August 18, 2019 - Eufrasio Volpe is formally checking in as the new owner of PAPER MOON. We are setting up a new page for her. To check out her amazing history click here.

Ahoy Ron!

I hope you had an amazing tine at the Camden Classic with your" pod of Dolphins" frolicking in the crisp waters of the harbor!

Well Paper Moon is in Florida, West Boca Raton to be exact!!  I was able to secure storage just 2 miles from my home.  She's on the hard getting lots of TLC. 

The journey south from Lincolnville Maine totaled 1,645 miles and 33 hours of driving time with 2 night stays, the first in Stafford, Virginia and the second in Richmond Hill, Georgia   I had the help of my good friend, navigator/driver, and fellow sailor Ed.

We flew up to Portland Maine on a 6 am flight from Fort Lauderdale airport on Tuesday July 30th.  Picked up our F250 from the Enterprise truck division.  By the way, they came and got us at the airport with the truck.  Now that's service!  After the paperwork was in order we began our drive to Lincolnville.  A quick stop at "The Taste of Maine " restaurant, as I had promised Ed the best lobster roll he has ever tried.  And it was!

We got to Kristie's Fantasy Farm at about 3:30.  She greeted us with much warmth and hospitality, offering us sleeping quarters for the night before our journey south the following morning.  July 31st,the first day on the road was the most driving we challenged ourselves to do.  The idea being that we would get through the major hubs, Portland, Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C.; and we did, arriving in Stafford just south of Washington by 2:30 am for a total of 17 hours of driving.

The next day saw us through the rest of Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina with a sleep stop in Richmond Hill, Georgia!  August 2nd the final day of driving was as perfect as can be expected in Florida with the typical late morning/early afternoon thunderstorms!

All and all it was a test of driving endurance and nerves as we dealt with inclement weather, numerous downpours and at times heavy traffic!  Through it all the trailer cradled Paper Moon lovingly and securely.  A shout out to James Nelson a marine mechanic that took the time to ensure we would be safe on the road and got the Yannmar diesel running!  Giving me additional peace of mind.

So now I am looking for a slip or dock space.  I plan on having her in the water by mid November. I have attached pics from our journey and will keep you posted as to my progress.

Best,
Eufrasio

Back in May we had an email from Eufrasio , and a confirming phone conversation with Kristie Scott. Paper Moon will be going to Martha's Vineyard, her old 'ferrying grounds' and have warm winters in Florida. Here it is.

Ron

I would like to thank you for steering me in the direction of Paper Moon and her custodian Kristie Scott!  As a result of your guidance I could not be happier to report that Kristie and I have come to an agreement that will allow me to be the next proud owner of  Fred Croft's Paper Moon.  In his memory  I will continue his tradition of care and diligence by providing her with a good home hopefully  for many years to come.

She essentially will become a "snow bird", sailing the warm waters of Key Biscayne in southeast Florida and the Keys in late fall through late spring, and then the sparkling waters of Martha's Vineyard in the early summer through early fall.  

Again, Thank you , thank you, thank you!!! I look forward to sharing stories and pictures in the near future.

Please forward information on how to join your organization. Webmaster Note: That's easy - you're in!!!

Cordialmente

Eufrasio Volpe

Welcome aboard Eufrasio!!

Click on the photos below for a larger image

We'll stop here and standby for TLC reports from Eufrasio

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Hey Ron,

I hope all is well with you! Its been a month to the day that Paper Moon arrived in West Boca. I have not had a lot of free time since to apply much hands on work as I had hoped to.

However, I did have an opportunity to tear out the old cabin flooring that had rotted and take stock of the bilge and surrounding areas as well as the quarter berths. I found some dry rot on the port berth forward where the joinery work meets the galley cabinetry.

And on the exterior, upon further inspection, I noticed that the bottom of the rudder was damaged and the wood core partially dry rotted. This lead me to read your post: "Repairing a Sloppy Rudder Shaft/Rudder Tube" http://dolphin24.org/repairing_a_sloppy_rudder_shaft_tube.html In it you mention removing the heel bronze fitting. My question to you: Are there any suggestions in doing this or tips I should know about? NOPE - It worked for me! Read the whole section Rudders, Tillers, Autopilots and related in the Technical Section - http://dolphin24.org/technicalindex.html, in particular http://dolphin24.org/rudder_post_heel_fitting.html

Any recommendations on how to restore the original condition of the rudder? See Comments above. Products, etc. Also I plan on replacing the cabin floor with something more aesthetic and functional. Any suggestions on this? No - pictures?

Finally I want to make a correction regarding the replacement diesel engine that Fred installed some 9 years ago. As the
young mechanic whom I had hired to start the engine and replace the belts and impeller did not complete the job; I began to look for a Yanmar engine manual. Originally it was stated that the engine Fred purchased was a YGM8.. I can assure you that there is no such thing, however the correct model is: YSM8-R Built by Yanmar in 1990. (Noted and corrected)

I came across a shareable file of its manual and will post the link here: Yanmar YSM8-R Marine Diesel Engine Service Repair Manual https://www.slideshare.net/jksmmmd/yanmar-ysm8-r-marine-diesel-engine-service-repair-manual

Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, etc. I hope this is helpful to other budding diesel mechanics such as myself.

As always, thank you so much for what you do to provide ANSWERS AND SUPPORT!!

Best,

Eufrasio

PS I will forward pictures of rudder in separate email. Also - One more question,what is the hole on the port side of the keel on the bottom on the last picture used for? Any ideas? Good Question - Maybe inlet for engine cooling water?
Thanks

Rudder edge - click on the photos for a larger image

Note hole at bottom edge of keel - photo above left - what's this?? engine water intake?

Standing by

January 9, 2020 Weve started the new year right with a 'detailed' Paper Moon report.....

Hello Ron and Happy New Year!

Paper Moon has a new home. I moved her from a West Boca storage facility to a sailboat only marina in South Dade County just north of Key Largo. She is still on her trailer as I sort out needed repairs and upgrades.

Specifically I have had to remove and replace her rusty, leaky exhaust system and replace it with the correct mixing elbow and exhaust hose. This endeavor took several weekends and the kindness of a good Samaritan who had experience in dealing with the issue. I have had to suction out the old diesel fuel from her tank, replaced fuel filter, change the motor and transmition oil.

Then I have had to figure out her electrical system. That's been a puzzle that has slowly come together over the last few weeks of trial and error as many of the wires and various other elements had to be tested to figure out why I could not get any power to the starting system! I finally was able to piece it together and got the starting system to do its job on Sunday. Basically all new wires have to be installed and upgraded to new gauges. Once I got the engine to run I discovered that the salt water pump was leaking. Initially I thought it might be coming from the set screw, but actually the leak was a badly worn pump. I am currently shopping for a repair kit.

I also removed the rudder for repairs. That was an interesting undertaking. The foot bracket that held the rudder attached to the bottom of the keel had been damaged and refused to come off easily. Once off I had to find a steel fabricator that could either repair it or construct a new one. Fortunately they were able to repair it. I had to dig a hole underneath the rudder as it sat on a jacked-up the trailer, in order to remove it.

So I am learning a lot about the various systems. I am confident that I will be able to get Paper Moon in the water over the next few weeks. I will be trailer sailing her as the slip fee at the marina is more than I can afford at the moment. So any advice you may have on trailer launch and retrieval would be appreciated.

I will forward a series of photos showing the transport and various repairs in a separate email.

Thank you again for the helpful resources I have been able to access through the organization's website. I truly appreciate it!. Best regards!

Cordially,
Eufrasio

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January 9, 2020 - We're starting off the new year with lots of Paper Moon stuff. Here it comes....

Hello Ron and Happy New Year!

Paper Moon has a new home. I moved her from a West Boca storage facility to a sailboat only marina in South Dade County just north of Key Largo. She is still on her trailer as I sort out needed repairs and upgrades.

Specifically, I have had to remove and replace her rusty, leaky exhaust system and replace it with the correct mixing elbow and exhaust hose. This endeavor took several weekends and the kindness of a good Samaritan who had experience in dealing with the issue. I have had to suction out the old diesel fuel from her tank, replaced fuel filter, change the motor and transmission oils.

Then I have had to figure out her electrical system. That's been a puzzle that has slowly come together over the last few weeks of trial and error as many of the wires and various other elements had to be tested to figure out why I could not get any power to the starting system! I finally was able to piece it together and got the starting system to do its job on Sunday. Basically all new wires have to be installed and upgraded to new gauges.

Once I got the engine to run I discovered that the salt water pump was leaking. Initially, I thought it might be coming from the set screw, but actually the leak was a badly worn pump. I am currently shopping for a repair kit. I also removed the rudder for repairs. That was an interesting undertaking.

The foot bracket that held the rudder attached to the bottom of the keel had been damaged and refused to come off easily. Once off I had to find a steel fabricator that could either repair it or construct a new one. Fortunately they were able to repair it. I had to dig a hole underneath the rudder as it sat on a jacked-up the trailer, in order to remove it.

So I am learning a lot about the various systems. I am confident that I will be able to get Paper Moon in the water over the next few weeks. I will be trailer sailing her as the slip fee at the marina is more than I can afford at the moment. So any advice you may have on trailer launch and retrieval would be appreciated.

I will forward a series of photos showing the transport and various repairs in a separate email. Thank you again for the helpful resources I have been able to access through the organization's website. I truly appreciate it! Best regards!

Cordially,
Eufrasio

On to Paper Moon's new home - Leaving West Boca Mission Bay storage September 28th heading for Key Largo!

(click on the photos for a larger image)

	Left: Paper Moon is next to the Tiki Bar!! Above: New Digs just 70 yards from the boat launch. So close yet so far!!-

Ok, now the hard part - let's start with the ignition....

Enough? Let's take a look at the Exhaust and Manifold Systems

We'll save this space for a mini explanation - in transit

This space reserved....Stay tuned

Now the easy stuff

All work and no play? Nope

Above: Aboard my friend's O'Day 23 in Manatee Bay, where Paper Moon will shortly be sailing. Right: Sailing aboard a Shearwater 28 Below: the alligator!!??

Remember - clicking on the photos amd you get a larger image (except for the alligator)

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March 12, 2020 We got the following update and photos fron Eufrasio.

Ahoy Ron!

I hope you are well and looking forward to the upcoming sailing season as I know you must be!

As of our last communication I have had better success in getting some things accomplished I have been meaning to do. So I'll start with the raw water impeller pump. As you may recall I had mentioned the bearings and retaining ring were completely cold welded onto the brass pump housing as a result of 40 + years of non replacement. After much struggle in trying to rebuild it my self I sent the whole thing to Depco Pumps in Clearwater, Florida. I had the refurbished and fully operational pump back in about a week. They told me that they had to use an acetylene torch to remove the corroded parts! It is now installed on the yanmar (ysm8) which I have affectionally named: "Humpty Dumpty" as its finally being put back together again!!

I also resolved the start issue with the push button start. It turns out that the ground from the battery was not connected and the wire for the start button was an undersized 14 gauge. I replaced it with a 10 gauge wire and its sending a full spark to the very responsive and excitable solenoid Emoji.

Next came the re-mounting and reconnection of the alternator....mission accomplished! and finally diagnosing and determining the correct position for the battery switch. It turns out that position 2 is for start - not 1. My mistake!

So with Humpty Dumpty thumping and rocking along happily I was able to determine if the replacement of the old exhaust with the correct mixing elbow had been a well worth while effort and leap of faith; I can assure you that it was and is showing ample water flow from her stern.

Next was the badly damaged and dry rotted rudder. I had a friend at the marina that helped me with the project and on Sunday I re-fitted her refurbished rudder. What I thought would have been an easy project turned out to be rather challenging. I had to dig the existing hole under the rudder an additional 5 inches as to be able to maneuver her stern to the proper angle as to be able to insert the rudder pole in its sleeve in order to complete the job. It required a lot of patience and a lot of trail and error to figure out a way to clear the propeller from the rudder shaft. Ultimately, perseverance prevailed!

The next couple of weekends are going to include replacing halyards, radio antenna, a new wind vane and constructing the means for stepping the mast. I have been looking at the various suggestions on the site and I like the gin pole Idea the best, so far! The intention is to get her in the water on the first day of spring which this year falls on a Sunday! Perfect timing!

I will send pics in separate emails.

Be well!

Eufrasio

Click on the photos below for a larger image

	The trailer wheel for the extension used to launch boat
Rudder - Need I say more!!!

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May 2, 2020 We got the following update from Eufrasio - see photo gallery below his report,

Ahoy Ron!

I hope you and yours are well and keeping safe during these very uncertain and bewildering times! As for my family and I we are all OK!

I have been teaching my classes from home using modern day technology that never seizes to amaze me! I am "live" in the homes of my students every day, providing a quality education in the fine subject that is Italian language and culture! As for Paper Moon, her mast was stepped on April 11th, the day before Easter Sunday, befitting, I thought, as I have begun to understand her Divine connection with the Almighty! I will send pictures in a follow up email.

The narrative is as follows: first I had to ask myself the question, how many men does it take to raise and step a mast? I must admit I had no idea but can attest that after the fact the answer, in Paper Moon's case, is 7! Yup, another mystical sign manifested in numerology this time! Number 7 is considered to be the number of the spiritual perfection because it is a symbol of God's work. It is the number of completeness and perfection (both physical and spiritual). It derives much of its meaning from being tied directly to God's creation of all things. Not my words, but my belief! I like to refer to it as "Divine Intervention".

The plan originally involved my good friend and fellow sailor Eddie, my new friend and marina mechanic Chris and yours truly! So the day began with final preparations to the rigging and contemplation as to how exactly we were going to accomplish this task. At the marina there is a large billboard with a catwalk approximately 24 to 25 feet above the ground. The idea was to trailer her under the billboard and have one of us climb to the catwalk, lower a line that had been secured to a block on the uppermost part of the catwalk railing, while the person on the deck tied it to the upper 2/3 of the mast and the third person on the ground was going to hoist it using the trailer winch. I had brought my 2001 Toyota Highlander to be placed in service to trailer the boat. But has luck would have it, Dan a newly hired sailing instructor was on hand that day and volunteered his towing skills and the use of his much more powerful pick up truck. This was a welcome addition to the manpower part of the equation as Chris was called away to attend to boat repairs. So Dan, Eddie and I persevered.

The original plan got has far as securing the line to the catwalk railing. The unbalanced weight of the mast was to unruly for the three of us to manage. The fact that the foot of the mast would have to be raised above its seat in the tabernacle without the aid of a base hinge, added to the uncertainty and difficulty of being able to execute as planned. Then a small miracle happened. Just as we were about to give up on the idea, the owner of the marina a jovial and experienced sailor, a man named Paul, came over and began to comment on the physics that were required if we wanted to be successful in our mission.

Next thing I know he is on the deck of Paper Moon. Eddie and I had switched places, I now on the deck with Paul, were trying to manhandle the mast as Eddie took over up on the catwalk. This to me was another sign that greater forces were beginning to dictate the outcome. Eddie has acrophobia! Yet there he was teetering 30 ft above the ground on a 24 inch wide, steel mesh catwalk with no side rails!

As I marveled at the bravery of my friend I noticed that Dan was also being aided by the marina's security guard, a feisty 70 years young, man named Rafael. But that was not all. A few moments later and at a crucial point in our execution, a man named Edmondo and his father came over to help by manning a stubborn shroud line that had caught in the bottom of the catwalk, inhibiting any further progress in the raising of the mast.

I had noticed that the force had bent the outer shroud port side turnbuckle. It had to be released in order to free the shroud wire. Edmondo and his father held the port side of the mast in place with a line as the rest of us worked to free it and then in what seemed like a split second the free mast lifted itself up over the tabernacle and its foot gently slipped into the waiting crevasse in the mast step! Paul and I just looked at each other in amazement!

Without missing a beat we set it firmly in place and Paul shouted instructions to Dan and Rafael to pull on the forward line to hold her in place! I grabbed the lower shrouds and made them fast, making sure all the clevis' pins had been properly secured! I then realized that we had an audience as spouses and girlfriends had gathered around to watch and take photos of our accomplishment.

And just to cap the all event off, the hot sticky afternoon weather took an unpredictable turn as the sky suddenly darkened and the wind shifted from a south westerly breeze to a northeasterly gale bringing cold rain and quarter sized hail! A blessing in disguise as we all needed the cool air and rain after such a strenuous ordeal!

Paper Moon looked truly happy to have her crowning glory affixed firmly on her deck. She is by far the prettiest boat in the yard and soon will be the prettiest sailboat in the waters of Manatee Bay!

Cordialmente,

Eufrasio

The Gallery

VICTORY!!!

May 3, 2020 Postscript (minor edits)

Hey there Ron!

Thank you for the post, it looks great!

I spent the day yesterday putting a fresh coast of engine paint and reassembling "Humpty Dumpty" Paper Moon's Yanmar Ysm8-R diesel. It has many new hoses, belts and gaskets, a rebuild raw salt water pump, a new mixing elbow, a semi-modernized exhaust system. A new thermostat, I removed and cleaned oil filter, changed oil, new fuel filter and o rings and a fresh tank of diesel fuel. Oh, and some new wiring. More to come in this department.

I will forward some pics and a short video in a separate email.

Be well my friend!

Eufrasio

Click here for a short movie

June 24, 2020 Eufrasio sent the following photo update (minor edit) - more to follow. Click on the photos for a larger image

Ahoy Ron!

I hope you’ve had a Happy Father’s Day!

Here are some pics... I’m sending each one separately and will email you the “story” later.

Best,

Eufrasio

Stay tuned

June 27, 2020 Here's Eufrasio's 'story' promised in his June 24 update (minor edits)

Ahoy Ron!

I am finally getting a breather from the travails of daily living in what is the extreme heat and humidity of south Florida in late spring early summer!

Paper Moon finally got its bottom wet on June 2nd, when an unplanned splash took precedent at the South Dade Marina and Eco Center where she had been stored on her trailer while various undertakings to her hull and engine were being finalized. And after much travail and worry about how exactly she would behave coming off the trailer and onto the water at the ramp site, turned out to be just an overactive imaginative exercise on the part of her caretaker! She slid wonderfully releasing her hold on the land and the trailer in one swift and graceful motion, it was in one word poetic!

I gave myself a week to renovate her trailer bunk and get her back on the hard. But, the weather window for the week I had chosen turned out to be uncooperative. Frequent rain and thunderstorms punctuates each of the 7 days and therefore made progress nearly impossible and had to post pone the trailer improvements for an additional week. So, I struck a deal with the manager at the marina since I was traveling the 85 miles each way 3 times a week to get my work done on the trailer and the boat, would she be interested in a barter arrangement that would compensate the marina for the additional cost of keeping Paper Moon on the water. She agreed and I am now a "helping hand" taking care of various construction and other maintenance issues around the place! A win, win, win deal for all!

I had the first opportunity to sail Paper Moon for the very first time in Manatee Bay on Thursday June 11th. It was a beautiful afternoon with an easterly breeze of 8 to 10 knots. She was absolutely lovely in her conduct and treated my friend Mike and I to a wonderful afternoon complete with dolphin sightings on her starboard bow as we made our way back to the marina channel still under full main and working jib.

A few days later , Sunday the 14th to be exact, I took her out with my friend Ed, pictured (above August 18, 2019) with Kristie and I in Maine. Wind still out of the east but blowing at 12 to 14 knots with occasional gusts of 16 to 18. No problem she handled responsively on all points of sail but was especially fast on a beam reach as we sailed from Barnes Sound south to the entrance to Manatee Bay ahead of a storm front, and all this without her centerboard engaged, as it still refused to drop. That following Thursday a diver was at the marina working on the bottom of a boat that had recently been sold. I approached him with my problem. He agreed to take a look. After about 30 minutes of non stop scraping between the centerboard trunk and its inhabitant he was able to coax her free of all the accumulated mud, dirt, crustaceans and barnacles that had solidified into a cement like mixture 4 to 6 inches deep 1/2 inch thick along its sides wedging her in. I knew it as soon as I heard the thunk and felt its vibration in the cockpit. I thanked him exuberantly as I was dreading the alternative had he not been successful.

Finally the official launch was set for Sunday June 21st - to celebrate with my wife Michele, daughter Elysia and her husband Jake, Father's Day! It turned out to be a gorgeous sunny afternoon on the bay with a southeasterly breeze whispering in Paper Moon's sails. We dropped anchor at a popular beach just off of one of the islands in Barnes Sound and Elysia and Jake went for a swim while Michele an I celebrated with refreshments. On the return trip we were once again saluted by a pair of dolphins in Manatee Bay. This time they were close enough to our bow that we could almost reach out and touch them. They escorted us for about 5 minutes before taking a final dive and disappearing into the turquoise water. A perfect ending to a perfect day!

Until next time wishing you fair winds!

Eufrasio

On our way!

Webmaster Note: we needed to more about Paper Moon's new environment. Click the pics for a larger images.

The Album

	Click on the photos for (somewhat) larger images   To be continued

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October 27, 2020 A short update from Eufrasio

Hey there Ron

Paper Moon is back on her trailer since Mid July with the first threat of a hurricane.  I am planning on having her back at her slip either this weekend or next.

Thank you for checkin in

Eufrasio

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April 25, 2021 - Here's Eufrasio's update

Ahoy Ron!

I hope all is well with you! I have attached a short video with some stills of a recent sail in Manatee Bay. (Webmaster Note - click here to go there)

I was scheduled to race this weekend in the 65th Miami-Key Largo regatta but the winds were uncooperative howling out of NNE at 18 knots with 20-22 gusts, as I fought them to make my way north on Friday to Miami and the starting line for Saturday’s race!

After about 2 and a half hours of motoring and having made little progress toward my destination, and no wind shift or reduction in sight I turned PaperMoon around and ran her back to her slip. What an awesome ride as I sailed her on a broad reach and run, surfing 4 to 5 foot waves while rolling and pitching she responded beautifully to every nuance of the tiller regaining her balance and seaway making for a fast sail back to her slip in just one hour’s time reaching speeds of 7.5 -8 knots!!!

I was single handed so no pics or videos as it took all my concentration to keep her in course with a single reef in her main and her # 1 jib flying true! More adventures to follow!

Best,

Eufrasio

Here we are as we make our way northeast towards Card Sound bridge under power.... no pun intended! Lol

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Here’s PaperMoon with her skipper, yours truly, at the helm on a lovely afternoon sail in Manatee Bay! Veering off a sweet southwesterly on a broad reach!

Artist: Michele Volpe; acrylic on a stretch canvas.

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April 2, 2023 - Posted on the Dolphin 24 Facebook page

Paper Moon is getting a face lift!!

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