KHRUANGBIN VIBES VOL. 9

In Magic Light

After travelling for 3 weeks, on a business trip, it feels good to come home, and check the boat. New floodlights on the beach bring a magic light to the scene.

 

Weekend with an uncommon tack

The weekend took a uncommon tack. Seeing a rather unfavorable weatherforecast, I had already conformed to a non-sailing maintenance day. I looked forward to improve the lashings that secure the forward netting, not minding the overcast sky at all. I prefer the overcast days, so that I don`t have to fry in the sun while on the deck.

While doing the maintenance I noticed that the water was very clean and clear, so I took the opportunity for a bath, which I very much enjoy from Arpex`es deck. So, I arrived back home at noon, being already well tired from the exercises. However, to my surprise, my wife arrived at asked, whether we should go sailing. Not having a better answer, I said; why, yes, of course! :-) 

Tired as I was I was hoping to do a calm tour with the jib only and the electric engine, considering that it was forecasted and looked very much like the wind would die soon. So we drifted a while, just enjoying the surroundings. We even met my sister, and in-law, on their Minna. However, at this stage it was clear that with only the jib I wouldn`t be able to get back, and the wind and strong current from a very high, and now draining tide, made prospects of getting home with the engine look unpromising. So, I had to pull up the main, and sail home. Which I did, and I enjoyed the sailing in the fleeting light, too. 

I was happy when we arrived back at the beach, with the boat on its mooring and sails arranged and folded. So, I got more boat time than I would have thought, and I didn`t mind it at all.

Still not sailing

Yes, yes... everybody is getting tired of seeing Arpex sitting on it's mooring. Including myself. However, I took Arpex out of the water end of last year for a refurbishing, and I deliberately took it back to the mooring knowing that the job list of things that needed to be done had not been completed. ... As if it ever will be. ... I decided to finish some tasks while the boat is on the mooring, knowing that it would possibly take a bit longer that way. First because it would be me doing it, with limited available time, and second because somethings are more difficult to do while on the water, without access to shore power, for example. Well, I don't mind. Time spent on the boat, on the water is always a good time. Be it sailing or working on the boat. Now I still need to exchange the front stay, and the fixing and tensioning of shrouds. I also plan to check the sails, give them some maintenance. The engine also needs some maintenance. And for that it needs to be sent to Sao Paulo... With the pandemic going on, not such an easy task. But I will do it eventually.

Pictures from 2016

It has been almost a month since I have sailed Arpex. That very sad situation is caused by a focus on some domestic chores, which have been postponed for just too long... So, I reminisce, looking at old pictures, which I now share here. Love these pictures taken in 2016, when I went sailing with my cousin, and met my sister, on Adao e Eva beach. We joined for a lovely sundowner on Minna, my sisters boat. A perfect opportunity to get lovely angles of Arpex, with a perfect backdrop. Don't know why I have never printed these pictures, and put them to view at home... Here is another task for the weekend....

Arpex Adrift

Bad start into the day, with a good ending. This morning came with a call at 5:15am. Arpex broke his morring, and was adrift, in strong winds, and a pitch black night. Short before dawn, I had to scramble together a rescue plan and team, in a matter of minutes. who can you call at 5.15am, in pitch dark, cold and wind, with prospects of going out to the sea, in search of a runaway boat???? 

Luckily I have good friends who did respond, either with my call, or even without, on own initiative, as I came to hear later. Thanks to these guys Aprx was under control and safe, about some 30 minutes later. all happened so fast! But I can tell you, it was frightening.

I was very happy to see Arpex, on a unusual location, but tied down, and safe. As light broke, winds abated, and could start to reclaim the boat, and assess the cause for such an grave incident. Especially considering that I had executed a mooring maintenance not 2-3 months before, as I do regularly! 

 

 Turns out, that one part broke which connects the chain to the rope, with a swivel. I should have been changed on the last maintenance. Lessons learned; change them in regular intervals, independently if the diver says it can still hold for a while....

Arpex could have been lost, winther on the rocks, of in any other way. nd I must say, the thought of it, caused be to experience great anxiety. But the positive outcome, and the support form my friends, gave me a warm and safe feeling.

 One of the root causes was also my lack of experience with mooring equipment. Now I know better. Last time I dived to check myself, I was the swivel, and I thought it would sill be safe. However, when I saw the new part, I immediately thought, Geez!!! the old part was in no way in operational order! It should have been changed - no question! I won't do that mistake again.

Winter Sailing in Rio with a Cup of Coffee

Had a lovely sailing day, with balmy conditions. Arpex, with a fresh cleaned bottom was a pleasure to sail, with nimble reactions to helm and tacking easily. It took a bit of work, since I had to re-install the mainsail, and put everything back in place. But all was very well worth it. Sails looking good  - despite the feeble breeze I still made 9 knots, during a gust. 

We sailed across the bay, and out, but since time was already advanced, I turned back. And just in time it was, since the tide was running out, and the wind was not enough to push us back inside. I just barely made it, with a little help form my electric engine friend. When I noticed we were starting to go backwards, being flushed out of the bay, I called for his support, just to bring us in. Once back inside the wind shifted, and we still had a few leisurely tracks in flat water, during which I even prepared a cup of coffee for my wife. Nobody will be able to say that I do not care and provide for my crew, and make everything to make her happy aboard. Happy wife, happy captain.

Arpex

Arpex hasn't seen much action lately. Work has again gotten the better part of me, leaving no time on weekends. Also, frankly, summer is just too hot to stay out in the sun. Only rare visits to check the boat have been possible lately.

Mancave

In any condition Arpex is a comfortable mancave. It gives me refuge at any time. The other day I spent a few hours on the mooring, while winds of >40 knots ripper through our harbor, and the rain poured down in buckets. After closing all hatches, from my comfortable bunk I followed the show, and took a nap, until conditions settled down, and I could make my way home safe and dry.

Arpex Review - Upwind Performance

Here is an objective analysis of Arpex'es Upwind performance. The graphic analysis is focussed o that specific item of performance, because it represents a benchmark, which anyone can relate to. Even though, I believe that it is not the most favorable scale for Arpex.

I do like to record parts of my sailing afternoons on video. Generally, I try to equip my videos with information about tide and wind conditions, which is very useful for posterior analysis. Which is the whole idea why I do it, in the first place. So, I am pleased with that.

By using the plotted course of a few upwind leg as a reference, copied for the recent video "Bumpy Ride", I get to the conclusion that Arpex tacks through approximately 110 degrees - which makes 55 degrees for each leg, in theory. However, I suppose there is a positive bias towards the tack when the ama is to windward.  So, maybe it is more like 52 vs. 58 degrees.  ... I might produce more data on that in the future.

Optimizations could improve the sailing angle to at least 105 degrees, maybe 100. A better jib could produce that, along with improvement on the sheeting points.  And, I admit, that I am not a very skilled helmsman. I suppose that a more skilled person could improve those figures.

But Arpex loves to bear off a bit, and see the water rush by in a quicker pace. The top speed recorded was 11,9 knots. Speeds of 13 to 14, or 15 knots seem feasible in stronger winds. But spped of 8-9 knots are quite usual during our average conditions.

The sailing movement of Arpex is very agreeable. There is no hobbyhorsing, or other vicious movement. Also behaviour in waves is pleasant,I suppose the difference in hull length and volume has a positive effect.

Arpex Review - Sailing Performance

The objectives regarding sailing performance for Arpex, were to obtain speeds under sail, in a range of 80-120 percent of the true wind speed. Considering an average sailing condition of 8-10 knots, this translates into 6,4 to 9,6 knots of speed.

I would consider this achieved. Such a range of speed corresponds to my perception of average speed. Arpex will als chieve speed of over ten knots. I have achieved 11,9 knots, which I saw on the GPS as a 3 minute average speed. And my impression is that we have also sailed faster than that. Maybe 12,5 to 13 knots. But the condition was not stressed. I suppose that a potential 15 could be achieved. To achieve that, Arpex would need a consistent 15-20 knots of wind.

From 18-20 knots, that it is where I start to think about reefing the main.

But in general, I feel Arpex lacks a little bit of sail area. I suppose the mast could be about 50cm taller. As a matter of fact, I could gain 100cm, if I stepped the mast on the deck. This could increase my sail area by about 4-6 square meters, between 13-20 percent. This would give higher speed.

But for now, I am thinking about options to increase sail area, without having to invest into major structural changes. The easiest way would be to produce a bigger fore sail. A large genoa, which would come from the bow. It would also increase about 4-6 square meters.

But the architecture for the foresail has not yet been defined. My first thoughts went into a asymmetric nylon sail. However, I feel that Arpex actually seldomly sails at large angles, which would profit from a light nylon sail, for beam reaches. Maybe a more genoa stlye would be the better solution for this boat.

Arpex Review 2 - Project Objectives

The chapter of my new series, which has the intention of making an honest review of Arpex’es performance until now, starts with a review of the very objectives of the project. Only looking at those first can we evaluate how the project performes.

Any person who is considering to own a boat, carries with him an extensive list of requirements. The better these requirements are clearly formulated in the beginning, the more likely it is that the boat owner and keeper will be a happy man, or woman.

My list was organized in the categories Sailing Performance, Livability and Creature Comforts, Maintenance Effort and Cost, and other General. Luckily, this list did not change throughout the project. I believe this is an important factor for the overall success of a project, and a cohere end product.

In terms of sailing, the requirements were guided by my overall objective of having a fun platform for experimentation, and relaxed sailing. I never looked at sailing performance in perspective of participating in regattas or any competition. As I am not keen on internal combustion engines, I wanted a boat on which I could maximize sailing in our moderate local conditions, taking advantage of a capacious deck, to enjoy the benign weather, and lovely views of Rio de Janeiro. The idea is to daysail in the Bay of Rio and around it, with overnighting capabilities for a couple, in comfortable and dry camping conditions. In the list of ambitions was also the capability to do the 60 mile crossing to Ilha Grande and back, under sail or engine, to spend a long weekend there.

In terms of creature comforts and cabin shelter, the idea has always been to keep things simple and light. But nevertheless comfortable and a good place to spend time. The simplicity also included the decision not to install any toilet or hydraulic arrangements and through-hull fittings. For urgent needs a bucket has been doing the job quite efficiently. A newly purchased propane camping cooker will provide ability for a hot drink or meal. I plan to purchase those solar bags, which can make it possible to have a hot shower at the end of the day. In general the big windows, which provide ample visibility have proven to be a success.

In general maintenance has been reasonable, in terms of effort and cost. I think Arpex has resisted quite well to the inclement exposure to sun, wind, salt, and general abuse.

In the next few posts I will look into those categories more deeply, preferrably illustrating with images and video.