Category: Hemispheres

What better way to spend and honor Earth Day than on the water? I previously said that if you make that just right, perfect cup of coffee in the morning, it’s a sign of a great day to come. And it sure was. Today was pretty much that spring shakedown cruise where you see what broke over the winter, what will break and what needs tweaking and repaired.

Like I said, shakedown cruise. Three issues. First, think there’s a frozen sheve on teh first jiffy reefing line where it comes out of the boom, need to check that. Next, is the cut of the main too long? Have a wrinkle on the leech at the bottom. Third and most drastic, there’s water in the bildge! I repeat, there’s water in the bildge! But because today was such a great day, I did something totally out of nature for me. i’m leaving the water in the bildge until tomorrow. That’s right, didn’t clean it up right away. Good news, it’s fresh water. Has to be one one of the two water tanks somewhere.

But overall, great day, can’t complain one bit. One thing about this Bene, she’s loves a beam reach, or more precisely, slightly forward of beam reach. Hit seven knots with under twelve knots of wind on the beam. Awesome day, just spent it tacking back and forth and out a bit. 

that kind of day

Well you know, there’s always a downside to every new shiny product. The Axiom MFD, love it with just one issue. As the aesticis of the flush mount all glass screen is appealing, the access for the SD card is on the back, meaning each time I want to update charts or the firmware when it’s large, I have to take off the top of the binnacle.

So come to find that Raymarine already has a workaround with it being, quite possibly, the most expensive MicroSD card reader on the market since its propritory with the connection. Bit the bullet becuase after all, we’re talking about a boat.

So 30 minutes later after drilling, boring and connecting, all done. Then noticed an issue with the charts, slow to come up and jittery. After scratching my head and repeatedly asking myself, “WTF?”, I happened to go back to the box where I found some additional instructions. Simply says, if you’re experiencing difficulty with reading or writing to the card, install these three ferrites at the prescribed lengths. To which I said, A: glad I didn’t throw out the box after opening and B: ph, that’s what those are for.

Meh…all good now 🙂

Finally, after hemming and hawing for years, decided to add davits to Hemispheres. A special thanks to Terrie at Kato Marine who walked me through the entire process, including, “we may want to measure that again…”. Fantastic company, great products and great people.

Installation was straight forward, but not without hiccups (my fault obviously). The starboard side went on without a hitch, properly measured, drilled, etc. Port side, different story. Wouldn’t you know it, right where I wanted the supporting brace to be, I had the unique ability to pick a spot that was directly over a bulkhead, So, a couple of holes, and help from Mark at Inner Banks for working the tubing, including cutting and pressing, all is good.

Which then presented another challenge. Had to move the outboard, so moved it to the side. After moving it and looking at it, I figured that my very first time leaving the slip with it there, I’m that guy that would run right next to thee piling and rip it right off the rail. So luckily, there is just enough space between the starboard davit and engine lift, fits jut perfectly but need a new motor mount. After looking at several options of making one with starboard and adding up the costs, I just said screw it and ordered the ready made Edson mount. Pricey but I’d rather dedicate my time doing other things.

Definitely get the stabilizer bar and upgrade the blocks to 6:1 purchase. Well worth it.

Hull #1 being built now and #2,3,4 are on order. Can one of these be the next Hemispheres down the road? We’ll see. The specs are pretty nice, 4’10” beavertail keel for going out Ocracoke inlet, 62.7 mast height for coming back in from Cape Lookout up Adams Creek, twin helm (iffy), single head, nav station (aka telecommuting office), Tartan craftsmanship…just loving the lines of her.

Self tacking jib for going upwind, 155 reacher for off the wind or dare even add a Code Zero? Or keep the 155 and get a Parasailor. Check her out at TartanYachts-T395

Next visit, finish wiping down the cherrywood and wash out hte bildge.