Jim Brown talking about proas

Fishpeople

Next steps

So, here I am, spinning thoughts for a bigger boat. Which is probably unreasonable, and unwise, too. But i can't help it. And while looking at the first sketches for Arpex, I realize I allways thought it as a 40 footer. And the sketches shows that, I think. The cabin structure will fit in better into a longer hull. I remember looking at these images, when I made them, and I remember I thought; Damn! The boat should be >40 foot.

So, I have been talking to a few boat designers. I would wish to have professional support for the development. Out of a long list of designers with recommendations, and some which I contacted directly, I am trying to filter out two or three, to get to a final selection.

Also, looking at these old sketches from 2006, I thought how crazy I was to produce these images in Power Point! :-D 

New plans

So,... that is how it all starts. ... I ended up making a first drawing of how I would imagine a boat configured like Arpex, but offering more cabin amenities, like a good toilet, and a double bunk cabin, dedicated naviagtion area, and cabin seating, working station. Also an outside, decklevel seating and table are should be provided. Which would be complemented with a deck tent, which could add sigificant sheltered area.

I literally used the very same lines of Arpex to give contour to a 40-44 ft. version. :-)

Eventhough I came pretty late to the boat, I somehow animated into going for a quick spin across the bay. I left at 15:40hs and came back at 18:00. A fine workout, to get the boat operational, and to get everything back into storage, afterwards. But I enjoyed it thouroughly. Also to see how quick and practical Arpex is, to get some fun on the weekend.

Despite some gloomy light, and ominously heavy clouds overhead, the breeze was gentle, and provided chilled sailing. Arpex was a joy to sail, as usual, with a ballanced helm, and gracious performance, with ease of handling.

Sunday Afternoon Sail with Adri

I do enjoy a short, afternoon sail. We left the mooring at 15:00 and came back at 17:00. Only two hours, to cross the bay and enjoy the wind, the waves and the view. Adri was tired, and preferred to chill inside the cabin, while I sailed the boat.

I picked up the mooring undre sail, which is now becoming more of a routine, lately. 

Sunday Sail

Surprisingly good weather gifted us with a short but pleasant sail on the bay. Adri came along, but being quite tired, she enjoyed the ride from the cabin, mostly.

We came back early, and enjoyed the sunset from the mooring. It is becoming a routine to pick the mooring up under sail. Yes,... I find that quite satisfactory.

Daggerboard Brace

I started to laminate the daggerboard brace which will be attached to the ama hullside. After the initial lamination further shaping and quite a bit reinforcing will follow. Even if this is a rapid prototyping approach.

Arpex sailing to Ilha Rasa

External Pictures of Arpex Sailing

This last Saturday offered great sailing conditions, and we took the opportunity to sail out to Ilha Rasa. On the way back, while sailing under the red foresail, we had the good chance to meet my sister, on her 40 footer, Minna. She took great pictures of us sailing. A rare opportunty.  

Getting all red and all

Here comes another one.

Work in Progress: New Mobile

A friend has been asking for a mobile for the entry hall of his weekend retreat. Him being a man who loves nature, flowers, and the flora in general, I have beeing working along my favorite flowers inspiration. An "abstraction", or not so much, of tropical elements in graphical form. Since the entry hall is large, the mobile is accordingly seized, to fill out the room adequately. It is still work in progress. I shall paint it in mostly red.

 

Finding Arpex

From time to time I enjoy checking the latest satelite picture of Arpex. Since there are many more non-sailing days, than sailing days in my yearly calendar, it is most likely that I will find my boat on its mooring, at Urca beach. However, not this time. I was surprised not to find Arpex where it should be! 

I was also amused, because that would mean, that I should find Arpex sailing, on the bay. However, I couldn't find a trace of Arpex. ... mystery, where could it be? It didn't take me too much time to go check in Ramos Yacht Club, where Arpex was refurbished about two years ago. And surely, there it was, Arpex, sitting on the dry, in the yard of Ramos Yacht Club. :-D

Sailing with Mrs. Arpex, Adri

This weekend will not be suitable for sailing, due to bad weather, and also a fouled bottom. My diver unfortunately couldn't do it this week. So,... I sail vicariously, on past sailing day's videos.

Sailing on a sunny day with friends

It has been a month since I last set foot on the deck of Arpex. Due to business I had to travel to Germany. Only today, a week after arrival will I be able to to there, check out whether all is in good order. But due to inconsistent weather, I will likely not be able to take the boat out today. Also, the bottom is likely fouled. I asked for maintenance, but I had no confirmation that the service was executed. .... We had many bad weather days, lately, here in Rio... Seems the diver doesn't like the rainy weather. 

So I sail vicarously by watching sailing videos that were recorded about two months ago. I do not invest much time into the editing of these videos, but I like to have them, as a personal video-log record.

Seems also that tucking up the tender was a good idea, afterall. Having it in safety helped me to peace of mind. Since in the time of my absence the city hall has removed some of the boats that were parked on the beach. Bad news... Had the little tender been on the beach, I would be in risk of not being able to regain it.

Lamparina - Ela Joga

Tucking up the tender

Due to a business trip I will be abesnt for a few days, and thus decided to tuck up the tender. It has taken its place on his deck, after a clean-up session, to get off some of all the sand that gets inside.

My trustworthy tender, serves me incredibly well. My only grudge against it being its hard edges against my Arpex'es hulls. But, that can be solved by me alone, by installing a soft rubrail. I have the rope for it. But I resent the additional weight.

I am regularly amazed on how this tender setup fits into Arpex, its size, shape and lines. 

I also had opportunity to inspect a crack on one of the tender's corners. Soon I will laminate a restraint for the new dagger. On the occasion I will also close this crack, and implement some improvements on the tender.

The new toy around

Here comes a new toy. A new experiment. It not that I am unhappy with how Arpex sails. I am wonderfully happy with that. But adding a side-daggerboard like this has always been in the list of options, potentials, and up-grades in consideration. 

Now my friend Rogerio Martin has built it for me. It is 2 meters long, and 40 cm wide. It will be attached to the inboard side of the ama, by meant of an upper and a lower restraint. The lower still needs to be built out of stainless steel. The lower being at just above waterline level. The upper at deck level. Actually, the deck board has received a cut-out, to accomodate the board, and it will be screwed to the tow forward deck beams. This is very hard and durable Ipê wood. Guess it will hold. I also expect that the board will need some active management, and will be pulled up when pressure mounts. 

Part of the job is also to wash the ama bildge, and think of the internal structure, which I will add to support the additional localized loads. I am considering a trelace structure from pvc pipe with fiberglass. I have the same internal reinforcement in the forward bow segement of the ama, and am happy with weight to performance ratio.

I was eager to take the boat on a short spin around the harbor, to test the look and feel of it while going through the water. The foil profile is not sophisticated, having been shaped by hand and eye. We tryied to achieve a NACA-0016 profile. But an approaching front and some viscious gusts pinned us down to the mooring, and a meeting to discuss the boaters associations next step, also advied an early return to land. Anyway... now at least I have the upper deck board cut out, and thereforre an upper hold.

Sunday Music Vibe - Anavitória, Jovem Dionísio

In the light

The new LED floodlights on the Urca Beach are so powerful that they bring a strong light out until the boat moorings, alowing some cool pictures. These two were taken last weekend. This one looks rather rainy and wet, and prospects to get out sailing are bleak.

Arpex coming in

I admit that it feels satisfying to pick up my mooring under sail. Nothing to boast about. But also not something everybody is doing. ... Well,... some places even forbidden. Probably due to the safety of other boats moored in the perimeter.  Anyway, it feels nicer even to have it being observed and registered by another experienced sailor. In this case Luis Moriel was kind enought to see Arpex coming in from the bay, and made a lovely registration. Coincidently, Mrs. Arpex was also aboard, and registered it per video, from the boat. 

Mrs. Arpex going sailing

This past weekend we managed to sail in the afternoon, despite very calm conditions. The feeble breeze didn't make for sizzling sailing action, but instead we had very relaxing sailing in beautiful light. And coming back to the mooring under sail was the cherry on top. :-)

 

A new board

Exciting news. Arpex will receive a new board. Rogerio is helping me with the construction. It is 2 meters long and will be attached to the side of the ama. The position is perfectly aligned with the center of effort, and current lateral resistance. I think it should be helpful when going to windward in light winds. It will be fun to see how it works. 

Wildway Outrigger - Wondefull

Teoria do Por-do-Sol - The Sunset Theory

Being able to enjoy the sunset is a priviledge. 

Enjoy your Sunday: Gilsons - Proposta

Sunset watch in Rio

Sometimes, if conditions permit, I enjoy getting out to see the sunset. It is a priviledge, I believe, and therefore it must be honored, and thanked for. Especially here in Rio, where the landscape and nature are so generous with its beauty.