Seaworld Surprise

On the way from Gulfport to Northern Virginia, we told the kids that we would stop by Lola and Lolo's place in Jacksonville and that we would spend time surfing their favorite break (Poles at Mayport).

Well, since the SeaWorld Conglomerates are still giving out free admissions to the their parks for military, we couldn't turn that down.

SeaWorld Orlando is a much bigger place than SeaWorld San Diego. We spent about 6 hours roaming and checking things out - by the time all was said and done, we were pooped. But I think if this walrus pooped, it would be bigger than us (or at least Marlon and Noe). This was the second time (that I can recall) having seen a walrus (the first was at the Enoshima Aquarium in Shonan, Japan) - but the display here showed the immensity of a walrus much better - wouldn't want to accidentally bump into one of those while surfing - would scare the poop out of me...

We also watched the Shamu show. They were running a different program than the one we saw last time we were at San Diego - no trainers were in the pool this time. The big one that drowned the trainer was back in the show - seemed to be fine, but it looks like the staff (and the lawyers and insurance company) are taking the safe route.

Marlon and I got to feed the rays (always cool to see them feed) - and this place had manatees (first time the kids got to see those). Now Marlon has been reading up on mermaids and how sailors for centuries past mistook manatees for mermaids (long time out at sea eehhh sailor????)

The kids were stoked that we made this stop along the way!

Proud to be a Seabee

For those that do not know what a Seabee is, the textbook definition can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabees

Outside of the "written" definition, I am proud to be a Seabee because of the following:

- they don't know how to quit
- they don't take "no" for an answer (their motto is "CAN DO" - how can you take "no" for an answer with a motto like that?)
- they always look for the fun in any situation
- they some how know when to be professional (and when they don't have to be)
- they get the job done so they can get on to the next one (it never ends)

I am proud to have had this opportunity to serve with the Gulfport Seabees and I will be forever humbled at what this relatively small group of people "Can Do" as they get their mind set to task. They have moved mountains time and again like it is NOTHING - and no matter what the odds they keep on smiling. You gotta like that! UCT Seabees have a few more qualities to them, but that's for a different post.

But most of all, I just love this Seabee - if you've never seen it in person, well - let's just say it is the most fitting Bee that Gulfport can have - with the space between the teeth, the lips flared (like it has a wad of dip in) and the affection with which it is holding the machine gun - this Bee is 150% Redneck - and PROUD OF IT!!!

Ooh-Rahh Seabees!!!! (And HOOYAH UCTs!!!)

Last Evening in Gulfport

At this point I was working on my second XX. Having survived a tour as Chief Staff Officer watching nine units train, spend money, deploy and return, and pull shenanigans - I deserved a whole six pack (if not a pony keg).

We had one last dinner at Shaggy's at Pass Christian (our favorite casual dining place) after the movers took away our belongs and we checked out of the house (we'll never have a quick release like that ever again...).

Capt'n Fun (Roger Evans) and Stan-O (and his better half Lisa) came out to say goodbye as well.

I'm going to miss the slower pace of life and the instant beach access life on the Gulf Coast provided. It was a blindingly fast 20 months - thanks for the memories Gulfport!!!

Catching Up

It's been a while, but I've been tied up with moving the family from Gulfport, MS to Northern Virginia.

Posts to catch up will include (but not be limited to) wonderful reading selections like:
Last Evening in Gulfport
Proud to be a Seabee
Seaworld Surprise
Surfing Kiddoroosters
Trailing A Weta
Checking Out a Former Boss's Boat
Paddling at the Nearest Beach
Museum Tactics

In the meantime, the pictures are for Jason - my longtime friend who is one of the ONLY people who I know is a better engineer that I am. Note how I stated this - "know is a better engineer". I specifically wrote this that way so as to not offend any of you other engineers that I may know (there are a lot of you) - you may actually be a better engineer that I am, but I don't know that.

Jase - here are the pictures you asked for - more will come soon. Let me know how the Starboard Hero paddles -

Stand by for lots of writing and pictures!

Sailing the Pass

In addition to breaking in La's SUP, I dragged the Weta out to the beach. We picked the boat ramp just East of the Walmart in Pass Christian - it offered a shorter run to the water and deeper water with the tide.

I made three separate runs on Sunday - the first two were solo with 13.8 mph being the fastest I got (out of 13-18 mph gusty winds). I had all three sails up and out - but the reacher didn't unfurl all the way. At the end of the first run, I went back in and reworked the reacher furl (I can't win with this sail).

I tried to bribe the kids to go out on the second run, but they weren't having anything to do with the boat - more interested in building a sand "water park". That's okay too... so the second run was solo. 13.8 was the most I could get the second time around. Russ Seignious with Lauren, Mike and Max stopped by the beach. I told them they needed to go home and change into beach clothes and come back. Low and behold - they did.

I had already taken down the jib and I heard La saying "they're here!" Up went the jib and off Me, Russ, Max and Mike went to the horizon. We got 15.8 out of the wind and one of his kids would always be on the leeward tramp (getting sprayed hard from the side-on waves that were being torn apart. Nearly capsized the boat once, but got the weight properly again.

This was our last day on the water down here in Southern Mississippi. We will miss this place for the secluded beaches, the mellow traffic and the short commute to the beach. You could not have paid money for the beautiful weather!

And the first paddle out

It was a hair windy (in fact I was flying on the Weta, but that's another post) for SUPing, but we brought the board I just finished for La.

Initial feedback is she likes it - lighter than the Infinity, paddles faster (lighter glass job), and is really stable (despite the thinner width).

Hopefully there will be a windless day here in the near future for her to test it out in it's design element (flatwater).

Rite of Passage

A board is not "your" board until you've put stickers on it.

I finished La's new SUP last week and we finally got a moment between the packers boxing up the house, work still pounding me and school work for the kids.

Here's La going through the process of transform "a" board into "her" board.

La's Flatwater SUP nearly finished

Wind was bad this afternoon so I could not finish the paint job.

The board is actually much further done that what's in the picture (taken on Sunday).

I've got two leash cups, a gortex vent and an inlaid handle all installed.

If the weather gets better tomorrow (NW winds???) then I'll knock out the remaining painting and the clear coat.

Mast Down

Roger, Stan and I dropped the mast today on Roger's boat. He's taking it to Mobile, AL to get the transome fixed and to get some other "go-fasts" finished up on it.

After 18 months of being crew aboard, it was neat to finish off the way I started -

I first noticed Roger's boat parked at the Long Beach Yacht Club and when one of the first Hurricanes pulled through during our stay here, he dropped the mast and pulled the boat to higher ground.

When he brought it back to the club, I asked if I could help and that was that.

Several races and trips out to the barrier islands later and it's time for the Velasco's to move on to the next spot.

Thanks for all the good times Roger!!!

Top Deck Hot Coat

Hot coat applied this morning after several minutes of grinding the laps down.

This is the longest board I've ever built, but the fun thing is it's the one that is progressing the fastest.

When we hit the errand running circuit today, we'll pick out some paint and by Wednesday this thing should be in the water.

I already measured out the finbox spot and I lined up the vent and leash cups. Tonight I'll set the finbox and hot coat the bottom deck.

I did not track it accurately, but I'd say this board will be finished under 35 total hours.

Top Deck Lamination

No pictures because no one was awake to take some. Started the lam job at 2130 - didn't finish until 0030.

Top deck Schedule:

6 oz patch
6 oz full length - cut to bottom of rail
6 oz full length - cut for 1" lap

3 hours of work with 3 separate epoxy pours - lots of work but the lam was perfect!!!

The nose has significant glass to protect it from La's rough-ish handling - but overall it's still very light, especially when compared to the Infinity we had.

Bottom Lam for La's Flatwater SUP

Last night's progress.

One of my better lam jobs.

Today is top deck (2 x 6 ounce + 4 ounce patch).

Tomorrow is fill and sand.

Sunday is finbox(s) - may go twinzer on this one - smaller fins but more resistance to lateral motion.

Packers will be here on the 15th. This board has to be done before then...

Welcome to the pressure cooker (I wish - an autoclave would be the 5h!t)!

Wednesday Hookie

I punched the clock a hair early (is 1630 early???) to get to the beach -

The wind was pushing ALL DAY - except when I got to the beach - the NOAA anemometer at Gulfport Harbor read 9 - 17 during the period I was out, but I think I had less at the Pink House Beach. I think I had 8 - 12.

Crossbow 16, Wide and Flat Yellow board and away I go!!!

Bye bye stress!!!!

Saturday Afternoon SUPing

Another day relaxing on the beach...

Life is going to change pretty quickly for the Velasco family...

In a good way - stay tuned

Sailing Sunday

Sunday the wind was supposed to hit 25 (in the gusts) - but the forecast Sunday morning had the winds lower than 20.

Roger, myself, Bill (Whitmire) and Stan-O (Wiles) went out around 1145 and the wind was a solid 15 mph. The engine choked up pulling out of the dock - we had just gone over a drill to throw out the anchor if something like that happened - self fulfilling prophecy???

We hit 14.5 mph on the way out to Cat Island (upwind) and 15.9 on the way back (broadreach).

The beaches were relatively clean (no visible oil) and the weather was as nice as it could be.

Not so good backing down from Cat - prop dug and popped the transom - fiberglass repair time.

It was great crewing for Roger on the F28 these past couple of years. I learned a lot that I hope to be able to apply in the future on my own F-boat (and on my Weta).