Save der PeLiKan!

Commodore's Circle Cruise

2011-05-02T06:57:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, May 1, 2011, Sea Scout ships 548 and 7916 hosted the Commodore's Circle Cruise for some of the most generous donors to the "Save der PeLiKan" campaign. Four scouts and two skippers spent the weekend preparing for- and holding the event. This included bending on all three sails--including the crisp, blindingly white new main and mizzen; flushing the anti-freeze from- and refilling the vessel's two water tanks; conducting the usual system checks; scrubbing the galley; cleaning the heads; installing the commemorative brass plaque; scrubbing the deck; and preparing refreshments for the guests.

Our guests were: Dr. Rosemary Enright--Mate to Ship 7916--and her husband, Don Coulter; Carolyn Hreczuck--parent to a Ship 7916 scout--who was accompanied by her friend, Allison, since her husband is serving in Afghanistan and could not be with us.

With Ship 458 scout Brenda Renninger at the helm, der PeLiKan left the dock just after 1400, under gray skies and very light wind. Sarah Fucello, the Boatswain for Ship 7916, oversaw the duty rotation, so each scout had a turn as lookout and helmsman. Scouts Caitlin Keller and Daniel Schmoker, both of Ship 7916, were also instrumental in this event.

With scouts at the helm, der PeLiKan motored slowly around Baltimore's Inner Harbor, while guests and scouts were treated to interesting tidbits about various sights, like the Domino Sugar plant, and the collection of historic ships. The scouts then pointed the regional Sea Scout training vessel down the Patapsco River and under the Key Bridge. As it began to rain harder, the scout at the helm turned der PeLiKan around at Fort Carroll, and docked her in her slip.

The "Save der PeLiKan" Campaign is Finished!

2010-12-18T13:12:00.000-08:00

The "Save der PeLiKan campaign" has come to a successful end, with a total of $23,129.73 raised. The groups, individuals and businesses who contributed at least $1,000 will soon be invited to enjoy an exclusive Commodore's Circle cruise in the spring. On behalf of the hundreds of Sea Scouts across the country who benefit from use of this training vessel, the Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland, Inc. thanks every donor, large and small. Your generosity and concern are greatly appreciated!

Main Sail Torn Beyond Repair!

2010-07-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

Two days into the 9-day SEAL advanced Sea Scout training program, Commodore Yeckley reported that the main sail has torn. Potomac Sailmakers had looked at the sail this spring, and said that it was worn out. Estimated replacement cost is $3,000. You can help by making your tax-deductible donation today!

Costs Higher Than Expected, Repair Spending Frozen

2010-06-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland is waiting for the final billing from West River Rigging. Due to the higher-than-expected cost for the mast installation, the organization must freeze additional spending for the repairs that remain, including replacement of the worn out main sail. You can help by making your tax-deductible donation today!

der PeLiKan Sails Once More!

2010-06-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

At 11:15 am, during return from the 23rd annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival, Skipper Shay Seaborne reported by text message, "Jib and mizzen are filled with wind, engine is silent. Der Pelikan flies again!" See photos of the new mast, the voyage and Festival.

Recommissioning Cruise Begins

2010-06-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Skipper Shay Seaborne: "Four Sea Scouts and three adult leaders took der PeLiKan on her four-day recommissioning cruise, to provide support for the Antique and Classic Boat Society Chesapeake Chapter's annual Boat Festival in St. Michael's."

Mast Wiring Connected

2010-06-17T23:07:00.000-07:00

Commodore Nichols: "I went to Henderson's Wharf Marina yesterday, and connected the mast wiring. All the lights on the mast work except the tricolor on top. I will need help to run the wire for that light. I put a new connector on the radio cable and connected it to the antenna. The weather channel works, but I did not test the transmit function. (This is an old cable, with signs of corrosion and should be replaced.) I connected the wind display and it works. It is not calibrated as certain maneuvers are required while underway. The display did appear to be functioning correctly. While I had it on, the wind increased from 5 knots to 15 knots and changed direction in the manner that was broadcast on the weather radio. The wind indicator is wired to the same power switch as the depth gauge. The stern light is not working. I bought a new one, but I did not have time to install it. I will return to Hendersons at 11:00 AM on Friday, and I will install the stern light then.

Returning Home

2010-06-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

Joel David: "Just thought you would like to know as I just got a call that [der PeLiKan] is currently returning to her home port with her new mast installed. Expected arrival is approximately 8:30 tonight at Henderson’s. The long journey is coming to a close.

New Mast Installed

2010-06-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

Commodore Nichols reported, "der PeLiKan's mast was installed at 2:10 PM on Friday, June 11. The first attempt last week was not successful as the old mast was oval, and the new mast is more egg shaped. The hole in the deck was enlarged by removing an aluminum ring that is used to secure the mast boot. This ring was cut and welded to fit the new mast and reinstalled. A soft epoxy called "sailtite" was used to fill the void between the mast and the deck. All the shrouds and backstays have been attached. What is left, is to install the roller-furling foresaty, and the triatic stay, and to tune the rigging. [These] should be completed on Monday, leaving us with an improved boat with modern features that the old mast did not have."

Another Change in Plan

2010-06-10T21:24:00.000-07:00

Commodore Nichols: "The mast did not get installed today. It is now scheduled to be installed on Friday morning. If the mast is installed in the morning, we will take the boat back to Baltimore in the afternoon.

Ken [Kessler] power washed the deck to remove the Baltimore grime that accumulated over the winter. The boat now has a clean bottom and top! We also replaced the stanchion base that was damaged last week. Fawcett's had the two nylock nuts that we needed to complete the chain plate reinstallation, so they were installed today. I also have started flushing the fresh water tanks. The main tank and hot water tank flushing is complete, but the auxiliary tank is not quite finished."

Slight Change of Plan

2010-06-08T23:55:00.000-07:00

Commodore Nichols: "I visited der PeLiKan and West River Rigging today. The rigger's assistant did not come to work today, so the mast was not installed. The new plan is to install the mast on Thursday. We will still plan to move the boat on Friday, but standby in case the mast installation schedule slips again...
The solution to problem of fitting the "square" mast into the "round" hole: There is an aluminum mast collar that provides a place to secure the mast boot. In the original design, this collar fits into the hole on the deck. By removing the collar, space is created to allow the mast to fit. The plan is to fill in the area with "Spartite", a product that will allow some mast movement, and will also provide a waterproof seal. A mast boot will also be used that will attach to a deck-mounted collar."

Chain Plates Inspected, Reinstalled

2010-06-07T21:34:00.000-07:00

Commodore Nichols reported, "Yesterday, Ken [Kessler] and I removed the eight chain plates that connect the main mast shrouds to the hull. We cleaned and inspected each chain plate, and reinstalled them using 5200 as a sealant. We use nylock nuts on 22 of the 24 screws (West Marine only had 22 nylock nuts). Steve Alexander came by to install a new luff rope on the main sail.
The new sail slides that Steve installed have been tested on the mast, and should work better than the old ones.
The new mast step had been installed before the boat left Baltimore. Yesterday we performed a plumbob test to verify the
center of the mast partners to be the center of the mast step. The result seemed to indicate that the mast step is about a 1/4"aft, and about 3/8" to the port side of the partners. This small offset can be compensated by tuning the rigging.

der PeLiKan Delivered to the Rigging Site

2010-06-01T17:30:00.000-07:00

Report from Joel David, "Steve and Ken arrived this afternoon with the boat. Short haul and inspection tomorrow and they are coming home for the night. They were working on the mast today at the shop and they have one more day to finish before installation on Thursday. They plan on leaving around 1400 on Friday. It would be customary to have a fire tug spraying a hose to welcome a grand ship home but in our case the best we can do is a garden hose from a dinghy.

The New Mast Arrived

2010-05-14T20:19:00.000-07:00

Commodore Nichols visited Paul Langelier at West River Rigging. They unwrapped and inspected the new mast, which was next to the old mast, so they were able to compare the two. COM Nichols noted, "There are some differences in the method of construction. Most notable is the use of rivets for the external fittings. On the old mast, they were either welded or through bolted. The spreaders are attached to a bar that fits in the new mast. The old mast had welded fittings. A complete set of cleats has been provided." His photo to the right shows new mast on the right and old one next to it.

Good Luck!
The Commodore also informed readers that "it is considered good luck to put a coin at the base of the mast. The coin that I have selected was given to me at the North East Regional Bridge of Honor. It is a 2008 Australian dollar celebrating the 100th
anniversary of scouting."

Mast Step Installed

2010-05-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

Commodore Nichols reported, "We installed the mast step--with coin--and a rebuilt galley fan. I took the fan blades off a 110v AC fan that had been donated and installed it on the old galley fan. We now have six functioning 12vdc fans on der PeLiKan, and I plan to install three more.