TUGGERS

A Lord Nelson Victory Tug Owners Association Quarterly Publication

Spring 2018 ~ No. 75

Your Association Officers: President: Dave Howell Nellie D. 37VT63 [email protected]

From the Wheelhouse

Note to the Fleet from Dave Howell, Nellie D. 37VT63

Vice President: Barb Lawrence Raven 37VT04 [email protected] During your Spring commissioning be sure to check the integrity of the metal hose fitting on the intermediate support bearing.  This fitting supplies raw engine water to the packing gland and is subject to corrosion.  Since it's below the waterline, a broken fitting will allow seawater to enter the tug.  The following sage advice comes from a recent LNVT Forum post from Wesley Eldred, ex-Little Bitt 37VT21, "I would encourage all owners to check this fitting as a failure when under way could be most inconvenient."  In 2013 Lady Katie 37VT28's fitting failed at the dock.  She slowly filled with water and was saved from completely sinking by an observant passerby.  Just last month Mike McCoy, Tug E. Bear 37VT62, found his fitting badly corroded.  He replaced it with a new bronze fitting and reported that the repair was straight forward and easy.  Doing a simple inspection during the Spring launch sounds much better to me than potentially dealing with an underway emergency.

Treasurer: John Niccolls ex-Knock Off 37VT66 [email protected] Forum Moderator: Phil de l'Etoile Brave Duck 37VT67 [email protected] Editor: Bicki Howell Nellie D. 37VT63 [email protected] Chief Tech Officer: John Howell Nellie D. 37VT63 [email protected]

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On the cover: Our Villa 37VT56 on the St. Croix River. [Photo by Peter Croteau]

Nautical nomenclature distinguishes the sailor from the landlubber.  But even within the mariner community there are vast differences in the language.  This point was driven home to us when Nellie left the Gulf of Mexico and went north on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.  Gone was the saltwater, but so too was much of the boating vernacular with which we are familiar.  Almost immediately we were hailed on the VHF by a down-bound tug who could see our AIS signal but wasn't within visual range.  Our radio crackled awake with, "Nellie D. this is Ronald E. Waganblast.  What are you?" There are several acceptable answers to this query but "rec boat" and "pleasure boat" top the list.   But Bicki, who does all our radio work, and does it very well, kept getting tripped up by this simple question.  I've got to give her credit for ingenuity though.  On several tongue-tied occasions she's called us a "passenger boat" and a "rec ship".  Strictly speaking we don't carry passengers for hire and Nellie's 37 feet don't measure up to 'ship' status.  My favorite of her answers, and one I'm sure that caused a moment's pause on the receiving end, was "pleasure vessel".  Hmm, so many ways to interpret that one,  but it's hard to argue with. And then there was one--one 49, one 41, and one 37--tug for sale.  This marks a historic low for  the number of LNVTs on the market.    Having fun and keeping it simple, 

On the back: Lord Nelson Victory Tugs at the PNW Rendezvous. [Photo by Lou Steplock, Pet Tug 37VT60]

What You'll See in this Issue: • • • •

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Meet the new owners of Miss. Willoughby 37VT05, Mariah and Beau Hicks in the “Welcome Board.” See what wonderful local Maine dish is being prepared aboard Sally W 37VT42 in “Captain Cooks.” There are some great group photos of the Pacific Northwest Brunch in ”Tug Bits.” In "Tug Talk" learn the details of window channel replacement for our tugs.

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Notes to the Editor

Owners comments regarding various articles from past Tuggers’ issues. Do you have a comment, something to share, or some photos? We want to hear from you! Send them to: [email protected]

Boating Season’s Opening Day in Port Townsend, Washington From Craig Kurath, C’est Si Bon 37VT38 What a great day! Bella [the tug’s pup ~ ed.] got more than her share of photos and looked so cute! C’est Si Bon looked lovely as well! [Photos provided by PTYC Members] Excerpt from the Peninsula Daily News, May 6, 2018 By Jeannie McMacken Sponsored by the Port Townsend Yacht Club, the event, which was first held in 1947, included a traditional blessing of the fleet by Pastor Tony Brown of Trinity United Methodist Church, and remarks by Mayor Deborah Stinson and Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Sam Gibboney. According to PTYC Commodore Jess Schefstrom, the blessing of the fleet is an important event. “The blessing of the fleet imparts a concept of being something that is much bigger than one’s self and that is something that, if you have ever boated beyond the sight of land, know is a transforming truth,” Schedstrom said. Read the whole article: http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/parade-blessing-offleet-celebrate-opening-day-in-port-townsend/

Not too Big or too Small, but Just Right! We all know our tugs are just the perfect size. But, sometimes a Lord Nelson Victory Tug looks down right tiny next to some of the other boats in the marina! (Below L): That’s Wally 41VT02 in front of cruise ship in Ketchikan, Alaska [photo by Thomas Campanelli, ex-Captain Mike 41VT02]. (Below R): Thistle Dew 37VT46 is currently on the hard in Port Angeles, Washington ship yard for a paint job and she is certainly looking rather ”tuggy” next her larger neighbor [photo by Tom Blackwood, Thistle Dew].

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Welcome Aboard! Barb Lawrence, Raven 37VT04 [email protected] Happy Spring everyone!  There is a very definite difference in membership activity comparing the Winter to Spring.  The LNVT Association had so many new members this past Winter whereas Spring brought us only two new members, one new owner and one wannabe (along with lovely sunshine and flowers!).  Guessing only the most hardy boat enthusiast is enthused in the Spring, or perhaps, it's those nagging boat projects we are reminded of as thoughts turn to warmer weather?  Which brings me to introducing our newest members and providing some updates for a couple of existing members. A warm welcome goes to LNVT's latest wannabe, Karin Sibilo of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada.  Karin joined our association after seeing a Facebook post with McElligott's Pool 37VT73. We hope Karin is successful finding just the right LNVT or other boat, if that is to be.  We look forward to seeing you at some of our events this year, Karin, and to getting to know you.  Welcome! [P.S. - We need to introduce you to Mike Lawrence, (Raven, and my better half).  Mike is a long time kayaker and surf ski paddler living in the Seattle area.] A special welcome to Mariah and Beau Hicks (pictured on right) who are the new owners of Miss. Willoughby 37VT05, formerly Carla B. They lost their live aboard 41’ Island Trader during hurricane Irma. Beau is no stranger to tugs as he works professionally on a tugboat in Fort Lauderdale. Mariah tells us, “The tug’s name is after Willoughby Spit (in Norfolk, VA) where Beau grew up and where we met for the first time.  My jeep was broken down on the side of the road and he was the one I flagged down to help me.  We started dating and got married a few years later in Willoughby Spit. So, that town has a special place in our hearts.  The ultimate goal From new owner is to take the tug to the Florida Keys.” We look forward to welcoming them as new owners face to face in the Mariah Hicks near future. Not related to new members, but thought you might like to know....... *  Dale Hugdahl, Brigadoon 37VT54, recently rehabilitating from hip surgery had a fall complicating his recovery process.  We hope to see Dale and Diane back on the water in time for summer fun and for the PNW Rendezvous this September.  The LNVT Association hopes for your speedy and full recovery, Dale! * Peter Reich, Teddy Bear 37VT15, has been in the hospital since last Summer fighting leukemia. Peter continues to undergo chemo and recently received donor T-cells. We just got news that he will be able to go home after 10-1/2 months! Which is great news and we hope to see him and his wife soon on their tug.

The past couple of years my husband, Beau, and I were living on a 41 Island Trader down in the Keys, specifically Marathon, FL.  We fell in love with the live aboard lifestyle!  Unfortunately, Hurricane Irma changed some things for us and our boat was not salvageable.  We temporarily moved to VA while we searched for our next home.  After living below the waterline we had decided our next boat would be a trawler.  Beau found a Lord Nelson on YachtWorld in November and we knew it was the boat for us.  Everything about her was perfect for what we were envisioning for our next home to cruise on.  This past weekend we just closed on hull 5 Carla B. in Waterloo, NY.   We are so excited to be joining the LNVT community!!  We have been following it now since November - reading the blog, the forums, the newsletters.  I was so enamored with the tugs that I actually painted Thistle 37VT47 in my last watercolor commission.   My parents have a condo in Urbanna and I've visited Thistle a few times on the dock, but I have yet to meet owners Ed & Mary Ann McChain.  We are looking forward to getting to know everyone.    

*Philip Kramer, Cielito 37VT51, has a new book out titled Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Northern California.  It is recommended reading by many mountaineer organizations.  Stunning photos.  Congratulations, Philip! About the author: Philip Kramer is a photographer and writer based on Orcas Island in Washington State. With a bit of nomad in his blood, his work and travels have taken him to six of the seven continents, down many bumpy roads, and usually a bit past the end of the road. He is a passionate advocate of the wilderness experience whose goal is to inspire appreciation and respect for the diversity of this planet while encouraging the dreams of future adventurers.  (Review from Mountaineers Books)


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TUGGERS|Spring 2018 ~ Issue 75

Captain Cooks

Lobster on a Lord Nelson by Sally Seymour, Sally W 37VT42 If you love lobster and are pot and stove-challenged, read on. One of the advantages of cruising the cold waters of the northeastern US is the opportunity to enjoy a lobster feast almost anytime. You don’t have to head to port and run to the lobster pound. When underway, just hale down a nearby lobster boat and ask if they’ll sell you four lobsters. With an affirmative answer, come alongside, pass over a bucket and a $20 bill. Back will come four crustaceans and a friendly wave.   It is not recommended to hold the “bugs” in water. Just keep the pail in the shade until you’re ready to cook. To steam, all you need is a pot large enough to hold one lobster. Fill with 2 inches of seawater and bring to a boil. Drop in one lobster. Steam 10-14 minutes for 1 to 1-1/2 pound beauties.  Now here’s where a Lord Nelson double sink comes in handy. Place the cooked lobster in one sink and cover the sink with the beautiful Lord Nelson double duty wooden sink cover. Cook and store the remaining lobsters in the sink. They’ll retain their heat.   Melt butter and cut lemon wedges. Heat some fresh bread. Set the table, but avoid fancy linen. The feast can be messy. And don’t worry if you don’t have lobster crackers and picks. Pliers and forks will work just as well.   There’s nothing better than fresh (Maine!) lobster. Just remember to start cooking well ahead of dinnertime.

Fine dining on fresh Maine lobster aboard Sally W

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Tug Bits

Stories and news about this and that ...

The LNVT Mid-Winter Brunch This year’s brunch was held in Seattle, Washington in March. It was a great turn out where folks had a chance to catch up with each other and talk about all things LNVT. Another big discussion topic which generated a lot of interest was the upcoming Pacific Northwest Rendezvous to be held September 21 -23 in Bremerton, Washington. Below are a few pictures of the folks that attended. [We unfortunately missed getting a photo of Ken and Pat Smith, Polar Mist 49VT07, who also attended]. Special thanks to Barb Lawrence, Raven 37VT04, for putting this year’s event together and to Tom Blackwood and Janis Bialko, Thistle Dew 37VT46, who helped find the perfect venue for the gathering.

L to R: Roger Lee and partner Kathryn, Fram 37VT71 with Tom Blackwood and Janis Bialko, Thistle Dew 37VT46.

L to R: Macy Galbreath, Lady 37VT08, and Mike Lawrence, Raven 37VT04.

L to R: Mike Dunn, Wally 41VT02 and Bill Rothert, Lady 37VT08.

Left - L to R: Phil and Nancy de l'Etoile, Brave Duck 37VT67, and Craig Kurath, C'est Si Bon 37VT38. Right - L to R: Mike Dunn (in background), Kim and Ted Shann, exTug E. Bear 37VT62.

Allan and Sally Seymour, Sally W 37VT42 are in the June 2018 Soundings Magazine.

Has the Lord Nelson Victory Tug fulfilled the Summer cruising vision the couple had 10 years ago? “Absolutely,” Seymour says. “It’s a lot of fun having this boat.” Read all about it at: https://lnvtblog.blogspot.com/2018/05/sally-w-37vt42-in-june-soundings.html?

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Safety and Sobriety There was an interesting article recently in BoatUS magazine regarding drinking and operating a vessel. The major point of the article was “don’t drink and boat.” The effect of alcohol has been clearly proven to impact one’s judgement and reflexes. Drinking’s negative impacts can place your crew, your boat and others near you in danger. In Washington State the blood alcohol limit for operating a boat is the same as for when driving a car (.08). Boating under the influence is a considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. It is however legal for passengers to drink alcohol (if over the age of 21). With probable cause, a breathalyzer test may be requested of a vessel’s Captain by the Coast Guard or local police. In addition, remember that the Coast Guard has the right to board your vessel at any time ,for any reason, even without probable cause. It is important to note that the sobriety rules also apply when you are operating your dinghy. When you are secured to a dock or mooring it is considered safe for the Captain to drink. But, a boat at anchor still requires that the Captain be sober. Why? Because should your anchor slip, or another boat swing into your boat, someone onboard needs to be able to pilot your boat to safety. Stay safe and please remember to drink responsibly.

2018 Rendezvous Events We hope you’ll join us! East Coast - July 20-22 on Lake Champlain in historic Burlington, Vermont. If you plan to attend please contact our hosts [photo L] Keefer and Bill Irwin, Callisto 37VT19, at [email protected]. Burlington is a tourist town offering plenty of local events to enjoy. There will be a dinner at the fun RiRa Irish Pub Friday night and a special catered BBQ dinner offered on Saturday. A $65 fee per person is requested NLT 30 June to cover the two dinners, Saturday’s wine & beer, room rental fees, plus the morning coffee and goodies. Hope to see you there!

West Coast - September 21 -23 in Bremerton, Washington. This city offers great opportunities for people to join us either with their tug or to come via land. There is easy access via ferry from downtown Seattle. A special group tour of a submarine is being arranged plus a cruise out to Longbranch, Jerrell Cove and Tacoma is being considered. More details are coming soon from the event’s organizer Macy Galbreath, Lady 37VT08 [photo L - with husband Bill Rothert]. Contact her at: [email protected]

Midwest - September 28 - 30 in Hudson, Wisconsin. Trevor and Stephanie Croteau, Hjortie 37VT33 [photo L], host this annual event. On the day prior to the rendezvous the tugs plan to anchor near Prescott, Wisconsin on the St. Croix River. Then on Friday the tugs cruise north to Hudson, Wisconsin for the main event where attendees without their tugs can join in the fun via land. Activities include pot lucks and a tug parade on the river. Contact Trevor at [email protected]

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Tug Talk

What Fellow Owners are Working on....

Resins: Isophthalic vs. Orthphophthalic Dave Howell, Nellie D. 37VT63 [email protected] Tommy Chen [LNVT builder - ed.] said that he used two types of polyester resin (at least on the later tugs). Below the waterline he used an "iso" resin as it resists osmotic blistering.  Above the waterline he used "otho" resin. Just below Nellie's bootstripe [photo to left] the hull has been sanded to reveal, starting in the picture’s upper right and moving to the lower left: multiple layers of bottom paint (black and red), gel coat (bright white), barrier coat (gray), and fiberglass. According to Net Composites: "Orthophthalic polyester resin is the standard economic resin used by many people.  Isophthalic polyester resin is now becoming the preferred material in industries such as marine where its superior water resistance is desirable." To decrease the permeability below the water line iso resin was mixed with what Tommy I measured a piece of Nellie's gel coat called a "gray powder" and then applied to the which has the gray layer on it, at .027" or hull with a roller.  I assume the gray powder .6858mm.  The gray layer is very thin. contained plateletes, like those in Interlux 2000E, which make it more difficult for water molecules to pass through.  So effective is this gray layer of iso that Tommy says he made some tugs without gel coat bottoms.  Nellie D. clearly has the gray layer between the gel coat and fiberglass.  According to Tommy, the bottom's gel coat should be about .7mm thick.

Buy the LNVT dream! [Find more details at: LNVT.org]

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Mocko Jumbie 37VT49 (For Sale by Owner) Elizabeth Harding, [email protected] Location: St Croix, USVI Asking Price: $105,000

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Seahorse 42VT05 (Yacht World) Vic Parcells , 206-229-3134 [email protected] Location:  Seattle, WA Asking price: $199,000

Victory 49VT04 Ed Markus, 003-165-185-4339 [email protected] Location: Den Helder, Netherlands Asking Price: $342,068

LNVT Felt Window Channel Replacement Dave Howell, Nellie D. 37VT63 [email protected] Replacing the felt window channel has been a long standing problem because there's nothing commercially available which easily accommodates an LNVT's 10mm thick glass (shown at right. The solution described here uses off-the-shelf, 3/8", PVC channel but modifies it to suit our 10mm glass. The repair process is straight forward: remove each windows' outer and inner retainers and their glass panes; install the new, PVC window channel and; reassemble each window. Naturally, the devil is in the details so, here are the details. To better understand the repair it's helpful to know how the windows are made.

Left is a cross section of a starboard side window, looking towards the bow. The windows are made of three pieces of stainless steel: (1) the window frame; (2) the inner, or sliding pane retainer and; (3) the outer, or

The inner and outer glass panes are shown in their respective retainers.

The felt window channel, which we'll be replacing, fits inside the inner pane retainer.

Eight screws hold each retainer in place: 2 along the bottom; two along each side and; two along the top.

Now that we know how the windows are made, let's get busy repairing the channel. The first illustration to the left shows how the channel is made. Trim-Lok's 1375-3/8 is the replacement channel we'll be using. It comes in rolls of 250'. You'll need one 8' piece for each window. For hull numbers 1 through 29 there are 11 windows: 7 in the saloon/galley and 4 in the wheelhouse. For hulls 30 through 76 there are 9 windows: 7 in the saloon/ galley and 2 in the wheelhouse.

Step 1: Modifying The New Channel

Modifying the new channel is a two step process. First, using a razor knife, shave off what Trim-Lok calls the gripping tongue. Don't cut too deeply as the metal underneath the PVC will be exposed. While cutting too deeply adversely affects appearance it doesn't affect performance.

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Tools of the trade are shown above show far left. They include: 1375-3/8 channel, restricted die, punches, rubber mallet, razor blades and epoxy. Next up, we need to enlarge the width of the channel. To do this a restrike die and some punches (center photo) need to be made. Using the restrike die and punch is shown in the right photo. It's called a restrike die because while Trim-Lok already formed the PVC into a u-channel shape, we're going to restrike it to make it a little wider. The restrike die is made of three, roughly 2' long, 3/4" thick pieces of hardwood. The two 2-1/2" wide boards need to be securely attached to the 5-1/2" wide base board because they'll take a big side load when the channel is expanded. I recommend using both glue and screws/nails to hold them to the base board.

L: U-channel restrike die dimensions R: U-channel punch dimensions

I made several punches, each just a hair thicker than its predecessor. When restriking the channel it's easier to approach the desired width in several iterations rather than in one fell swoop. Please note that the dimensions shown worked for me. Your dimensions might be different. The overarching goal when modifying the channel is that the final product fit snuggly into the stainless retainer. Doing this guarantees that the glass will slide easily in the new channel.

Step 2: Remove the Glass and the Retainers The picture to the immediate right shows the window frame after both the inner and outer retainers, and their glass panes, have been removed. After the retainers' screws are removed the retainers can be pushed out using small pry bars or tapped out with a wood block and hammer. Be careful not to bend or kink the retainers. Finally, give the retainers and

L: Outer retainer and its glass pane. Note the two screw holes. R: Inner retainer and its glass pane. Note the two screw holes and the two square drain holes. Tom Blackwood, Thistle Dew 37VT46, cleaning the window frame.

window frame a good cleaning.

Step 3: Install the New Channel The first order of business is to dry fit the channel into the retainer. Really pay attention to getting the entire channel firmly pressed against the retainer as the success of this project depends on it. A little heat helps, especially in the corners, to get the channel seated solidly. In the upper left picture you can see that the break in the channel aligns with the break in the retainer. Dave Howell, Nellie D. 37VT63, works the new channel into the retainer.

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Next, the inner retainer and the channel (without the window pane) are temporarily placed into the window frame. A punch with a rediused end helps assure the channel is tight against the retainer.

Next, the channel will be cut to length. Before doing so however, make certain the channel is bedded solidly against the retainer. An 8' length of channel will be about 4" too long. Cut the channel leaving a 1/4" overlap. Then, press the channel's two butt ends together and push them into the retainer.

The new channel needs two drains cut into it otherwise rainwater will collect within the channel. (Photos L to R): Cut the channel's drains so that they're the same size and directly over the retainer's two drains. Cutting the drains reveals the channel’s aluminum skeleton. Using a pair of needle nose pliers remove the exposed staples. I recommend removing only three staples as removing more overly weakens the channel.

The next few steps will take place on the workbench so remove the channel and the retainer from the window frame. Glue the entire length of the channel to the retainer with a thin bead of polyurethane caulk. I used Loctite PL but 3M's 4200/5200 or anything similar will work just fine. The glue prevents the channel from moving or sagging when the window is opened or closed. As the picture to the left shows how tape is used to hold the channel securely against the retainer while the glue sets. After the glue has set, and using the eight retainer-to-window frame mounting holes as guides, drill holes through the channel.

Step 4: Reassembly Put the glass pane into the channel/retainer and the channel/retainer into the window frame. Install the eight screws which hold the retainer to the window frame--don't forget to put a sealant on the screws' threads. The last step is to reinstall the outer retainer and its pane of glass. This is the fixed pane, i.e. the one that doesn't slide. As such, it doesn't need any Trim-Lok channel but, instead is held inplace with silicone caulk. Install the eight retainer-to-window frame screws. Again, don't forget the sealant on the screws. While standing outside the boat push the fixed pane towards the inside of the boat. As the picture above shows, the silicone caulk goes between the outside of the window pane and the outer retainer. Putting painter's tape on the glass, before applying the silicone will make for a much neater job. [Silicone - A lesson learned, if it is runny it may not harden]. In closing, the modified Trim-Lok channel has been used aboard Nellie for the past nine years. The technique described above has proven trouble free for us.

An Old Salt Trick Experienced skippers don't need a knot log to know how fast the boat is going--they merely observe the location of the bow wave.   The pictures below we're taken while sitting atop Knock Off 37VT66's wheelhouse.  At 4.5 knots the bow wave is about even with the front of the wheelhouse.  At 7.3 knots it's even with the midship hawse cleat. By the way, it's a displacement hull's inability to get over the bow wave that results in maximum hull speed. 

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