29 de Junho - Dia de São Pedro

St. Peter St. Petrus, São Pedro - The patron of fishermen, and my namegiver.

Segundo a Bíblia, seu nome original não era Pedro, mas Simão. Cristo mudou seu nome para כיפא, Kepha, que em aramaico significa "pedra", "rocha", nome este que foi traduzido para o grego como Πέτρος, Petros, através da palavra πέτρα, petra, que também significa "pedra" ou "rocha", e posteriormente passou para o latim como Petrus, também através da palavra petra, de mesmo significado.

Pedro é considerado o "príncipe dos apóstolos" e o fundador, junto com São Paulo, da Igreja de Roma (a Santa Sé), sendo-lhe reconhecido ainda o título de primeiro Papa (um tanto anacronicamente, posto que tal designação só começaria a ser usada cerca de dois séculos mais tarde – Pedro foi o primeiro Bispo de Roma); essa circunstância é importante, pois daí se tira a primazia do Papa sobre toda a Igreja.

São Pedro e as chaves do céu.

Antes de se tornar um dos doze discípulos de Cristo, Simão era pescador.

Segundo o relato no Evangelho de São Lucas, Pedro teria conhecido Jesus quando este lhe pediu que utilizasse uma das suas barcas, de forma a poder pregar a uma multidão de gente que o queria ouvir. Pedro, que estava a lavar redes com São Tiago e João, seus sócios, concedeu-lhe o lugar na barca que foi afastada um pouco da margem.

No final da pregação, Jesus disse a Simão que fosse pescar de novo com as redes em águas mais profundas. Pedro disse-lhe que tentara em vão pescar durante toda a noite e nada conseguira mas, em atenção ao seu pedido, fá-lo-ia. O resultado foi uma pescaria de tal monta que as redes iam rebentando, sendo necessária a ajuda da barca dos seus dois sócios, que também quase se afundava puxando os peixes. Numa atitude de humildade e espanto Pedro prostou-se perante Jesus e disse para que se afastasse dele, já que é um pecador. Jesus encorajou-o, então, a segui-lo, dizendo que o tornará "pescador de homens".

Ripples in space...

Where to go and how fast?

This is the second weekend without a visit to the boat-building site.

Luiz Fernando, my friend and boatbuilder, is solving some private issues. And, frankly, I was also happy to take the weekends to relax. Keeping motivation on such a project takes persistence and permanent management of expectations. And that's what I'm working on now.

I have already posted about my frustration of not beeing able to keep to the initialy established timeline. This due to a question of working structure and also cost. But, of course, I knew from the beginning that the timeperiod we had established was ambitious. Specially considering that I chose a semi-professional approach to it, and not an established boatyard. The universal rule applies: "There is no free lunch".

But the sheer process of redefining the timeline, and how to do that, is now bugging me. Nevertheless,... if I look back, I would still take the same decisions. And despite de tension, I still enjoy the project and the challenges it imposes. And the secret to it is, in my opinion, exacty the management of expectations.

So, what have we achieved until now? We have built the basic structure for the main hull, and sheeted it with plywood. It is a terrific feeling to see, and touch the very boathull I have been imagining, and dreamed about so often.

The next step is a quite complex one. It is the development and construction of the leepod and cabin structure, which also compounds the iako attachment and staybase structure. And, I admit, it has not been easy to draw this and get it over to Luiz Fernando to build it. Remember, the engineering plans are not complete in that regards. And I am not an engineer, and can't use AutoCAD. Quite a challenge? You're right. Do I worry about that? Yes, now and then. Is it quite a foolish and pretentious thing to do? Maybe.

But what the hack! It is what I want to do. This is my private research experiment. And, someone said:

"If we knew what we were doing, then we wouldn't call it research, would we?"

Canoeing Moments

Paddling at night was an adventure I have tried a couple of times during the Rio Negro travel. I did this when we were exploring the smaller afluents of the Rio Negro. And only if I had time to get a little familiar with the surroundings during daylight.

The river has many arms, islands and smaller afluents, turning the place into a maze, in which it is easy getting lost. The darkness at night is absolute. There are no lights, except the stars and the moon. And there are no indication signs giving directions, of course.

On a special occasion, we parked the boat for the night on a lagoon-like river loop. There was only very little current. I ventured out, paddling in the darness over the absolutely flat water. As the boat and its noises faded into the distance, I felt like slowly penetrating into another, ancient and primitive world. The moon and stars were hiding behind clouds, and the darkness was almos complete. The treetops on the margin were only faint shaddows.

I stopped paddling and listened to the noises of the forest. Peace was all around. Suddenly I heard breathing noises and gentle water movement. I was not alone. Botos, pink river dolphins were moving about.

It is not uncommon tho see them during daylight for brief moments when travelling on the river. But they are allways in the distance. Now they were invisible, but I felt close to them. They were relaxed, and I could hear them breething. They usually live alone, but here I was in company of two of them. Maybe a couple, or a mother with a calve.

There was nothing spectacular about it. I couldn't even see the animals, nor anything whatsoever. The exact absence of any visual reference and the notion of vastness, was what was made this so special a moment.

A Tiki in Thailand

The designs by James Wharram have been inspirational for a long time now. I love the simplicity and beauty of the designs. The Tiki 38 is my dream boat. If you look at my Carioca/Arpex design you'll notice many similarities.

The Ethnic Catamaran Company, in Thailand builds beautyfull examples of Wharrams boats. See a nice blog about the building/refit of a Tiki38 if you follow the link below. I have also included it to my blogroll.

The blog has a rich collection of links, and a nice library reference too. Take a look;

http://tiki38.blogspot.com/

Also form the blog:

"I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

- Henry David Thoreau

Hans Klaar's traditional tacking outrigger

I've posted about Hans Klaar's boat before. But now there is a new video, which is much easyer accessible, on Youtube.

Hans Klaar has built his 70ft. ethnic double canoe to original drawings from Commodore Wilkes and Admiral Paris, drawn approximately in 1845. The result is surprising.

The video comes with a nice song by Crosby, Stills Naish and Young - Southern Cross.

Thank's for "The Proa" file for the heads up.

More Paraty boats

I love to stroll along the river of Paraty, to the pier, to watch the colorful workboats.

The fishing boats, called "traineiras", have allways fascinated me too. They are built in wood. They share the place with the tourist boats.

Many boats take tourists for a ride around the islands and beaches nearby. You just choose. Everyone can find a place to sit and enjoy a capirinha. And relax! Karamba!!!

Paraty

Paraty is a small colonial village, in the bay of Ilha Grande. It is an enchanted place, lost in time. In the 18th century it was a prosperous village, since it was the only port from where the gold findings from the mines in Minas Gerais, in the hinterland, were shipped to the capital, Rio de Janeiro. This attracted all sorts of trade with supplies for the goldmines, food and, of course, slaves for the mines. Not to say, that due to the traffic of gold laden ships the region was also a preferred workplace for pirates of all nationalities.

But, when a new, more economical gold trail was opened in the end of the 18th century, which led directly towards Rio de Janeiro, Paraty lost its importance and was left to rural activities. And so the rich colonial village was lost and abandoned. Only to be “re-discovered” to tourism in the 1960ies with all its charming, original colonial architecture.

Paraty lies in a protected bay inside the big bay of the Ilha Grande. Its backdrop is adorned by high mountains covered with lush rainforest. The sea is calm and the waters clear and warm. Small beaches with fine, white sand can be discovered along the coastline. In short - it is a fantastic place.

Rainfall is frequent in the region. All the humidity in the tropical air and moisty rainforest facilitates the formation of orographic clouds, and thus precipitation, when the seabreeze climbs the mountains in the backdrop. The mountains reach 1000 meters hight. But don't worry. In the tropical weather, the rain sometimes comes as a welcome refreshment.

From childhood on I have had a crush for the place and its maritime history. Specially the canoes and paddles used by the indigenous fishing communities.

The last time we went there, we were accompanied by our Spanish friends Pablo and Yolanda.

Images from our last visit to Paraty, with Pablo and Yolanda.

No cars allowed in the historic center. Isn't that nice?

Comments

I have gotten already some messages from friends relating difficulties in posting comments. First was David, from the "Never Sealand", one of my favorite blogs. He gave me some hints, which I followed. I have tried altering the configurations regarding comment permissions, but I don't seem to get it right. Sorry for all of you who would like to comment but can't...

It seems to work if you choose to post as anonymous.

Canoes from Paraty

My friend Stefano has a brand new toy!
It is a beautiful little canoe from Paraty.

Look at the nice paddle too. Of course, it is shaped and colored according to Paraty fashion. Nice!

I’m seriously considering to paint my tacking outrigger in a similar colorful style. This would put less pressure on the quality of finishing, and I do not pretend to have a yacht-style finishing anyway. I want it simple and practical. And it should look nice.

But,… what looks nicer than this little canoe?!
Congratulations to the new boat owner!

Pink River Dolphins - Botos

Of the five freshwater species of dolphins in the world, the pink Amazon River dolphin, Inia geoffrensis, or "bufeo colorado” as they are known in Peru and “botos" as they known in in Brazil, are considered to be the most intelligent.

These friendly, sensitive, mammals with a brain capacity 40% larger than that of humans, who have lived in harmony with the people of the Amazon and its tributaries for centuries, now face extinction in some tributaries.

Coloration: The reasons for the unique coloration of Inia geoffrensis are poorly understood, but the presence of capillaries near the surface of the skin probably accounts for much of its characteristic pink flush. Other factors may include age of the animal, chemical disposition of the water (especially iron content), and the temperature of the water.

The gray dolphins are usually regarded as "sacred" animals, especially by various Indian tribes. Up until recent times, the dolphins and people who live along the Amazon River existed in harmony with each other. It has only been within the past three decades, more or less, that the psychic relationship between the people and dolphins has been fractured as a result of deforestation and habitat degradation.

Text from: INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY for the Preservationof the TropicalRainforest

Comment: In Brazil, they are also often famed as the ones taking the virginity of young women. Now, ... why would they want to do that?!

Caution

Tomorrow, on the 25th June, it makes 4 months since the Arpex construction start. Four months was the time period established for the construction of the hulls and beams.

Unfortunately, I have to say, that we have not yet achieved even 50% of that... This is a very serious situation, which I will have to handle somehow.

The delays are now aggravated by the rainy and humid winter weather. It is now that we would think about laminating the hull. But we will have to wait for a suitable day, since the epoxi won't cure with all the humidity in the air.

Wait for more on this topic in the next couple of days...

Boto

Nome vulgar: Boto-cor-de-rosa

Categoria: Ameaçada

Ocorre na América do Sul, na bacia do Orinoco e Amazonas. O maior comprimento registrado é de 2,50m, e o peso pode ultrapassar 160kg. Uma das características são os pêlos modificados (vibrissas) sobre a parte superior do bico, que provavelmente têm função tátil.

A coloração pode variar bastante com a idade, atividade e local em que o animal vive e está ligada com a irrigação sanguínea dos vasos subcutâneos.

Basicamente é um animal solitário.

Alimenta-se de peixes, mas pode também ingerir moluscos e crustáceos. A estação de procriação inicia entre outubro e novembro. Com nascimentos que acontecem 8.5 meses depois, em maio e julho quando os níveis de água chegam no limite. Os jovens nascem com 80 cm.

Fonte: www.ambientebrasil.com.br

Cagarras

The Cagarras Mobile. It shows the Cagarras Archipelago, birds, cloud and sun.

Stern

The stern will receive another sheet of plywood to give it a little more strenght.

Waterplanet

One of my favorite pastimes during the Rio Negro trip was paddling through the submerged treetops and explore the flooded landscape.

We travelled in June, which is highwater season. The heavy rainfalls of the previous months were past, but the watermasses still covered great parts of the land. This creates a quite peculiar environment where you have the impression to be on a waterplanet. You seldomly ever see dry land. You see the trees and forests, all right. But the ground on where they stand is covered with fresh water. Rivers are wide and large. And when I say wide, I mean veeery wide!!! This being so, the only real way to explore the region is by boat. And in my case the preferred means was by canoe.

I took the picture above during another voyage through the amazon. But his time by car. I will post about it further along.

The Rio Negro is part of a black water system. This means that the water has a very low sediment content. And that is due to the fact that the land and mountain ranges are very old and the sediment has been washed out during millions of years. You can confirm that when you do see the land. It is mostly very fine, clear white sand. All big trees stand on a thin cover of humus (roots and leaves in decomposion). And under the humus you see the white sand. It is also due to the humus that the water is blackish-redish in colour (see picture above). It looks very much like black tea – which, you could say it is... The tannin from the leaves also makes the water ph quite acid. Which is good, because the moskito can’t proliferate, since their larvae can’t live in the acid environment (water). Therefore you can travel on the Rio Negro without worrying too much about the bugs. Great advantage! This is as long as you stay on the river. As soon as you enter the forest, matters change a bit…

Our hosts, the Leuzinger family travels frequently in the region. Our destination was a tiny little village called Caicubi, where the Leuzingers are well known (link). This being so, I was able to borrow one of the indigenous canoes for the rest of the trip. We gave it back on our way back down the river. When we did give it back, the friendly owner of the canoe gave me the paddle, which he made himself, as a present. I still have it and keep it with love and care.

The little canoe was my favorite past time. I used it extensively for exploring the surroundings by day and sometimes at night. At night I never went too far from the boat, because getting lost would be easy, and very, very unconvenient…

Paddles

This is my paddel collection.

From right to left:

My amazonian paddel
It is carved out of one pice of amazonian hardwood. It was given to me as a gift by the man who borrowed me his canoe during the Rio Negro voyage. He had other one for his own use. The canoes are used for transport, fishing and chasing. An essential part of life.

I initially used the paddle on my canoe, Arara. But I almost lost it during one capsize. But I was lucky. My friend Zé, was close by, watching, sailing on his J24. My paddel floated away. He screened the waters downwind until he found it. Valeu por essa, Zé!

My Rapa Nui paddle (from Easter Island)
I bought it on the last day on the island. It works nicely. It was my main steering paddle on Arara.

Parati style paddle
This is the type of paddel used in the Paraty region, in the bay of Ilha Grande. It is a reminiscent of inidian traditions. The fishing communities, called Caiçaras, use it. Caiçaras are a mingle of negroes ascaped form farms in the colonial times and indian tribes. The live a subsistence life in isolated beaches.

Early kayac paddle
I got this as a gift paddle form my second grade cousin. It is from family stock. Probabely used on a paddle boat in the Ninteen-50'ies or 60'ies. I've never used it. But I like the looks. It needs some repair work.

Mastro

Um desenho esquemático da mastreação que tenho em mente. Um tubo de alumínio de 6polegadas, espessura de 2mm e 6 metros de comprimento.

O tubo é montado em um pé de 1 metro de altura sobre o convése, e que desce até a quilha, onde fica apoiado. No tope uma extrusão de 1,5metros. A altura total sobre o convés é de 8,5m.

A base de estaiamento é de 1,4metros.

A schematic drawing of the mast arrangement. A spreaderless, round tube of 6 meters, which sits on a wooden foot of 1 meter length, and has a top extrusion of 1,5 meters.

Shortest Day

The sun is comming up at 06:38am. The shortest day beginns with a nice face.

Bitter Ending - SEPTour

Columbia - Finally with a rope tied to land again

The South East Pacific Tour came to a bitter ending.

Since my refusal to take the Yachtmaster Exam, the Captain of Columbia ignored me completely, and took me out of the ship's routine. I didn't want to worsen things in the last couple of hours, so I didn't object. Nor did I care much. It was sad enough for me to have the Pacific cruise end this way. But, I had to choose my side, and I did. And I didn't regret my choice.

I guess I took the best of the experience with me. I got to see phantastic places. I got a taste of the great Southern Ocean and saw the Albatross fly - and rest, in the calm. I met interesting people, and got in touch with different cultures. I've learned a lot. Even if by seeing bad examples. But also from the captain I've learned some things; navigation, meteorology, maintenance.

But foremost; I got to learn a lot of things about myself. I travelled thousands of miles over the Ocean. But the voyage inside my own self was much greater than that. I know now what I can take, the sort of emotional strain I can endure - and sort I can't take too well. Well; let's say I know a whole lot more about it than I knew before...

The land approach was a phantastic experience. Seeing the green mountain slopes of Chile after weeks on the Ocean... priceless! We tackled the entrance through a wide, fjordlike river mouth, to Puerto Valdivia, a small coastal town on the entrance to the Patagonian land, without problems. Despite the approaching steak and beers, the crew was not cheerfull. The last episodes had taken their toll.

We tied the boat on a jetty int he local club, and arranged things in no time. And without much fuss and cerimony, after concluding the formalities, the crew left the boat. We all (the crew, minus the captain) went together into the next backpacker hostel for a long hot shower. And then, quickly, into the next restaurant for a big steak and a couple of beers. Ah! Humans and their simple pleasures!

Amazon Rainforest

Travelling in the amazon region is a phantastic experience. Even better so if done in company of famaly and dear friends. I was luck enough to do just so. Following an invitation from our long time friends, the Leuzingers, my mother and me joined the party for a two week boat journey from Manaus, and up the Rio Negro.

Travelling by boat is the only real way to experience the vastness of the amazon rainforest. Sailing for days along deserted river banks, covered with dense forest, over an endless horizont of endless masses of sweet water, gives a good impression of the of what the region is made of. The occasional expedition through the forest itself makes you humble before the wonders of nature.

But the nicest thing about this journey, was that I got lots of time enjoying the company of my mother and friends. We had long conversations over frequent meals and happy hours. There are not many place to go. The world passes by while you sit on your boat. The temperature is agreeable, the water nice and allways just a hop away. If the boat is sailing, a confortable shower on the stern platform does the trick.

All in all about the most relaxing trip I've ever done. And one of the most interesting too.

Herzlichen Glueckwunsch zum Geburtstag!!!

Buquet de flores para a minha mãe. Feliz Aniversário!!!

My Mother, happy on the Rio Negro.

Happy Birthday!!!

Canoas do Rio Negro

Canoes from the Rio Negro.
Time to start a new story soon.

South East Pacific Tour - Land approach

After weeks of slow sailing in a weak wind pattern, with only occasional gales (after all, we were in the “roaring’ 40ies) and discharge of thunderstorms, our morale was down, and all rations, food and water, were reduced. We were still about 400 miles from land. Our estimated time of arrival in Chile, had already passed. With our average speed over the whole voyage, about 50 miles a day, we would still be 8 days from port. But currently we were sitting in a dead calm and were averaging much less than that…

The Chilean Coast Guard keeps track of all vessels crossing from Easter Island to the continent, since this is a relatively dangerous passage through a largely empty Ocean. Once your estimated time of arrival has passed, your vessel is considered overdue. At this stage all ships are asked to keep a lookout, and report all sightings that could relate to the overdue vessel. Well, … by now we were on that list.

Under pressure of the crew the captain had finally started the engine. But then, after 2 hours of motoring at 4 knots, the engine was stopped by the captain… nobody understood. Flat sea, full tank, good for more than 800 miles, 400 miles to go… motoring out of the wind hole to find better wind closer to the Humbold current was the tactic which was apparently chosen. In the end of the day the crew had booked an instruction cruise on an academy boat, to get the certification as Yachtmaster Offshore. A survival course was not on the program. All crew had lost significant weight. I had lost about 5 kg already. In my case that was very significant and substantial since I have barely any body fat. Understandably, the crew was puzzled. Why start the engine, and stop it after only 2 hours? The progess we made, 8 miles, changed nothing in our situation.

The girls reacted strongly. They loudly questioned the captain. My own position with the captain was deteriorating rapidly, but for the while I kept my thoughts and feelings to myself, and was inclined to listen first. Facing the reaction of the crew, the captain began to complain about the starting “mutiny”. I was by no means willing to participate in anything that could look like it, because I understand the consequences of this, and mainly because I was still interested in the Yachtmaster certification – one of the main reasons for me still being on the boat.

The captain called all crew in the cockpit. He wanted to put a few things straight. With long winded words he explained that he was the captain, and the only one deciding were and how this ship would go. The crew had to understand that this was part of the training, that the crew knew nothing boats, engines and life in general… My forehead started wrinkling… He continued explaining us a few things about diesel engines; Diesel engines were not build to run for long hours. I was puzzled. Before leaving Equador he told us that the engine was a power aggregate, also used in small power plants. So, they were not built to run for long hours? For what I know, diesel engines run as long as they have diesel in their tanks! The bullshit was stinking badly! And I was starting to show my dissatisfaction in front of all this complete bullshit.

I was here on this boat, paying to be instructed. Not to get this type of nonsense, to be treated like an idiot. My motivation to have a Yachtmaster certificate signed by this man was falling rapidly. Like a stone, actually.

The next day the engine was started again. We motored during 4 hours. The same on the next day. Finally the wind kicked in again. We were finally able to approach land. The mood was terrible. During all that time I was pondering about my next steps. The whole episode had put me into an ethical dilemma. Confronted with what I considered a more than unacceptable behavior of the captain, I decided not to give him my support any more, and just continue doing my watches and duties as usual.

Yachtmaster Offshore Exam

The Yachtmaster Exam was scheduled to take place during the last 2 days of our land approach. First the practical part, and on the last day the theoretical part. The couple of days before that, I was miserable. I had two reasons for this trip. One was to make an extended Ocean Voyage, the second was to get the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate. I got the voyage, all right. The second was more difficult now. Not that I feared the exam. It was more of an ethical problem.

I had put up with a lot of bullshit and had stayed quiet a couple of times during this trip, in order not to risk my exam. The captain was, after all, the captain, the instructor, the examiner, all in one person. Not good. But the whole thing was getting a little too much for me to just put up with it now. Doing the exam meant, for me, to silently accept all the behavior of the captain, and worse, to accept his authority to give me a Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. And deep in my heart I knew that I didn’t. And there was no one I could talk to about that.

I went into a silent isolation. I felt very sad. Besides being quite angry. But, foremost, I was very lonely.

After long pondering I decided not to take the exam. To give up on one of my main objectives for the whole trip. It was a difficult decision. But, in the end I didn’t want it any more. I mean; I didn’t want a certificate with his name and signature on it. It would be a lifelong shame for me - and not a reason for pride, which it was meant to be. In order not to threaten the chances of the rest of the crew, I decided to tell the captain only in the last moment, when it was my time to take the theoretical exam. I therefore asked to be the last to take the test.

Sad arrival

My exam was the last, in the afternoon. The following morning would be landfall. I entered the captain’s cabin at the stern. He began with an introduction, giving me some moral teachings, telling me that I was a good crew, but that it seemed that I had to choose on which side I was. That was my signal. I told him I had already chosen my side, and that I was not taking his exam. He went silent. I took the opportunity to tell him my view on the story. Listed him all my reasons for my decision, and remembered a couple of his bad decisions. But, most importantly, I told him that I didn’t accept his authority to certify me. He said nothing and I left.

Despite being exam day, it seemed that nobody felt like celebrating.

The captain of Columbia

Inside view

This video gives a curious view from inside the boat.

The boat moves nicely. Note the stability. No pitching.

I know, many videos from a model... Thing is the videos give me a good preview of what might be to come. And therefore gives me a good tool to evaluate a couple of choices.

Nice portrait of Arpex

A few hull panels still need cutting and adjusting. Then we will glue the sheets on and fair the hull with polyester paste. Only then we will laminate the glass. We have settled for 3 layers. Maybe some points might get 4 layers for reinforcement.

We have also talked about the pod extrusions. Construction will be a challenge. The main lines are clear. But some details need to be worked out. We have, for example tried to figure out where the waterline would be, and how the hull would lay in the water. Quite difficult. On the drive back I've had a few thoughts about it, and think we might extimate the spot. Point of departure must be the center of buoyancy. A horizontal line from there will reveal how the stern and bow might appear... Huhhhh! Scary....

I admit to being a bit concearned about that. I believe the bow might stick out a bit. Which is not too bad, actually. Not at all. If the stern dig in, that would be worse.

Note the line drawn by the red laser line, in the image below, indicating the estimated waterline.

We followed the lines of the designer. I very much hope the buoyancy calculations are 'about right...

Copacabana as "Praya Rodriguez"

A nice image of Copacabana beach in the early 18'hundreds. It is misteriously called "Praya Rodriguez". I've never heard this name before. It is clearly Copacabana as seen from the height between Botafogo and Copacana. One can notice the Cagarras Islands in the distance.

The Copacabana region was quite unaccessable before the tunnel was built, in the beginning of the 19'hundreds.

This print is hanging at the Castelinho 38, in Santa Teresa. I love seeing it.

Group picture with Arpex

Luiz Fernando and me have been having a few quarrels, due to delays in the building schedule. I was alarmed today in the morning.

I need good vibes to conclude this boatbuilding project. So, we had a clearing talk today. I think we managed to achieve a good platform for our relationship, and took the opportunity to take a nice picture together.

From inside-upside-down

One is starting to get a feel of the interior volumes.

I love to see the wooden hull-structure...

The cabin space will be coated with white pigment. But the extremeties, which will be open to the view from inside, will be coated with clear epoxi only. I think this will help with early detection of maintenance needs on the wooden struckture. And it will look nice too. At least, in my opinion.

I will not install any hatches in the bow section. This makes shure that water is kept out of there. If I find that I need one, I will install it later on.

Hull being sheeted

We have made some sample tests to choose the epoxi resin. There are great differences in price and quality. To choose the right one for laminating the glass-fiber is a structured process. Choosing a day with a low degree of air humidity is very important to achieve good quality laminates. Curing with lightbulbs would be a good option. But quite a bit of work to get the light-panels together.

The hull is starting to look nice. It is a beautyfull bow, I find.

Por que não aqui?

Those sailing canoes (tacking outriggers) have evolved nicely in the last few years. People have put daggerboards in them, which should improve sailing to windward quite greatly. But, one needs to remember that the canoes are often paddled when windward work is necessary.

Rio would be a nice place for a couple of those canoes. One is already beeing sailed in
Cabo Frio, 70 miles to NE. See the video.

They all seem to have the same happy faces. Coincidence?

A região do Rio de Janeiro seria perfeita para o esporte. Possibilidades de velejar até Angra ou Cabo Frio estariam abertas.

Red Alert

Like the song or not. The title fits the situation.

3500 visitors

Thank's for all of you readers who have kept comming back, to check this blog for news on the boatbuilding. Or whatever else you find interesting enough to come back.


The title to this post is slightly exxagerated, and therefore pretentious. The counter shows 3500 clicks. But that doesn't mean the same number of visitors. Because of the one's returning. The map shows the origin of the returning visitors. I find it interesting to see the various locations, and try interpret the specific interest. Only wagely possible, of course.

I found it nice to have a visitor from Valdivia, Chile. Tomorrow or on the weekend I will post the last chapters of the South East Pacific tour thread. The tour will end in Valdivia...

But anyway; nice to have you around, thank's and if it's getting boring, let me know.

New beginning

My posting has been severely reduced in the last couple of days. This was due to computer probems. Which have now been solved.

I was missing my posting activity, and am therfore happy to be back online. Posting on this blog was a nice way to go through and keep track of a few things. My boatbuilding, of course, but other stuff too. Like my South East Pacific Tour for example. I will finish the story in the next couple of days.

It is a priviledge to have this view every day. Is it not? We are having splendid mornings lately.

Some might complain about two quite similar images in a short time period... (reference to "Morning Glory" post) Well,... I can look at it every day! And I love it!

And besides, I hope to have my own boat lying in between the couple of ones you can see on the bay if you click on the image. Those are the moorings of the Guanabara Club. I will be able to see it every morning!!! Think about that! Nice, uh?!

And, since we're at it; It is Valentines Day! Remember flowers!

Arpex - View from the boat deck

Why does the video not appear? I have no idea... you can click on it and see the images. They are quite entertaining - at least I find that.

Model sailing in the sun

Stern

The stern had to be redone.

Red Indians

There are still some indian tribes lost in the amazon rainforest that have never been officially contacted by governmental institutions and representatives of our modern society. That means that they probabely have already had contact with smugglers, goldseekers and bandits of all sorts. Just like in the old days. Not much has changed in that respect. This is why they have a healthy suspicion against being contacted... as one can see in the picture that has been published recently in our Brazilian newspapers and magazines.

Hull sheeting begins

Morning Glory

Image from my early morning commuting to the construction site of the new ThyssenKrupp steelplant.

Reef curve

I have drawn a hypotethical reef curve for Arpex. It is the sort of information I would love to have about other proas and tacking outriggers. But it seems not possible to get the information. It puts reefpoints according to windstrength for different ballast situations. I wonder how the real curve will look like.