Weekend Passage to Angra on Minna

Last weekend I helped my brother to bring my sisters boat, the 40ft. Minna, to Angra dos Reis, a passage of some 60 miles. It was a pleasant trip with all sorts of sailing. We went from becalmed to 25 knots and two reefs. But the boat is sound and safe, so we went through without much fuss, and arived at Ilha Grande without problems. Before we left Rio, we waved good bye to Arpex, who stayed safe on its mooring under the Sugar Loaf.

Mast mended and more

Yesterday I finished the work on the mast. After Rogerio made the repairs, and laminated the carbon, he let all ready for me to apply a layer of paint. It now looks as if nothing ever happened. Now I just need to source the new shrouds. This is taking me longer than antecipated. But in not much more than a week or two this should be solved, and the mast will br put back into its right place. 

During the day, while chatting with the boys, I mentioned the need of producing a bimini style sun shelter for Arpex. To my surprise Pedro produced a massive boat cover, which he inherited from the owner of a 54 footer.  A smaller part of it seemed to provide an excellent opportunity  for Arpex with only some minor, adjustments. 

Beside the work we organized a little barbecue, so as to not work with an empty stomach. The current work station, on the "Santantonio", provides a comfortable platform for activities, with a nice view. 

All in all a successful day, with a spectacular scenario at the end. 

Random Thoughts on Lessons Learned

Random Thoughts

In the aftermath of the eventful passage from Ramos to Urca, I have been coming to a few conclusions and lessons learned.

The main conclusion  might seem pretty well known to some: “If you have one, you have none. If you have two, you have one.”

Second conclusion is, that I was not prepared for a real structured test. Even more so, if you consider, that I am not acquainted with multihull sailing. I say this, because when the shroud came down, the wind was blowing around 20 knots, and we were carrying full sail. This was too much, and considering this, I am happy that the damage was limited. I had no real action plan as to what to do in case the wind piped up. But I should. Even if the forecast pointed towards the possibility of strnger winds in the afternoon. I did not really transform this into an action plan in case the wind kicked in.

As a weak defense I can mention, that we were sailing in moderate winds. Pretty swifly we sailed at around 9 knots in about 13-15 knots of wind. The speed is pretty good, considering that the hull was pretty dirty, after 6 months parked in the unsavory Ramos sauce, and that the engine was dragging pittifully. This must have accounted for at least 2-3 knots. Hence we could have been sailing at 11-12 knots.

For an untested and un-tuned boat, that is not too bad. And it is also according to my objectives for the boat.

However, at the position where we lost the shroud and damaged the mast, we slipped out of the wind-shadow from the Arsenal Marinho (Navy Area). And the wind kicked in at about 20-22 knots. This overburdened the shroud, which gave way with the consequences which are to be expected, if your mast has only one shroud.  

Still on the positive side, the boat proved to be very stable. Considering that we were sailing in a breeze with full sail, and that the ama did not make any mention as to be close to lifting from the water, I guess I can say that. In general the boat is very stable. The is no hobbyhorsing. Stepping on t the boat, and moving about feels stable and solid. 

Work on the mast is ongoing

The mast is almost ready by now. Assuming that it will be erected again for the next weekend might be a bittoo optimistic. But it wont take much longer. 

New look

As mentioned, last weeks sail to my mooring on Urca Beach, resulted in some damage to the mast. The stick has been taken off, and repair work is under way. 

Festa Junina

The Shroud Report

Bang!

Bang! The starboard shroud broke. And now I need to mend the mast, which received the full pressure of the sails without the support to windward. Consequently the mast tilted to port, flexing like a bamboo. The foot of the mast escaped from its base, and banged against the hull side. I am quite happy that I decided to double up the hull with 10mm ply and a few layers of fiberglass. There was no damage. Also the cabin ceiling, with the strong structure that surrounds the spot where it goes through the deck, withstood the blow. Lucky thing that the mast did not go over the side.

However, the mast did receive some damage, as the leeward side, cracked up a bit. I should have taken a picture. The mast will have to be removed. I need to cut it up, and splice up a wooden replacement. Finally it will receive a carbon fiber sleeve. It is a good thing that I can save the mast. Having to build a new one would be very bad.

All in all, I am happy the damage was not greater. Also, the crew reacted very well. We managed to maintain a cold head, and clean up the mess efficiently. First we released all sheets. I am happy the mainsail came down. Not without effort, but it did. Then the jib. The engine got started.

 

Ready to go out

All seems sorted out. The boat is ready to leave the filthy berth in Ramos, and go into further testing and sailing. Saturday will be the day, despite a weather forecast which promises weak winds, and maybe some rain. But who cares? I can't wait to move the boat!