Texas 200

Gordo · Joined: 31 Mar 2009 Posts: 507

I thought I wiould start a thread for PDR sailors to discuss the unique factors that we will encounter on this journey. I'd especially like to here from you guys that went last year, advice specific to PDR sailing in this event. Some things like food storage ideas, limiting sun exposure, did anyone camp in their boats? Or did everyone pitch a tent?

I have one idea that is a carry over from years of backpacking. We often broke our evening meals up within the group, with a person responsible for cooking for the whole party one night. The reasoning is that it takes less space and effort to store and prepare a meal for 5 one night than for one person 5 nights. Just a thought, if anyone else is interested in that post up.

As to comfort in a PDR...what lessons did you learn as far as cushions, seats, or whatever....that we could implement before the big day?

OK, last thing. I want to see more of Jason Nabors' new boat. I just saw it in the "Who's coming" section. I think it is a new pic or I would have remembered it. Jason...do you have a place with pics and build info? If not, maybe you could brag a little here!

WafflesToo · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 124

Howdy again Gordo. Looks like we're back down to 5 PDRs for the event.

As you can see, I'm building a sleeper variant of the PDR (I hate pitching tents) so I plan to sleep in the boat at night on an excersise mat and a blanket. I've got some floating boat cusions off of my other boat, I thought I'd bring one of those and use it to save my tail end.

Food storage is what I've thought the most on and is going to be in pint mason jars for the dry goods (rolled oats, rice, pearl barly, beef jerky, and beans). Vegetables (onions, potatoes, and carrots) will be rolled in a net and suspended beneath the decks. Soft tack (bagles) will be wrapped in paper towels to control moisture and placed back inside thier plastic bag. Hard tack (crackers) will simply be left in their packaging. Canned goods (oysters, kippers, deviled ham) and dried fruits (cranberries and rasins) will be stored in the same bag as my spare clothing. Water will be stored in 1G containers and the all important beer will be in pint bottles.

My goal is to store as much stuff as is possible directly around the daggarboard trunk (CoG) so that the boat's wave movement doesn't become sluggish (I'd rather not bury the bow if I can help it).

I can't decide how much spare equipment to bring for field repairs. Major components such as the mast and spars are out of the question. Rope of course, and some fiberglass mat and a small epoxy kit to patch any holes in the hull. Duct tape is a must. Can't decide if I should bring a second sail or not. Perhaps a 33sqft sail of the same shape as my fully reefed main wouldn't be out of the question.
_________________
Jon K
PDR#286 "Ranger"

http://PDRacer.com

robherc · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject:

Gordo · Joined: 31 Mar 2009 Posts: 507

Wow THAT is some interesting stuff!!!!

Gordo · Joined: 31 Mar 2009 Posts: 507

I STILL want to know more about Jason's "Turtle"
_________________
LagunaUno: The Lazy Dolphin
PDR #296 "Seeking Claritie"

The essence of life is found in new experiences

Andrew Linn: "Now we know why the rum is always gone"

SailorJohn · Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 332 Location: Blue Springs, MO

robherc · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:40 pm Post subject:

John:

I was referring to the "Foodsaver" or "Seal-a-Meal" vacuum-sealing bags. The best way to use them is with the rolls. Basically, you get a roll of heat-fusible plastic "tube" that you cut to the length you want your bag. You seal one end, then put in the food you're wanting to preserve, turn on the vacuum in the machine, then turn on the heating element to seal it once the air is removed (now the machines do that part automatically for dry goods...just hit the vac button & it'll suck all the air out, then seal it & shut off the heating element automatically).

...good luck & don't forget to keep watch on your chicken noodle soup in the bag....it's a b*&# to clean out of the vacuum chamber if you let the food-sealer "eat" it! Cool

-Rob

WafflesToo · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 124

Eh, the jars are $free and I've had good luck not breaking them before. I suppose subtituting those disposable plastic containers you can buy in the store wouldn't be a bad idea if it's something that concerns you.

If I owned a vacu-seal machine then that would be a great idea to make some heat-n-eat meals like you described (excersizing caution when dealing with chicken soup of course). Also would be a great way to bring some dairy along.

In another thread someone described how to make dried spaghetti with sauce which sounded pretty good.

This looks like a great little camp-stove for heating water if you don't already own one that you like. I'm planning on using a couple of Foster's "Oil Cans" to make mine.
_________________
Jon K
PDR#286 "Ranger"

http://PDRacer.com

jasonnabors · Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 200

All of my meals will be MRE style.I am however instead of buying them I will be making them.I have been dieting for some time now and have lost 40 pounds.So I of corse will be continuing this trend on the trip.I have been seeking out low calorie meals to convert to MRE.I will be using the ziplok sucktion bags for my food stowage.They have there own vacume pump so they can be resealed after each meal.I have also made a small sterno stove that attaches to my boat and folds out of site and out of the way for sleeping and sailing.I am very much looking forward to the trip and cant way to see and meet you all.It was mentioned we are down to 5 PDRs who dropped out?

Gordo · Joined: 31 Mar 2009 Posts: 507

Jason I see 5....but that's all I ever saw. So IDK who dropped. Tell us more about Tenacious Turtle man. Do you have a write up online? That thing just looks so cool!!!!!

I guess we all have our own theories on how to eat through this time. I'm leaning towards Ramen noodles and Peanut butter sandwiches. Laughing

Way too lazy to make my own MREs, and I've had to eat enough of the actual military version that you AIN'T getting me to do so voluntarily!!!
_________________
LagunaUno: The Lazy Dolphin
PDR #296 "Seeking Claritie"

The essence of life is found in new experiences

Andrew Linn: "Now we know why the rum is always gone"

WafflesToo · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 124

LOL, I'm with you Gordo. After my time in Africa I'm MRE'd out for life. Besides, I kind of enjoy cooking.

We lost one of the three that were coming out of the northwest. He had severe family issues to deal with so it'll just be Andrew Linn (captain of the flamboyant "Salem Electron") and myself (skippering "Ranger", a "Sleeper" varient of the PDR) representing.

Nothing wrong with Ramen and PBJ, those two staples have seen many college student through to their next financial aid check Laughing

_________________
Jon K
PDR#286 "Ranger"

http://PDRacer.com

jasonnabors · Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 200

The turtle is just a variation of the IMB.It has a walk through cabin,galley,curtains,68sf lateen mainsail,20 sf roller jib,and a sliding removable seat.It also has a ledge in front of the companionway for rowing.I have equiped it with duel leeboards and plastic coated steel cable for the traveler and for the stays on the bow sprit.I am almost finished with her and will test her out next weekend.I am also making a square sail for the first 2 days of the trip.It will be black and have the duckhead skull and crossbones in white in the middle of it. Twisted Evil

I am going to instal an MP3 player in it for those times when I am bored and I will probably put in a cabin light or 2.Will there be anyone hanging around the beach on sunday while the rest of us are catching the bus?
I ask because if there wont be any one around to watch the boats or do not wish to take on the task of baby sitting PDRs I am going to get a slip for a couple of nights.

Gordo · Joined: 31 Mar 2009 Posts: 507

Jason are you worried about excess freeboard? Just looks like it could be a prob. I can't believe you've got roller furling! I'm doing a MP3 powered stereo as well. I have some LED lights that are battery operated that last FOREVER. They hang where ever and you push them to turn on and off. One is in my cabin already.
_________________
LagunaUno: The Lazy Dolphin
PDR #296 "Seeking Claritie"

The essence of life is found in new experiences

Andrew Linn: "Now we know why the rum is always gone"

WafflesToo · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 124

Looking at adding those LED lights to my cabin as well. Handy little guys, just a shame they don't have red and green varients on them.

Does anyone have an idea for a beaching light for after dark? I'm considering hoisting a lantern up the mast to mark our position, but I don't think it has the power to last out the night.
_________________
Jon K
PDR#286 "Ranger"

http://PDRacer.com

SailorJohn · Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 332 Location: Blue Springs, MO

Jason
I am not by any means taking responsibility for your or anyone else’s boat. Wink

With that being said I am planning on hanging out at the beach Saturday afternoon and Sunday. I, of course, will pay a little attention to any of the boats or camps around and I’ll do what I can to keep them safe and secure, but I also hope to do some sailing around Red Fish Bay. If I see any questionable characters messing around where they don’t belong I’ll be sure to knock them over the head and make them walk the seawall with bare feet. Twisted Evil

And maybe put hermit crabs down their shorts.

Last year I left my boat anchored at the beach, my crew never got down to the beach but stayed in the hotel while I drove to MB. The only problem I had with my boat unattended was the anchor came loose and the boat started drifting to the seawall/shore. How much of a problem it really was you probably know more than I do because you were there. Graham Byrnes’ daughter said that she pulled it back out for me and reset the anchor and that it wasn’t a problem.
_________________
John Miller

TX-200:
'08 BUSTED
'09 Completed
'10 Planning