Every coin has two sides

Yes, night swimming on friday was brilliant. But sleeping at 3pm is not beneficiary to boatbuilding. And the balmy temperatures of 28 degrees C. at 3pm, quickly transform to a very hot, baking hot, cenario of 35+ degrees on the following shiny day.

Result; I couldn't focus propperly on real building. Seeking self-punishment, and decided not to go back home without any activity, I decided to clean the interior of the boat. What a stupid idea. But it just came, took posession of me and before I knew, I had the vacuum cleaner in hand, ear protection and mask on, and ventured into the most remote compartments of my boat.

Does that sound too dramatic, considering I'm talking about a mere 30ft. boat? Not at 38+ degrees, crawling in a fairly tight space. Having the vacuum cleaner inside the boat exhausting a hot air-stream didn't help either. After sweating some 4 liters, in around 2 hours, but before serious overheating and dehidratation stuck, I had cleaned a good portion. Redeemed, I think I did something good. However, I certainly didn't regret my nightswimming.

Night swimming

Taking advantage of the full moon of the friday night, balmy temperatures and most pleasant water conditions, we went to the Aproador Rock, Arpex, for a night swimming session. Very adequate to celebrate the milestones that the Arpex projetc has passed so far. It was brilliant.

Catching crocodiles all thrugh the night, in transparent, jade coloured water was just phantastic. I even made my jump from the rock. Even if not from the point break, which wouldn't have been prudent.

At night Arpoador beach is illuminated by strong floodlights, so the water is lit up, like a swimmingpool with underwater illumination. School of silvery fish entertained us, by jumping up subsequently, in large flocks, flickering in the light.

We stayed on the beach until 2am. Along the beach other small groups of people were also joyfully savoring the night. "Night beaching" is becomming faishonable, here in Rio.

50'000 visits approaching

Along the last 2 years, this blog has accumulated almost 50'000 visits. By tomorrow we will, most likely, see a big fifty with zeros on the counter. I'm often surprised, when I think about that. And, amusingly, others tell me that they are too. So, at least I'm not alone.

The blog's second aniversary, which was in November 2009, has slipped from my attention. So, I'll take this opportunity to thank you all for joining now and then. Knowing that people are around, checking out on the progress of the boat, or just seeking some sort of entertainment, is a great incentive which goes much beyond this blog. It also keeps me going in terms of my boatbuilding. Funny, isn't it? Anyway; I enjoy the exchange and interaction. Your comments are often helpfull and stimulating. Thanks for all that.

And, in case you have wondered; Yes, carnival is approaching again. Those of you who have followed this blog for a while might have noted, that I do enjoy the various aflorations and expressions of this cultural happening. However, this year, I'm afraid, I'm going to be a distant spectator only. I'll concentrate, and focus on my boatbuilding. I'll better do that.

Atlantic Crossing

Captain Gustavo Pacheco has returned from another crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. Together with two other crew, he made a safe trip from France to Brazil. Neptune gave them a good taste of different aspects of what the sea can offer you.

This beautiful video gives a great picture of the look and feel of an ocean crossing. Great images from suprising angles. The black and white suits it very well! The vid is nicely edited, and comes with a great soundtrack and narration too. It is worth looking at.

Hatching continued

Quite surprisng how long it takes to produce a decent hatch! Or, maybe, let's say simply... a hatch. Let's later see, whether it will be called a "decent hatch".

For now, though, it seems to come out all right. To me it looks good too. From the outside and from the inside.

It takes so long because lots of alignment and verification is needed. I'm screwing things together before I glue them on. Because once glued,... there is no way back.

Again the router was my main tool.

Proa "Des Jours Meilleurs"

Here is a great video showing historic images of a proa, which is, maybe, the most sucessful modern proa of our days. It is the French "Des Jours Meilleurs", conceived and built by the Guillard family. They have sailed some serious mileage on their 62 ft. boat, including Atlantic crossings. The proa is pretty quick too. She has clocked 23 knots already. My compliments to Famille Guillard.

Ama Trip

São Sebastião offered me a lovely day for my ama trip. I went to visit Miguel Pomar, who is building the ama hull. Miguel has been building simple and inventive boats for his lifetime. Now he is dedicating his attention to catamarans - and other multihulls, like mine. He invited me for a tasty lunch in his house, so that I could see and understand the mould from which he will build the ama hull. Drawings are nice, but actually seeing and touching the ama, to understand its' shape and volume is much better.

During the drive, up into to 1000 meters altitude, I had nice views onto the mountains, covered by dense forest and could benefit from the more tempered climate. On the way back, I took the opportunity and took a shower in a waterfall. There are plenty of rivers with clean and fresh water around.

I was very happy with what I saw when I got to Miguel's. Miguel is a nice guy, with tons of experience. His boats are pragmatic and cater for the brazilian market, which can not afford the outrageously expensive imported boats.

The main dymensions of the hull-to-be are good. However, the ama shape is not exactly as drawn in the original plans, neither exactly like I would wish it to be. But many of the differences are improvements, and will make my life much easyier. Therefore, the overall result of the deal is positive.

Building the hulls for multihulls are often the most complicated part of the construction. Miguel has a mould which can be adapted according to many wishes. I think amateur boatbuilders who dream of building something according to their own ideas have a good opportunity here. Building from Miguel's moulds, and then developing whatever sort of cabin, deck, and what not, from there... That makes life much easyier.

São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro

Tomorrow is a holiday in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is the day of the saint-patron of our town, "São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro", also nicked as "Rio".

The name was given according to the day of "discovery" by the Portuguese, 20th. January 1504. Giving names of the saints of the day, or of birthdays of the current or past royalty, was a common practice among portuguese and spanish discoverers. I mean, sure! if you discover unknown land every day, your creativity to bring up new names for it will run out, one day or the other. So you better have a logic schemed out to produce new names. And if you can please your sponsor while doing it, even the better.

So, this is why I'm free tomorrow. The day off will be used for a trip to the nearby town of Petrópolis. Miguel Pomar will be building my ama over there, and I want to see the mould and how he works. Miguel invited me for lunch, and I'm looking forward to it.

It takes an hours drive to Petrópolis. It is about 70km, up in the mountains. Due to the altitude, tempreatures are more moderate, than in our baking Rio. I'm looking forward to that too...

Wharram creaming along

Wharram cats are interesting boats. I wonder why some don't like them. Easy to build, following detailed plans, and simple in the inventiveness of the proposed solutions, they make lots of sense to the amateur boatbuilder. And some semi-professional boatbuilders also do a good job in building them on comission. They seem to fit our tropical South Atlantic waters very well.

This is a nice video showing that they cream along nicely in a breeze.

Classic launching sequence

We dont have many amateur boatbuilders here in Brazil, but we do have some people launching boats they have built themselves. I enjoyed this classic launching sequence, with a fine song to go along with...

Hatching

Today's time was mostly dedicated to get some order into my box. That's a small space, where I keep tools and material. It is very hard to keep it shipshape. Therefore, I don't even try. Miraculously, it seems that my hand finds all tools it needs, without much thinking from my side. But too much is too much, the mess was getting the overhand, and I needed to make a ballance of the wood and ply, I've got left to work with. The area around the boat was also cleaned. It is incredible how detritus accumulates.

Else than that, I have done some shaping, aligning and mocking up of my main hatch. I have already found out that the hatch is wonderful to squeeze fingers. Found it out the hard way. The solution for it I have also already schemed out. I'll glue a "fingerguard" under the critical area. If you're curious to know which area it is,... it is right in the middle of the picture above.

Else than that, I think the hatch will work just fine. Jonas'es router is coming in handy these days. Hear that, Jonas?

Sailing

Nothing is more satisfying and thrilling than to see the morning breaking, after a night sailing on a reach through a tropical night. There is no tiredness nor strain from the lack of sleep. No worries blowing over with the night breeze. Only the spiced scent of a new glorious day, carried by the caressing land wind.

If you let your thoughts glide over the swell, feel the wind and see the clouds. Let your eyes and mind wander over the gear, then conforting relaxation settles in. Enjoy the antecipation of the perfume of a cup of coffee. The rising sun will soon chase away the slight chill of the night, and instead bring the day's heat.

... Which brings me down to here and now again... Yesterday's rain has abated the heat, that was baking carioca brains in the last few weeks. Therefore, there is no good excuse not to go boatbuilding! ... got to get ready...

And here comes the coffee, brought by crewmate, Mr. Mauricio Crespo Neto. His dad, Dr. Mauricio Crespo Junior is sleeping away the best of the day in his bunk. He deserved the rest. He had to steer a couple of hours under engine, during the calm patches at the start of the nightsail, a crossing from Rio to Buzios, in 2007. Dr. Mauricio is a formidable crew.

My younger nephews, sons and daughters of my brothers and sister, are approaching the age of becomming valuable crew. I really look forward to sailing with all of them.

Menina Veneno

If you have read my previous post, and seen the embedded video, you might have had akward feelings. And the same occurs if you see this video, featuring Richie. His song "Menina Veneno", was played until overkill in 1983. I was 13 at the time. If you've lived in Brazil in 1983, then you have heard this song, and you remember it too.

Surprisingly, Richie classifies as a rocker. Richie came from Great Britain to Brazil.

We can dance

I was checking out on the "Messing About in Sailboats Blog". Kenneth Grahame has posted a video featuring the band " Men Without Hats", with their hypnotic song; "Safety Dance". Raise your hand if you have never danced to this song! Look around; There are not many of your kind. Great hit in its time.

But you can join the crowd, if you want to.

This video was created in 2008, as part of a University course. It is just as nonsense as the original. Check it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcOZ6xFxJqg&feature=related

....But seriously? Who only blokes on the video? Avoid this University for longer periods....

Rio 40 Graus

I have found my limit. When thermometers hit 40 degrees Celsius I abstain myself from boatbuilding (=104 Fahrenheit). And that's what we are having these days in Rio. Rio de Janeiro is known to have only two seasons; summer and "hell". Currently we are in hell. Due to high humidity the termic sensation is around 50 degrees (=122 F.). That is what the newspapers say,.. and I believe it.

But, I have not been hanging out on the beach. Much too hot for me. I took a cold natural shower up high on the the hills, in the forest. And despite the heat, I did a crucial thing for the project, this last weekend. I have signed the contract for the construction of the ama. The hull should be laminated in about 60 days. We sealed the deal with a ice cold beer.

Amatur Boatbuilding in Brazil

Amateur boatbuilders in Brazil are still seen as slightly deranged, exotic types. In my opinion this comes from an archaic notion, that hands-on work is something for the lower levels of the society, for order-takers. For propper people, working with tools is something done only if extremely necessary to fix something, maybe on your car or house. Specially if it envolves dust or grease. But usually you're supposed to just pay someone else to do the job.

I regularly receive incredulous looks when the topic of my boat construction comes up. Which is why I usually avoid mentioning it, actually. It is only when I get carried away that I bring the topic up altogether.

Seeking help or advice on local amateur boatbuilder forums is also mostly frustrating. The concept of messing around with boats, the actual pleasures of developing, researching, exchanging ideas around a boatbuilding project are seldomly grasped by the people that frequent them. Building your boat is only seen as a means to get to a boat on a tight budget. The idea is to get to build something that is as close as possible to the productions boats offered on the market. Of course this is a pretty queer notion too. All this is among the reasons why this blog is written in english.

Big traditional tacking outrigger

The ancient people who have developed outrigger sailing craft did actually build their boats in all sorts of weight distribution configurations. See on this video Hans Klaar's 72ft. long tacking outrigger. His outrigger is just slightly shorter, and carries considerable weight. The rig, witch is a mixture of crabclaw with triangle fore sails, even a genaker, is mounted just outside of the main hull.

Hans Klaar has built his boat, parting from crude logs, with simple tools, according to old drawings. He built it on the African East coast, and has sailed it all over the world.

Thanks to Kim, from the proa-file for the link.

Find more videos like this on Wharram Builders and Friends

Guam - Canoe tradition

Traditional proas follow a different approach than the Harryproas. Most weight of the canoe is located in a main hull which carries mast, and cargo. According to conditions, the crew sits on the main hull, or, when the wind picks up, they hike out on the outrigger. The ama is a wavepiercing, low buoyancy hull. This configuration is, of course, also driven by the materials they had available. The materials they had would not resist high stress for sustained periods. Therefore, the rigthning moment is increased only as it is required by conditions, in form of the crew on the outrigger.

As a matter of fact, they even had a lee platform, where they could hike out to counter-ballance the ama in very light wind conditions. The platform also gives more area, to distribute weight of cargo.

This video has a nice texture, which gives a good idea of the sailing on a traditional canoe. Also, it is nice to see, that people are getting together, to keep some of the tradition alive. And pass it on to the next generations.

Just a comment: Frank seems like a nice guy. But, visually speaking, the video would have benefitted from an attractive wahine as a presentator.

Shunting Harry

Now, here is a video that really intrigued me.

In the world of proas, outriggers and such other, considered exotic multihulls, the Harryproas are of a modern breed. Rob Denney researches and experiments with modern, more rational construction methods, often considering easily built panels, flat laminated, and then bent. Seems quick and cheap. The arguments for the weight distribution of his proas are simple and logic. They are "weight-to-windward" proas.

Just like in monohulls, there are a dozen or more possibilities to distribute the different elements of a multi-hulled boat, like; weight, length, volume, rig, rigtype, rudders, ballast, overhangs, symetry and such. It makes you really think about the factors that drive performance.

The harryproa chooses to use a slim long hull where the rig is located, and a shorter hull to windward, which carries most of the total weight. Accomodations, tanks, batteries engine are located in this "outrigger hull".

If you think about it, the concept makes lots of sense. The idea of the shunting boat is exactly to be able to have a slim hull, with an element of rightning moment, dedicated to be used to windward. Precisely where your overturning force comes from. So why not putt all the weight that you need to carry to achieve the rightening moment you need in there?

In the video, a Harryproa shunts over a conventional catamaran. Looks nice and easy. But, towards the end of the video, the cat seems to sail higher and faster. Accounting for the fact, that the proa needs to accelerate from a standstill, in relatively light winds, after shunting, it still seems odd. And the time indicated, at the end of the video, is not as positive as one might think. Why???

Are there lenght differences I can't recognize? Is the crew getting used to the boat or are the sails maybe not too well cut? The video owner profile informs that the owner is from Denmark. I am not aware of a Harryproa in Denmark. Does somebody know about it? I'd like to know more about it.

Click here to visit the Harryproa site, and see Rob's designs.

Fast tacking outrigger

Here comes another video. This one shows a modern tacking outriger, by Gerhard Schein, from G-Force Yachts.

Note, how the akas and the trampolin is positioned well to the rear, just like on Arpex. The boat seems to be fast and responsive.

See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvzqaUIEBrI

Thanks to Kevin O'Neill, for the heads up.

Traditional canoes in Puluwat

This is one of the most beautiful videos, among those that show traditional boats from the South Pacific. These are traditional canoes in Puluwat and Ifalik for fishing around the atoll and for inter-island transport.

Make sure you follow the video until they pass close to the humongous waves of oceanic swell breaking on the reef (4.40 min.).

Good sentences to start the year with

To young men contemplating a voyage I would say go.
- Joshua Slocum

Wind is to us what money is to life on shore.
- Sterling Hayden

The goal is not to sail the boat, but rather to help the boat sail herself.
- John Rousmaniere

Not all who wander are lost.
- JRR Tolkien

I start from the premise that no object created by man is as satisfying to his body and soul as a proper sailing yacht.
- Arthur Beiser 1978, The Proper Yacht

Twenty years from now you will be more disppointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain

Headstart

The year 2010 is earmarked, for me, as the year in which I have launched my boat. To make this sentence a reality, some action from my side will be necessary.

I drove out to the shed, in the Club, talked to João, and picked up scale, resin, gloves, mask, and all other stuff needed for epoxi work, and all parts for the main hatch. It was, again copiously hot. The idea was to seal all parts with epoxi, at home. Homework. Over the weekend and following week I'll be able to coat and sand, to give the nice wood a decent finish and protection.

The resin has been applied with a foam roller. I have no idea wheather this is the right tool for the job. Maybe I should rather use a brush for the next coats? ... I'll need to search the net for some information on this....

Goodbye 2009 Welcome 2010

Image taken from a ship, steaming out of the Guanabara Bay, by Ricco Rocha.