Coppercoated

The bottom of the boat is now fully coated with Coppercoat - main hull, ama and rudder. I must say, that I just love the looks if it. It makes a perfect match with the full red of the hull, and the white, sand and wood of the decks. After coating the coating will be sanded, to actually expose the copper contained in the resin. That will look splendid.

 Anyway, I know that the color of the coppercoat will change to a light greenish, copper patina. Which I find lovely also, I'm sure. Know I'm pondering to put on a colored stripe. I'm thinking about a dark green. Racing green type.

Coppercoating the main hull

 We made good use of a local holiday to apply the coppercoating on the main hull. The main challenge was to lift the hull from the cradle, to paint it without gaps. After manhandling the hull from the cradle, we put supports underneath the "wings" to keep the hull hovering above the cradle. It worked out. I suppose it was rather unconventional. And we did take a risk. But in the end the hull was painted with 3 coats of the coppercoat.

Too bad I didn't buy enough of the expensive coppercoating complete the job. The instructions says it requires 4 coats.... So, since I took the money in the hands to apply the coppecoat, I might just as well do it right. So now I got more of the stuff, and we will finish on saturday.

 It think it sure looks very nice. Hope it works as good as it looks.

Happy Easter!

See the full story here, on my girl's video blog: divasavessas.blogspot.com.br

Waterline and Solarpanel

My main task for today was to mark the waterline and define the position for the solar panel, so that Roger can paint the coppercoat and mount the panel. It seems easy, but takes more than one thinks. Of course the waterline is am major thing. Best would be to actually take the boat to the water.

Also the positioning of the solar panel deserves some thought. At first I thought it should be right at the stern. But then I realised, that it would interfere with the main sheet. On the cabin top is ok, as long as one can mount it without having leaks dripping into the cabin! I suppose sun exposure would be optimised on the stern, since on the cabin top the boom and sail might cast a shadow on the panel.

Start the Coppercoating

Yesterday I was abducted to sail a regata, and thus didn't work on the boat. This sort of thing should not be happening, at this stage. But I must say, that sailing the regata was very agreeable, and I enjoyed meeting new people. But in order to look at the stage of things, Adri and I went to the boatshed today. I was also very curious to see how the Coppercoat on the rudder was looking. Roger applied a first coat, as a test. It looks just like it; a first coat. But one can already see, that it will look good once finished and fully coated. It makes a good match with the lovely red color.

Adri was also quite happy to see that things are, in fact, nearing completion. 

Roger put up a few lines, to mock up, to see how the port sheet for the genoa will be led across the foredeck to the winsh.

RYC - Rio Yacht Club - 100 Years Commemorative Regata

What is better for a little bit of relaxation than a commemorative regata? In this case the Rio Yacht Club, or Rio Sailing, was remembering its 100 years, since the foundation. Being  Club exclusively for sailors, it offers a great atmosphere with interesting members, and a charming club house.

I sailed the regatta with my friend Roger, who invited me on behalf of Lorezo, the Italian owner of the 1973 S&S design. With us we had Fernando and the renowned artist Ernesto Neto. The group made an interesting mix, and we had lots of fun, despite the lack of wind. We didn't manage to finish the course, but enjoyed the day and the closing of the day with a beer at the RYC and a night sail over the bay back to Rio.

Gutavo Pacheco's Natilus made a stylish mark at the regata. His wooden Sharpie, which he restored to a high standard made many heads turn.

Wondering about the sails?

The sails for Arpex have not yet been ordered. Why? Well, I have found it hard to commit to the fixed points on the deck, which are then determinant for the sailmeasures, and even the very sail configuration. The determination of the fixed points has very much to do with the sail handling and working of the sails on deck, not to speak, of course with the structure that will support the loads. And since Arpex is a bit different than other boats in this sense, the whole thing needed a lot of pondering. Now that Roger has been involved in the project for a while, and we have had opportunity to discuss a wide array of aspects of sail handling, I feel much more confident to do the decisions that are required. Roger's practical experience with the Wharram Wingsail, came in as a valuable asset in the decision taking process. He has also helped in drawing up the sails on Corell Draw, which helps with keeping the measures of the sails. Much better than my efforts on PowerPoint! So that now we came up with drawings which I think can be used as input for the sailmaker.

The total sail area is 31m2. The estimated weight of the boat is around 700kg. Which makes for 22kg per m2.

Carry on

The target is to put the boat in the water in April. This month. Things are looking good, and it seems feasible. With Roger working on the bits and pieces that still need sorting out, and me trying to keep up with sourcing missing equipment, we might soon get to see how this boat floats on the water.

But make no mistake, some stuff still needs to be done. Paint the bottom. Install the rudder. Install the solar panel, which I have by now ordered on the internet, and finish the electrics. Order the sails. Buy the winch... Next week we will have the Rio Boat Show, during which I might be able to get the bits and pieces that I still need with a discount.

And of course the boat needs to be moved. A little project in itself. But one step towards it is done. One of the Club Members - actually the President, the good man - has lent me his trailer. We will transfer the boat to it, and put the boat near the ramp. Maybe we will dip the boat in the water, to find the correct water- line... Sure, maybe it is cheating a little. But I don't care. Just don't tell anyone.

Roger loves the repetition of climbs onto the boat. He thinks it keeps him fit and agile.

We spent a while together discussing the positioning of deckware.