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Books By Annie Hill

  • Brazil and Beyond
  • Voyaging on a Small Income

14 December, 2015

The SibLim Club



As you can imagine, building a boat is a pretty time-consuming operation, so that I don't have much opportunity for blogging.  However, anyone who is interested can follow progress on the Junk Rig Association website.  Progress is not particularly fast, but is extremely enjoyable.

One of the very rewarding and rather unexpected aspects of this build, is how many people want to get involved in one way or another.  It really seems to have caught their imagination and I enjoy how people want to share in the progress of SibLim.  First of all, of course, was David Tyler, who was inspired by my ideas to create a wonderful design to my criteria.  Then came Marcus, who not only let me take over his shed, but has allowed me to make use of his machine tools, none of which I could have afforded to buy. Because he is so sensitised to epoxy, at this stage he can offer very little in the way of hands-on work, but his advice (he's a professional boatbuilder) and insights are invaluable, and he helps out in many other ways.

A week ago, the amazing Grand Pha sailed into the Hatea River and anchored off Norsand Boatyard, where I'm building SibLim.  In short order, Bertrand was changed into his old clothes and had taken on the exacting task of notching bulkheads for the chine log. 



At this time I decided that we now have quite a cohort, and so The SibLim Club was founded and now had three members.

A couple of days ago, I had a visit from my friend, the designer John Welsford, who is also very interested in the project - in spite of not having designed the boat!

He arrived with delicious bread and cheese (relieving me of the necessity of preparing lunch, and, having given me a (much-needed) lesson in how to handle a chisel became the fourth member of the Club.  I dare say I shall have to design and make burgees to give to all members at the end of the build!

I sometimes worry that I've bitten off more than I can chew, taking on this task: the fact that friends are there to help and encourage me makes me feel less daunted and more confident about the undertaking.  Thanks to the SibLim Club, I now don't think I'll ever be at a loss when an extra pair of hands is required, or I am in need of some sound advice.








5 comments:

Alden Smith said...

Congratulations, Looks like the build is coming along well!

Anonymous said...

Dear Annie....this is really excellent....building your own boat....brave and brilliant....

I read your book voyaging and retread it several times, your clear thinking very much influenced me as we cruised for five years. Only after many years did I actually find Rose Eliot cookbooks


Rather inexperienced, cruising made me much stronger and bolder and I can only thank you for your contribution to this process.

I will follow your progress and send you best wishes, from San Francisco, Barbara cesana

Bohannon, Rachael said...

Hello Annie! Good friends to have in your endeavor. Sending happy thoughts your way! Yay for a boat shed! Keep up the good work :)

Tangaroa - God of the Sea said...

Hi Annie
Once again at your blog via Webb Chilles. Saw Webb sail into Bundaberg 3 days ago and spent a pleasant morning talking with him on his voyage.
As I jumped ship this year selling my junk rigged Norwalk Island Sharpie and buying a Wharram Narai Catamaran I may be forgiven interloping on a junk rigged site. But I love wooden boats and love sailing them
Pat

Annie Hill said...

I had hoped to catch up with Webb when he came back to NZ, but was too busy boatbuilding, unfortunately. I've heard all about your sharpie and how well she sails - small world! I still have a big soft spot for Wharram catamarans, but I don't think I'd want one for myself. Still, it's always nice to see them around. I trust you'll be converting your Narai to junk rig soon!