Bristol Channel Cutter Elizabeth

MUB Drill: Monitor Under Boomkin

Ben Eriksen — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:57:22 +0000

I always wanted to mount it this way. Makes it easier to walk on the boomkin to get to the vane changes and removal. Plus I think it looks alot better, it hides alot of the SS tubing. One thing about the Monitor, it’s not the prettiest contraption on a BCC in my opinion. I’d [...]

Almost Time To Head North… Already?!

Ben Eriksen — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:27:47 +0000

It’s a proven fact, time moves quicker when the ambient temperature is higher. Winter in New England tends to drag on, one dreary month after another. Whereas winter here in sunny Florida is flying by, everyday is busier than the last. Our winter of warmth is beginning to wind down. Well actually, Mr. Warmth has [...]

Miami Marine Police: Harassment or Legitimate?

Ben Eriksen — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:28:06 +0000

I returned back to my boat today to find this notice. Evidently the Marine Patrol stopped by all the boats in our neighborhood, threatening vessel impoundment in less than 24 hours if we do not move our boats. However, it looks like this notice they left me says within thirty (30) days. I was told [...]

Head Reboot

Ben Eriksen — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:51:51 +0000

Rowing my dink ashore one day, I overheard this…”What’s that smell? Oh, it’s that damn Bristol Channel Cutter Elizabeth anchored upwind of us.” That’s how it started one day. I knew it was time to rebuild the head and replace it’s associated hoses. But I kept putting it off. I mean, who willingly wants to [...]

Bad Laundry Day

Ben Eriksen — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:43:01 +0000

There are good days and bad days for doing laundry. It’s something you have to plan ahead for. The nearest laundromat is about 2 miles away. No bike. I’ll be recycling my underwear tomorrow. Today’s forecast:

Loving The Warm Sunny Winter

Ben Eriksen — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:11:09 +0000

Can’t wait to find some time to rip into some varnish projects. Pick up where I left off, then round the corner and start all over again with the boomkin and rudder cheeks, the first varnish projects I tackled all the way back in 2008. I only got about 5 coats of Epifanes on the [...]

The Shift

Ben Eriksen — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:49:12 +0000

Into a money making mode has begun. No longer a cruiser, once again a liveaboard. A cold liveaboard. Didn’t think I’d be running my kerosene heater in Florida, but the record breaking low temperatures are dipping into the 30’s tonight. Good thing I didn’t pack away those woolie underwear just yet. But when I do [...]

Deux Mille Dix, Allons y!

Ben Eriksen — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:40:51 +0000

Merry New Year! I’m vacationing in New Hampshire, where the sun barely rises and the snow always falls. It’s been a lovely holiday taking care of family, pondering the meaning of life, contemplating the future, the best cell phone, my retirement, and of course the trip to France. Here’s a new video short…

The Spare Boat And Some Velcro

Ben Eriksen — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:27:36 +0000

Here’s how it breaks down this month…but I ask why. Why bother posting this? I think the reality of it is worth illustrating. It’s not really about how I can save more money on groceries. I certainly could avoid higher priced options, but I didn’t. I could learn to cook some more-cost-effective meals; I will. [...]

The Business Of Cruising

Ben Eriksen — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:02:04 +0000

Everyone’s got one nowadays. “Hi, I’m Ben, here’s my card”. Not sure what I’m selling, but we are often trading email addresses and phone numbers. So Boat Cards, as they are called, make it easier. It’s really just a calling card. I had no clue! Seems a bit presumptuous, but anyways I made some…and people [...]