tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280928902024-03-12T17:51:54.659+13:00Voyaging with Annie HillI’ve been in New Zealand since 2010, firstly in South Island, and since 2012 in Northland, a beautiful and varied cruising ground. In 2015, I started building a new boat better suited to my requirements than “Fantail”, to see me through my dotage. After over 5 years’ solid work, “FanShi” was launched. She’s my perfect boat, worth all the effort I put in to her. While we could go offshore, I find I’m very happy here – for the moment. Maybe my blog should now be called “Pottering with Annie Hill”!Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-58551291048614593702023-01-18T14:20:00.004+13:002023-01-18T14:20:53.223+13:00One or two people have commented that I haven't updated my blog recently.<p>The reason that I haven't updated <i>this</i> blog recently, is because some time ago, I started a new one. To catch up with <i>FanShi</i> and me, please go to <a href="https://fanshiwanderingandwondering.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">FanShi: Wandering and Wondering</a><br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-26086699596353665242022-09-07T15:32:00.005+12:002022-11-20T17:40:59.639+13:00Change of Pace: Change of Blog<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaahaI9IcgH0RRuaUGIw73DVSJJPWgqK2VxjARtnWf27qRacIeXiMjhPrQJltUNnEWt3jDQYI_YvFe1sgXi3BHgtn4jRXRidjYNs42kPFyz00417AJc8TtkmerAFo8k8idIsfVLEbKsK1yRseOplvAl_311IdRreopZNxo8lf9bErc6R7bg/s3264/0810%20Aug%201240%201.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaahaI9IcgH0RRuaUGIw73DVSJJPWgqK2VxjARtnWf27qRacIeXiMjhPrQJltUNnEWt3jDQYI_YvFe1sgXi3BHgtn4jRXRidjYNs42kPFyz00417AJc8TtkmerAFo8k8idIsfVLEbKsK1yRseOplvAl_311IdRreopZNxo8lf9bErc6R7bg/w400-h300/0810%20Aug%201240%201.JPG" width="400" /></a> For some time, now, I've been considering abandoning blogging
altogether ... but I suppose that it's a case of once a writer, always a
writer and I find blogging much more satisfactory than trying to
contort my work to fit in the spaces allowed in the twenty- first
century yachting press.</p><p>However, voyaging I am not. Moreover,
this Google account is now almost full, due to the myriad photos I have
posted on this blog over the past several years.</p><p>For some time, now, I've been considering abandoning blogging
altogether ... but I suppose that it's a case of once a writer, always a
writer and I find blogging much more satisfactory than trying to
contort my work to fit in the spaces allowed in the twenty- first
century yachting press.</p><p>However, voyaging I am not. Moreover,
this Google account is now almost full, due to the myriad photos I have
posted on this blog over the past several years.</p><p>My blogging is now heading off on two different trajectories. </p><p>One is a blog that is standing in for the cookery book I never wrote: <i>The Voyaging Vegetarian</i>.<i> </i>As a book, this has been a generally-stalled project for at least 20 years, but I actually think that a blog might be a better way of presenting it, allowing me to add recipes and ideas as I go and, with luck, respond to comments and suggestions. For years it seemed something of a hopeless task, anyway, but now that <b><i>finally</i></b> people are becoming aware of just how devastating our livestock farming is to the planet, it's time may have come. Anyway, for those who are interested, head over <a href="https://thevoyagingvegetarian.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a> and have a look.</p><p>The second blog is reflections on my wandering, rather than voyaging life, still afloat, of course, on <i>FanShi</i>. As I'm quickly running out of Gmail addresses with lots of storage left for photos, to tie the blog to, I've decided to give Word Press a try. This blog, "<i>Fanshi</i> - Wandering and Wondering", can be found <a href="https://fanshiwanderingandwondering.wordpress.com/">here</a>. Not the most original of names, I know, but I wanted the title to reflect the flavour of what I hope it to be.<br /></p><p>I won't be adding to this blog any more, so please don't leave any comments here, but instead post them to one of the new ones.</p><p>I hope you find something to enjoy in either or both of them. And thank your for reading this blog, and for all the kind and interesting comments that have been left here over the years.</p><p>Annie<br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-76877234871611674092022-01-16T13:54:00.002+13:002022-01-16T13:54:28.027+13:00FanShi is one year old today<p><i>FanShi</i> and I are celebrating her first birthday, in a beautifully sheltered spot in the Bay of Islands, called Hauparua Inlet. It's pretty shallow - we are in about 1.5m at LW, but has land all around it and with 80ft of chain out, I'm feeling pretty secure. I have wondered about this place in bad weather and as the met service is talking about the remnants of cylone Cody sending 6 metre swells our way, I am pleased to be sheltered here. I think the swell would have to work hard to get round all those corners! </p><p>However, as if a cyclone were not enough, we have had tsunami warnings due to the volcanic eruption in Tonga. I've not been aware of anything unusual, but my friend, Gordon, reckons something must have happened last night, because he woke up to find himself rubbing in over-friendly fashion alongside a launch. And this in barely any wind, after his anchor had held through a couple of days of gale-force gusts. You might recall me writing about the friendly little marina at Tutukaka: well that has been badly damaged with the tsunami piggy-backing on the already-exceptional swell. Several boats have been lost, but fortunately no-one seems to have been hurt. However, I fear the poor Tongans will be in a shocking state, but we don't know because all their communications seem to be down at present. These tiny island kingdoms are feeling the onslaught of climate change; how sad to have to face damage from a volcano erupting as well.<br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJPdixS0NDnUIYFXVSYBIE0nLGxltLYKAGhrMtO6XH2b-APBSv8n2WgnHo8-I2Tc8q1rnt6QwXyCkVrWHU9YESkpUDYvGTEF7yZPEr3rYUZPrzQDyhwXeNoOy1-PmVM6yXKC1nAIMa8ZaNZkin6cs6OU74v-iJ16nADnX_feukZ3QKwzSXjw=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJPdixS0NDnUIYFXVSYBIE0nLGxltLYKAGhrMtO6XH2b-APBSv8n2WgnHo8-I2Tc8q1rnt6QwXyCkVrWHU9YESkpUDYvGTEF7yZPEr3rYUZPrzQDyhwXeNoOy1-PmVM6yXKC1nAIMa8ZaNZkin6cs6OU74v-iJ16nADnX_feukZ3QKwzSXjw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since I last posted a blog, <i>FanShi</i> and I have been working on the art of Living Slowly. Although I have been sufficiently brainwashed to feel guilty if I'm not being productive, intellectually I feel that time to stand and stare is far more important than a life of busyness. Surely being happy can never be a waste of time? Anyway, I'm pleased to say that I often feel like Pooh Bear: "People say that nothing is impossible, but I do it all the time". And, as I haven't been doing very much, this blog is largely of photos, all taken in the Bay of Islands, which might help explain why I am so much enjoying life here. Unfortunately, the doing nothing also applies to photos, so there aren't as many as there should be!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxfpwPwZPpp-LeE6ctzXv3wmWELy-qnKlwEO8Ftg4Lci7lTfZp2AUEuafmBTg4P_Whh-WLODiRJRVD4mDYJWB1yKcIi9swD8ifQAeFF7pBUygG7JInyDv8buLjaCtOaXx-ECtbmfLPcTNFXJtZ5n2dScvxD3jSM6Gt9Hh7v7uKR-DbUGGdHQ=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxfpwPwZPpp-LeE6ctzXv3wmWELy-qnKlwEO8Ftg4Lci7lTfZp2AUEuafmBTg4P_Whh-WLODiRJRVD4mDYJWB1yKcIi9swD8ifQAeFF7pBUygG7JInyDv8buLjaCtOaXx-ECtbmfLPcTNFXJtZ5n2dScvxD3jSM6Gt9Hh7v7uKR-DbUGGdHQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>This is a view from Urupukapuka taken in September. Gales were still coming through rather frequently, but the longer days persuaded me to drop the mooring now and then. The Bay is almost deserted and it
stayed like this up to and including Christmas Eve. It's now very
crowded, but soon people will be going back home again, and those of us
based here can have it to ourselves once more.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSBVZlKrs8gpBHrPxIcUhW1Mx8MSkFNb5W-W1v7JJghQSF4xiVON7WQ9wumojxdBvxknEBBlTFKyOXROX1YaWnu3qyAmy0adscx_4MqLT3jb7SWPSh3c2NNz_uoRETbhjCVymhLnZwv-4YUovD5QZWtXKu5RB1j34cFPU2AzLjKsRbwhSg6A=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSBVZlKrs8gpBHrPxIcUhW1Mx8MSkFNb5W-W1v7JJghQSF4xiVON7WQ9wumojxdBvxknEBBlTFKyOXROX1YaWnu3qyAmy0adscx_4MqLT3jb7SWPSh3c2NNz_uoRETbhjCVymhLnZwv-4YUovD5QZWtXKu5RB1j34cFPU2AzLjKsRbwhSg6A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></p> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Zebedee</i> and <i>Tystie</i> seen from an anchorage at Moturua. It is a real joy having some of my junkie friends based here, too. We always enjoy meeting one another and it's great fun to have an impromptu junket. In this instance, <i>Tystie</i> had just sailed out and <i>Zebedee</i> was just about to sail in.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgITloB759xwW45Dy_Wg0XyKHWsW2w2t85OAUhq6NaXf7DFULrR9e3uTzFFnRMGak_30_WIlhnDqw1oknpqb-G8BM1Mz2vgTc97K4rIxl7nDD6uccXbxKCesAqBMqEvQTYDV5O9kDoSpiT2spCBD9dAdrCD8Xglllc8tVl963tFatdPI4vXg=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgITloB759xwW45Dy_Wg0XyKHWsW2w2t85OAUhq6NaXf7DFULrR9e3uTzFFnRMGak_30_WIlhnDqw1oknpqb-G8BM1Mz2vgTc97K4rIxl7nDD6uccXbxKCesAqBMqEvQTYDV5O9kDoSpiT2spCBD9dAdrCD8Xglllc8tVl963tFatdPI4vXg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, the saloon seat covers are made. It took me ages to find a fabric that I liked and in the end I chose something entirely impractical, which will need to be washed every couple of months. But they do look pretty and really 'lift' the saloon.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir5CmhkUZZWfE5HuE8YbxhUEJD-_DYflesJVmPLI34fFCVzSKoBcAKot4HPPoGUhANNYnRLq-JjTwAaeEX98dtuqF2Hrrt58_VQRNl9DyOVPi-HpHLoUmjZhcRl4h_1URQtpPl-PwrBN5H1IrzStFaaa7-jDZ8UFyRQDmtBlceLhvw5HUxTA=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir5CmhkUZZWfE5HuE8YbxhUEJD-_DYflesJVmPLI34fFCVzSKoBcAKot4HPPoGUhANNYnRLq-JjTwAaeEX98dtuqF2Hrrt58_VQRNl9DyOVPi-HpHLoUmjZhcRl4h_1URQtpPl-PwrBN5H1IrzStFaaa7-jDZ8UFyRQDmtBlceLhvw5HUxTA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I now have plenty of time to cook, which is a real treat after all
the years spent building. Indeed, I am in danger of being obsessed, spending far too much time perusing new recipes, trying out ideas and spending time in the galley. Here is one of my frying pan pizzas. I experimented with a vegan mozzarella, which was very satisfactory. So far, it is the only decent vegan cheese that I have managed to buy. Veganism isn't a big thing yet, in New Zealand and up here in Northland, my request for a vegetarian alternative is usually met with either the offer of a cheese omelette (which, yes, doesn't contain meat, but is somewhat aggressively animal-oriented) or the suggestion that I might enjoy some fish. "But fish isn't a vegetable", I reply and am greeted with a blank stare! (I am exaggerating - but not by much!!) Either that, or the restaurant <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">has gone to the other extreme and offers me something gluten-free (I <i>like</i> gluten), made with beetroot (which I dislike), quinoa and chia seeds. There are thousands of 'naturally' vegatarain and vegan meals around - why do they have to invent something weird and - to me - unappetising? As I can't really afford to eat out, it's not a problem, but when I look at what's on the menu at most places, I wonder at how few places offer really good veg(atari)an food. So I cook for myself and really enjoy spending time over it, as well as not feeling that I'm missing out!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPm4ggkDkxSLrZmzGCj8NqOgEhLTFByIOTx9O0pHKsx9NtznvjytBDfmKjCHvH8564Pd7KS0SDCmhAh6JhG1gj4gCDnZ5l37SP18M-FIkyavvRHAhlHFWVgLzLt6NC7fato6ubhPKFA5alGrrGfIBkukFeFLuelyeJ7PbB8DwAj9Cx2ShoYg=s3264" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPm4ggkDkxSLrZmzGCj8NqOgEhLTFByIOTx9O0pHKsx9NtznvjytBDfmKjCHvH8564Pd7KS0SDCmhAh6JhG1gj4gCDnZ5l37SP18M-FIkyavvRHAhlHFWVgLzLt6NC7fato6ubhPKFA5alGrrGfIBkukFeFLuelyeJ7PbB8DwAj9Cx2ShoYg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've always wanted to go up the Waikare Inlet. When I was building the boat and used to come up to visit my friend in Russell, it always attracted me because the old road that I used runs along it in places. The inlet always seems deserted; there are very few houses and whenever I saw it, it was calm and tranquil. It's reputed to be shallow and very few people i know have ever explored it, so I decided to take full advantage of my shallow draught and sail up as far as I could get. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC5Zcb9oyWplsNkTp2cpWkHUBIN2fH1TmWbp0uPfyF7pL9qvCHHwjeYklv4vtD_RpOzmqVvJ140Bp0K0KVF7UttH4pt8RbxCG3Oi4k5wXazeWEPasRTnsKtoaZW8NSHxPdGwwtEB2hBxfPesq4ZBiRrdXo_Tslm_0yPowHLmavMTPrq2miyg=s3264" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC5Zcb9oyWplsNkTp2cpWkHUBIN2fH1TmWbp0uPfyF7pL9qvCHHwjeYklv4vtD_RpOzmqVvJ140Bp0K0KVF7UttH4pt8RbxCG3Oi4k5wXazeWEPasRTnsKtoaZW8NSHxPdGwwtEB2hBxfPesq4ZBiRrdXo_Tslm_0yPowHLmavMTPrq2miyg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In fact there was plenty of water most of the way, but right at the head (and well off the chart) it obviously was going to dry out. I settled down quite happily onto the less than smooth bottom, riddled with mounds of Pacific oysters I was glad that I had decided on an external ballast keel! At low water, it wasn't exactly scenic and, being constrained
by the tide as to when I could leave, not really worth it. But it was an interesting experiment. The tide around BOI is only a couple of metres, and generally, I have found that there is no need to dry out. I can find plenty of depth and there always seems room for a shoal-draught, 8m boat. I think that most people never look at the tide tables to see how much above chart datum LW actually is. Thatt's great - all the more room for me!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicjMk4Ba8_V6mevQ0KnKmwgs7yb4U-if95nHelOuUtNqTrRikvcqOmjJv6omDjkmBstLUZlaRBibmBwDp2GZD3gYB3oSKeMwzAIzYlsQvLPbPSRRK8dNsy8shrN_BvKCqvLKni65YlZkgryANS-rVfr1JSdxINSL_MRZs3MC3nuZfDrtCo9A=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicjMk4Ba8_V6mevQ0KnKmwgs7yb4U-if95nHelOuUtNqTrRikvcqOmjJv6omDjkmBstLUZlaRBibmBwDp2GZD3gYB3oSKeMwzAIzYlsQvLPbPSRRK8dNsy8shrN_BvKCqvLKni65YlZkgryANS-rVfr1JSdxINSL_MRZs3MC3nuZfDrtCo9A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day we went back down about half a mile and found a much more pleasant spot. I really like this photo. To me it could be in China - not that I've ever been there! - but the low angle has turned the hills into mountains and the lighting is evocative.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghpYD0lWnCxvnD4wnEGK9zIbXoGxpKlmsynJ_drTrLV5IErXFCZuNhnvVa7-w8ORXD1yp_tok3hpf9QHOtkv2rv7dcCvm6gszuiRyFm5DN_Wsdwr8jdDQwhIBxyTyE2j8ZuueyeKMHskoWhI-YOm9gUTyVploBfGM3huH7F9vPbLyuu-lPdA=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghpYD0lWnCxvnD4wnEGK9zIbXoGxpKlmsynJ_drTrLV5IErXFCZuNhnvVa7-w8ORXD1yp_tok3hpf9QHOtkv2rv7dcCvm6gszuiRyFm5DN_Wsdwr8jdDQwhIBxyTyE2j8ZuueyeKMHskoWhI-YOm9gUTyVploBfGM3huH7F9vPbLyuu-lPdA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I enjoy being anchored near mangroves which I find very restful. It's interesting to watch the different birds and I love the basket sof roots and branches, exposed at low water. A black swan flew into my present anchorage yesterday and made straight for the mangroves. I wonder if there is a nest there - you don't often see a lone swan. Mangroves are important habitats for all sorts of animals.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFCNzlyEzKXKyAoKaqERU3jzBm3IZYo9t9Y_KCnoFhtN95pirS6F0I77xfrdbOXnENlvRuwPjx1s8bFW5GZHTXup6ji52Fh_AcImRxbnbQc-EWSYkUpS6TPPv--QeELzJM7_d1PgWpqKoAJNa5OsAQczAP5oWd0fYoefb8NOxL6-sGeeiKXA=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFCNzlyEzKXKyAoKaqERU3jzBm3IZYo9t9Y_KCnoFhtN95pirS6F0I77xfrdbOXnENlvRuwPjx1s8bFW5GZHTXup6ji52Fh_AcImRxbnbQc-EWSYkUpS6TPPv--QeELzJM7_d1PgWpqKoAJNa5OsAQczAP5oWd0fYoefb8NOxL6-sGeeiKXA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a fine, spring day, we sailed up and anchored in the Kent Passage. The forecast was for strong winds in a few days, but there was enough time to get a change of scenery and the Kent Passage is only about 5 miles from my mooring. (I am now renting a mooring in Matauwhi Bay. Apart from anything else, it saves wear and tear on my expensive anchor chain!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkYsW_W8qDyfRSqfZxmvTTYInusQpGrT-oPSpjUTM1UtW1NZnSyTAcY3tomnElqfqurEiZzfIuCkvd3DCGS6jwwf2L3umY1ArvRGJrzPYvExDAC3DoEP86hQwTXDK-uuUYeDej-yG61M7BfqUQqUcNP0LaiZdEinyNItKrH25CY3hdJuV5_A=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkYsW_W8qDyfRSqfZxmvTTYInusQpGrT-oPSpjUTM1UtW1NZnSyTAcY3tomnElqfqurEiZzfIuCkvd3DCGS6jwwf2L3umY1ArvRGJrzPYvExDAC3DoEP86hQwTXDK-uuUYeDej-yG61M7BfqUQqUcNP0LaiZdEinyNItKrH25CY3hdJuV5_A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Motoroa is a privately-owned island, which is also a wildlife sanctuary. I am not sure how this all works, because there were sheep wandering around on the beach, there are several large houses and I know for a fact that the winery there is not organic. Like the other islands in the Bay it is pest-free, which must be a bonus to the land owners, but I gather they are pretty positive about the wildlife. It must be fabulous to live on one of these islands, as the endangered birds get reintroduced.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeQ3Hd8NWlRArWirtKTRIjyyi73IMAT9N0pYrzGOMkMh4rOexz-8uZQKkuR3K6gOmevJrmHinSBMUkTEl55qIwRCY8qpek9G2ocQg3WVLRqvc9rcmFVpyVnba5t799KZzKzy4m6PGlPlQrznYzMJhEnXCVRLDe5bzzBA1U12iGHs583jHcuw=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeQ3Hd8NWlRArWirtKTRIjyyi73IMAT9N0pYrzGOMkMh4rOexz-8uZQKkuR3K6gOmevJrmHinSBMUkTEl55qIwRCY8qpek9G2ocQg3WVLRqvc9rcmFVpyVnba5t799KZzKzy4m6PGlPlQrznYzMJhEnXCVRLDe5bzzBA1U12iGHs583jHcuw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The view from where I was anchored was
very pretty, but I regretted the decision to stay the night, because far too many
launches were coming through the passage at a rate of knots and creating a
horrible wake. It astonishes me that there is no speed limit, because you often see people on the beaches on both sides of the passage, and some of the wakes would be dangerous to children or even adults, if they were caught off their guard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisvRzTqzQ39EmCXLLaJBNyw1lUUI0taAv9wHorjQq2Nsi9GM83-Nr0SSMDwz5kJftlYAF0McsN9po5jbiY6P1Bm3R8xNlCPitcTPoiowa9GtTEy8xsHjm_4FeWXK5hPtR5_qxITOQMjCz6Y6MD2gQj-4KY63nN3wDsyqqS6q3tn3jNL7t4wA=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisvRzTqzQ39EmCXLLaJBNyw1lUUI0taAv9wHorjQq2Nsi9GM83-Nr0SSMDwz5kJftlYAF0McsN9po5jbiY6P1Bm3R8xNlCPitcTPoiowa9GtTEy8xsHjm_4FeWXK5hPtR5_qxITOQMjCz6Y6MD2gQj-4KY63nN3wDsyqqS6q3tn3jNL7t4wA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, the wakes were far enough apart that I was able to enjoy cooking and eating a delicious warm salad, wth some of the glorious vegetables that I had bought at the Paihia Farmers' Market. Although you wouldn't believe it, when you are shopping in the supermarkets, fresh food is one of New Zealand's delights. Roadside stalls and farmers' markets are often supplied by people who really care about their produce and they are always pleased when you tell them how much you appreciate it. I recently bought a bag of 7 good-sized avocados (supposedly seconds) for $5 and a huge pile of peaches (also seconds) for $4. Food is generally expensive in New Zealand, so as well as getting much better fresh stuff, its great to be able to buy it more cheaply. While I will have to guzzle down the peaches (such a struggle!), the only thing that I can see that makes the avocados seconds, is that they are asymmetrical. I can live with that. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzh-ZxcmXCtiRbAZ9IJq9OLD5ToADmjVPyg1F6ZCXA2G5ydZVN66SPZINp_uUQPsSudGEO4kvaOvDhI4xcRBUUHjBr9gRu0UkombLKb0U-mv0nhCj2gQqOFtzXxaHrrCxsSE_EmFksGMUSsP9vETT5x3R7KP0Wu0182HEHX03dr7pfNgjyHQ=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzh-ZxcmXCtiRbAZ9IJq9OLD5ToADmjVPyg1F6ZCXA2G5ydZVN66SPZINp_uUQPsSudGEO4kvaOvDhI4xcRBUUHjBr9gRu0UkombLKb0U-mv0nhCj2gQqOFtzXxaHrrCxsSE_EmFksGMUSsP9vETT5x3R7KP0Wu0182HEHX03dr7pfNgjyHQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day I left early before the launches started coming though, and sailed back to Russell with a light breeze, bright sunshine and a sparkling sea. It was a perfect morning and a delightful sail: exactly the conditions I had in my mind all the time I was building this boat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFUA8R3PvlDUvus_X59odbnDHyE3kE_y2lR5JiSD_vxlP4tu7yO0LSVUe259Bu3TurqxfhaJqUHN_eNGsl7wph7YRneLr-3Vr6X40ykOs_lgQgwwikAVt5eDzGReLv4Kr1Hx0y7QvmHMsr5qqepC2oGCCkDlp0dl1UfOCcksLshrTGMzcijg=s4608" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFUA8R3PvlDUvus_X59odbnDHyE3kE_y2lR5JiSD_vxlP4tu7yO0LSVUe259Bu3TurqxfhaJqUHN_eNGsl7wph7YRneLr-3Vr6X40ykOs_lgQgwwikAVt5eDzGReLv4Kr1Hx0y7QvmHMsr5qqepC2oGCCkDlp0dl1UfOCcksLshrTGMzcijg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">November arrived and suddenly
it was summer. I celebrated the return of the hot weather with my first
cold beer of the season, on the Russell waterfront. I have no fridge and am used to beer at bilge temperature. The nice thing about buying a beer out is that usually, they are so incredibly cold, that I find it unpleasant. However, I pour a little into my glass, which warms it so that I can drink it without fear of permanent injury,. By the time I've finished that, the rest of the beer is no longer painful to swallow. Better still, because it takes a long time to warm up, I can make the one bottle last a long time. For me a cold beer on a hot day is a real treat, the more so for being a fairly rare event. I love to have one in Russell where I can sit outside and look over the Bay or watch people as they go by.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi23clredvJ1W7sb0SsBSfbpl6v-kz_Fte4esAoDbsnufXrxSlU5vCUlfkQ9KYmWwg4rUCF53I3RTQPsaJwtz9wIFpcdDFCxIYLLvdnNuMofaBRodqB4MjAH9W9zbcmcnHBfcQNKDBSG8Ll4azeCTmmNoA2kyswQCoS5nvIdUKkGrDaJi_mmg=s3264" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi23clredvJ1W7sb0SsBSfbpl6v-kz_Fte4esAoDbsnufXrxSlU5vCUlfkQ9KYmWwg4rUCF53I3RTQPsaJwtz9wIFpcdDFCxIYLLvdnNuMofaBRodqB4MjAH9W9zbcmcnHBfcQNKDBSG8Ll4azeCTmmNoA2kyswQCoS5nvIdUKkGrDaJi_mmg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Come December, the pohutakawas starts to bloom. I love thesse trees, with their complex shapes and the way in which they cling to cliffs and crevices, exploiting every last bit of 'land' to grow on. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDgcq9QPuJOYuQqTHfNP49wOQZYYTp4zE8eiMkrk09DIsDnxaYHUS0WQdtgyrdgsI34FSnCG-nuEYoPrw3UtFjXeQnBDPLLnnUx3rqsnAHso1dOZK7mBwL3FBXBZ7kPAUY72NFq9qh2nxEYH_zs03sDdvn0t_1ywaNd8SOhul92eDQy5ZRsw=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDgcq9QPuJOYuQqTHfNP49wOQZYYTp4zE8eiMkrk09DIsDnxaYHUS0WQdtgyrdgsI34FSnCG-nuEYoPrw3UtFjXeQnBDPLLnnUx3rqsnAHso1dOZK7mBwL3FBXBZ7kPAUY72NFq9qh2nxEYH_zs03sDdvn0t_1ywaNd8SOhul92eDQy5ZRsw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it was wonderful to spend a few days in an anchorage and to watch the red glow spreading over the trees. It appears, as you might expect, to start on the north face of the tree and then slowly move along until the whole tree is a mass of flowers.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCs7ygivsj0QpohMILifq7aTPLk_4bUEOuLefuodCuzC4X50Hr6VyrQn-v-ZsqyjpLFiWTGNDVWvnfhJTACZhtIsjDj-HJ-FFp_IWZ0oPQq646M4AiYdcOJ6cFjPHtV3dY4hKj4iF4zJAHLJrybxeChfHB_ihCrOQ_oVAyvPyHm_g4REqlBQ=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCs7ygivsj0QpohMILifq7aTPLk_4bUEOuLefuodCuzC4X50Hr6VyrQn-v-ZsqyjpLFiWTGNDVWvnfhJTACZhtIsjDj-HJ-FFp_IWZ0oPQq646M4AiYdcOJ6cFjPHtV3dY4hKj4iF4zJAHLJrybxeChfHB_ihCrOQ_oVAyvPyHm_g4REqlBQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We sailed
back down Te Puna Inlet and beat up the North shore of Moturoa and then
across to Urupukapuka. The conditions were so perfect that I throughly
enoyed tacking to windward: something I generally try to avoid. I have managed to wrestle my sail into submission. <i>FanShi</i> still suffers a bit from lee helm and the extra parrel that I've fitted to the yard makes the last three panels of the sail difficult to raise, but the boat is now sailing well and giving me a lot of pleasure on all points of sail. However, I don't think I'll ever enjoy going out in much wind. I gave the boat plenty of sail area and we often reef in F3. Poor boat - I dislike going quickly, so she is rarely given free rein.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzS3wz0Rs6jrQttx0lx-XBUMzkhUh1UIDqqC9lJSbr-o0k53stVBlGIbd-y2Wv8PK29pIajDrmzwbkzGwVklP6aQP9GUg4OPNkfdsa5LKATgzHG3E6yaJBbM0pb-aEiFuDuGu3U877uesMamCPiXY2c_7J2P2xcxe3boh4UHRghOYuOuzwVQ=s3264" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzS3wz0Rs6jrQttx0lx-XBUMzkhUh1UIDqqC9lJSbr-o0k53stVBlGIbd-y2Wv8PK29pIajDrmzwbkzGwVklP6aQP9GUg4OPNkfdsa5LKATgzHG3E6yaJBbM0pb-aEiFuDuGu3U877uesMamCPiXY2c_7J2P2xcxe3boh4UHRghOYuOuzwVQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A friend, working on Moturoa, took a photo as we sailed back, but the little blob of yellow is very hard to see! He was quite envious, poor man. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAGjhNJvAIj5tSgS2sWPgJW1wOdMDPugsLaTKf06aR5QXECxvy3711LIAkfHNrMdwj4mORMxzNwSyuLeglvJuLU6BCJy78UWiSQlEJltxB8QT2doWn4RbUb4eHWyQj8bTnW4BU65e_qI5yi42osaxVBM4YFumwQG4mquxOehw-GbneQm5ZBA=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAGjhNJvAIj5tSgS2sWPgJW1wOdMDPugsLaTKf06aR5QXECxvy3711LIAkfHNrMdwj4mORMxzNwSyuLeglvJuLU6BCJy78UWiSQlEJltxB8QT2doWn4RbUb4eHWyQj8bTnW4BU65e_qI5yi42osaxVBM4YFumwQG4mquxOehw-GbneQm5ZBA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We
anchored in Paradise Bay, off Urupukapuka I. The next day I went ashore for a long walk and to see the birds. Well into the breeding season, the island was alive
with tieke/saddlebacks,, which have been re-introduced as they were wiped out by rats, stoats, possums, etc. They are the most delightful birds, gregarious and noisy, they seem to fly about in large family groups. They also seem to be good-natured birds - I've never seen them squabling - and I think the first brood of chicks must help with the second, because the young tieke were being fed by more than two birds. All those that were origially released have leg bands, and I was delighted to observe that none of the many birds I encountered had a band. They are flourishing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are also far more of the native birds that can elude predators than there used to be. I saw large numbes of tomitits, banded rail, tui and
piwakawaka/fantail and heard many robins. Stoats, rats, possums and even mice attack all our birds and of course cats, domestic and feral wreak carnage on birds, lizards, skinks and insects. Apparently some giant weta have also been released on Urupukapuka. These are a cricket-like insect as big as my fist and I'm not entirely sure that I really want to see one at very close quarters! <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHyABvKxK_bZqePwwZMTT_0b7kCnd3ggUfVA3QUSO7__z8PbUmYVmbwdAk5jwUoYcQT2_1vCQsQrmB5JgLXyeKWhsHupnMmw5X9uTph4yeF1996dHZxrdDm-JVdVBnw-gNT89KBVbS4N1ZXhZKOHPTTnvK3Qg6Dk5L8tjWylwOue-aRSBwFw=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHyABvKxK_bZqePwwZMTT_0b7kCnd3ggUfVA3QUSO7__z8PbUmYVmbwdAk5jwUoYcQT2_1vCQsQrmB5JgLXyeKWhsHupnMmw5X9uTph4yeF1996dHZxrdDm-JVdVBnw-gNT89KBVbS4N1ZXhZKOHPTTnvK3Qg6Dk5L8tjWylwOue-aRSBwFw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Out of the bush there are far fewer birds, but the views always make it worth walking the extra distance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsryu4LeOeQzWoWaiee9I9ZmvFnFWTQLY_POpU_2QU_9-oBeT30rgm6WZrRLAVj6xo6iqSdPHlVohUiU6dYTUpwDWeTvTrYs7PDEJEhcWiGy6Mfk-36FzDHFe4kO8_arxOZKAt9kkKUG2Dj9rEXsLLCEWI9pRPptzGwsmDsjVo2J9bdpxZRQ=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsryu4LeOeQzWoWaiee9I9ZmvFnFWTQLY_POpU_2QU_9-oBeT30rgm6WZrRLAVj6xo6iqSdPHlVohUiU6dYTUpwDWeTvTrYs7PDEJEhcWiGy6Mfk-36FzDHFe4kO8_arxOZKAt9kkKUG2Dj9rEXsLLCEWI9pRPptzGwsmDsjVo2J9bdpxZRQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People are permitted to camp in a couple of bays on the island and there's a small cafe. Tripper boats bring people to come and tramp over it. to admire the scenery and enjoy the birds. Because of this the bush won't be allowed to cover all the island and sheep may safely graze for a few more years yet. However, in the middle of the day, if there is no wind, it can be very hot work, tramping up the hills.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgobLyHFWReteiEHjUG-jB4DupNuFUIDNZHEbMJF5wAk8AIQy1E3Qk6xQ3IJfLoZ7CMC7kOyZ-yF-WZ_mSQcnz5ao7K0uZWLENwNCaOEOHHOCGMS-HczPu53o90tOA756aJAYXGl_iOjo_QCXw78fQEfz62Rz0Bjbnisuv_xRJS5NgV5HPjsw=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgobLyHFWReteiEHjUG-jB4DupNuFUIDNZHEbMJF5wAk8AIQy1E3Qk6xQ3IJfLoZ7CMC7kOyZ-yF-WZ_mSQcnz5ao7K0uZWLENwNCaOEOHHOCGMS-HczPu53o90tOA756aJAYXGl_iOjo_QCXw78fQEfz62Rz0Bjbnisuv_xRJS5NgV5HPjsw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's always a bit of a relief to walk back into the bush, where there's plenty of shade to be found and, of course, the wonderful birds. I've managed to take some photos of the birds, which are nice for me to have, but my camera lens is too wide-angle for decent shots, worth posting on this blog.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhD0aU8Bnm5HZV67odbRCxLPqShp2eGCoEFzV5RCi5yw3WB7DD0IVZVatQPn0leBflwspxElUm5I4abVIId96iWWn_usPOBZNBAFqbYbXklP25db8Gtzovju_cJ0liIJU6BxhzMUmUURMxT7Lu8y3xSEQZlTOIUsp-EzP5rJgiwHh3YVIbrgw=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhD0aU8Bnm5HZV67odbRCxLPqShp2eGCoEFzV5RCi5yw3WB7DD0IVZVatQPn0leBflwspxElUm5I4abVIId96iWWn_usPOBZNBAFqbYbXklP25db8Gtzovju_cJ0liIJU6BxhzMUmUURMxT7Lu8y3xSEQZlTOIUsp-EzP5rJgiwHh3YVIbrgw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I can't resist taking photos of my ittle ship at anchor, and I hope I will always feel the same lift in my spirits whenever I see her sitting there, waitng for me to row back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvoZeeEZU_CSM-83kueDpGZaGaGb7eHaMVgKpf-ylnluduMDEgCSTejC6RF4p7SrAUK6oV1ByutUmkJoBIGP5w4yIiJ5faxUr9x46Zyj7SS7aNCE6Z0U9BtiC6C-UuHgaaBfY8ksjqGm9OaPDHlfBfMxXQZ1EH25kHzZxheMxPc4HDboEiOg=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvoZeeEZU_CSM-83kueDpGZaGaGb7eHaMVgKpf-ylnluduMDEgCSTejC6RF4p7SrAUK6oV1ByutUmkJoBIGP5w4yIiJ5faxUr9x46Zyj7SS7aNCE6Z0U9BtiC6C-UuHgaaBfY8ksjqGm9OaPDHlfBfMxXQZ1EH25kHzZxheMxPc4HDboEiOg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am incredibly fortunate to be able to call this stunningly beautiful area home. I'm even more fortunate that I can live here on my own boat and be able to move around from one delightful anchorage to another. Nick Skeates told me he reckons that God created New Zealand when He decided to take up cruising. I think he might be right.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKAKFbyx5dzra4dpXVdKP4H724Sfzvgl0q0JgrmveNSQ429iBnILnBsgT6htOcyC4kiaugPurpA3NaObykh03hrjT6et24u6QygoMqcZBCz049cynhNe7krfYg_yPvrmzx_yoYZrJ_x5IQ6SDwq8jpi5_DSVpyyuaFh_63GsFx2TjWX7MbIw=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKAKFbyx5dzra4dpXVdKP4H724Sfzvgl0q0JgrmveNSQ429iBnILnBsgT6htOcyC4kiaugPurpA3NaObykh03hrjT6et24u6QygoMqcZBCz049cynhNe7krfYg_yPvrmzx_yoYZrJ_x5IQ6SDwq8jpi5_DSVpyyuaFh_63GsFx2TjWX7MbIw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With their beautiful red flowers blooming in December, you can see why pohutakawa are regarded as Christmas trees!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvAKNngYagKl2k-azZcv2L6NszndfKLleZ7k4BQTUL3hgmL-7JIy5w2gs86pEgx5bG6czXQ2qrsF6fYiYY317UoxWZDDGy_BmdntoxWX8uRWa_jL5UfWQ2RFKjjI8fJrdmij8O8EJQ1V4ML2QkkmMvTwlSX3cmATYPUU0wOhUYGrnItCb7Xg=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvAKNngYagKl2k-azZcv2L6NszndfKLleZ7k4BQTUL3hgmL-7JIy5w2gs86pEgx5bG6czXQ2qrsF6fYiYY317UoxWZDDGy_BmdntoxWX8uRWa_jL5UfWQ2RFKjjI8fJrdmij8O8EJQ1V4ML2QkkmMvTwlSX3cmATYPUU0wOhUYGrnItCb7Xg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And leading up to Christmas, we had day after day of this weather. No wind over F3, warm sunshine, calm sea. Absolutely my ideal sailing conditions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuwTwHleJU57uILLge0ryqkT45UF4sfeKTtYf43lq8uSOCEPBDIgzMoDzIEuyDuNIiTxjbQVbmXBXy6SCLXFiK_WFWuux8dGE85V8pBqH8LLwBWJjEti6ZqOwoVgG9jqIkjTWdJMI3DbXp6VLZdi4y7g99VrCH5BuPrxyxIQjvbdGyzV0jUw=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuwTwHleJU57uILLge0ryqkT45UF4sfeKTtYf43lq8uSOCEPBDIgzMoDzIEuyDuNIiTxjbQVbmXBXy6SCLXFiK_WFWuux8dGE85V8pBqH8LLwBWJjEti6ZqOwoVgG9jqIkjTWdJMI3DbXp6VLZdi4y7g99VrCH5BuPrxyxIQjvbdGyzV0jUw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this magical, misty morning was on Christmas Day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This life I live on my lovely boat, in this beautiful part of the world, is a precious gift. I savour every day and am very aware of my incredible good fortune. <i>FanShi</i> and I are very happy. We may even decide to stay here.<br /></div><br />Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-17894465133754723592021-07-25T15:26:00.007+12:002021-07-26T12:48:42.931+12:00Windy, wintry wanderings.<p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Before I go any further, I must apologise for the formatting in this post. I normally compose as I go, but this time did a lot of copying and pasting having typed in advance from entries in my logbook and diary. Because of my somewhat limited computing equipment, trying to reformat it proved impossible. My apologies.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My last post was written in Whangaruru, waiting for a gale to pass. I
had left Urupukakpuka Bay with a ten-day forecast for lots of SE wind,
but I thought that if
I didn't get away then, I'd probably pack in the whole idea and spend
the entire winter in the Bay of Islands.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had expected to be in Whangaruru
for a few days, because there was no sign of a fair wind for a week,
but as I was in no hurry and surrounded by glorious bush and scenery,
I was quite happy to wait. Once in the harbour, I made a
bit of a tactical error: the forecast SE winds turned out to be S and
although not directly blowing into my anchorage, they were eddying around
in enormous gusts, with a nasty chop coming around the corner at me.
The previous day, a local had come by to look at <i>FanShi</i>
and suggested that I might be more comfortable over by the moored
boats. I should have taken his advice.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By afternoon, the F9
gusts had dropped, although some of them were still gale force.
However, there were lulls of about half a minute between gusts, and
many of them were only about F5 to 6 anyway. The wind was
still S and set to stay so for a while, so I decided to shift berth.
I started the outboard and let it warm up while I took in 60ft on
the anchor chain and lowered the starboard bilgeboard. Then I
went back and put the engine in slow ahead. It really made
very little difference, even in the lulls, but I felt it might just
help when I came to break out the anchor. Well either it, or a
handy gust, did the job. <span style="font-style: normal;">I</span>
rattled in the rest of the anchor and moved back to the cockpit and
wound up the throttle to about half way. One of <i>FanShi's</i>
many endearing traits is that the bow takes its time to fall off.
I think this is an advantage of designing for plenty of balance
on the sail: the mast is further aft. Of course having a board
down helps, too. There was quite enough power to be able to go
across the wind while heading up a little, in case of a particularly
strong gust. Once in the lee of the waves, even less power was
needed to work through the moored boats. I would have liked to
go into shallower water, really, but it was far too gusty for the
sort of careful manoeuvring that this calls for. I put the
hook down in about 12ft HW with 90ft chain. The wind continued
to push us about as it eddied around hills, trees and other
obstacles, but in comparison with my previous spot, the water was
like a millpond. However, there was barely a signal for my phone, so it wasn't easy to get a weather forecast. Because of the truly unpleasant conditions I became obsessed with trying to get one. I suppose I was hoping for good news!</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvrBUw6Wt6-q7Z311FoG44TqDpxqrXEUSuqZrBbE1xnb264K6qdj2jb7JlNvo4CcJvzRBZzK9tisdwMY89zzo-8n2lqaKY6USv_47QV9-ftP6gAaQjv3Edz5fB2zwvg4Tjeks/s1876/24+May+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1876" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvrBUw6Wt6-q7Z311FoG44TqDpxqrXEUSuqZrBbE1xnb264K6qdj2jb7JlNvo4CcJvzRBZzK9tisdwMY89zzo-8n2lqaKY6USv_47QV9-ftP6gAaQjv3Edz5fB2zwvg4Tjeks/w400-h300/24+May+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The gale force winds </span></span></span></span>continued. Even though we were more sheltered, horrible
squalls came punching down on us. However, apparently, there
were 5+ metre swells rolling in from the east, sufficiently nasty
that the land forecast was mentioning them and the consequent threat
of inundation, due to the big spring tides – pity the poor folks
ashore tonight. For me, the worst part of these gales is the
noise. I really don't "do" loud noise in any of its
manifestations. On the plus side: David’s wonderful design
is as stiff as the proverbial church. We may have been swinging all
over the place, but so were the other boats, due to the strong tidal
stream in addition to the wind was eddying round the features
ashore. However, I was weary of the whole thing and not
particularly uplifted by the forecast, or the fact that even once the
gale had abated, the huge swell would be there several days after the
wind had dropped.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">S</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">till, we had plenty
of food and grog. The anchor was holding and there was soft
mud to leeward. It could have been a lot worse and I was
grateful that I have decent ground tackle. However, on Tuesday
night the wind either went further E and/or increased, so that both
wind and waves started hooking round the headland, while the tide
swirled us around. Between gusts, the boat would swing back
into the stream, and then a gust would come and back she'd go.
In the meantime the waves were coming from ahead, the beam or
astern. It calmed down, finally: the tide lessened and the
wind shifted, but I was a bit bleary-eyed when I got up! It
took me a couple of hours to realise that we had dragged and to say I
was shocked is something of an understatement. I have a 10kg Manson
Supreme and 8mm chain. At HW we were on a scope of 8:1 and at LW of
16:1. We'd only dragged a few boat lengths, but even so …
I suspect that the strong tidal stream, which appears to be
almost like a whirlpool at times, has scoured the bottom of the
channel. When I first crossed an ocean in <i>Stormalong</i>, in
1975, I remember a friend comforting me when I was upset about
something: ‟Annie, with this sort of sailing the highs are a lot higher ... but the lows are a
lot lower”. Steve was
quite right: say what you like about living on small boats,
you never forget that your are alive, even if sometimes you wonder
for how much longer!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xz3h1XLpxBeAhzaxJPv7V6WbB3jlqSsTmQWkgvgEddE8pN7R-S5NQScjczr2RxZqnhINVpDLdcukyenVZBFNC3fB0PvM9lN3jnyN8VoAPrCtF43zZ1UGpA1Tu7_zSQz0So3M/s2048/24+May.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xz3h1XLpxBeAhzaxJPv7V6WbB3jlqSsTmQWkgvgEddE8pN7R-S5NQScjczr2RxZqnhINVpDLdcukyenVZBFNC3fB0PvM9lN3jnyN8VoAPrCtF43zZ1UGpA1Tu7_zSQz0So3M/w400-h300/24+May.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thursday morning
dawned sunny and calm and it was a beautiful day. A friend
called by to see me, on the way up to Russell, and he offered to
drive me down to the bottom of the harbour to look at the surf.
In spite of the fact that the wind has been less than gale force for
24 hours, by now, there were breakers all the way across into
Whangaruru between the headland and the island. There is
another way of entering the harbour leaving the island to starboard
and passing between it and some rather nasty rocks about half a mile
to the W: the surf was breaking across there, too, and on a shoal out
to sea. Looking at the chart later, the only shoal that it
could have been has14m over it. The roadway in front of
the little houses that line the beach, was covered with small rocks,
shells and seaweed and the locals were all gathered about gawping.
It obviously wasn't just I who thought this was somewhat
exceptional weather. On odds, I thought I should take back my
complaints about the unpleasant nights I was, in fact, very well
protected. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I stayed put for a
few days until the swell died away and the forecast became more
reasonable. In the meantime, I upped
anchor a couple of times, while I was waiting, to explore a couple of
other bays. Calm, clear nights allowed me to watch the full
moon rise, splendid in the crisp, cold air.
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX6ND7BlhcX39X9qvcRCoaQfLFOyXnnpExzSg8abGGw91zZsrC982A8bGJOulmNcFKHuZ5eKYSLHtrrHPtloADC-IFmSYtFpBxnGftAHZE6WLvv4CooitiQdcNhK_k7YAIa_R/s2048/30+May+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX6ND7BlhcX39X9qvcRCoaQfLFOyXnnpExzSg8abGGw91zZsrC982A8bGJOulmNcFKHuZ5eKYSLHtrrHPtloADC-IFmSYtFpBxnGftAHZE6WLvv4CooitiQdcNhK_k7YAIa_R/w400-h300/30+May+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Finally, I had a
pleasant forecast and sailed to Tutukaka. We had a really
lovely sail down, although I did have to motor first thing, in order
to overcome the tide.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG7XGWps3BqMJTp_EU7PKdJA95aXmb9-_fgpDMON9r7aclsmcZl8Y40c8-w5gxUHC1tShtRyijqQdTbgpdQCHbcGt5MFuZ32oTRFUCe8VXY5MeWVuAsaBsSbekWbKgwJG_M_r/s2048/30+May+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG7XGWps3BqMJTp_EU7PKdJA95aXmb9-_fgpDMON9r7aclsmcZl8Y40c8-w5gxUHC1tShtRyijqQdTbgpdQCHbcGt5MFuZ32oTRFUCe8VXY5MeWVuAsaBsSbekWbKgwJG_M_r/w400-h300/30+May+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I wanted to get there sooner rather than
later, because the wind was forecast to increase significantly and of
course, the days were so short, this being June.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL3BBL6tsS7zPdr5_Oo4rEr7AQ546qvNLlCqgra5kxxUomUY3mH_4DosLraRmwDZrAcZlDpMqTL7UcZ_O-cE7NQPzPDCaP1NBKOl6l4uvm9jjrUawfWQR86PVk8xPKzIOVZ05/s2048/30+May+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL3BBL6tsS7zPdr5_Oo4rEr7AQ546qvNLlCqgra5kxxUomUY3mH_4DosLraRmwDZrAcZlDpMqTL7UcZ_O-cE7NQPzPDCaP1NBKOl6l4uvm9jjrUawfWQR86PVk8xPKzIOVZ05/w400-h300/30+May+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We made it in
daylight and I had time to choose my anchorage and enjoy the last of
the daylight. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tutukaka has a small marina, and I approached them to
see if they would allow me to use their facilities. I was astonished
at how welcoming they were: apparently more than happy for sailors
out at anchor to use their showers and washing machines and to be
able to dump their rubbish! Sadly, this is an unusual attitude, but I took full advantage of it, putting a load of washing through, taking
a nice, hot shower, dumping my little bit of rubbish and recycling,
and topping up the water. I also bought about 10 litres of petrol, while I could easily do so.<br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAhqntEcgVzMNNRb38fuX125Ystfy55dUqM1Zv2lxYdKoVgdeXFxxlINwndrBJX-cd8NP0yyrcH1zbDwvJL0KldBHm7FTdmBlj3uPuPl2TphnDselqM73BITdmBNWgNjlej2Y/s1906/1+Jun+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1906" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAhqntEcgVzMNNRb38fuX125Ystfy55dUqM1Zv2lxYdKoVgdeXFxxlINwndrBJX-cd8NP0yyrcH1zbDwvJL0KldBHm7FTdmBlj3uPuPl2TphnDselqM73BITdmBNWgNjlej2Y/w400-h300/1+Jun+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was delighted to see that, when the marina was constructed, they had included the most magnificent pohutakawa tree.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifH3O2GR4a3sBl2bbQG18jKXN_SwjrQuEIl9p5_z0nXr7oyY6ZqkhCvZFgorf3QwyPPcfqRXEw65_ucRyBul_kG1KTFmaXxhz9JJfYWAQ35DGENtMzNwfU7Wecxf-V02pW5gD/s2048/1+Jun+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifH3O2GR4a3sBl2bbQG18jKXN_SwjrQuEIl9p5_z0nXr7oyY6ZqkhCvZFgorf3QwyPPcfqRXEw65_ucRyBul_kG1KTFmaXxhz9JJfYWAQ35DGENtMzNwfU7Wecxf-V02pW5gD/w300-h400/1+Jun+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Its great trunk grew out horizontally and then turned at right angles. Wonderful! </span></span></p><p class="western"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are several restaurants around this
little town – a popular place for second-home owners and day
trippers – and I considered treating myself to lunch out, until
I saw the prices and the token vegetarian offerings. Ah well, think
of the money I saved.</span></span></p><p class="western"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">With a particularly promising forecast, we left
Tutukaka at about 0500. Habitually insomniac, it occurred to me, as
I lay in bed, that if there was a breeze ‛outside’ I might as
well get underway. Checking the ‛nowcast’ I discovered that we
had a westerly breeze of about 6 knots, plenty for <i>FanShi</i>.
There was a bright moon and a set of leading lights reassured me as I
went out through the rocky entrance.</span></span></p><p class="western"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3OXTmEDkjl1YcUrmP0Tsr0gEhcP2uru9orGIgHmmpHiTEEFBeE_wMfb3nBLzCW7TlqOGzLn9V6FtJvm48FtNdCS8HgnepxBo-siLAD9AQTgJHAeifKmEWiP_hOdmp5NBafKJ/s1906/1+Jun+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1906" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3OXTmEDkjl1YcUrmP0Tsr0gEhcP2uru9orGIgHmmpHiTEEFBeE_wMfb3nBLzCW7TlqOGzLn9V6FtJvm48FtNdCS8HgnepxBo-siLAD9AQTgJHAeifKmEWiP_hOdmp5NBafKJ/w400-h300/1+Jun+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Once clear of the dangers, I
could shut down the engine and we had a truly delightful sail,
watching the sun slowly rise out of the sea (sadly hidden behind
clouds part of the time). My original plan had been to just tuck
into Whangarei Harbour at Urquhart’s Bay because the crossing of
Bream Bay is always something of a challenge for a small boat: 30
miles with no chance of an anchorage. Starting as I had, from
Tutukaka, it would be 47 miles to the nearest place I could get my
hook down, unless I put into Whangarei. However, we brought Bream
Head abeam at 0930, the forecast was for SW F3 possibly 4 and it
seemed like the perfect opportunity to get across the Bay. Doing my
sums and assuming 4 knots, we should comfortably be at Leigh by
around 1700, with an hour in hand, before it became completely dark -
and <i>FanShi</i> was bounding along at a good 5 knots. The boat is
possibly faster and definitely more comfortable than her predecessor,
and being joined by a couple of dolphins for half an hour, together
with a close encounter with a Bryde's (?) whale and calf, made the
sail one of pure delight. However, an anchorage is never gained until the hook hits the bottom, and so it proved this day. Rain showers along
the coast had been of little concern, but as I got closer in, aiming
for Cape Rodney, they made their presence felt. The wind became more
gusty, generally increased and, worse, headed us. From bowling
merrily along, we were struggling to lay the Cape. This is when I
made a rather unpleasant discovery. A few weeks previously (in a
continuing effort to eradicate the lee helm that I have, due to some
flaw in the sail design), I had fitted a luff hauling parrel to the
top sheeted batten and it had been working very nicely. I had also
avoided going out in much wind and on the occasions that it had blown
freshly, I was generally running or reaching and well reefed. This
was the first time of pushing the boat to windward in F4/5. I had
never thought about the fact that a sheet at one end and an LHP at
the other, must put considerable compression forces on a batten.
Generally, this wouldn’t be an issue, but in my case I have hinged
battens, and as I hauled in the sheet, the top sheeted batten was
bent excessively – as hard as the double cones would permit. The
sail has camber built into it, as well as the hinged battens and it
seemed to me that the camber was definitely excessive and the sail
was really quite distorted, especially as the boom and lower batten
had taken a kink in the opposite direction. For some reason, the
leech of the sail had a terrific twist and regardless of how hard I
hauled the sheet in, the top of the sail was well to leeward. The
poor wee boat did her best, but the sun was getting lower and at this
rate, my ETA would be about 2100. I didn't know Leigh, having only
poked my nose in once, about 6 or 7 years ago, and with so much S in
the wind, I would have to go right into the harbour to get shelter.
I didn't fancy going on in the night, so I thought I could at least
have a try at motorsailing, something of a new experience for me. If
I could lay the Cape and keep up about 3.5 knots, we should just make
it before it got completely dark. I had a full tank of fuel, so I
started the engine, warmed it up for a couple of minutes and then put
it into gear. I opened up to about half throttle and then took
another reef or two in the sail, which flattened it somewhat,
although the top sheeted batten was still very distorted, even after
slacking the LHP, which doesn't do much with the sail well reefed.
It was touch and go, but we made it an<span style="font-style: normal;">d</span>
I was actually very pleased with how well the concept worked. <i>FanShi</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,</span>
effectively has two transoms, with the engine attached to the inner
one. The idea of this is to reduce the chances of the propeller
coming out of the water in a chop and it worked perfectly. I
couldn’t make out much when I entered the cove, which has cliffs
and trees around it and was really quite dark, so I took the risk of
picking up an empty mooring. (One of the good things about moorings
in New Zealand, is that part of their resource consent is a condition
that they are professionally maintained and regularly checked.) It
was totally sheltered, and most of the boats around me were fishing
boats my size or larger, but I was concerned about a fisher coming
back and wanting the mooring. Thankfully no one did and I settled
down with a large drink and jangled nerves. It had been an epic 47
miles, but we were now officially in the Hauraki Gulf.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Next morning I decided to go round to Whangateau,
about 5 miles away. It was flat calm (which had been forecast, and
was one of the reasons I had pushed on the previous day), so the
little engine earned its keep again. <br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj66dTf9Kf9w4NxukjcxftcmaxH4gv21gCpVliXaokHqILSUvlX4guvkiFi5xMFzYIYNSZKBwv9nIWHahhOTl7o7Ioc6N2RsmCCwVowgHxjncoY-sx_mXs54-U0czPypz5hCC/s1906/3+Jun+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="1428" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj66dTf9Kf9w4NxukjcxftcmaxH4gv21gCpVliXaokHqILSUvlX4guvkiFi5xMFzYIYNSZKBwv9nIWHahhOTl7o7Ioc6N2RsmCCwVowgHxjncoY-sx_mXs54-U0czPypz5hCC/w300-h400/3+Jun+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I raised the sail in case a
breeze filled in, and noticed that the top-sheeted batten was still
very kinked. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnuBmyFM_AlIzV3MEjMMz9qUFDuJbw7_KCa7Q1FAGmdqJ1JD9nYUI291z1om4hCTypTS1mgCxhl4JYii8qVuyfAtqZHhQJgYKay3gA52vbnUOxwNpMgyfuY-AeelSWXk182wP/s1906/3+Jun+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="1428" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnuBmyFM_AlIzV3MEjMMz9qUFDuJbw7_KCa7Q1FAGmdqJ1JD9nYUI291z1om4hCTypTS1mgCxhl4JYii8qVuyfAtqZHhQJgYKay3gA52vbnUOxwNpMgyfuY-AeelSWXk182wP/w300-h400/3+Jun+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe the hinge had got jammed in some way. I found a
pleasant anchorage under a bluff, just outside some small boat
moorings and made use of the calm to investigate the batten.</span></span><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iWN4NWxkaj8IqR9pBRVUFrnzQDByn8O4lOe3_q51GRIqO0RW7WHtgZr0iA_PoaQgiTEc3ZzUNCrTT9_rpf-CnSMnzthalCdtW-M79hXZ_8CZ6F7QqiAKKGDkckwzRS0lPpQQ/s1906/3+Jun+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1906" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iWN4NWxkaj8IqR9pBRVUFrnzQDByn8O4lOe3_q51GRIqO0RW7WHtgZr0iA_PoaQgiTEc3ZzUNCrTT9_rpf-CnSMnzthalCdtW-M79hXZ_8CZ6F7QqiAKKGDkckwzRS0lPpQQ/w400-h300/3+Jun+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It had
in fact broken, just abaft the hinge and looked as though the point
of the cone had pressed against it and stressed it too far. Fortunately, a few weeks
earlier, I had bought 250mm of nylon rod to replace the hinge in the
boom, which had an annoying tendency to bend the wrong way as soon as
I dropped a reef. I hadn’t got round to doing this, so still had the
rod. I removed the batten, cut off the ragged ends and slid the rod
into the batten, securing it with screws. Of course the batten was
now too short, but the very top one is shorter than all the others,
so I swopped them around. Thinking about the sail, I couldn’t help
feeling that the camber <i>plus</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
the hinges were excessive. I decided to order sufficient rod to
replace them all, when I had the chance, and in the meantime consider
the matter more</span>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Another NE gale was
was forecast and at first I thought I’d sit it out in Whangateau.
However, the longer term forecasts were talking of at least a
week of E winds, which would build up a swell. I wasn’t entirely
sure that this wouldn’t find its way in to where I was anchored, and
I was certain that I didn’t fancy crossing the bar at the
entrance until the swell had died down. Thus, the next day I sailed
round to Kawau I, which shelters a large bay and provides a choice of
anchorages, such as North Cove and Bon Accord. The sail looked a lot
happier when I hoisted it and we had a pleasant sail to North Cove,
where my friend, Mike, had organised a mooring for me. I stayed
there for several days while the wind howled outside, but only the odd
gust moved us around. It must be about the most sheltered mooring in
that very sheltered harbour! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3w4Y8bYuOtxTEKr2jROioiVsvi3Gr7gND-ZbCVKORsuTpx43tLbUF6KRhSMuLZuWxzhLoS1WzJtyC1GubMkecQYuRlWr4qLigLkiZghZsPAfczVXuXxCPwLhZO81626lj0vd/s1906/12+Jun+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1906" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3w4Y8bYuOtxTEKr2jROioiVsvi3Gr7gND-ZbCVKORsuTpx43tLbUF6KRhSMuLZuWxzhLoS1WzJtyC1GubMkecQYuRlWr4qLigLkiZghZsPAfczVXuXxCPwLhZO81626lj0vd/w400-h300/12+Jun+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have a friend who
has recently bought a delightful boat that was originally built as a
three-masted lugger. Paul has converted her to a three-masted junk
and, while he completes the refit, <i>Le Canard Bleu </i><span style="font-style: normal;">continues
to lie alongside </span>at Maggie’s Landing, in Sandspit, where her
previous owners live. Many moons ago, Brian dug out the existing
creek through the mangroves – by hand! - to make room for a boat to
be kept there. <i>Maggie</i> herself, which he built, lived there
for many years: all 70ft of her!! I was invited to go and lie astern
of <i>Le Canard Bleu</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, something
for which </span><i>FanShi</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is
ideally suited. I decided to sail over, anchor and walk round to
Brian and Andy’s place to see what was involved.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;">When the wind
finally moderated, I </span>sailed the few miles to Sandspit and
followed the line of moored boats up the narrow channel, looking for
somewhere to spend the night. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpevdsApukuir80y8PLZmgXXLWL532GmYI89vmwMsObK4xXDnphsH8_eaOxV5a8BgXNP0nVtyoOS_M_6fuKaeMOL-m7pkL89jP1jTF4SED8LUtMnULEN4G_BkIA6jQpoT_qA3/s1906/11+Jun+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1906" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpevdsApukuir80y8PLZmgXXLWL532GmYI89vmwMsObK4xXDnphsH8_eaOxV5a8BgXNP0nVtyoOS_M_6fuKaeMOL-m7pkL89jP1jTF4SED8LUtMnULEN4G_BkIA6jQpoT_qA3/w400-h300/11+Jun+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is incredibly crowded, with barely
room even for <i>FanShi</i> to anchor and we went aground several
times in our quest. Finally, I found somewhere out of the channel
near the ferry terminal, with maybe 6 inches under me at LW. </span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw72aJ1Tw-ySt9X4w2ehN49K6T6E_nJZcAU7Q_o3CBLU47UZC82Lbr3Jh3FN6bTnts3zMvsSDo_6y9V16D_PWhLTMBVSTKzxNZcskV_z3x_NqPkhJGzhyphenhyphenUzU1US91ScYorZCa/s1906/18+Jun+7.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1906" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw72aJ1Tw-ySt9X4w2ehN49K6T6E_nJZcAU7Q_o3CBLU47UZC82Lbr3Jh3FN6bTnts3zMvsSDo_6y9V16D_PWhLTMBVSTKzxNZcskV_z3x_NqPkhJGzhyphenhyphenUzU1US91ScYorZCa/w400-h300/18+Jun+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Near HW the next
morning, we once again made our way along the channel,
which is dredged as far as the marina. From there, I stuck closely
to the moored boats and then turned between the very last two, to
negotiate the creek. At the top of the tide, it was something of a
guess as to where the channel would be, and I certainly didn't want
to run aground, but I managed to stay afloat and tied up astern of <i>Le
Canard Bleu,</i> with Paul and Brian standing there ready with lines
and advice.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFaEDRzj7HJpgDPyEzIYSJKGtJi0v6Nh8qKh8ArPAvSDuOIH4bFPnifVn06m4ApfBkIcEuM7Hm4n7qeUXWQ1TiFxsguvx4UhCHiNBkVKXEdvJPd-31V3Z5op6Fw_SH5psEhbg/s1906/18+Jun+5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1906" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFaEDRzj7HJpgDPyEzIYSJKGtJi0v6Nh8qKh8ArPAvSDuOIH4bFPnifVn06m4ApfBkIcEuM7Hm4n7qeUXWQ1TiFxsguvx4UhCHiNBkVKXEdvJPd-31V3Z5op6Fw_SH5psEhbg/w400-h300/18+Jun+5.jpg" width="400" /></a>What a wonderful
place to keep a boat!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGgxL8J9eMOvgut0rkDMHXqgXmiUyEYYPUPK8FnBs0XZiw91PZ1apvleSculuFAknFvJwMpiFaEJGpWez_84QP4tL7I3yYoiHbHu0hsM-MSDiSHA1BqcglMp539S2-tDpnVuP/s1906/18+Jun+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="1428" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGgxL8J9eMOvgut0rkDMHXqgXmiUyEYYPUPK8FnBs0XZiw91PZ1apvleSculuFAknFvJwMpiFaEJGpWez_84QP4tL7I3yYoiHbHu0hsM-MSDiSHA1BqcglMp539S2-tDpnVuP/w300-h400/18+Jun+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is completely sheltered and the only
drawback is that there isn’t much sun in the winter; <i>FanShi</i>
started to get damp after several days of steady rain and low
temperatures. Part of the reason for her colour scheme is to provide
passive heating in the low sun of winter, and I realised that it
obviously works!</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Paul had just installed a new Dickinson range, and we had
great fun setting it up and trying it out: I cooked on something
similar for several years and could help Paul adjust its settings.
He and I hadn’t
seen much of each other over the previous few years, and it was good to catch up again. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkCLfDfpXypoL8-bPR-UyK1PdluNZbvhg4AWOMMGm7jtJxpXzIQ_piX-7TPXB_EfDlgGeDOXwzCBVNJCzI-h6zwvDzJ9s9c1Z2sj8Ex22IN9hp1vE1nQZOdLUmrNhP2SGEeGI/s1906/12+Jun+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkCLfDfpXypoL8-bPR-UyK1PdluNZbvhg4AWOMMGm7jtJxpXzIQ_piX-7TPXB_EfDlgGeDOXwzCBVNJCzI-h6zwvDzJ9s9c1Z2sj8Ex22IN9hp1vE1nQZOdLUmrNhP2SGEeGI/s320/12+Jun+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Mutual friends visited while I was there, Brian and Andy took me to Warkworth and he waited patiently while I filled up numerous bags at Bin Inn, with beans, polenta, spices, etc, and a friend and I attended Matakana Market. I managed to get a few little jobs done, including
getting more of the nylon rod, which I put in the boom and the top-sheeted batten, and
generally had a wonderful time. It was hard to tear myself away!</span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnodcuADXVG9aMr-kuq7oHisy7M9-SfJkwxVj4Oxacoh4ID22s-SW17HTxbrCIz30FoI1s4ZNzVxk5AdHGfhMz3r1rfN8DHVzWU832Q9_nRFRa_hd8kXw3Wx0wrnApxSD4n-h/s1024/21+Jun.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnodcuADXVG9aMr-kuq7oHisy7M9-SfJkwxVj4Oxacoh4ID22s-SW17HTxbrCIz30FoI1s4ZNzVxk5AdHGfhMz3r1rfN8DHVzWU832Q9_nRFRa_hd8kXw3Wx0wrnApxSD4n-h/w300-h400/21+Jun.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span> </p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was treated like royalty, with Brian and Andy as
kind as you could conceive. From doing my laundry, to feeding me,
and cutting up firewood for my little stove, they couldn't have been kinder. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiUunFHnxBwtn3Tplg5YEWj1iIoqHHNmQSIryzKKqELQddDL6Lf6bDSkTcV5knvKR1AyKNA7kxtQ610T3jHL2F4WVjoqXw0V7dOYoLGED-nLe-qtqoAMUOBBUNPEQPtGd0vYM/s2048/23+Jun+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiUunFHnxBwtn3Tplg5YEWj1iIoqHHNmQSIryzKKqELQddDL6Lf6bDSkTcV5knvKR1AyKNA7kxtQ610T3jHL2F4WVjoqXw0V7dOYoLGED-nLe-qtqoAMUOBBUNPEQPtGd0vYM/w266-h400/23+Jun+1.jpg" width="266" /></a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">However, it was time
to move on and I left one afternoon and sailed across to Algies Bay. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX4v1vjfGZ3RJqtE3IW0xOPU46y3b1f7Wb3K-3F5eUxBzo17J-n6ocfVsf5q5S8NCe8fdKEs2RvZfneOJWDE9oIWHkLGyyyfv2Ymvy9lr8pgTheF4yAb1o1UPUhzIxuU726ff/s2048/24+Jun+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX4v1vjfGZ3RJqtE3IW0xOPU46y3b1f7Wb3K-3F5eUxBzo17J-n6ocfVsf5q5S8NCe8fdKEs2RvZfneOJWDE9oIWHkLGyyyfv2Ymvy9lr8pgTheF4yAb1o1UPUhzIxuU726ff/w400-h300/24+Jun+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dawn broke calm and clear and it was wonderful to be able to watch
the sun rise next morning. I always try to watch both sunrise and
sunset and miss it when they are hidden by high land nearby.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had arranged to
rendezvous with another boat-building friend, who had recently
completed a small catamaran. We shared G&Ts and lunch aboard his
gorgeous wee ship, which I could easily imagine spending a whole
summer on: she is a poem of simplicity and function, with all that
you really need on board. She is also extremely cute, which David
did not regard as an appropriate compliment! Sadly, he had to get back to his mooring and motored off in the light wind. I followed to find an anchorage in Te Kapa River, where I could watch the moonrise</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KZvIWF6a5_tWbBeNhyk4NXF6e8muE9iUBVHlM1ULImxSWmoxEXDMFarYJV3HZiVpPbr52hgUMAaLmpd-ZGI1h8lAilbf_gnDOLLRSFgJDnrS1Ag-jiNkxLX_zm2GLzOH1LSA/s2048/24+Jun+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KZvIWF6a5_tWbBeNhyk4NXF6e8muE9iUBVHlM1ULImxSWmoxEXDMFarYJV3HZiVpPbr52hgUMAaLmpd-ZGI1h8lAilbf_gnDOLLRSFgJDnrS1Ag-jiNkxLX_zm2GLzOH1LSA/w300-h400/24+Jun+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It had been one of the nicest days of the winter, although with rather too little wind. Indeed, the pattern at the moment seemed to be a couple of days of gale, a few days of rather too much wind and then flat calm. Not the ideal weather for a small sailing boat!<br /> </span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We were anchored in Mahurangi Harbour, and I had every intention of setting off up river to the town the next day, to check out the op shops (thrift stores) and buy a few more bits and pieces. A floating pontoon is provided for visiting yachts, and the idea of a night or two alongside in the attractive little town, was appealing.<br /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The next morning, I
started heading up river, but suddenly I didn’t feel happy about it.
The weather forecasts continued to be very unsettled and as ever, I was juggling
tides, forecasts and the length of the day. I realised
that <span style="font-style: normal;">I’d had enough of this winter
cruise: there was more of endurance than enjoyment. It was time to head back to the Bay of Islands and
snug myself down there until spring. </span> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE7uABjEWvSuJe9H9rASUFifc2Rbu_GWDFgfXeKQ8la7eszlLII0f_dOqXI-eSXbQ9dYMHWonOz9y_xx-iSG5AdH8LvP5bljYVFJwnqSxNNvqTZrphYfeVUuyaj2CBlmBX8oA/s2048/29+Jun+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="2048" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE7uABjEWvSuJe9H9rASUFifc2Rbu_GWDFgfXeKQ8la7eszlLII0f_dOqXI-eSXbQ9dYMHWonOz9y_xx-iSG5AdH8LvP5bljYVFJwnqSxNNvqTZrphYfeVUuyaj2CBlmBX8oA/w400-h214/29+Jun+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Accordingly,
I turned the boat round, let the sail out and headed for North Cove
once more. I was pleased that I'd done so, when the forecast S gale
proved to be very uncomfortable, even in my sheltered spot.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9bs0xT3luW8ZM0XvYBxWE52yv-M2_DtVbwTfAe4pXUFcxUXtmaLHvS5EZDHDPTJ-6FuyFkaBArln4ycC4Stalrn80SAlTtJZwE77fcp18aRUNdKRKZoS4jo7CdIhbp3optb-/s2048/30+Jun+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9bs0xT3luW8ZM0XvYBxWE52yv-M2_DtVbwTfAe4pXUFcxUXtmaLHvS5EZDHDPTJ-6FuyFkaBArln4ycC4Stalrn80SAlTtJZwE77fcp18aRUNdKRKZoS4jo7CdIhbp3optb-/w400-h225/30+Jun+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I took advantage of my wait for weather to start making new, loose seat covers for the saloon. On a small boat, the chances of getting either rain- or sea-water on the cushions is quite high, so they are covered with plastic coated fabric to keep the foam dry should this happen. However, this in't pleasant to sit onand I presently have woollen rugs over them. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakulXuXnPguUMiSGRrXXTMXsSuXx0l3PUReRCZ0egFJnMzSrWb0P9TrEJ4oKPU5Noaq4vwvd9tK3hNPbYC_BDsrJ7GDVWWxHcrnMXMLTw2-3SGHXlNY9vcnvSWd35yIFC84Oq/s2048/30+Jun+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakulXuXnPguUMiSGRrXXTMXsSuXx0l3PUReRCZ0egFJnMzSrWb0P9TrEJ4oKPU5Noaq4vwvd9tK3hNPbYC_BDsrJ7GDVWWxHcrnMXMLTw2-3SGHXlNY9vcnvSWd35yIFC84Oq/w400-h300/30+Jun+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The plastic is dark green and the rugs dark blue, so it makes the cabin rather gloomy. The fresh, printed fabric that I finally chose will look much brighter. Unfortunately, I ran out of thread before I'd finished sewing the first cover!<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv6ZdzGz_zbBfMhw3nJWrkzQ7i0OnMJU6oxcdFlaXPa02gAgxfYG9E48NbGo42XXNiVR6bbs_XfcqABQkhGEeADMr7jdLgCiUtXuB4fypFM3pE0RKD0zbtqdVryo3NFx-cLLq/s2048/29+Jun+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv6ZdzGz_zbBfMhw3nJWrkzQ7i0OnMJU6oxcdFlaXPa02gAgxfYG9E48NbGo42XXNiVR6bbs_XfcqABQkhGEeADMr7jdLgCiUtXuB4fypFM3pE0RKD0zbtqdVryo3NFx-cLLq/w300-h400/29+Jun+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was cold enough that the fire was very welcome almost every morning and evening. Mike kindly sawed up firewood for me, that Lin and David were to be rid of. It's fun to cook on the little stove!<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGFYrKXox0gIzeLOp-c1CO_RxskTfC70Vh2a0okypbecjfbQ8jALJzMpGbXTi6A0OpCo5YueUGIizg8wYMQ3_wywpJyII0tKaWAYCRHPbk7qMfzmBmF8EuZGLmW90yQm_sjOd/s2048/29+Jun+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGFYrKXox0gIzeLOp-c1CO_RxskTfC70Vh2a0okypbecjfbQ8jALJzMpGbXTi6A0OpCo5YueUGIizg8wYMQ3_wywpJyII0tKaWAYCRHPbk7qMfzmBmF8EuZGLmW90yQm_sjOd/w300-h400/29+Jun+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or just to sit in front of it and watch the flames.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiRXiIRu1HtZ57_y74BE5PMeF-nF49gOQcCqqjKG9K-gtENy6XjwQZYLAIEU6K5uw7x16OCudSS1IWm8qg5ANpuw6pXeLUxowaNvn4ulzC5_OZTgX_hWdLdZGHQfbR6e1Z3LM/s2048/2+Jul+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiRXiIRu1HtZ57_y74BE5PMeF-nF49gOQcCqqjKG9K-gtENy6XjwQZYLAIEU6K5uw7x16OCudSS1IWm8qg5ANpuw6pXeLUxowaNvn4ulzC5_OZTgX_hWdLdZGHQfbR6e1Z3LM/w400-h300/2+Jul+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was time to 'bottle' some more of my home-made wine (I use wine kits). This goes into 4 litre containers, rather than posh wine bottles! <br /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">They make a lot of sense on a boat, if you
rarely go alongside. Carrying bottles – or even boxes – of wine
gets to be too much of a good thing, and then you have to dispose of
them, too.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-_WXst5iNwjy2iA8O5oqxCe7hDZoRWpRKcENTIPcgVBPPDKPdmVzAcD_XV7ROW6jDp2XnltS-qx13P7lMMrGinPKapz3wGvDQ2e3LfdabFa996tVb3zBpHTp4Wyv1kTa2VL7/s2048/2+Jul+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-_WXst5iNwjy2iA8O5oqxCe7hDZoRWpRKcENTIPcgVBPPDKPdmVzAcD_XV7ROW6jDp2XnltS-qx13P7lMMrGinPKapz3wGvDQ2e3LfdabFa996tVb3zBpHTp4Wyv1kTa2VL7/w300-h400/2+Jul+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After emptying the fermenter, I wash it out with seawater and then give it a rinse in fresh. As Lin allowed me to take some of her fresh water, I could make another batch. It takes about a month from start to finish, with a couple anxious days, at this time of the years, until you hear the air lock in the container start to bubble.<br /></span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I stayed in North
Cove for 10 days, having a grand social time there, while I waited for the wind to change, so that I could head north. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On 5th July, I left
North Cove debating the virtues of Leigh and Whangateau. If I went to Leigh, it would mean 3 miles less to go on the next passage. </span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ_JmaNdfpc1jnzSt4kVXdF19ZurzXNeqxZ4EMg8u1tvxOHTblD6OMw9zM3TbUTgAEow-frGF6hMvHWtVMy9RQpBAoj2vppI4ioLO2hyl2AeekWy4r2F7Qy7e7b1F9VyyWinJ/s2048/5+Jul+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="2048" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ_JmaNdfpc1jnzSt4kVXdF19ZurzXNeqxZ4EMg8u1tvxOHTblD6OMw9zM3TbUTgAEow-frGF6hMvHWtVMy9RQpBAoj2vppI4ioLO2hyl2AeekWy4r2F7Qy7e7b1F9VyyWinJ/w400-h290/5+Jul+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">However as I was approaching, it became apparent that the wind was much
more S than forecast and blowing straight in. I altered course for
Whangateau. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcrhLh3PZrUwhkiIbEZQnU8BVcwH68tBQ8fgPUkIZvNWGwcFAE_ZasS6da6KPLpzErj4dv4fddNUTfmdIfoQ5TSqXMO3Q-MsNWbAyE2r-mC8jredDAiZxUw2MiEMkvbCF-C5t/s2048/7+Jul+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcrhLh3PZrUwhkiIbEZQnU8BVcwH68tBQ8fgPUkIZvNWGwcFAE_ZasS6da6KPLpzErj4dv4fddNUTfmdIfoQ5TSqXMO3Q-MsNWbAyE2r-mC8jredDAiZxUw2MiEMkvbCF-C5t/w400-h300/7+Jul+1.jpg" width="400" /></a>Just for a change, the forecast was for fresh to
strong NE, so I stayed a day or two and visited a friend who runs a
boatyard there.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRe7XmTlmXX6FGAV9N4K4Yr6SIVyVs2f1nUiKk2E8mV9DD3EAi_8QeZttrhq8czMshNUhNReV3l_CENhfzlw0R4OAn7WqcPfbqxbHLYRnlQrqkKw6Vn4ED-ugcIzGeWgKwoQC/s2048/8+July+Appr+Bream+Tail.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2048" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRe7XmTlmXX6FGAV9N4K4Yr6SIVyVs2f1nUiKk2E8mV9DD3EAi_8QeZttrhq8czMshNUhNReV3l_CENhfzlw0R4OAn7WqcPfbqxbHLYRnlQrqkKw6Vn4ED-ugcIzGeWgKwoQC/w400-h293/8+July+Appr+Bream+Tail.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I looked at various
forecasts before leaving: one was a bit dubious – gusting 30 knots
– but the others looked more moderate. We had a lovely start
and were doing well and having a great time until about Bream Tail.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here the wind started to pick up due to the large number of rain
squalls about. I was putting reefs in and taking them out
constantly, and even with junk rig, it started to get very tiring. Unfortunately there was just too <i>much</i> wind in the gusts to leave the sail up and just too <i>little</i> in the lulls to make progress, close hauled as we were. By the time we got to Urquhart's Bay, the wind
was dead on the nose andI resorted to motor sailing. It had really been a very unpleasant sail, but we had made good time.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY4VCEMC98Bc-2_qigkppUrJ8Rk1vHt6Ma6OHznNabdax0x6lZubuuTg56TauOyJRUZTnVO-mZW6BcjSNkppGFD21ueEd5s5Fu8OPR7RTEvp3h6WsNv9wAHwSzdf2x7Fe1H3F/s2048/7+Jul+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY4VCEMC98Bc-2_qigkppUrJ8Rk1vHt6Ma6OHznNabdax0x6lZubuuTg56TauOyJRUZTnVO-mZW6BcjSNkppGFD21ueEd5s5Fu8OPR7RTEvp3h6WsNv9wAHwSzdf2x7Fe1H3F/w400-h300/7+Jul+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We anchored just off the entrance to
Marsden Cove marina and the wind completely died away. I was
there to visit friends (otherwise I would have stayed in Urquhart’s),
and once I was settled, Rob came and picked me up. I was
showered, wined and dined, andwould have really liked to stay longer with these good friends, whom I hadn't seen for too long. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">However, with E gales forecast for
Sunday, my choices seemed to be to sail up to anchor off Norsand,
carry on to Whangaruru, or go into the marina. As tired as I was, the latter didn't lack appeal! In the other hand, we could
stop in Tutukaka overnight and get to Whangaruru
before the next gale came, which would be that much closer to the Bay. By now I just wanted to get
‛home’. 9th July came in
with a forecast of W 20 knots – rather more than I’d have chosen – but I
left anyway, just before sunrise and we had a lovely sail
down the harbour, and along to Bream Head. From past
experience, I put in two reefs when we got there, and then we set off
towards Tutukaka. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Again it was much more blustery than I’d
have chosen and I certainly couldn’t relax, but the two reefs were
sufficient for the lulls and not too much for the squalls, so it was
much better than the previous day. However, the third reef
went in about 4 miles from our destination. I put the motor on
outside the harbour, dropped the sail and motored in. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguePjqJTgl4wB2qHYCH8M1nqx_-PWCPGQt470kmYM7kctd94fu8gqxIoDTRZK7_-8_BxH7D4QY4qytIO2O-78SBuRAPTRt6lt0rOhuuNK5Pv_A-TYzzrAOhq28wBRQzggKHpyC/s2048/10+July+Sunrise+at+Tuts.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="2048" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguePjqJTgl4wB2qHYCH8M1nqx_-PWCPGQt470kmYM7kctd94fu8gqxIoDTRZK7_-8_BxH7D4QY4qytIO2O-78SBuRAPTRt6lt0rOhuuNK5Pv_A-TYzzrAOhq28wBRQzggKHpyC/w400-h301/10+July+Sunrise+at+Tuts.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The wind
was dead on the nose and a squall blew for a while at about F5,
but the motor managed without struggling, even if we were making
only 2 – 3 knots. I went straight to the W end of the
harbour this time and anchored in fairly shallow water among the
moorings. I think the wind did genuinely die out a bit later.
Anyway, I had a lovely, relaxing afternoon.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Although it's
supposed to be safe, I couldn't contemplate spending an E gale there,
so I plugged on again the next day. I got up before sunrise, gave myself time for
breakfast and got underway about 0900, after giving the breeze time to fill
in.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7AZiq7eAWz7B7FURes93tiRdqLK8XKFXNYkpM9ejUfVfpMb8CKZny65aWWm-62Gm7tU_3j9wgTQjdZv7baDn26-Vmzyjj7-kq0VhQtxBBNQ8HNIiFHu7g4nohavxtrSSVZzq/s2048/10+July+mulled+wine.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7AZiq7eAWz7B7FURes93tiRdqLK8XKFXNYkpM9ejUfVfpMb8CKZny65aWWm-62Gm7tU_3j9wgTQjdZv7baDn26-Vmzyjj7-kq0VhQtxBBNQ8HNIiFHu7g4nohavxtrSSVZzq/w400-h300/10+July+mulled+wine.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The forecast was for the wind to moderate and I looked
forward to sailing close hauled, into the forecast F3 and making my
way up Whangaruru harbour in flat water, giving me a chance to see
how my various modifications to the sail worked. However, the wind
<span style="font-style: normal;">died</span> right away at
around 1100, when I was expecting it still to be increasing. I
could amble along all day and arrive in the dark, and probably fairly
late – or I could motor. Several hours later and almost
deaf, I anchored off the wharf. It was cold and overcast. I lit
the fire and made mulled wine while I tidied ship and had a very
pleasant evening, cooking a good meal, snug and secure. After a
comfortable night, I looked at the forecasts and braced myself for
another couple of uncomfortable and worrying days.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It started blowing
about midday and was soon quite gusty and unpleasant. I was anchored
in about 9 ft, HW, with all my the chain out. The wind picked up
over the afternoon and I put out a second anchor, which made me feel
a lot better. I should have thought about it sooner, but it
still did some work. By morning, I am sure some of the gusts were
approaching 50 knots, but thankfully the underlying wind probably was less. However, I went out on deck for some wood and
didn't dare stand up, so it was probably blowing the best part of a
gale between gusts. A nearby house had a bright light on the
gable end: normally I would curse such light pollution, but that
night, I blessed it as a reassurance that I wasn’t dragging.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMzIunALmv9zBqLbUHarlVEA3c59NobQIJAOhS9xcuTAoRS6fR57SPkrCEgcuqmEoP5N9l79WY8TnbbqopKsQkbq0dYeUksm2BjdQD-UAQD5HMl6_USX0TuZYOSlBhgzRy_Sl/s2048/13+July+Whangaruru.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="2048" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMzIunALmv9zBqLbUHarlVEA3c59NobQIJAOhS9xcuTAoRS6fR57SPkrCEgcuqmEoP5N9l79WY8TnbbqopKsQkbq0dYeUksm2BjdQD-UAQD5HMl6_USX0TuZYOSlBhgzRy_Sl/w400-h299/13+July+Whangaruru.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After the best part
of two days and a night, I woke up to a much more pleasant morning.
According to the ‛nowcast’, the wind was still blowing, but it had
turned SE so we were much better sheltered. It was hard to get any
phone reception, but I could get a signal often enough to monitor
what was happening. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSxnZbUQpPnqCDQT2dpCtvxIKTW7U5ylI0izgOhNS_VXSkpcbSFfytRc4CKvlhSVJF86qUDqvNEA8WnJU6J4ZTXsQCC-bsdmNlmTrsDv7MJcFwmTceztDhyvO0OmVMHnadJG-/s2048/14+July+Appr+Cape+Brett.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="2048" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSxnZbUQpPnqCDQT2dpCtvxIKTW7U5ylI0izgOhNS_VXSkpcbSFfytRc4CKvlhSVJF86qUDqvNEA8WnJU6J4ZTXsQCC-bsdmNlmTrsDv7MJcFwmTceztDhyvO0OmVMHnadJG-/w400-h296/14+July+Appr+Cape+Brett.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The forecast made it
quite clear that if I didn't leave on Wednesday, 14th July I'd be in
Whangaruru for the foreseeable future. So I left. It
was forecasting F3, but in fact most of the time there was less, so
we did a lot of motoring and a bit of sailing. It’s not
really how I’d choose to make progress, but at least the outboard
seems to run well and doesn’t use that much petrol. The swell
wasn't as bad as I'd expected, which made me take the short cut
between Cape Brett and Piercy Rock/Motukokako. This was a
mistake. We'd been sailing very nicely for a few hours, up to then,
with the wind more S than SW so I thought it would follow us
through. How can anyone be so stupidly optimistic?
Anyway, I had to start the engine and run it for quite a while until
we got out into some wind again. </span></span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDUwIgjUMMernz8Yx8DQMAxjFkLVOPxUKc6qTC_xyd2nX4FnfUzywcn6miVnFiA6Gjb9c0aS4uW2rdgwmQnkaP5nRV3q0NpA6K3VOOUbbYYQdiMYBx-pXXBRKz-_PvmKVTaj1/s2048/14+July+Urupukpuka+Bay.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDUwIgjUMMernz8Yx8DQMAxjFkLVOPxUKc6qTC_xyd2nX4FnfUzywcn6miVnFiA6Gjb9c0aS4uW2rdgwmQnkaP5nRV3q0NpA6K3VOOUbbYYQdiMYBx-pXXBRKz-_PvmKVTaj1/w400-h300/14+July+Urupukpuka+Bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I intended to beat to Te
Puna: we'd made good progress and had plenty of time and <i>FanShi</i>
was sailing quite nicely However, the wind was very puffy and
unsettled. We motorsailed for a while and then I tacked and we
sailed back to go through the Albert Channel. The wind died
away, a sloppy sea remained, so I motorsailed the rest of the way and
then dropped the sail and motored the last mile or so, anchoring once
more in Urupukapuka Bay. It was good to be back in the Bay!
</span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Another reason I had
been pressing on was that I had an appointment on 15th July to get my
first vaccination against Covid. In the morning, I got underway
heading for Russell. There<span style="font-style: normal;"> was a very
light breeze but the sailing
was so pleasant, drifting along, yet making genuine progress to
windward. Best of all was the lovely flat sea! I could finally get some idea of whether or not the modifications I have made to the sail were working. (Yes. But I think I'll take out the rest of the hinges. There seems to be ample camber in the sail.)</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Finally,
wanting to get my jab,</span> I resorted to engine, but once round
Tapeka Point we could lay the course and we had a beautiful reach down
towards Matauwhi Bay. Off the moorings, I rounded up, started
the motor and chugged in. I picked up a mooring I am borrowing, secured it, had a quick tidy of ship and self and rowed ashore. Just over an hour later, I was back on board, jabbed and catching up
with my friend Gordon, who greeted me with a bottle of bubbly! It had been an eventful two months away.<br /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And here we shall stay until the gales have blown
themselves out. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And here, at least for the moment, I shall leave this blog. Even if I wanted to sail offshore, Covid makes this difficult. Moreover, at the moment, many countries in the Pacific are insisting that while a boat is on passaged, there is an AIS transmitter turned on the whole time. This is not my idea of voyaging.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Regardless, <i>FanShi</i> and I will be pootling around Northland and Auckland for the foreseeable future, spending most of our time at rest at anchor or on a mooring. This does not make for riveting 'copy', either to write or to read. So for the moment, thank you to all the people who have been following me over the past couple of decades. It has been wonderful to recieve comments and feedback and a privilege to know that people have enjoyed what I have written.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILyTcMiOGPIirIGcJgBWYAaoZFOqLjEnZStSY2i7-kLRUgY7-3B3IEBGu06QMWB4AL2m-MEU1qdL0L7YntmbpNoEQX9X5smIts3JR1qj0mH8CAwY8aMoqB9YdwjTcDHPXFZWA/s2048/20210319_121018_035817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILyTcMiOGPIirIGcJgBWYAaoZFOqLjEnZStSY2i7-kLRUgY7-3B3IEBGu06QMWB4AL2m-MEU1qdL0L7YntmbpNoEQX9X5smIts3JR1qj0mH8CAwY8aMoqB9YdwjTcDHPXFZWA/w640-h360/20210319_121018_035817.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /> </span></span></span><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Annie </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">PS Journalist, Matt Vance, has written a very nice article for about <i>FanShi</i>. Apart from mistakenly referring to David Tyler as a Canadian, it's pretty accurate. It is a nice account of both me and the boat. <br /><br />https://boatingnz.co.nz/the-beauty-of-junk/</p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span></span><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><style type="text/css">td p { direction: ltr; color: #000000; text-align: left; orphans: 0; widows: 0; background: transparent }td p.western { font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; so-language: en-NZ }td p.cjk { font-family: "Liberation Serif"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: hi-IN }td p.ctl { font-family: "DejaVu Serif"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: hi-IN }p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; direction: ltr; color: #000000; line-height: 115%; text-align: left; orphans: 0; widows: 0; background: transparent }p.western { font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; so-language: en-NZ }p.cjk { font-family: "Liberation Serif"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: hi-IN }p.ctl { font-family: "DejaVu Serif"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: hi-IN }a:link { color: #000080; text-decoration: underline }a.western:link { so-language: zxx }a.cjk:link { so-language: zxx }</style></span></span></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-26528305980503300812021-05-22T17:00:00.001+12:002021-05-22T17:00:53.078+12:00Living Slowly in Northland<p>I've spent the last couple of months pottering around in the Bay of Islands, but a few days ago, I finally got sufficient energy to abandon my lotus eating and venture out down the coast once more.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYn-1YIq5F9QkfhDOX5rtmCyPT5nlQhqD0npfxB4-3Bw9cHdh1FVI60-P1XKRB9WSs1ElcG92NWYYd7yFeqqDqZL9n458CyXiDDxzCdpmk3iQl-sGuAivTszl3FIjSV7w7aXk/s2048/037+following+ZBD+19+Mar_051659.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYn-1YIq5F9QkfhDOX5rtmCyPT5nlQhqD0npfxB4-3Bw9cHdh1FVI60-P1XKRB9WSs1ElcG92NWYYd7yFeqqDqZL9n458CyXiDDxzCdpmk3iQl-sGuAivTszl3FIjSV7w7aXk/w300-h400/037+following+ZBD+19+Mar_051659.JPG" width="300" /></a> Part of the reason that the Bay has been so attractive is because of the pleasure of spending time with my friends, a great luxury after my years spent working on the boat. One fine day, <i>Zebedee</i> and <i>FanShi </i>had a sail in company to Patunui Bay, where Shirley had been spending a few days. She was planning to take off for Fiji 'soon' and so Alan and I wanted to make the besf of her company while we could. (What with one thing and another, 'soon' was in fact, about another month and a half: blame the bureaucrats!)</p><p>Alan returned to Russell after a couple of days, but Shirley and I decided to shift berth to Crowles Bay for a day or two. A bit of a swell was rolling in where we were and I thought there would also be less wind across the inlet, which would make it more pleasant to sit in the cockpit.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-xJOh70g38ePaMAe7rXty9iUZPjrtRU4WoMjiVYYR7gWAhWCcm_CoPeEhYHuOOQXbwRhT2ktVvBGRFDRpEG4tLf6n8fFBu6kTr_XEqCnxe9VezDVOdguv1c3vpXAKsNtehwR/w400-h300/038+Spd+and+FS_043324.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We wandered back to Russell a few days later, and a passing launch took a glorious photo of the two of us drifting along in the early morning calm. Many thanks to John Sharp for the photograph.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviBXuAqJA1mIeOvjkDyuMimU1PjbGlq3hjUzrNHBwR8KzYvJNybGkKjE0yUDSCUSWKNidaAfOTD8xKgZQxvoIlPiw5LZGs0I356zA2BFRSHgJ0QYgn5-iYW333MQRIv7sF3M2/s2048/049+Speedwell_022004.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviBXuAqJA1mIeOvjkDyuMimU1PjbGlq3hjUzrNHBwR8KzYvJNybGkKjE0yUDSCUSWKNidaAfOTD8xKgZQxvoIlPiw5LZGs0I356zA2BFRSHgJ0QYgn5-iYW333MQRIv7sF3M2/w400-h300/049+Speedwell_022004.JPG" width="400" /></a>The wind came and went and for a while we resorted to power, to counteract the contrary tide in the Kent Passage. However, it picked up again later and <i>Speedwell</i> looked wonderful, bowling along over the flat sea She is such a staunch, little boat: she inspires confidence, even if you don't realise how much she has done. She is now in Fiji: I shall miss my visits on board, and meals in her cosy saloon.</div><p>One of the design requirements for <i>FanShi </i>was shoal draught. I have a little project to seek out 'hurricane holes' as I cruise around. A hurricane hole in many ways represents the perfect anchorage: surrounded on all sides, and with a narrow entrance around a few corners, so the swell can't get in. I suppose that <i>real</i> hurricane holes would also be full of mosquitoes and sandflies in warmer weather, but the perfect anchorage, of course, doesn't have these.</p><p>Anyway, for some time I had wanted to go and explore one of these possibilities. Metric charts are woefully short of detail. I have been informed that I am out of date here, and that looking at Google Earth will give me all the information I need. However, the old Imperial charts showed the type of bottom (mud, mud over rock, sand, shingle, etc) which is hard to ascertain from a photo. It's even harder when the water is laden with silt. Nor does Google Earth show underwater rocks, nor where the channel (if there is one) lies, nor ... but you get my drift. Anyway, lacking a decent chart I did my best with an older metric one and the latest Navionics (NZ) chart on my phone which was not much use at all! </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblYrqVwLLQ9iNw9Lk8aGl1WC7PMXTt3lTyxxYoFIGUA8Wik9dmn2F_QditMabf6cne9OOPUFzkhVx1pPnEciUdB0SVwawSAj2bWwIxizaNNz1ptAe5cUWdrC0cFJrBkcDVcVx/s2400/Screenshot_20210522-142848.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblYrqVwLLQ9iNw9Lk8aGl1WC7PMXTt3lTyxxYoFIGUA8Wik9dmn2F_QditMabf6cne9OOPUFzkhVx1pPnEciUdB0SVwawSAj2bWwIxizaNNz1ptAe5cUWdrC0cFJrBkcDVcVx/w180-h400/Screenshot_20210522-142848.png" width="180" /></a>With a light easterly breeze, we sailed from Russell and into the Kerikeri Inlet, but instead of taking the main channel to the north, I picked my way along the S side, following a shallow channel between the mainland and a line of skerries running SE/NW. If I kept towards the skerries, there was only one rock to worry about and some kind soul had marked it with a blue float, which made life easier. Logically, I would have entered on a rising tide, but I wanted to keep my speed down. Besides, with settled weather, it really wouldn't matter if I did run aground. We had a foot or so of water under us most of the time and I sailed as far as the SW extremity of the inlet, where there was an oyster farm. What breeze there was switched around on the nose as I turned the corner and as I wasn't entirely clear what lay ahead, I decided to anchor for the night: it was already quite late in the day. Dropping the sail I went forward and lowered the anchor, only to find that we had drifted out of the deeper water and <i>FanShi </i>was aground<i>.</i> (The deeper water was by the oyster farm.) I lowered both boards and secured them to discourage <i>FanShi</i> from heeling over, tidied up and poured myself a drink.</p><p></p><p>Looking through binoculars a little later, just before it got too dark to see, I could make out another blue float, apparently marking the edge of a shoal. The channel into the lagoon, which was my object, had a rocky shoal almost in the middle, which had been marked by a stick. Apparently the channel was between the two.</p><p></p><p>After a quiet night, I waited for about four hours flood, which meant that I could still see the shallows more easily than at HW. With no wind, I started the outboard and pottered along the channel. It was pretty shallow between the stick and the blue float; otherwise there appeared to be plenty of water. At one time there was nearly 3m under the keel. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTR1BKF5ywY4fp-OuGUA3CNA_Kim64Bm_bEjiKA3cxRi_hkzE6mRMDsaKVBzrv2orIXVFddZthMxsECR5BfIttExujQNWrQ3ASLkTtrjW86J1ixlkznRXXo-Q4mluHw0Ud3Jm_/s2048/040+Hauparua+Inlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTR1BKF5ywY4fp-OuGUA3CNA_Kim64Bm_bEjiKA3cxRi_hkzE6mRMDsaKVBzrv2orIXVFddZthMxsECR5BfIttExujQNWrQ3ASLkTtrjW86J1ixlkznRXXo-Q4mluHw0Ud3Jm_/w400-h300/040+Hauparua+Inlet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We passed into the lagoon and found three boats on moorings and one old fishing boat, dying on the beach. I found enough depth to anchor near the moored boats. From this spot, it was almost impossible to see the entrance, hidden by the land and the trees.<p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnel66UxOmyNFOP1j-s5g2hgKmhLcovGjC99avAicEpDVL1veZjvsLR4Utpvc7gxtu8eXTKbCvmGIswg-MzODzdfQZn98XZAkHw6Skndy1_15dtbHktlh6B6gtN4kvWm6QxITm/s2048/048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1229" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnel66UxOmyNFOP1j-s5g2hgKmhLcovGjC99avAicEpDVL1veZjvsLR4Utpvc7gxtu8eXTKbCvmGIswg-MzODzdfQZn98XZAkHw6Skndy1_15dtbHktlh6B6gtN4kvWm6QxITm/w240-h400/048.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>It is an ideal anchorage for a boat such as <i>FanShi. </i><br /><p></p><p> I spent about a week in this lovely, tranquil spot. Some friends lived a couple of km away and I walked to visit them a few times.</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDP-C9Vw6oaQJSA7l73iMl6t4JIVyV6zj-h3cDbCyzKSws49oQCQGROODCyY3NnacIEIIM1tt97Cvxeg9HxBGg_9KeTYgjd9L0e_OD66hX_aXfotKByIc7lT3jpepfsxOZ4vl/s2048/049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDP-C9Vw6oaQJSA7l73iMl6t4JIVyV6zj-h3cDbCyzKSws49oQCQGROODCyY3NnacIEIIM1tt97Cvxeg9HxBGg_9KeTYgjd9L0e_OD66hX_aXfotKByIc7lT3jpepfsxOZ4vl/w400-h240/049.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I also explored the old Maori fish traps, made by damming a part of the channel so that fish couldn't escape at low water.<p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3rjLQ01lo2x1fsnRRXVd3yyVwS7r90OofT0rCdxVvvqNvQwP4_Hx-A42ywUHXQkvR6H-bU7WVdWtiWfdSH0ZndMdyLxpoyw_KzIGkTdYNuAU5SQkWXLyX4DUtts5SEVtY8w4/s2048/050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3rjLQ01lo2x1fsnRRXVd3yyVwS7r90OofT0rCdxVvvqNvQwP4_Hx-A42ywUHXQkvR6H-bU7WVdWtiWfdSH0ZndMdyLxpoyw_KzIGkTdYNuAU5SQkWXLyX4DUtts5SEVtY8w4/w400-h240/050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>If you didn't know what you were looking at, they would have been hard to spot.<p></p><p>After a week in this idyllic spot, I tore myself away to take a friend out sailing and then made my way back to Russell.<br /></p><p>I had decided that I really ought to get out of the Bay of Islands before winter really in, and to go and catch up with friends who live S of Whangarei. I bought some more provisions in Russell and then sailed over to Urupukapuka Island for fresh water. Taking on water in this part of the world is a problem, unless you are prepared to go to a marina or to go alongside a fuel dock. My water is all in jerricans, which suits my way of doing things very well, but at a fuel dock, it would take a long time to fill up all the indvidual containers, screw the caps down and put them back on board. I suspect it wouldn't be the best way to win friends. However, there is a DOC campsite on Urupukapuka, which has fresh water taps for the convenience of the campers. I wasn't quite sure where they were, so went ashore to recce. I soon found them with a 'must be boiled' notice alongside, but I doubt that many people do! Having assured myself that I would be able to top up my water, I then carried on for a walk. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzfVBcwOh2DlRAbaoKJCdmK6CIdTNoNgO5mVvYt5imJ9jbeODQDcZm-GuzhIYdU6RkPFa-ndP8Zn4y6HFiL-nxQ8FF0oinfcCdXla4fyCXtrcSa0vaB5UjjdLhR4-I0y70YqX/s2048/051+Urupukapuka+16+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzfVBcwOh2DlRAbaoKJCdmK6CIdTNoNgO5mVvYt5imJ9jbeODQDcZm-GuzhIYdU6RkPFa-ndP8Zn4y6HFiL-nxQ8FF0oinfcCdXla4fyCXtrcSa0vaB5UjjdLhR4-I0y70YqX/w400-h225/051+Urupukapuka+16+May.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The views from any high point on Urupukapuka are quite wonderful. All the islands in this area of the Bay have been made predator free and it's fun to look out for the re-introduced birds, although tui are the loudest and most obvious.<p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihULZ4_mBgtpkM5q8Rqm0sD9Gwgg597732Cjhjnph5RySiLSjwSxLvSoVyU4QSRHLoQ98yOTFWG9miVJek1Tr4dPXoMfjzcLp562KuZUbJ4ksKY6Dy0a4MeIM2k3sRNs1VuA34/s1960/055_+Urupukapuka+16+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="1470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihULZ4_mBgtpkM5q8Rqm0sD9Gwgg597732Cjhjnph5RySiLSjwSxLvSoVyU4QSRHLoQ98yOTFWG9miVJek1Tr4dPXoMfjzcLp562KuZUbJ4ksKY6Dy0a4MeIM2k3sRNs1VuA34/s320/055_+Urupukapuka+16+May.jpg" /></a></div>Climbing up the hill I stopped several times for the obligatory My Boat in the Anchorage photos. I realised I was much further out than I'd intended: the wind had died away to nothing when I sailed in, so I just dropped the hook where stopped. But for ferrying water, it would be more convenient to be closer in.<p></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJNcQfeOAaCyhNdQW7WEtbw_MyOxOJAeBvj5q9OhNCjwPTHFm2Dmp1RT4b8OGrWwvbSuNewf-6m2Z6RD7dS2e_g0hJX83cQDcStaSwbccqf-RPk34r_kvi1Z0bQ3ZwcgB_aO2/s1960/056+Urupukapuka+16+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJNcQfeOAaCyhNdQW7WEtbw_MyOxOJAeBvj5q9OhNCjwPTHFm2Dmp1RT4b8OGrWwvbSuNewf-6m2Z6RD7dS2e_g0hJX83cQDcStaSwbccqf-RPk34r_kvi1Z0bQ3ZwcgB_aO2/w400-h300/056+Urupukapuka+16+May.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The island has some pretty dramatic cliffs as well as some beautiful bush and a nice little lake, created some years ago to encourage the endangered Pateke (Brown teal). I've never actually seen any on Urupukapuka, but there's a flourishing little colony on Great Barrier. They are endearing wee ducks.<p></p><p>Next day I moved <i>FanShi</i> closer inshore and then got out all my empty jerricans. I should have taken a photo of the water filling exercise, but didn't
think about it. However, three trips was all that was required and once the full containers were safely stowed away, I rowed ashore again for another walk in a different direction from the previous day. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEF3C5nr3EBd-qOJvAKN88omH1bKPU2AiljdY8wi33Li_u4C6-AcCN-H7jG6sEQ9qTZCYAfZCnDFxcMc9D2Qq8WhgC2yLC4zsiUn09hiZKeb3ixnOBYsh5U8S0Ga5ni2IUdKe/s1960/058+16+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="1470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEF3C5nr3EBd-qOJvAKN88omH1bKPU2AiljdY8wi33Li_u4C6-AcCN-H7jG6sEQ9qTZCYAfZCnDFxcMc9D2Qq8WhgC2yLC4zsiUn09hiZKeb3ixnOBYsh5U8S0Ga5ni2IUdKe/w300-h400/058+16+May.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Again I stopped frequently to admire my litte boat at anchor. All this unwonted exercise was not just to enjoy the joys of Urupukapuka, but also because I wanted up-to-date weather forecasts for rounding Cape Brett. I could pick up FM radio without any difficulty, but the Kiwi idea of a weather forecast is pretty feeble: they rarely give the temperature and generally only ever mention the wind if it's going to be gale force or above.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA2MDr87a6d2w8-hnfXMLWeQygTy_3GBYNoqSw8K2_KhfBmulFP_ZFYzV9fAtSrsAl9tSx-851o1uI3wVB8HxjCI3PDztP0_512pq7sIbymTJWTJkbIW2AGzRl8EDb1oH-hNa/s1804/059+16+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1804" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA2MDr87a6d2w8-hnfXMLWeQygTy_3GBYNoqSw8K2_KhfBmulFP_ZFYzV9fAtSrsAl9tSx-851o1uI3wVB8HxjCI3PDztP0_512pq7sIbymTJWTJkbIW2AGzRl8EDb1oH-hNa/w400-h300/059+16+May.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>New Zealand has superb native trees. Most people have heard of Kauri, of course, but another marvel is the Pohutakawa. They start as little, shrubby things, but grow quite rapidly into large and imposing trees, with great, horizontal branches capable of covering large areas. I found a spectacular grove of them at the S end of the island. These beautiful trees produce red 'flowers' in December - just in time for Christmas. They are very much a tree of the shoreline - apart from anything else, they don't tolerate frost - and you often see their roots spreading all the way down a cliff face.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJC9shdcwWhnQgYBLX-2k7B5lk5pbLv4tpBIxh9n92V570RcsfkYdHk_2SRo7XjHC_Oe_TMe5sgsqjZzYg13vqVpZICKOIAVqsvIOxsb673NUfMcEHky9_nGHV3FRjKrstFYz/s1804/061+Urupukapuka+18+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1804" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJC9shdcwWhnQgYBLX-2k7B5lk5pbLv4tpBIxh9n92V570RcsfkYdHk_2SRo7XjHC_Oe_TMe5sgsqjZzYg13vqVpZICKOIAVqsvIOxsb673NUfMcEHky9_nGHV3FRjKrstFYz/w400-h300/061+Urupukapuka+18+May.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When I walked back, I discovered two more boats had arrived. <i>FanShi</i> suddenly looked a lot smaller.<p></p><p>With a reasonable (day-old) forecast, I set off the next morning not long after sunrise. I passed close to <i>Legacy</i> and a man sitting in the cockpit asked If I'd mind if he took some drone footage of my boat. Generally I find drones noisy, obtrusive
invaders of privacy, but seeing as how he had been so courteous as to
ask, it seemed churlish to refuse. I called out my email address, but
wasn't sure he'd remember it. However, I'm pleased that I did, because
the next day the video that he had taken was in my Inbox and it was
quite beautiful. Perhaps I need to rethink my attitude towards drones! My Internet doesn't seem to have enought oomph to be able to download it, but here is <a href="https://youtu.be/Sq-XjOMolGg" target="_blank">the link:</a><br /></p><p>We passed out through the Albert Channel and up to Cape Brett. The wind was building and I was pleased I had left early because once around the Cape, it would be off the land and the swell wouldn't be an issue. As usual by the Cape, the winds came in fits and starts for some time, but I headed offshore a little until it settled down. My original plan had been to go to Whangamumu and on to Mimiwhangata the next day. However, the forecast was for very light winds on the following day, so I decided to go straight to Mimiwhangata. We settled down to a steady 4 to 5 knots, with the wind forward of the beam. There was less S in it than forecast, which meant that we could readily lay the course.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdjOdNPgKOjlH_E55LtuYR06NGUuTfWEH8sAQ7Fhvbk5D2iz6eI2DfA95NcOKSX3ZV69Al4GbVplG-yJgkG3I252Vth3eZU72uOc-c4AjllpR43BVZ1HOU0vNi_IYVyqMc4zR/s1804/062_Whangaruru_Pen_19_May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1804" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdjOdNPgKOjlH_E55LtuYR06NGUuTfWEH8sAQ7Fhvbk5D2iz6eI2DfA95NcOKSX3ZV69Al4GbVplG-yJgkG3I252Vth3eZU72uOc-c4AjllpR43BVZ1HOU0vNi_IYVyqMc4zR/w400-h300/062_Whangaruru_Pen_19_May.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Sailing along the Whangaruru Peninsula was as near perfect as I could hope for, with a steady breeze and a smooth sea. As we passed Cape Home, however, the wind started funnelling along the valleys beyond Oakura and Helena Bay. They were unpleasant enough that it was worth dropping a couple of reefs. They also brought the wind hard on the nose, but we managed to make Mimiwhangata without having to tack. I have always anchored off the S shore in the past, but this time took the advice of David Thatcher in his excellent cruising guide to <i>New Zealand's Northland Coast</i> and anchored right in the W corner, in the lee of the land and Paparahi I, in perfect shelter. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCV5NjxeohhGL96Rt8jdwwoB8mz7SMbTm0f5j-qRTytym7Wv0hMqwHlqqxmpf_xkHdEnQ-N3KQ-hAIbjD88SzFx0m5i5g2S2uWpwMinNGAYur1kpMZuymKyT3CCTY7juH2a4J/s2048/063_Mimiwhangata_Bay_from_W_19_May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCV5NjxeohhGL96Rt8jdwwoB8mz7SMbTm0f5j-qRTytym7Wv0hMqwHlqqxmpf_xkHdEnQ-N3KQ-hAIbjD88SzFx0m5i5g2S2uWpwMinNGAYur1kpMZuymKyT3CCTY7juH2a4J/w400-h300/063_Mimiwhangata_Bay_from_W_19_May.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the evening, as I looked astern cross the bay, there was little sign of humanity. The anchorage was deserted on this autumn evening and there was neither a boat nor a building to be seen. Perfect.</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDzXJ93ViFXuxSQj5a7V-VkSM12G_x1UOSDH3_TzjgJDUFWWKqjXGT_T7chHUJipCfjS4Ry-py7DXuQxN6pekbIb-MHv5_3QFvJshEokh7K00RYjLMnDf4C2tnr1x-IRg-zNs/s1804/064+HeadingupW-ruru_Hbr_20_May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1804" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDzXJ93ViFXuxSQj5a7V-VkSM12G_x1UOSDH3_TzjgJDUFWWKqjXGT_T7chHUJipCfjS4Ry-py7DXuQxN6pekbIb-MHv5_3QFvJshEokh7K00RYjLMnDf4C2tnr1x-IRg-zNs/w400-h400/064+HeadingupW-ruru_Hbr_20_May.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The next day, a very light S breeze took us the 7 miles to the head of Whangaruru Harbour. This was the first hint of what is yet to come: apparently we can look forward to three days of gales and storms brought in by a Tropical Low. I am snugged in under the land, in shallow water, with plenty of room to drag and a soft landing if I do. However, it looks like being an unpleasant few days. As I'm typing, the rain is pouring down and the odd gust finds its way into the anchorage. I shan't be sorry when it's over, although it looks as though I will have to wait for a week before I get any wind out of the W or N!<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p><i>When I started writing this post, a warning came up from Blogger that they are going to end the "follow by email' facility. I used to be able to follow blogs automatically, using Thunderbird, but sadly, that doesn't work on Android. I'm not sure what the answer is apart from migrating to another blog site, which allows for following by email. As this is actually quite a big deal, I'm reluctant to do so. Someone might be able to post a way of automatically following blogs, in the comments.</i><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-69232734094054799672021-03-17T15:56:00.000+13:002021-03-17T15:56:52.584+13:00However did I find time to build a boat?<p> It's hard to believe that <i>FanShi</i> has been afloat for two months. I seem to have been busy, and ave nothing to show for the time, apart from a good suntan and a happy smile. </p><p>Several of my friends stayed for a junket, after the launching and we anchored further down Whangarei Harbour, in Parua Bay.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaj3BgRFeoZmwbEPtQ-__4C1bnghL6ynAJrESLRLqtElGPYX4oqvlt3KAreQwnKvgmR8Alhi8txWIril8mXi7zfirgR5kmBaKbz7HeMbKjNvPFM5_OhZAvPzW4rW_PRcL26tw/s2048/002+17+Jan+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaj3BgRFeoZmwbEPtQ-__4C1bnghL6ynAJrESLRLqtElGPYX4oqvlt3KAreQwnKvgmR8Alhi8txWIril8mXi7zfirgR5kmBaKbz7HeMbKjNvPFM5_OhZAvPzW4rW_PRcL26tw/w400-h225/002+17+Jan+1.jpg" width="400" /><br /></a></div><p><br /> The first day was peaceful and calm and we all had a quiet day, recovering <br />from the previous day's activites.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mVRLAJEbTOVbjpj7iNAe2HabfqAfFdVVG_jaN1oTmYMmcoNrxp2vp7W8C1SnoHiE3EvEkyLhPOpNt_yzFDiSC9KUQrULGdE0GuYrwQz3tk4clcAp1IEekqOTmMPjnODNON6X/s2048/001+17+Jan+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mVRLAJEbTOVbjpj7iNAe2HabfqAfFdVVG_jaN1oTmYMmcoNrxp2vp7W8C1SnoHiE3EvEkyLhPOpNt_yzFDiSC9KUQrULGdE0GuYrwQz3tk4clcAp1IEekqOTmMPjnODNON6X/w225-h400/001+17+Jan+2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p>It seemed very wonderful to be back afloat, but oddly, far from feeling strange, it felt like the most normal thing in the world. The next day, the wind shifted and picked up, blowing freshly into the anchorage. The four of us who remained, moved across to the other side of the bay. It carried on blowing for several days, which was more than a little irritating. I had found the boat to have noticeable lee helm, when we sailed down the harbour, and I wanted to work on the rigging to try and eliminate it. Shirley and Alan both left and then Gordon, who had joined us in <i>Tystie</i>, also had to go. I decided to shift to another anchorage that should be sheltered from the prevailing wind.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqqzeXzgcbSe0nA4wFOgjD0_neXVVPGzvDWltuaqKEqpUk7A_r-3zZQ0VUjBERKEajguEWAUwGJto1j8_q7KT2Uc_P48G80TceJyglbcofBK-b8ExWsKFuEaKcqqmsyyK_NQ8/s1822/003+23+Jan+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="1366" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqqzeXzgcbSe0nA4wFOgjD0_neXVVPGzvDWltuaqKEqpUk7A_r-3zZQ0VUjBERKEajguEWAUwGJto1j8_q7KT2Uc_P48G80TceJyglbcofBK-b8ExWsKFuEaKcqqmsyyK_NQ8/w300-h400/003+23+Jan+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>We set off together and beat out of the narrow entrance into Parua Bay. Then we went our separate ways, but I didn't find my new anchorage to be any more sheltered than the old one. Shirley had gone up to Tutukaka the same day and told me what a lovely sail she had had. With an identical forecast for the next day, I decided to follow suit. We had a lovely sail in a light, following breeze down the harbour, with the self-steering doing all the work, which was impressive. Between Busby and Bream Heads the wind filled in and we were sailing along happily at about 5 knots. As I expected, sailing around Bream Head was a bit like being in a washing machine, but I was confident that we would have a nice beam reach up the coast.</p><p>Well, we had the wind on the beam all right, but it wasn't exactly 'nice'. Gusts were coming off the hills, creating a nasty chop and were of sufficient strength that I had 2 or 3 reefs in and occasionally more, being nervous with my brand new boat. We were up to Tutukaka by midday, having made very good time. The coastline up to the next good anchorage, Whangaruru, falls away from the direct track, and I thought that I should be able to carry on in more pleasant conditions. However, if anything the gusts got stronger and the lulls weaker, so that we found oursleves frequently crashing about in a horrible jobble, without enough wind to fill the sail. I know it's easy to reef and make sail on a junk, but even so when you have to do one or the other every 10 minutes, the novelty soon wears off. And then when I was just looking forward to a sheltered-water sail up the entrance into Whangaruru, the wind shifted further north making it a dead beat in F5. Thoroughly disenchanted, I recalled the sage advice from friends, to give my outboard 'a good run', so started it and motorsailed for most of the rest of the way. I finally anchored about 5 o'clock, with the firm intention of staying until I got a good forecast and had chance to do the alterations to the rigging that I was intending. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA1jFuSE9h5yPUUzuL4emqghS1GBEm8VOb_Rm5oJjJkOM2Ps4FQNc91ysvWLAcd1hdyrXsHu8bJEriCuMU0w15WoDOWYfx0nl-4mwBK_siN-Rswl2bsFwQMAOL5jYtBut_YTz/s2048/007+25+Jan+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA1jFuSE9h5yPUUzuL4emqghS1GBEm8VOb_Rm5oJjJkOM2Ps4FQNc91ysvWLAcd1hdyrXsHu8bJEriCuMU0w15WoDOWYfx0nl-4mwBK_siN-Rswl2bsFwQMAOL5jYtBut_YTz/w400-h300/007+25+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Whangaruru is one of my favourite places and had been the subject of many a daydream while I had been building. It treated me well, with light winds and flat water. Shirley sailed in the next day and we shared sundowners and a couple of meals. It was wonderful finally to relax.<p></p><p>After a few days, Shirley set off to the Bay of Islands, to catch up with some old friends, but I lingered a little longer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EF2IwyCTLjRD4tIRg3cSeBHXj5H3X4q4p0kMWTii186SVY7vmAeddyC46vmjuGALrovMsnkKi_RHNh-HsHrBgaMl4VJyjc6pPyChnkZ07uXca2aBOpWho8-vGtzFeZrrXB0a/s2048/008+29+Jan+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EF2IwyCTLjRD4tIRg3cSeBHXj5H3X4q4p0kMWTii186SVY7vmAeddyC46vmjuGALrovMsnkKi_RHNh-HsHrBgaMl4VJyjc6pPyChnkZ07uXca2aBOpWho8-vGtzFeZrrXB0a/w400-h300/008+29+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>I wanted to try out my sail on the starboard tack, which is where I had noticed the lee helm most. As well, I had come to realise that I am physically and mentally exhausted from 5 years of hard slog; the last six months had been even more full on because, unconsciously, I had been pushing myself to get on the water in time to enjoy at least some of the summer. I really have very low energy levels and don't want to take on challenging sailing or new projects. I am very, very pleased that I didn't listen to the many suggestions that I 'should just get the boat in the water and get sailing'. I knew then and have been proven correct, that once that happened, I wouldn't want to touch the tools again.</p><p>At the start of February, I had what seemed to be the perfect forecast to sail up to the Bay of Islands. Indeed, the wind was so light that I resorted to the motor to get down the harbour against the incoming tide. Outside there was a sloppy easterly swell and occasionally the wind died away completely. However, in spite of the discomfort, I was impressed with how <i>FanShi</i> made her way through the water in the lightest of airs. Once again, the self-steering coped admirably and as I prefer to do things other than hold the tiller, this suits me very well.</p><p>Once around Cape Brett, the wind filled in to a very fresh F4 and I put several reefs in the sail. It was a while since I had sailed here and I wanted to identify things correctly. In fact, instead of going through the gap between the mainland and the first group of islands, I would have done better to go around the W side of Urupukapuka, where I should probably have been away from the worst of the gusts. However, in due course we brought to in Otaio Bay on Urupukapuka: this hadn't been my original intention, but the Bay was heaving with boats and everywhere crowded. I ended up outside most of the anchored boats and it was a bit choppy until the wind died. The next morning I motored right in towards the beach and anchored with a good 4ft under the keel at LW , with the rest of the boats well astern of me. It was a lovely spot and I was tempted to stay longer. I went ashore for a walk and enjoyed watching the birds - the islands are now predator-free and several of our more threatened birds have been reintroduced. I saw quite a lot of tieke (saddlebacks) and places where kiwi had been probing in the soil for food. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wrQAOre3YmTKk97cWZLUo-6kYH7SzmuALNSz2-Ayq_4oa-INMF4WK_YOVhZjc1g6G-G1By8KtesbZMoMhcqSBvEVVSAWFUlJgKhVhpaXnmR0UtsmtmbF5YKrgdZzmo7L-00W/s2818/010+3+Feb+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="2818" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wrQAOre3YmTKk97cWZLUo-6kYH7SzmuALNSz2-Ayq_4oa-INMF4WK_YOVhZjc1g6G-G1By8KtesbZMoMhcqSBvEVVSAWFUlJgKhVhpaXnmR0UtsmtmbF5YKrgdZzmo7L-00W/w400-h159/010+3+Feb+3.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div><p>However, my sail up hadn't really told me much about the lee helm, so I decided to sail over to Russell, leaving in the morning calm and assessing how the sail handled as the wind increased. I deliberately went for a big sail area and <i>FanShi</i> ghosts wonderfully well. In spite of the wind being almost imperceptible and a fairly strong tidal stream, we made progress where most of the other boats were motoring. To me the most pleasant sailing is in light winds, so I am very happy with this.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ3H1pUnQpqVJZZhRFF0c7hDx_ok8cCM5gc_DyoXjkbPibjR-NTmi7I0PYWJwJN71rR-AA2U_3F-qBDtjbTKvLSrjlOEBh5QDRsWc3khyerIoiR7G6DwIFYGiM20KSKPGd1P5/s2048/009+3+Feb+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ3H1pUnQpqVJZZhRFF0c7hDx_ok8cCM5gc_DyoXjkbPibjR-NTmi7I0PYWJwJN71rR-AA2U_3F-qBDtjbTKvLSrjlOEBh5QDRsWc3khyerIoiR7G6DwIFYGiM20KSKPGd1P5/w300-h400/009+3+Feb+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>I had worked out, after many different experiments, that the only real way to get the yard to sit where it should, was by moving the sling point forward. I am not quite sure how this has happened. The sail was made accurately to the design and the mast wasn't supposed to end up in the middle of the yard. However, that's how it has turned out. It is almost impossible to get a good photo of the sail from the boat, but you can see that I still have cresaes. I think I will have to live with them, because of forcing the yard to go where it doesn't really want to go. (When I got to Russell, Alan suggested a better way of rigging the luff hauling parrel and the sail is setting a bit better now). <br /></p><p>I stayed in Russell for several days, catching up with friends and doing a bit of shopping. </p><p> Wanting to try out the latest iteration, I sailed into the Te Puna Inlet with a little more wind, and reckoned that in fact I now had too much <i>weather</i> helm. Once again I moved the sling, about 150mm further aft. It now seems right. Bad weather was forecast and I made a couple of tactical errors, which resulted in my raising the anchor and shifting berth in less than ideal conditions, including crossing the Inlet at 2 in the morning in rather more wind than I like. A large catamaran with a bright anchor light, was in the harbour I was heading for, which made this rather less alarming (and rash) than it might otherwise have been. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1mZad4BAlaD10N2qgzzbbIdUKvda1H8E_mVMfZOQ1rgeRT2Kh3q2Sx2lxOeRoeWSww_pb78oEarvR9B7KGsSCtK9z9_5TgycvOAlsqJou1lDiuP0MgEtmgOOo15sDLHCdEPS/s2048/011+3+Feb+4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1mZad4BAlaD10N2qgzzbbIdUKvda1H8E_mVMfZOQ1rgeRT2Kh3q2Sx2lxOeRoeWSww_pb78oEarvR9B7KGsSCtK9z9_5TgycvOAlsqJou1lDiuP0MgEtmgOOo15sDLHCdEPS/w400-h300/011+3+Feb+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>When the weather cleared up, I left again. Shirley was still in Kerikeri, so I decided to go up and see her. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmwpviHPnLFRlUdn7fszFbu_s7uA6cdQ1Y1-HK1KkJyfmLbe7nRkqialzAkmkQBiev266EVG7ha2hCjfLioWeCDw7mHqqOHgTgJyMBQ65hhN9TRSbAZTLONM55YHZMdk1HQr7/s2048/018+19+Feb+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmwpviHPnLFRlUdn7fszFbu_s7uA6cdQ1Y1-HK1KkJyfmLbe7nRkqialzAkmkQBiev266EVG7ha2hCjfLioWeCDw7mHqqOHgTgJyMBQ65hhN9TRSbAZTLONM55YHZMdk1HQr7/w400-h300/018+19+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>On a lovely day, with a perfect breeze, we sailed up the Bay and into the Kerikeri Inlet. I blessed the self steering again: with a trim tab, it is easy to override the gear by hand to correct the course, but you can also set it up in an instant to get a proper look at the chart or to use binoculars to find markers. It is equally easy to unlatch and makes pilotage less stressful. Once I had picked up the first marker, it was easy to sail from one to the next.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp7j9p7WThupQkyIxoOI00YKzHrLrIQNoOxrYln3Bt4UOtR7xuiiCx2_PQiUjCUbPZnRwxm8zdQgGWyRWQMLqvpnK6AWjiFxIEZd0kMBpREgUrej2l1E7rUZUdljPEVoUD9MH/s2048/019+19+Feb+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp7j9p7WThupQkyIxoOI00YKzHrLrIQNoOxrYln3Bt4UOtR7xuiiCx2_PQiUjCUbPZnRwxm8zdQgGWyRWQMLqvpnK6AWjiFxIEZd0kMBpREgUrej2l1E7rUZUdljPEVoUD9MH/w400-h300/019+19+Feb+2.JPG" width="400" /><br /></a></div><p>I managed to sail amost to Kerikeri, passaing the entrance into the Waipapa that is marked with a 'road' sign. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yKq8lWL8iFtZLarqP58w2si5bXdH4J_qoT70PZgjpAiHKaSwLZZArHfTxpTWq16kVu0KRsTKGL2ZyMmaj7sPsBs3gzPHXRZQfdWf10gKeBlkJkPk8W-y_7i1QSq3aiVO-lk9/s2048/020+19+Feb+3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yKq8lWL8iFtZLarqP58w2si5bXdH4J_qoT70PZgjpAiHKaSwLZZArHfTxpTWq16kVu0KRsTKGL2ZyMmaj7sPsBs3gzPHXRZQfdWf10gKeBlkJkPk8W-y_7i1QSq3aiVO-lk9/w400-h300/020+19+Feb+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Just before Kerikeri, the river does a complete U-turn and suddenly my breeze, instead of being from directly astern, was directly on the nose. Deciding discretion was the better part of valour, I started the little engine and motored the last half mile. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvmE1DD5b7U5SNQy7EzC-dF7OAdT0M8FLbOI1US_495_-qMaGjx2Ukgqsl5BYaaVzkwYpmpZukV4xd2Zy1q8AnhZnYL-aHeCGAfFOfNQVor1i7CtFgvOgI-fw3UjYKunDZGGe/s2048/022+19+Feb+5.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvmE1DD5b7U5SNQy7EzC-dF7OAdT0M8FLbOI1US_495_-qMaGjx2Ukgqsl5BYaaVzkwYpmpZukV4xd2Zy1q8AnhZnYL-aHeCGAfFOfNQVor1i7CtFgvOgI-fw3UjYKunDZGGe/w400-h300/022+19+Feb+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I anchored right next to a weir that crosses the river, near an old (for New Zealand) building known as The Stone Store. It was built in 1832 and is vaunted as being in the Georgian Style, but personally I find it looks unbalanced. Stone buildings are rare in this country and most of the material for this one came from Australia. It was built by the missionaries and there is an even older house, completed in 1822, near by. This wooden building strikes me as far more attractive, but I know little of archcitecture.<p></p><p>There are pa sites (Maori strongholds) on either side of the river and the attractive setting, combined with a great deal of both Maori and Pakeha history, make this a very popular spot with tourists. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq4xulCYPmdXFnA-xIobSI4vdqgakfW8S92tPbgf5aqFXCR_rCN2DXwdEiuvQ7taLzPJW3bxeGQIUxDUFjetEgRwQOGbTggJMbL6_Z0Y9xDK9xCp2-63gfdgHGKmgH8OeWPYH/s2048/023+19+Feb+6.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq4xulCYPmdXFnA-xIobSI4vdqgakfW8S92tPbgf5aqFXCR_rCN2DXwdEiuvQ7taLzPJW3bxeGQIUxDUFjetEgRwQOGbTggJMbL6_Z0Y9xDK9xCp2-63gfdgHGKmgH8OeWPYH/w400-h300/023+19+Feb+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I confess that my greatest pleasure was to gaze down at my boat as she lay in the river. Indeed, the best place for indulging this was from the verandah of the local pub, the Plough and Feather. The fact that this place speciailses in craft beer only completed my felicity, as I sat in the hot sunshine, admiring my pride and joy, with a pint of Kainui's finest APA. One of the joys of finishing building the boat, is that I now have some spare money for such treats.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo7Ya9gWG74fIHafHov3PYNFlKZCr6eCJBkzYfkKdov2-fdMIH7ZjLML-V0mFEpq4opG8rOX-VxcZyut5GfEIApteZOZNLngDiQxdrS_enQ4wwEzAVuH2l7HCa_91VG2Q_NQT/s2048/024+20+Feb+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo7Ya9gWG74fIHafHov3PYNFlKZCr6eCJBkzYfkKdov2-fdMIH7ZjLML-V0mFEpq4opG8rOX-VxcZyut5GfEIApteZOZNLngDiQxdrS_enQ4wwEzAVuH2l7HCa_91VG2Q_NQT/w400-h300/024+20+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Dawn is coming later and later as the year advances, and one of my great pleasures is to stand in the pram hood with my first cup of tea of the day (Kerikeri Royal Earl Grey), watching the sunshine spread over my surroundings. Vapour hovered over the weir, while the shags, gulls and ducks started their day.<p></p><p>One of the joys of visiting Kerikeri - I hadn't been there by water since around 2006 - was catching up with friends. I knew that Richard and Karin lived nearby, but was thrilled to find that Kylie had set up shop on their land in a quite wonderful yurt - and my young friend Magnus was living in a tiny home, with his partner and baby girl, within walking distance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIBhUvvVCz6mUlgzUOY3LCy5ZekWbfyesM_uTdHZrax0bBPpEBTY9sUv_ZcTY-foJpRjOWNhe7V3vpboztba3qJkDOdXkuFJURuiuvjwMm2rYX7WS7aumMT0pRCO1HIA1nBza/s2048/027+7+Mar+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIBhUvvVCz6mUlgzUOY3LCy5ZekWbfyesM_uTdHZrax0bBPpEBTY9sUv_ZcTY-foJpRjOWNhe7V3vpboztba3qJkDOdXkuFJURuiuvjwMm2rYX7WS7aumMT0pRCO1HIA1nBza/w400-h300/027+7+Mar+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />They showered me with produce from their land: carrots, turnip, lettuce, avocados, figs, beans, onions, garlic and cucumber, and a neighbouring yachtie also gave me avocados and tomatoes. My friend, Murray, a regular visitor while I was building <i>FanShi, </i>lives nearby and as he was actually working on the local church, we had a chance to catch up. It is so good to be able to spend time with people , not having to think 'I must get on - there's a boat needs building'!<p></p><p><br /></p><p>I was a little concerned that we might overstay our welcome, right in front of the wharf, so decided I should push off and do a little more exploring. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFLbvzXmPfQjbedYqCLDZ0A2d4l22-yZSsJnEgWwrdE7HehNwXkJQuvEKzxFrVil5hS0SkHoU8tMPdm3138WIrjRN0nhTBKXolavRP_TrYJuO1A7zg4SsVIvWblXjdlkiyytU/s2048/025+25+Feb+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFLbvzXmPfQjbedYqCLDZ0A2d4l22-yZSsJnEgWwrdE7HehNwXkJQuvEKzxFrVil5hS0SkHoU8tMPdm3138WIrjRN0nhTBKXolavRP_TrYJuO1A7zg4SsVIvWblXjdlkiyytU/w400-h300/025+25+Feb+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />However, when I came to leave, I found I had snagged a small tree with my anchor chain. Corinne, from a nearby boat, dived on it for me, but I could see that there was at least one turn around the trunk. There were several branches and the water was not that clear. I was worried she might hurt herself trying to clear it, but fortunately she had the same idea and after a gallant effort, admitted defeat. After thinking about what I could or should do, I decided to see if the local dive shop (Dive Zone, Bay of Islands) knew anyone who might be prepared to try and free the gear. Sure enough, one of the blokes who worked there volunteered - scuba divers seem to be addicted to their sport - and came down after work with his partner and dog. He launched himself from the floating pontoon and swam over. Once Ben had located the log, I sat and watched the distrbance on the water from his air, move back and forth and within a few minutes he had surfaced. He had cleared the four (!) turnsof chain from around the tree and moved my anchor away from it. I raised it completely and went a bit further downstream before rowing back to pay Ben. $80 didn't seem too bad a price to pay for my delightful two weeks in Kerkeri! and I was pleased to have recovered my anchor and expensive chain. If I anchor there again, I shall ensure that I lift the anchor every day!<p></p><p>The following day I sailed back down at low water, which allowed me to assess any other potential anchorages. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFog1pxMMPFsoc71DP8TAc2KQ8IAdNkRCxGqTngzjKH4yL7R-7ZJGIB_egrD1gW_FIiDiacM3JRNz2y1-iXW8OLklQKb0uM7kd7cUzls55KT7njzku0KqVYcgT1cAqUprwh3G/s2048/028+9+Mar+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFog1pxMMPFsoc71DP8TAc2KQ8IAdNkRCxGqTngzjKH4yL7R-7ZJGIB_egrD1gW_FIiDiacM3JRNz2y1-iXW8OLklQKb0uM7kd7cUzls55KT7njzku0KqVYcgT1cAqUprwh3G/w400-h300/028+9+Mar+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I was also curious as to whether it was possible; it was and I reckon that the least I had under my keel was about a foot of water. There is a small marina in Doves Bay and I wanted to see if I could anchor off there. Once again, it was possible - if you didn't mind being in 4ft at LW - and it was interesting to look at the contrasting views: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdprzs8V4M6MT5IHem4iquUqfzkO-CO0a9gJ7EZj5M_O1AgExiYO_LP-QmpqItU-uljHmrO19x44Y5-a5W7MAKYjVpQdgASlOG5p-ELwpibID_NxJjmkVlR8LTjbWQ4jOPfQQd/s2048/030+9+Mar+3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdprzs8V4M6MT5IHem4iquUqfzkO-CO0a9gJ7EZj5M_O1AgExiYO_LP-QmpqItU-uljHmrO19x44Y5-a5W7MAKYjVpQdgASlOG5p-ELwpibID_NxJjmkVlR8LTjbWQ4jOPfQQd/w400-h300/030+9+Mar+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>the bush on one side and <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM65kx8jnLQuXzzpdZlKgv4gaQ84BxMuoMmbkVSKFkYQjh5TtdnWh8snN4rT9Upf-3d4KAAcrbvtccqRS9NY6P-Fzg8V_sPz58APknYUXnNDws96C4Sy_pgRZWp7aZYe3_Quvb/s2048/029+9+Mar+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM65kx8jnLQuXzzpdZlKgv4gaQ84BxMuoMmbkVSKFkYQjh5TtdnWh8snN4rT9Upf-3d4KAAcrbvtccqRS9NY6P-Fzg8V_sPz58APknYUXnNDws96C4Sy_pgRZWp7aZYe3_Quvb/w400-h300/029+9+Mar+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />the crowd of boats on the other. The best part was that I probably had the best shelter in the bay!<p></p><p>There were some packages waiting for me in Russell, and as there was a perfect breeze blowing the next day, I set off back, enjoying another delightful sail in my favourite F2-3. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMez7nhuxFnSpalyGFHBEJGtdf7GP6xbGBNDsgvry0gzk5XwcEqwDIDC2Z_cmsrpZ7g2Iz2Lu_2qOW8rDVTHN2O0JibfL91PSxh05fMIw0ZtWwKieo3JyPn58bQax0NKRyOyk/s2048/032+15+Mar+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMez7nhuxFnSpalyGFHBEJGtdf7GP6xbGBNDsgvry0gzk5XwcEqwDIDC2Z_cmsrpZ7g2Iz2Lu_2qOW8rDVTHN2O0JibfL91PSxh05fMIw0ZtWwKieo3JyPn58bQax0NKRyOyk/s320/032+15+Mar+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I anchored off the beach in Matauwhi Bay and somehow, since then, another week has vanished.<p>Several people have remarked about this past couple of months being the 'start of a new era' for me, but in fact it just seems like I have stepped back into my real life. It is the past 5 years that seem a strange time and they almost merge into just one long sequence. However, for sure it is the <i>end</i> of an era. As soon as <i>FanShi</i> was launched, Marcus started to take down the shed, which he intends to rebuild in a different form at another site.<i><br /></i></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_Hid9JTqjz1iKi46XwWFPWgHWRB0kX-CooaikSve0TCt_-_z58IXoElgkKCB1yZonihnuWZhxRKaNNUWIgi5dyB1TVdyj6GtlEHLZqGtVcIz44ogKWHqk3AHC1nhu7sdxTmr/s2048/035+16+Mar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="2048" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_Hid9JTqjz1iKi46XwWFPWgHWRB0kX-CooaikSve0TCt_-_z58IXoElgkKCB1yZonihnuWZhxRKaNNUWIgi5dyB1TVdyj6GtlEHLZqGtVcIz44ogKWHqk3AHC1nhu7sdxTmr/w400-h278/035+16+Mar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There is little sign of the place where one boat was rebuilt and another created.<br /><p></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-78187536825191789692021-01-31T13:03:00.001+13:002021-01-31T13:03:51.279+13:00Videos<p><span>On my last post, I forgot to mention two new videos on my YouTube channel. The first is of the launch itself; the second is of the launch and the first sail in company with other juks. This has video interspersed with still photos.</span></p><p><span> The YouTube links are: <a href="https://youtu.be/cLR-cS5kJ_0">Launch</a> and <a href="https://youtu.be/CQ0m9wIFNRk">Launchng and first sail</a></span></p><p>I tried to post them here but my tablet spit the dummy!<br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-72174207043501254002021-01-30T16:11:00.000+13:002021-01-30T16:11:21.832+13:00At Last!<p> The moment we've all been waiting for. But first, let's get the boat finished, should we? Not long now ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGJiC2gwp_FQgV9KKWqQ43YCmInFlyPrPkTWASwK-gKOdcE03J9gUl3ByY8_3nAs9iK1hWz25bXsTJ8sVFeqY23OuzUkURgIxhGw4RcT-sLMKQoXB7kclTMYhyeMaJbXX8oh4/s2048/30+Nov+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGJiC2gwp_FQgV9KKWqQ43YCmInFlyPrPkTWASwK-gKOdcE03J9gUl3ByY8_3nAs9iK1hWz25bXsTJ8sVFeqY23OuzUkURgIxhGw4RcT-sLMKQoXB7kclTMYhyeMaJbXX8oh4/w400-h300/30+Nov+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I had decided that I wouldn't move on to the boat until I had the cushions covered, to protect the foam from damage and from getting dirty. <i> FanShi</i> is a small boat and the saloon is right by the companionway. There is every chance that the seats will get sea water on them sooner or later and once the cushions gets salt in them, they tend to get very damp and clammy in colder weather. Therefore, I covered them with polyurethane-coated fabric, which will have loose covers over it. This has the added advantage that when the loose covers are being washed, the cushions are still protected.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnaiKftX3ssUwT32pJ65eZpdvtCjGVPFVbrSkyLMCUYHSNVy0bSfsoOG87ZacIXkA-fbXbtTD8PohNHr8BG9u5dMCC6cB6x9NoBUaAg8EdP5p7_JZexZI0VXYPo8XvZvYuV_p/s2048/20210129_151108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnaiKftX3ssUwT32pJ65eZpdvtCjGVPFVbrSkyLMCUYHSNVy0bSfsoOG87ZacIXkA-fbXbtTD8PohNHr8BG9u5dMCC6cB6x9NoBUaAg8EdP5p7_JZexZI0VXYPo8XvZvYuV_p/w400-h300/20210129_151108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As it turns out, this was an even better idea than I had anticipated, because, try as I may, I cannot find any fabric that I like for the loose covers. I want something bright and don't really want cotton, because it's difficult to keep clean. A nice velvet in emerald, deep blue and yellow would go down well, but I cannot find anything that suits. Either the pattern is too big, or the colours are wrong. I've even stopped worrying about the price! I shall have to get something cheap and cheerful to be going on with, when I have had time to draw my breath.<br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFd6NFJCaxbeqq09hzhf6gxV0t2VZuy752sLXwY-jWgQNtgnRRiodUuTGoNcaIqyYn0qD6tqyIPonErpFkZJrwUM_vmzFgH3GxeFCJwcWzxqusq9Rrk_cMapppxe3A3SovffYS/s2048/09+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFd6NFJCaxbeqq09hzhf6gxV0t2VZuy752sLXwY-jWgQNtgnRRiodUuTGoNcaIqyYn0qD6tqyIPonErpFkZJrwUM_vmzFgH3GxeFCJwcWzxqusq9Rrk_cMapppxe3A3SovffYS/w300-h400/09+Dec+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>With the cushions out of the way, I could turn my attention to the sail. David had sent me drawings of the different panels and I had bought the fabric, Weathermax 80, many moons ago. My friend Alan, was visiting in <i>Zebedee</i> and, as he enjoys making sails, was keen to be involved, not in the least because the design of my sail is somewhat different from what Alan has built.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eHuznu4Ly1WBWtdjSMAy_4MNbn_Xn2ad0WeoZkrfpjNHjF5gNFcP0qhLSy-sNQFZmU1Ruc09tcKQ2oPf-ApfnLPi6ig4e-B_vVPoPqudvoyDCW0AAU7-wWkOOvP_eL1_BD3F/s2048/09+Dec+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eHuznu4Ly1WBWtdjSMAy_4MNbn_Xn2ad0WeoZkrfpjNHjF5gNFcP0qhLSy-sNQFZmU1Ruc09tcKQ2oPf-ApfnLPi6ig4e-B_vVPoPqudvoyDCW0AAU7-wWkOOvP_eL1_BD3F/w300-h400/09+Dec+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>We started marking the sail out on the table.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRwqPUZI0Qhl1BI19P9W1xW5OSImpPweEblDMvNILuxX-Dom4Cutq_8o6jOYsSk6tjLzPIX8tVxSYUGgQI7W0zgWugNKKygkuum6Q7ioz60zf7Ab49XgmiyvWJPG0nTdaKhij/s2048/09+Dec+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRwqPUZI0Qhl1BI19P9W1xW5OSImpPweEblDMvNILuxX-Dom4Cutq_8o6jOYsSk6tjLzPIX8tVxSYUGgQI7W0zgWugNKKygkuum6Q7ioz60zf7Ab49XgmiyvWJPG0nTdaKhij/w400-h300/09+Dec+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>This kept the cloth out of the dust, but it was too wide for the table. I can get things muddled at the best of times, and having to keep moving the cloth around opened up more opportunities for things to go worng, so we soon got down on the floor with chalk pencil, lead
pencil, rules and tapes.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyemfJq4Ejb_Tx2jXFFMOd50Aao9ZdQQdPo7bKs2zbi0EY5cZ0kqXTYYGAiIuwDqubVPpAhuss4bJ4bCqYiCPaS4vXdACzZF0Mx_qzoGXMLw9yzTW5YTUK06trtUXXx1Qvk7YZ/s2048/09+Dec+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyemfJq4Ejb_Tx2jXFFMOd50Aao9ZdQQdPo7bKs2zbi0EY5cZ0kqXTYYGAiIuwDqubVPpAhuss4bJ4bCqYiCPaS4vXdACzZF0Mx_qzoGXMLw9yzTW5YTUK06trtUXXx1Qvk7YZ/w300-h400/09+Dec+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I am a great believer in covering my panels with instructions ("To No 2", "Tack", "Leech", etc), but I discovered on <i>Fantail</i>'s sail, that lead pencil is very hard to remove. I invested in a tailor's chalk pencil, which was excellent, but after 5 years of woodworking, I couldn't cope with the thick line it made, so we used lead pencil wherever we hoped it wouldn't show on the completed sail. Of course, in several places it does show because we forgot to swop back to the chalk!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8_wKszDP6OOViwy3bvl3M-5faQ1LQWoq9ejUhkro7ORxqIX1SAwX09yxkDyg3SAg2eLQQx7RMvUrZEw3z_rDXZD8tivvZzW5G8xNg54aBBRT5dHU8UQ8jNfWIOtrzqtOhoqt/s2048/09+Dec+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8_wKszDP6OOViwy3bvl3M-5faQ1LQWoq9ejUhkro7ORxqIX1SAwX09yxkDyg3SAg2eLQQx7RMvUrZEw3z_rDXZD8tivvZzW5G8xNg54aBBRT5dHU8UQ8jNfWIOtrzqtOhoqt/w400-h300/09+Dec+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I cut the cloth using substantial shears that I keep for sail making. </p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04oS806hbm68-Yzi8LLLRjRbq3x5OwLH9rz3VZAY18xTlHztrLgIC80zKTfOnsqQNh2KYcx4sahVtwPTGPg4KkFUrEvCaIflYYkYEb5kQ9g8ZOg4jfI0N4T1W5iwGj7AWOkTA/s2048/11+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04oS806hbm68-Yzi8LLLRjRbq3x5OwLH9rz3VZAY18xTlHztrLgIC80zKTfOnsqQNh2KYcx4sahVtwPTGPg4KkFUrEvCaIflYYkYEb5kQ9g8ZOg4jfI0N4T1W5iwGj7AWOkTA/w400-h300/11+Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I then sealed the edges, with a hot knife that Noel had lent me. A sailmaker friend in Nelson had told me that when cutting sail cloth, they never use these tools as a 'knife' because it takes much longer than using shears and leaves a much thicker, uneven edge. What they do is to hold the hot knife on a piece of glass and pull the fabric past it along the edge of the heated blade. This seals the edge in a much more even manner. Pearl could do this while talking to me, but I had to take the blade to the cloth and do it in short passes. But it certainly did a neat job.<p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3okeEZPsq9BzsLtwSMq9D-r9iQ7Jz9PIAj_v-f2xhcEHxjZhz3KC-rRWU6DUdnMbUFi18q6Kg6A1dZVS8B229b9A_ysMSf-zdiGuuGU2gI0nng_maC5YN49o_nCFF36X2sBCn/s2048/10+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3okeEZPsq9BzsLtwSMq9D-r9iQ7Jz9PIAj_v-f2xhcEHxjZhz3KC-rRWU6DUdnMbUFi18q6Kg6A1dZVS8B229b9A_ysMSf-zdiGuuGU2gI0nng_maC5YN49o_nCFF36X2sBCn/w300-h400/10+Dec+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>We cut every piece out before sewing up the sail, each one carefully marked.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtu8DF4Ddlt554P7uvNCx5c0aJm5BzDmVKt4xcGc8gwtsBMqfTTaCvvAMynAI-x3zwXspUqFiUCXxekxUwKhuDNVYofPobGv76TvcMlhupx4WTeGv0T07XL-0OimBLoLwhL0S/s2048/12+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtu8DF4Ddlt554P7uvNCx5c0aJm5BzDmVKt4xcGc8gwtsBMqfTTaCvvAMynAI-x3zwXspUqFiUCXxekxUwKhuDNVYofPobGv76TvcMlhupx4WTeGv0T07XL-0OimBLoLwhL0S/w400-h300/12+Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Then we stacked them on the table, ready for sewing. Unfortunately, Alan needed to leave at this stage, so missed out on the sewing (and frequent unpicking!) stage.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_Qb9RQNN9shD6fr1uOUd7_w95rG21F00pQzxlAVNO7tOIZE4EQwXc7XxiVlvbfQiWsyzi9kXzLbUXJ4qw6MgYdO4XD4pRVcmnE8_7rlN-mfMBuOKFhjWqxkFVPYBdH3Pi7Lc/s2048/15+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_Qb9RQNN9shD6fr1uOUd7_w95rG21F00pQzxlAVNO7tOIZE4EQwXc7XxiVlvbfQiWsyzi9kXzLbUXJ4qw6MgYdO4XD4pRVcmnE8_7rlN-mfMBuOKFhjWqxkFVPYBdH3Pi7Lc/w300-h400/15+Dec+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I started with the bottom panel, the one next to the boom. I made my first mistake here, believing I could do as David does, and have the boom in a pocket. However, due to the more conventional way in which I rig my lazyjacks, and also due to my being so short, I have to have them adjustable so that I can work on the sail, I ended up taking it off again. Instead I added adding tabs to the foot of the sail and laced it to the boom. </p><p>With the Christmas holidays imminent, I thought I'd better arrange for my mast to be stepped. A local engineer, Bruce Yovich, has a tiny crane, and he has stepped and unstepped my masts (and those of other junkies) before, for a fraction of the price of the big cranes. (One of the strange aspects of NZ boating life is how few yacht clubs and boatyards have their own crane for stepping masts.) I was pleased that I had contacted him when he told me that he planned to be on holiday from just before Christmas until the end of January! He promised to come and step the mast the following afternoon. I dropped sailmaking, asked a couple of people to help me move the mast and got everything ready.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKN1mT_WWxkkMzAf_GOpOGfxyUHZzfrk6DuyK_Vi618c1KJdeczsaVtrsC8MYZWJAHZBxEr_JEgB6TeOVtc92mAry1EDpzvdeTT-WeixaeEbwM0npJaLfuvYvy_hq8aITv7zw/s2048/16+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKN1mT_WWxkkMzAf_GOpOGfxyUHZzfrk6DuyK_Vi618c1KJdeczsaVtrsC8MYZWJAHZBxEr_JEgB6TeOVtc92mAry1EDpzvdeTT-WeixaeEbwM0npJaLfuvYvy_hq8aITv7zw/w300-h400/16+Dec+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>A fellow customer of All Marine, who is also building a boat, had been chatting to Paul, who works there. When he heard about my project, he asked Paul to give me a facsimile Chinese coin to put under the mast, so I put it alongside a New Zealand $1 coin surrounded by the anti-chafe plastic that goes between the mast and the tabernacle. It was such a kind thought, and it felt like double luck for my little boat!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA1ngtV1lTeQSRJ2btQamSIOD4a3ARnDYSznRXvnj4sbcTh-EWBq8MOKb6MDpG2pU_2flKjfqVYP-0zbeUmKUHM7XGQWENqrYumzfnUYHVApOM1cAKmiZALvcrjZjtoR1U1FM/s2048/16+Dec+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA1ngtV1lTeQSRJ2btQamSIOD4a3ARnDYSznRXvnj4sbcTh-EWBq8MOKb6MDpG2pU_2flKjfqVYP-0zbeUmKUHM7XGQWENqrYumzfnUYHVApOM1cAKmiZALvcrjZjtoR1U1FM/w300-h400/16+Dec+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Alan had helped me dress the mast, so it was quite straightforward putting it in its tabernacle.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZu7_Um6UzqX5CGL_SCSTFKIFtujl7d6lQZQ2D2M2ge4gi8UbpET1ZFqVkwZNUHKI2arSgM3_KJ8SP10FD3onmnPcTE7VmfjTrP97hRPPqJifkGtKpEIN_U7NKhdmg9Qllzah/s2048/16+Dec+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZu7_Um6UzqX5CGL_SCSTFKIFtujl7d6lQZQ2D2M2ge4gi8UbpET1ZFqVkwZNUHKI2arSgM3_KJ8SP10FD3onmnPcTE7VmfjTrP97hRPPqJifkGtKpEIN_U7NKhdmg9Qllzah/w300-h400/16+Dec+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>With the mast stepped, I felt that the end was definitely in sight. <i>FanShi</i> was now indubitably a finished boat. After all, plenty of people who build their own boats, go along to and have their sails made by professional sailmakers! However, I still had mine to get completed.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX7SpR844pia6rDPi2DJ7qPhsJRqT8lHzwCGM3uNVnLOoVVTgcP1Qk_SaiHrahDTqMhKwtSaLK4CHFZMGfwMsQ0EfV130UNQZVnRW_dBjFWVTrQn9ZtLKXNowFUtnh3_CFQIX/s2048/16+Dec+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX7SpR844pia6rDPi2DJ7qPhsJRqT8lHzwCGM3uNVnLOoVVTgcP1Qk_SaiHrahDTqMhKwtSaLK4CHFZMGfwMsQ0EfV130UNQZVnRW_dBjFWVTrQn9ZtLKXNowFUtnh3_CFQIX/w300-h400/16+Dec+7.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Arne Kverneland of the JRA, suggests stapling seams, tabling (hems), etc together before sewing. A lot of people use 'basting tape' - a thin, double-sided tape, popular with sailmakers - but I have found that (a) it doesn't stick that well to fabrics such as Sunbrella, which are a lot less smooth than polyester sail cloth and (b) if it <i>does</i> stick, it's very difficult to get off again, should you put two bits of fabric together the wrong way (which I do constantly, in spite of all the graffiti). Moreover, it's quite expensive and tends to gum up the needle. Arne's idea is simply brilliant. (Anyone interested in building themselves a sail for a junk-rigged boat is strongly recommended going to www.junkrigassociation.org and scrolling down the left-hand side to Junk Information/Public Domain File By .../Arne Kverneland. There is a wealth of information here, which makes the whole business seem very achievable.)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NXRQ_qAIFHbgo88XUm5froDnuSZYPKTRCXWAUnb3qN2vSDd47LGXx0zPTGjq03vPsmowItOdtbK0ai75s-0Aafz2SF6Wc1AfsMo3wSWa-j6HOtQclkNAXgVUY5Z_HQ_B9Ppk/s2048/21+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NXRQ_qAIFHbgo88XUm5froDnuSZYPKTRCXWAUnb3qN2vSDd47LGXx0zPTGjq03vPsmowItOdtbK0ai75s-0Aafz2SF6Wc1AfsMo3wSWa-j6HOtQclkNAXgVUY5Z_HQ_B9Ppk/w400-h300/21+Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The sharp-eyed will have noticed in earlier photographs, a much larger sewing machine on the table and may well be thinking that my mantra "Small is Beautiful, Lees is More" has been taken to ridiculous extremes by replacing the commercial machine with the little domestic sewing machine in this photograph. In fact, I had been so impressed with its wonderful ease of use, when sewing the polyurethane-coated fabric for the seat covers (which the big commercial machine didn't get on with), that I'd decided to use it as much as possible on the sail. I found it a lot more controllable than the big machine which easily runs away with me.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmFLp8gBKGGm1CCKWd_04imcMecLiEWncu3EsllxJ7QNJ5MOLwuucz87rAQw5yOZpr4Qmwwn8_zM8We5sE_uIPLuQF0UrqAthREGp5J5bGgLNIJ1n0Yze5dT03Q7AVvjbV5sE/s2048/23+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmFLp8gBKGGm1CCKWd_04imcMecLiEWncu3EsllxJ7QNJ5MOLwuucz87rAQw5yOZpr4Qmwwn8_zM8We5sE_uIPLuQF0UrqAthREGp5J5bGgLNIJ1n0Yze5dT03Q7AVvjbV5sE/w400-h300/23+Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I don't believe that junk sails require a lot of reinforcing in the corners, but can see no harm in beefing them up a little. Phil, who runs UK Sails in Whangarei, had given me an offcut of a jib he had been altering, and I used this polyester sailcloth in the corners. It is a lot stronger and more stable than the Weathermax. I covered the polyester with Weathermax to protect it from UV and because it looks more attractive. At around 10 or 12 ozs, I thought the sailcloth would be too much for my wee machine, but it pushed the needle through without hesitation. In fact I ended up doing the whole sail on the Brother machine.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzerLHWof2PtpJ2Lu69QIJJog3HfZi9ji3y5OEJ7y5osCfjPrhouHWyfOkOdMPDAsWABwMfB0gxU72oFMGcOw1ibBCvWusX8TCwXZ6EDINJZnjVUFD0UvsY9CmJXnoofa8-fZ/s2048/26+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzerLHWof2PtpJ2Lu69QIJJog3HfZi9ji3y5OEJ7y5osCfjPrhouHWyfOkOdMPDAsWABwMfB0gxU72oFMGcOw1ibBCvWusX8TCwXZ6EDINJZnjVUFD0UvsY9CmJXnoofa8-fZ/w400-h300/26+Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>When the panels had all been sewn together, I took the sail out and laid it on the grass to see what it looked like. To be honest, a cambered sail just looks like it needs a good iron, so it didn't really tell me a lot!</p><p>I then took it back into the shed to add webbing all round the edges and to sew on the various tabs for lacing the sail. I had decided to avoid metal fittings as far as possible.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRjn6PzDMa2aQ8oLXDDIaGhkYChCaKYqfQjRMPLrbtScsDumONaQG__BYFml_n-wncX7gl8jnzwVRaUjnXnelShxez7czA4Nklrgee2tRUSHwOjqPsF-U9EeVZHW6l0VZ_fz7/s2048/27+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRjn6PzDMa2aQ8oLXDDIaGhkYChCaKYqfQjRMPLrbtScsDumONaQG__BYFml_n-wncX7gl8jnzwVRaUjnXnelShxez7czA4Nklrgee2tRUSHwOjqPsF-U9EeVZHW6l0VZ_fz7/w400-h300/27+Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The sail is attached to the yard with straps of Weathermax, sailcloth, and Velcro. (No critical comments, please. I have thought about this a lot, am well aware of the various reasons why it may not work, but fancied trying out the idea.) I reckoned that attaching these to the sail was going to be a real challenge for the Brother, so changed up a needle size. It certainly baulked at the task, but oddly it was now reluctant to sew what it had sewn before. Against all the rules and all my experience, I decided to experiment with a needle a size <i>down</i> from what I had been using. The little machine proceeded to punch its way through Weathermax, sailcloth, Velcro and the webbing tabling with barely a stutter. I am seriously impressed with this machine and would say the <i>only</i> drawback of using it is that it is so diminutive it was a bit of a squeeze getting the cloth under the arm. However, a great advantage it has over the big machine is that you can raise the presser foot extra high to get a thick pile of fabric into place, which was a godsend.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiQrktWxhIWpdO6ZmfLWvOyKqmJzG2Ljp7kXQeS_lp049SjV4ekda2r31-ybG8Kb11_tYnRtUUnwF_i_XLNqfPfogH-dRsOtv62sHOkGIhwKAH2VbGJmO_ifs5l9tJTh3I-DX/s2048/31+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiQrktWxhIWpdO6ZmfLWvOyKqmJzG2Ljp7kXQeS_lp049SjV4ekda2r31-ybG8Kb11_tYnRtUUnwF_i_XLNqfPfogH-dRsOtv62sHOkGIhwKAH2VbGJmO_ifs5l9tJTh3I-DX/w300-h400/31+Dec+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Finally, the sail was finished, the battens pushed into their pockets and the yard and boom lashed into place. One more sewing job remained: the pramhood.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG4J3_atGRte_Nu28tooxsGjAj0VdEQwfMqrN1UZXMBsoJ8uZo8gx-_VzIrTU9L2my_W7YwQvxBq-yVf6wzElUg7UdsCxZPbwXwIMIfURoQSUzwea-pdoEia5NNprPPTkKefL/s2048/31+Dec+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG4J3_atGRte_Nu28tooxsGjAj0VdEQwfMqrN1UZXMBsoJ8uZo8gx-_VzIrTU9L2my_W7YwQvxBq-yVf6wzElUg7UdsCxZPbwXwIMIfURoQSUzwea-pdoEia5NNprPPTkKefL/w400-h300/31+Dec+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I have made one of these before, for Paul's <i>La Chica</i>. I remember it being very difficult and that I was not exactly proud of the result, so I decided to try making a pattern first. Because the framework is not really all that it should be and the tubes are much thicker than I would have chosen, I knew it was going to be even more of a challenge than Paul's. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp3j4dtZ2LQdkelXKd8tnKrrzIITgFuC4iwVGA0c8s4wCeX2PIC2-IGrAADA4BQxuKvq71C48nsvnD3mJmZth2M8GxQqlzT086g-Ftvnyb2i1_z8dximJHsrj0EL2To48yf2K/s2048/31+Dec+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp3j4dtZ2LQdkelXKd8tnKrrzIITgFuC4iwVGA0c8s4wCeX2PIC2-IGrAADA4BQxuKvq71C48nsvnD3mJmZth2M8GxQqlzT086g-Ftvnyb2i1_z8dximJHsrj0EL2To48yf2K/w400-h300/31+Dec+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I used an old sheet as my pattern and spent quite a lot of time making
the three panels. I used each one as a guide to the next. Although
they are really quite different, they were sufficiently similar that it
was easier than starting from scratch each time.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZaKJ2p8cZQdp-r73gpHf4wPsAMdCuri9r1luBLwoLey4ASAc3IB8uf0E-rj6uYglLmktvIr9OUmbgXCOHl3O04YDWPGIhkKfIB09nHQbfHUoRovuROl0ADKuoTw3LFzhhvUQ/s2048/31+Dec+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZaKJ2p8cZQdp-r73gpHf4wPsAMdCuri9r1luBLwoLey4ASAc3IB8uf0E-rj6uYglLmktvIr9OUmbgXCOHl3O04YDWPGIhkKfIB09nHQbfHUoRovuROl0ADKuoTw3LFzhhvUQ/w400-h300/31+Dec+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I then laid the bits of sheet on the Weathermax and cut it out. I still needed to do quite a bit of fitting to get the cover looking acceptable, not in the least because the framework isn't quite symmetrical. However, I was not displeased with the final result. I forgot to take a photo, but it can be seen on the boat in later photographs.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx8Fp6792hZBe3hxYnyggA0Zbyo18G0pF2WdXvvust-M-djhRBoZxMwBs4Uh2n3wHgP4JXVM5bT2ItjXsYTrEEfF-Yhr0oW-4rBlI_kvbYE1lII2KUxfJvoIqo3ZAKmeXt2JH/s2048/6+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx8Fp6792hZBe3hxYnyggA0Zbyo18G0pF2WdXvvust-M-djhRBoZxMwBs4Uh2n3wHgP4JXVM5bT2ItjXsYTrEEfF-Yhr0oW-4rBlI_kvbYE1lII2KUxfJvoIqo3ZAKmeXt2JH/w300-h400/6+Jan+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>A friend helped me to get the sail onto the boat and at first light on the calm morning that followed, I slowly bent it onto the boat. This is the first photo before many of the control and standing lines have been fitted. It took several attemtps to finish the job, because the sail had to come down as soon as there was any breeze. That was the final major job on the boat: I still needed to give the dinghy a refit and there were the usual 101 tasks that needed attending to, but at least I could go and confirm with the slipway team that I would be ready for the boat to be launched on 15th January.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yZ0C4A0esKQ9IUMs3VqVBOCji3t6VVwMxAH8z124Uo1A9zwYyqgVXL4KCrq6AsAkZZd4BZKk7_Qiyr_jg7uYD5LZa6gS2MTCA5xWBCNzlMHBYg32mEs3UjaYY5dPdtJywwYB/s2048/14+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yZ0C4A0esKQ9IUMs3VqVBOCji3t6VVwMxAH8z124Uo1A9zwYyqgVXL4KCrq6AsAkZZd4BZKk7_Qiyr_jg7uYD5LZa6gS2MTCA5xWBCNzlMHBYg32mEs3UjaYY5dPdtJywwYB/w400-h300/14+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>On the afternoon of the 14th, the yard brought round the machinery for moving <i>FanShi</i> to her final place ashore, ready for splashing the following day.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBWCLDA-UhB4Muy_bZ0jjOae9rvcHRLjotxtrWGrDtL3sPwJ33NON0cvsnAMpyWPtxfg7EN2l8VjfUekUJNkovVAV1dvuUFo0y6xh99elnHEYz6n5vfngsBvlZVHoglxphXAh/s2048/14+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBWCLDA-UhB4Muy_bZ0jjOae9rvcHRLjotxtrWGrDtL3sPwJ33NON0cvsnAMpyWPtxfg7EN2l8VjfUekUJNkovVAV1dvuUFo0y6xh99elnHEYz6n5vfngsBvlZVHoglxphXAh/w400-h300/14+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>You'd have to say she looked a bit bewildered by what was happening!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUmvWfYaJZh5Zk9pL-2xHEA_cF50w55Vanimz37cH9ZJ7K5H__Uno6r48nfO623hK0l51Ytpr6jzfWDFgaPQyUYev-3XAN__ZZC6v16ZMMGcZFbJhXg9noWVVBUZq_V6-Z_Qw/s2048/14+Jan+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUmvWfYaJZh5Zk9pL-2xHEA_cF50w55Vanimz37cH9ZJ7K5H__Uno6r48nfO623hK0l51Ytpr6jzfWDFgaPQyUYev-3XAN__ZZC6v16ZMMGcZFbJhXg9noWVVBUZq_V6-Z_Qw/w300-h400/14+Jan+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>It was exciting to walk alongside her as she was towed along the track towards the slipway - it was the first time I had been able to step back, walk around her and spend some time looking at her from all angles. I was very pleased with my quirky little boat, and, while I can see all the mistakes that I made and all the things I could have done better, there is enormous satisfaction in realising what I have achieved.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0wke8Tb8mafMl4oFH80uDJh8BNpnPBCC_UYU72uEx6MbjkOoyqQlBKx7tK3ilNAdYKeHP43DGdiH0qM3okDxOPBxL75VxZRhWEfZMq0VIGbt8xLxoWVkDlO7jwL7W5wjk50A/s2048/14+Jan+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0wke8Tb8mafMl4oFH80uDJh8BNpnPBCC_UYU72uEx6MbjkOoyqQlBKx7tK3ilNAdYKeHP43DGdiH0qM3okDxOPBxL75VxZRhWEfZMq0VIGbt8xLxoWVkDlO7jwL7W5wjk50A/w400-h300/14+Jan+4.JPG" width="400" /></a>At last FanShi had moved<span> within sight of the water and was ready to be launched. Rather than put credits on all the photos that follow, I'll mention the photographers' names here. Many, many thanks to Heather Brown, John Gibbs, Roger Scott and Paul Thompson, for not only taking the photos, but for having the patience to send them to me, while I've been anchored with a poor signal (and my primitive devices!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_RNlFXv4FMHgN5H-Sf_8OBwZOIMLSMlpkzYEvdvJx6m3qGc_xc8KWByQwfFwMWOgPwFMtbE4u91qQpei0FH8dA_t1mRker6pZy9QBKu2biyMQOLnstX0tIWc4Y3pHiOva5wD/s2048/20210115_083652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_RNlFXv4FMHgN5H-Sf_8OBwZOIMLSMlpkzYEvdvJx6m3qGc_xc8KWByQwfFwMWOgPwFMtbE4u91qQpei0FH8dA_t1mRker6pZy9QBKu2biyMQOLnstX0tIWc4Y3pHiOva5wD/w400-h300/20210115_083652.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Launching day dawned sunny and calm: exactly what I would have asked for. Friends had suggested I start the outboard motor which, as is the nature of the beasts, decided not to go. David and then John came and worked their magic on it, nobly getting grease on their clean hands to sort out its issues. Quite a crowd had gathered and I was more than a little embarrassed to keep everybody waiting.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6i7aEnoPOV6mZSttC16TFoP8Zct01XQuAvfHDBnJT_aBfSxg8XN3FNX-doJQo70jA3t-DqCu3uarmCHrWoXOozaNAbmDpyhYfrrvi9P-wegJMia8nM5X36WK1RR5H7cUsgSz/s2048/20210115_092455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6i7aEnoPOV6mZSttC16TFoP8Zct01XQuAvfHDBnJT_aBfSxg8XN3FNX-doJQo70jA3t-DqCu3uarmCHrWoXOozaNAbmDpyhYfrrvi9P-wegJMia8nM5X36WK1RR5H7cUsgSz/w400-h300/20210115_092455.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Finally, however, we were ready and I climbed down the ladder for the last time.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQJgM9neXPkKvXAhXp6IjlyEW4-7yvlPyhQFBGmFcNZQAvMI7PkFbXvLBOUbyo_X_Z6OhgIqJuTxYVL6RP9r_dywfrEEkUDxUxUhqGi37RfTpLwWMp2AkeBC2tIf4flSs7wyQ/s2635/FS11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="2635" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQJgM9neXPkKvXAhXp6IjlyEW4-7yvlPyhQFBGmFcNZQAvMI7PkFbXvLBOUbyo_X_Z6OhgIqJuTxYVL6RP9r_dywfrEEkUDxUxUhqGi37RfTpLwWMp2AkeBC2tIf4flSs7wyQ/w400-h181/FS11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Slowly and gently, the cradle was eased towards the water.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUpLJj8Qod_7I0cYN3DNa-C7WfSZ4avzGO6DQjtv-pDAI8uBd-aNOPQAAF7qQ_rmQPrPDh19JFJ0APwTPgs4VxPAgm_RXoqCLJwFTG-lrzfgUK5_A84x29icH4vaGYfW7RPGN/s2048/FS9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="2048" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUpLJj8Qod_7I0cYN3DNa-C7WfSZ4avzGO6DQjtv-pDAI8uBd-aNOPQAAF7qQ_rmQPrPDh19JFJ0APwTPgs4VxPAgm_RXoqCLJwFTG-lrzfgUK5_A84x29icH4vaGYfW7RPGN/w400-h305/FS9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It is traditional for junks to launch bows first, and the yard (and slipway team!) had kindly indulged my whim on this. <i>FanShi </i>appeared to look at the water somewhat apprehensively as if she wondered just what was expected of her.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiAbDJ8YMrQO7Z8TwzxpL-YyBOZrRTGu7nISI1Zsb_vyegQEZ5Q132ot_sU4dkIE4EfdBt6gLw89Q8HcltM9BkzEMEqHgK0rNWo9zyVYyd6AuciKp_uq_YA94XYhe7FPiMKix/s2048/FS20.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1690" data-original-width="2048" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiAbDJ8YMrQO7Z8TwzxpL-YyBOZrRTGu7nISI1Zsb_vyegQEZ5Q132ot_sU4dkIE4EfdBt6gLw89Q8HcltM9BkzEMEqHgK0rNWo9zyVYyd6AuciKp_uq_YA94XYhe7FPiMKix/w400-h330/FS20.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkFdLpdnJBXzDkeYn9bTuWAsg6loH4LEhDOLfX1tE2NWdcxYHDkapBTnoFAL3FpXQxnIh-oToVFgRDf6FrCPPDUFqMlCMB2TmdXKVbKbDXcqGVheWDeOXjZYbUprf-GJxtaN0/s1063/9A08F5A8C9B94D6A86C15DE85D374982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1063" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkFdLpdnJBXzDkeYn9bTuWAsg6loH4LEhDOLfX1tE2NWdcxYHDkapBTnoFAL3FpXQxnIh-oToVFgRDf6FrCPPDUFqMlCMB2TmdXKVbKbDXcqGVheWDeOXjZYbUprf-GJxtaN0/w400-h220/9A08F5A8C9B94D6A86C15DE85D374982.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I climbed on board before she went too far.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZHByGi89E8Nv4J7jxlxecvrcQUCcr1AG4eDSeUIiB_t-NxHJKH07LpNk2-MAthQ75Jqz4IdS9QfikofGN9vHoLXXZ6ymgSoZJplw4QfChwizYuf6Vx2py2GRjMFgpltD82jl/s2048/20210115_094031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZHByGi89E8Nv4J7jxlxecvrcQUCcr1AG4eDSeUIiB_t-NxHJKH07LpNk2-MAthQ75Jqz4IdS9QfikofGN9vHoLXXZ6ymgSoZJplw4QfChwizYuf6Vx2py2GRjMFgpltD82jl/w400-h300/20210115_094031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I love this photograph of the boat from astern, waiting for her bow to lift.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGiQLoOaOP4qN0-aTomMsTwtL8fm5esqe0xoxzD2Xq41wBCr-MetN-0I5kxJfmMCp2dOC_m9FYsO62KrmZV4xPnTCrhJA8zthnqui50MoHfn3TSEe7cBK1KYGjrGy-A1BWC-D/s2048/FS16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGiQLoOaOP4qN0-aTomMsTwtL8fm5esqe0xoxzD2Xq41wBCr-MetN-0I5kxJfmMCp2dOC_m9FYsO62KrmZV4xPnTCrhJA8zthnqui50MoHfn3TSEe7cBK1KYGjrGy-A1BWC-D/w400-h225/FS16.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Now was the time for the champagne. David, who designed SibLim, had sent me some local New Zealand Deutz bubbles with which to launch the boat. I'm sure he must have been so upset not to be there, but sadly, the Covid pandemic made that impossible. However, one of my friends sent him a video as soon as we floated, so at least he was <i>almost</i> there. I gave a little dedication to the boat, and thanked all my friends, but cut it short before I burst into tears. The bottle opened with a satisfying pop and (small) gush of foam and I poured a little of the champage over <i>FanShi</i>'s eyes, so that she can see where she is going and keep us both out of trouble.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EHXwBlpaU5cvuXDTzkuOGiaupwPahreRCQz3HTRTJeB1deNJlJlx_4Zlr67eRzyufllv6kRugojDbGWTxn58XNp8cIykb5-pnLEk9PYRExf_ZKVNaYi_uQhBPvmI3xxOlNM5/s2048/20210115_094939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EHXwBlpaU5cvuXDTzkuOGiaupwPahreRCQz3HTRTJeB1deNJlJlx_4Zlr67eRzyufllv6kRugojDbGWTxn58XNp8cIykb5-pnLEk9PYRExf_ZKVNaYi_uQhBPvmI3xxOlNM5/w400-h300/20210115_094939.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Then willing hands took hold of the warps and led her alongside the small wharf.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GrC66i94tc7xLhG1ShaDCtLnwd-EIHtcFbkh3h2Hg4pXXQHNEeshunVIShl_1AqQL6W8CK9eN8TYvEwKWywwb79MbjE42VOYyTH2EG-qaChN82mxcoensnO0uH-q0jcmDr3e/s2048/20210115_095123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GrC66i94tc7xLhG1ShaDCtLnwd-EIHtcFbkh3h2Hg4pXXQHNEeshunVIShl_1AqQL6W8CK9eN8TYvEwKWywwb79MbjE42VOYyTH2EG-qaChN82mxcoensnO0uH-q0jcmDr3e/w300-h400/20210115_095123.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>I grabbed fenders out of the locker and we tied alongiside for a while, so that I could talk to all those people who had come without boats and wouldn't be joining us on the water.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LTr2V0tqtu3Goe0JqBUpgsUxDF-nsAN3ZCDmkDgEpInSLy5sdEvkqPT1JZSrfM1869ie3PYAFh4nocMJFpWF4UQibWjLn4MI5w0CG5ehXkBdbZxKPGB289BT326e4sMMp5dL/s2048/20210115_102110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LTr2V0tqtu3Goe0JqBUpgsUxDF-nsAN3ZCDmkDgEpInSLy5sdEvkqPT1JZSrfM1869ie3PYAFh4nocMJFpWF4UQibWjLn4MI5w0CG5ehXkBdbZxKPGB289BT326e4sMMp5dL/w400-h300/20210115_102110.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The champagne was passed around like a loving cup, with all of us reminded of how lucky we were to be able to celebrate this way in a time of Covid.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPcEdohz3DJhUgt53tvpKAJy2Tabrv1O0DZdXViDQXFEFgT7meJM8zYn8Cx20NOc_BZotznf6sZZSaWexuQXO_0zm23CdKjWduQG5YE-stXo0-e2lb6V54tq6__Rj1fRrirls/s2048/20210115_105120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPcEdohz3DJhUgt53tvpKAJy2Tabrv1O0DZdXViDQXFEFgT7meJM8zYn8Cx20NOc_BZotznf6sZZSaWexuQXO_0zm23CdKjWduQG5YE-stXo0-e2lb6V54tq6__Rj1fRrirls/w400-h300/20210115_105120.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>From the far side of the slipway I could see how she floated - only a <i>little</i> bit down on her marks.</p><p>I had duly started the engine again, but there was a light breeze from astern and a handy anchorage directly ahead. It seemd a shame to spoil everything with all that noise.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4uz1Z4WptDcXFLxng5poFPtCtVOANqb5nTSguDMJDaVbJdy6HWhM0j-SPC26jBw3fVX5_3DNa5_GczpkN0P4L5Isa2HzFwqHtVXvyFyEBI9ekulZhcbrHuboGu_xwt78Veli/s2048/FS30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4uz1Z4WptDcXFLxng5poFPtCtVOANqb5nTSguDMJDaVbJdy6HWhM0j-SPC26jBw3fVX5_3DNa5_GczpkN0P4L5Isa2HzFwqHtVXvyFyEBI9ekulZhcbrHuboGu_xwt78Veli/w400-h225/FS30.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>So, saying goodby to the last of the shore party, I hoisted up a few panels of sail and took <i>FanShi</i> out to anchor (To be perfectly honest, I felt a lot more confident of <i>sailing</i> her out than <i>motoring</i> her out!)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4P6iSEUh98oXVOqXL-C3LBF9C83Y4CzocR7f6uAGqDvjPuf2ArVCeC5BAB2c__huTxy0oG8zBSe1BzSoj_uFJoImaoRd0ONJWNJu70tDhupgkWVESl3GyQic2j7ds9nA6_jv/s2048/FS32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4P6iSEUh98oXVOqXL-C3LBF9C83Y4CzocR7f6uAGqDvjPuf2ArVCeC5BAB2c__huTxy0oG8zBSe1BzSoj_uFJoImaoRd0ONJWNJu70tDhupgkWVESl3GyQic2j7ds9nA6_jv/w400-h225/FS32.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>She slipped along with a somewhat startling burst of speed and I was glad I had been so conservative with the sail I had raised!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQe9q3c5VY_KG9VJTkh8_RP95qKHtx1dcuZ2o_TsWLJ3fgNicyHW6oraAiUWRnOVGiO85Bvi11jvVJ383l5cbpcvFyMKBBXPS_c2iQS18D8coOwb7dd92DK7epKBjm0WxQXYh/s2048/PXL_20210114_223446924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQe9q3c5VY_KG9VJTkh8_RP95qKHtx1dcuZ2o_TsWLJ3fgNicyHW6oraAiUWRnOVGiO85Bvi11jvVJ383l5cbpcvFyMKBBXPS_c2iQS18D8coOwb7dd92DK7epKBjm0WxQXYh/w400-h300/PXL_20210114_223446924.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I had both boards down, knowing that I would have to turn in a hurry.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKpww-Qi5lIgrRyZfF34ycQTe7pWdR5PcDWi0Vw-tZKenNypKVsHK9Sn7_A96Fr7eCA8HwhdzA-mCRXnjJblEuiRZLLkTpqt9wTPijvn4TAREckNiTCwOrVAOsE6AwAf49OQL/s2048/PXL_20210114_224055434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKpww-Qi5lIgrRyZfF34ycQTe7pWdR5PcDWi0Vw-tZKenNypKVsHK9Sn7_A96Fr7eCA8HwhdzA-mCRXnjJblEuiRZLLkTpqt9wTPijvn4TAREckNiTCwOrVAOsE6AwAf49OQL/w400-h300/PXL_20210114_224055434.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>She turned on a sixpence and within a few minutes both anchor and sail were down. <i>FanShi </i>was finally launched and afloat. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWhSxyFwtKeQooxHwMYfVixCW6gOGzqnHhNj296ZRhmyLjWFfNmnczuwxXs7W1mnl47mz5WgumUVOPaFIv8k8_g9jwhJzJlGNuKUrB7O5JoS1npICBYNZgnqIgD_BaimazKPl/s2048/FS43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWhSxyFwtKeQooxHwMYfVixCW6gOGzqnHhNj296ZRhmyLjWFfNmnczuwxXs7W1mnl47mz5WgumUVOPaFIv8k8_g9jwhJzJlGNuKUrB7O5JoS1npICBYNZgnqIgD_BaimazKPl/w400-h225/FS43.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>After enjoying (but in truth, not really taking in) the fact that we were finally afloat, I went to join many of my other friends on <i>Le Canard Bleu</i>, where we celebrated finally seeing the <i>FanShi</i> floating and ready to set sail.</p><p> </p><p>My thanks to all of those who helped me in this project. I won't name
them here, in a public blog - you know who you are and you know that
without your moral and occasionally, physical support, I would never
have succeeded. Another chapter of my life has ended, but I hope there
will be many more pages in this book.</p><p><br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-89734551257490147072021-01-03T10:18:00.002+13:002021-01-03T10:18:27.089+13:00A video of FanShi<p> Happy New Year! <br /></p><p>Some time ago, a group of German sailors asked if they could come and have a look at FanShi and take a video of her. Knowing that there are those who seem to prefer watching a video to reading words and looking at photos, I went along with it. The original video was incredibly long and, to my mind, somewhat tedious, but a friend has arranged for it to be edited to a more manageable length. If you are interested, you can <a href="https://youtube.com/channel/UC7lUaw66ZBnUkt9qTKorW_A">watch it here:</a> </p><p>And just in case the link doesnt work, you can copy and paste: https://youtube.com/channel/UC7lUaw66ZBnUkt9qTKorW_A</p><p>I am hoping to launch in the middle of the month. With any luck there will be somebody there to capture this on video, too.<br /></p><br /> <p></p><br />Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-12405018581974918802020-12-20T17:15:00.005+13:002020-12-20T17:15:51.808+13:00A nice story for Christmas<p> You may remember many moons ago, I wrote about acquiring a copper kettle and how the helpful people at Newey & Bloomer (purveyors of fine kettles) were going to find a whistling lid for me. The story continued, but Covid 19 took over all our lives and it seemed inappropriate for me to be talking about my good fortune at such a horrid time.</p><p>Well, now there is a vaccine, which I hope will soon be available to all of those who need and want it. And Christmas is just around the corner. In too many countries, it will not be the one people had hoped for and were looking forward to, but for all that, it's a more cheerful time of year. And so here is my little offering: a story of generosity and thoughtfulness that makes the world seem a little bit better.</p><p>The lady at Newey & Bloomer, with whom I had been emailing, wrote back to me about my kettle: "I was telling my managing director about you over a meal on Saturday night, and she said let's send you a new kettle – just like that!<br /><br />"So if I can have your postal address we will get one out to you as soon as the next batch are made up."</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlz1_e7Q4aEgTxgKegHnEJHvyUy9-G6B8Npm1W8OBHAkI0gapv71Ag2pujbvVozUaer8GaHphT_pDO2lNbMsDyfhCbXOCfeoqYcIC05V26qU7Qu7Xtz4I0ZLOeGGSPdKgVIrz/s3264/20201129_172133.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlz1_e7Q4aEgTxgKegHnEJHvyUy9-G6B8Npm1W8OBHAkI0gapv71Ag2pujbvVozUaer8GaHphT_pDO2lNbMsDyfhCbXOCfeoqYcIC05V26qU7Qu7Xtz4I0ZLOeGGSPdKgVIrz/w400-h300/20201129_172133.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Needless to say, I sent my address and just before New Zealand went into
lockdown, the kettle arrived. It is absolutely gorgeous and looks
magnificent.<p></p><p>I was overwhelmed at the gift, but what really touched me was the
thought of the Managing Director and the "enquiries lady" sitting down
and having dinner together What a wonderful company that must be, where
people working together during the day like one another enough to eat
dinner together. And what a kind gesture from the MD to find my project
sufficiently interesting that she wanted a little part of it. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-6_BgJGl6_GwKz7IAmfBQJ7Si16bOVR6pHZ9AozJ3qyO-I3smiudmG9D_tZ9fJ_7R0-6aZhpgg-b9wuMaFuhNAS2F5gonOGdlBYeBTHKABF_lrt39zF5F4DAceGw22bJIHdK/s2048/Shirley%2527s+copper+kettle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-6_BgJGl6_GwKz7IAmfBQJ7Si16bOVR6pHZ9AozJ3qyO-I3smiudmG9D_tZ9fJ_7R0-6aZhpgg-b9wuMaFuhNAS2F5gonOGdlBYeBTHKABF_lrt39zF5F4DAceGw22bJIHdK/w480-h640/Shirley%2527s+copper+kettle+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And my
beautiful copper kettle hasn't gone to waste. My friend Shirley had
been trying to find one for her galley and the one I had was perfect!
Happy endings all round!<p></p><p> I am now living on board and even on the hard in a hot, dusty boatyard, it is bliss. I have moved most of my possessions on to the boat and yes, I still have empty lockers, as I had hoped. I have too many books: I shall re-read them once I am afloat once more and give some of them away. I also have more clothes than I can possibly ever wear, but find it hard to throw anything away that is still in good condition. </p><p>One of the first things I did when I moved on board was to light up my little Origo and make a cup of tea. The kettle is efficient, a joy to use and makes a fine cup of tea. It whistles with a loud and satisfying intensity and, in spite of so many people making negative comments about them, I am delighted with my cooker and find it a pleasure to cook on. </p><p>I am still working on the sail and my next blog will include updates on that. A launch date has been 'pencilled' in: 15th January.</p><p>In the meantime: <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pXpGVvCiXQQcbygu2o6OWmXsVLOxW_hHlm69hnHTJvzkTsc551eBm4rdfbSYPTj-PzDtQyr7K8Rna1Kd0sp8XGR_cFvja5Hw0BVAZS67EH5ek6_ZjpXCRBcPZUqhvzKyq70K/s2048/2020+Christmas+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="2048" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pXpGVvCiXQQcbygu2o6OWmXsVLOxW_hHlm69hnHTJvzkTsc551eBm4rdfbSYPTj-PzDtQyr7K8Rna1Kd0sp8XGR_cFvja5Hw0BVAZS67EH5ek6_ZjpXCRBcPZUqhvzKyq70K/w640-h358/2020+Christmas+card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-62032267650460495622020-11-29T11:54:00.000+13:002020-11-29T11:54:36.858+13:00Out she comes!<p> Well, we've finally made it out of the shed. Those of you who are impatient can scroll down to look. Otherwise, bear with me while I finish off the mast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkHKDLkl6mMDZ2PVOjapw3pmrveiStxASHKUdc3prHbwcz9IhvIkZo6Hypu9QNSivPr2WJ5B4gjmc5ReVmLrUNNQ82G_3nLjlXdPPJR7UUPwpUrQKUZ0XE1mi_IwUmdrOswyo/s2048/06+Nov+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkHKDLkl6mMDZ2PVOjapw3pmrveiStxASHKUdc3prHbwcz9IhvIkZo6Hypu9QNSivPr2WJ5B4gjmc5ReVmLrUNNQ82G_3nLjlXdPPJR7UUPwpUrQKUZ0XE1mi_IwUmdrOswyo/w400-h300/06+Nov+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I have had more than my share of fatiguing, stainless steel fittings at the masthead. Even 316 "isn't what it used to be" and I have tried to avoid it where possible in this boat. The worst seems to be metal to metal, so I thought to avoid this by using webbing loops instead of eyebolts. Racing yachts use Dyneema for various fittings that used to be made out of metal and the webbing will probably last longer. It has a 500 kg breaking strain, which should be enough for the loads of my rig. The mast should be (relatively) easy to lower so that I can inspect the top, too.</p><p>I made loops out of webbing and sewed them to a backing strip and to each other. The double loop is for the two blocks for the halliard. I then sandwiched them between two discs of plywood, which were then glued together. Once the epoxy had cured, I filled in any gaps that were left and painted the whole thing. Epoxy sticks really well to something like this webbing!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UZLpg-SpaCcw-29AAxgazYEuiSxWoVsa8mp51ymBcy18WNo8QTam0bjPafG9PdG_ZY4K84SWBOsqYk-H50NHWi5lvJcMGArnHTaPrHgx_UCHVT5Winktn8QUgcPskrzlvLve/s2048/09+Nov+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UZLpg-SpaCcw-29AAxgazYEuiSxWoVsa8mp51ymBcy18WNo8QTam0bjPafG9PdG_ZY4K84SWBOsqYk-H50NHWi5lvJcMGArnHTaPrHgx_UCHVT5Winktn8QUgcPskrzlvLve/w400-h300/09+Nov+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I painted the topmast my 'signature' aqua, like I used for<i> Fantail</i>. In the end, I couldn't resist the temptation and varnished the yard!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaxxBLSLjLciZMaEebQ4T48U3KOa2l_MLyfId-dQubTxtCt2xfQvd9KoP7JjENLFMMGninYSygPaj8Tze8Ozj-YH7VXBvYsSht_tKqkJHBxmkLPEfJYzi-2IeliipABJfMXEh/s2048/11+Nov+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaxxBLSLjLciZMaEebQ4T48U3KOa2l_MLyfId-dQubTxtCt2xfQvd9KoP7JjENLFMMGninYSygPaj8Tze8Ozj-YH7VXBvYsSht_tKqkJHBxmkLPEfJYzi-2IeliipABJfMXEh/w300-h400/11+Nov+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>The yard and the battens were put safely out of harm's way in Marcus's lean-to at the back of the shed.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D_NKA9DCFLtrX75q17V_jk2pvNt8FDcCR7y-8fmDRxOLFZov5RLxAkM8DpbDEgDMcM4HKjxIh3Wwg2NH5Golc8Z2_nJLDlw18wS8tdckbHuSUOm-mCdGcUxfunm9pl8SPF2P/s2048/14+Nov+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D_NKA9DCFLtrX75q17V_jk2pvNt8FDcCR7y-8fmDRxOLFZov5RLxAkM8DpbDEgDMcM4HKjxIh3Wwg2NH5Golc8Z2_nJLDlw18wS8tdckbHuSUOm-mCdGcUxfunm9pl8SPF2P/w400-h300/14+Nov+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I also painted the topmast fitting and attached it with Simson's Marine Glue, leaving the screws in place for extra security for the whole lot. The complicated graffiti is in order to line up the (NASA) tricolour light. (No white light: I think anchor lights should be down at eye level, where people can see them when coming into an anchorage, not way up in the air.) I shall run a string line down from the arrow on the top of the tricolour to the base of the mast and mark the forward face of it before putting it in.<br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XjcUi1d2dzqVOiQxQaV7SqKK_zAfJWQbBOTNUX-3rcgN2CdrzwZ8V-TYZ6qF1nZBQg4r42XC27MMBJ6sRPOTimahhPXdnLP1x9UiljM5ogrIAwv8OB1QCsJk1Lrq1ALdM2Ab/s2048/16+Nov+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XjcUi1d2dzqVOiQxQaV7SqKK_zAfJWQbBOTNUX-3rcgN2CdrzwZ8V-TYZ6qF1nZBQg4r42XC27MMBJ6sRPOTimahhPXdnLP1x9UiljM5ogrIAwv8OB1QCsJk1Lrq1ALdM2Ab/w400-h300/16+Nov+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The usual approach to putting wiring down a mast is to use a conduit, but these are made of hard plastic and in order to stop them rattling around in annoying fashion, require attaching to the mast. I don't want to put holes in my mast and conduit isn't cheap. Instead, I have used 'pool noodles', which should make a gentle swishing noise, rather than a 'clang, clang' and with luck, will not even be audible from inside the boat. I brought the two parts of the mast close together, hauled the wire down with a mouse and then shoved up the pool noodles from the bottom of the mast. <br /></p><p>Gordon, who has been having to travel back and forth to Auckland, was roped in again, for joining the two parts together. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBI3x-qlKz2iALT4vWmhKQxe7czGv-h5FcZRob78ah6F1h5W3wSOdwQ2bZQSn6tqiAaei4cZhDkGm8rLF0sFJV5PLYxaAVXfxWxtN4XWabYRE-3crDW_BixwexVmQd6D5xvjA/s2048/16+Nov+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBI3x-qlKz2iALT4vWmhKQxe7czGv-h5FcZRob78ah6F1h5W3wSOdwQ2bZQSn6tqiAaei4cZhDkGm8rLF0sFJV5PLYxaAVXfxWxtN4XWabYRE-3crDW_BixwexVmQd6D5xvjA/w400-h300/16+Nov+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We carefully levelled and aligned the two parts and used plastic tubing as rollers. Gordon held the topmast, I pushed on the lower one, and they went together very nicely, with a satisfying excess of glue squirting out. I chose a flexible glue over epoxy, because the wood and the alloy may well move very differently as temperatures fluctuate. The sun can be pretty fierce in Aotearoa and on a calm day, the mast might get quite hot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCuxpm6djyzuIllOAnlggpSwvQ9xB0NCZrNrRp07bU0QhUXYHwjX4gXIxnIGjfiblHhRaxCtqqUIjemfAxlt6S_xJTPPe_A4yvsVsio4e4tgodbPzDcP6C3ep5P0u1GMcR3Ok/s2048/16+Nov+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCuxpm6djyzuIllOAnlggpSwvQ9xB0NCZrNrRp07bU0QhUXYHwjX4gXIxnIGjfiblHhRaxCtqqUIjemfAxlt6S_xJTPPe_A4yvsVsio4e4tgodbPzDcP6C3ep5P0u1GMcR3Ok/w400-h300/16+Nov+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>With everything in place, we could push the excess pool noodle into place. They seemed to go quite far up the wooden section, in spite of all the dribbles of epoxy inside that part. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMUwod4SDjZj5MmbEjmvtDkZ_1owzNOJIJUgOYnf1z26LbprTwnsqmJ-rEXDtLURtSiocwMWMyjVQbRjlIBiTbjlkozk4J_f8axFmJcKqyY0evxnAqYv3ytk_JotPUsZqxwda/s2048/16+Nov+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMUwod4SDjZj5MmbEjmvtDkZ_1owzNOJIJUgOYnf1z26LbprTwnsqmJ-rEXDtLURtSiocwMWMyjVQbRjlIBiTbjlkozk4J_f8axFmJcKqyY0evxnAqYv3ytk_JotPUsZqxwda/w400-h300/16+Nov+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Getting the final alignment perfect took a bit of fiddling about, and we had to work quite hard to ensure it was level along its length. I went back later in the day and checked again and put extra glue around into any hairline cracks, which I cleaned up later. </p><p>With the boat just about complete, I asked the yard to arrange to pull her out of the shed. Several friends came by to join in the fun and it was a wonderful day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrSo77ANs_eBDPtqVEZbIKgcxRXQ0CoXzkpzxfqLU3i1eSIisUebZ9hZ6noLO9tlxdGh6xY2lhynErnHC9ewA90RMlJpRQyGi9PRiuODdSJ5aCxiZMUJ-JzioQDkWIGwS5lI2/s2048/26+Nov+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrSo77ANs_eBDPtqVEZbIKgcxRXQ0CoXzkpzxfqLU3i1eSIisUebZ9hZ6noLO9tlxdGh6xY2lhynErnHC9ewA90RMlJpRQyGi9PRiuODdSJ5aCxiZMUJ-JzioQDkWIGwS5lI2/w400-h300/26+Nov+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The lower part of the front of the shed has been removed and the doors swung open so that I can finally get a proper view of my boat. Being a Chinese junk she, of course, has eyes on the bow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdnWWLAhEW9yzIuvr8gEOLzASIDHmQ82HdWRWXepR6xy4LhnW8UrqSaHd-T91rwzBTmRprNzV9yA2b8SMcbmnQ9t2pVicFxN2wDL0gU0hUE-v8igLiLrEvJA9ZSotPeP5WzPr/s2048/26+Nov+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdnWWLAhEW9yzIuvr8gEOLzASIDHmQ82HdWRWXepR6xy4LhnW8UrqSaHd-T91rwzBTmRprNzV9yA2b8SMcbmnQ9t2pVicFxN2wDL0gU0hUE-v8igLiLrEvJA9ZSotPeP5WzPr/w400-h300/26+Nov+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The 'tuning fork' trailer was manoeuvred into the shed.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cSPdksk44jCOPQsnizwS4qM66qRGaRpt5BT5YAk9HKyBJXXzZwiJesPAjUwkxpxyahfby_05HI65UrRYo7ult_BWtaSmfiEN7TwOvJ_2DVTWbWi-H4tRIl4LCSMdYxXetlK2/s2048/26+Nov+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cSPdksk44jCOPQsnizwS4qM66qRGaRpt5BT5YAk9HKyBJXXzZwiJesPAjUwkxpxyahfby_05HI65UrRYo7ult_BWtaSmfiEN7TwOvJ_2DVTWbWi-H4tRIl4LCSMdYxXetlK2/w400-h300/26+Nov+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>And carefully moved under the cradle.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI6sSLsCW3cFKQwW8eqRvYVm1ckHdd0eqHwPCPiBeCKmSsgbthKLziAqO9Bt_0FYQGkpOVkSkmQP8ZC_pCawITlZGWe9Ju_Wy0QRgcQDI9_gaum6VZXn1wDuaJ9aEcJ8yagFV/s2048/26+Nov+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI6sSLsCW3cFKQwW8eqRvYVm1ckHdd0eqHwPCPiBeCKmSsgbthKLziAqO9Bt_0FYQGkpOVkSkmQP8ZC_pCawITlZGWe9Ju_Wy0QRgcQDI9_gaum6VZXn1wDuaJ9aEcJ8yagFV/w400-h300/26+Nov+7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Then the tractor slowly pulled <i>Fanshi</i> out into the sunshine.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe-4Nk6-b5JIxROc8AWf5gL_vWs-TPerNtgP5PU2RtSYzMgAim8YyWUgQ5NFMqt3RiUvWaX2QcsQXMOmq2RlJ5mUogDqYc0rKji2ci_1HKP1eb5TUmmQpnBznz5O0LifUIfCz/s2048/26+Nov+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe-4Nk6-b5JIxROc8AWf5gL_vWs-TPerNtgP5PU2RtSYzMgAim8YyWUgQ5NFMqt3RiUvWaX2QcsQXMOmq2RlJ5mUogDqYc0rKji2ci_1HKP1eb5TUmmQpnBznz5O0LifUIfCz/w400-h300/26+Nov+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was incredibly exciting to see her for the first time. She looked remarkably like the image I have had on my phone for several years!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xmX5_l3dkOmX9uf8djdR_BHM_ZvaY-EDNdhny-F_Ing0N2vsQbOLavEGftXH-A55QWwbdrsGCbbkaAfmeUx0cHXGYoK68pj2fE40zp8GlW525LpAvq-A9sQixxP-S0YOO0qw/s1249/26+Nov+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1233" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xmX5_l3dkOmX9uf8djdR_BHM_ZvaY-EDNdhny-F_Ing0N2vsQbOLavEGftXH-A55QWwbdrsGCbbkaAfmeUx0cHXGYoK68pj2fE40zp8GlW525LpAvq-A9sQixxP-S0YOO0qw/w395-h400/26+Nov+9.JPG" width="395" /></a></div><p>Marcus knows an amazingly talented woodworker, Ricardo, and he got him to carve two dragons and a sun for me, which he gave me for a birthday present. (What a gift!) I also paid Ricardo to make the eyes. They all look fantastic!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYaFgq33AeHTOAxmSY6GlzPAnaklZsvSU3V3IjGML4SdGH3Wq7n7g5wzZu25JE2oIuPTcJ2gGeyXfRiPG5GDg7o9_nVDrPUH8DCUMYOL2HXHeNU3FA3nZSENwzY-gaahySepn/s2048/26+Nov+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="2048" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYaFgq33AeHTOAxmSY6GlzPAnaklZsvSU3V3IjGML4SdGH3Wq7n7g5wzZu25JE2oIuPTcJ2gGeyXfRiPG5GDg7o9_nVDrPUH8DCUMYOL2HXHeNU3FA3nZSENwzY-gaahySepn/w400-h235/26+Nov+10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was great to be able to stand back and actually walk around the whole boat from a distance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFmBgviX8KoE_g1CeQjzwD4-aHriU_K_SKMfIa0_jWuTRAid9jpYK6c3olpP9qfcBVq0BwJf0uE0Ox4KjR2lz8iZn1yAaJuHC3DBnutfsHg1kNZ2DCqIidIInL2HgS78o_r5B/s2676/26+Nov+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2676" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFmBgviX8KoE_g1CeQjzwD4-aHriU_K_SKMfIa0_jWuTRAid9jpYK6c3olpP9qfcBVq0BwJf0uE0Ox4KjR2lz8iZn1yAaJuHC3DBnutfsHg1kNZ2DCqIidIInL2HgS78o_r5B/w400-h176/26+Nov+11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I am dying to know what David will think about his creation, now that he can see her properly.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqmqD1lC8r6QcH3joUdhFUKjmy4EjDOgVL7CmKoBlzn9FL7XFEGklWeVktaZxmqU8Mh0zAWcKJOVTOxDdBm0ml13o1jll7sPyXSLepoxod2wQpU6urCnqb9qeKCNyLJyNlkS6/s2048/26+Nov+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="2048" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqmqD1lC8r6QcH3joUdhFUKjmy4EjDOgVL7CmKoBlzn9FL7XFEGklWeVktaZxmqU8Mh0zAWcKJOVTOxDdBm0ml13o1jll7sPyXSLepoxod2wQpU6urCnqb9qeKCNyLJyNlkS6/w400-h310/26+Nov+12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>With the yard full to overflowing with Covid-stranded boats, <i>Fanshi</i> was shoehorned into the space next to the shed where she was built. Now I will have to wait until she's launched to stand back and her in her entirety again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7_O5lMk6thflixmxJb3d8ubrlKh30dkrYuQ9souXOuV8N40tfB2gjdYRAKsmMIYsGNxxFz9T4acq4T3vyeDBN-ad0AZROe7YszKIOtx49vLhyphenhyphen8jSPJkMsM3Cke-SKxBXu0rJ/s2048/27+Nov+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7_O5lMk6thflixmxJb3d8ubrlKh30dkrYuQ9souXOuV8N40tfB2gjdYRAKsmMIYsGNxxFz9T4acq4T3vyeDBN-ad0AZROe7YszKIOtx49vLhyphenhyphen8jSPJkMsM3Cke-SKxBXu0rJ/w300-h400/27+Nov+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>And I will need to get the name on the stern, too.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk5QYV1DYX5-x4lLHVXhW3Ts76XVvf3eF7aNL-CWqqC2lt83UKJnYpJVHlCsqeD3JM0KrLC24sHKxnr9HqDN7lILTq4GiCsDwELa7B8F0-iMgj7gpachADfq3exad65gk5v5A/s2048/27+Nov+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk5QYV1DYX5-x4lLHVXhW3Ts76XVvf3eF7aNL-CWqqC2lt83UKJnYpJVHlCsqeD3JM0KrLC24sHKxnr9HqDN7lILTq4GiCsDwELa7B8F0-iMgj7gpachADfq3exad65gk5v5A/w400-h300/27+Nov+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A close up of one of the dragons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1Ko-ZnJ_uJ8b2zcMX_p9S2Ejp_BzPSgbN7SsZG_oOeO_T61QNcQL0YHm9zFKP-fIoK8pI4lo_n0Rb3wmXHOwPG0bu3HvFx-e8GPztaO4FVPhyphenhyphen3zgShsbscGKFmZrAMD69rp1/s2048/27+Nov+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1Ko-ZnJ_uJ8b2zcMX_p9S2Ejp_BzPSgbN7SsZG_oOeO_T61QNcQL0YHm9zFKP-fIoK8pI4lo_n0Rb3wmXHOwPG0bu3HvFx-e8GPztaO4FVPhyphenhyphen3zgShsbscGKFmZrAMD69rp1/w400-h300/27+Nov+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>And an eye.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4a1aZU2oDhX1g_id1Li_vFO4kSq9vkxEFNKiLd_GnxdjNEhjFxWLbDGX_Tv58oeG0F9q6ipui49ttxDyNwqgBCVk6HzVPJCE1fBPgv1m6_o0gyDTT-xuEYwO6VWll8paapTN/s2048/27+Nov+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4a1aZU2oDhX1g_id1Li_vFO4kSq9vkxEFNKiLd_GnxdjNEhjFxWLbDGX_Tv58oeG0F9q6ipui49ttxDyNwqgBCVk6HzVPJCE1fBPgv1m6_o0gyDTT-xuEYwO6VWll8paapTN/w400-h300/27+Nov+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>And a view of the wonderful bow, which I really love.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqmdZN2PxDW5YOM_cGUWEe1Q73taqlo4n_2ZqdsEzhAJ5sQ6gI0DYvtyQCz6K0pukyRDC4TE55QMqUBlXs_IVEHEeb7YmP7UHfHSZEJN8X7MA_gq4XSDzzLtbrWH79kgt71Lh/s2048/27+Nov+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqmdZN2PxDW5YOM_cGUWEe1Q73taqlo4n_2ZqdsEzhAJ5sQ6gI0DYvtyQCz6K0pukyRDC4TE55QMqUBlXs_IVEHEeb7YmP7UHfHSZEJN8X7MA_gq4XSDzzLtbrWH79kgt71Lh/w400-h300/27+Nov+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>And the other dragon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OOVSXl-VqvWbj_MtVpnQ44ouSWpkBr8Hph8LhvuTzd3ULkdgDgkPpBw1_wg_trLUXSJ_Z6pjt6CNuZ4msJi5E5Mx56sqLwuiyRHtf_dHUz4RPxQMNT_1EqLz9jTwhKAyTwGg/s2048/29+Nov+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1854" data-original-width="2048" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OOVSXl-VqvWbj_MtVpnQ44ouSWpkBr8Hph8LhvuTzd3ULkdgDgkPpBw1_wg_trLUXSJ_Z6pjt6CNuZ4msJi5E5Mx56sqLwuiyRHtf_dHUz4RPxQMNT_1EqLz9jTwhKAyTwGg/w400-h363/29+Nov+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Finally, a view from Tony's boat, showing the deck, wet with rain. Make the best of it, soon it will weather to grey and never look quite so glorious again!</p><p>Now, I need to cover the cushions, make the sail, put the mast in the tabernacle and rig the boat. Then we can take to the water. If I pushed it, I could be ready for Christmas, but have decided to slow down and enjoy this final part of the project. More to the point, I don't want to be sailing my unknown boat and finding out how she behaves at anchor over the holiday period, when there are boats everywhere and all the anchorages are full. There's no hurry. I can sit out in the sunshine once more.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-89710434977155761752020-11-06T09:23:00.004+13:002020-11-06T09:23:58.687+13:00A video of Fanshi<p>For those who enjoy such things, David Tyler has published a video of <i>Fanshi</i> on his YouTube channel. It was taken a couple of mnths ago and, I warn you, is very long, but you can always skip the bits that seem boring! You can find it <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=78wOyEX9R9g" target="_blank">here</a></p><p>I wanted to link it to <i>my</i> YouTube channel - one or two comments have asked for a video of the boat in build - but I couldn't find a way. If anyone knows how to, would you be so kind as to leave the instuctions in a comment, please?<br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-57220968006135372552020-11-01T15:38:00.002+13:002020-11-03T08:37:06.246+13:00Building a topmast and making a yard<p> Well, these two jobs have occupied most of October. Before I really got into them, however, I finished fitting the hoop.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AjUrPInah_JsIpDoKL_2IJ1AgCxVIKZr-wqukPt8RutE5lk9cIr_XgA57LfnOP2weYD5CPElVdMXPcgjYAEy0eCy6Uc5x4havMz0WMXgi5TAyQ1NY6jcn6vHswBV0rnPqJQd/s2048/03+Oct+4.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AjUrPInah_JsIpDoKL_2IJ1AgCxVIKZr-wqukPt8RutE5lk9cIr_XgA57LfnOP2weYD5CPElVdMXPcgjYAEy0eCy6Uc5x4havMz0WMXgi5TAyQ1NY6jcn6vHswBV0rnPqJQd/w300-h400/03+Oct+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Gluing it in place was a fiddly business. Ideally, I would have attached it to the frame 50 mm abaft where it ended up, which, indeed, was my initial intention, but it interfered with the wind vane. I <i>could</i> have made a new windvane. I decided it was easier to move the hoop further forward.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAki7k3hhHQSa6yDL9nQv1_sFXu2UkK4ByOwIiH8fIrmeIqmhRVDqaixBS-bQb2ob020w7a8epL6ZaGW_Zfsy803C1Hhryc4gABrlDu5CTJ4nEkN8fNSqjE3AB2l2ej755yPi7/s2048/03+Oct+5.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAki7k3hhHQSa6yDL9nQv1_sFXu2UkK4ByOwIiH8fIrmeIqmhRVDqaixBS-bQb2ob020w7a8epL6ZaGW_Zfsy803C1Hhryc4gABrlDu5CTJ4nEkN8fNSqjE3AB2l2ej755yPi7/w400-h300/03+Oct+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>And here it is in place, awaiting paint. It's fairly sturdy, as long as no heavy person decides to swing from it. One can't legislate for every eventuality.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yWQQ_8Mmo6NZpO-Y6X_G8y2F1pwRaKs99BjNT4VQe8Ze-qhPn6BT7zFXdqQJmU6AVENYQhek7o7SmZsXFvkX078u70yWIXYtiLcz81LSFFKrA1CLF6shRCZAVDscV_pndgHn/s2048/03+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yWQQ_8Mmo6NZpO-Y6X_G8y2F1pwRaKs99BjNT4VQe8Ze-qhPn6BT7zFXdqQJmU6AVENYQhek7o7SmZsXFvkX078u70yWIXYtiLcz81LSFFKrA1CLF6shRCZAVDscV_pndgHn/w300-h400/03+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I bought the Oregon for the mast when I started building the boat. (In NZ, Oregon is used to discriminate the high-quality, imported wood from the locally-grown, Douglas fir.) It's beautiful wood, very fine grained and straight. David had suggested I build a hexagonal mast. In retrospect, I wish I had bought 8 boards: it would have been easier.</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">When making a birdsmouth mast with six sides, the angles need to be 30<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">° </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">and 60</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">°. I puzzled over this for some time before deciding the easiest thing would be to cut up some pallet wood and make a mock-up from this. That would allow me to work out how to do the second cut.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1exRcPxNg0GMjyaAGEQfa5C80pVyd9i7z6kMF91jC6amKd-EL0wBnW1axfjue3HX3gLL5Ft8l-2B83nljbXLp-0pg4ksxjW7825wmVHD4IQ9qa27Rr4NCsJF14Q1IfGem5Cry/s2048/03+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1exRcPxNg0GMjyaAGEQfa5C80pVyd9i7z6kMF91jC6amKd-EL0wBnW1axfjue3HX3gLL5Ft8l-2B83nljbXLp-0pg4ksxjW7825wmVHD4IQ9qa27Rr4NCsJF14Q1IfGem5Cry/w400-h300/03+Oct+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I couldn't get the table saw blade to go down, so in desperation I went to Master Boatbuilder, Noel Barrot, and asked him for some advice. He very kindly spent the best part of a morning, dismantling the table and splashing oil around with joyous abandon after I had removed the grunge of decades from various orifices. The blade moved up and down with wonderful ease and precision after this. I then cut the first angle on the pallet wood and discovered that by turning it on edge, I could then make the second cut of 30<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">°. It was gratifyingly straightforward.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5hyphenhyphenp8l_huPhDACSpzmJeOErrvr0a9_tZeM2hnzFCeN72Rzmm9ndhgSNwA01MdWNg3mu08KbYXC1AcY5Fm0Zsb9tLk8sObbCvTxgI8BVXNWNiAQmfSi0AAlQus2e6PvBMwc_2/s2048/03+Oct+3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5hyphenhyphenp8l_huPhDACSpzmJeOErrvr0a9_tZeM2hnzFCeN72Rzmm9ndhgSNwA01MdWNg3mu08KbYXC1AcY5Fm0Zsb9tLk8sObbCvTxgI8BVXNWNiAQmfSi0AAlQus2e6PvBMwc_2/w400-h300/03+Oct+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>All the information I needed to work out angles, thickness, strength (a bit of a closed book to me, I have to confess), etc I gleaned from the Duckworks site: <a href="https://www.duckworksmagazine.com/04/s/articles/birdsmouth/" target="_blank">Birds Mouth Spars revisited</a>. This also gave me the dimensions for the tapered top of the spar, which was different from what I had assumed, which saved me from a real blunder. I discovered <i>this</i> site from Gary Pick's excellent article in JRA Magazine no 57. Gary also very kindly answered several emails from me while I was groping my way forward.<br /></p><p>Having cut up the pallet wood, I cut it into 6 pieces and roughly put them together to see how this concept works. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoblayInxi8ed-fRU8PJzEuwCbgZBwNYiCme5cwC0GY72j_JJDStUceQspWgyYpYqSfabIIVS6PU6152ZH3Q6TZhe9VbP7Q3f7otzBx8JfmNEhOd1yJDMNdIWMvDcs710XHBi/s2048/5+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoblayInxi8ed-fRU8PJzEuwCbgZBwNYiCme5cwC0GY72j_JJDStUceQspWgyYpYqSfabIIVS6PU6152ZH3Q6TZhe9VbP7Q3f7otzBx8JfmNEhOd1yJDMNdIWMvDcs710XHBi/w300-h400/5+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>With my heart in my mouth I prepared myself for the Real Thing. Fortunately for me, Gordon was passing on his way to Auckland and, yet again, allowed himself to be shanghaied into not only getting the 6 m tube down and onto a bench alongside the shed, but helping me machine the Oregon. Another reason I was glad that he was there was that the pieces of wood, well over 4 m long, wouldn't fit through the gap in the stairs, when they were on edge. This meant the removal of one of the stairs, which Marcus had secured with every intention that it should stay in place. Wielding a hammer to good effect, Gordon not only managed to remove it, but also to replace it once the job was done. I had paid about $1,000 for this wood, so it was, to say the least, nerve-racking, sending it through the saw.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUZfzcYskCHCWu8H7Trf28__lag4onLFWV2sTTUuiPDMkrq7c9eslxrP_LueWtRi80xEBfD2so9UFYJKrt4ueKq_Xhk0yBGcNKDX01VZ5tW1DHzPjEj2k1nbcrw7CVRtE1gxs/s2048/5+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUZfzcYskCHCWu8H7Trf28__lag4onLFWV2sTTUuiPDMkrq7c9eslxrP_LueWtRi80xEBfD2so9UFYJKrt4ueKq_Xhk0yBGcNKDX01VZ5tW1DHzPjEj2k1nbcrw7CVRtE1gxs/w400-h300/5+Oct+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>However, it all went without a hitch and I soon had a stack of nicely-milled timber awaiting the next move.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2hrcbHhd0g6Ax_xQ0iWoYSyC1XuFPJGuRTQ4WqUeEhjFEI-O3WHXoQbGiDhHOTccUO6qQITtMbTs50r9bzo_kBWy-KRvlMQiIPiIkTxVmiX2PYMIJjG0T-zPPYUNj0x0VBDW/s2048/5+Oct+4.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2hrcbHhd0g6Ax_xQ0iWoYSyC1XuFPJGuRTQ4WqUeEhjFEI-O3WHXoQbGiDhHOTccUO6qQITtMbTs50r9bzo_kBWy-KRvlMQiIPiIkTxVmiX2PYMIJjG0T-zPPYUNj0x0VBDW/w300-h400/5+Oct+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Here you can clearly see the birdsmouth. You can also see why the 45<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">° would be easier to work with than the </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">30<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">° and 6</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">0<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">°. The smaller joint is a bit more fragile than ideal.</span></span></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpGpFsZm4Ujaj5CQ3RDXqVculJWoFFj6CVeA0jlX5HzJLS4lNfDHBLsa7Thr64Tike16UhYycpto2r-Y4L2048BdipUM-0ThRTBVqTbEZsKRbLVGFbfvg4KMs2wwr5jEg6mVL/s2048/10+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpGpFsZm4Ujaj5CQ3RDXqVculJWoFFj6CVeA0jlX5HzJLS4lNfDHBLsa7Thr64Tike16UhYycpto2r-Y4L2048BdipUM-0ThRTBVqTbEZsKRbLVGFbfvg4KMs2wwr5jEg6mVL/w300-h400/10+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Gordon carried on his merry way, and I cleaned up all the grooves. Noel suggested knocking the back off the part that would adjoin the groove, as well, to ensure a better fit and plenty of glue.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxMX3DuaHIMrBrv1nyzmlcO9ETLaOsGReSnWmbgacde7_JC8mqMYuJ_S9AJSF-PisQe6ns6vrj4p_13xupZomzZoWYDXtiu3J3_kqJdZdPQDUzqmOhmjmsU5XimlW8QX4GgR6/s2048/10+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxMX3DuaHIMrBrv1nyzmlcO9ETLaOsGReSnWmbgacde7_JC8mqMYuJ_S9AJSF-PisQe6ns6vrj4p_13xupZomzZoWYDXtiu3J3_kqJdZdPQDUzqmOhmjmsU5XimlW8QX4GgR6/w300-h400/10+Oct+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>The next stage was to taper the staves. Ideally, I would have started the taper from 600 mm up, so that the base would have been straight and easy to put into the alloy tube. However, I didn't see how this could be glued together so with the aid of the invaluable website, worked out what the base should be and marked out a straight taper from top to bottom. My little battery-powered circular saw did the work. I cut the 35 mm staves in three stages of increasing depths, but the poor little saw still struggled and it had to have a rest at the halfway point for its battery to be recharged. As I was still finding the whole business quite stressful, terrified that I would make some irremediable mistake, these enforced breaks were good for me, too.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxUQH6QzEUL9916b-inVgxtPeKNGUmeGhgm-ANmY-lWgxpzK3MHLUlELYwsGsVvAl4u6WWhY-1lVa7za7aFVYoJpKy1d3Jli-6e2e3i3DKACl75OB3WQ2BA_43u8cUwyKy3ON/s2048/10+Oct+3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxUQH6QzEUL9916b-inVgxtPeKNGUmeGhgm-ANmY-lWgxpzK3MHLUlELYwsGsVvAl4u6WWhY-1lVa7za7aFVYoJpKy1d3Jli-6e2e3i3DKACl75OB3WQ2BA_43u8cUwyKy3ON/w300-h400/10+Oct+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>The next job was to glue up the staves. I didn't want to do it in one hit, because I wanted to put a wire up for the masthead light and I also wanted to be able to check that (at least half!) the joints had glued together properly. At first, I planned to do it in two stages and then glue the two halves together, but then I thought that only a little distortion could make this very difficult, so decided to do it in just two stages.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRogO0Y608QXVFS0dIRqSI6yvynJQtYHEsS8yiqANMDE5VsoAgdiElo0s6ryJSeR1lPuKVaKaELrzABSkIHvPZt5-3eFf4_2teXRAXACkRthWv0hjEamD_c33DL-mk8DG5W5tH/s2048/10+Oct+4.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRogO0Y608QXVFS0dIRqSI6yvynJQtYHEsS8yiqANMDE5VsoAgdiElo0s6ryJSeR1lPuKVaKaELrzABSkIHvPZt5-3eFf4_2teXRAXACkRthWv0hjEamD_c33DL-mk8DG5W5tH/w400-h300/10+Oct+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The first 2 pieces could be temporarily clamped while I prepared the third.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv16SfZv6xrj3FxOxyOoRj44bJIyJYTpngYUVoHQup4iNT7FuVbByI7wP-nrXpQGOdAw-0skxudxPlyE0l0waIiH055k-zuQly5kRfJ0TFhxNdlvnnQb3Jp17hyphenhyphenpLwUOyysba/s2048/10+Oct+5.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv16SfZv6xrj3FxOxyOoRj44bJIyJYTpngYUVoHQup4iNT7FuVbByI7wP-nrXpQGOdAw-0skxudxPlyE0l0waIiH055k-zuQly5kRfJ0TFhxNdlvnnQb3Jp17hyphenhyphenpLwUOyysba/w300-h400/10+Oct+5.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Holding the three pieces secure was something of a challenge, and this is one of the cases where an 8-sided mast would have been <i>a lot</i> easier. Clamps simply wouldn't work and, if anything, tended to distort the shape, however carefully wedged. I had discovered this as soon as I had tried a dry fit, so in the end decided to use cable ties. I couldn't exert that much pressure - or I ended up back at the clamp situation. This is one of the situations where epoxy is superior to most other glues: it doesn't require any clamping pressure to speak of. Anyway, it all went together fine. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV-dHokkkGZPGfy2P4q86Kr7jE5LsRE_1XGOaVhjH9WCt9Tsff3xhWXhtO0de8ntMTECo7HHNLbPAnGRs13WFCuLiZbgoE0nwkl-62-MQMHZqUmgChDilz44gc8w7GJOOAvfe/s2048/12+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV-dHokkkGZPGfy2P4q86Kr7jE5LsRE_1XGOaVhjH9WCt9Tsff3xhWXhtO0de8ntMTECo7HHNLbPAnGRs13WFCuLiZbgoE0nwkl-62-MQMHZqUmgChDilz44gc8w7GJOOAvfe/w300-h400/12+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Once the epoxy had set, I tried a 'dry run' to check that everything went together well and it did. The third piece slid in easily and fitted acceptably. However, the act of sliding it would tend to remove some glue, so I would have to be generous.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJzGMMM8abHHFr9SAQPseH3YqZh7YfZ6MECq3LIXaiouaLvYYpYV8hqFeTPbCrtz7E0ahr-llBR-ZLFpW2D6dkvhHbUAxdZXvD4eQxQmRheV1c3L9jjUNDRBNevA55H8VnHuW/s2048/12+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJzGMMM8abHHFr9SAQPseH3YqZh7YfZ6MECq3LIXaiouaLvYYpYV8hqFeTPbCrtz7E0ahr-llBR-ZLFpW2D6dkvhHbUAxdZXvD4eQxQmRheV1c3L9jjUNDRBNevA55H8VnHuW/w300-h400/12+Oct+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I coated the inside of the three pieces that were to be fitted next.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHqeZpacw0jxR180BXiydYoltC4EOienXl2L5RTApjaJ1bTspE3wjGOBXScDxw8ZU_Z7PTM4wcYtEosIADeum3sZPMxPgy0871Tm02bNTf5OrcP36VOvUd17q6RN-C54JM6Ks/s2048/13+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHqeZpacw0jxR180BXiydYoltC4EOienXl2L5RTApjaJ1bTspE3wjGOBXScDxw8ZU_Z7PTM4wcYtEosIADeum3sZPMxPgy0871Tm02bNTf5OrcP36VOvUd17q6RN-C54JM6Ks/w300-h400/13+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I also coated the inside of the already-glued mast and laid the wire for the tricolour light along it. With wire being relatively stiff, you might think it would be easy to slide it in after the event. However, as I have learnt the hard way, it isn't and with the very real chance of lots of glue drips at the next stage, I reckoned that there would probably be too many snags to make it easy to send a mouse down, too.</p><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DyJaOGC3QuIRhs1vkC3hbyJp-nxkemcWsvPVK4ZquHKcCYHRtzeniF3aNWDV0f2rZgaf_4OX_B32svWCRqjWrTGXKwjztJQ5SQPhcgpxf_CFTNuHY6fiRSZc3Bue3TndtpJn/s2048/14+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DyJaOGC3QuIRhs1vkC3hbyJp-nxkemcWsvPVK4ZquHKcCYHRtzeniF3aNWDV0f2rZgaf_4OX_B32svWCRqjWrTGXKwjztJQ5SQPhcgpxf_CFTNuHY6fiRSZc3Bue3TndtpJn/w300-h400/14+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Again, I assembled it all with lavish amounts of glue, but as so often happens, in spite of there being a very good fit the first time, when it came to the final job, the 'shutter plank' was a struggle to get right. Don't ask me why. In fact the very bottom of the mast ended up a far from perfect hexagon and there were gaps along a couple of the glue joints. However, there was nothing that could be done about it, so I just secured it all together as well as I could and hoped I'd be able to sort it all out after the event.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUiy2KpjEt-032GBAlZs71l-UJJTg6CKG89SQ8XMdAxoVPJZ0WAex_HUOda5hRIkqPhGQBC44jBCsgVbvhuFpFeWIMft_a1_pRw08DRG5qJJ79rCBdCFAayoJNmeYbt2RcKZY/s2048/17+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUiy2KpjEt-032GBAlZs71l-UJJTg6CKG89SQ8XMdAxoVPJZ0WAex_HUOda5hRIkqPhGQBC44jBCsgVbvhuFpFeWIMft_a1_pRw08DRG5qJJ79rCBdCFAayoJNmeYbt2RcKZY/w400-h300/17+Oct+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Noel, kindly mentoring this whole business, told me that the next task was to turn the six sides into twelve. Google was no help at all here: the only reference I could find to a six-sided mast was due to the fact that the fellow writing it didn't know a hexagon from an octagon. With eight sides, you can use Pythagoras to work it all out, with six you have to be a little more empirical. Tony from the boat next door, lent me a chalk line and I carefully assessed the mast by eye (not at all my strong point) and marked where I should plane to.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0IKAbhcg-EiFoXh3AWXVzvGAtf4N_iKBZKI2SHqSnIu6GsvtFwETUhN_jid3DBjOix9OSJdGa0_k9CwaW282PiBy3TwuD0g7kRR9XKOfUAycEkW3ScRVZB5m-5PJvBho5fQS/s2048/17+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0IKAbhcg-EiFoXh3AWXVzvGAtf4N_iKBZKI2SHqSnIu6GsvtFwETUhN_jid3DBjOix9OSJdGa0_k9CwaW282PiBy3TwuD0g7kRR9XKOfUAycEkW3ScRVZB5m-5PJvBho5fQS/w300-h400/17+Oct+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Noel had also suggested that at this stage, instead of going for a straight taper, I should go for a spar taper (which I assume is the same thing as the barrel taper, mentioned in <i>Practical Junk Rig</i>) Supposedly it is more pleasing to the eye, but quite honestly, I can't see the difference. Still, the Master was helping and the least I could do was follow his advice.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnKME7ChSDCQG5smnM4ZHuz_JL0vbg3m7hkri45NJ7RgJzAqZwaXmSpD-XMpg95q37TpMSbD5wIPMxGaShOx4QGlNlRn2HiPtiaN3PfNScvfb7A5qkrx1Pec1t-7RvGHRngqG/s2048/19+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnKME7ChSDCQG5smnM4ZHuz_JL0vbg3m7hkri45NJ7RgJzAqZwaXmSpD-XMpg95q37TpMSbD5wIPMxGaShOx4QGlNlRn2HiPtiaN3PfNScvfb7A5qkrx1Pec1t-7RvGHRngqG/w300-h400/19+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>At the early stages, I could use a power plane, but before long I was using a hand plane. I'm afraid Noel was somewhat unimpressed at my attempts at sharpening my planes (I can't say I am surprised, it is still a skill I have to perfect) and kindly took them off with him to hone to a scary degree of sharpness that I could only envy.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWhqsclyfoZtgTjDciTf85tL6M1zK0UhNtIj8Wc-XhN9hOsh6orK3gA-g_meLAf0328updRNpo5n8NhnSEZ5ToWasO4Qy0IP-NzprhwGp_HLRu3L1fUgtUh4y7MElsOWM6QHJ/s2048/19+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWhqsclyfoZtgTjDciTf85tL6M1zK0UhNtIj8Wc-XhN9hOsh6orK3gA-g_meLAf0328updRNpo5n8NhnSEZ5ToWasO4Qy0IP-NzprhwGp_HLRu3L1fUgtUh4y7MElsOWM6QHJ/w300-h400/19+Oct+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>The object of the exercise was pick several points along the mast, work out what diameter they should be and then keep planing, turning and measuring. The initial part of the shaping was done by taking a long plane from one end of the mast to the other, in one sweep 5 times. Then I turned it and did the same on the next face and so on. Then it was all measured and as time went by, I could take more (or less) off each face until the mast became more even. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR-3zHOrx0botBHSXrpqRqmeRY2hL24ZIdrT6N7enjxS93EzmCcfFZUziAr7QREfvbhsAfrI-uvb8UIeQ5WCQ82yibspRKKSC1Non7Yu9W2U_dIopNIIHbZBTELK9cnTsG9u2/s2048/21+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR-3zHOrx0botBHSXrpqRqmeRY2hL24ZIdrT6N7enjxS93EzmCcfFZUziAr7QREfvbhsAfrI-uvb8UIeQ5WCQ82yibspRKKSC1Non7Yu9W2U_dIopNIIHbZBTELK9cnTsG9u2/w300-h400/21+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I used a hole saw to make patterns and Noel lent me calipers to check further down the mast.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm2dv24cwzNadRDN6on-6FWcvmtA6p6CiiGdimvLRhiQZg52sG8kfudAar1tJNGrmtXHRQowPdA-EjQK0ifnqejFtvcR7BPg32IDOexRU7UgfqEwT5LkroFp061kD8x_qTTL7/s2048/21+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm2dv24cwzNadRDN6on-6FWcvmtA6p6CiiGdimvLRhiQZg52sG8kfudAar1tJNGrmtXHRQowPdA-EjQK0ifnqejFtvcR7BPg32IDOexRU7UgfqEwT5LkroFp061kD8x_qTTL7/w300-h400/21+Oct+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Finally, I had 12 even sides. Then came the best bit: Noel lent me one of his treasured wooden planes (found in the Falkland Is), which has a radiused base so that it takes off all the corners and produces a curve. It was a lovely thing to use.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZQPbd7qYPeofjrmAKQitDPQhU9AijouFn4bbIqW5ePvZ3GkAlS2jzHghKyBd-y_j_XpULtoe4Raaig96yL4QhEJR50TSeqaYRN42mNxWv7gbStAyKpa1Dy6T7oeVPgNvW8MU/s2048/21+Oct+3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZQPbd7qYPeofjrmAKQitDPQhU9AijouFn4bbIqW5ePvZ3GkAlS2jzHghKyBd-y_j_XpULtoe4Raaig96yL4QhEJR50TSeqaYRN42mNxWv7gbStAyKpa1Dy6T7oeVPgNvW8MU/w400-h300/21+Oct+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>By putting chalk on the inside of my plywood patterns, I could find the high spots and attack them individually until the whole mast was smooth and even.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfS0vZfZIekNm3lTkQufV51kxoZrPkdiKSyQy1W7xO6f74k2PVfgxw9qxZyydaFpIc4bcaAITv9r2YPDfXHyxlta3gNqPC__QrVGALcXXSOeiaEh1ojDFSY432RBnWdqTVHcw/s2048/22+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfS0vZfZIekNm3lTkQufV51kxoZrPkdiKSyQy1W7xO6f74k2PVfgxw9qxZyydaFpIc4bcaAITv9r2YPDfXHyxlta3gNqPC__QrVGALcXXSOeiaEh1ojDFSY432RBnWdqTVHcw/w400-h300/22+Oct+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The last little high bits took the longest to smooth down, but finally I decided that it was good enough.</p><p>Of course, I now had a nicely tapered spar, but the base of it was far too big to fit inside the alloy tube. So the next job was to shape that.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-a793jhFgMauMaOTFMBVax2VNhM-FlTy03l4TqKjgyOO5srofGMIsxLZulc4ZIZuHpekYXQf5ybFoxy1lL26h-XqDeNXjfFuyPha6cbhnE5FrQKlJdQIxUEsA2iam1l6V28p/s2048/22+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-a793jhFgMauMaOTFMBVax2VNhM-FlTy03l4TqKjgyOO5srofGMIsxLZulc4ZIZuHpekYXQf5ybFoxy1lL26h-XqDeNXjfFuyPha6cbhnE5FrQKlJdQIxUEsA2iam1l6V28p/w300-h400/22+Oct+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I carefully marked it, measuring from the top of the mast and then roughly planed the lowest part to within coo-ee of the desired 142 mm. Noel's suggestion was to use a router to take off the bulk of the excess wood and then finish it off with a plane. Noel is not a man who lightly recommends the use of power tools, and I find using the router freehand a bit daunting. However, I gave it a go on the principle that if I did make a big gouge where I shouldn't, I would at least be able to fill it again.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT81kKfw3GUJo2iSTHWZeZkR5En_iAUrcffo5BlKSdw3dkFTEWLDM5sRP5YYoK0EjqalLKSBdfUJE9k64vT38kNnJns7hbjH-P4iDptGap-qc_GIBveLw6JogTDfCWOWfEzDl/s2048/22+Oct+3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT81kKfw3GUJo2iSTHWZeZkR5En_iAUrcffo5BlKSdw3dkFTEWLDM5sRP5YYoK0EjqalLKSBdfUJE9k64vT38kNnJns7hbjH-P4iDptGap-qc_GIBveLw6JogTDfCWOWfEzDl/w400-h300/22+Oct+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I actually found it a bit easier than I had anticipated and the router only ran away with me once. Much planing followed, both along the mast and, at the top, across the grain, which left a bit of a mess that I cleaned up with my block plane. I had made another pattern with a 142 mm hole saw, which was invaluable for getting this section shaped.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQACRtTNaA1orK7pG2qLaVfS73kHRXBCpQTzMCiEcl1V9_C8IIXFb8HcBoC0ay1W7j-7m9zkHMM26AbadeQeC1s1YKhiDiT1Ll9XLj-bqOtXgyHJXwqBxY-U3SL-g1m-AtfyB/s2048/23+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQACRtTNaA1orK7pG2qLaVfS73kHRXBCpQTzMCiEcl1V9_C8IIXFb8HcBoC0ay1W7j-7m9zkHMM26AbadeQeC1s1YKhiDiT1Ll9XLj-bqOtXgyHJXwqBxY-U3SL-g1m-AtfyB/w400-h300/23+Oct+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Finally, the spar was ready to sand. Noel told me about using a long strip of snanpaper and pulling it back and forth around the masts circumference to remove the excess and again work on any high spots. It was insanely efficient. It was also an exceptionally good workout!</p><p>With the mast sanded, I could now try it for size. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoIONlO000NMKlL93miibAmQ5ozbi2SHYiL0spoByqO0mvpo2zNNAApgyTEW8X7vEAR2OQY2sh4yywy3vzl4EwxIuaEm-SFRhBsUNGFlsrzSBja4yPSsICmpC5L0vttz6kisc/s2048/23+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoIONlO000NMKlL93miibAmQ5ozbi2SHYiL0spoByqO0mvpo2zNNAApgyTEW8X7vEAR2OQY2sh4yywy3vzl4EwxIuaEm-SFRhBsUNGFlsrzSBja4yPSsICmpC5L0vttz6kisc/w400-h300/23+Oct+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>To my gratified astonishment, it slid gently into the alloy tube at the first attempt.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkSslUX4LUStPmWdD7cUfp6ZUSsWAqF9a2i7VYGSKPNNN16LjY1R6z1fTgfov3mwc95lUHgWJJKdJCDj3zf3EpaAA8RhyFxS-5BJyb_Af23tyz8gtFXwJxG0sq2lD4Sg5mVui/s2048/23+Oct+3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkSslUX4LUStPmWdD7cUfp6ZUSsWAqF9a2i7VYGSKPNNN16LjY1R6z1fTgfov3mwc95lUHgWJJKdJCDj3zf3EpaAA8RhyFxS-5BJyb_Af23tyz8gtFXwJxG0sq2lD4Sg5mVui/w300-h400/23+Oct+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I have to say, I did a rather better job with this one than I did on <i>Fantail.</i> On the other hand, I also had plenty of wood - and Noel!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1_Yfen_rv-1V7_vjZJgSCGO_rdvUj94-KJRuThLmhUDp-09zx1zyW5kvtM3z-mB1gv_r4GOiDgQ7oTwKMCPZlrf3eHTsDvHH_4d2AUtRyB8zlNHMnt7siYkMGmDV02523tuz/s2048/24+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1_Yfen_rv-1V7_vjZJgSCGO_rdvUj94-KJRuThLmhUDp-09zx1zyW5kvtM3z-mB1gv_r4GOiDgQ7oTwKMCPZlrf3eHTsDvHH_4d2AUtRyB8zlNHMnt7siYkMGmDV02523tuz/w400-h300/24+Oct+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>As I mentioned earlier, some of the joints weren't all they could be. I had tilted the mast, top down, and run glue down the inside where one joints seemed to be more open than I was comforable with. Shining a torch down the inside, most of the joints looked OK, but there were still a few places where the glue had blown bubbles, dripped out or generally not done as it should, so I went back and filled them all. I had been concerned that maybe some of these holes were serious, but they were filled easily, so I think the mast is probably sufficiently well stuck together. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbX7R9Km4gAxN5ZhRk4M-TYGUE-5JAxefEPljnPc-1ghmA_0oXmLnExRpIR9VzMJRiSo8GVdBiH_yETyZA7IcCPW6mhUJvnLrqOn4lZzL0Ek9Ml2lx9LoF0meETyMvKfeKsSWQ/s2048/26+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbX7R9Km4gAxN5ZhRk4M-TYGUE-5JAxefEPljnPc-1ghmA_0oXmLnExRpIR9VzMJRiSo8GVdBiH_yETyZA7IcCPW6mhUJvnLrqOn4lZzL0Ek9Ml2lx9LoF0meETyMvKfeKsSWQ/w300-h400/26+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>And as added insurance, I put a 'Band-aid' of glass and epoxy around it. In fact, the glass and epoxy is to make it nice and hard for the ropes that will pass around it, moving constantly when the boat is under way.</p><p>At the very start of this project, my friend, Paul, at All Marine, gave me a roll of fibreglass. Over the years, several friends have taken advantage of it for covering masts, dinghies, etc and I was hoping that I would still have enough for covering the mast. When I had finished, here was about 50mm left over. Thank you, Paul!!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyuR4jaaMmTzGRA2YuGsAMnYgLJAHWLTO_mkaNx73iV0bW8bjTD8uUMzdzhURtikyvG_r48LKYJKV56nc0qtb7w1pSQQYrMKEasQcv2W9Gv0MGYAYP28ziLUiffYJtDIz7NRJ/s2048/27+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyuR4jaaMmTzGRA2YuGsAMnYgLJAHWLTO_mkaNx73iV0bW8bjTD8uUMzdzhURtikyvG_r48LKYJKV56nc0qtb7w1pSQQYrMKEasQcv2W9Gv0MGYAYP28ziLUiffYJtDIz7NRJ/w300-h400/27+Oct+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I also put some fillets inside the mast up to the 'partners'. The Duckworks site reckoned that the walls were thick enough, and equally to the point, so did Noel, but those additional fillets gave me an extra sense of security.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mSKa6kT4pQtpa9dPxYBC6lVBH03YpLjgcLY0onopb_SgFa5g3zbEpJffmmhr9LQ72a7flzV9wjEzNFZ5zGSe5EE6moRP7RnMaSppy972M5h8aHdNKO37C0yjjxQC7RFLIORv/s2048/28+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mSKa6kT4pQtpa9dPxYBC6lVBH03YpLjgcLY0onopb_SgFa5g3zbEpJffmmhr9LQ72a7flzV9wjEzNFZ5zGSe5EE6moRP7RnMaSppy972M5h8aHdNKO37C0yjjxQC7RFLIORv/w400-h300/28+Oct+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The whole spar was coated again and is now ready for sanding and painting. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhN8U9IZ9U4hdAWoSEq_odEA_jMr45O07RJlmhfLoU-J-D2D2sjH9LL3ld1zw3Wjxr_4x2N3-ZP9u-STspZfdpJzHl32rXfgInHQuuRSlCmGY1pnVoSoMfVZrdzwv4CeOkAyw/s2048/29+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhN8U9IZ9U4hdAWoSEq_odEA_jMr45O07RJlmhfLoU-J-D2D2sjH9LL3ld1zw3Wjxr_4x2N3-ZP9u-STspZfdpJzHl32rXfgInHQuuRSlCmGY1pnVoSoMfVZrdzwv4CeOkAyw/w400-h300/29+Oct+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I had always hoped that there would be enough Oregon left over to make my yard. There is a school of thought that a 'fat oval' is better than the yard suggested in <i>PJR</i> and I debated whether to make one of these (using my newfound skills to produce a barrel taper) or to go for the classic design out of the book. As it turned out, the wood that I had was only suitable for the latter, but I am actually perfectly happy with going that route. After all, this is how we made the yards on <i>Badger, </i>and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are still going strong.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7MhMeUK1zoGX1TWAA58rn6R0AvRzp8LM2iCi24keSFVWQS-CAlFqtuMVn_4BpAhj8pMbB2LNLrT5JEOUGJax1Jy1P20ytrEwBszSoPNZmGlMipTngJFEy_Y_T8uNqbso4dn4/s2048/31+Oct+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7MhMeUK1zoGX1TWAA58rn6R0AvRzp8LM2iCi24keSFVWQS-CAlFqtuMVn_4BpAhj8pMbB2LNLrT5JEOUGJax1Jy1P20ytrEwBszSoPNZmGlMipTngJFEy_Y_T8uNqbso4dn4/w400-h300/31+Oct+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I roughly shaped the boards before gluing them together and then knocked off the majority of the excess with a power planer. After the initial glue up, I was a bit concerned that I had made a mistake. The yard weighed a ton. I like a bit of weight to bring the sail down, but this was ridiculous! However, I carried on planing and shaping and in the end was delighted at how <i>light</i> it has turned out to be! Heavy enough to bring the sail down: light enough to hoist without too much effort. Just what I wanted.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYdgFyVDrme_xYb-edtSJZMTQh5SPREB1SO9KeVx6wd7YcECnVwhP6iMISHYU03AOZzYAmm1izMXOf94qmK_mzRM7X6M8eaTRopvB_EYFJChPbQSiCCOj0Y6dESvHsQe6_wec/s2048/31+Oct+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYdgFyVDrme_xYb-edtSJZMTQh5SPREB1SO9KeVx6wd7YcECnVwhP6iMISHYU03AOZzYAmm1izMXOf94qmK_mzRM7X6M8eaTRopvB_EYFJChPbQSiCCOj0Y6dESvHsQe6_wec/w300-h400/31+Oct+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I finished the job by hand, again surprised at how good a finish one can achieve with hand planes, so that the final sanding takes only a few minutes. I rather enjoy looking at the 'traditional' yard. It brings back many happy memories. I wonder if I will be able to resist the temptation to varnish it!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Bibt4arIPu9GE6l6ZRC8QYa6_7vmZh3v7C6XIBPn4BD42-d1jL1CY8csTHXxRpqCaviW4LXpLaX3jCBS-7C32E-gEbNeGz6TN2J4JEaX439hnt8qWmU-8Y12P6uuWi_KksnT/s2048/31+Oct+3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Bibt4arIPu9GE6l6ZRC8QYa6_7vmZh3v7C6XIBPn4BD42-d1jL1CY8csTHXxRpqCaviW4LXpLaX3jCBS-7C32E-gEbNeGz6TN2J4JEaX439hnt8qWmU-8Y12P6uuWi_KksnT/w400-h300/31+Oct+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I swept up and filled a large bin bag with the shavings. There was another half bag in addition to this. Very expensive wood shavings!</p><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br />Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-27202694803346892282020-10-04T17:01:00.003+13:002020-10-04T17:01:38.245+13:00A Painted Lady<p>In my last post, I mentioned that I had started painting the boat, and this has kept me occupied for much of the time since. While paint is drying, I have got on with other jobs, large and small.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEHe_0I9521N8_nvIKUIcypcX3_sVi378v6Px23IweDnm1KPpUxjARM8K-pA9ynQxBZhQ3TjxZCNVvVcCavSlQgfoNQjIxytaFHhdNRBw-XWsQWB6c-nAW1SycsRfxWOWGOQY/s2048/09+sep+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEHe_0I9521N8_nvIKUIcypcX3_sVi378v6Px23IweDnm1KPpUxjARM8K-pA9ynQxBZhQ3TjxZCNVvVcCavSlQgfoNQjIxytaFHhdNRBw-XWsQWB6c-nAW1SycsRfxWOWGOQY/w400-h300/09+sep+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was very satisfying to put the wind vane on its pole. <i>Fanshi</i> is starting to look like a real boat, now!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPq_Jb6Lw6JhrS0CnJH9jPBH3HbGfQUOj3cQJr9hyphenhyphenkPNPfP-wLTgGfoO0Fy2Fmn3XKqCh38GtmrTYKFvwX5xmMcW5jkfQ-Ef5Htfp29Bomhzv2ifAzz58IDF6rp3VgLteF4X5/s2048/10+sep+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPq_Jb6Lw6JhrS0CnJH9jPBH3HbGfQUOj3cQJr9hyphenhyphenkPNPfP-wLTgGfoO0Fy2Fmn3XKqCh38GtmrTYKFvwX5xmMcW5jkfQ-Ef5Htfp29Bomhzv2ifAzz58IDF6rp3VgLteF4X5/w300-h400/10+sep+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I attached the blocks for the davits, which was another job ticked off.<span> </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApR3DiOgjpDGAq-3MhzU2bsxraniYWfi108ftWO9ghBa1AjguAWxuHA4df9-T7KP8v53rR43qq-HAyHhg-p2a5h4Yi_QOSBmlI3UEzaEYaUold061OKKT7yQZl6jIGJ3yPDpK/s2048/11+sep+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApR3DiOgjpDGAq-3MhzU2bsxraniYWfi108ftWO9ghBa1AjguAWxuHA4df9-T7KP8v53rR43qq-HAyHhg-p2a5h4Yi_QOSBmlI3UEzaEYaUold061OKKT7yQZl6jIGJ3yPDpK/w400-h300/11+sep+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The red and the yellow paint have caused a few comments and one or two
pursed lips. You can imagine the reaction when I applied bright pink
paint to my boat. One good friend thought it was 'ghastly' and said so
with feeling and variations each time she looked at it. Happily most people, after blinking once or twice, seem to
like it. I can't say that people disliking my paint job is going to
lose me any sleep, but it's nice when people 'get it'. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWVuZ4pFhl1kjQfMKmguzyWyt6Y_B4-sBTNfwgIyGkLl38CHHashX5LMBvBV9Qf2nGlKrcuTr3CLbDusGVMKjL8DM4zuYw-UkQC9bOY9L2xTWT5zOlU7za5sEiiySaaz8NsrO/s2048/11+sep+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWVuZ4pFhl1kjQfMKmguzyWyt6Y_B4-sBTNfwgIyGkLl38CHHashX5LMBvBV9Qf2nGlKrcuTr3CLbDusGVMKjL8DM4zuYw-UkQC9bOY9L2xTWT5zOlU7za5sEiiySaaz8NsrO/w400-h300/11+sep+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I love the colours and it's actually very much in the tradition of Chinese junks, to have lots of colour around. As someone commented on my blog, no-one could accuse me of building another boring white boat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBy3dgDetpcdTcYdduj7w4z-WmVqcW9xEVXyximXu9ZgrsAT53auJvgepNnQLybbvtFw28GuXrnPw9WHM3c5Snrk4nMFSBMqZ1gCDtUflX2yTzLdbKCWH8BemPVOw-L5aeeRKb/s2048/22+sep+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBy3dgDetpcdTcYdduj7w4z-WmVqcW9xEVXyximXu9ZgrsAT53auJvgepNnQLybbvtFw28GuXrnPw9WHM3c5Snrk4nMFSBMqZ1gCDtUflX2yTzLdbKCWH8BemPVOw-L5aeeRKb/w400-h300/22+sep+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>As you can see: it's extraordinarily difficult to get far enough back to take a decent photo. I shall have to wait until we are out of the shed to be able to admire her in all her glory.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vtJR0uZtryN6fuwDjjCvjEkYSrq7K7axUBJ4xSm8Y3gDXW9L8TDZLBd60EQrZ5mLWjsdV-wfOmJ5rxAthQW6PUmnLmgMvTI7rJXk1nWXS1CpKLjoJiEBBcIIgM9nbnEjMPQd/s2048/22+sep+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vtJR0uZtryN6fuwDjjCvjEkYSrq7K7axUBJ4xSm8Y3gDXW9L8TDZLBd60EQrZ5mLWjsdV-wfOmJ5rxAthQW6PUmnLmgMvTI7rJXk1nWXS1CpKLjoJiEBBcIIgM9nbnEjMPQd/w400-h300/22+sep+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The colours show off the varnished teak, I think.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmroUXjwmc544HS5xgUHCcIhCx8fAdsBJX-VcDZih7kCTClbWc61z56pFODawTL-xCFga6hEnCYE7lrYdCaXaOTN6jQe6GIbnkHMZylvKQpa0_5iuIu78h6O8afx-1e0P216FT/s2048/22+sep+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmroUXjwmc544HS5xgUHCcIhCx8fAdsBJX-VcDZih7kCTClbWc61z56pFODawTL-xCFga6hEnCYE7lrYdCaXaOTN6jQe6GIbnkHMZylvKQpa0_5iuIu78h6O8afx-1e0P216FT/w300-h400/22+sep+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>While I had the green paint out, I put a couple of coats on the battens. They needed a bit of sanding and filling, but the Kevlar that David had used didn't want to sand, so I reckoned the paint would harden it up and make the job easier. In due course I will do a bit of filling and fairing to tidy up the joints.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6d5LnW73-vfgHRQnPd9nOQtrABoBKlo5dbAz59sBAzU-gMA0Piwgqb6ncNzGgDqGlpmF53cfnagQYEJEGcnZnsmbkkDjCwCLkleXj9M8PQ9IoluxPrWHbnoJtoVW2_c0MbtoK/s2048/22+sep+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6d5LnW73-vfgHRQnPd9nOQtrABoBKlo5dbAz59sBAzU-gMA0Piwgqb6ncNzGgDqGlpmF53cfnagQYEJEGcnZnsmbkkDjCwCLkleXj9M8PQ9IoluxPrWHbnoJtoVW2_c0MbtoK/w400-h300/22+sep+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>One of the things I love about <i>Lakatao</i> was the canopy over her cockpit and I have been wanting to copy it. However, my cockpit is abouy half the length of theirs and it would all end up too cluttered if I put more than one fixed hoop in place. I want one to keep the mainsail sheet out of the way when I gybe. Junk sheets are long and if you don't sheet in as you gybe, great bights of rope try to entangle everything in sight. However, there is no other reason to pull in all that rope, so I am hoping a hoop will keep it out of harm's way. Normally I just duck and keep hold of the end of the tiller, but with 2 tillers, there seems more potential for snags. I had thought to make it out of some fibreglass rod that I had been given, but it was both too stiff and too floppy. It would need a lot of force to make it bend into shape, but would need staying to stop it wobbling back and forth. I thought of some sort of plastic tubing, but when Noel tut-tutted and said that he'd have laminated it up on the floor of the shed, I was shamed into doing likewise. I think I had been trying to save time, but probably wasted more in faffing about trying to find suitable tubing.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWyVZqkUdiz5fxti6DpzdjBA11qUinE-lzCp07EddYF4vX07Yo0m1LScb84TfR9Vn9dFw-zLlFNSzf61EseRSb7dnOWy7pScbqErRDY_VO_rue1owbZfxmbRyWzzz1ZBBeLPl/s2048/22+sep+6.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWyVZqkUdiz5fxti6DpzdjBA11qUinE-lzCp07EddYF4vX07Yo0m1LScb84TfR9Vn9dFw-zLlFNSzf61EseRSb7dnOWy7pScbqErRDY_VO_rue1owbZfxmbRyWzzz1ZBBeLPl/w300-h400/22+sep+6.JPG" width="300" /></a></p><p>With the solar panels in place and actually capable of charging even in the diffused light in the shed, I reckoned I might as well buy a battery. The panels add up to 150 watts and I managed to locate a 130 amp hour battery that would fit (just) in the place intended for it. That should give me heaps of electricity. Gordon came along to lend me a hand (and even more importantly, to lift the battery into place) and we soon had everything wired up. The battery is firmly lashed into place against, sliding, tipping or moving in a knockdown. It has glass mat and is no maintenance, both of which struck me as a Good Thing.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlpuWhK_6URZ8sHMBAp4Wjaa5ksgc4KxyExRV5K-EgZMxyWJIBDTWFsh7d4csj03c4iaJ1zGdepIXHiHTbJ72TGWbEIdXg-mM2r-ziW2LacXzo1_8LMikc8j63Vp20D5k2B87/s2048/22+sep+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlpuWhK_6URZ8sHMBAp4Wjaa5ksgc4KxyExRV5K-EgZMxyWJIBDTWFsh7d4csj03c4iaJ1zGdepIXHiHTbJ72TGWbEIdXg-mM2r-ziW2LacXzo1_8LMikc8j63Vp20D5k2B87/w400-h300/22+sep+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I bought a solar controller and installed it in the locker under the switch panel. It seems to be capable of telling me all sorts of things and no doubt in due course I shall sit down with the book of words and work it all out. In the meantime, it shows me the battery voltage and how much electricty the solar panels are putting out, which is all that I really need.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkQGpB8vENfzC5r1iZdgd2MoX5NB1DBb0Zbbmw9VPBwUSlpw8nBcgsZv5ePAmyn9OV231KJqIPxgbkbqluEIFSIIM0k7UC09riUjMpvrHt8WsHz5auxL6SS962S5KXniDio8i/s2048/24+sep+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkQGpB8vENfzC5r1iZdgd2MoX5NB1DBb0Zbbmw9VPBwUSlpw8nBcgsZv5ePAmyn9OV231KJqIPxgbkbqluEIFSIIM0k7UC09riUjMpvrHt8WsHz5auxL6SS962S5KXniDio8i/w400-h300/24+sep+1.JPG" width="400" /></a>Meanwhile, I kept on spreading paint. I decided to put undercoat on for the topsides. It has a light sheen which makes it easier to see any lumps and bumps and is also quite a lot thicker than the top coat. I knew some of the glass fibres could still be seen and hoped the undercoat would fill in the weave. It did so very nicely. Again I used the Perfection, adding a little black paint to it to tone it down a bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSYoo6yx6aeSaCLyLzzvUQKAKeRqX8cpsxmT4fRVCRvWls4mmcywFv2JvblPBSagvTU5emLt2IH59OVnfmnTtg00hxpCFH7Y-1FvtsqGWxVQqiMjEtdyYdh9ewlkwpi5T4n9H/s2048/28+Sep+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSYoo6yx6aeSaCLyLzzvUQKAKeRqX8cpsxmT4fRVCRvWls4mmcywFv2JvblPBSagvTU5emLt2IH59OVnfmnTtg00hxpCFH7Y-1FvtsqGWxVQqiMjEtdyYdh9ewlkwpi5T4n9H/w400-h300/28+Sep+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I could have, and probably should have, spent a lot more time sanding and filling. However, to be perfectly honest, life is too short and I am perfectly happy with my nice shiny paint. The black went on nicely and I tried very hard not to get too many spots where the roller was a little too lightly loaded to leave a good gloss. I can see where I failed, but was pleased that it didn't happen too often.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1oeGMAkfiLmylrGE6NGxNOMIVw_sz5-DNxtqI6WqvIPT4FPObYiRL7H1Br5IznGYopXs37NxCRc1zQ35JxSps0zjTskhzhAS5tkkfKYP6dxgbyoufABRqwXbxJjQp3W5kVfn/s2048/28+Sep+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1oeGMAkfiLmylrGE6NGxNOMIVw_sz5-DNxtqI6WqvIPT4FPObYiRL7H1Br5IznGYopXs37NxCRc1zQ35JxSps0zjTskhzhAS5tkkfKYP6dxgbyoufABRqwXbxJjQp3W5kVfn/w400-h300/28+Sep+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I am thrilled to bits with the bow. I think it looks wonderful!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOBgKaJqmZyppL-pIXeOt94dhLO2YGKbhg_vRpXbITAp9_DYeNrGvoRCWdOAAalbq4eG1Zi0bpUuseSnv8MpeM5FYKozMr8HPw5Kyxrk2Zzuxw9EG2H8TUPC5O8zfW2i9tAwc/s2048/28+Sep+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOBgKaJqmZyppL-pIXeOt94dhLO2YGKbhg_vRpXbITAp9_DYeNrGvoRCWdOAAalbq4eG1Zi0bpUuseSnv8MpeM5FYKozMr8HPw5Kyxrk2Zzuxw9EG2H8TUPC5O8zfW2i9tAwc/w400-h300/28+Sep+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>And this is the absolutely best shot I can take of the overall effect. I can't wait to be able to stand back and look at the whole boat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvvxcdtKMwxXCNEoVFJjg9LX79CAEM5ptGu4nInnFw66fL21lI2fZzT_cCX_y-IBm50kKe293v1dKLj3y_OA9vM3Pam-9j9BQ4rtxcuiH7RSDy3idTZCKDtxSXDQ7acx-24w8/s2048/03+Oct+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvvxcdtKMwxXCNEoVFJjg9LX79CAEM5ptGu4nInnFw66fL21lI2fZzT_cCX_y-IBm50kKe293v1dKLj3y_OA9vM3Pam-9j9BQ4rtxcuiH7RSDy3idTZCKDtxSXDQ7acx-24w8/w300-h400/03+Oct+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I had carried on picking away at the hoop - sanding, coating and fitting it. Finally I got it glued into place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2Gr7pzNNOViQ4eq9dhZTSgUBh4ZeR48wjvMb58ZSdwrhF4w2rHOT2MwUcNnGfz9P3SQFvQ7nrvWmjf5qtCm-uWc9ZkO-bhPLjGzf2vF8sNrB8yx856ZAvyWHenDuEdYZwLpd/s2048/03+Oct+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2Gr7pzNNOViQ4eq9dhZTSgUBh4ZeR48wjvMb58ZSdwrhF4w2rHOT2MwUcNnGfz9P3SQFvQ7nrvWmjf5qtCm-uWc9ZkO-bhPLjGzf2vF8sNrB8yx856ZAvyWHenDuEdYZwLpd/w400-h300/03+Oct+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It is surprisingly sturdy, but I do hope nobody is inclined to use it as a hand rail. I don't think it would be up to that sort of abuse. It now needs painting and there is some more yellow paint to be applied around the stern. Once that is done, two coats of clear finish will be applied from king plank to lower rubbing strake and then the paint job will be complete.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZPxvu0U95IcITPq5SliDq08jA0PuLYZ2-snLEqxaDift4IoXJsw2c5mbw1Tvw7EU0p18YlrYAnsrOODBZnPW2ehNyKtWGOE7EwvkrffE6MJZvbulAVDoGJGIRPvJT1UU8gR9/s2048/28+Sep+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZPxvu0U95IcITPq5SliDq08jA0PuLYZ2-snLEqxaDift4IoXJsw2c5mbw1Tvw7EU0p18YlrYAnsrOODBZnPW2ehNyKtWGOE7EwvkrffE6MJZvbulAVDoGJGIRPvJT1UU8gR9/w300-h400/28+Sep+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>And, at the other end of the boat, I have stowed away the rope and chain for the main anchor.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-45282209305398307422020-09-06T19:22:00.000+12:002020-09-06T19:22:31.573+12:00More on bilgeboards, rudders and now ... self steering. Plus a bit of paint.<p>I concluded my last post with the less-than-welcome discovery that the bilgeboards could not be rigged as planned. Obviously a Plan B was required.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib58SSw9Ckg-7rsa4EI1pSDQl6SpKS-SbKRZUTE3xa04wdC0VRbLPFBntYdgh-5IAJc0W2xSN__Z6Mhn3-e_XPSqIrVuf9goSXDAtHn5wglXljqdlt9-w-uvjyget136dAjGlK/s2048/3+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib58SSw9Ckg-7rsa4EI1pSDQl6SpKS-SbKRZUTE3xa04wdC0VRbLPFBntYdgh-5IAJc0W2xSN__Z6Mhn3-e_XPSqIrVuf9goSXDAtHn5wglXljqdlt9-w-uvjyget136dAjGlK/w375-h500/3+Aug+1.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><p> If you look carefully at the photo, you can see what the problem is. A block is required on deck to haul the bilgeboard up. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ7i0yviQO4JnsjS8gacWv-ch-a0oJpRiQuG_gkXT9SXP9Yh9Aztw-6c77tmSNCbnI3ujXgOXSFBSW2wH4xitUG1cH1oUROv3ZjvVaZxq0ITIXGn_FCXq1koArlzHuwzLuopE/s2048/3+Aug+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ7i0yviQO4JnsjS8gacWv-ch-a0oJpRiQuG_gkXT9SXP9Yh9Aztw-6c77tmSNCbnI3ujXgOXSFBSW2wH4xitUG1cH1oUROv3ZjvVaZxq0ITIXGn_FCXq1koArlzHuwzLuopE/w500-h375/3+Aug+2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p> If it is fitted on the piece of teak, intended for that purpose, the
rope will catch on the plastic strip at the after end of the board. The
obvious thing to do was to put the blocks on post, which would bring
them further inboard.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9MwjESi-2knvI7VktcqQZDTcp1jGxbkRu5jqiKLjGHwkObvdrmRMV9zXrNJEzGZ1HiXU67W6Y5xCSNY79v3lgT6y5BWytQcvDqR21Z6Z4EFkNv-5uYn97e9vdpGNwofo2fjg/s2048/7+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9MwjESi-2knvI7VktcqQZDTcp1jGxbkRu5jqiKLjGHwkObvdrmRMV9zXrNJEzGZ1HiXU67W6Y5xCSNY79v3lgT6y5BWytQcvDqR21Z6Z4EFkNv-5uYn97e9vdpGNwofo2fjg/w500-h375/7+Aug+1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>Some years ago, I was given some fibreglass stanchions. They are very strong and well made, but at 33mm diameter at the base, looked far too large when I offered them up for their intended purpose. However, I reckoned they would be ideal for this job, and laminated up some leftover teak decking to make a base for them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7yPH3-d2fjDeQXB3ys191y-xK9qkahlw-MVvSJjCt82RY7gV0StffB_WYiQxEn1VipmzrTqfUXvDaw_RQzMxmsmLtJ_oHhRv4rhQ4TaupsEKYzZ4Hd4BDOROEVFn5uBEy3hb/s2048/7+Aug+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7yPH3-d2fjDeQXB3ys191y-xK9qkahlw-MVvSJjCt82RY7gV0StffB_WYiQxEn1VipmzrTqfUXvDaw_RQzMxmsmLtJ_oHhRv4rhQ4TaupsEKYzZ4Hd4BDOROEVFn5uBEy3hb/w500-h375/7+Aug+2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>These bases were glued to the decks, joggled around the teak already there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazp3GGO48wg5_i-OtXJF21yy0c_ssMDmbhPse8Kphy9aFYFc-puCbnmdORrwAzx6pLrWXCnCus1BUENV8m9vM28h1YX_vkOBdyqgJIRyCy5jIZGSKNZpg78aftGrM05sMDd8K/s2048/8+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazp3GGO48wg5_i-OtXJF21yy0c_ssMDmbhPse8Kphy9aFYFc-puCbnmdORrwAzx6pLrWXCnCus1BUENV8m9vM28h1YX_vkOBdyqgJIRyCy5jIZGSKNZpg78aftGrM05sMDd8K/w500-h375/8+Aug+1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>The stanchions were fitted into holes that were sunk well into the bases, using a hole saw. Extra glue was poured in from the top to ensure a really substantial "root" had been achieved.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8LjDC0VdSsgV9btPz5pXMFbXs2Aezz0uG9CdKMAOzfTwhVcaSx50kaqVTI6E3Ea27d4evxX5nzZocxyb-9C0nFOmdpbfOr02fUrqyjLBoIUor03LigCVPZaSiukb0_fp1xiO/s2048/8+Aug+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8LjDC0VdSsgV9btPz5pXMFbXs2Aezz0uG9CdKMAOzfTwhVcaSx50kaqVTI6E3Ea27d4evxX5nzZocxyb-9C0nFOmdpbfOr02fUrqyjLBoIUor03LigCVPZaSiukb0_fp1xiO/w375-h500/8+Aug+2.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><p>The posts in place. In the background is Blackie, a feral cat that thinks the shed is her home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXjagEecJh_h9kCGMNswBkrjkiXGwYNi2MUv1Z6jDqzXnae3ubiSnR7bzgOcIpa8z8TGZKYivYDXaixjzmByGtUx0NRt_ER2Cf1ycPEENj9mzNUQMM2VYWked8NqwPaaw0zJ5/s2048/9+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXjagEecJh_h9kCGMNswBkrjkiXGwYNi2MUv1Z6jDqzXnae3ubiSnR7bzgOcIpa8z8TGZKYivYDXaixjzmByGtUx0NRt_ER2Cf1ycPEENj9mzNUQMM2VYWked8NqwPaaw0zJ5/w375-h500/9+Aug+1.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><p>I capped off the posts to keep the rain out and could then rig the blocks for raising and lowering the boards. Well, as it turns out, lowering them. With no water to float them raising them is impossible, at present: the slope of the cases plus gravity makes for too much resistance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCkj8uiS6iABiNmR-cZrBsvQOPGFSFcltCk9NjIxlsOYk-M5b7iJe2WJp4Ky_Fb1lDkMrPpSgvdzWMr3Io1qwXZS5-0Rkdqs_ZBxzPo8pY4xmDoCYFH48Ab4jBioGzmHCMNkX/s2048/7+Aug+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCkj8uiS6iABiNmR-cZrBsvQOPGFSFcltCk9NjIxlsOYk-M5b7iJe2WJp4Ky_Fb1lDkMrPpSgvdzWMr3Io1qwXZS5-0Rkdqs_ZBxzPo8pY4xmDoCYFH48Ab4jBioGzmHCMNkX/w500-h375/7+Aug+4.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>While this had been going on, I had decided to get my pram hood frame made up. There are very clear drawings in <i>Practical Junk Rig, </i>and I took my copy along to a local company that specialises in making stainless steel stuff for boats. I showed him the drawing, said what I wanted, gave him the semi-circular piece of wood that I had already made and asked him if he wanted to keep the book. He photocopied the relevant page and gave it back to me. I asked him if he really understood the concept and he looked at me as though I had crawled out from under a stone. Of course he did.</p><p></p><p>Well, apparently he didn't. Not only did he make the frames far too heavy - 18mm stainless steel instead of the 12mm that would have been more appropriate, he made the hinge/connector way too big. You can see it in the top left corner of the photo. Made out of 3mm material, it was impossible to bend to match the wood, and moreover, it was so big that it extended well beyond the hemisphere. And the frames didn't stack properly. I am not the cleverest of people when it comes to following a drawing and it is a slow and painful process for me to reproduce something. However, I worked out a scale from the book and made a pattern out of 4mm plywood in about half an hour. I then adjusted it until I could get the somewhat altered frames to fit. I couldn't afford to get the whole thing made again, and there is nothing actually <i>wrong</i> with 18mm for the frame. It's just unnecessarily heavy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOn8296_kkJkhjwvNWNfb6-cVRf6Efe0yRWoudRVoZnp9zgJaq6z3VyPP70KJKQ3w6fQyGNXhHGW9Tc-a2EETO2WDSOeGl0mIhwbr9R9tIf7OnoTawDjCDEWwmbFt7pIOX2Qd/s2048/22+Aug+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOn8296_kkJkhjwvNWNfb6-cVRf6Efe0yRWoudRVoZnp9zgJaq6z3VyPP70KJKQ3w6fQyGNXhHGW9Tc-a2EETO2WDSOeGl0mIhwbr9R9tIf7OnoTawDjCDEWwmbFt7pIOX2Qd/w500-h375/22+Aug+3.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>I took my pattern to another shop (I am completely feeble about going back to complain to people) and got them to make what I wanted. They really couldn't go wrong and I drilled out the holes myself. Here is the framework in place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lrIJlvRVvjtyVI1HXWIgpJeBNUSbPR0DUFksq7pLjAigrFmnih97PNAIvQKY32LEs1Ot1EqnQxLpYQX15r_IpORWz7pB6RyEaYQpqnY_7N3pO6DNLH4n9dfhij2eMC22TKSr/s2048/18+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lrIJlvRVvjtyVI1HXWIgpJeBNUSbPR0DUFksq7pLjAigrFmnih97PNAIvQKY32LEs1Ot1EqnQxLpYQX15r_IpORWz7pB6RyEaYQpqnY_7N3pO6DNLH4n9dfhij2eMC22TKSr/w500-h375/18+Aug+1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>And this is with the frames folded down. At the end of the day it is a very acceptable job and I give grateful thanks to the good friend who gave me some funds to make this possible. I shall always think of it as his pram-hood.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsgFo5n-FwRe1-3Gd4kR_p_WZuUivRX4-2O38MaJ3yCop-BNuABbAppStkYW7EFmrMnYqALBHkHokKC4M7R9JDGDXWjHTG2GkwJnPCIrlPD3abRNkJF4ISz0TpsGNXbypJIyQ/s2048/13+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsgFo5n-FwRe1-3Gd4kR_p_WZuUivRX4-2O38MaJ3yCop-BNuABbAppStkYW7EFmrMnYqALBHkHokKC4M7R9JDGDXWjHTG2GkwJnPCIrlPD3abRNkJF4ISz0TpsGNXbypJIyQ/w375-h500/13+Aug+1.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><p>Joining the rudders together has been something that has puzzled me for a long time. There's all this blather about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ackermann_steering_geometry" target="_blank">Ackermann steering</a> which is all to do with car wheels, but apparently applies to rudders, too. Then the rudder bar has to allow the engine to lift. After much cogitation and some discussion with The Great One, who spelt it all out to me in words of one syllable, I decided that the bar would be best fitted <i>abaft</i> the rudders on small 'tillers', attached to the rudders. Some of my invaluable old kauri was sawn up for this purpose, and glued so that the tillers had a small wedge on them, according to Mr Ackermann's theories. I've already forgotten exactly what they are!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-74jNlUcyT5_bNqAd4rTU3DwdgdM5JMYUD4c_DXm8QisI54b67WHmQT6ATYyOydVnvyuvSlVnqYkXCqvt7e7468-okXPqfbI_b_XYhtUGwG6DkaFmlUekJwTW76uyfaWQskU2/s2048/13+Aug+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-74jNlUcyT5_bNqAd4rTU3DwdgdM5JMYUD4c_DXm8QisI54b67WHmQT6ATYyOydVnvyuvSlVnqYkXCqvt7e7468-okXPqfbI_b_XYhtUGwG6DkaFmlUekJwTW76uyfaWQskU2/w375-h500/13+Aug+3.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><p>The next job was to sort out the self-steering gear. More multitasking! It's really rather stressful, in truth, and leaves me little energy for other things. The Great One, once more had come up trumps, you will recall and really, all I had to do was to make the connections and a wind vane. I had made little tillers for the trim tab rudders, and made the connection between the vane and the nearest (port) tiller from Tufnol. While I am perfectly sure that David made everything correctly, I am never quite sure that I have done an equally good job, so I have made several extra holes in both so that I can adjust the trim of vane to trim tab if necessary.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDnLGvy3AwBa0cOtpgoAhokVzaUbb-9A-iKbN0WkAD5kwNrtuhRE0MYvFQaO5342p-T7Btgin_KOORkDaEs6SpFg74voHlRnv82EUBldtpIkGMrMhwnAPmSq-F9I6_runLICs/s2048/14+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDnLGvy3AwBa0cOtpgoAhokVzaUbb-9A-iKbN0WkAD5kwNrtuhRE0MYvFQaO5342p-T7Btgin_KOORkDaEs6SpFg74voHlRnv82EUBldtpIkGMrMhwnAPmSq-F9I6_runLICs/w500-h375/14+Aug+1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>I think I mentioned about having to put on yards of masking tape - one of my least favoured jobs, so that I could start painting. Anyway, I spread the red paint with gay abandon, but came to regret not putting on any undercoat. The red polyurethane doesn't cover that well (and, to be fair, it says so on the lid) and a base coat would have made it all more even. Five coats were required to get an even (ish) appearance. I shall not make the same mistake with the other colours!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidL2lWvhxnMCvUCnqQJe0LauVrmzvo7VJX284-nwEb88tQoW2SPhaCX6ilJa2aTZxSk7RC_gSt5oMV4WtvNI6PIcXWEOaCojZcN_NoFH00MtvtAcTWjUThL4IZ_gCb36cz3ev1/s2048/18+Aug+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidL2lWvhxnMCvUCnqQJe0LauVrmzvo7VJX284-nwEb88tQoW2SPhaCX6ilJa2aTZxSk7RC_gSt5oMV4WtvNI6PIcXWEOaCojZcN_NoFH00MtvtAcTWjUThL4IZ_gCb36cz3ev1/w500-h375/18+Aug+3.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>Another issue that has been tasking my poor brain for, literally, years, has been the tiller(s). Having somewhat reluctantly concluded that one tiller was simply not going to work, I have accepted that I will have to have two. However, it's bad enough having one tiller in the cockpit at anchor, but two is beyond a joke. The obvious thing is to hinge them up and I was sure that this would be my solution until it sank into my tiny mind that there is to be a thundering great seat across the lute, over the rudders. This would obviously prevent them lifting. Always, in the back of my mind, is the fear that I might have to clear harbour, one dark and stormy night, with no notice. The idea of removable tillers is therefore anathema to me, but finally I had to accept that if I wanted to be able to have a clear cockpit at anchor, then I will have to be able to take the tillers out. And besides: I don't expect I'll be sailing in wild places that often!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPvRNaWgDAKDdTpwQt8hP8eHF0DtDWU31C1USazbfWtMFgsXkoHE4K_As69DmvBqBSEulsWox09bnC8HTsvWjDHRBhQlY2_WaiCG02d0tCG_96Hmcfwg_cyf6AHLhfsK89ad2/s2048/18+Aug+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPvRNaWgDAKDdTpwQt8hP8eHF0DtDWU31C1USazbfWtMFgsXkoHE4K_As69DmvBqBSEulsWox09bnC8HTsvWjDHRBhQlY2_WaiCG02d0tCG_96Hmcfwg_cyf6AHLhfsK89ad2/w500-h375/18+Aug+4.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>The next question was how to fit the tillers and all I could really come up with was some sort of box into which they could slide in or out. I couldn't put the tillers on top of the rudders, contained between cheeks, because of the trim tab tillers. I didn't want anything too clumsy and the best I could come up with was fitting them into some box section metal. I managed to run down some aluminium of very nearly the dimensions of the section that I had already laminated for my tillers (before I realised that they couldn't be hinged!).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5nH5KbIf6MWfH_XHPaNBIVJ0fW-4cXrCtZtWNbV3rT0n_johXK5UAL8z06cOCWFjlOHmTmcQyoAgs50RIkXAetGymf8t9pITKXA52F25wDiwzJwP35mGzhu425gw3kxCn4Rq/s2048/18+Aug+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5nH5KbIf6MWfH_XHPaNBIVJ0fW-4cXrCtZtWNbV3rT0n_johXK5UAL8z06cOCWFjlOHmTmcQyoAgs50RIkXAetGymf8t9pITKXA52F25wDiwzJwP35mGzhu425gw3kxCn4Rq/w500-h375/18+Aug+7.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>Having finally made my decision, I cut the laminate in half and shaped the tillers. The laminates make them strong, and although they don't look that big, they certainly compare favourably with solid tillers on boats of a similar size and, of course, the rudders are not that big. I am a great believer in reefing out weather helm: I am sure they will be amply strong.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32dqIo9PMptUn6gXsB4FHPloSaSIRfCHA51G7ccBWGYnscRGlaC5_Kwb4ymNrGLi_5neIRamP1u5NdUAf0rq5KBr8k6_-xXg78VTbkEUmiZDHyXUkuh183JP7k4BH66p6oZ3l/s2048/20+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32dqIo9PMptUn6gXsB4FHPloSaSIRfCHA51G7ccBWGYnscRGlaC5_Kwb4ymNrGLi_5neIRamP1u5NdUAf0rq5KBr8k6_-xXg78VTbkEUmiZDHyXUkuh183JP7k4BH66p6oZ3l/w500-h375/20+Aug+1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>The plan was to screw the cases on to the side of the rudders, bedded on Simson's Marine Glue. It is possible to glue alloy with epoxy, but very messy. I intended to leave two large screws in place anyway, so the Simson's should be more than adequate. A bolt, with an R clip to secure it, will pass though both tiller and rudder head. I scarfed a piece of purpleheart to the base of the tillers because it is both harder and stronger than teak. I then coated them with epoxy and graphite powder.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuF4oxK4s2Jpfj7QX2W3YpvCIGyu7mIldFilvN7ihqhzIQsWZS7VSzZfnepmCm_IASl5gUJEEXOloKfPuUH6shaqkBUZAgenHm9IaSaOiyHc7MaQXORlNvCWhXVdMUyf-SNh2/s2048/22+Aug+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuF4oxK4s2Jpfj7QX2W3YpvCIGyu7mIldFilvN7ihqhzIQsWZS7VSzZfnepmCm_IASl5gUJEEXOloKfPuUH6shaqkBUZAgenHm9IaSaOiyHc7MaQXORlNvCWhXVdMUyf-SNh2/w500-h375/22+Aug+2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>While I was working on the rudders, I decided to fit a couple of stops. I have never had rudder stops on a boat before, and have often felt that they would be a good idea. Time will tell. On this photo, you can also see the long bolt that fits through the tiller and its case.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvYkn6pAyym7qArOWroseZzIiz2m7zDDWHc9KW5kbY4ASv5yqbPVlWGZKt9Qb3CMSoYUFoDkglEUD8r803OUfEmVD1LtcDeu8getirn0ufeTF3zmPF5Gjwwab15iScVbZHO-6/s2048/22+Aug+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvYkn6pAyym7qArOWroseZzIiz2m7zDDWHc9KW5kbY4ASv5yqbPVlWGZKt9Qb3CMSoYUFoDkglEUD8r803OUfEmVD1LtcDeu8getirn0ufeTF3zmPF5Gjwwab15iScVbZHO-6/w500-h375/22+Aug+4.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I fitted the shaped tillers to check that everything works. They are easy to remove and replace. They lie neatly outboard on the upper seating and don't interfere with anything. Once the alloy is painted, it will be less obvious. I admit that this isn't the prettiest of solutions, but it is practical.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnFuaOl3MRoXpYM4TO34PGEIUPM0lCnEyftNV58XNJCWlHDK2Hdlc52iT1UOADYUlb-PR2JXEUK2ck_B6yQ9qe3-FHmjAEENcoLo24E_jVzwLEyEECboeHkk-wk5iboD4K_-a/s2048/18+Aug+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnFuaOl3MRoXpYM4TO34PGEIUPM0lCnEyftNV58XNJCWlHDK2Hdlc52iT1UOADYUlb-PR2JXEUK2ck_B6yQ9qe3-FHmjAEENcoLo24E_jVzwLEyEECboeHkk-wk5iboD4K_-a/w500-h375/18+Aug+5.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>Meanwhile, I was carrying on with the self-steering gear. I bought some 3mm plywood for the vane and cut it to the same shape as the sail will be, which I think looks rather nice. I glassed one side, to stiffen it a little. I didn't want to add the extra weight of glassing both sides.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9hbBHXs6C-DXh3tDHquB1C0hUYAwkCF0rF2jIdYnrRrSuQWwupy_AScOo3ymA4JwphatkspBdqqNKpc6rJlVL61cWpyzQ2msPwRH2B6xW1MlUTbEviMRZIepx-G347LaEFAN/s2048/18+Aug+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9hbBHXs6C-DXh3tDHquB1C0hUYAwkCF0rF2jIdYnrRrSuQWwupy_AScOo3ymA4JwphatkspBdqqNKpc6rJlVL61cWpyzQ2msPwRH2B6xW1MlUTbEviMRZIepx-G347LaEFAN/w500-h375/18+Aug+6.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>The trim tab tillers also need to be joined, so I made up a little bar from offcuts of teak. I am getting a bit short of suitable timber and reckoned that the laminated teak would be both strong and light. I had epoxy mixed anyway, to coat the bottom of the seat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE562WSEVMRVVertaTUWHM3flJJj3p-sJ4kEsQwjv_bahI5sDB_UaUR4QF3kRznWBz5TLcfMeeuGAdOuc9ybHDMt_s1qaeWwofNbRM0hT5oASZMNL_d0VZVbreMxUUnW69BiBn/s2048/22+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE562WSEVMRVVertaTUWHM3flJJj3p-sJ4kEsQwjv_bahI5sDB_UaUR4QF3kRznWBz5TLcfMeeuGAdOuc9ybHDMt_s1qaeWwofNbRM0hT5oASZMNL_d0VZVbreMxUUnW69BiBn/w500-h375/22+Aug+1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>The reason I was trying to keep the vane light is because it is necessary to counterbalance it in order for it to respond to the wind as is required. I added struts to the plywood to attach the vane to the post down to the self-steering mechanism</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtGXTzvdAX_wqq-L59XMUz9gGhAt-EfToupMog_OUazzQDz-RvHcRZagvQRj3nvNDPLRj7TIRZQh8GAlFujX85gdIdpeDnMPXqiJuFCfCMmDzKTtzQnkCkWH9gdL1jTIRx8sY/s2048/24+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtGXTzvdAX_wqq-L59XMUz9gGhAt-EfToupMog_OUazzQDz-RvHcRZagvQRj3nvNDPLRj7TIRZQh8GAlFujX85gdIdpeDnMPXqiJuFCfCMmDzKTtzQnkCkWH9gdL1jTIRx8sY/w500-h375/24+Aug+1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>and to support the counterbalance weight. I was following David's drawing, but when I realised how much lead was required, I rather wished I'd made the lower arm a bit longer. Real boatbuilders would have melted scrap lead to an appropriate shape. I'm terrified of doing that, so went and bought a couple of 500 gram dive weights and a variety of fishing weights to trim it accurately. I glassed the big weights to the lower arm of the wind vane.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_rosF7hpez-t1uQTOO7bEPBoGUStQzS1WDd91W0BNGcTGD8cT0Gk85HMW0Hd3GutFHw7MhrEHPwFZWIeDN28FeGuTeTVBhubSHpGrMlY2HxIUhgCOdQosv36YDPtgsLbad3f/s2048/24+Aug+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_rosF7hpez-t1uQTOO7bEPBoGUStQzS1WDd91W0BNGcTGD8cT0Gk85HMW0Hd3GutFHw7MhrEHPwFZWIeDN28FeGuTeTVBhubSHpGrMlY2HxIUhgCOdQosv36YDPtgsLbad3f/w500-h375/24+Aug+2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>I then put it onto the upright and tried adding small weights until the vane balanced. Another 2x8oz and 3x1/4 oz weights were required. The last 1/4 oz made it a little nose heavy, but I still had to add paint to the vane. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HfYRxQdCdLhIcBKx6qvYRBXVLPhC1Z0WGsfhXPA-b6sepqRwDEMkmI9KVF5Szxp-S0HqyoMqG34HG049Oo8uix66Q-gvJ6SlavNBc_QkZ-NJODbU6Qld1O6NMBboHHbRc2-0/s2048/24+Aug+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HfYRxQdCdLhIcBKx6qvYRBXVLPhC1Z0WGsfhXPA-b6sepqRwDEMkmI9KVF5Szxp-S0HqyoMqG34HG049Oo8uix66Q-gvJ6SlavNBc_QkZ-NJODbU6Qld1O6NMBboHHbRc2-0/w500-h375/24+Aug+3.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>I fitted the self steering to check that it all seems to work - and to get it out of the way until I would paint the vane!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-BZuGRxzAFak3O7157C56vB1zlEaBXXXNlPiZQKCHThOMggthk72n37P1flgF81zrKj4vN_BxeEbYBvUIohMwpOzuj47HLN9CxewStg1nKhtNycQJupA24Zxf-E1Fm5awDvS/s2048/29+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-BZuGRxzAFak3O7157C56vB1zlEaBXXXNlPiZQKCHThOMggthk72n37P1flgF81zrKj4vN_BxeEbYBvUIohMwpOzuj47HLN9CxewStg1nKhtNycQJupA24Zxf-E1Fm5awDvS/w500-h375/29+Aug+1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>Finally the last coat of red paint was on and I covered it with clear polyurethane to protect it from the sun. Counter intuitive, I know, but the commercial, clear two-part polyurethane that I use as 'varnish', has better UV inhibitors than the coloured paint!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbc90aUFPgH3vywjywN3JuHlo7wGRbTCgb3gQfgvoBA6aJBk6xbGMtcZIb87ejpkZUEA2vufT5ta7vS4ccqxWTFowuTWhZxzVBzFII0n9W0pkndatrAMTEoNdV9f40_Eu8Wpf/s2048/29+Aug+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbc90aUFPgH3vywjywN3JuHlo7wGRbTCgb3gQfgvoBA6aJBk6xbGMtcZIb87ejpkZUEA2vufT5ta7vS4ccqxWTFowuTWhZxzVBzFII0n9W0pkndatrAMTEoNdV9f40_Eu8Wpf/w500-h375/29+Aug+2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>I finished off varnishing around the stern and waited for it to harden off so that I could affix the solar panels.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV4LktEeGd_I_PSDLlyRuzg_S95njEHTgdYBxiE5Rjfmdy3e_GIGv7YB2reFQwXrOzZcZk1VQ99JSOt67N5GJkB4Wp3iTPjW-dmY-XFTKVyaE9EbwEyR9KUhFoL5q7cab3W3b/s2048/29+Aug+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV4LktEeGd_I_PSDLlyRuzg_S95njEHTgdYBxiE5Rjfmdy3e_GIGv7YB2reFQwXrOzZcZk1VQ99JSOt67N5GJkB4Wp3iTPjW-dmY-XFTKVyaE9EbwEyR9KUhFoL5q7cab3W3b/w500-h375/29+Aug+4.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>Gordon was painting his dinghy, so I filched the tag end of his white paint to cover the small pieces of wood that will serve as dividers between the colours on the cabin sides.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_ljRrU4eYvn9w70n1uMkLHnQdDB0C1cPqYyuSrSLukE3kJJl-Z8PjJvZ0OViG6iwMXps4qtqyjFPna4nFrmPbSgA8xEznHLyIhtIN1apKhVxj0w-tmHiqhTYNBLtYU8WLVJJ/s2048/29+Aug+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_ljRrU4eYvn9w70n1uMkLHnQdDB0C1cPqYyuSrSLukE3kJJl-Z8PjJvZ0OViG6iwMXps4qtqyjFPna4nFrmPbSgA8xEznHLyIhtIN1apKhVxj0w-tmHiqhTYNBLtYU8WLVJJ/w500-h375/29+Aug+5.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>I had been discussing my bow rollers with a friend and it occurred to me that I might as well fit them. I've been putting it off because it's a bit of a squeeze getting past them, but as I won't be lugging pieces of wood around 'upstairs' any more I decided to secure them permanently.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvW-OPe_RVcofihMD67Dbbmv4ItjhSNb-8_ouHlpVC7XsSIGAJEL5h_zCzgvhmjMQ3qe3nNq1vyBqTgrcLXCZdd6Ev3I4gsgBA_AyCAPI5i-z1F2-gBZvM-tpyXuT0gcFkem-/s2048/31+Aug+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvW-OPe_RVcofihMD67Dbbmv4ItjhSNb-8_ouHlpVC7XsSIGAJEL5h_zCzgvhmjMQ3qe3nNq1vyBqTgrcLXCZdd6Ev3I4gsgBA_AyCAPI5i-z1F2-gBZvM-tpyXuT0gcFkem-/w500-h375/31+Aug+1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>The next stage was to prepare the cabin sides for undercoating and I decided to do the battens for the sail at the same time. There are seven battens in total, including the boom, and as they are jointed, that means 14 altogether. They take up a lot of space, laid out flat.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJTVFngmdEga0caeEyIpwWfro35hDIhfnHnG8OERapAhswbIA1hsVhD83a8Vkl7us6IeDCgzRvuQUtJVZ5K4WodoFmSVEzwArwFZbNo8_gB-NJgLyh_ilHMo_y2BnQj-Y3TDt/s2048/31+Aug+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJTVFngmdEga0caeEyIpwWfro35hDIhfnHnG8OERapAhswbIA1hsVhD83a8Vkl7us6IeDCgzRvuQUtJVZ5K4WodoFmSVEzwArwFZbNo8_gB-NJgLyh_ilHMo_y2BnQj-Y3TDt/w500-h375/31+Aug+2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>Then there was another long day spent masking off the red paint so that I could undercoat the cabin sides. Blackie seems to have got herself into the photo again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVafwmALMCteQFUrVInpjrxd05YLzxCWgYwlsw8vCGz0mfWANbr15aeqgPa_ySm-ox2K1um7MXXxuQi683lgmiiUGeKikMEmLtMFIv3huOd0Idwc7S-TGY_U3D5DMXpjd1j0x8/s2048/03+Sep+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVafwmALMCteQFUrVInpjrxd05YLzxCWgYwlsw8vCGz0mfWANbr15aeqgPa_ySm-ox2K1um7MXXxuQi683lgmiiUGeKikMEmLtMFIv3huOd0Idwc7S-TGY_U3D5DMXpjd1j0x8/w500-h375/03+Sep+2.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>Yay! Here goes the first coat of undercoat on the cabin sides. This
stuff covers wonderfully, as you can see, and has a slight sheen so
that it shows all the bumps and hollows. I'm actually very pleased with
how fair the hull is. There are no fillers apart from what I used over
the scarf joints before covering the hull with fibreglass. The
undercoat is International Perfection.I might have used if for the top coats, too, except for the fact that
the range of colours is so limited. It is certainly the easiest
two-part polyurethane I have used for producing an acceptable finish.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ329-fyJukUSfhai7hFWR9ccNtFDFzt9NeLG6bHZIIBeqOOaIzxsjPxqrrVsleOIsnRwfEoYSfLNHznREYW6oee7OWbDAskAd9_YaAlWzdKM2HfZz6s8zYwOMQamhMHEJnYvM/s2048/03+Sep+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ329-fyJukUSfhai7hFWR9ccNtFDFzt9NeLG6bHZIIBeqOOaIzxsjPxqrrVsleOIsnRwfEoYSfLNHznREYW6oee7OWbDAskAd9_YaAlWzdKM2HfZz6s8zYwOMQamhMHEJnYvM/w500-h375/03+Sep+1.JPG" width="500" /></a>Acceptable
to me, perhaps I should say. To be honest, even if I had the skills
and the patience, I am not that interested in getting a 'super yacht'
finish on the topsides. A boat that is lived on all the year round is
effectively a work boat. I like her to look smart and tidy, but I aim
for the sort of finish you used to see on fishing boats, in the days
when fishermen loved and cared for their vessels. Life is too short to
spend time and money fairing and sanding, fairing and sanding. If she
looks attractive as I row away from her, that will suit me.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26q1yMABneSAXrWRrv52jhiMF2WBo5qTn6h6AG9QGeKa5zpDFKGBWKcdN4-6w32p37fumcp3AyeuaXB3O4V9XvPy9xT8kZPwXiStrmOyt7zKz3eoU0SKmEZoRun5typrgvhTW/s2048/03+Sep+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26q1yMABneSAXrWRrv52jhiMF2WBo5qTn6h6AG9QGeKa5zpDFKGBWKcdN4-6w32p37fumcp3AyeuaXB3O4V9XvPy9xT8kZPwXiStrmOyt7zKz3eoU0SKmEZoRun5typrgvhTW/w500-h375/03+Sep+3.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><p>It was exciting adding the first layer of coloured paint at the bow.
Even more pleasing was that I am achieving the effect that I was aiming
for.</p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHW5pUnYsWg9H2QUd8rrPP7KlrDXPZbhExtS2A2iItwtjbv2RtE7QlOqI7jj2PUJAXdu0m5PuZFK4s_huOKAdJ3fCY8Ku0v-971f3uOwjUEtiQUaLS5IUDLWcptNveJyXZvEm/s2048/03+Sep+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHW5pUnYsWg9H2QUd8rrPP7KlrDXPZbhExtS2A2iItwtjbv2RtE7QlOqI7jj2PUJAXdu0m5PuZFK4s_huOKAdJ3fCY8Ku0v-971f3uOwjUEtiQUaLS5IUDLWcptNveJyXZvEm/w500-h375/03+Sep+4.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>As I shall be making a yellow sail, the wind vane
is also yellow. Much more so than it looks in the photograph which appears more like cream!<p></p><p>Which reminds me. The undercoat certainly makes for a nice, even base, but at the end of the day, I still end up applying 5 coats of paint!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdz8m0JYUei_NiRyfiQYqmhTDlqNbyiN2dRCBJuqKEchMlHrYg24g6AsUoHGIONbVUSltoqf_SrnwlUK_15d3v50YIGcu3c4GYZ1m7e_86xPg07wSIsWz-pagfZIH5DaGXVdA/s2048/03+Sep+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdz8m0JYUei_NiRyfiQYqmhTDlqNbyiN2dRCBJuqKEchMlHrYg24g6AsUoHGIONbVUSltoqf_SrnwlUK_15d3v50YIGcu3c4GYZ1m7e_86xPg07wSIsWz-pagfZIH5DaGXVdA/w500-h375/03+Sep+5.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>The varnish around the stern was now hardened enough for me to put the solar panels back in place, permanently.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTd4rtsgnAU6p54HCH1hD0A9x0U4UkjXdfUiyaoEgKINK8UNIvjw95XClumvSVzn4FyT5sJ7j5lUFVeO2YVhYXTl7vzsgwEtUNFO_o2fWWY1cXhk6fciOg_7zB5h3ZPkTY0Iw/s2048/03+Sep+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTd4rtsgnAU6p54HCH1hD0A9x0U4UkjXdfUiyaoEgKINK8UNIvjw95XClumvSVzn4FyT5sJ7j5lUFVeO2YVhYXTl7vzsgwEtUNFO_o2fWWY1cXhk6fciOg_7zB5h3ZPkTY0Iw/w469-h625/03+Sep+6.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><p>The panels are lashed down to lacing eyes, that are screwed to the panel frames and to the davit bar aft, and the top of the lute, forward.<br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-19803816385411795692020-08-13T19:48:00.005+12:002020-08-13T19:50:23.452+12:00Multitasking<p></p>Supposedly, women are very good at multitasking, but there are exceptions to every rule. In some cases I am on par with the best of my sex, but when it comes to building a boat, I find multitasking exhausting and distracting. However, while it was easy to concentrate on one task at time when I was, for example, laying the deck, I now find that I am in a situation where I have to do several things at the same time, because before I can do job A I'd need to sort out job B, but that depends on how C is going to be fitted, and so on.<p></p><p></p><p> Mark and Phil gave me a very handsome boarding ladder some time back. Gordon had bought some fittings for a cockpit table that hadn't worked out and gave them to me to put "in stock". I reckoned I could pair them together. Gordon obligingly took time off from building his dinghy to cut down the top of the ladder to fit said fittings. Of course, like so many simple jobs, what seemed to work well when offered up required modification for a final fit, but finally the fittings were put in place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l6WMkYdnCaEoXLzlYOWU_SKFa8gPIJftKcy0Yzgz48YSGYTmGRw-1LeRKjmkUh-x-m0Ld5iipHzt0bWVEesQSVk9hfmIVGErnQvgxGGat3PlVjnBH1xs8L7k1TpMixwuUVbG/s2048/16+Jul+1.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l6WMkYdnCaEoXLzlYOWU_SKFa8gPIJftKcy0Yzgz48YSGYTmGRw-1LeRKjmkUh-x-m0Ld5iipHzt0bWVEesQSVk9hfmIVGErnQvgxGGat3PlVjnBH1xs8L7k1TpMixwuUVbG/w410-h307/16+Jul+1.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><p></p><p> Before I could put any paint on, I wanted to seal the bare teak with varnish. Before I could seal the teak, I wanted to be sure that I had put at least the majority of it in place. Therefore, I had to think about how I was going to secure the solar panels on the davits, because they would be held in place with lashings and teak chocks. (By the way, forgive me for the layout -again! - the new Blogger, added to the fact that I still don't have a keyboard, apparently still on its way from China, I assume by way of a wind driven junk, from the time it's taking!) Is giving me hell on this occasion. Funny, I thought I'd got it under control last time I used it.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFndUiwyg78dh1SuKZEAAtTRmfKqEQt9sD2ky7BfYB5qoiQL41HJiSc62TVdVeFCkiox70CRxb0r6fmlOOVxz_yTOw04Iae82ybINZ7G3UO2mQ30TZCILlQM04HLqZ3ZSMlntD/s2048/IMG_0206.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFndUiwyg78dh1SuKZEAAtTRmfKqEQt9sD2ky7BfYB5qoiQL41HJiSc62TVdVeFCkiox70CRxb0r6fmlOOVxz_yTOw04Iae82ybINZ7G3UO2mQ30TZCILlQM04HLqZ3ZSMlntD/w384-h512/IMG_0206.JPG" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HfAb0iOujcqVuIErzJDRR822XiAZ0vzOr0xA1VO7pKfeBPxUmgBp2GKR-hHiDLnXH3DwcxppHF7GE2rjJpPW-XC-IfLp3Gdkn3StR4vde3FSWxHw105OeghzZdgQC56dt091/s2048/IMG_0207.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HfAb0iOujcqVuIErzJDRR822XiAZ0vzOr0xA1VO7pKfeBPxUmgBp2GKR-hHiDLnXH3DwcxppHF7GE2rjJpPW-XC-IfLp3Gdkn3StR4vde3FSWxHw105OeghzZdgQC56dt091/w410-h307/IMG_0207.JPG" width="410" /></a> I also needed to work out where the self-steering gear was going to go, because this dictated where the seat across the lute stern would go and this seat is essential to brace the lute for the mainsail sheet. So I made some supports for the self steering mounts from kauri.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcIEJwbn1LZ6LlYqy3_l8jVI1qMsyHFbBoUXfMqjMEjK9oJdD4cWDWnSuyW6boDgvMrLsMbJ6s2YD67dfd4nOGa85pkAsUEhnrQwAS1qLI0G2SSXt6N42CnaiIhiJTxIAkqlY/s2048/IMG_0208.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcIEJwbn1LZ6LlYqy3_l8jVI1qMsyHFbBoUXfMqjMEjK9oJdD4cWDWnSuyW6boDgvMrLsMbJ6s2YD67dfd4nOGa85pkAsUEhnrQwAS1qLI0G2SSXt6N42CnaiIhiJTxIAkqlY/w384-h512/IMG_0208.JPG" width="384" /></a><p> And here is the ladder in place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_sGLVAuura3GZiPmluETrnaNuyZ3LXiKGRwO9sLQULP4WKb7F6qrkaLV_125n05P2goQdqXoVP1iAp4pohFCLMOYyqR_h01UCznqBF_JPCD_MzD8DIv3GiSkJ1sK45jvIkz0/s2048/IMG_0209.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_sGLVAuura3GZiPmluETrnaNuyZ3LXiKGRwO9sLQULP4WKb7F6qrkaLV_125n05P2goQdqXoVP1iAp4pohFCLMOYyqR_h01UCznqBF_JPCD_MzD8DIv3GiSkJ1sK45jvIkz0/w410-h308/IMG_0209.JPG" width="410" /></a> <br /></div><p></p><p>Originally, when I built the hull, the inside of the bilge board cases was extended about 6 inches, to take the blocks. This made it difficult to lay the decks and besides, I didn't think the plywood would withstand the force of someone heavy sliding against it. With varnishing in the offing, this seemed like a good time to replace it with something stronger. The thought of slipping down to leeward with the bilgeboards lowered, doesn't bear contemplating, so I made a good strong base from some of my rapidly-dwindling stock of teak.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKXtxBlNPalUmAK3FIGhIw4ZZ6F_PkEKsk2EvQZS_gV1Dy6bsMjHH_uaEkZlmntL1wjFpmKZouKhBxXgJxFhYrISZe8bu7K5cXH-4utc1NLcrxB1MQRhLhNk3ao_HYkHV27KR/s2048/IMG_0210.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKXtxBlNPalUmAK3FIGhIw4ZZ6F_PkEKsk2EvQZS_gV1Dy6bsMjHH_uaEkZlmntL1wjFpmKZouKhBxXgJxFhYrISZe8bu7K5cXH-4utc1NLcrxB1MQRhLhNk3ao_HYkHV27KR/w410-h307/IMG_0210.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><p>While I was working with teak, I made the 'rudder heads' and 'tillers' for the trim tabs. You see what I mean about multitasking! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpBSkWESiBK4aqipSAuDWEYYIpQBmOjMSd7mflF4URJhg2yTtYVl63cYNvbXO-N2oW7Fgl7nKam_PSREMqxPpOgpyQAW30zC7BXMHGAluigyicT7kXPHAs8eQ-ENbQRFUGmQi/s2048/IMG_0211.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpBSkWESiBK4aqipSAuDWEYYIpQBmOjMSd7mflF4URJhg2yTtYVl63cYNvbXO-N2oW7Fgl7nKam_PSREMqxPpOgpyQAW30zC7BXMHGAluigyicT7kXPHAs8eQ-ENbQRFUGmQi/w410-h307/IMG_0211.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><p>The supports for the self-steering had been coated and were now dry enough to be glued into place. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PBmZFE9L91I3hVGO_9Ri-sDL8XfQU4aFwyDBLv3o6RyPrZVIZodPMqCUFaqYSzQ-MrEvttDGo2Tof85Aa12okXqwYijakpsIWDASU-Vj_Q5XlgS6W7X5VZtS6H3MOY66EeUh/s2048/IMG_0212.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PBmZFE9L91I3hVGO_9Ri-sDL8XfQU4aFwyDBLv3o6RyPrZVIZodPMqCUFaqYSzQ-MrEvttDGo2Tof85Aa12okXqwYijakpsIWDASU-Vj_Q5XlgS6W7X5VZtS6H3MOY66EeUh/w640-h480/IMG_0212.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p> While I had the glue mixed, I fitted the teak by the bilgeboard cases. They are backed up with a substantial lump of teak glued to the deck, so I believe that they will be amply strong.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqesZ1llRb7Wdp5UH1ouhzS5IpOzBROsN_b7vaoe7lABebTb2dWbw-GM9J5SJritsz7W3L17SBekWSfbL2y2pUzbIkdaHWBHfGcsTMJsMxnW9dASuz5maiBwUfMrWgS7dstimr/s2048/27+Jul+1.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqesZ1llRb7Wdp5UH1ouhzS5IpOzBROsN_b7vaoe7lABebTb2dWbw-GM9J5SJritsz7W3L17SBekWSfbL2y2pUzbIkdaHWBHfGcsTMJsMxnW9dASuz5maiBwUfMrWgS7dstimr/w640-h480/27+Jul+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p> And various pieces of teak to secure the solar panels, although you will need to look quite closely at this photo to see them. The little chocks at the forward end go over the corners. Aft the chocks have holes drilled through them for lashings and I will attach saddles to the panels themselves.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5SMdFe1T70YjeKx3jPPkPem-xaaHr-C1E1wfi535tfDGaczrtqtK_MN9bQuUvfwJwXHzou7ddiSv7YuqftU3WAlmR3LS8WfxKzy5-ccdBl0BZTl98ZgxwCzCnBu0D02Fd8_Z/s2048/27+Jul+2.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5SMdFe1T70YjeKx3jPPkPem-xaaHr-C1E1wfi535tfDGaczrtqtK_MN9bQuUvfwJwXHzou7ddiSv7YuqftU3WAlmR3LS8WfxKzy5-ccdBl0BZTl98ZgxwCzCnBu0D02Fd8_Z/w512-h384/27+Jul+2.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>Finally, I could put some varnish around the deck edges to protect everything when I started to splash paint around. It's a lot easier to scrape it off shiny varnish than bare wood!</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJ3JGSAysGDvsiCHAgxS6HvV5n23GkGnB72EGL8XkRYweNrxJEKSmOaK0X82QVa8sp1loc7l8Lib2RmA9JBLZkvBWIgxsvdhXfMX-1nc0MGn25Y-JQZGI_cOfMa97RTJhCqSh/s2048/27+Jul+3.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJ3JGSAysGDvsiCHAgxS6HvV5n23GkGnB72EGL8XkRYweNrxJEKSmOaK0X82QVa8sp1loc7l8Lib2RmA9JBLZkvBWIgxsvdhXfMX-1nc0MGn25Y-JQZGI_cOfMa97RTJhCqSh/w480-h640/27+Jul+3.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><p>The next job was to lay teak on the seat. I can see myself kneeling on this to work the davits and don't want it to be slippery. It will also be a lot more pleasant to sit on than paint. As well as reinforcing the lute against the loads of the sheet, the seat also protects the self-steering gear and trim tab rudders. However, since placing it in position, I have realised that it makes having raising tillers very difficult, without involving engineering work. Several people have suggested removable tillers, an idea that doesn't really appeal, but if I don't want them entirely taking over the cockpit, at anchor, I may have no other choice.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDnGfksRRjqKlFFYLYtYQA7G2v-hjTReTe3WA0lyU8MmCrwHycZN8UDpKgyRrxw6HcHxgsUeWGzgLUD2d2kBJEVDROKCvOtL4YnjAgSWcpZ0b8ZyoE0gv0HSeKyixbG_3iNtd/s2048/31+Jul+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDnGfksRRjqKlFFYLYtYQA7G2v-hjTReTe3WA0lyU8MmCrwHycZN8UDpKgyRrxw6HcHxgsUeWGzgLUD2d2kBJEVDROKCvOtL4YnjAgSWcpZ0b8ZyoE0gv0HSeKyixbG_3iNtd/s640/31+Jul+1.JPG" /></a></div><p> I put a stiffener along the middle of the seat and a piece of teak along the front to ensure that it won't sag when I put my great weight in the middle of it.</p><p>The cutout is to fit around the self-steering gear.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy42SrGe24qN2JoywpNosDe8auLMZ6W1dZvqtAqTzzs3asX34Em3wf-UcbbMPTYI5DDRrUlCVrrrLrxCIj49Ywo-YKTv45X4SrZ734-B2rEAs_QiRLzmPCeT3TMlbX2XWLZa3y/s2048/1+Aug+1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy42SrGe24qN2JoywpNosDe8auLMZ6W1dZvqtAqTzzs3asX34Em3wf-UcbbMPTYI5DDRrUlCVrrrLrxCIj49Ywo-YKTv45X4SrZ734-B2rEAs_QiRLzmPCeT3TMlbX2XWLZa3y/s640/1+Aug+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Then came a task that I loathe - putting masking tape on everything. If I am recoating with one or two coats, I often avoid using masking tape, but I knew I would need several coats of paint to cover and that was too many to apply with the level of care necessary to keep it from slopping over the edge. It took ages to apply the tape.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTuqgfFRwuycsfKIYQ-1zAxkwRVOoFO7f0UcC0R7nfYjtxBiizQzUghua5UXPWv7KkkUNOMVAHbESRgOOYPRrFYui9injlHQnjnU74B8zKlh2E2n80Wdb2XytK16P6dBzlXrl/s2048/3+Aug+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTuqgfFRwuycsfKIYQ-1zAxkwRVOoFO7f0UcC0R7nfYjtxBiizQzUghua5UXPWv7KkkUNOMVAHbESRgOOYPRrFYui9injlHQnjnU74B8zKlh2E2n80Wdb2XytK16P6dBzlXrl/w300-h400/3+Aug+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> <p></p><p>I made use of having Gordon around to help me start rigging the bilgeboards. they are not lightweight and while David assures me it will all be different when we (and they) are floating, it is a bit of a struggle at present. It was at this stage that I noticed a snag. The idea for raising and lowering the bilgeboards is taken from the Red Fox design. However, on that boat, a channel is moulded into the hull for the block that is a<br />ttached to the hull. If I were to put a cheek block onto the teak support, the board would <br />hit it when it was raised. Nothing is ever easy.</p><p>And that, I'm afraid, includes writing this blog. I have had to load every photoraph at leas twice and they seem to be sized at random, with the preview telling me it's OK and the edit that I'm working on saying something else entirely. I shall post what I've done and try again on Sunday. If the final result is a complete shambles, I will try re-editin it. </p><p><br /></p><p>Why do they do these things? The old Blogger worked just fine :'-(<br /></p>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-16826887246184524982020-07-12T19:44:00.002+12:002020-07-12T19:44:50.371+12:00Tornado, bilgeboards, preparing for painting<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes, you did read that correctly. Just over 2 weeks ago, a tornado swept through the boatyard leaving a trail of chaos and destruction. It was pitch dark at the time and I had just knocked off for the day. We'd been having a few thunderstorms and as I waited for the water to heat up so that I could wash, the shed was hit with a tremendous gust of wind, apparently pushing the wall in towards me, immediately followed by rending and crashing noises. I assumed that part of the shed had been destroyed and went downstairs to look. I opened the door and the torchlight showed me a heap of plastic canvas and broken timber. Not my shed, but the one next door. I picked my way through the debris and made a careful circuit of the shed. The only damage appeared to be torn plastic canvas. Looking around a bit further I could see boats had fallen over. My first thought was to check Shirley: <i>Speedwell </i>was just fine and Shirley had barely noticed anything other than a big gust. Going back to my shed, I met the yard manager looking at the wreckage of Tony's shed. It was he who told me that it must have been a tornado. Fortunately, it was followed by total calm, which lasted for about another 15 hours. I then phoned Tony, who came straight away with his partner. From what we could see, his boat appeared OK, but it was hard to tell. Tony has worked very hard on restoring the boat he inherited from his parents: that it could be seriously damaged didn't bear thinking about. (In fact, by some miracle, the boat was barely scratched.) My guardian angel had obviously been there for me and I went back upstairs, poured myself a stiff drink - and started to shake as the reality of what might have happened, started to sink in.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGAFgOz7oSfANVNb7cKASHl3oq5LBbIJi8hmsg0f3UKGhd8iEn6QG1oRP4pUG7vhfz2Ow-C0Ovt070c0s7HHq-k-Xq1_UNbs6S0dsLQ5f0CQXWz_Z2DWl5dcK0QSMzPzixkjL/s2048/27+Jun+01.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGAFgOz7oSfANVNb7cKASHl3oq5LBbIJi8hmsg0f3UKGhd8iEn6QG1oRP4pUG7vhfz2Ow-C0Ovt070c0s7HHq-k-Xq1_UNbs6S0dsLQ5f0CQXWz_Z2DWl5dcK0QSMzPzixkjL/w300-h400/27+Jun+01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The photo above was taken the following morning, but you can guess how I felt when I first opened the door. About 8 boats had been sucked up and dropped down again, capsizing their cradles in the process. <br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBjNRAzD8LrzUtcd0qEkjUL5ygFCgJsSdLzkuDjJrR17g7xsXFxJIbzKkp43WSES3baKmFnH8werPY_cRA5JTRuayPWuhZNTyE1NgakVOaJJukGkmHD7D_56pEGd8SZTVg931/s2048/27++Jun+07.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBjNRAzD8LrzUtcd0qEkjUL5ygFCgJsSdLzkuDjJrR17g7xsXFxJIbzKkp43WSES3baKmFnH8werPY_cRA5JTRuayPWuhZNTyE1NgakVOaJJukGkmHD7D_56pEGd8SZTVg931/w400-h300/27++Jun+07.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilha5Jehhlh1TxjSSKtak0DyVJ-iGGx_lAU9y-EDL2aI36r462RriQGpQ-c3e6Y2iLbKGrzXzWxx1CGFl30z2rTCsbwxBr4x5GCc04Pt55SBWGWUCTK9t4JUb_qeOyoPF96CZ3/s2048/27+Jun+08.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilha5Jehhlh1TxjSSKtak0DyVJ-iGGx_lAU9y-EDL2aI36r462RriQGpQ-c3e6Y2iLbKGrzXzWxx1CGFl30z2rTCsbwxBr4x5GCc04Pt55SBWGWUCTK9t4JUb_qeOyoPF96CZ3/w400-h300/27+Jun+08.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BBZuW5Qxg6oZhi6mF9wLpcJEXvJz1gu6GIA2IZA56kNX4sQPRskurdLPMpSNaHK2WrGrAdu5sqlLrCh7QmxI-hnFDAoI-s_DmeRDL8tu1JghYCLWyMi46JCZ9VPDw3MWYMdg/s2048/27+Jun+10.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BBZuW5Qxg6oZhi6mF9wLpcJEXvJz1gu6GIA2IZA56kNX4sQPRskurdLPMpSNaHK2WrGrAdu5sqlLrCh7QmxI-hnFDAoI-s_DmeRDL8tu1JghYCLWyMi46JCZ9VPDw3MWYMdg/w400-h300/27+Jun+10.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A Prout catamaran had ended up on its side</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rW4kUKhFE38t8J962j_RgJGNyL36qvHJnsunerSIIvfE1M3422mtOSukeAF1c3IqOdx1q8_Ch-deqKJaJrV1hSZ-JLz5m-Os77s13PNbqbajHULbOzZqICG1LE7awu3dek1i/s2048/27+Jun+05.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rW4kUKhFE38t8J962j_RgJGNyL36qvHJnsunerSIIvfE1M3422mtOSukeAF1c3IqOdx1q8_Ch-deqKJaJrV1hSZ-JLz5m-Os77s13PNbqbajHULbOzZqICG1LE7awu3dek1i/w300-h400/27+Jun+05.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Two boats were more fortunate and had only been shifted in their cradle.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmRfBNqvhJ3cxaUVJoUAir9tPJOBs5PJfTtHda8aCLBGr8-kF2HEQyv-Z6_ieIAnJE17IfKPbdefQ_jXzjj-Dc6rgYnPvxemDKConc6ABq4yrox9fggHyZek7mO4Jw1zpJ0wc/s2048/27+Jun+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmRfBNqvhJ3cxaUVJoUAir9tPJOBs5PJfTtHda8aCLBGr8-kF2HEQyv-Z6_ieIAnJE17IfKPbdefQ_jXzjj-Dc6rgYnPvxemDKConc6ABq4yrox9fggHyZek7mO4Jw1zpJ0wc/w300-h400/27+Jun+06.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A dinghy that had been sitting on the foredeck of a boat on the other side of the shed, had been swept up and left entangled in the rigging of a ketch some distance away. Now, in daylight, I could see the mess that had been Tony's shed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOOH3-j6Cg5iLkUiGQhfN2ZF6fxQKp64RTlPB6vMcXeH7Fi3RKBb3YMIgPhSoNGTGY2OCzmc73iOdwRVf9ulD-590LGWAfzW9s9JjwDDvsv_EkcdzSrBMeXZjib8rXSzMc56n/s2048/27+Jun+02.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOOH3-j6Cg5iLkUiGQhfN2ZF6fxQKp64RTlPB6vMcXeH7Fi3RKBb3YMIgPhSoNGTGY2OCzmc73iOdwRVf9ulD-590LGWAfzW9s9JjwDDvsv_EkcdzSrBMeXZjib8rXSzMc56n/w400-h300/27+Jun+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It was amazing that the boat had come through more or less unscathed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqRP3IF32Rn4PxWFRFvMxcENPjWGIp-jLUzw9nKtZF_y4MXaUW6Rz4gOmkBhkxVRk4bwnicShXYjOZk7zKAcA11Aasx_eXXDEr9gR20P9eTtimd9CWFJ4Qe1g0c6l7p17Dris/s2048/27+Jun++03.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqRP3IF32Rn4PxWFRFvMxcENPjWGIp-jLUzw9nKtZF_y4MXaUW6Rz4gOmkBhkxVRk4bwnicShXYjOZk7zKAcA11Aasx_eXXDEr9gR20P9eTtimd9CWFJ4Qe1g0c6l7p17Dris/w400-h300/27+Jun++03.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned, I could only be grateful that the tornado had effectively missed me. So I went back to building my boat.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had noticed, on some photos of real Chinese junks, that the different colours were separated by a small strip of wood, often painted white. This struck me as both attractive and practical, making painting easier without using vast amounts of masking tape, so I decided to do the same. The strips look more pleasing when slightly curved, so I laminated up strips of Douglas fir. (Shirley, when she saw what I was doing, shook her head and commented that it was no surprise that I am still building this boat!)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IHKM2JxJFGR-8z90sI2R6xYgmQr8fzZeFTZ5H3uGcWRBN8wcri2vO-MAntL7r_75FxpFRzg6hdki9kWbG8TYhYmoTDyLSmAsEr19qpPWAvFMVwV2Fj-G38Qe8cu2m7SCqScT/s2048/25+Jun+01.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IHKM2JxJFGR-8z90sI2R6xYgmQr8fzZeFTZ5H3uGcWRBN8wcri2vO-MAntL7r_75FxpFRzg6hdki9kWbG8TYhYmoTDyLSmAsEr19qpPWAvFMVwV2Fj-G38Qe8cu2m7SCqScT/w400-h300/25+Jun+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqtApDVilpZ_JnxQHAuhZPAnmdwBhVaKcqmQK8bBYgd_5ZrBBG6Xng6eARYbCYvKz8eS7qlUeAWijnLihIvUS0BpazdZ-qok1szlXk5z0VTlB_IEvbvh1lrSI22WXXbj1PkMo/s2048/27+Jun+13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_98eawtd9B9ugB-Q8B3ZMy8Cbsm215XoST35sSsD3AXVEtE1qDEU8lRNhzwM5Xqu-sr9aK1wi0MX6kqMU9C1cBoicw3oOebszWeehnMbASh7hDP78mDFd-8X1IZTSMMPt2we/s2048/29+Jun+01.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_98eawtd9B9ugB-Q8B3ZMy8Cbsm215XoST35sSsD3AXVEtE1qDEU8lRNhzwM5Xqu-sr9aK1wi0MX6kqMU9C1cBoicw3oOebszWeehnMbASh7hDP78mDFd-8X1IZTSMMPt2we/w400-h300/29+Jun+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I sanded them all up and fitted them, using a few panel pins and epoxy.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx07NX8zDwB3JILmklgn1kWmZK_wEiNMdoyelcxP9lyBTfOgnH-BwSzDNKNcxbRcA30H6cHLynUi_yL5okmSHGu2CVE2YefIJZZheKf5O8y4mtisjwLaAOGvL19qjA88GhoFGX/s2048/29+Jun+02.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx07NX8zDwB3JILmklgn1kWmZK_wEiNMdoyelcxP9lyBTfOgnH-BwSzDNKNcxbRcA30H6cHLynUi_yL5okmSHGu2CVE2YefIJZZheKf5O8y4mtisjwLaAOGvL19qjA88GhoFGX/w400-h300/29+Jun+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was very pleased that they looked as I'd hoped they would.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH01lS-NZCMFu2F42hKnSMHwXxcyc5twYD-ObDlzXh8XbD4tmLZ4PF43p_RR4QKIK9qWAffoHMpb7SxeQIJDyyTPenajVAPK8cG3OpVtyN8s1PKwABXL-RSyapEiKcwTveIavC/s2048/29+Jun+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH01lS-NZCMFu2F42hKnSMHwXxcyc5twYD-ObDlzXh8XbD4tmLZ4PF43p_RR4QKIK9qWAffoHMpb7SxeQIJDyyTPenajVAPK8cG3OpVtyN8s1PKwABXL-RSyapEiKcwTveIavC/w400-h300/29+Jun+03.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have now reached one of those stages where everything I want to do depends on something else being fitted, or at least decided upon. I am putting a bench across the lute, to stiffen and support it for the sheets, but to do this, I really need to know just where the tillers will be and that is complicated by the fact that the trim tab tillers need thinking about as well as the placement of the self steering gear and, while we are it, the access to the davits and the position of the solar panels, which might affect that. And, of course, the BBB has to be able to tilt forward to 180°, without interfering with the steering mechanism, itself complicated by the fact of having two rudders. David nobly offered to make the self steering for me, saving me vast amounts of time and anguish and mercifully it arrived a few days ago. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>However, while I was exercising my brain about all this business at the stern, Marcus came to do some post-tornado repair to the shed. Gordon, who owns <i>Tystie</i>, has been here building himself a new dinghy and suggested I take advantage of having two sets of hands to load the bilgeboards into their slots. What a brilliant idea!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGGmDyyvxK7Wxy9MuC3mbBirlGDxcgrcdudamQje7hOyHyWZPoiwcb78G4pqkrAgddW1xh03Xf2HUfI_Nug2xVrq6Xe8mv3HJVZtr5RocXnNePtvOdvKmBT6_UQ4NdJDw5oQi/s2048/30+Jun+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGGmDyyvxK7Wxy9MuC3mbBirlGDxcgrcdudamQje7hOyHyWZPoiwcb78G4pqkrAgddW1xh03Xf2HUfI_Nug2xVrq6Xe8mv3HJVZtr5RocXnNePtvOdvKmBT6_UQ4NdJDw5oQi/w300-h400/30+Jun+01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We tied some ropes to the block and the fitting already on the boards.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggCdIM6-sqtDRAWXhWQ58gWmB-bl2bTEbceeA7pGhPEai0ayKX8RoxcICL_NSXmcvbJxkjVzUznWJbqCmqyZ4cdYFqS0U-hYU1t3Q7_OPhsbMA5zuKADtC2DSpmPW1JqcMbjn/s2048/30+Jun+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggCdIM6-sqtDRAWXhWQ58gWmB-bl2bTEbceeA7pGhPEai0ayKX8RoxcICL_NSXmcvbJxkjVzUznWJbqCmqyZ4cdYFqS0U-hYU1t3Q7_OPhsbMA5zuKADtC2DSpmPW1JqcMbjn/w300-h400/30+Jun+02.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>With Marcus heaving from below and Gordon tugging from above, the boards were raised to deck level.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn0TGPgT0GRddovbCRYAByDBRHy5Tq580lmTJiwFofjBgGvulwDoCXjsichyfEUC2e-vJtdx87VBkoOFBjOYEiujs-p579odAWRppmcyx6785JN0HlR9lZn1o_qVeLXQ1LRbE/s2048/30+Jun+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn0TGPgT0GRddovbCRYAByDBRHy5Tq580lmTJiwFofjBgGvulwDoCXjsichyfEUC2e-vJtdx87VBkoOFBjOYEiujs-p579odAWRppmcyx6785JN0HlR9lZn1o_qVeLXQ1LRbE/w400-h300/30+Jun+03.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>With two strong and capable friends, I even got the chance to grab a couple of photos.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FSBw26LJCzEfTG2N6_3QCmcgTNLPjRczQSz3yiZylUXOTLWAxkyM-t1BP37OczAtnRTG1uxbncM8qG5A-KccDmJyVyN5BkZ-mhQIxyAZFLg12teFbpgl7l9f7HkbNM0eYxcy/s2048/30+Jun+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FSBw26LJCzEfTG2N6_3QCmcgTNLPjRczQSz3yiZylUXOTLWAxkyM-t1BP37OczAtnRTG1uxbncM8qG5A-KccDmJyVyN5BkZ-mhQIxyAZFLg12teFbpgl7l9f7HkbNM0eYxcy/w400-h300/30+Jun+04.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We used cloths to protect the deck and there was just about enough to hold onto on the boards that they could be moved with some precision. The black plastic that Marcus is holding also acts as the stop for the board.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXFNLZ8hojkySAK3ofk8-JKTO7r-_SV991CWcfD02ezGKAcbgqnALrbMTqwfAoXKd-6R6Nf9xSAsXjd3HUkizKgp-RE1bce9zf-l_AlVqm6ISg2I9f8fARX_lu7J68B7ehsKH/s2048/30+Jun+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXFNLZ8hojkySAK3ofk8-JKTO7r-_SV991CWcfD02ezGKAcbgqnALrbMTqwfAoXKd-6R6Nf9xSAsXjd3HUkizKgp-RE1bce9zf-l_AlVqm6ISg2I9f8fARX_lu7J68B7ehsKH/w400-h300/30+Jun+05.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It caught up slightly on the wedge at the bottom of the case, which supports the downhaul block.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNPgTR2iffj8s8xvdvpJ0Z100BVvdcPgXHQgIoRgBQC9EsOvvidyDRQbG_y3fy_w2JTYezFRkLgCPxfA67p_Y0G8W9NLKbXO76qOmVMVYLeX6FymLxZmVS1J5JgAijWgEefvx/s2048/30+Jun+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNPgTR2iffj8s8xvdvpJ0Z100BVvdcPgXHQgIoRgBQC9EsOvvidyDRQbG_y3fy_w2JTYezFRkLgCPxfA67p_Y0G8W9NLKbXO76qOmVMVYLeX6FymLxZmVS1J5JgAijWgEefvx/w400-h300/30+Jun+06.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Once that was dealt with, the boards slid w-a-y down in the case! The stop, it would appear, is in case the rope slips or breaks, rather than where the board would normally be. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUGmZ_kbkBz023aKwvxjYzoh5UCOYiiS3jx4I_jNXDPH7csLULO3Hp61WIwA4RCo8AqaA2J0T0H9fvNoZ7GFG3CMJqphIwFsF8wmbcBeSBesb0ZANGeMjvR7q0Y015wauayY5/s2048/30+Jun+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUGmZ_kbkBz023aKwvxjYzoh5UCOYiiS3jx4I_jNXDPH7csLULO3Hp61WIwA4RCo8AqaA2J0T0H9fvNoZ7GFG3CMJqphIwFsF8wmbcBeSBesb0ZANGeMjvR7q0Y015wauayY5/w300-h400/30+Jun+07.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We heaved them back up to a more acceptable "draught" and propped them up on saw horses, until I can sort out rigging them. This has every promise of being quite a mission, so I'm putting it off for the moment while I carry on getting the stern sorted out and the topsides ready for painting.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3wmprbnAm1GtIADHAr8wwRzSxeVl3SWVsvVlojsiQiKGFbcfv7gbUZqlgR3YgUxNUxWgTQCoNKYg7tfBFt1EaOm13yVAmbej1ZVtgfT25xUrlsaqxsQ6t8QHKs-jQyWDTSlY/s2048/6+Jul+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3wmprbnAm1GtIADHAr8wwRzSxeVl3SWVsvVlojsiQiKGFbcfv7gbUZqlgR3YgUxNUxWgTQCoNKYg7tfBFt1EaOm13yVAmbej1ZVtgfT25xUrlsaqxsQ6t8QHKs-jQyWDTSlY/w400-h300/6+Jul+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Last weekend, some other friends were in the shed and we started discussing the dinghy and the davits. Moments later and my little dinghy was taken down from the wall and busy hands were fetching rope, making knots and threading blocks. It was decided that although the dinghy is shorter than the distance betwwen the davits, she would not need a beam for the falls, but that they would work just fine from the davits themselves. This was a relief, because I had been wondering just how hefty the beam would have to be to hold a dinghy that might possibly be pooped by a big wave. A beam is still required for mounting the solar panels, but it can be much less substantial. So I laminated something from 2 long lengths of kauri left over from another job, with teak on top.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQm5J19UBYUXxURVOS7Akb3_S7IrFLWfyVRrjpiWWKN-fdwrZ189Ir11C44YM4HDKmb5zzHnywcvI20vgQj3uYFic84-wWUKtt38G7Eh_6NTEYtE9zwWd4pmwbVPSemO4k3Mt/s2048/6+Jul+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQm5J19UBYUXxURVOS7Akb3_S7IrFLWfyVRrjpiWWKN-fdwrZ189Ir11C44YM4HDKmb5zzHnywcvI20vgQj3uYFic84-wWUKtt38G7Eh_6NTEYtE9zwWd4pmwbVPSemO4k3Mt/w300-h400/6+Jul+02.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I notched out the davit to receive it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgS1i79-C-XbisckMwfzhzVRu0I-Y9Zms4Xt2-b9MGnB0TD8iezzh6z0Dh9NB2apBa6ISIykAoTu3QB6HcKDhp759F_Deu3T0tMLFZUJI0NSV8eNfhu8ap0zQmJkyrKcVdnBBC/s2048/12+Jul+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgS1i79-C-XbisckMwfzhzVRu0I-Y9Zms4Xt2-b9MGnB0TD8iezzh6z0Dh9NB2apBa6ISIykAoTu3QB6HcKDhp759F_Deu3T0tMLFZUJI0NSV8eNfhu8ap0zQmJkyrKcVdnBBC/w400-h300/12+Jul+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I fitted the beam and affixed chocks to it and to the lute. This photo shows the panels in place. They are held securely by the chocks forward and will be lashed to the chocks aft. I don't really want to screw through the alloy frames. Not only will it damage the anodising, but a few years hence and the screws will probably be impossible to remove because of galvanic action between the dissimilar metals.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf99_ZbN1EfOHnaSf3A2zTuiuftDtB9Kl6RluF0YlyWxIO8inb7CStnCgDRIgyXsCZ_n33WN8l6qcJnu3owVD2Tb0Qfj27EGtzHfdvPBnZhFFkn6kgrbPvQl5gBMubrYFxuWJD/s2048/12+Jul+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf99_ZbN1EfOHnaSf3A2zTuiuftDtB9Kl6RluF0YlyWxIO8inb7CStnCgDRIgyXsCZ_n33WN8l6qcJnu3owVD2Tb0Qfj27EGtzHfdvPBnZhFFkn6kgrbPvQl5gBMubrYFxuWJD/w400-h300/12+Jul+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My wonderful self-steering gear is in the foreground. Over the engine is "thinking in action", while I try to work out how and where to link the two rudders, how to make a tiller, how to have it raising and how to set everything up so that I can get access to the hull by the engine, where I may need to stand on occasion. Indeed, I suspect that I will have to go there to attach the davit falls to the dinghy. And, of course, I also need to decide where the bench goes, and the self-steering, and how it will be linked to the trim tabs! And this is meant to be a simple boat!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEwHwS3h2UfB0J7mrriZofAfOaiXFC_lJfMzvE8VkTJnl0Fj2h_rALt01V-XAsHUUHjMqMzkznu7X8nD3wKhuUMqD_TQ2pVm_dAhr2HeTHpMhg4cL-ZG6X2eSvr1DFi_3mzyD/s2048/12+Jul+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEwHwS3h2UfB0J7mrriZofAfOaiXFC_lJfMzvE8VkTJnl0Fj2h_rALt01V-XAsHUUHjMqMzkznu7X8nD3wKhuUMqD_TQ2pVm_dAhr2HeTHpMhg4cL-ZG6X2eSvr1DFi_3mzyD/w300-h400/12+Jul+03.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm quite pleased with how the solar panels fit. They are not too intrusive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last time I blogged, some people said that the layout wasn't working on their computer screen. Blogger have a new system. It's hard work sorting it on this tablet as it is (my computer died a few months ago). I've tried a different way of doing things and hope it works. If not, then you will have to read it on a phone or tablet, I'm afraid.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-21468358983426618262020-06-22T08:39:00.000+12:002020-06-22T08:39:44.795+12:00The Devil is in the Detail<div>I had been worrying about the rubbing strakes for a long time, knowing that I couldn't follow the good advice of boat building books, to mark them out and then stand back to check that they looked right. I had lots of good advice offered me from the impossible 'glue them up first and then when you fit them they will make a fair curve', which isn't necessarily so, anyway, to 'use a laser'. As so often has happened during this project, the best thing to do seemed to be to read around the subject, ponder for many a sleepless night and finally do what I had to do due to the various constraints I work with: such as my magnificent shed <i>occasionally </i>being far too small!! I will just have to cross my fingers that the port side matches the starboard side and that any bumps and hollows won't be noticeable from a distance.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other detail that had me a little concerned, being as how I've used up all my Coppercoat, was lining up the trim tabs so that their 'waterline' matched that of the rudders.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9innSTSkCInSzMIlOmmXgTUv8cU9GhIuftXFkWsOfLDTEyyrdUzodKCp1CQND34EVgovh-znzL2u4TmmxUadWJaB67rRNI8AYzVn1HKmGbmv2iEowkRPyhJCkEuZo6QtWWvoH/s3264/27+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9innSTSkCInSzMIlOmmXgTUv8cU9GhIuftXFkWsOfLDTEyyrdUzodKCp1CQND34EVgovh-znzL2u4TmmxUadWJaB67rRNI8AYzVn1HKmGbmv2iEowkRPyhJCkEuZo6QtWWvoH/w375-h500/27+May+01.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><div>The issue here is that the weight of the trim tabs could result in a slight sag after the lashings were tightened and epoxy coated. I had succeeded with the rudders and, am pleased to say, was equally successful with the trim tabs.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv58n5fQBEXUvyJ9Irof-tSfOT9HPfLCbc_1tZzBrX3n2TqwQ30KfNdVEpqSyzKWR1QdK3ncO8wbwrXACl8TAVq1M4LYY2P_dumzhUh-tBpYAXEJjl8fyfZsmU522ooRt322VN/s3264/30+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv58n5fQBEXUvyJ9Irof-tSfOT9HPfLCbc_1tZzBrX3n2TqwQ30KfNdVEpqSyzKWR1QdK3ncO8wbwrXACl8TAVq1M4LYY2P_dumzhUh-tBpYAXEJjl8fyfZsmU522ooRt322VN/w500-h375/30+May+01.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><div>David told me that if I want to have trim tabs, I must be sure that they move very, very easily. In fact I cannot imagine any other way of securing them that would have been so sensitive.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaqw57SYCFd4La3Av0p17cRpqgntDqGDVEzfZIb5XhoouzJCyQa3BntzIF9BSsos0wzX8CQKr5NEQpmIhhb8LP1ZYLIYI-s3XrZaUrN3w4zSwGYwSRcWbIxc64MEzGSvjwVYU/s3264/29+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaqw57SYCFd4La3Av0p17cRpqgntDqGDVEzfZIb5XhoouzJCyQa3BntzIF9BSsos0wzX8CQKr5NEQpmIhhb8LP1ZYLIYI-s3XrZaUrN3w4zSwGYwSRcWbIxc64MEzGSvjwVYU/w375-h500/29+May+01.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><div>Because I didn't want the detail at the quarters - and the bows - to look too heavy, I decided to make them only 12mm thick and to taper the rubbing strakes into them. This meant that each succeeding layer was slightly shorted than its predecessor, but getting the taper too look right to my eyes, took quite a lot of work. particularly at the bow where there is, in fact, a slight reverse curve.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JUKte6_6wGowpE-cR1q9nHpkSRvRf9PH7Vsfxngn_bBP6TyhM8YYxKInSycVpmmATTrS54AlOihaXg39ZU-ngWn2rZNmcdA2SZwC7YF7vikJU87eu2wTMjkyNdIGwLV4s9i9/s3264/01+Jun+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JUKte6_6wGowpE-cR1q9nHpkSRvRf9PH7Vsfxngn_bBP6TyhM8YYxKInSycVpmmATTrS54AlOihaXg39ZU-ngWn2rZNmcdA2SZwC7YF7vikJU87eu2wTMjkyNdIGwLV4s9i9/w375-h500/01+Jun+01.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><div>The final outer layer is of teak - left over from the decks. Teak isn't a particularly hard wood, in truth, but is a delight to work and, besides, I still have quite a lot left. Saligna apart, I have nearly run out of wood and the budget does not stretch to buying in more! With some difficulty, I've made the decision not to varnish it, but to paint it as I have intended all along. In New Zealand, most people put brass half round along the rubbing strake. However, I don't plan to go alongside that often and I can't help feeling that if I inadvertently come into contact with one of these modern fibreglass boats, most of which have no rubbing strake at all, I will do far less damage to them with just wood. The brass seems a bit antisocial, in all honesty.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgkSqMMPlzIa9G3Fp9pCVub6Ssr7lhDyjd5jGxF7PxK-VAuecle3BGrjxF6dtei4FIHBUjRPF4BTpqh0CshxL3bbyWSm8HQByC7MyX60ILRz7RbqbrjjyHZo8oJ0ktAhGgdkn/s3264/13+Jun+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgkSqMMPlzIa9G3Fp9pCVub6Ssr7lhDyjd5jGxF7PxK-VAuecle3BGrjxF6dtei4FIHBUjRPF4BTpqh0CshxL3bbyWSm8HQByC7MyX60ILRz7RbqbrjjyHZo8oJ0ktAhGgdkn/w375-h500/13+Jun+01.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><div>This is the starboard side. In the same way that it's difficult for me to stand back and see what sort of job I am making of these rubbing strakes, it's also difficult for me to photograph them! The underside looked more uneven than I was prepared to fill and fair, so I put teak there, too. I have still spent an unconscionable time on my back scraping and sanding, to the detriment of my poor, abused elbow.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLK8u4VZQ9RKYP7bj_6c9bEpe14HfqTqzqyPy8CwPNZWPC7sgPHqanoDIvOMAXHPuIIjTJSvZ7kvBEovTyKBDRAAr5UPhrRB0hh4GI3YbZf3UQo0u0bM_UYsWnTpQXnt6wk40Q/s3264/13+Jun+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLK8u4VZQ9RKYP7bj_6c9bEpe14HfqTqzqyPy8CwPNZWPC7sgPHqanoDIvOMAXHPuIIjTJSvZ7kvBEovTyKBDRAAr5UPhrRB0hh4GI3YbZf3UQo0u0bM_UYsWnTpQXnt6wk40Q/w500-h375/13+Jun+02.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><div>Here is the starboard quarter with all the fairing required to taper in the strake.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTFl5NGKmTewzQPMha-ffn8yYMHdX9bwGi_GT1IRho2bRVv_W_dY6JnaHt5cpy2R63FSJ-8DEhNDFfYRfn1eqBgpOONgVAaG-NgX5lilmbbmlQVdgV4mu79O6yi3JrEZeXqK2/s3264/16+Jun+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTFl5NGKmTewzQPMha-ffn8yYMHdX9bwGi_GT1IRho2bRVv_W_dY6JnaHt5cpy2R63FSJ-8DEhNDFfYRfn1eqBgpOONgVAaG-NgX5lilmbbmlQVdgV4mu79O6yi3JrEZeXqK2/w375-h500/16+Jun+01.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><div>I decided that the top of the upper strake should be finished in <i>varnished </i>teak, which would tie the whole thing together. Besides, it was also easier than trying to work out what colour of paint to put where!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLf1zHIk_pigwyXA7oagl94fYkJbY4pXZOoEKsuQ_OKpUT_OitM6rXV7bWsnB6zfGs2T6ccxQnx30Wv_zWrk2pcwSMr3utpX507Z9AzvQSqZ0NqMHsiC_WofSj5AMzncEtf5z/s3264/18+Jun+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLf1zHIk_pigwyXA7oagl94fYkJbY4pXZOoEKsuQ_OKpUT_OitM6rXV7bWsnB6zfGs2T6ccxQnx30Wv_zWrk2pcwSMr3utpX507Z9AzvQSqZ0NqMHsiC_WofSj5AMzncEtf5z/w375-h500/18+Jun+01.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><div>Again, I used my trusty decking, doubled to provide the width. It would have been nice to have the correct size of timber; on the other hand, there is a huge satisfaction on scheming out ways of using what I have.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWVn_fiek4Yjg45xoKZ3_up8uE_npGGRh45JpV5UMQ_zwQcautdYgMFcXbRXW0Ucnundk1cLGVsR5RJISQYKy8VuNpqGupyI4oYCHvs_1gBj4kGq_gRTxth0QCNRRzxJuCFtV/s3264/18+Jun+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWVn_fiek4Yjg45xoKZ3_up8uE_npGGRh45JpV5UMQ_zwQcautdYgMFcXbRXW0Ucnundk1cLGVsR5RJISQYKy8VuNpqGupyI4oYCHvs_1gBj4kGq_gRTxth0QCNRRzxJuCFtV/w500-h375/18+Jun+02.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><div>I really love my little junk's open bow. It turned out much better than I had ever hoped, so I decided to show it off with some more teak. I had about a metre of teak that was 100mm or so wide and I have been saving it for just this job.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIvke2vcccBHUB9X5GZWGb1iDes7t_DTNvla-h_wSy6yNgetoLqSRePjFH1-f64btI8Dio-PSLuQVCk22JocfFixJ4sOvlihrkhnA2YJQZ59r8r88O_Ql1HRabRGswytwQdLH/s3264/20+Jun+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIvke2vcccBHUB9X5GZWGb1iDes7t_DTNvla-h_wSy6yNgetoLqSRePjFH1-f64btI8Dio-PSLuQVCk22JocfFixJ4sOvlihrkhnA2YJQZ59r8r88O_Ql1HRabRGswytwQdLH/w375-h500/20+Jun+01.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><div>I put the wood in place using a heat gun to encourage it to bend, and then left it for several days to get the idea. This made it a lot less difficult to glue into place, following as it does, curves in two planes. The yellow masking tape formed a natural 'gutter' as I stuck it into place, which prevented dribbles from landing on the lockers below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_catiwZXLO8T2KDdjSt7exfv5K9aiYTXe2s50ZZU96TC-GTpLrIlqrVk190vu4m4rpYyB4QlamI2TTzZJzJg_g5w2uHDxjT24Zpxx1yJSYXlFQZxn3-vpqcGssZQDAEKDazq/s3264/21+Jun+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_catiwZXLO8T2KDdjSt7exfv5K9aiYTXe2s50ZZU96TC-GTpLrIlqrVk190vu4m4rpYyB4QlamI2TTzZJzJg_g5w2uHDxjT24Zpxx1yJSYXlFQZxn3-vpqcGssZQDAEKDazq/w375-h500/21+Jun+01.JPG" width="375" /></a></div><div>Looking aft to try and get some impression of what it will look like. It's not exactly an informative photo. It will be exciting actually to view the boat when she comes out of the shed. Fingers crossed that the reality matches my imagination!</div><div><br /></div>Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-69359529186995198902020-05-28T09:27:00.000+12:002020-05-28T09:27:33.571+12:00Some shiny paint and rubbing strakesCovid 19 rumbles on, but this country appears to have got off lightly insofar as illness and deaths are concerned. The economy, of course, has taken a hit, but then so it has in countries that have done little to curtail the spread of the virus. We are pretty much 'unlocked' now and lots of Kiwis are taking the chance to go and explore their own country while there's room to move. Tourism may bring in a lot of income and we enjoy meeting people from overseas, but you can have too much of a good thing. Sadly, the leadership which was so admirable during the crisis is completely lacking about the future and instead of taking this opportunity to reset the way we do things, to a low-carbon, environmentally-friendly economy, we are back to Business as Usual. Really, I despair of humanity.<br />
<br />
My life has barely changed at all. I've had some visitors and got to know some of my neighbours in the boatyard a little better; otherwise I just carry on building my boat. Somehow I seem to have less and less spare time, which is why writing this blog has been delayed yet again. We have had some wintry weather: I gave my fan heater to Shirley - it was a waste of time here, the heat just went straight through the plastic roof and sides of the shed - so when I go and visit her I can get warm! It's also getting dark in the mornings and I have a rooted objection to rising by artificial light. I manage to get up before 7 most mornings, but was a bit late the other day, when pouring rain delayed the onset of daylight! It's all more incentive to get the boat finished, and as I'm working with numb toes and sore knuckles, I fantasise about being snug in the saloon, reading Roger Taylor or Hilary Mantel, while the logs crackle in the fire.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I cut wood and mix chemicals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprZ9ERLsbPSqaw5kIMTasxqBMv5Iwfy-K3FU9UAaibyQpw58-Z9xBWyDT1vDYMOp2j5GXEhzi0zmSc-cmEl3bL-yzIMjVL6mdGIlD9Ubr-tIUYOx8weMGSmtTxLaLTo43VIGd/s1600/27+Apr+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprZ9ERLsbPSqaw5kIMTasxqBMv5Iwfy-K3FU9UAaibyQpw58-Z9xBWyDT1vDYMOp2j5GXEhzi0zmSc-cmEl3bL-yzIMjVL6mdGIlD9Ubr-tIUYOx8weMGSmtTxLaLTo43VIGd/s400/27+Apr+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Before painting I wanted to apply the Coppercoat. I had forgotten how difficult it is to apply the first coat. It smears, goes on almost transparently and is altogether anything but satisfactory. Fortunately the instructions call for four coats and I decided to put on five, just in case. Mixing, however, couldn't be easier and because I am using fairly small quantities, a whole batch can be dumped in the roller tray, which means that the copper doesn't settle out too much.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRTDxhz4gUEY5fO5ZFONFIkzs46dfjl0Wu5Luq3oyAEX5KSe97wccXeFi6ZppPjUkQiDVL3dAXSXwcccPPv2sD4bhwtPttu87StIeI6F6zDyb8Ppv4VryFEMDy43CdrM1Df5r/s1600/30+Apr+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRTDxhz4gUEY5fO5ZFONFIkzs46dfjl0Wu5Luq3oyAEX5KSe97wccXeFi6ZppPjUkQiDVL3dAXSXwcccPPv2sD4bhwtPttu87StIeI6F6zDyb8Ppv4VryFEMDy43CdrM1Df5r/s400/30+Apr+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Once coated, they look OK. I'm sure they would look a lot better it I'd sprayed the finish, but they're fine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOemraIzaYjLqrRwohdKnE3qap5n94NKwBk63h8YDgQ56FY03NUMYgvcubApOEp4WKMaaSzGsXvwesSVFuZVdiBlrjsMMrk4raRHLPZGz_nUHKwmJil65CvIc36EKJCdkExdE/s1600/30+Apr+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOemraIzaYjLqrRwohdKnE3qap5n94NKwBk63h8YDgQ56FY03NUMYgvcubApOEp4WKMaaSzGsXvwesSVFuZVdiBlrjsMMrk4raRHLPZGz_nUHKwmJil65CvIc36EKJCdkExdE/s400/30+Apr+02.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The top of the bilgeboards still looks nice and shiny simply because I've decided that they really don't need painting. The graphite/epoxy will protect them and it's easy enough to paint the area that shows in a few years when they start to get scratched and dull.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS9-U5WeOXyBsDcTyiw3t9iGOX1u443CsDYamvkJDh6k_mlRcmEUwRTrBQY0WuwmsrD2aDVL2ON7NnfImrEGucHzX5z-lgd-NCaKyGe72aEN2XAjxr0022iPDvTLD3eHBpBzU/s1600/30+Apr+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS9-U5WeOXyBsDcTyiw3t9iGOX1u443CsDYamvkJDh6k_mlRcmEUwRTrBQY0WuwmsrD2aDVL2ON7NnfImrEGucHzX5z-lgd-NCaKyGe72aEN2XAjxr0022iPDvTLD3eHBpBzU/s400/30+Apr+03.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The rudders on the other hand, are to be painted so I sanded them
down before applying the Coppercoat. These, too, finished up
quite acceptable. Because of the way I took the Coppercoat up to the
chines, on the hull, it was a bit difficult to decide just where to put
the 'waterline'. It would have looked silly at the same level as the
chine - the copper would have gone half way up the transom, so I decided
instead that I would have to live with a rather weird visual effect
from side on. The boat is so quirky that I expect I can get away with
it, If not, I shall bring the black paint down to a more conventional
waterline one day. I think I will probably learn to live with it!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXPs1SCjs-IcQBIsrB3tSawMjh6dbWO0WFY0wTt8Wjw6gJyY64BHgbzejL3IMGhkaCNCeGA9TFYQiMLOEcudq33vTUYSe0fxmdr6J31xs3IT99jFE2czh7n-O201eQ6j6wJy1/s1600/01+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXPs1SCjs-IcQBIsrB3tSawMjh6dbWO0WFY0wTt8Wjw6gJyY64BHgbzejL3IMGhkaCNCeGA9TFYQiMLOEcudq33vTUYSe0fxmdr6J31xs3IT99jFE2czh7n-O201eQ6j6wJy1/s400/01+May+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
After putting epoxy all over the stern of the boat, I then sanded it all off again. The joys of boatbuilding. This was during one of our colder spells and I had to leave the rudders and boards for the moment, while the Coppercoat became hard enough that I dared shift them around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna8aDcI1OwSr6MeA1cJGzbWgarJtr9astBdAv6N8MsezpjrKgk7O8uRLxBkH0qngLPkmVwcYx8uGa-jpgSAch9ZLb_i5kAT3lc4O8_mY8clGtAHwwfY6HHjsie-wLHpmebfLW/s1600/01+May+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna8aDcI1OwSr6MeA1cJGzbWgarJtr9astBdAv6N8MsezpjrKgk7O8uRLxBkH0qngLPkmVwcYx8uGa-jpgSAch9ZLb_i5kAT3lc4O8_mY8clGtAHwwfY6HHjsie-wLHpmebfLW/s400/01+May+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The next job on the list was the rubbing strakes, or 'beltings' as the Kiwis call them, because, according to Noel, they are designed to get belted. Hmm. Visually, this is one of the most important things to get right on the boat. Everyone will tell you how to do this: mark them out and then step back and check for a fair curve with no bumps and hollows. No-one tells you how you can do this in a shed where you can't get farther than a metre or so away from the side of the boat. Add to this the fact that I don't have the sort of 'eye' that can see these things very well and it has to be said that fitting of them is something of a gamble. If it's wrong, it's wrong and in truth, there will be nothing I can do about it. It will turn a pretty (to me) boat into a home-built atrocity, but that's life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezepjKalsuNR7MLZ-plUEtEqK6WfAOu4GFLlZLXIFw-65EJhWLaKZTW4jt2unbUKMw0LDWZHuwaHsUvEfIsJISg1aMJN7PqRGrYyFm-wPavlsHzDqeep4HgasXHovIBgTkm7T/s1600/02+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezepjKalsuNR7MLZ-plUEtEqK6WfAOu4GFLlZLXIFw-65EJhWLaKZTW4jt2unbUKMw0LDWZHuwaHsUvEfIsJISg1aMJN7PqRGrYyFm-wPavlsHzDqeep4HgasXHovIBgTkm7T/s400/02+May+01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I'd put a lot of thought into what size the rubbing strakes should be. Too small and they are a waste of time; too large and they will look clumsy. Fortunately, having made my decision, I discovered that it was the correct one: I didn't have enough timber left for more! I decided against using the saligna: it's certainly hard, but it's a brute to work and as I didn't want to screw from the inside, which would mean lots of filling and painting, I could only use relatively small screws from the outside, which would necessitate very thin laminates to start with. I had two lengths of yellow cedar left and milled up a load of douglas fir left over from the tabernacle. I plan to finish off with teak left over from the decking. It's not that hard, but it's easy to work and of appropriate thickness. And it's a lot lighter than saligna. The photo shows me cutting the large baulk of douglas fir down to a smaller section, before cutting it again in the other dimension.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu6aWN4fh8JtjL7kVIPFbLw7h2N3qSnbLx5jt5U0Q8SbzZuMAXKxsCtAMjgH5a16ji3XSqEl5U7l7BD29Wc_ezOT0yttQRHbWvawZ5h5mCAEOCAJBo0hxvmr_N8QhSu5edrE_/s1600/02+May+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu6aWN4fh8JtjL7kVIPFbLw7h2N3qSnbLx5jt5U0Q8SbzZuMAXKxsCtAMjgH5a16ji3XSqEl5U7l7BD29Wc_ezOT0yttQRHbWvawZ5h5mCAEOCAJBo0hxvmr_N8QhSu5edrE_/s400/02+May+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And these are the laminates, thus formed. There are a few knots, but these can be staggered. The 'beltings' are not structural, after all, and glued throughout their length. The softwood was very accommodating when I came to fit it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRENxDqGtA7Nu-oEkBcQ2N6CuzIBZJOnsxmptam-RPrTvP2SQaYgA3MgDddsoxfCv238j-hfEqSAfDkIm415AqMjKeQQJtDmEk68ubGC5i20Q5iav85o7IZBl6Pr2Bfqcniu7n/s1600/04+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRENxDqGtA7Nu-oEkBcQ2N6CuzIBZJOnsxmptam-RPrTvP2SQaYgA3MgDddsoxfCv238j-hfEqSAfDkIm415AqMjKeQQJtDmEk68ubGC5i20Q5iav85o7IZBl6Pr2Bfqcniu7n/s400/04+May+01.JPG" width="400" /></a> The biggest problem was supporting 4m lengths of wood while holding them at one end. A bit of string tied to handy deck cleats or stanchion bases helped with this. I fitted the first layer and screwed it into place. I then left it for a few days to get the idea and, sure enough, when I came back, it had taken up the curve. This made the actual gluing in place a lot more straightforward.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNWzazfgi8VxeloEjHbYAEEwyY1pqOVHZHMAAvsBVvlENIe8rQhXxsLoCd771woZXJ8Vpb4n5AJqAC_X8VDyd245wIDpYsxoK1wbuI8tYqXik_6VVDHvurGHulQhz8KcPO2TB/s1600/05+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNWzazfgi8VxeloEjHbYAEEwyY1pqOVHZHMAAvsBVvlENIe8rQhXxsLoCd771woZXJ8Vpb4n5AJqAC_X8VDyd245wIDpYsxoK1wbuI8tYqXik_6VVDHvurGHulQhz8KcPO2TB/s1600/05+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNWzazfgi8VxeloEjHbYAEEwyY1pqOVHZHMAAvsBVvlENIe8rQhXxsLoCd771woZXJ8Vpb4n5AJqAC_X8VDyd245wIDpYsxoK1wbuI8tYqXik_6VVDHvurGHulQhz8KcPO2TB/s400/05+May+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
My original plan had been to run the wood out into a taper at a distance from the bow and stern, as is generally done with Western-style boats. However, it just didn't look right, so I looked at some illustrations of junks and decided to do as they do, and have a filler piece joining the two sets of strakes. (Just as they scatter masts with gay abandon and no sense of symmetry, so too do the Chinese add fore and aft timbers which no doubt have a purpose, but which is not always obvious to the Western eye.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34OD7zZhVUMa2-uw6W7yW66LFxTdiTfbp9o4gtlUnMbYHshCd3Wkr1x14b-i8fYL7G7-KYHU-8Q4oU_YPeCLNzPzxp-ZqwIrGeb6ZEIJRb0GN3uRYsjxRle3-7tVtFno3Mx3T/s1600/06+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34OD7zZhVUMa2-uw6W7yW66LFxTdiTfbp9o4gtlUnMbYHshCd3Wkr1x14b-i8fYL7G7-KYHU-8Q4oU_YPeCLNzPzxp-ZqwIrGeb6ZEIJRb0GN3uRYsjxRle3-7tVtFno3Mx3T/s400/06+May+01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The forward end had a slightly different shape. As I mentioned, it's rather hard to stand back and get a proper look.
The photo above was taken by the camera held in my hand as far away as I
could from the bow. I can't get that view!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwVfwrjRWVh2wCDdSoKx50BUAHy-9NjxSLs85aPa5rQ4UOqu1F2yCYRE0EO4LH5ZPRbpLrLunxxIAW1aVdkauh3HJFj0S5GBq1Vhqn8zPRVtdR0eJIt15apDbdqfl4YvPz-8_/s1600/06+May+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwVfwrjRWVh2wCDdSoKx50BUAHy-9NjxSLs85aPa5rQ4UOqu1F2yCYRE0EO4LH5ZPRbpLrLunxxIAW1aVdkauh3HJFj0S5GBq1Vhqn8zPRVtdR0eJIt15apDbdqfl4YvPz-8_/s400/06+May+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
They seem to look OK. Fingers crossed!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYr19oy7umaEdyRyZLOoAbuKMwzqRBHA-qi3DzS1undINuZuhVG2chCjFtYtPr-ESKy7RRJk4yt3Lk8MrohuFkPVMVJPPuQ3FbDWwVkEhi4zzzsbImnolfFNTqhcswKxZvn9i/s1600/08+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYr19oy7umaEdyRyZLOoAbuKMwzqRBHA-qi3DzS1undINuZuhVG2chCjFtYtPr-ESKy7RRJk4yt3Lk8MrohuFkPVMVJPPuQ3FbDWwVkEhi4zzzsbImnolfFNTqhcswKxZvn9i/s400/08+May+01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Meanwhile, the Coppercoat had hardened sufficiently to be able to move the rudders and - finally - get the bilgeboards off the big table, so that I could use it again. Shirley came and gave me a hand with them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU-pN2AxxfmjNS4fQUVDWdnhNIzBkbSy3GE7cguTvKApH9tKGhXGMg_59rubisqXU0rCak0wwDGjXmmE0W0gcjkXKeueahyphenhyphen7NcDddFMxsd8MKOHGyJJHRVYPTQiRly1Ht2AXE/s1600/08+May+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU-pN2AxxfmjNS4fQUVDWdnhNIzBkbSy3GE7cguTvKApH9tKGhXGMg_59rubisqXU0rCak0wwDGjXmmE0W0gcjkXKeueahyphenhyphen7NcDddFMxsd8MKOHGyJJHRVYPTQiRly1Ht2AXE/s400/08+May+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
So I mixed up paint and applied it to the stern, the rudders and the trim tabs. Because of having to do other jobs and making dust, I could only paint at the end of the day, by which time it was dark. In spite of the myth of my perfectionism, I am fully of the opinion that life is too short for sanding and fairing a hull. And too short for going back and reapplying yet another coat of paint if the job isn't up to standard. A "ten-foot job" is more than good enough and the boat will look fine in the water. I am not being falsely modest here - the flash from the camera is pretty flattering!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpYAjPWDB-fwc0bUo31UBK05G4YSw6Nc5Ehi-6eNeXNFUQH-KjOiXw7zYzKMh2ZuC2d59p0ue2GMK3JJw99P1SW8GUpNY25qFGzwTIwa1mqsptDtmVvpp3CvuNlXH9DYrUkJB/s1600/08+May+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpYAjPWDB-fwc0bUo31UBK05G4YSw6Nc5Ehi-6eNeXNFUQH-KjOiXw7zYzKMh2ZuC2d59p0ue2GMK3JJw99P1SW8GUpNY25qFGzwTIwa1mqsptDtmVvpp3CvuNlXH9DYrUkJB/s400/08+May+04.JPG" width="400" /></a> I could now start attaching the rubbing strakes, while trying <i>not</i> to touch the new paint, which took several days to harden off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOIfYsGO1Wuag5ExuLF_eE-PdmOUqCTnaMBI8TdWNFQwZV2OOXCN7BwziyfVICk-ucIObmSIsHWXZS5rizjTop9eDUU0etqBhrktI0atrtMIe1LDP1tFeWbLNTg-jlPiZO-mh/s1600/08+May+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOIfYsGO1Wuag5ExuLF_eE-PdmOUqCTnaMBI8TdWNFQwZV2OOXCN7BwziyfVICk-ucIObmSIsHWXZS5rizjTop9eDUU0etqBhrktI0atrtMIe1LDP1tFeWbLNTg-jlPiZO-mh/s400/08+May+05.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Again, this is the best photo I can manage without hiring a drone. I used washers just to be absolutely sure the points of the screws didn't penetrate the interior.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJdEP-KHKNmnxYqqviTv44p86ZdOhDOKZZFpSxO2dtHsNfGOIhgUuuUAvxkfuRDIlJYvXlp7buzA0Xzl-0WmXM8ZUPpfNJwHNnZuRprHAVCvHyd2Gv6-7BAfYOWvTqeUQD-xU/s1600/11+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJdEP-KHKNmnxYqqviTv44p86ZdOhDOKZZFpSxO2dtHsNfGOIhgUuuUAvxkfuRDIlJYvXlp7buzA0Xzl-0WmXM8ZUPpfNJwHNnZuRprHAVCvHyd2Gv6-7BAfYOWvTqeUQD-xU/s400/11+May+01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
With the paint finally hard enough to allow us to handle the rudders, Shirley and I got them into place on a couple of saw horses. It was a bit of a business getting them around the lute. The price we pay for vanity! I put temporary lashings to keep them in place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbOblhoecdZKtE6jXDPePR-IdjJD7Qyzzd-4IFt3gKIdlBC-pDFIA8m7dIA39tAqyUcHXZ7oFoAXKXdNVrKCW2IJKO_UmR0B2BdUxWaLYglBxa8U1ih4dUQIrNOAt81fooN-B/s1600/12+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbOblhoecdZKtE6jXDPePR-IdjJD7Qyzzd-4IFt3gKIdlBC-pDFIA8m7dIA39tAqyUcHXZ7oFoAXKXdNVrKCW2IJKO_UmR0B2BdUxWaLYglBxa8U1ih4dUQIrNOAt81fooN-B/s400/12+May+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Before I could fix them permanently, I had to put a capping on the stern. This had to be carved out so that the rudder doesn't chafe against it and it was easiest to ensure it fitted when the rudder was actually there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj1fjxLta7dh3TC0NovKdEN4e1dnF2Yt_Oq15C1XizaaWssY_CWw3x_D8n3A7PBwKoG3A1d_QPsQuIgO_txgczASYfDjwWIDScLQBWwVEYChGqF9B8pP2mizgUGqiJ_6et3cB/s1600/12+May+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj1fjxLta7dh3TC0NovKdEN4e1dnF2Yt_Oq15C1XizaaWssY_CWw3x_D8n3A7PBwKoG3A1d_QPsQuIgO_txgczASYfDjwWIDScLQBWwVEYChGqF9B8pP2mizgUGqiJ_6et3cB/s400/12+May+02.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I decided to go with Dyneema for the lashings, because I was concerned that with braid on braid the core might move in relation to the sheath. Marlow used to make a wonderful single braid polyester, but I couldn't find it on their website and, anyway, I would have to order it, while I could just pop into All Marine for the Dyneema. Hanneke and James appear to recommend braid on braid, so I might be making a fuss about nothing, especially as the Dyneema may need replacing in about ten years, due to UV damage. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcLVSG8a_6ltJ_RLrWrs_peIKjv7BXDwSY30NwGOZcW57rpISGwHe8fBHxOndF9I8u2lpuIOWWtWq5oyKaDH-fUAu0wCtLrjSVTZ_wKz2ln8TDtCxKiz0EynLjJ9yyMyAmybU/s1600/12+May+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcLVSG8a_6ltJ_RLrWrs_peIKjv7BXDwSY30NwGOZcW57rpISGwHe8fBHxOndF9I8u2lpuIOWWtWq5oyKaDH-fUAu0wCtLrjSVTZ_wKz2ln8TDtCxKiz0EynLjJ9yyMyAmybU/s400/12+May+03.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
It wasn't the easiest of ropes to work with because unlike polyester, it doesn't melt, so you can't make a nice pointed end with it. The first length, with a whipping from sewing thread was fine, but after that I had more than a few problems and finally tapered the end and wrapped it with sellotape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkjPqpkktvbwdhE_T7C5W2OpH_5hkKFhyaHWT3BFDhPCI7d6qzmCjRMBCTWdCktbA1nI11Z2_n34Az_nhsL0w1UR1OjGxGFKqc1vf3SC2M_MIii13ioSu8hT8EuwBagZ2vide/s1600/12+May+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkjPqpkktvbwdhE_T7C5W2OpH_5hkKFhyaHWT3BFDhPCI7d6qzmCjRMBCTWdCktbA1nI11Z2_n34Az_nhsL0w1UR1OjGxGFKqc1vf3SC2M_MIii13ioSu8hT8EuwBagZ2vide/s400/12+May+04.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I pulled it all as tightly as I could, but it's hard to stop it creeping back again once you've tied the final knot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVttg-6he7-ilNhyphenhyphenpCIWuXxrMgn9SYW-YWgg-rbHjjHz6_YiGmPLilJsFr9-sqxSP-UftCRJLD1fX852nTcgwDm5KPoHRP7XuMalXzzlWTZtylGnkYimcF8nCEKWKnt2jU7Enc/s1600/14+May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVttg-6he7-ilNhyphenhyphenpCIWuXxrMgn9SYW-YWgg-rbHjjHz6_YiGmPLilJsFr9-sqxSP-UftCRJLD1fX852nTcgwDm5KPoHRP7XuMalXzzlWTZtylGnkYimcF8nCEKWKnt2jU7Enc/s400/14+May+01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I wish I had some Coppercoat left to paint it with. The final stage is to fill the holes with epoxy. I spent a lot of time doing this messy job. I assume the point of this is to stop the rope creeping and/or rotating and chafing. Anyway, as I'm a neurotic about water getting into the wood, I did a very thorough job. It didn't end up looking anywhere near as neat as in Wharram's photos! The Dyneema seemed to wick the epoxy, which is great.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCq8-11H5vLP2TMDXt9npPdwO5i9FtJuhsDeZV72FYV9RP0w-gAAhNhEhKqwhojK70_5VpDWgsQXsNAdyk2HllEnFPpQfpQ38AXObUjumq6a7e8MR-hIRjcP4ZxCCUrDhvx4VF/s1600/14+May+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCq8-11H5vLP2TMDXt9npPdwO5i9FtJuhsDeZV72FYV9RP0w-gAAhNhEhKqwhojK70_5VpDWgsQXsNAdyk2HllEnFPpQfpQ38AXObUjumq6a7e8MR-hIRjcP4ZxCCUrDhvx4VF/s400/14+May+02.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
After it had all hardened off, I removed the supports from under the rudders and to my unbounded relief, they didn't suddenly sag down. I'd read of a Wharram builder saying this happened to his and wonder if it was my generosity with the epoxy that stopped this from happening. I am delighted with the finished result. No friction, no rattling, the rudders close to the stern and all for under $50. As the saying goes, 'what's not to like?'<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoMGP1FtGfXEfxY73tV3o-ZMzmFnZaCMG-Dx-YdT5p4hzgldCCbW0sxsbh5stSraCGTY47BOemXVA4mb3PdTH-5paEI1dU_Iana4_j-FKNWFpjerT3UvUI5mZwlG3D8M5cjIm/s1600/26++May+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoMGP1FtGfXEfxY73tV3o-ZMzmFnZaCMG-Dx-YdT5p4hzgldCCbW0sxsbh5stSraCGTY47BOemXVA4mb3PdTH-5paEI1dU_Iana4_j-FKNWFpjerT3UvUI5mZwlG3D8M5cjIm/s400/26++May+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
It's a long time since I've taken a shot from the top of the stairs. The idea was to show the rubbing strakes, but to be honest, it's not a great success in that respect. However, it does show the fact that The End Is In Sight!!Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-83419985203943796872020-04-28T20:21:00.000+12:002020-04-28T20:21:56.987+12:00Catching upAs I think I may have mentioned, I broke my computer screen some time back. Shirley gave me a tablet which is great for most things, but not brilliant for blogging. However, I have managed to get my photos from my camera and with great worries now about all my 'devices' dying on me, have decided to try and get most of <i>them</i> onto this blog. Besides, the nerdy types are probably interested in the building of my bilgeboards, the description of which has been a bit skimpy. I may repeat myself from previous blogs and there may be more than the usual number of typos. Please bear with me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQTwHpDiy9_QnkaJnfEkexgeanGC0aGGR4GTxxXf_zu_UsztvcRk7-FPpDwd_eTlUYrJsJe8khvE_m9hDVfmXd8UvgTrgjbkb3Qg82iP_it1tBFDZ4s-EvVew7OsZb3V_A_Pe/s1600/16+Mar+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQTwHpDiy9_QnkaJnfEkexgeanGC0aGGR4GTxxXf_zu_UsztvcRk7-FPpDwd_eTlUYrJsJe8khvE_m9hDVfmXd8UvgTrgjbkb3Qg82iP_it1tBFDZ4s-EvVew7OsZb3V_A_Pe/s400/16+Mar+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Skinning the bilgeboards was harder than I'd anticipated. The 6mm ply seemed to flop over quite nicely at the dry run stage, even with the temporary screws in, but when it came to gluing it down, it needed a heap of extra screws. It would have been easier with 3 layers of 4mm, but that's life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExBkVqwA-MjH9XiypkKSaK0umADm2MrzU5abSVDruBl7B20Wb50hmKJoT7rsPLnFpJb56P-Nt8BlEIRz9CQ1YBRcitCXz8CCNEHO3MPkqK5Ye37z5y0SfdsMRqf3wRz10Zoci/s1600/16+Mar+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExBkVqwA-MjH9XiypkKSaK0umADm2MrzU5abSVDruBl7B20Wb50hmKJoT7rsPLnFpJb56P-Nt8BlEIRz9CQ1YBRcitCXz8CCNEHO3MPkqK5Ye37z5y0SfdsMRqf3wRz10Zoci/s400/16+Mar+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here you can see the shape of one of the bilgeboards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6HRTRfS0oNxDLUmenD5uCuLewEeQJpFk63oROXsRpV72Ts-moc8lwwb3fEpov3VXI65aANwJTGx1jsJN2GsBMDK615lKSReCtFWAWbO1JDMDAg3ZGx4eu6HnS-WA15HDmwVX/s1600/16+Mar+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6HRTRfS0oNxDLUmenD5uCuLewEeQJpFk63oROXsRpV72Ts-moc8lwwb3fEpov3VXI65aANwJTGx1jsJN2GsBMDK615lKSReCtFWAWbO1JDMDAg3ZGx4eu6HnS-WA15HDmwVX/s400/16+Mar+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And end on you can see the partially covered leading edge. Needless to say, the boards couldn't conveniently be covered with plywood and my remaining stocks had to be juggled a bit. In fact I had to go and buy an extra half sheet for this job.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS6vlp5pgClrMytZKvLUVf6fl51pmAazzPrRyM9nqNQ6h90RPr8zORTPOz6LzWT1jojxQwYZss8yKxj7NTSQH5oNzAK-U-rhyphenhyphenc7BTEwdesJRya2iyrJYqCw76-NURP_f3JcSl/s1600/16+Mar+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS6vlp5pgClrMytZKvLUVf6fl51pmAazzPrRyM9nqNQ6h90RPr8zORTPOz6LzWT1jojxQwYZss8yKxj7NTSQH5oNzAK-U-rhyphenhyphenc7BTEwdesJRya2iyrJYqCw76-NURP_f3JcSl/s400/16+Mar+6.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
A bit of sanding and fairing was required along the leading edge to smooth out where the two sheets of ply met.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoul8f1fFAU2R0V7U4yQ8jJhtPewQLDktlBgXNwnpxvaNRVtLw7oJ1nC9E1noHoOaabmvhbXxg5tn3z3nsDH43BlqmjY8a53-E-RaHtakwN2STbS20p-A-xkSBmykyH8U9PVr/s1600/16+Mar+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoul8f1fFAU2R0V7U4yQ8jJhtPewQLDktlBgXNwnpxvaNRVtLw7oJ1nC9E1noHoOaabmvhbXxg5tn3z3nsDH43BlqmjY8a53-E-RaHtakwN2STbS20p-A-xkSBmykyH8U9PVr/s400/16+Mar+7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I had made a plywood pattern to help me shape the boards and it was used a zillion times. It provided the template for the ends and I was pretty satisfied that the boards were fairly similar to one another and not far from the pattern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsbIwlbYC0jU87H7C6i0sZ9BYe_CvsyH_4peuoHy12Pi6a-JJuNPCSeYMX416WJrFmltaKZ-qj_uA8n2tJ1Mo1if-tCBfEJfTZeE88gurtOWFlfOt76RodMsPpZgQno-7DCWA/s1600/16+Mar+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsbIwlbYC0jU87H7C6i0sZ9BYe_CvsyH_4peuoHy12Pi6a-JJuNPCSeYMX416WJrFmltaKZ-qj_uA8n2tJ1Mo1if-tCBfEJfTZeE88gurtOWFlfOt76RodMsPpZgQno-7DCWA/s400/16+Mar+8.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I had the usual business of coating with epoxy and waiting going on, so I thought this might be a good time to tackle the rudders. Pete and I made the basic shapes years ago and my friend, Rob, had volunteered to shape them. Life (and a new boat!) had got in the way, and when they decided to move house, the rudders came back, with their noses rounded off, but otherwise much the same as when they'd left. So I set about shaping them. Here I am making grooves as a guide to how deeply I should plane the wood off to get a nice taper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae_hZjjzIFTwdnLUnZ5O7QIbz2-3bOHW1klcJlHJR13E27Lt4bo4oJA2QHDUGYBjm4MoJM_DZk4OMvPTsCGdoVLCZdCTIfIwB-nTeX2Cd4GMXxNOCJa800pSnJuN7uPjnBs2V/s1600/16+Mar+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae_hZjjzIFTwdnLUnZ5O7QIbz2-3bOHW1klcJlHJR13E27Lt4bo4oJA2QHDUGYBjm4MoJM_DZk4OMvPTsCGdoVLCZdCTIfIwB-nTeX2Cd4GMXxNOCJa800pSnJuN7uPjnBs2V/s400/16+Mar+9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And here is the first one more or less there. I found it very difficult to get those last few mm off because I was worried about taking too much off one side, or taking a gouge out at the last minute, etc, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA_SOUJzJNcLl0D97dhyphenhyphenQkMQ94owhUmYkcVdnb8we6WIx8oB1QeUWIDZR0xsoKl4L29UPHHT42HKX1AR52nvwfCOEg7zZfIpNmyCL4tLzZTwtBA3qPLbWBmTCCOBRH43Zaz72/s1600/16+Mar+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA_SOUJzJNcLl0D97dhyphenhyphenQkMQ94owhUmYkcVdnb8we6WIx8oB1QeUWIDZR0xsoKl4L29UPHHT42HKX1AR52nvwfCOEg7zZfIpNmyCL4tLzZTwtBA3qPLbWBmTCCOBRH43Zaz72/s400/16+Mar+10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Meanwhile,
back at the bilgeboards: my friend, Gordon, paid a flying visit.
Gordon is both tall and (unsurprisingly) considerably stronger than I. I
desperately wanted to check that the bilgeboards fitted, before
finishing them off. I quickly attached the plastic anti-chafe to them and then he and I manhandled the starboard one into the slot from below, which involved some minor earthworks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQUx542Sa-m8SNoqtGmP7MpLDOZ2jjo_JGhY0siM3NXj2uXnIXy85o3PK9wH-NxZ8uvCb9FY3ohAYusXiZHm9D3QWPwwM5Vl4MiOgsq4NFLRXfj7C6TZu_asvPMuL8ORlu14A/s1600/16+Mar+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQUx542Sa-m8SNoqtGmP7MpLDOZ2jjo_JGhY0siM3NXj2uXnIXy85o3PK9wH-NxZ8uvCb9FY3ohAYusXiZHm9D3QWPwwM5Vl4MiOgsq4NFLRXfj7C6TZu_asvPMuL8ORlu14A/s400/16+Mar+11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
In spite of having bilgeboards in his own boat, <i>Tystie</i>, Gordon, along with just about everybody else, instinctively expected the flat side to go inboard. I have come to the conclusion that our innate sense of symmetry is what makes us expect the curved side of the board to match the curved side of the boat, but it's reassuring that I'm not the only person who had had to think twice about them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKI5KkFCRptPzX_yfFbr0rnysx4hyCvEX2Oreka_ZLHFFtOonXMVvayJTReGfTyw8UWGBTNlvSzOrYe-99fyN7UrPsx0ylvtZjekbQM5_MoCZTrW5pvj3ipeVkBKAkBNROnGEb/s1600/16+Mar+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKI5KkFCRptPzX_yfFbr0rnysx4hyCvEX2Oreka_ZLHFFtOonXMVvayJTReGfTyw8UWGBTNlvSzOrYe-99fyN7UrPsx0ylvtZjekbQM5_MoCZTrW5pvj3ipeVkBKAkBNROnGEb/s400/16+Mar+14.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The fit was acceptably snug athwartships and allowed me to mark where the uphaul block would be placed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUW-gwHQ_tfKr_DMgsmOeKQDgzNJ7zOUErvm2fz1iXj11yL2DMqR7c95lDQ_nY85438hXvltXrCB8YaKbKdl8ZCQFrZDXDt4jCW7WgCGUF4Pd0VxFpv7o8HE9vzeiTj5Rpoa9/s1600/16+Mar+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUW-gwHQ_tfKr_DMgsmOeKQDgzNJ7zOUErvm2fz1iXj11yL2DMqR7c95lDQ_nY85438hXvltXrCB8YaKbKdl8ZCQFrZDXDt4jCW7WgCGUF4Pd0VxFpv7o8HE9vzeiTj5Rpoa9/s400/16+Mar+15.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Fore and aft, the fit was a little too snug. In a nutshell, for some reason the slots have ended up shorter than intended. As the boards require plastic anti-chafe along the trailing edge, the only solution was to take the circular saw to them and trim the to size. As this hardly affected the width of the after end, it was no real issue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aBXrsxCu0Asbzdh7e_VaHjvujU4A-RPiBL2XCA4V9d6za3xR05yRqOTzmRPTH2kh4Q-sWXY11_M4RUmjXX06X0RqeZgTp7j6QZeEc6lwKQ8DeO2sVbtoHtHYa1xib5rK16z6/s1600/16+Mar+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aBXrsxCu0Asbzdh7e_VaHjvujU4A-RPiBL2XCA4V9d6za3xR05yRqOTzmRPTH2kh4Q-sWXY11_M4RUmjXX06X0RqeZgTp7j6QZeEc6lwKQ8DeO2sVbtoHtHYa1xib5rK16z6/s400/16+Mar+16.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
It was very satisfying to see the board in place, if a little frustrating to realise that it would be a while before they are fitted again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i1NBOzpi7wHsUhhWO7qPV0Es63rYYvQ8gUuVZWxKEi-aHq-x7B_mDP2UdptV_rvRLZ2DsG4KIHsZi0ucdE9lRB8astZ9LhzpV8hNDR_AdXqGG1utVAESD-Q8uNukHrj5z1MZ/s1600/16+Mar+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i1NBOzpi7wHsUhhWO7qPV0Es63rYYvQ8gUuVZWxKEi-aHq-x7B_mDP2UdptV_rvRLZ2DsG4KIHsZi0ucdE9lRB8astZ9LhzpV8hNDR_AdXqGG1utVAESD-Q8uNukHrj5z1MZ/s400/16+Mar+17.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We propped it up to get it home. In reality, it can go further up than this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRuorn3wN4vlhrMC-S3D5cjA27EzvJFKgDNU1ejC-9uTtZ5_AKz8eAnZmsMsMJo8m_TU9flTD-Q-5MXMkKvCmy3oL_r9231DsG8LFg2GegaitHNkCMohlspRtLhqhKZgoX1M4/s1600/16+Mar+18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRuorn3wN4vlhrMC-S3D5cjA27EzvJFKgDNU1ejC-9uTtZ5_AKz8eAnZmsMsMJo8m_TU9flTD-Q-5MXMkKvCmy3oL_r9231DsG8LFg2GegaitHNkCMohlspRtLhqhKZgoX1M4/s320/16+Mar+18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Fish-eye view at anchor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmBrKbsjg2-vP6Dz4sBwt3PtimUZX2guwATkZ7eJ183Vpf1lzFa9qy1tBR_5uDrgiPKFejTHlRhKq3Oa38q1V48FVU3H-LC0Bl0V_g_52CzObWsI5Xz-XDsZDaPz6MGLj8Se7/s1600/16+Mar+21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmBrKbsjg2-vP6Dz4sBwt3PtimUZX2guwATkZ7eJ183Vpf1lzFa9qy1tBR_5uDrgiPKFejTHlRhKq3Oa38q1V48FVU3H-LC0Bl0V_g_52CzObWsI5Xz-XDsZDaPz6MGLj8Se7/s400/16+Mar+21.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Looking up the after end. A triangular filler piece with the downhaul block will be fitted here which, unfortunately, means the boards will have to be loaded from a above. I will need to rope in extra hands for this, and with all the physical distancing rules that we have to work around, this could be interesting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vGQHTabzmNJN3Ekm75ioufjhJReECjmOR9k7jdZWZ4krtsGCfDDwCKSboxXP9PSvQDrTSvnSS1CwW_1PIGYcqZ67wddnkKwca5fuY7lu5vKerFyDbPfeQ0giAh_BkH2u3Ye4/s1600/17+Mar+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vGQHTabzmNJN3Ekm75ioufjhJReECjmOR9k7jdZWZ4krtsGCfDDwCKSboxXP9PSvQDrTSvnSS1CwW_1PIGYcqZ67wddnkKwca5fuY7lu5vKerFyDbPfeQ0giAh_BkH2u3Ye4/s320/17+Mar+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So we took it back to the table and I carried on working on it. The next thing was to glass them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2eeEIMa9lhyphenhyphendDvjioV4HOC69KOx1EeOiMdlPHYHA8O6UEZhpBDHwH_faKhGCtzxiuZbWTmBuOCdMHR6_O-Eady89Rf_-TQ52GvOLFeySm6FBlUNXPqudrgrDM-rnyCkjC7u_/s1600/17+Mar+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2eeEIMa9lhyphenhyphendDvjioV4HOC69KOx1EeOiMdlPHYHA8O6UEZhpBDHwH_faKhGCtzxiuZbWTmBuOCdMHR6_O-Eady89Rf_-TQ52GvOLFeySm6FBlUNXPqudrgrDM-rnyCkjC7u_/s400/17+Mar+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This is one job I enjoy, because I know I can do it well. I'm still using the same roll of cloth that Paul, from All Marine, gave me at the start of this project. Considering that other junkie friends have also used it for covering masts and various repairs to their boats, it's done remarkably well! What a wonderful gift.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYX30l-zNXCQG_WUe7LXV5zYZQPwO__3wSIJfpxQg5rddOSKE-mkNgjiOc_WxO4GvNBMBXoEUEjb_4wjYufuWAjHr5WEPtlz2Giamj4vVoEmY_8NpgZJ826947Ii8SNHCDGpuQ/s1600/17+Mar+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYX30l-zNXCQG_WUe7LXV5zYZQPwO__3wSIJfpxQg5rddOSKE-mkNgjiOc_WxO4GvNBMBXoEUEjb_4wjYufuWAjHr5WEPtlz2Giamj4vVoEmY_8NpgZJ826947Ii8SNHCDGpuQ/s400/17+Mar+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
While waiting for the epoxy to cure, I went back to the rudders. The next stage was to glass them. I had applied a fair bit of filler to remove the worst of the bumps and hollows.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0ARxmgvadgytUHNBZvQg9eaE6NAS1l7Dmn4Ucdz6kQtmpmngH3C3NiJzBr032T9CBEiGk1VTtUp2lwEG1jw7B5-rqqgiiULlXPZQWFg2RkDnYUxYW0W9iARcSeI0UImcmeBy/s1600/21+Mar+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0ARxmgvadgytUHNBZvQg9eaE6NAS1l7Dmn4Ucdz6kQtmpmngH3C3NiJzBr032T9CBEiGk1VTtUp2lwEG1jw7B5-rqqgiiULlXPZQWFg2RkDnYUxYW0W9iARcSeI0UImcmeBy/s400/21+Mar+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I am not a great fan of using heavy glass cloth, but made an exception for the bottom of the bilgeboards, which will often act like legs, or 'training wheels' on a child's bike, when I dry out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJNLtt9zbQ2p-HSfKhZgQ4jbWOWb4B0lYZSr7CcZOs1Wk2D4ZIPvmyPAPMuXhGx7KGjX-fEggjuJ0Zu5ge9naNlLvx238NBDUlOsYFPMzYbULJUbDmwakzISupBtZkVisDjKj/s1600/26+Mar+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJNLtt9zbQ2p-HSfKhZgQ4jbWOWb4B0lYZSr7CcZOs1Wk2D4ZIPvmyPAPMuXhGx7KGjX-fEggjuJ0Zu5ge9naNlLvx238NBDUlOsYFPMzYbULJUbDmwakzISupBtZkVisDjKj/s400/26+Mar+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The lower part coated. This will be finished with Coppercoat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVUlFeCA6O0z19AI-Xz1vYafzkFv0OyiKZd-rfh8LrOlHs5_ZzWx8f7-nMlPpIBhnxKSOrMRKmZihBnF_-VMhLBFSdEcOjQrhmCThAAxD2NCaCgsr_ByN_bRuSnlzHi_2dBa2/s1600/27+Mar+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVUlFeCA6O0z19AI-Xz1vYafzkFv0OyiKZd-rfh8LrOlHs5_ZzWx8f7-nMlPpIBhnxKSOrMRKmZihBnF_-VMhLBFSdEcOjQrhmCThAAxD2NCaCgsr_ByN_bRuSnlzHi_2dBa2/s400/27+Mar+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I have decided to attach the rudders using the method popularised by James Wharram Designs. Quite apart from it being an inexpensive way of doing the job, there is minimal maintenance and no rattling. Nor do I need to worry that I have a steel keel and a different metal at the rudder fittings. No corrosion, etc. To be honest, I really couldn't get my head around how the work, even after examining them on Bertrand Fercot's <i>Grand PHA.</i> Nor was I sure how rounded the faces needed to be, so I decided to do a mock-up. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWsYoREPeiqhYMtG3QIo5EXUWEitTnWTb7XLOn67LXOXpz01ECPt2DfBk7zLfgSRwddaIiEN1RAgEmIN8_gNzcDu1X4-kpPyVM8Roe5unKtaS8rEPtMHQM02H7bns7d315lb3/s1600/27+Mar+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWsYoREPeiqhYMtG3QIo5EXUWEitTnWTb7XLOn67LXOXpz01ECPt2DfBk7zLfgSRwddaIiEN1RAgEmIN8_gNzcDu1X4-kpPyVM8Roe5unKtaS8rEPtMHQM02H7bns7d315lb3/s400/27+Mar+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
This showed me what was required and that yes, it does work. To be honest, it still puzzles my poor little brain as to how it does. It reminds me of the 'magic boxes' that a magician friend of my dad's used to have.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvj6ZeaGN9lP-rPFqY_MT9Lc4RPZ1okJH9uld5uc-Dr49iYppjOoNJ90vL1CU3GdjdTO7DSrYMQSm2a4pcMwGAYvmixm8i4WELxrLwIsx492Av4WTuVx5SbeyPB9B7qQACiMyB/s1600/30+Mar+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvj6ZeaGN9lP-rPFqY_MT9Lc4RPZ1okJH9uld5uc-Dr49iYppjOoNJ90vL1CU3GdjdTO7DSrYMQSm2a4pcMwGAYvmixm8i4WELxrLwIsx492Av4WTuVx5SbeyPB9B7qQACiMyB/s400/30+Mar+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Now that I knew the bilgeboards would fit, I could make the support which holds the downhaul block. My ever-useful template allowed me to measure for it fairly accurately - I hope!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rTYWgBqld8nRP-rwQnpwU30a2vDV_4s7lLawXYrSGlCXDvum-JxhLveysFpEt87V6JRxGxAY1zvof2ZfaWYd348DKFJ-yslK1vSMBR3M6OdSY6FhOn7-ufk9G59UbqHqN7dP/s1600/31+Mar+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rTYWgBqld8nRP-rwQnpwU30a2vDV_4s7lLawXYrSGlCXDvum-JxhLveysFpEt87V6JRxGxAY1zvof2ZfaWYd348DKFJ-yslK1vSMBR3M6OdSY6FhOn7-ufk9G59UbqHqN7dP/s400/31+Mar+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
In the meantime, black epoxy was being spread with gay abandon on the bilgeboards. I shall probably leave them like that rather than bothering to paint them. Or maybe not ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioor4k3POVqdDwBok1E_-dD8JSLV-VcFHicu1oEtzMR-nljq6cT8nIGA-Kt1Xk8_XTO4UGD7xelDLwpoegeRmm9nzkKURku4Bdup05vxS7Ug6BMIqdkdgHNyOeQEviWTgtoxu/s1600/2+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioor4k3POVqdDwBok1E_-dD8JSLV-VcFHicu1oEtzMR-nljq6cT8nIGA-Kt1Xk8_XTO4UGD7xelDLwpoegeRmm9nzkKURku4Bdup05vxS7Ug6BMIqdkdgHNyOeQEviWTgtoxu/s400/2+Apr+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
With the boards coated, I could prop them up out of the way, and fix a chunk of wood to screw the block into: the bottom of the slot was only 12 mm plywood and as the block will lift the full weight of the board, I wanted some substantial fastenings for it. If you ever wonder, in a job like this, if it's worth keeping small offcuts - the answer if 'yes'.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdC5sTxQf1BjfhXjAzoX_g0yzEytgFklmkNpJj-y6kaxgi9vMTCMrHsxCF_qmujIxpiQINJlgHnfkIiqDt0S9CDFAi-9HhjpNK55d6JfVKnOi7vaKJ4YcaSp_skyAJ3U3x0r7/s1600/2+Apr+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdC5sTxQf1BjfhXjAzoX_g0yzEytgFklmkNpJj-y6kaxgi9vMTCMrHsxCF_qmujIxpiQINJlgHnfkIiqDt0S9CDFAi-9HhjpNK55d6JfVKnOi7vaKJ4YcaSp_skyAJ3U3x0r7/s400/2+Apr+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here are the wedges that will go at the bottom of the bilgeboard slots. I'm using simple, Ronstan blocks for these. In the end I decided to buy them from All Marine, rather than online. Not only do I like to support local businesses, but if I find I've ordered the wrong thing, I know they'll let me change it for something else.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WsN_uThPcH3iJ4CqssdC1VjfetdYiImjZ_r1AI1L5mn2G6zYXoHufjsbFkZHUBxgHKxdpep18RWHrJ7qJ-QXokPkd4pa6POitxse08U9Mbm6qe3OkBssKzV7jmtdBedBaFAu/s1600/3+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WsN_uThPcH3iJ4CqssdC1VjfetdYiImjZ_r1AI1L5mn2G6zYXoHufjsbFkZHUBxgHKxdpep18RWHrJ7qJ-QXokPkd4pa6POitxse08U9Mbm6qe3OkBssKzV7jmtdBedBaFAu/s400/3+Apr+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I screwed the wedges in place - making sure that only a maximum of 10 mm of screw went into the hull. I hate fastening things to the hull - one of the disadvantages of a small, plywood boat is how thin the skin is!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQIi4bmzvuq6_116p7Y2uKIorxO4DOfkWl3pwNpjBPrGV5n7L1BGrzF7jqos9qPul4Wg3D9UGOJ3qRmLO5NXkUCxsMzmuUlodb2-wY4pXfIe5CWKddkx8vBHKqjYmjihXabte/s1600/4+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQIi4bmzvuq6_116p7Y2uKIorxO4DOfkWl3pwNpjBPrGV5n7L1BGrzF7jqos9qPul4Wg3D9UGOJ3qRmLO5NXkUCxsMzmuUlodb2-wY4pXfIe5CWKddkx8vBHKqjYmjihXabte/s400/4+Apr+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The boards coated with resin on the lower part and resin/graphite on the upper part, with the blocks fitted and the clamp screwed on, that will hold the standing end of the up/downhaul in place, could finally be moved off the table and out of the way, so that I could get on with other things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkKlJnFqU4w0TjVdZ0AyaJdPU1eNQaP7vUlPUdimErljeQnCNBrY7G2duWNEUOkr7s8hkbBYqICsSgggFFx3IKB4xGfG87DKWGojl9IJlwaV3PHgYgRMAF_vuExxz7eT32NWP/s1600/4+Apr+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkKlJnFqU4w0TjVdZ0AyaJdPU1eNQaP7vUlPUdimErljeQnCNBrY7G2duWNEUOkr7s8hkbBYqICsSgggFFx3IKB4xGfG87DKWGojl9IJlwaV3PHgYgRMAF_vuExxz7eT32NWP/s400/4+Apr+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
And seeing as how I was working on the rudders, the 'next thing' might as well be their trim tabs. I considered using saligna, but once again, its weight counted against it, in addition to the fact that shaping such hard wood was going to be a mission. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93UbZmsUhOxhP2zW1n8suP9SlFI7BiSq16b4kiipRu9pTAqjakE_QeVByx8B8TVPdxE2T12uFHdB8AQQ4zQMIV1rK3J8nPReGlUAZo39kL1FEp_pBe4zfrp5T1YTe6wjY_XlO/s1600/6+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93UbZmsUhOxhP2zW1n8suP9SlFI7BiSq16b4kiipRu9pTAqjakE_QeVByx8B8TVPdxE2T12uFHdB8AQQ4zQMIV1rK3J8nPReGlUAZo39kL1FEp_pBe4zfrp5T1YTe6wjY_XlO/s400/6+Apr+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I still had some of my kauri siding left (thank you Gordie!) and reckoned that even the paint removal, planing, sawing, plugging etc that these required, was still going to be less work than machining, gluing and shaping the saligna. And certainly a lot easier. Kauri is a delight to work with. I cleaned up four big planks, cut the worst bits off and staggered their splits. I'm getting to the end of it, now and most of the wood is pretty knocked about. Anyway, I used a generous number of screws to hold it in place while the epoxy cured.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtLVhX5tocZsvTkSgydoS-pQ8oNnD0qENK0Q-Ia98J0TCTo-qswufv6N_ejRZhE2qfUC_wEPR-tm_ghtYQ4NHfdW5bMnF5OpeyFaYI-SjuD7b3KGuytwYbDLoOMHPWItLFlck/s1600/6+Apr+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtLVhX5tocZsvTkSgydoS-pQ8oNnD0qENK0Q-Ia98J0TCTo-qswufv6N_ejRZhE2qfUC_wEPR-tm_ghtYQ4NHfdW5bMnF5OpeyFaYI-SjuD7b3KGuytwYbDLoOMHPWItLFlck/s400/6+Apr+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
At this time, the easiest way to fit the rudder to the boat appeared to be to make small stern posts. I could then line everything up on the table and then have no problem when it came to matching rudder holes with stern post holes, when it came to lacing them on.<br />
<br />
I had a hefty lump of kauri and it cleaned up pretty well to make the two stern posts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzMrcD2HiFMa1GUN_ff_Vqnd7vGjVU-DtKqb2ynqvhTKzQ9d2G0gygdrTwwVzO-Y03RYxJw6OpflaqBiNG-lRqu8vVYQY3Pizauv8_jxE-Q9iKJ9YBGi8qDSIWAER2vZS_ddA/s1600/9+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzMrcD2HiFMa1GUN_ff_Vqnd7vGjVU-DtKqb2ynqvhTKzQ9d2G0gygdrTwwVzO-Y03RYxJw6OpflaqBiNG-lRqu8vVYQY3Pizauv8_jxE-Q9iKJ9YBGi8qDSIWAER2vZS_ddA/s400/9+Apr+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I matched the stern post to the rudder at one side and the trim tab at the other and marked where the ropes would go.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oa9_Ohd9ckTHNwTpOunxwmEbh_oILpqzyRNK6edg_aA-8bixYlvH9HAjPKgxauLAE_Ccm7Gp9jtw5rp9FvzQtaPzlH5ZsBayl_7pcdu-NJLinnrtLOkP0r-xFrQm1YI0aFuv/s1600/9+Apr+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oa9_Ohd9ckTHNwTpOunxwmEbh_oILpqzyRNK6edg_aA-8bixYlvH9HAjPKgxauLAE_Ccm7Gp9jtw5rp9FvzQtaPzlH5ZsBayl_7pcdu-NJLinnrtLOkP0r-xFrQm1YI0aFuv/s400/9+Apr+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I temporarily fitted the stern posts and everything was going well, until I offered up the rudder and realised that there wasn't sufficient width for stern post, rudder and trim tab. These little challenges are sent to try us and are one of the reasons why I will be quite happy never to build another boat.<br />
<br />
A lot of tooth sucking and a couple of sleepless nights later, I decided that it is only at the top of the rudder that there would be a problem. The skeg, to which the rudder will be lashed, goes all the way up to the top of the stern. My solution - yet to be tested - is to send the rope lashings through the skeg in the same way as lower down, and then back out through the transom. Hmm. David tells me that he intended the rudder to fit flush to the stern and assumed that I'd put a bronze fitting top and bottom. I can see how the bottom one would work, but for the life of me cannot see how a fitting could be attached at the upper end ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8OC6usElFkH2pr7Y9E0vzw8eCxrT5rD9XHl-w0TjKP6tploAdrFRsH3FVrermer5E6wAbR-y8ITaf-tvuXHUr6JtYbDoODlQliLm-ivZscwQsvy6msugC4WaEAqF_Cm7gOZ1/s1600/11+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8OC6usElFkH2pr7Y9E0vzw8eCxrT5rD9XHl-w0TjKP6tploAdrFRsH3FVrermer5E6wAbR-y8ITaf-tvuXHUr6JtYbDoODlQliLm-ivZscwQsvy6msugC4WaEAqF_Cm7gOZ1/s400/11+Apr+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Anyway, I got couple of saw horses and added scraps of plywood to bring them to the correct height. With Shirley's help the rudders were placed in position and I could then mark where the matching, lashing holes should go. An extra 12mm piece of wood had to be added to the after end of the skeg to bring it out in line with the transom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j6I5Wf3V6L977k4kRFsqQ8SXQ9j9N_wLiMk73BLeUHs_yTi3X1FGbLg20hRpDVtR0lCqM4XoQPLMrF0Gbq2wRTLu9pMS9-FB9ovpLrYpJWs2R48WInI4F4W8CYtCICMAKMF_/s1600/11+Apr+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j6I5Wf3V6L977k4kRFsqQ8SXQ9j9N_wLiMk73BLeUHs_yTi3X1FGbLg20hRpDVtR0lCqM4XoQPLMrF0Gbq2wRTLu9pMS9-FB9ovpLrYpJWs2R48WInI4F4W8CYtCICMAKMF_/s400/11+Apr+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
It was quite something to see the rudder in place! And looking just like the drawing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi590AvvozhV380IAXlmT-4YjXAmv0ETDMyJtEMiN50TvZcIfNqL3zR7-aL_Xmw6GayfcOarwwcJJWbGg-9tQ6QYmR3K-fxKd5V0OYXtzkDXKPNeimU4JCKdDM1OL4WBxGWB0fS/s1600/12+Apr+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi590AvvozhV380IAXlmT-4YjXAmv0ETDMyJtEMiN50TvZcIfNqL3zR7-aL_Xmw6GayfcOarwwcJJWbGg-9tQ6QYmR3K-fxKd5V0OYXtzkDXKPNeimU4JCKdDM1OL4WBxGWB0fS/s400/12+Apr+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Drilling the upper holes was awkward, but nowhere near as awkward as lacing the lashings is going to be. I am a patient person when it comes to this sort of thing, but I anticipate that my reserves will be at rock bottom by the time I've done the job twice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNLc9bt5Vyg7KhUj4Db-M9o7Yv0rf1aq7X8EhrEgg2nIzzy8H9M-cXQlAjf_RhvZCEYqecW08fLQgON0_skB_s-7mN1SCVTLfkDYQjz11bjhMoUGvC8oGqfAjhq87zZ2V_lzF/s1600/13+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNLc9bt5Vyg7KhUj4Db-M9o7Yv0rf1aq7X8EhrEgg2nIzzy8H9M-cXQlAjf_RhvZCEYqecW08fLQgON0_skB_s-7mN1SCVTLfkDYQjz11bjhMoUGvC8oGqfAjhq87zZ2V_lzF/s400/13+Apr+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The upper part of the trim tab needed a fair bit of wood taking off in order to fit in the gap; however, there is still plenty left.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhMiWeNWMShCc07l3PqTqOtThP6PSmHpznhj7pWAplJmRkzzhMekKtASNujD-yz8ZTMwVbuh3DNbbRE9317i8LymR8Zz3jw67xMgpbZykSCxHqT0W24vwKpYwDJdX5F4bpdIn/s1600/13+Apr+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhMiWeNWMShCc07l3PqTqOtThP6PSmHpznhj7pWAplJmRkzzhMekKtASNujD-yz8ZTMwVbuh3DNbbRE9317i8LymR8Zz3jw67xMgpbZykSCxHqT0W24vwKpYwDJdX5F4bpdIn/s400/13+Apr+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
They were shaped with plane, belt sander and random orbit sander, with a fair bit of hand planing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOPjI46QcdwRrbN8GLjvHy_3c8IUhtVDeWLgloW2mTpM4_oPNhqS2_vqF0RpkSeNDBu-xmqsiLrcwDIo3e7-qCHzuYAlv-mTmgdxZXLZo7TTFveel8sU4ef57314Dj6f6P-zp/s1600/15+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOPjI46QcdwRrbN8GLjvHy_3c8IUhtVDeWLgloW2mTpM4_oPNhqS2_vqF0RpkSeNDBu-xmqsiLrcwDIo3e7-qCHzuYAlv-mTmgdxZXLZo7TTFveel8sU4ef57314Dj6f6P-zp/s400/15+Apr+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Wharram Designs suggest 5mm rope and rebating the grooves by 3mm. I didn't reckon this was a place for the router, so did it the old-fashioned way with a chisel. I have spent a fair bit of time teaching myself to use a chisel. I am hardly an expert, but it is satisfying to be able to do a reasonable job in this way. The lower face still needs cleaning up. I made a jig to hold the drill in place to make the holes vertical. It sort of worked. Needless to say, the photo shows one of the best examples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw50xr6uVU4EF_2QygLJNHHdr6-ahsAK75UcJPjYTAAzCKlf-QXqUMtfMySWOWldrDIOEJJrh4XYB8O2p8xxbtyqUMh3hukeRZkK7Sy2k0NSFC31BfA0pVmZLYfeMquerNsi5G/s1600/15+Apr+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw50xr6uVU4EF_2QygLJNHHdr6-ahsAK75UcJPjYTAAzCKlf-QXqUMtfMySWOWldrDIOEJJrh4XYB8O2p8xxbtyqUMh3hukeRZkK7Sy2k0NSFC31BfA0pVmZLYfeMquerNsi5G/s400/15+Apr+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Matching, but slightly staggered holes, had to be drilled in the skeg. I made a template that supposedly has made this foolproof. This remains to be seen. I really, really dislike doing this sort of job. I know only too well how profoundly stupid I can be and it's more than a nuisance if I get it wrong. Fitting out the interior is much more fun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XLmNPP8bKp7KsISik0sJwLLowaNHkFD-lxwUg8qFlss83FUfH0utDEVS4LKoCMrzOyIMwnAcx69pyq34Q-IFi9ooEiH5KK8IJir4qHu_g22Gv1W0fB62w_cQ4oXFIseaXn-k/s1600/16+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XLmNPP8bKp7KsISik0sJwLLowaNHkFD-lxwUg8qFlss83FUfH0utDEVS4LKoCMrzOyIMwnAcx69pyq34Q-IFi9ooEiH5KK8IJir4qHu_g22Gv1W0fB62w_cQ4oXFIseaXn-k/s400/16+Apr+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The trim tabs turned out quite well, although it was a bit of an issue trying to get them to be both a fair shape and 5mm thick at the trailing edge. And of course, they are supposed to be perfectly symmetrical and identical, one with the other. Yeah, right. I just hope they aren't disastrously different. It's jobs like this that make me wonder why I ever started this project.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsbIcNKDomPINiE_Rq0bqgbrFAAhySQx8a70chcBpoiFdlpTebr7m_L68a8wnDDz4SsHxE3WJbIdbSZh49oy3OthEBonNuGM8iPC60wESgIpMjbUyr9_Ae3RBztMe44UPMnnU/s1600/16+apr+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsbIcNKDomPINiE_Rq0bqgbrFAAhySQx8a70chcBpoiFdlpTebr7m_L68a8wnDDz4SsHxE3WJbIdbSZh49oy3OthEBonNuGM8iPC60wESgIpMjbUyr9_Ae3RBztMe44UPMnnU/s400/16+apr+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This is the little 'foolproof' template for marking out the holes. I used the same one for the trimtab as the drilled out smaller holes. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkN627hPuRyiV7-X572t2LJ_OmNEbFEsbmM07W9Klf7qBGDl8Gfppd-DFAxTJsgR9RYZUrKFHM8bgLElXHpsIQ34xUDlf1j8LfE2mLrbZpALSnRrKCLVm7X3g-UJm4tZU8yzz/s1600/17+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkN627hPuRyiV7-X572t2LJ_OmNEbFEsbmM07W9Klf7qBGDl8Gfppd-DFAxTJsgR9RYZUrKFHM8bgLElXHpsIQ34xUDlf1j8LfE2mLrbZpALSnRrKCLVm7X3g-UJm4tZU8yzz/s400/17+Apr+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here the holes have been drilled on both rudder and trim tab. You can see the endplates on the rudder here. Somewhere there are a couple of photos of fitting them, but they seem to have disappeared! Anyway, the endplates are made from 12mm plywood and stuck on either side. This means that the bottom of the rudders that might, on occasion, hit the bottom are solid hardwood. Hopefully, should one of the endplates get trapped and come off, it won't damage the rudder too badly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSByouEkMxbCbK92f3676LpyiLBqBb6T53Ze0ICcX0bh3GBy03AgDLasQwVCqsE8gbfGedg3R5ta9H9OsXShspHtb4dVTw7wHT3PxQCRq0SLchuYydVXmg089nMUq0e_WUUFO/s1600/20+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSByouEkMxbCbK92f3676LpyiLBqBb6T53Ze0ICcX0bh3GBy03AgDLasQwVCqsE8gbfGedg3R5ta9H9OsXShspHtb4dVTw7wHT3PxQCRq0SLchuYydVXmg089nMUq0e_WUUFO/s400/20+Apr+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I did my usual trick with 2mm string and epoxy to make the 'waterline' on the rudders and trim tab. Because of I decided to put Coppercoat all over the lower panels of the hull, and in order to keep the sheer of the waterline looking nice, there will be a lot of copper showing above the water aft. Or at least there <i>should </i>be if the boat ends up anything like the plan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUKsLBTHoro6x92gXj9nTSgiTXpFhylIKoyqAlzp2gkT12dKltG82k1GeopBV5t_4D4nGTupL9A7KpaHsGRPhJf6taOgKnkov-zAikDWHiYV6TP9C8hCbzdjgUEQZnF9vTU9V/s1600/23+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUKsLBTHoro6x92gXj9nTSgiTXpFhylIKoyqAlzp2gkT12dKltG82k1GeopBV5t_4D4nGTupL9A7KpaHsGRPhJf6taOgKnkov-zAikDWHiYV6TP9C8hCbzdjgUEQZnF9vTU9V/s400/23+Apr+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The rudders stand up quite nicely on their endplates, which makes them a bit easier to move out of the way and generally manhandle around the shed. Although taller than I and made of saligna, I can lift them up and carry them from one end of the shed to the other, as long as I get the centre of balance correct.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7_IrmhhReCgrxnmRkX08SiS7_7bVs2DanfqdJBWho7GYTNh-mqgnGXrbuaOBAoazJNE75G4_IUVQ2ZIh7qyeHi1xiDMdXovinUqzD5ee7ieo2JRqR35E9bPF8cjCOZs1-Cbd/s1600/23+Apr+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7_IrmhhReCgrxnmRkX08SiS7_7bVs2DanfqdJBWho7GYTNh-mqgnGXrbuaOBAoazJNE75G4_IUVQ2ZIh7qyeHi1xiDMdXovinUqzD5ee7ieo2JRqR35E9bPF8cjCOZs1-Cbd/s400/23+Apr+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The fact that they would stand up made it possible to coat them with epoxy and graphite in one day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5QwnmPE-CsUC-GWwfrnTIOSoTeAOhGU3C8TyOV3f6-gzwmCs3QGUSEHf932OpNwMD2ZjAfdYhSD9NBhEpiNXa82pCvP8g27zPqYenukdLJGbJL09010NzmzPM7pzuoN0q7Vg/s1600/23+Apr+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5QwnmPE-CsUC-GWwfrnTIOSoTeAOhGU3C8TyOV3f6-gzwmCs3QGUSEHf932OpNwMD2ZjAfdYhSD9NBhEpiNXa82pCvP8g27zPqYenukdLJGbJL09010NzmzPM7pzuoN0q7Vg/s400/23+Apr+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
By clamping the trim tabs to the table leg, I could get them done in one hit, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUO8CuKR1Lr5MOcV2l6xx8L8JmN9azLFemPMTfD-G4DC2AY4oeAXmvvJX_9lfXQoNpIP_ZzOsXcQLNS7IaeC9bVxplK8CJ7OcivRmCFHW56OXzMCmGveC7z0OnOrnAE674wzy1/s1600/24+Apr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUO8CuKR1Lr5MOcV2l6xx8L8JmN9azLFemPMTfD-G4DC2AY4oeAXmvvJX_9lfXQoNpIP_ZzOsXcQLNS7IaeC9bVxplK8CJ7OcivRmCFHW56OXzMCmGveC7z0OnOrnAE674wzy1/s400/24+Apr+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And while I was at it, I coated the whole of the stern. I won't do this for the rest of the black painted area - it's a lot of work to sand it back and probably not worth it, but I wanted the extra epoxy here: there are more joins than elsewhere and the shiny black is brilliant for showing up all the bumps and hollows. <br />
<br />
So, up to date at last. The next job is to get the Coppercoat on and then, when it's hardened off, I may as well attach the rudders and get them out of the way. They and the transom, will all need painting first, of course.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-86486603357428890732020-03-29T17:00:00.002+13:002020-03-29T17:00:34.668+13:00Blogging in the time of CoronavirusWell, it looks like Gaia has finally lost patience with us and forced us to accept the fact that, actually, we are not in charge of this planet. Blogging about something as frivolous as building a yacht might seem inappropriate, but how are we to bear the present if we don't believe that there will be good things again? However that might be, Fate has stepped in to control my enthusiasm. I managed to crack the screen on my laptop on Friday and as we Kiwis are in "lockdown", unable to purchase anything other than food, household necessities, medicine and (mercifully) wine and beer, there is no chance of my either replacing or repairing the machine. Add to this that in my quaint, old-fashioned way, I use a camera to take my photos, then you can appreciate that this blog will be extremely brief.<br />
<br />
Actually, this is barely a problem. I have been.working on the rudders and bilgeboards, which both require vast amounts of sanding, filling, sanding, glassing, sanding, coating, sanding ... you get the picture. None of these is particularly photogenic, so my rather pathetic photos from the phone are quite sufficient to show you my progress. Well, they would be if I could get far enough back from the rudders.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2_F2FZYqYF8CgDTv4dSQdrYKMG0-ndaEQQTB8CaOg9NvCbPQmSn6lTOM9HCVUqH59Q0847KOwx6j0baYJieVj6UYV6THnzcGR5unQCiJyfpnF05ZIiiu7wqpc33FsPFwa1cd/s1600/20200329_155431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2_F2FZYqYF8CgDTv4dSQdrYKMG0-ndaEQQTB8CaOg9NvCbPQmSn6lTOM9HCVUqH59Q0847KOwx6j0baYJieVj6UYV6THnzcGR5unQCiJyfpnF05ZIiiu7wqpc33FsPFwa1cd/s400/20200329_155431.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The bilgeboards are just about finished and in the photograph you can see the plastic anti-chafe sheeting. HDPE. I have yet to screw on the clamp for the uphaul rope (or is it the downhaul? I'm still trying to figure out the geometry of it all!) and fit the block that goes in the slot that can be seen on the left-hand board. I have coated the upper part with epoxy and graphite and will Coppercoat the lower part when I do the rudders and trim tab.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRtWz6umgVNHQKVz6Iwhi5-wnPpN8L7DrWUmxBQ0F76XLzfJ2xbGnf8TQFW6OnOctNclVjkNwf_kE2SMlbLcmtijo89ApRr7nhjlBBU5kMcxa-PHqAIwHO7DW-P9LZzBWI5nt/s1600/20200329_155533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRtWz6umgVNHQKVz6Iwhi5-wnPpN8L7DrWUmxBQ0F76XLzfJ2xbGnf8TQFW6OnOctNclVjkNwf_kE2SMlbLcmtijo89ApRr7nhjlBBU5kMcxa-PHqAIwHO7DW-P9LZzBWI5nt/s400/20200329_155533.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This rather uninformative photograph shows one of the endplates at the bottom of the rudder. The idea od fitting endplates is that, apparently, they make a shallow rudder more effective by forcing the flow of water along the full-length of the rudder, if I have understood this correctly I have stuck them on the sides of the rudders rather than making them in one piece and putting it on the bottom. The rudders are higher than both skeg and keel, but there is a chance that the boat could rock back on them when I ground the boat, or that I might not realise that there is a rock conveniently placed to catch one of them as she settles. It would be easier to replace one wing than the whole plate and without, I hope, damaging the rest of the rudder too much. These will also be glassed and then the rudders will get Coppercoat on them.<br />
<br />
Life at Norsand Boatyard goes on much the same for me. It must, however, be a worry for the owners, with 31 people laid off and no-one with much of an idea when, or if, life will get back to normal. The yard has about a dozen or so occupied boats and those owners who come from overseas have even less idea of what the future holds. Visas have been automatically extended for most of them and most of them seem fairly philosophical about the disruption to their lives. As someone said to me today, there are thousands of people far worse off. So far we don't appear to have anyone infected, but who knows? Although we are all endeavouring to keep isolated in our own particular "bubbles", single people have been encouraged to take on a friend to share with. Apart from anything else, this means only one of the two people needs to go shopping, reducing exposure for everyone. I am very fortunate that Shirley hauled <i>Speedwell</i> out not long before all this Covid-19 business started, so we are seeing rather more of each other than we perhaps anticipated! It's wonderful to have her here and to be able to offer my shed, some of the tools, etc to help with her work. We live one day at a time.Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-14631141557454647302020-02-26T09:23:00.000+13:002020-02-26T09:23:11.111+13:00The bilgeboardsIn
spite of being described by no lesser authority than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilgeboard">Wikipedia</a>,
my choice of bilgeboards seems to have caused immense confusion among
both visitors and correspondents. So let me clarify what they are
<i><b>not</b></i>.<br />
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
they are not centreboards; while
centreboards go through the bilge, bilgeboards do not go through the
centre
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
they are not twin keels<i>,
</i>because they are neither fixed nor ballasted
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
for the same reason they are not
bilge keels
</div>
</li>
<li>they are not leeboards, because they are not on the outside
of the boat.
<br />
</li>
</ul>
They are lifting boards, situated towards the side of the hull,
which go through the bilges. And I have started to make them.<br />
<br />
This is the sort of job I like least. It is critical that I
don't make any mistakes, but they require large, heavy pieces of wood
to be machined, which are difficult to handle and wearing to move
around, particularly in the recent extreme heat. I would much
rather handle dinky pieces of kauri than full sheets of 12mm plywood,
but the consolation is that I think I have now sawn up my final sheet
of plywood. I must be making progress! I have also needed to
manhandle large saligna boards, which weigh a ton and threaten to
remove my finger ends whenever I put them down. The bilgeboards
themselves are as tall as I am and nearly a metre wide, so that
moving them around is a bit fraught. However, progress is being
made, as you will see. Firstly, however, I completed the
companionway, in order to keep the dust from getting inside the
boat.<br />
<br />
I loved my fold-down washboards on <i>Fantail</i> and decided to
use them again on this boat. My first issue was getting the
acrylic cut. I made a template that fit perfectly (for once)
and took this along to my local Metroglass and asked that the pieces
be cut out of 10mm acrylic ('Perspex'). After taking the
acrylic back for the third time, I finished shaping it myself.
Something I could have done without, knowing how brittle and easily
scratched it is. But my patience had worn a little bit thin and
so too, had that of the man at the shop. I should have gone for
a looser fit, obviously.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KxktEKKPDUCqQ_04pk5fQOGdf2bCF6pH9MIRN53u8ueAddzQzBFRevExFpFPqCovSuYbSi9KmtqvLGUYw6lPEvD81uvH3lPs11D7Tuirk57iIUXzqLLL8Bl40mR3dKQ7ieBZ/s1600/28+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KxktEKKPDUCqQ_04pk5fQOGdf2bCF6pH9MIRN53u8ueAddzQzBFRevExFpFPqCovSuYbSi9KmtqvLGUYw6lPEvD81uvH3lPs11D7Tuirk57iIUXzqLLL8Bl40mR3dKQ7ieBZ/s400/28+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The trouble with fold-down washboards is that the need <i>hinges</i>, my personal <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>bête
noir. </i>The easiest way to make sure I got this right was to fit the boards and hold them firmly in place. I could then add the piano hinge in situ.<br /><i></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U60WVjjFd_74khRPz8OgRZOqwLt9J6q3suNqti5HAS48TnntnEDVvGpTcRphWW37HBJsQ18IKOa5lcuZKdVhR2paUDRIEEpzTNJqGW66HtvVxL9rby_6QudGBQky2icQcREu/s1600/28+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U60WVjjFd_74khRPz8OgRZOqwLt9J6q3suNqti5HAS48TnntnEDVvGpTcRphWW37HBJsQ18IKOa5lcuZKdVhR2paUDRIEEpzTNJqGW66HtvVxL9rby_6QudGBQky2icQcREu/s400/28+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This is the piece that caused all the problems. I have finally, <i>carefully,</i> planed and sanded it until it fits.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccn5b26FVMhYmhW7zgr4gBaEvv5HdhOHec5k4e0C35v_Q099cMC8zRyvzFuAw31cQKCJ_pC8UuCHoprj7V28gyysMeKG6iDUzgScH8vS0LsuNv-hOGnSQrr7EeVVMIgEhmvGF/s1600/28+Jan+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccn5b26FVMhYmhW7zgr4gBaEvv5HdhOHec5k4e0C35v_Q099cMC8zRyvzFuAw31cQKCJ_pC8UuCHoprj7V28gyysMeKG6iDUzgScH8vS0LsuNv-hOGnSQrr7EeVVMIgEhmvGF/s400/28+Jan+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
With the bottom hinge secured, I could put the top flap in place and mark for the middle hinge. One advantage of it ending up too large was that it allowed me to remedy my mistake: I have asked for the pieces to be cut at right angles instead of at an angle to encourage water to drip down the lower board rather than through the gap. However, the area has been designed in the assumption that rain and the odd splash will come down, so a slight leak won't be an issue, anyway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3K3JQAcJEicbZpMTFAZ2tLlKqsCfCUcwN8X6nO6hAc43O3io9TmHOv0V6KMNmd0sTl5HLXjQMaawoB8NWr62XJY1tU2Bzvgz2PtROlG1cS1xx16OowBM6mZygoUb_syUZ7Q8/s1600/28+Jan+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3K3JQAcJEicbZpMTFAZ2tLlKqsCfCUcwN8X6nO6hAc43O3io9TmHOv0V6KMNmd0sTl5HLXjQMaawoB8NWr62XJY1tU2Bzvgz2PtROlG1cS1xx16OowBM6mZygoUb_syUZ7Q8/s400/28+Jan+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
When I fitted the lower hinge, I realised that I had made the 'sill' too high so had to chisel out for the nuts. I suppose I could have put the machine screws in the other way round, but that would would have meant countersinking the acrylic and I would have been worried about cracking it. Next time I get the yellow paint out, I'll touch it up and it will be good as new!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3EqTaKTxRc0gBQmcE4KIQttELblgfXCOhhnWAp6FGDsjKYJqsHAivOPwYXZqVxq4rpZ5Ul9ZDGq2TtVUwZAnadm1wW8KLObM9z8_scgVJbkm62GTcDcfy-gTb_8c_D9T5NUq/s1600/29+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3EqTaKTxRc0gBQmcE4KIQttELblgfXCOhhnWAp6FGDsjKYJqsHAivOPwYXZqVxq4rpZ5Ul9ZDGq2TtVUwZAnadm1wW8KLObM9z8_scgVJbkm62GTcDcfy-gTb_8c_D9T5NUq/s400/29+Jan+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The 'washboards' fitted and closed. There are two teak struts for them to land on, when opened. This means you can safely stand or sit on them. I ensured that it was level, too, so that it serves as a handy little table.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsth8xf9lYa3H4uDdAwwP_CWmdWdZ4Pg-sM6O_Qz8JsG9zCCZQ2Bw7vO0UQy1qdphEN8zRUClp8i42k4LrUA-3gYkY0sP0ZvZ2UEItDWameA0UatPZTC3I9Z-R5rrQ0XFTXzl/s1600/30+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsth8xf9lYa3H4uDdAwwP_CWmdWdZ4Pg-sM6O_Qz8JsG9zCCZQ2Bw7vO0UQy1qdphEN8zRUClp8i42k4LrUA-3gYkY0sP0ZvZ2UEItDWameA0UatPZTC3I9Z-R5rrQ0XFTXzl/s400/30+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I had two, pre-coated sheets of 12mm plywood left over, just what was needed for the bilgeboards. I had forgotten what hard work it is, manoeuvring these big sheets about. When I lift them up as high as I can, they are only about 20mm off the floor!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAnI-6rOUzb783MI9Y4WV9yMilttfPwNQb6mkvqDmjX44EWix8S9u15ZrDE6UXT_LywgW-tGZTFAcVpGQwv2lJsMEZJDL9hVNdwNZ6gRjf__d-sTJMcJcdnwqzWhJGW1lth_C/s1600/30+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAnI-6rOUzb783MI9Y4WV9yMilttfPwNQb6mkvqDmjX44EWix8S9u15ZrDE6UXT_LywgW-tGZTFAcVpGQwv2lJsMEZJDL9hVNdwNZ6gRjf__d-sTJMcJcdnwqzWhJGW1lth_C/s400/30+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I made a full size drawing of the bilgeboard, so that I could measure from it and match it to what I was making. When there are plenty of things that I can get wrong, I like to make the process as fool proof as possible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglomc-F9yozL_13nxcpAoZ9yDlhf495jUizIvPCoXna8jPLyaLdlPWehgD0mgXX764fNZMem24OzB-XP9sLnfY3a0MNcCXKsCOMbornUlPxLEU_z5K4eLTd79JcOPjdPHXA2Y/s1600/30+Jan+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglomc-F9yozL_13nxcpAoZ9yDlhf495jUizIvPCoXna8jPLyaLdlPWehgD0mgXX764fNZMem24OzB-XP9sLnfY3a0MNcCXKsCOMbornUlPxLEU_z5K4eLTd79JcOPjdPHXA2Y/s320/30+Jan+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The first face of the first board, cut to size and marked out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2ykXDiepd1LwL7Bavvl8dcocKp3oPK1c4KtA5_j1-jQmdmPqwpHoyNThlyTOajYDLstaBY9prK3DYEDC6bydms2Y-TlqEiX9S6icbdxwBtRBL6Aw2qt9ySHVZlTiNV5ASMpV/s1600/31+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2ykXDiepd1LwL7Bavvl8dcocKp3oPK1c4KtA5_j1-jQmdmPqwpHoyNThlyTOajYDLstaBY9prK3DYEDC6bydms2Y-TlqEiX9S6icbdxwBtRBL6Aw2qt9ySHVZlTiNV5ASMpV/s400/31+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I had spent half a day hauling out boards of saligna from the stack and machining one of them to make the framing. As I laid them in place I realised that they were going to make the board so heavy that I'd be unable to lift it. Obviously, I need to be able to shift them about and ideally, without risk of injury. Fortunately, I had some big lumps of totara, which I'd bought for another job but which had proved unsuitable. I had just enough to do the framing and the wood was a delight to work with. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJQ8BXunSydSJDCkXq26t_7DT-asLYzNQTtilPvMX281DGHquLXtS1b1g76gY-renZ8LxMCE4nBoFDavf2FHzUcI3Z9SPdyTB9017PxntPlPKXjbaKKr_3DY-mjpJMg5uK2-Z/s1600/31+Jan+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJQ8BXunSydSJDCkXq26t_7DT-asLYzNQTtilPvMX281DGHquLXtS1b1g76gY-renZ8LxMCE4nBoFDavf2FHzUcI3Z9SPdyTB9017PxntPlPKXjbaKKr_3DY-mjpJMg5uK2-Z/s400/31+Jan+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The best thing about the totara was that it was just about the correct thickness, while the saligna needed laminating after being machined. Instead of taking several days, I had the first board framed up in a day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnehlY4jKhu_pBeijYtvIfE-DjLuLAG2Lam-HtXu227GPnoGcBWWi3mozdwLypjvJLqqm6HfsyLr9ZFdl-sgG8oZNNkrmQBabio3NhemdDkXxRVlsEc2QymO-ydj0z2klS4lk/s1600/1+Feb+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnehlY4jKhu_pBeijYtvIfE-DjLuLAG2Lam-HtXu227GPnoGcBWWi3mozdwLypjvJLqqm6HfsyLr9ZFdl-sgG8oZNNkrmQBabio3NhemdDkXxRVlsEc2QymO-ydj0z2klS4lk/s400/1+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And the next day, I did the second board.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6arS2p9wWlISI0k7JsU8dATEECb-OaBdDniDaHF541maGOLIEDzl2E0JRaxfSwlodfGEsMDNLXeqGWnLHaEEKXuhN3WtFarr8TZQ8fSmmC6AVFQcO9YhW33RA97vrmMHtwnsS/s1600/1+Feb+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6arS2p9wWlISI0k7JsU8dATEECb-OaBdDniDaHF541maGOLIEDzl2E0JRaxfSwlodfGEsMDNLXeqGWnLHaEEKXuhN3WtFarr8TZQ8fSmmC6AVFQcO9YhW33RA97vrmMHtwnsS/s400/1+Feb+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Fortunately, I can just about get the two of them on the big table and move them around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtX65Pa8xFhjBceTLeJyB7l8NJGN1rpR1k2zjF2Zh1lYv8vPmPittxp2f9rcsMOnqOjT7JxPLeT1Bhz7Y5wmkEcw36gVTw7sW6dlYYGFkMhWCPgvL8zbjTPcu8am5LewIiMOr/s1600/4+Feb+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtX65Pa8xFhjBceTLeJyB7l8NJGN1rpR1k2zjF2Zh1lYv8vPmPittxp2f9rcsMOnqOjT7JxPLeT1Bhz7Y5wmkEcw36gVTw7sW6dlYYGFkMhWCPgvL8zbjTPcu8am5LewIiMOr/s400/4+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The framework provides the basic shape of the board. I knocked the hard edges off the high points to make it easier for the plywood to make a fair curve.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU2cnXqnOM3wGJ4h8-Rw9Jd32Cf-OPL1f6t6I0BwBGItP9vsQg-Md9DVWI_XtCHqV0EXhd6Bsfs-c0QRxp4SOzuMsdo5_sgsZjPaMmHk4O9h2OZRaigNiZAYt-WG9pgcGWas1/s1600/4+Feb+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU2cnXqnOM3wGJ4h8-Rw9Jd32Cf-OPL1f6t6I0BwBGItP9vsQg-Md9DVWI_XtCHqV0EXhd6Bsfs-c0QRxp4SOzuMsdo5_sgsZjPaMmHk4O9h2OZRaigNiZAYt-WG9pgcGWas1/s400/4+Feb+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
When I first started using the big woodworking machines, I was terrified of them and didn't dare adjust the table. Now I tilt it without a second thought. (The bandsaw I am more reluctant to adjust, because it is difficult to put it back plumb.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LzmauHVNljmA0-vPmEgB6YMfMEnv5c8ZEdwUXQ6d0pcebLkorlIKsgIJRN0gZGIhUESuNZ7u2YRIdd_7Xyoj-H6bDSIilujpz4HN0UTmye8n5UuyLRWNETRCydXg7cxyuY_N/s1600/4+Feb+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LzmauHVNljmA0-vPmEgB6YMfMEnv5c8ZEdwUXQ6d0pcebLkorlIKsgIJRN0gZGIhUESuNZ7u2YRIdd_7Xyoj-H6bDSIilujpz4HN0UTmye8n5UuyLRWNETRCydXg7cxyuY_N/s400/4+Feb+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
As much out of curiosity as anything else, I decided to try the basic board in the slot - while I could still move it around. The flat side goes outboard, which seems odd to my tidy mine - surely the curve should follow the curve of the hull? Of course, it's obvious that the shape of the board has little to do with the shape of the hull: it is a wing and the curve is to help "lift" the boat to windward.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OepmuJHJEFFVzMgfrsbffDsW8QHiIzSqKP04XUXdpqAKp6tmB3gmdxnb9FI3-OsknFEXfnIlLTejAH7g70TCgrq8fXl4D2a9W_9d2uvH3AGSLLCgoR2DwR5PZfdNCUr83jyg/s1600/4+Feb+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OepmuJHJEFFVzMgfrsbffDsW8QHiIzSqKP04XUXdpqAKp6tmB3gmdxnb9FI3-OsknFEXfnIlLTejAH7g70TCgrq8fXl4D2a9W_9d2uvH3AGSLLCgoR2DwR5PZfdNCUr83jyg/s400/4+Feb+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
In reality, it won't come down quite as far as this. It is designed so that about 1 metre of board protrudes when it is down.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFOe9D7OReFCf4PP3fJDN8HwY8PQHeokdDgj4MA4QDrjyikplhKfsOuypqj6c3sl2sj4FAetyc3lfMmGsVRjItGVMrcPKloCDO3meAziOHeCULZMQMclHD1IZf_QI5nmv0azF/s1600/4+Feb+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFOe9D7OReFCf4PP3fJDN8HwY8PQHeokdDgj4MA4QDrjyikplhKfsOuypqj6c3sl2sj4FAetyc3lfMmGsVRjItGVMrcPKloCDO3meAziOHeCULZMQMclHD1IZf_QI5nmv0azF/s400/4+Feb+6.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
With all the other things in the photo, it's not really that clear, but
you can just about see the shape of the board created by the framing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeU8YFYJnJBcUPIob2bYaA-zTcxDlOkrB9cKTkiPdDeg9daEAd4a0RJI5XHrHzAVFMEEW5xx3KRoZjXVrxZzSIrrr35Y0ceNV2pE0jHmjfpkRcvnyBUwxmJKfGuPc_saFEAUB/s1600/4+Feb+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeU8YFYJnJBcUPIob2bYaA-zTcxDlOkrB9cKTkiPdDeg9daEAd4a0RJI5XHrHzAVFMEEW5xx3KRoZjXVrxZzSIrrr35Y0ceNV2pE0jHmjfpkRcvnyBUwxmJKfGuPc_saFEAUB/s400/4+Feb+7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And this is the view from above, with a couple of wedges pushed in, to hold it into place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbKNvlU5WuKFPysRVIwG4SqU9dEcQXd65ErQcLhQWzWA_146SpbqfcCrNt6Aklb_9_8YSyh-rIQqFizZhOcwDO7Y_rQYAWoeogK6xi1DIoFajuIkkuA9OolUzlqZYpxpDuY-3/s1600/4+Feb+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbKNvlU5WuKFPysRVIwG4SqU9dEcQXd65ErQcLhQWzWA_146SpbqfcCrNt6Aklb_9_8YSyh-rIQqFizZhOcwDO7Y_rQYAWoeogK6xi1DIoFajuIkkuA9OolUzlqZYpxpDuY-3/s400/4+Feb+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
In the hope of producing the desired result, I followed David's design slavishly. I check both the dimensions of the machined wood and the gaps in between carefully, before gluing them into place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fW8-NE_cYYx-Wvm8rc93_x49Cm8Ul6s8Vwrw3WjoiUj4Kiyx4hqGZCabc6-7IkeAl9L9__xFW34CUFo-BYD4r55PkJw5f-paBor8nMv4ZiABkPV5AydfWi4u52ORoh3LdgG5/s1600/5+Feb+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fW8-NE_cYYx-Wvm8rc93_x49Cm8Ul6s8Vwrw3WjoiUj4Kiyx4hqGZCabc6-7IkeAl9L9__xFW34CUFo-BYD4r55PkJw5f-paBor8nMv4ZiABkPV5AydfWi4u52ORoh3LdgG5/s400/5+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
If I had known then what I know now ... Once again, the 6mm plywood was more difficult to bend than I'd anticipated. It seemed fine at the 'dry run' stage, shown here, but when I came to glue it down, it buckled along the leading edge and required a lot more screws to hold it down. I should have used 4mm - it would have taken a little longer, but been a lot less stressful - especially with temperatures in the 30s. Even the super slow hardener was starting to kick off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYnC3Nd_NWtJ00NpN3yXR_xR0dtHwQ-fm1tuVnfxavUURUfVX0A8iHpMQhgaWwlkNeIaKz8aiQ8fAn8QlQOoiOpHiYVokF1oTSxqUYVQH3pfeDyiQI189do7esVkqKAylASMR/s1600/7+Feb+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYnC3Nd_NWtJ00NpN3yXR_xR0dtHwQ-fm1tuVnfxavUURUfVX0A8iHpMQhgaWwlkNeIaKz8aiQ8fAn8QlQOoiOpHiYVokF1oTSxqUYVQH3pfeDyiQI189do7esVkqKAylASMR/s400/7+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
As you can see, the leading edge looks fine, here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUtl_ivx0NAHt9y361PlnFy4I67c2k1CdcbAQhDCS11hLJxtwQ7BDACPOmMtoUj0BnIKHZ6Kn6JYSYL-kgA4ZEP0lW8-hIt3nlhd7CP1y1fPbqRH3j2xvGBO1QLC5oinWkGoo/s1600/8+Feb+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUtl_ivx0NAHt9y361PlnFy4I67c2k1CdcbAQhDCS11hLJxtwQ7BDACPOmMtoUj0BnIKHZ6Kn6JYSYL-kgA4ZEP0lW8-hIt3nlhd7CP1y1fPbqRH3j2xvGBO1QLC5oinWkGoo/s400/8+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
In this photo, it is obvious that I've doubled the number of screws. To add to my woes, I had heaps of 4mm plywood knocking around and had to go and buy an additional half sheet of 6mm to finish the job!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hwAFSnuylG0lzhhv5BAg8q5XC1oXrpDbbwJ1FuMhRxE-wqxmLfyjKpFszLFBIdBXLuZ6ciyRJ06Cq15qDL4CsKRVotxPO2lOc0-008CXRoGbGfOYQ1pvQ1cTAg_duwpytgFH/s1600/11+Feb+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hwAFSnuylG0lzhhv5BAg8q5XC1oXrpDbbwJ1FuMhRxE-wqxmLfyjKpFszLFBIdBXLuZ6ciyRJ06Cq15qDL4CsKRVotxPO2lOc0-008CXRoGbGfOYQ1pvQ1cTAg_duwpytgFH/s400/11+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
After gluing down the first layer, I then cut out the slot. A block is attached at the lower part of this to allow the board to be raised and lowered.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx55Z-JfGtercppE9yV1fRAcixraU-MnUdMidpXr019D8pJbo9eEKqNtL0Id5r2U9P_QKW0sLicx8V723uBP6JvwS975yIhxlg0LNH62E1UY1UtnaAjDxCHHh9xoe1tDRVUZO7/s1600/18+Feb+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx55Z-JfGtercppE9yV1fRAcixraU-MnUdMidpXr019D8pJbo9eEKqNtL0Id5r2U9P_QKW0sLicx8V723uBP6JvwS975yIhxlg0LNH62E1UY1UtnaAjDxCHHh9xoe1tDRVUZO7/s400/18+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Temporarily, I left the boards alone to do another job. I had been given some fibreglass stanchions, but when I came to consider fitting them, they were really too big for my little boat, being 35mm at the base and about 32mm at the top. The size meant I needed to make bases, too and I could get them fairly inexpensively via E-Bay. The extreme camber of the deck meant that they needed big wedges of teak to level them up. The extreme expense of teak meant that I essentially had to make it from thinner stock and then shape it on the bandsaw.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_OFbFdDxQtTtLLxn2CBb9GW2Gus9dAwUD6_PXE3C7kQlBTSRWqgKLZaij9kstXp80FhQhEep2wbnwC_ZYI6TveY0ksBwErbYY5TGi-iPptB3bto25i0WxBMImCkWE9QP-7Ki/s1600/19+Feb+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_OFbFdDxQtTtLLxn2CBb9GW2Gus9dAwUD6_PXE3C7kQlBTSRWqgKLZaij9kstXp80FhQhEep2wbnwC_ZYI6TveY0ksBwErbYY5TGi-iPptB3bto25i0WxBMImCkWE9QP-7Ki/s400/19+Feb+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And because Thinking Ahead doesn't come naturally to me, I had to cut the toerail back to fit the stanchions. The stanchion bases I chose (ie the ones I could afford) were high aspect ratio, which meant that the teak needed to be even thicker at the outboard edge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xc06koA3IvtXf3898y4X9G7f0RLY5SKgtMhWp2HSn7ly1K7CgOOoeUiEKx9PFI2Q-5IZMLY1M-B7k2FtbvKDxQWhtriwQIPbMQlgwmuUScoWJ3sFH0ZwxqepqBrXS4JNBpM4/s1600/19+Feb+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xc06koA3IvtXf3898y4X9G7f0RLY5SKgtMhWp2HSn7ly1K7CgOOoeUiEKx9PFI2Q-5IZMLY1M-B7k2FtbvKDxQWhtriwQIPbMQlgwmuUScoWJ3sFH0ZwxqepqBrXS4JNBpM4/s400/19+Feb+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Cutting the wedges so that the stanchions will be (more or less) vertical took a bit of working out, but I am happy with the results.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitnuxtfuisgLRB5JTcHvUcnNeWM8J90dmgnh-PB4CHn0P8Ra_IkvicIKYWHT7oqgeXcgZZGEOx0StP0lCDn1izuWwbDFb8J8xgJp1ryfvL7VkZhmW5IqOvx2pmSSC_ofX-R0k/s1600/19+Feb+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitnuxtfuisgLRB5JTcHvUcnNeWM8J90dmgnh-PB4CHn0P8Ra_IkvicIKYWHT7oqgeXcgZZGEOx0StP0lCDn1izuWwbDFb8J8xgJp1ryfvL7VkZhmW5IqOvx2pmSSC_ofX-R0k/s400/19+Feb+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I held them down with long, 12g screws. They were then backed out and reset with the WEST hardware bonding method. I am always worried about shearing screws off when doing this: you don't want to leave traces of grease when something is a permanent fitting, so the only way to back them out is, ideally, just before the glue sets. Using an electric screwdriver is asking for trouble. My cranked, ratchet screwdriver gives sufficient leverage to slowly break the screw out. Square head drives are almost essential for this type of work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACTMcKF4Umh9F390bU1YDouKaW5aT4VGHgJHWhiHEvpTHtVArJ7uU8vzOwSHnJcHd-my9Dvq5EEi5sGdCDuO6MlxTg-cqyUy8SHDkZevgGWrhA24zkG17mj_mm574tErlgJeU/s1600/21+Feb+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACTMcKF4Umh9F390bU1YDouKaW5aT4VGHgJHWhiHEvpTHtVArJ7uU8vzOwSHnJcHd-my9Dvq5EEi5sGdCDuO6MlxTg-cqyUy8SHDkZevgGWrhA24zkG17mj_mm574tErlgJeU/s400/21+Feb+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There are three stanchions each side. The middle ones needed a different base, because the triangular ones wouldn't fit against the hinged lid. No doubt the pundits will tell me that the rectangular ones fitted here will pull out. Tough.<br />
<br />
That job done: back to the bilgeboards, but that will have to wait for the next time I blog!<br />
<br /></div>
Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-70550193952240388922020-01-26T17:06:00.001+13:002020-01-27T12:50:03.159+13:00The cockpit and around the companionwayI do realise that it is ages and ages since I posted. Blame it on Christmas, New Year, Tall Ships (and the depression caused by seeing the world going up in flames and Our Masters reckoning The Economy is more important than having a planet to live on). However, on the plus side there are lots of nice photos for you to look at, although with so much else to catch up, I'm not writing up Tall Ships this year: you will have to join the JRA and see all the photos in the magazine!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7z6y9RtinTJ4zcpw3vyQHsJDT01Rc7KPpNgj4K6ZqkeWJwR6rc4sP4rBhajMRlMvBdJ0w-4sgtCut8IEDnE3w5UZm__zyksJxPJM_Iu0llPzIS6EU6Uiz1DdIIvDM4OfgI0k/s1600/15+Dec+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7z6y9RtinTJ4zcpw3vyQHsJDT01Rc7KPpNgj4K6ZqkeWJwR6rc4sP4rBhajMRlMvBdJ0w-4sgtCut8IEDnE3w5UZm__zyksJxPJM_Iu0llPzIS6EU6Uiz1DdIIvDM4OfgI0k/s400/15+Dec+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The cockpit was just about completed, last time I wrote, and I fitted the echo sounder. Ideally, I would have a photo of it after painting, but I forgot, so I'll put it in now while I remember. An odd place for an echo sounder? Yes: just about visible from the tiller, but there are so many wires sticking out of the back of it, plus a separate alarm that has to be fitted adjacent, that I couldn't bear the thought of it in either saloon or galley. So here it is. I always use the shallow water alarm anyway, so I hope it will be satisfactory where it is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqbhKCEVwar01-0060yLZaHYklo9LCwPrQIRpqxzHhp1_sR6oUi8VHc3aWKS2IxdyQW9OMdQ4T6gbKyva1i_CJRJ3wURsxO36IGsYLgpX6bTr1rpwdeLSy-GsHSydrgC7-GTo/s1600/15+Dec+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqbhKCEVwar01-0060yLZaHYklo9LCwPrQIRpqxzHhp1_sR6oUi8VHc3aWKS2IxdyQW9OMdQ4T6gbKyva1i_CJRJ3wURsxO36IGsYLgpX6bTr1rpwdeLSy-GsHSydrgC7-GTo/s400/15+Dec+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
There was quite a lot of filling, sanding and preparing the companionway for the acrylic 'washboards'. They are not really washboards, but two pieces of clear acrylic that fold down. I find washboards a real irritation when I have to keep going in and out. I like this solution. Many people don't.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm4aMG9AxpL0LkmJKXRz2bPY3xaj4MQtq1MH4bMRZZ3lSVYdUFFNkvKezClIlzA_JCqTKI7JsJblnwv3q1OXpBR4g-VnS2KwP6sp383UJg3V8jvh1y5xn0KkqU4PkwqfFk7ms/s1600/15+Dec+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm4aMG9AxpL0LkmJKXRz2bPY3xaj4MQtq1MH4bMRZZ3lSVYdUFFNkvKezClIlzA_JCqTKI7JsJblnwv3q1OXpBR4g-VnS2KwP6sp383UJg3V8jvh1y5xn0KkqU4PkwqfFk7ms/s400/15+Dec+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Astonishingly, I don't seem to have taken any photos of the deck with the covering boards and king plank picked out in varnish. I think they look nice like this and these are the areas that often have things attached to them. Generally when a piece of teak wears down, all you need to do is chisel it out and replace it with a new length. However, if there are things attached to it, it is more of a mission. The varnish stops the teak wearing and thus it should last the life of the boat. Contrary to popular prejudice, teak does not thrive from being scrubbed or even simply being left bare. It weathers like all other wood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHSu3m2y_NXXdekMzvrPpLyThPFUAdj5pEM8dVpjchxGZpkp6ReZUD6A-puRxiVgbpYx3DSQaX9ZoVP8qyD0s5-jgoFfIPVXJ7y_hne57W9GVScQA8qq0wMlW8CzhlO27vrQw/s1600/15+Dec+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHSu3m2y_NXXdekMzvrPpLyThPFUAdj5pEM8dVpjchxGZpkp6ReZUD6A-puRxiVgbpYx3DSQaX9ZoVP8qyD0s5-jgoFfIPVXJ7y_hne57W9GVScQA8qq0wMlW8CzhlO27vrQw/s400/15+Dec+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Before I could finish the cockpit, I needed to paint and varnish the lids.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQOALsH_3a041UXfJiCBCjYTnkW41HZfS7BJFcb63YcAdcRzaMrzbIu94sf-vVedZptnl3KUfHuASJn2-8orh5uc44doXciWkvPRn_1YEELfDKC9F2BWcjFSReO83CEY3QSre/s1600/15+Dec+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQOALsH_3a041UXfJiCBCjYTnkW41HZfS7BJFcb63YcAdcRzaMrzbIu94sf-vVedZptnl3KUfHuASJn2-8orh5uc44doXciWkvPRn_1YEELfDKC9F2BWcjFSReO83CEY3QSre/s400/15+Dec+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And while the varnish was drying, I could carry on with the pram-hood area and the plinth for the bubble. Making these was a real challenge for me. In all I had to make four perfectly-round toruses (or is it tori?), ie doughnut shapes. Making one perfectly-round doughnut was a nightmare and making four took me a lot longer than I care to think about. The first attempt wasn't that good and I actually found it easier to cut the plywood on the bandsaw than with a jigsaw. Towards the final fairing of about the third one, I realised that the spoke shaves that John Welsford lent me were perfect for the job - even with plywood. But the sanding and fairing went on for much longer than it would have taken a 'real' boatbuilder.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1so_osf0KwUvgpMOPY5zdli0a7pYMRZmqJ2x8H12xQwLOInLpF6iYSQbZBv5fSVvqA2Lm3phBRT4iWabY8hEEXJzLK_pj_b73wfddEkdYKIur0ZXzi3DyMHLpM5DQQQO02Q8-/s1600/17+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1so_osf0KwUvgpMOPY5zdli0a7pYMRZmqJ2x8H12xQwLOInLpF6iYSQbZBv5fSVvqA2Lm3phBRT4iWabY8hEEXJzLK_pj_b73wfddEkdYKIur0ZXzi3DyMHLpM5DQQQO02Q8-/s400/17+Dec+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I varnished the lids first so that any paint spills would be easy to clean off. They are now ready for painting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmFTo3Sr29E1D-3L3jiQawIOrkBsmp5veB0lMELcI7NQV5j_L4u1Sfr14pcMs2OEHvdJG4Em8UMGJgM1VObUSotiLM3FqSuQIH8PF4OigiHBxTTa4GXUvKlr0cHAvtfKVIp0r/s1600/17+Dec+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmFTo3Sr29E1D-3L3jiQawIOrkBsmp5veB0lMELcI7NQV5j_L4u1Sfr14pcMs2OEHvdJG4Em8UMGJgM1VObUSotiLM3FqSuQIH8PF4OigiHBxTTa4GXUvKlr0cHAvtfKVIp0r/s400/17+Dec+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And while I'm at it, I might as well paint the cockpit. (Note the holes for the echo sounder.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DutcHaZyq47znv7hhXYo6VP5xxrmf9z0ephDA1-61uIfX5l06DRf675hGVfwhx87MZvPrS0HIohd_vab6dSsESBiTz9Sy6A2lFcwGOugvFF4dBP00v_So4To9bGVdJv6aVTM/s1600/17+Dec+4.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DutcHaZyq47znv7hhXYo6VP5xxrmf9z0ephDA1-61uIfX5l06DRf675hGVfwhx87MZvPrS0HIohd_vab6dSsESBiTz9Sy6A2lFcwGOugvFF4dBP00v_So4To9bGVdJv6aVTM/s400/17+Dec+4.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
And, come to think of it, why not the bulwarks and the stern, too?<br />
So
there were several days of almost ceaseless painting, which was all
highly satisfying, because the patchy primer had been depressing to look
at.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJ-x4oZnO7PeapHakxSne3sKEDWLzM1sYAQ1XUci9L8JJ840j0opdFXn7fKdTQMW2B-r7a_AcVI0x8w_EPh6O4kGCXoBalkJ-E9dG62VIEqI_C6iHYMP_oiL9_YMd0jE-9NoA/s1600/24+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJ-x4oZnO7PeapHakxSne3sKEDWLzM1sYAQ1XUci9L8JJ840j0opdFXn7fKdTQMW2B-r7a_AcVI0x8w_EPh6O4kGCXoBalkJ-E9dG62VIEqI_C6iHYMP_oiL9_YMd0jE-9NoA/s400/24+Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
There: doesn't that look pretty? I must say that I love the yellow, but realise it's not to everyone's taste. It is so pleasing building a boat that only needs to suit me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA4gPJfe_2O-sUnVwWZxk4x77D7akMSeoF57ktlS7A2TWo3NJAjR1tej5eqC-VVxHV9uRxZmER1Ax2Imes-rnO50nD0pBVSrFOxtLwOztM3d_8hcTVmus-GO52GLLz4_doxCW/s1600/24+Dec+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA4gPJfe_2O-sUnVwWZxk4x77D7akMSeoF57ktlS7A2TWo3NJAjR1tej5eqC-VVxHV9uRxZmER1Ax2Imes-rnO50nD0pBVSrFOxtLwOztM3d_8hcTVmus-GO52GLLz4_doxCW/s400/24+Dec+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This was my Christmas present to myself and being a simple little soul, I am getting endless pleasure out of simply looking at it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoRoalwcScxzIw3-cjS6v5egRNpwostRI_iunYXaqLADXR0FdQ5FWMp9Hfg4CI0WEpRpfe3Emzd_dSx1v059McnKh7kV7qCBq74Rj3MA9Ze_k-TbJsJsQd6_4o52V5CmM5CMW/s1600/24+Dec+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoRoalwcScxzIw3-cjS6v5egRNpwostRI_iunYXaqLADXR0FdQ5FWMp9Hfg4CI0WEpRpfe3Emzd_dSx1v059McnKh7kV7qCBq74Rj3MA9Ze_k-TbJsJsQd6_4o52V5CmM5CMW/s400/24+Dec+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And the cockpit itself, from the centre deck. Such a shame that the BBB (aka outboard motor) has to mess it all up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7pv3H59gCyIqd0zywsdPJYz0slNmfDYL4xu2973ZTUD3226-mgR5_3aeY2Hi3S3i3K7jyU0WCoHH4S76iU1ckoP-bHC4zpl7xVSEWl5dCQ9IRp6xuwMGhEU_juisxa6ViaEI/s1600/24+Dec+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7pv3H59gCyIqd0zywsdPJYz0slNmfDYL4xu2973ZTUD3226-mgR5_3aeY2Hi3S3i3K7jyU0WCoHH4S76iU1ckoP-bHC4zpl7xVSEWl5dCQ9IRp6xuwMGhEU_juisxa6ViaEI/s400/24+Dec+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The upper seating is wonderfully comfortable and will be more so with a cushion or two. I can just imagine sitting up there looking around while the boat sails herself along. Bliss.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4C4rIJW_9UIgu0jKT3sNUDUjuGCuinhPWVbbU7nZasT1tlRqUre7DWgwDqOSgLpJPce_juC-85cm62cd4Fq6P-Mi_chFyxSVVwBzFqxS_gEAKX1MjI2kUNV1g5dq1HIh0tAh/s1600/28+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4C4rIJW_9UIgu0jKT3sNUDUjuGCuinhPWVbbU7nZasT1tlRqUre7DWgwDqOSgLpJPce_juC-85cm62cd4Fq6P-Mi_chFyxSVVwBzFqxS_gEAKX1MjI2kUNV1g5dq1HIh0tAh/s400/28+Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
However, back to reality. Fitting the plinth for the dome/pram-hood was a horrid task which again took days rather than hours and while it ended up quite satisfactory, it was all due to epoxy. As a friend likes to quote: "It's the epoxy and paint make me the boatbuilder I ain't"!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt1lyl2jwy4dCxCaPQ_blxKGDLaAHnbS9UMLS57pWxgD_bt3iVC93WhkcXc5KIlT0ph6UWD4AULax_LiPfRWcX2RwcuWaYTMgsLRTcHkxJDmEjZu61sQ82AcZxz9FsXMQs-Or/s1600/1+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt1lyl2jwy4dCxCaPQ_blxKGDLaAHnbS9UMLS57pWxgD_bt3iVC93WhkcXc5KIlT0ph6UWD4AULax_LiPfRWcX2RwcuWaYTMgsLRTcHkxJDmEjZu61sQ82AcZxz9FsXMQs-Or/s400/1+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Hardly anyone seems to be able to get their head round the pram/hood bubble arrangement, so I won't even try to explain. I hope the pictures will be worth a thousand words. Here is the top ring, on which one leans to watch the world go by. The pram hood frame goes under this, so it has to be wider than the original ring. I used offcuts from the teak decks to do this. It will also look pretty!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGvtLO2aKWO-E78Jf00GblUmfLKLOFEaSLp388ZAXf39YY7rUDyEqUeiObYMz_VzqNYBX7L1a2SzesOYREZSFJJRwTw5Sgu2AgLTKH-vlcp0VuCaA68wCt8DFbl7s6AweLrqb/s1600/4+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGvtLO2aKWO-E78Jf00GblUmfLKLOFEaSLp388ZAXf39YY7rUDyEqUeiObYMz_VzqNYBX7L1a2SzesOYREZSFJJRwTw5Sgu2AgLTKH-vlcp0VuCaA68wCt8DFbl7s6AweLrqb/s400/4+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Sanded and ready to be offered up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sAqKA9EiNd0uOFhyJaPEmBrdeZNPbc0isEy9OdJ4QRyTj6dmz4qVM44tjpbwGgvDp2kSlfDHUFkd0vyeJhyKRmIpEk-QeSro3p6Q1q2_xKDJx2KTEm2_TGcGR1TLADb6-Iyv/s1600/4+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sAqKA9EiNd0uOFhyJaPEmBrdeZNPbc0isEy9OdJ4QRyTj6dmz4qVM44tjpbwGgvDp2kSlfDHUFkd0vyeJhyKRmIpEk-QeSro3p6Q1q2_xKDJx2KTEm2_TGcGR1TLADb6-Iyv/s400/4+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
But first, I had to cut the hole (probably one of the most terrifying things I have to do to the boat!) so that I had an idea of where the horizontal plinth would go. It has to be flat for the pramhood to rotate. Fitting the rings to the cambered deck was well beyond my skills, so the only alternative was to fit the deck to the rings. Marcus gave me some helpful suggestions, but even so I was really out of my depth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64lJ1R-hSkbQk6ij6qX_vHNILpCb_MxN_RlvpI-T_95loY814trBNMUSjmDnJMckei-o6aQm5DiD4RDvBWdTX_Hu-yaF4flwPr1_lZ61A7qlEY0i13Fem9Vazz-20R3uX0I-_/s1600/4+Jan+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64lJ1R-hSkbQk6ij6qX_vHNILpCb_MxN_RlvpI-T_95loY814trBNMUSjmDnJMckei-o6aQm5DiD4RDvBWdTX_Hu-yaF4flwPr1_lZ61A7qlEY0i13Fem9Vazz-20R3uX0I-_/s400/4+Jan+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The idea was to build it up in strips, once the hole was cut, so that the shaping would be minimal. The astute observer will see that the hole is not circular. That's because the bubble is wider than the companionway is long and the alternatives were to cut into the finished deck and deck lining, make a lot of trim to refinish - or accept that it might be handy to end up with a little flat spot for your cup of tea. I chose the latter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm0G50Zar-5UudjXNE82Wt9L23VEp8Amtz19pD2caF-jqsRiWl0STIRaA-LXlmRcvFfNPK8gnOv-DssnIZeYOWTsUBXhmXfNJOTQTrQ_ETa-1Rtn7u8lPTqM0mIIBO_BxOoyo/s1600/8+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm0G50Zar-5UudjXNE82Wt9L23VEp8Amtz19pD2caF-jqsRiWl0STIRaA-LXlmRcvFfNPK8gnOv-DssnIZeYOWTsUBXhmXfNJOTQTrQ_ETa-1Rtn7u8lPTqM0mIIBO_BxOoyo/s400/8+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
For obvious reasons, there are no in-between photos. I'm too embarrassed to show what a dog's breakfast it looked like until tidied up. But it's flat, it's the right size and there aren't too many gaps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSINpqslXxn0xz5Xz9DZE4RAFtV5uVfcvpbNcnVd9p4KRjIudUfIwnb0nCIto3BnA8hLkVO4d9UZFwNbzC18FYmHM8LZQJhyphenhyphen4T6WW9tkSFyNG9uS_RUxWV3N4NllrDVu67rj90/s1600/9+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSINpqslXxn0xz5Xz9DZE4RAFtV5uVfcvpbNcnVd9p4KRjIudUfIwnb0nCIto3BnA8hLkVO4d9UZFwNbzC18FYmHM8LZQJhyphenhyphen4T6WW9tkSFyNG9uS_RUxWV3N4NllrDVu67rj90/s400/9+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Well, that's all well and good, but now I need to fit the rings to the hole. And finish the inside of it. Yeah, right, as they say.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtdDNTxcDtgdjtKpxNWrq3ZMNcRtj14hQh80TLm-_Rc_m6YbceP0YtOYTEx9oXQkmr7bupIrnF7ALtJv8T36Iqs60Q5R-xj2zGq0mUq_di68-o6kVdtfkyzHDGhk_BO2DiuMm/s1600/9+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtdDNTxcDtgdjtKpxNWrq3ZMNcRtj14hQh80TLm-_Rc_m6YbceP0YtOYTEx9oXQkmr7bupIrnF7ALtJv8T36Iqs60Q5R-xj2zGq0mUq_di68-o6kVdtfkyzHDGhk_BO2DiuMm/s400/9+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I put the upper ring in place and marked it carefully so that I could trim the hole more accurately. And then procrastinated for a little while.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQk3f65z2Gv4v1WZ8psBOKXhIcHQoPm-dnLEXAGFpeRRPsr3Ex2rgIYVqcp_SkJRcP_aJGYxUtp8mLooQeZTAkKTUudjfphOdbkPq2ZGVs6M-GBZO89qCaNOWVSjB4EpyOmL4/s1600/13+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQk3f65z2Gv4v1WZ8psBOKXhIcHQoPm-dnLEXAGFpeRRPsr3Ex2rgIYVqcp_SkJRcP_aJGYxUtp8mLooQeZTAkKTUudjfphOdbkPq2ZGVs6M-GBZO89qCaNOWVSjB4EpyOmL4/s400/13+Jan+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
But I had a good excuse: more bling! I had ordered some very nice (Italian) brass cleats from E-bay and after I had just about given them up for lost, they turned up at the yard office. This allowed me to fit the toerails, which needed to go between said cleats. Forward, I have my Delilah posts, you will recall, plus hefty anchoring/mooring cleats. Aft I will fit another couple of (second-hand) cleats of similar size and shape to these. I don't plan to go alongside much, but it will happen on occasion and I want to have proper cleats in the right place. One of my foibles is that I find it sheer lunacy to tie up a boat from one end or the other, when there's a chance that the second rope may not be caught immediately. It makes much more sense to pass the line from amidships. You can secure the boat at leisure, sure that neither end will swing away from the jetty, leaving you in an embarrassing situation.<br />
<br />
The toerails are from recycled teak that happily already had a slight curve, which made it easier to fit them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExKBOTepuADwA5XEKcZLrQC5e8DBg7mUjpseEd47BpJ2xhij_1HSev7i1yejUM6XXZ2J9tY8NbSqJm2BrSMDIzugQyFtAUMno8CraOKjBS_fBhWFf7a9NBnRQLQOj2qcmm8A4/s1600/13+Jan+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExKBOTepuADwA5XEKcZLrQC5e8DBg7mUjpseEd47BpJ2xhij_1HSev7i1yejUM6XXZ2J9tY8NbSqJm2BrSMDIzugQyFtAUMno8CraOKjBS_fBhWFf7a9NBnRQLQOj2qcmm8A4/s400/13+Jan+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Some friends called by recently and took a photo of Boatbuilder At Work. Apparently the lack of photos of the builder mean that the magazines won't want to publish articles about building the boat. I think this is rather a relief, in truth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1lFrZNbO3F2amVsnOpLuMinv0kB_IFZidLgDGFsN-6f4rg8GohitfKlDXqzZ3BN8Zqiz0sNyN-d0o7Xm5j-UBdHqeVuz8B2dveMoutuaqJExYYaper054kV9VFOFebPPHYoh/s1600/14+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1lFrZNbO3F2amVsnOpLuMinv0kB_IFZidLgDGFsN-6f4rg8GohitfKlDXqzZ3BN8Zqiz0sNyN-d0o7Xm5j-UBdHqeVuz8B2dveMoutuaqJExYYaper054kV9VFOFebPPHYoh/s400/14+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Finally, I had to bite the bullet and start sticking everything together. All the little cleats are to even up the bumps and hollows along the inside and outside of the rings, to try and get a more or less equal average thickness. A lot of work with sandpaper-and-block and filler was then required to make everything look acceptable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQl8T1FZhuXircNH1Bs4ZUEmFT7SZvOHk850-UXUo8A3yB1A1b7UXVaiZlvqjpwvtvjpn-hpBFfZxzdgjKowyGC37cSbfSIN_kfhUT3Nxs0QZx-f3j0ulGOV414k5AqpWyXa4n/s1600/14+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQl8T1FZhuXircNH1Bs4ZUEmFT7SZvOHk850-UXUo8A3yB1A1b7UXVaiZlvqjpwvtvjpn-hpBFfZxzdgjKowyGC37cSbfSIN_kfhUT3Nxs0QZx-f3j0ulGOV414k5AqpWyXa4n/s400/14+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
There's nothing like a few coats of epoxy to tidy things up. It's not obvious from this photo,but the inside still needs <i>a lot</i> of work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH7bF_vk6ytuxILo3_1zNjZ4kEa7YxMExggUG9YPlHgGxpPtLkfbnO1iPFIV5vILhMqF-v0fdm2_7OS605uHMWoAjH8vW6W0Uodd3CQ4pJvyQ2c0kK-RWzzlGAgfwUPrqzAMa/s1600/20+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH7bF_vk6ytuxILo3_1zNjZ4kEa7YxMExggUG9YPlHgGxpPtLkfbnO1iPFIV5vILhMqF-v0fdm2_7OS605uHMWoAjH8vW6W0Uodd3CQ4pJvyQ2c0kK-RWzzlGAgfwUPrqzAMa/s400/20+Jan+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Come to think of it, I needed to make 4 3/4 perfect rings. The black bits in the foreground are for the pram-hood. They go under the lip formed by the teak, are tied together and can then rotate. The pram-hood - still a distant (and probably expensive) dream - is attached to the hemisphere. Between said bits and the bubble is the plinth for the latter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTk6cqNFmxOW1bjvpRzP7uPac_fB0NNOMQ9revpdQmecjz3L1lWiTJMNjwLnrLyMUNHrbfl62epBIDXE-xmNv1h532TSdA20biOp0xyeWzIDBKNOlxmzWXGuAdsg_DGOMs8Bi/s1600/20+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTk6cqNFmxOW1bjvpRzP7uPac_fB0NNOMQ9revpdQmecjz3L1lWiTJMNjwLnrLyMUNHrbfl62epBIDXE-xmNv1h532TSdA20biOp0xyeWzIDBKNOlxmzWXGuAdsg_DGOMs8Bi/s400/20+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Meanwhile, and over several days, more filling, sanding, sanding and filling took place until the inside of the pram-hood area was acceptable. A quick slosh with black epoxy and you can hardly tell how much filler had to be used.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp4VchJY2wKmsPBSr4B1j3m03lL4Ay57XDJUaxTiyLNUvEFDrdXesAbr6BUru6tYn1K_Fgqxes-TzuuVW-hqnobovzjlm3T60DMAYMjPmzY_DpSj7pe5Dd42y0EGTYkU43A3v/s1600/20+Jan+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp4VchJY2wKmsPBSr4B1j3m03lL4Ay57XDJUaxTiyLNUvEFDrdXesAbr6BUru6tYn1K_Fgqxes-TzuuVW-hqnobovzjlm3T60DMAYMjPmzY_DpSj7pe5Dd42y0EGTYkU43A3v/s400/20+Jan+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
At last, a long-running search on E-bay finally came up with the goods. Many moons ago on <i>Badger</i>, friends gave me a lovely kettle, with a spiral around the base that made it work better on a flame. It went with the boat, because it wouldn't have worked well on <i>China Moon</i>'s diesel range. I have mourned it ever since! So I decided to get me another and doing some research came across one that had a whistle incorporated into the lid, made by a UK company called <span style="color: black;"><a href="https://neweybloomer.com/collections/the-buckingham" target="_blank">Newey & Bloomer</a>. I had a look at the website when I realised that not all the kettles come with a whistle (which I now coveted) and wrote to ask if they could be bought separately, if my hoped-for E-bay acquisition came about. An extremely nice lady said that yes, they could, and then warned me carefully about buying second hand. Because the kettles are copper, they have to be tinned and, she explained, many second-hand ones have lost the tinning. (Possibly they have been over-scoured to get rid of lime scale.) She kindly said that she would put my name on file in case they had a slight 'second', which she would sell me for about half price. I didn't have the heart to tell her that even at half-price it would be well beyond my pocket. Time after time, they came up on E-bay and were sold for a small fortune, but finally, between Christmas and New Year, I dropped lucky, probably because everyone was too busy with the holiday season to be looking for a kettle. Suffice it to say, that a nearly-new kettle (I could tell because most of it still had the original lacquer on) was offered for sale, I made my usual offer and won the auction. It is just perfect for my galley, I think. Anyway, I wrote to the kind lady, Louise, saying how lucky I had been and after congratulating me, she said that if any of my friends wanted one of these masterpieces of British Manufacture, they would be offered a unique discount code. Enter ANNIE25 and you will get a 25% discount on a new kettle! They are certainly expensive, but they last a lifetime and considering that I am on my fourth electric kettle since starting this project, maybe they are better value than you might first think! Anyway, that was my <i>real</i> Christmas present to myself and while the postage made my eyes water, the kettle itself cost just under $70. Even I push the boat out on occasion!</span><br />
<span id="goog_631382906"></span><span id="goog_631382907"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Bpde4gIxS4k_yTPfvtb8c6ZQzjmTKyjSjXFe77KBHG7jezKNMzOBauh0BlHaEhEMQERxtVW9r-tEr1bECiugEbhyphenhyphenTOIlt-MMC8k2snylNzLhfwOoJE5OXhZ0FvwJvR5ZMZ6_/s1600/21+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Bpde4gIxS4k_yTPfvtb8c6ZQzjmTKyjSjXFe77KBHG7jezKNMzOBauh0BlHaEhEMQERxtVW9r-tEr1bECiugEbhyphenhyphenTOIlt-MMC8k2snylNzLhfwOoJE5OXhZ0FvwJvR5ZMZ6_/s400/21+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Anyway, back to reality. The dome has to go over the hatch in inclement weather and be out of the way when the pram-hood is in use, or I just want the hatch open. My good friend Paul, at All-marine found a couple of fittings designed as hatch struts and these were perfect for the arms for my hatch. Chocks of wood on the edge of the framing allowed them to be fitted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IXCyBuZy1rxysjLUD5CuK_2qReY2G8abNcVqjJYUFsG7Fz9jG5JCl7Bzus6HU5AKrln0uFhuBe6aO_7CWKfkImevp7dCdUj3huppTOI4Uho6B0WNmvJQ7rJWqrrGDloBy0rG/s1600/22+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IXCyBuZy1rxysjLUD5CuK_2qReY2G8abNcVqjJYUFsG7Fz9jG5JCl7Bzus6HU5AKrln0uFhuBe6aO_7CWKfkImevp7dCdUj3huppTOI4Uho6B0WNmvJQ7rJWqrrGDloBy0rG/s400/22+Jan+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Before fitting the dome to its frame, I tested the whole thing out. It did what I'd hoped.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQk449EQDQcfa_cGToYqorDMz7rX8M5G4eBx4DDJzJsTl0zDDs3UeFZMlCCyPoh5fYw2AywFRPYi5kcTBBE4ec_Qy55h1vPT8rYnPe4HvOUb_0SwjQ-oy-E0FzsDBOiYG_vxQ/s1600/22+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQk449EQDQcfa_cGToYqorDMz7rX8M5G4eBx4DDJzJsTl0zDDs3UeFZMlCCyPoh5fYw2AywFRPYi5kcTBBE4ec_Qy55h1vPT8rYnPe4HvOUb_0SwjQ-oy-E0FzsDBOiYG_vxQ/s400/22+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
A couple of teak chocks support the arms.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3BxKIBPxFRBzwBuOqu3LvACTQskUfxo-3TMnLqdMl3ZaspkTu1PKr1ewUJ39MZmu3YXPLvmj2ME3Zl4aE7H460LROoF7nr0g1hwJEdoTVa1kQvUCB_LeVIKpuy7hVlSJjRKz/s1600/22+Jan+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3BxKIBPxFRBzwBuOqu3LvACTQskUfxo-3TMnLqdMl3ZaspkTu1PKr1ewUJ39MZmu3YXPLvmj2ME3Zl4aE7H460LROoF7nr0g1hwJEdoTVa1kQvUCB_LeVIKpuy7hVlSJjRKz/s400/22+Jan+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Now that all this was sorted, I could finally fit some companionway steps. In order for the hatch area to be effective, I need to be able to stand and see out of it, and yet still be sheltered by the pram hood. Until I had the full plinth in place, I couldn't work out exactly where to put the step. At one time I had thought to fit three steps, but have found that two are all that is required. They are quite far apart, but I don't find this a problem and if in years to come I do, I can always do something else. I still had one nice board of kauri left that I'd been reluctant to use, but the steps seemed like the ideal use for it. The lower step will be removable to allow for access to the lazarette.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNLN62U9tXNhHIYcK2Cj0EAHBP2B9o0rdAYPs7ahW3r6aCzpDHgZD-TH641TPjYJD0FrnJ0SMLR4jTcB_WTIkNUfXMGNdMwCsIRhACX8IpEdgAom8F6DRWDvfmQ3lVoPDYOag/s1600/23+Jan+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNLN62U9tXNhHIYcK2Cj0EAHBP2B9o0rdAYPs7ahW3r6aCzpDHgZD-TH641TPjYJD0FrnJ0SMLR4jTcB_WTIkNUfXMGNdMwCsIRhACX8IpEdgAom8F6DRWDvfmQ3lVoPDYOag/s400/23+Jan+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
With the bubble fitted on the plinth, I found that I could also see through that. I can't imagine using it much underway (they get covered in salt in short order), but at anchor, when it's shut, I can still have a look around. I laminated up some kauri around the plywood to provide a lip that fits over the plinth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicH079fF-NWI7uk551mS9sSOKJYZ8KpP1OKRadBAQ27PVSdK-jJVV-S63-_LCW2MTCZuSXlNH1FQHpxOC2tRmSyvPUdwrrd3cPM-0MejsSzkO_-zIAO4oDEbgxmsyLUbznf58R/s1600/24+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicH079fF-NWI7uk551mS9sSOKJYZ8KpP1OKRadBAQ27PVSdK-jJVV-S63-_LCW2MTCZuSXlNH1FQHpxOC2tRmSyvPUdwrrd3cPM-0MejsSzkO_-zIAO4oDEbgxmsyLUbznf58R/s400/24+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The second step is at the level of the washboards, which provides a comfortable seat and makes it easy to go below. (Most people will <i>certainly</i> disagree with this. My companionway is not designed to make life easy for large people!) I tried it out and found it works just fine for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkfUO06KnflEowh6Brt3IfVFpevqbnUwDDyP9esMsT0zJQ7cD07yun3iY9yzBrJn8fPXjgAO-7693raWIDBKbwCbcl4_xcHiKxBXirMs_cslfdRZdvB3b-oXrerRGw4TdsgDZ/s1600/24+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkfUO06KnflEowh6Brt3IfVFpevqbnUwDDyP9esMsT0zJQ7cD07yun3iY9yzBrJn8fPXjgAO-7693raWIDBKbwCbcl4_xcHiKxBXirMs_cslfdRZdvB3b-oXrerRGw4TdsgDZ/s400/24+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The chocks for the removable step were fitted and then the upper step fitted to check that it all worked.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhoHq1yJTkjaVqyirLFyKNmibaOE6XEzeuXzT9P-ckruL_ogp9QJznQsxhi7ImKuGD9OCbxbQSQrj3DIOTxL5DVPdnNaMXeKVKsfIxHe-ycgtt3POzmAl_WG3p2Oz9ahcq3Po/s1600/24+Jan+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhoHq1yJTkjaVqyirLFyKNmibaOE6XEzeuXzT9P-ckruL_ogp9QJznQsxhi7ImKuGD9OCbxbQSQrj3DIOTxL5DVPdnNaMXeKVKsfIxHe-ycgtt3POzmAl_WG3p2Oz9ahcq3Po/s400/24+Jan+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I fitted little over-centre catches to hold the bubble in place and secure it over the plinth. It <i>seems</i> pretty secure. I have no idea what forces it would be subject to should we be capsized. I suspect that might be the least of my worries!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D-WumItlDYD4CBiWQvMcteeX-4lL9DPSKgpzQJZTOL5aVY1Ifbqsgu2DNry4h1DdjRA1YbGSFSoxz_H1oAkGMuJ2ovJijEw0Y9sXK5RJfHv6FYgsKnDYqqbus0EvF8xogZVW/s1600/26+Jan+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D-WumItlDYD4CBiWQvMcteeX-4lL9DPSKgpzQJZTOL5aVY1Ifbqsgu2DNry4h1DdjRA1YbGSFSoxz_H1oAkGMuJ2ovJijEw0Y9sXK5RJfHv6FYgsKnDYqqbus0EvF8xogZVW/s400/26+Jan+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The steps are epoxied and will be varnished. That will, of course, make them slippery, so I am going to fit strips of tigerwood to provide grip. I don't think kauri would take kindly to being left bare and would probably get very grubby: the tigerwood was too narrow and I had no suitable teak.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHfPC6Wfr6Cn9bECl-jAns40G5SFpzg1AKeIxvHZdpt4ZrSYV8DKShRZ4CTZnipgN2W_wFYNlLjoHcJOo-Vg2L7XuHd4UQOEUL_m8J1f2STztUsdXGHxG8uEvI0FnPnE4hmUN/s1600/26+Jan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHfPC6Wfr6Cn9bECl-jAns40G5SFpzg1AKeIxvHZdpt4ZrSYV8DKShRZ4CTZnipgN2W_wFYNlLjoHcJOo-Vg2L7XuHd4UQOEUL_m8J1f2STztUsdXGHxG8uEvI0FnPnE4hmUN/s400/26+Jan+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The upper step was glued into place and then two pieces of teak were fitted. These will support the 'washboards', when they are lowered.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WlW_YLPPtntKdQj74dBmj4tf9mqlo-yNNhrQ-Rruterslt2mp1XWDGLZSJuusdtqptfuEFQSXw4MFOT11fTMhqhsEwD0LAFSQDXOI_uw3F1M-ucTuOSg3O34IRmVX2UduFCZ/s1600/26+Jan+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WlW_YLPPtntKdQj74dBmj4tf9mqlo-yNNhrQ-Rruterslt2mp1XWDGLZSJuusdtqptfuEFQSXw4MFOT11fTMhqhsEwD0LAFSQDXOI_uw3F1M-ucTuOSg3O34IRmVX2UduFCZ/s400/26+Jan+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The upper step from the saloon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7tjp9MJhHlKCezsk49ie3eUacMKAbmvRlCu5uSDXG4lPI8ANqoFmqA_pLlttelepAHDouXEcOzpo0zIBILZEIr_-0DS65zyElC7vr2IF9OYIhYtX80jXq5Lmr5w4WwgxjhNI/s1600/26+Jan+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7tjp9MJhHlKCezsk49ie3eUacMKAbmvRlCu5uSDXG4lPI8ANqoFmqA_pLlttelepAHDouXEcOzpo0zIBILZEIr_-0DS65zyElC7vr2IF9OYIhYtX80jXq5Lmr5w4WwgxjhNI/s400/26+Jan+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I have fitted small chocks to the deck, by the arms, to stop the bubble from sliding from side to side. This arrangement is not yet completed - I need to think through what would happen if the bubble is hit by a large wave.<br />
<br />
So, there we are. Stand by for my starting work on the bilgeboards.Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-10065710025987323722020-01-05T18:50:00.001+13:002020-01-06T11:29:45.303+13:00Poor Australia<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">I was about to write a nice,
cheerful blog and wish everyone a Happy New Year, but I have had to
switch on the lights, 4 hours before sunset. The sky is a dirty
orange; all the white boats in the yard are also orange, as are the
sides of my shed, the light filtering in between the slats of
wood.<br />
<br />
Australia is going up in flames and, over 1,000
nautical miles away, the smoke from these fires has made the
afternoon as dark as sundown in my home, and smeared a vile orange
light over everything. It is how one imagines the Apocalypse
would start. All I can think about is the 500,000 innocent,
beautiful, delightful animals that have died; the ancients forest
that have been torched. I have been in Australia. I think of
those sweet little wallabies that hopped up shyly and tapped me on
the leg, hoping for food; of the platypus splashing in the creek; of
the spiny echidna bumbling along in his own little world; of the
budgies flocking around a billabong; of the 'silly' galahs sitting on
the water pump blades, having to move each time they went below the
horizontal; of the kangaroos bounding with such speed and grace
across the flat land; of the most beautiful wrens in the world,
pecking in the dirt around my feet. I remember the grace of the
ghost gums, the weirdness of the baobab trees, the wonderful bunya
bunya pines. How will the Australian people continue with so
many of these gone? How will Australia continue?<br />
<br />
Of
course, it is terrible for the people, those who have lost their
family and friends, their homes and their livelihoods. But this
has happened through the folly and selfishness of the human race.
There is barely a person in the consumer world who isn't complicit in
this destruction. But we can try and stop it getting worse.
Anyone who reads this blog must have some love for nature.
Imagine, sitting here in the middle of what should be a bright and
breezy day, with the sky a lurid orange from fires hundreds and
hundreds of miles away and the lights on. I can tell you: it is
overwhelming. Like it or not, it's time to completely change
the trajectory of our society and put the planet first. As they
say: it's the only one we've got. We all have to stand up and
both act in our own lives and vote for the politicians who think
beyond the next election. It may not be too late. But
Australia tells us that we haven't much time left. </span>
</div>
Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28092890.post-76602078166728599062019-12-15T18:50:00.000+13:002020-01-26T14:06:24.574+13:00Back to Bling<br />
I'm working on finishing the decks before moving on to bilgeboards and so on. Laying teak in the cockpit was the final job before I could sign if off as finished.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sIzuQ4JRslTDOfOZHQvDM2WYxmY4EzN3zZhW66Nh3DevUSvr2EwTWzy0tj8zIZ_O5GRLG8ku37jjPpO9W7LnLc4qZ43OW8dmEceWjuQphh518GaSfqtZhqiR4rdttLLFYCnZ/s1600/19+Nov.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sIzuQ4JRslTDOfOZHQvDM2WYxmY4EzN3zZhW66Nh3DevUSvr2EwTWzy0tj8zIZ_O5GRLG8ku37jjPpO9W7LnLc4qZ43OW8dmEceWjuQphh518GaSfqtZhqiR4rdttLLFYCnZ/s400/19+Nov.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
At the moment, I climb on and off the boat (dozens of times a day) over the stern and so the after end of the deck lockers in 'in my face' time and again. I have covered them with teak, but wonder how often I'll see it again, because I shall have a boarding ladder for climbing on and off. (Negotiating two rudders and the outboard motor would not be easy even if I liked getting aboard by way of the stern. Which I don't.)<br />
<br />
The petrol locker lids also get teak, of course.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgc4MWw7VGCLTFhSV2G62HvjH2tuay6x1lVZGvsoTQxlnrA-6pbafhIbaEXPOvY4_MDfDrbL62UW3jFQz3mI07FtrZFIneSc6wY782gnEP3Dv-wCDBidBELuq5_aXyKPKBdNz/s1600/25+Nov+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgc4MWw7VGCLTFhSV2G62HvjH2tuay6x1lVZGvsoTQxlnrA-6pbafhIbaEXPOvY4_MDfDrbL62UW3jFQz3mI07FtrZFIneSc6wY782gnEP3Dv-wCDBidBELuq5_aXyKPKBdNz/s400/25+Nov+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
With all the teak laid and sanded I have to say that I think it looks rather grand. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzUUmBibrzdaRNqfba3AQF-v2B6lr-ipX_u_BG2wq-tsND2eYK-03mI3zh8WrTPYnK6b1VxzWoPqgEn6MLjA3fr-6WAFQAKzmxB93tbnUy3oZXAAOq61RH9rvTpJAZ8sTcXO7/s1600/25+Nov+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzUUmBibrzdaRNqfba3AQF-v2B6lr-ipX_u_BG2wq-tsND2eYK-03mI3zh8WrTPYnK6b1VxzWoPqgEn6MLjA3fr-6WAFQAKzmxB93tbnUy3oZXAAOq61RH9rvTpJAZ8sTcXO7/s400/25+Nov+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The hinges were a shocking price in NZ, so I had to resort to Ebay. I
am very pleased with the quality of them, but they took the best part of
a couple of months to get here!<br />
<br />
Although they look like brass for some reason, in the photo, they are in fact stainless steel. Purportedly 316.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM5rNgJDKmqK7Tzxi-DeQb9Pq8UisJjTNPZM6kuRoCm2NOKWJVc6BgIKMaPSXCGGwu7msjLxDFljmoVE8-04Qjf7M_4LJf4ZksIrL-CMhTSJToNlJFYtY7oRVK7UUBBj7Jvrb/s1600/30+Nov+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM5rNgJDKmqK7Tzxi-DeQb9Pq8UisJjTNPZM6kuRoCm2NOKWJVc6BgIKMaPSXCGGwu7msjLxDFljmoVE8-04Qjf7M_4LJf4ZksIrL-CMhTSJToNlJFYtY7oRVK7UUBBj7Jvrb/s400/30+Nov+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
It was about time to tackle the companionway, which was much more straightforward that I anticipated, with memories of the rather marathon effort that was required when I rebuilt <i>Fantail</i>'s "washboards". All that was really required was some additional framing for the acrylic to land on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoswyJCmQ_6jjYWcZdUP_WiU01N1Tt3pReDVgUCz2JjnOIwCGUiuLuiu-5Cvwi7scCD1SQbbZEWaeyoZyOBLx14TYqgyExpC-Dz1S4b_cTWerNuw50EeMylhAjaXzOlFg2KDRS/s1600/30+Nov+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoswyJCmQ_6jjYWcZdUP_WiU01N1Tt3pReDVgUCz2JjnOIwCGUiuLuiu-5Cvwi7scCD1SQbbZEWaeyoZyOBLx14TYqgyExpC-Dz1S4b_cTWerNuw50EeMylhAjaXzOlFg2KDRS/s400/30+Nov+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The plan is to have a <i>Jester</i> style pramhood and a bubble over it, like we had on <i>Badger. </i>The bubble means that when the hatch is shut in cold weather, there will still be plenty of light coming in. It also allows my taller visitors to stand up while working out how to negotiate their way to a seat!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9I4vEoGvQNcBqp519goIVVoxRU91Z_o0LDLX-llskW0JpFG8PAv07Jlt6BdoGiauCf0hZ22OhC5ODMOAd8gbx5BHMmV98w59PgNRE0W6vrvnUfnbH4ocTt5irrxB4zFRk5QK/s1600/3+Dec+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9I4vEoGvQNcBqp519goIVVoxRU91Z_o0LDLX-llskW0JpFG8PAv07Jlt6BdoGiauCf0hZ22OhC5ODMOAd8gbx5BHMmV98w59PgNRE0W6vrvnUfnbH4ocTt5irrxB4zFRk5QK/s400/3+Dec+.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The other thing that required fitting is my echo sounder - I should hate to sail without one, although plenty of other people seem happy to do so. This took a ridiculous amount of time to fit, because I had to run wires from the electric panel under the cabin sole, all the way back to the lazarette.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kPsKwGMCIRdA8a2iCEoDOsUtDwLMI7fnhyGbJCn9P-R2xnZ-psUlww60lCTCNTxvlPfrNo_S6mg6crchzkz8URLwN3qr019Qz41HOmj04gKIX0YR0di-HaI_drBVwfgavOzM/s1600/5+Dec.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kPsKwGMCIRdA8a2iCEoDOsUtDwLMI7fnhyGbJCn9P-R2xnZ-psUlww60lCTCNTxvlPfrNo_S6mg6crchzkz8URLwN3qr019Qz41HOmj04gKIX0YR0di-HaI_drBVwfgavOzM/s400/5+Dec.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
As ever, I was more than a little startled when I flicked the switch to see that it is apparently working. I'm in 2.3 m of water, so it would have me believe! I'm not quite sure why it's reading this ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwVsrqcmcv4g2zh1w2yGBFmaGWG6d3Ch5IaStNhWg9sVjMcwhJx-L08-WupkRCsSyxJ59wauSw7LkA_oddJ34Q0yZI3G9GLS8Wu_ElA23i9sxcF-An-iGu_OuZBRax3mzC6qB/s1600/13+Dec+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwVsrqcmcv4g2zh1w2yGBFmaGWG6d3Ch5IaStNhWg9sVjMcwhJx-L08-WupkRCsSyxJ59wauSw7LkA_oddJ34Q0yZI3G9GLS8Wu_ElA23i9sxcF-An-iGu_OuZBRax3mzC6qB/s400/13+Dec+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
In winter, standing under a Perspex dome can be as effective as standing in a shower. I had a second one made out of much lighter material (the outer one is 10mm, the inner one 3mm) and stuck them together with what I hope is an appropriate air gap. Both domes, made to measure, only cost $300, which I reckon to be one of my better bargains.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZzC7tPsOTjH9V7RBcjzgz3IzeOoZ8q7ufTWq20JTpiV5pKmTxpNGny9FEbMz_KNbFhzgvBnMb9DcXW_XUD85x6-ySKU9VZN7Bru2tyIm9fMhVQ6qL_jw3XkZqGQSmrIkU3o6/s1600/15+Dec+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZzC7tPsOTjH9V7RBcjzgz3IzeOoZ8q7ufTWq20JTpiV5pKmTxpNGny9FEbMz_KNbFhzgvBnMb9DcXW_XUD85x6-ySKU9VZN7Bru2tyIm9fMhVQ6qL_jw3XkZqGQSmrIkU3o6/s400/15+Dec+6.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Actually fitting it to the deck is going to be quite a problem because of the camber. Indeed, it has caused me some loss of sleep, but this morning it occurred to me that the obvious thing is to make a flat area on deck and put the rings on that. (I had been intending to build the rings up and shape them to the deck, but to be honest, that is definitely beyond my skills.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaj8dvHgS3-GzHVXmY-3f0b0dzgrVMWRWb9toABlnaQvEhZyIcxgaOuX2V-QqXM6O1IjDKLp1NbF-uDQJuCihTWkVMXluLsH4cc4rYfMXFEsElDGoxu_IkvjzPUN3wap-glbF/s1600/13+Dec+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaj8dvHgS3-GzHVXmY-3f0b0dzgrVMWRWb9toABlnaQvEhZyIcxgaOuX2V-QqXM6O1IjDKLp1NbF-uDQJuCihTWkVMXluLsH4cc4rYfMXFEsElDGoxu_IkvjzPUN3wap-glbF/s400/13+Dec+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This is the piece of plywood from which the upper ring was cut. It seemed like an awful waste of wood! If you can't visualise how the pramhood works, All Will Be Revealed ... in due course.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDLjqitp9vSFipFzde-YkIS1B8DpoQ23Xf-WWlvgV2on153k1Zv0jnRsLu_Hexn2inUf8sF50813MjMknli_oVXNHyV99y75AhKiQ8dQOsjNnwxAePCcIVORILF1PmsZjhPoL/s1600/15+Dec+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDLjqitp9vSFipFzde-YkIS1B8DpoQ23Xf-WWlvgV2on153k1Zv0jnRsLu_Hexn2inUf8sF50813MjMknli_oVXNHyV99y75AhKiQ8dQOsjNnwxAePCcIVORILF1PmsZjhPoL/s400/15+Dec+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The framing is now fitted around the companionway and varnishing is underway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvR-kLtkIdZg87a-m8LEkYXvl4eQINamjicDGvcY4s-wiSAut9e0VT81ooqt0TLuu5M3xYzNn_X6rjhBd1eSYggMVhlkF-OuDg1pivcotRKh6GYISDCOujp6tLrLvmc0wR4lL/s1600/15+Dec+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvR-kLtkIdZg87a-m8LEkYXvl4eQINamjicDGvcY4s-wiSAut9e0VT81ooqt0TLuu5M3xYzNn_X6rjhBd1eSYggMVhlkF-OuDg1pivcotRKh6GYISDCOujp6tLrLvmc0wR4lL/s400/15+Dec+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Well, I might as well say it, because I think more than a
few people think that my delight in varnish is a little suspect, but I like varnishing. In
fact the reluctance of the average person to put varnish on to their
boat is a constant source of puzzlement to me. In the days when people
owned traditionally-built, carvel boats, they usually had quite a lot of
brightwork, which had to be maintained every year, together with the
work required to keep the topsides in good order. And in those days
varnish only lasted a season before requiring quite a bit of work to
bring it up to scratch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVJeKZ921IoWv27oIy_Dg9OeqypDqmKqypk5LJ7gN-WsgGivYONNI_zyvHLO6p1jufy7GfktIqYG2hwI7j_OKTztweT2tedhurETcuqGtq-2wrgk4Sg9RZX7MTegqBLukeXfO/s1600/15+Dec+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVJeKZ921IoWv27oIy_Dg9OeqypDqmKqypk5LJ7gN-WsgGivYONNI_zyvHLO6p1jufy7GfktIqYG2hwI7j_OKTztweT2tedhurETcuqGtq-2wrgk4Sg9RZX7MTegqBLukeXfO/s400/15+Dec+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Now people generally have plastic hulls which
require little or no maintenance and very little woodwork on deck, but
even the little that they have is apparently too much 'work'. How is it
work, I ask myself, to beautify your pride and joy? A mystery.
Anyway, it's been downright pleasurable to finish laying the
teak and to be able to pick out the bits that I want to have a bright
finish. It would also appear that even people who don't like varnishing
themselves often like the look of it, so it's nice to know that it will
give other people pleasure, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYm_h4h6YxAg7jD3eLKxq7N2ca2XZ_6CxaVqXYvkoTja39wwIZezKElDjB9KT42ix5a3QmXA9M-KXppMAgkK4tMadZxIFsG_C0f8TiS3yH4L1n4cuKn3js-gGDNAFQ8bIW6lHS/s1600/15+Dec+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYm_h4h6YxAg7jD3eLKxq7N2ca2XZ_6CxaVqXYvkoTja39wwIZezKElDjB9KT42ix5a3QmXA9M-KXppMAgkK4tMadZxIFsG_C0f8TiS3yH4L1n4cuKn3js-gGDNAFQ8bIW6lHS/s400/15+Dec+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And while I had some mixed up, I finally got to varnish the saloon table, which seems to work well. Sadly, one piece of the tigerwood has developed a bit of a twist, so the table is far from perfect. I had hoped that the table would be the stand-out feature in the saloon. Never mind, it still looks attractive. It slides fore and aft to allow people to get in at either end and now that it's summer, it slides almost too well. I shall have to put something on it to hold the top in the right place!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Annie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839484196732830052noreply@blogger.com6