I didn't see that coming! (a thread about last minute issues and preparation)

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I didn't see that coming! (a thread about last minute issues and preparation)

(23 posts) (16 voices)

Started 5 years ago by MicroTom
Latest reply from KnotSynced

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MicroTom
Key Master

This weekend I came down with a nasty rash on my legs. I would swear its poison ivy but I haven't been around any! I actually think its aluminum shavings that got into my pants as I was filing down some parts! It itches so bad that I am concerned about scratching it into open wounds that are not healed before the race!!!! Wow, I didn't see that one coming!

I also decide it was time to mend my 16' Kruger Cruiser spray skirt. The front seat opening needed adjustments, there were some extra holes added for sailing by the previous owner that I closed. Who knew that mending a sprayskirt would turn into about 20 hrs of work!

So what has thrown you a curve ball in the final 2 weeks of prep?

Posted 5 years ago #
EchoFin
Member

Emergency sewing machine repair needed in order to finish the sail, running out of epoxy at the most inopportune time, other than that not too bad...

Posted 5 years ago #
Ouachiski
Member

I ordered a new tapered dry bag to fit in my bow nice and snug. Turns out they have to speacial order and I am now sitting here hoping it gets delivered in time, and it works properly.

Posted 5 years ago #
Macatawa
Member

Ouachiski wrote:

I ordered a new tapered dry bag to fit in my bow nice and snug. Turns out they have to speacial order and I am now sitting here hoping it gets delivered in time, and it works properly.

LOL, two years ago I had the car packed to head down for the EC when the mail truck showed up and delivered my new dry duffle bag. Got it with an hour or two to spare :) Good luck!

Posted 5 years ago #
Scareman
Member

In 2012, my SPOT failed on the drive down to the EC. It had been acting up so I had it tracking on my drive down, but it finally died as I drove through Crystal River at midnight. I knew there was a West Marine in Crystal River, so I tried to get the local law to contact the West Marine emergency contact so I could get a functional SPOT for the Everglades Challenge - no chance, but that is the kind of expediting I have had to do at work for years! I was able to work out a deal for a used SPOT from SOS and DWSB on Friday morning - didn't even have to leave Ft DeSoto!

Posted 5 years ago #
WindwardMark
Member

Our order of Spiz got stolen off our front porch (FedEx said it was delivered). Hopefully the replacement order will have better luck.

MicroTom, I also did a lot of tailoring on our Cruiser cover before our Florida trip last April, so I can relate.

Posted 5 years ago #
JoeWildlife
Member

Ouachiski, I have a pvc Voyageur tapered dry bag, 60" long, the kind with the fold over top (on the side, actually) that you slide a plastic tube over to seal, with a tube to blow up and fill the gear bag with air. So I think to get it out and take a pic and test it, thinking I should part with it. Well, it had a 1/2" rip that was easy enough to cover with a piece of Gorilla tape. But the 2" seam separation I discovered is another matter. I'll ship it to you for the postage if you want it. You could Gorilla tape the seam and it would probably be waterproof enough, but it would be harder to make it hold air again...

Joe

Posted 5 years ago #
JoeWildlife
Member

Posted 5 years ago #
CleanSlate
Member

In the run-up to the 2012 NCC, I was training hard getting my boat out every weekend. I even joined Dogslife and some others to practice going through the Harlowe canal in some challenging weather. All of this training identified a design weakness in the ama attachment point because I suffered a bad crack in the ama which was going to lead to a complete structural failure of one of my amas. DogsLife helped me out with some plumbers puddy to seal the leak and we limped back (thankfully down-wind) reversing the course. This was all about 2 or 3 weeks before the race. I was then able to borrow replacement amas from a dealer in Florida that arrived just before I needed to pack up for the trip. I had a successful race and then spent the next few weeks ordering, learning about, and doing a proper epoxy repair of my own amas for future trips. They have held up fine since my repair and re-enforcement.

Posted 5 years ago #
Ouachiski
Member

JoeWildelife, Thanks for the offer. The local Paddle shop has one that will work, but the one I ordered I like better. If it gets down to the wire i will run and buy that one.

Posted 5 years ago #
MicroTom
Key Master

Now I have a cold!!!! At least I will be done with it before the EC.

Posted 5 years ago #
Ouachiski
Member

Thats allways been one of my bigest fears.

Posted 5 years ago #
Scareman
Member

For my first try at the EC in 2010, I was hit with one of the worst illnesses in my life. Two coworkers were hospitalized on IVs. I began "emptying" on Wednesday before the EC, and did not eat until Friday afternoon on my way down. I was suited up in my drysuit after a late checkin and start on Saturday, but had to call a DNS. I could not put the cockpit cover on my other open seat, so I had to then pack up my loaded kayak. I then drove down and put in at CP2 after I recovered with fluids and solids again. I stopped at CP3 after that.

Last year for EC 2013, the raccoons added a ventilation port to my tent at Ft DeSoto while I dropped my car in Key Largo and shuttled back. A quick strip of duct tape both inside and outside of my tent fixed that 10" gash in my tent. On a Thursday before EC2013.

Posted 5 years ago #
ZeroTheHero
Member

I have a mild cold too

Posted 5 years ago #
SailBirdMike
Inactive

The fun stuff for me is a bit of a rash from fiberglass/wood/epoxy/mystery material dust, and waiting for the giant roll of nonskid tape I ordered to show up (the new deck is slippery when wet!)

Posted 5 years ago #
BeastOarman
Member

My son decides THIS is the weekend to come home from school and kick me out of the garage to do a father/son project of replacing his catalytic converter and entire exhaust system. Might never find those last couple of leaks in the kayak. Oh well, gotta keep the priorities straight.

Posted 5 years ago #
danceswithwaves
Member

How about losing my job of 22 years. At least, I have plenty of time to pack, refine the pack, rest. All silver linings !!

Posted 5 years ago #
Moose
Member

Bummer! Was it unexpected? I hope there was a giant severance package.

Posted 5 years ago #
Triman
Member

My dog, Bella got diagnosed with Lymphoma on Thursday. She starts chemo this week, so my wife will stay home with her. Anybody want to drive my car from St Pete to Key Largo?

Posted 5 years ago #
RunsWithBeer
Member

DWW That is horrible. I too am starting a new career after 30 plus years.Must be something in the water here in SP.

Posted 5 years ago #
Ouachiski
Member

So my Drybag came in about noon today, I leave first thing tomorrow morning.

Posted 5 years ago #
KnotSynced
Member

12:30 AM Friday morning I stopped to buy gas in ocala fl. While pumping gas I hit ok on spot and set it on the stern of the boat. Drove off. Received email notice of ok about 15 miles down the road. Drove back to gas station and found spot sitting in the middle of the road about 300 ft from gas station. Still functioning and was not run over in the 30 minutes laying in the road. Hopefully my good luck continues for the next 8 days!

Posted 5 years ago #
KnotSynced
Member

The spot ordeal made me forget about the flat tire near Ft. Stewart, GA at 4:30 yesterday afternoon. Got it fixed. Then we realized our arrival time would be well after the gate closes at 9:00. We couldn't get anyone to answer the phone at the campground to give us a gate code. We also lost a fender from the trailer along the way. Getting here was an adventure. I am really happy to be here safe and sound with a spot in Ft. Desoto this morning.

Posted 5 years ago #

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