New Bluetooth Speaker addition to JollyMon

With all the new technology today I wanted to do something different onboard my boat for entertainment.  Most people put a stereo receiver down below and run wires all over the boat to remote speakers.  These speakers would also have to be cut into the cockpit or bulkheads causing possible leaks and degradation of the structural integrity of the boat.

Most people have all their music on their phone these days. I too own an iPhone and an iPad.  These devices have both Bluetooth and AirPlay for wireless transmission of the music and video to speakers and monitors.

I purchased an iHome wireless Bluetooth speaker on Amazon.com for about $59.00 and mounted it with velcro to the inside of the top bin board on the hatch. I simply turn the hatch board around when I am out sailing to listen to music while underway.  I am free to move around the boat and control the music from my iPhone.

If I watch any videos on my iPhone or iPad the sound from the movie comes over the Bluetooth speaker also.
The speaker has pretty decent quality and volume but will not vibrate the boat like a 1500 watt stereo some kids have in their cars.  It is a sailboat so this small speaker works just fine for me.



JollyMon Wins Kampeska Cup

Summer has flown by so I better update you a little on what has happened.  We had our annual Kampeska Cup Race in July.  My daughter Lauren, son Parker and my nephew Spencer were drafted as crew for the race.   JollyMon and crew came in first in the monohull fleet.  We had a light turnout this year due to the weather but about a dozen boats turned out for the event.

JollyMon at left

JollyMon

 JollyMon at left taking the upwind lead

JollyMon at the finnish

 1st Place Awards

The Winners

Memorial Day Blues

It it Memorial Day weekend and of course is has been raining the whole time.  This is usually the kickoff of the summer season in South Dakota so we may have to wait a little longer. Weather forecast for tomorrow looks dry but in the 60's.

I have had time to do a few projects on the boat.  In order to make the lifting keel easier to raise I replace the original turning block on the deck with a larger one.  The old original one had a 1 7/8 in sheeve.  I purchased a Schaffer 704-11 for $53.00 from West Marine.  This block has a 2 3/8 inch sheeve and has made it a little easier to winch the keel up.  I am looking at going to a 4 to 1 purchase by adding another block.  Reports are that this makes raising easier also. 

I also found a four step ladder that fits the transon of the S2 nicely.  It was $142.00 with %10 off and free shipping from West Marine.  It came with latch hooks and backing plates.  The ladder can be left in place but is easily removed if needed.  The two mounts were place near the top of the transom. I used 3M 4200 to seal everything up.

The ladder is 13 inches wide and 42 inches long. Two steps are in the water when the boat is off the lift.

Spring Projects

The warm winter has made me long for spring. I am hoping is it just around the corner. We are after all nearing the first of February and I trust the worst of the winter is behind us. We took a great vacation to the British Virgin Island over Christmas with the kids and were able to do a little sailing while we were there.

It is time to start making the wish lists for spring projects on the boat.  I completed several last year, getting the bottom painted, replacing the hatch slides, replacing the deck hatch, replacing halyards and installing the Raymarine ST40 depth and speed.

This year my wish list includes a few things to improve the sail handling and comfort of the boat. As always time and money have to be considered.

1. New spinlock rope clutches
2. Refinish the hatch boards
3. New self tailing winches
4. Stearn rail
5. Repaint trailer
6. New trailer tires
7. Bluetooth speakers for iPad stereo
8. Swim ladder
9. Porta potty

Great Day Sailing with Friends

Saturday was a perfect day to get out on the water. We were suppose to have a race for the Kampeska Yacht Club but the interest was just not there.  That did not stop some of us from getting out on the water and enjoying the day. Myself, Chuck Sherman and Brad Johnson and Barry Tietz can be seen below enjoying the day. Thanks Barry for shooting the pictures. Great Sail guys!

Kampeska Cup Regatta

Saturday, July 16 we had our local regatta here on Lake Kampeska. Temperatures were extremely hot and humid and many sailors stayed away.  We did have 10 boat compete in the monohull and multihull divisions. 

I was fortunate enough to have my two kids sail with me along with their cousin Spencer Prefling.  My kids, Parker 16 and Lauren 20 are seasoned sailors.  They have both raced with me on my M20 scow for years while growing up on Lake Kampeska.  Spencer has spent most of his summers here in South Dakota.

Winds were 10-18 so it was a great sailing day. Catch all the action, results and more photos of the Kampeska Cup on our website.  http://kampeskayachtclub.com/

 JollyMon third from the right at start 

 Ready to tack

 Coming by the committee boat

 Beating to weather

 Cruising to victory

 Rail down

 Holding on to win!

The Winners

Mariner 5hp outboard Impeller Replacement

Finally got the boat in the water after a long cold winter.  As I was motoring from the boat lift to home. I noticed that my little outboard motor quit pumping water.  Usually there is a nice little stream coming out of the back end of the motor.  I still had about a mile to go so I idled it back and pulled the cover off. I took off my shoe and scooped up some water and dumped it on the cylinder head to keep it cool until I made it home. 

I made it home and got the boat on the lift.  The pictures below show the process of taking the lower end off of the Mariner to get at the impeller.  The first picture is the bolt you have to loosen to disconnect the shift linkage. I lies under the rubber grommet that has to be removed first.

There are two bolts holding the lover unit on. Remove these from the bottom of the lower unit and it slides out.  The main drive shaft slides out also with no problem.

Lower unit removed

 Four bolts hold the impeller hosing down over the drive shaft.

Impeller hosing removed

Here is a good video showing the whole process