did I mention that someone thoughtlessly left a barge in a position to narrow the entrance to the channel when a plethora of boats were arriving for a boat show? 

We finally got the green light to enter the channel.  Captain Randy called me on the cell phone and reminded me to take the barge close of the port side and to approach with power.  I'd already figured that one out but it was nice to have two heads (even if his was sitting safely parked on the dock).  The problem: With a stiff wind from the southwest we risked being blows across the narrow channel into the concrete jetty.  I executed as planned and safely made it into the harbor.

Challenge #3 - Backing into the slip: Stuff happened fast at this point.  The fairway is very narrow and the wind is still blowing (although its force is somewhat reduced by the boats to our port side). Two large 70 footer are parked on the t-dock to our port with their large beams narrowing the fairway to maybe 80 feet between their sides and the slip's two pilings.  The slip was about 25 feet wide, which was a good thing.  My challenge.  Back the boat in a narrow fairway into a slip with a 15 to 18 knot wind blowing me towards the slip and the bow pulpit of the boat to my starboard and the nose of the 70 to my stern. Oh did I mention that I cannot see the transom from the flybridge helm or the bows of the boat's to my port side when operating with the remote from my stern.  Fortunately, I had Pam with a simultaneous talk headset and several people on the dock providing guidance. 

It took two tries.  On the first I did not pull far enough west.  On the second I used the thrusters and engines to pivot the 63 without hitting the side of the boat to port or the 70 to stern and got her aligned with the slip.  The crew on the dock said your in and I reversed her into the slip.  It was 1:00 PM.

Phew!!!

Guided Discovery next to the 70 at Lake Park Marina

Stern of the 70 and Outer Reef's booth

Randy and the show management folks secured the boat and I shut her down.

Pam hung out until 5:00 PM.  Then Diana ran Pam back to Marina Bay Marina to get her car (some 55 miles each way).  I finally relaxed and sat around chatting with folks who had just got out of their Trawlerfest seminars.  I also ran into a former neighbor, Al, who was attending the seminars.  We sat together on the lawn and got caught up on old times.  Al is a serious cruiser with a 47 Nordhavn, a single engine trawler capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Later that evening our good friends, Jim and Heidi Kargman, joined me on the boat.  We opened a bottle of 2012 Rombauer Chardonnay and waited for Diana to return from her trip south.  Then I went to dinner with Jim and Heidi in Palm Beach and had a superb meal at a restaurant called Charlie's Crab (which is right on the beach).  I finally got back to the boat at midnight.  I was dead tired.

The day ended with an email from Captain Randy: "Just wanted to say u did a great job docking today.  U keep ur cool in a difficult situation." I was pleased with my performance but it was nice to have Captain Randy's seal of approval.

Reader Note: This article is actually out of sequence.  The article I should have published, "Commissioning Challenges on Steroids," is not complete.  Further it is difficult to write as it pertains to the "hellish" time we had last week.  Well, maybe hellish is too strong but trust me, we were not having fun.

Written by Les.

Christening Guided Discovery

Reader Note: The Christening was February 15th.  Today is Sunday, February 23rd.  That's a seven day delay in posting this article.  Part of the delay was waiting for photos and the upload of my speech to YouTube.  The bigger part was that fact that I have been busier than a one armed paper hanger since leaving the Miami Boat Show, which will be the subject of my next article.  Anyhow, enjoy the party.

Guided Discovery's Christening party, hosted by Outer Reef Yachts, began "officially" at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 15 with food and music.  Both were exceptional.

Deborah (ORY), Karl (Tania), Mike (ORY) & Howard (Tania)

Marjorie, Les, Bob and Myrna

Jerry and Cathy, friends since 1968

At 4:35 PM the ceremony commenced with brief remarks by Jeff Druek that welcomed us to the Outer Reef family.  This was followed by an 18 minute speech by yours truly.  

Diana, Les, Jeff and Mike toasting to Guided Discovery

Folks listening to Jeff'' remarks

A funny moment

My speech had five parts  The first welcomed our friends, we had about 24 in attendance, and thanked Outer Reef Yachts, Kodi and Diana for their role in bringing this dream to reality.  The second spoke to the importance of a well written Christening Ceremony as critical to the vessel's fortunes.  Next came a few comments about the Gods of the sea (they number in the hundreds across various cultures - it's more than just Poseidon, Neptune and Davy Jones), fourth was the reading of  formal words of Christening with audience participation and fifth, the breaking of a bottle of champagne bottle.  I had great fun.

And so did the audience

My complete speech is posted on YouTube.  Click on the links below to view the entire speech (in two parts). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChSsvCeVeKs&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxNY4h1Dz7g&feature=youtu.be

The champagne bottle breaks on the first try (meaning good luck)

Kodi looks on as Jeff & I shake hands after breaking the bottle

Following the party, our friends gathered on boat for wine, cheese and crackers and pizza.

Jim, Heidi, Dakota, Les and Nathaniel

Bob and I inspect the wine

Darrel on the transom. les, Sue, Dakota and Nathaniel

My sister and my friend Dick (Marjorie's husband)

Sue, Marjorie, Dick and Jan

My sister and Dakota, my honorary granddaughter

Dakota and Pam, my Chicago boat neighbor

Bob, Diana, Pam, Jan, Dakota and Nathaniel

Becky and my future Son-in-Law

Marjorie, Dick and Myrna

Becky and Les

Steve Betts volunteered to be official photographer.  Thank you Steve!

Steve and Becky Betts, my sister Myrna and Scott (my future son in law)

Myrna, Dakota, Becky, Nathaniel & Diana

Becky & Diana

Best of all , Diana and I had a great time and got to connect with wonderful friends,

Written by Les.

Show Time - Exciting Photos of the Finished Product!

The Miami Boat Show officially opened on Thursday morning at 10:00 AM. 

Consider the following: We arrived at 1:00 PM on Tuesday to a barge with a large 50' by 50' empty tent and dockage for three Outer Reef's.  Between 1:00 PM of Tuesday and 10:00 AM on Thursday, Outer Reef had to get their show headquarters set up and three boats (our 63, Jeff's70 and an 86) ship shape and Bristol (i.e., in first class order).  Note: The 63 and the 86 just arrived from Taiwan last week.  No small task.

Our role is to hide all of our stuff and let them show the boat between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM each day.  Needless to say we fulfilled our part, although not without some challenges all of which are attributable to Murphy (i.e., Murphy's Law) and the weather. Outer Reef performed their part with elan (i.e., flare, style and panache).  They detailed Guided Discovery beautifully. The boat looks so good you want to pit it in a glass case.

Now to the best part. For the first time since she arrived, Guided Discovery is really ship shape and Bristol.  The following photos are of the finished product.  Enjoy (as we most certainly are).

 

 

 

 Photos by Les.