Sailing Day

Great day sailing on Arpex

Yesterday I managed to get a great sailing day. The forecast was a bit mixed, with likely occurrance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. So, I left early, and sailed out of the bay. Winds were weak to moderate, with the occasional gust towards the end of the day, with growing clouds. In one of the lulls I got to swim a bit. 
As usual, I got to pick up my mooring under sail. :-)

Fresh and lively sailing on Arpex in company of TikiRio

What a great day sailing. I was pleased to see Arpex performing in stronger winds. I was having thoughts of reefing since the gusts achieved the 20-ies. So, I took the opportunity, under the wind-shadow of a hill, and reefed. This was the frist time I did the operation. And all went well. I parked the boat with a backed jib, and reefed the main in all calm. And with the reef tucked in, the boat handled wonderfully, in good control and safety. I had no worries about stability or pressure on the structure. All was good. It was the first challenge in this wind strength. The measurements showed 30+ knots. But I rather think we had it in the mid 20-ies.

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.

Sailing with my sister

Sailing in Saco de Sao Francisco

Fresh Sailing

People often ask me; "Now, does Arpex sail better with the ama to lee or to windward?" 

and the truth is, I just don't know. Sometimes I am tempted to say that the ama to Windward gives a better performance. But then,... then I have sailing days like this one, when Arpex just creams along, like on rails, with ama to lee. Lovely sailing. 

August Winter Sail

Last weekend we had a lovely sail on Arpex, with fresh winds between 7-12. Arpex had a freshly cleaned bottom, and had a lively sail with speed averaging 7-10 knots. Despite the lively condition Adri was able to relax, either on deck, or inside the cabin. All in all a memorable day on the water.

Ramming Speed!

On last weekend we had wonderful wind for sailing on the bay. However, a daring ship decided to cross Arpex'es course. Such insolence would not go unpunished, and promptly we kept going on a collision course, firmly decided to ram the the offender midships, and sink it, without mercy. 

However, the sneaky lizard managed to evade punishment on the last second. A favoring tide helped him to leap into safety, and off Arpex'es deadly path. ... Lucky ship. Not sure he can pull it off next time! But in a benevolent mood due to the fair weather, and willing to show mercy since my girl was there, with me, I let him go.   

Sailing with the crew of Wayan, Niko and Daniel

This weekend I took the crew of the Wayan, Niko and Daniel, out for a sail on Arpex. Unfortunately there was very little wind, so we only sailed slowly and comfortably across the bay, enjoying the lovely views and chatting away. I took the opportunity for a dip in the clean water.

Wayan is a James Wharram Tiki 26. Daniel came on Wayan crossed the Atlantic on it. He produced some lovely videos, like the one from the coast of Bahia. It would have been nice to show a little bit more action. But the wind died away, and we had to motor back home to the mooring.

Fresh Sailing

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.

Winter Sailing in Rio

A lovely sailing day, with balmy winds, and a spectacular sunset.

Performance Review - Ease of Handling

 Performance is generally expressed in numbers, like speed and sailing angles. But safety and ease of handling is also an important aspect of performance, and is difficult to put numbers on.

Arpex had clear performance targets. I wanted to achieve a decent upwind angle, and sail at about 80% of wind-speed, so that I would sail at 6-8 knots, in our 7-9 average wind conditions on the bay and around. Another objective was  ease of handling, with single hand command given at all times, while giving undisturbed comfort for a passenger. Undisturbed from maneuvers and weather - while still integrated with the helm person. At the same time, it should be a well mannered boat, with safe handling.

As described in other Performance Review articles, the speed and upwind sailing objectives were met. Just as the ease of handling targets.

Sail controls to Arpex come together at the helm position. The mainsail sheet sits right next to the helmperson, on a camcleat. It can be let go in a split second. Even from inside the cabin, it can be easily reached, at an arms length. At the same time, the sheet has a convenient reduction, so that no excessive force is necessary to bring the sheet in, in stronger winds. The jib sheets is right on the middle beam, and one can comfortably control it from the helm position, by holding it in hand, or by standing up, on the stable wooden deck.

Another safety factor, is that Arpex self steers without any problems. So, I can leave the helm, and do whatever I need to do. The boat won't breach, nor have any other abrupt attitude. At the same time, Arpex is fun to steer, and very reactive to the wheel.

The boat is also unsinkable, which helps to instill confidence. The ama has several watertight compartments, and the main hull has bulwarks, which divide the internal volume. Not having through hull fittings, also eliminates the risks of leaks.

Arpex Sailing Review - First

The construction of my sailboat, Arpex, was a delightful process. But how is it to sail and keep the boat?

Right from the start of my boat building project, my intention was to document and comment the construction here, on this blog. The idea had two aspects. First to purely document, for my own future benefit. The documentation process would also keep me motivated to structure my work, and keep a sort of  "watching external eye" on the progress of the project. ... The external eyes being you, honoured reader of this blog. For all of what I know, this has worked out like a charm.

The other aspect was a true sharing spirit. Before construction had started, while I was designing Arpex, I have benefitted immensely from reading other construction and sailing accounts, from other boatbuilders. I delighted when I saw videos from Russ Browns proa, JZerro, and Gary Dierkings canoes, and the flying Toroa, built by Harmen Hielkema, in New Zealand....  Equilibre in the Caribbean, Janusz's pacific proas in Poland, Peter in Australia, Michael in the US, Yann in France, and so many others. At that time I followed and contributed in selected proa discussion groups. From there, direct contacts developed, I made new friends, which have supported with information, advice, and encouragement. And I thought it would be just fair to retribute in the same way, passing along my own experience.

During the construction phase this blog had up to 150 readers per day. Which I found very surprising. Nowadays, the access to this page has dwindled. Around 5-10, sometimes 15 people visit this page per day, more or less. ... At least I hope you guys are people, and not robots. :-) ... This decline is, not last, caused by my neglect, and irregular updating of posts.

As planned, the focus of this blog has now shifted from the documentation of the construction, to the documentation of my sailing, and general use of the boat. I say it purposely like that, because Arpex is much more than just a boat for sailing. Inserted and deeply rooted in the Urca Beach area, Arpex is an open door to the sea lifestyle, a platform on the water, a place where I meet friends, or where I can be alone, or in selected good company.

The content of my current posts on this blog has been focussed on the documentation sailing videos. Having from 15 to 30 minutes they are a documentation of a days sailing. I enjoy these videos, which I produce and edit, not with entertainment in mind. It is really more a documentation for myself. I love to watch them, and remember. It is a way to sail again, on a rainy day, for example. However, I miss the exercise of writing a post. The effort to structure and transmit a specific message, is a good one. And I would like to return to this practice. And, yes, I realize that 30 minute videos are simply too long and boring for anyone else than myself. In these days, videos which last longer than a minute, tree to five, if much, will seldomly be watched.

A few weeks ago I first thought about starting a structured series of posts with an evaluation of the Arpex project. How does the boat stand up against the objectives it has been supposed to achieve? As designer and builder of the boat, I admit that it will be difficult to be objective. But I will try to be open, transparent and franc, when looking upon Arpex.

The series will be structured in five chapters:
1. Project Objectives
2. General Description - Deck, Cabin, Storage
3. Sailing Performance
4. Liveability and Creature Comforts
5. Maintenance and Cost of Ownership
6. Outlook and Development

Each chapter will include text, video and other image material, as seems fit for purpose. I might use new or old material, and will probably be narrating the video. This will be new for me, since I generally do keep myself more behind the camera, than in front. I'll see how this works out. As a new approach, I will try to pre-produce each chapter, writing the screenplay before starting. It will be a fun new project. I am curious to see where it ends. As a target, I will try to finish the first in about two weeks.

And hopefully you, reader, will appreciate this series too. You are welcome to comment and make suggestions, or questions.

Short Afternoon Sail

After discussing the trampolins and a potential light weight foresail with my sailmaker, I decided to go out for a short sail. The bottom was a bit fouled and the wind light. So,... the sailing was so, so... but it is ever worth it anyhow. The video brings a compilation f the images of the day.

Arpex Criss-Crossing

Here comes another video of a solo outing on Arpex. Not a very spectacular video. So, don't bother watching. It is more a documentation for myself.

One of the aspects that I appreciate on Arpex, is its ability to continue sailing on a straight line whenever I leave the helm. In several occasions in this video, you can see me walking around the boat, while it continues to sail hard on the wind, to windward. Not that there was much wind, anyway. In case the wind pipes up, and things get more lively, I would also prefer to stay at the steering and sheets - just in case.

But in these benign conditions, with the wind coming from the NorthEast, at about 3-6 knots, I could point the boat, put the rudder in a central position, and either go about my business, anywhere on the boat, or retreat into the shade of the cabin, and rest on the bunk. This is very comfortable, really. You can sail in good control, while laying down in the bunk. The wheel can be reached in half a second, and the visibility is good in many directions. However, due to some blind angles, I need to pop my head out every now and then, to get a propper lookout for boats, obstacles, or wind and weather conditions.

Brief time out

These days I managed to spend some time on the boat. It would have been a shame not to tak it out a little, so I went, despite there was no wind, and despite a certain concern, which was credited to the fact that the water was not inviting for a swim, and therefore I did not clean the bottom and mostly important, the rudder blade. 

 I soon found out, that my oncern was valid, and the responsiveness of the boat to the rudder command was not amusing. Sure, I could still steer the boat. But at low speeds, in the feeble breeze and only with the jib, I was unable to do more than a reach. Add to that, my limited automomy with the electric engine, specially if steering into a slight breeze, I did not feel all too comfortable. I quicly decided, that I should better return to my mooring.  Which I did,

Back to my safe haven, I decided, that the best option is to have someone scrap the bottom of the boat, every Friday. As simple as that. Imust say, that I even enjoy the occasional scrapping work myself. however, if the water is not in a condition, or if time is short, the necessity to clean the bottom might become a damn nuisance. And I cann tell you; the growth rate of these marine creatures it very surprising! After two weeks of scrapping, a significant amount of fouling, about 1cm thick, is to be found. It has been 4 weeks since I last scrapped. So no wonder the boat was not a pleasure to sail. 

Unfortunately I will have to take the boat of painting pretty soon. Large patches of my protective coppercoating have delaminated. I suspect the primer did not find a good grip on the red paint, which was applied on top of it. The coppercoat went on top of the red. But the delamination seems to reveal the white hull. I will have to haul the boat out and paint it all again. Not something I look forward to. But there seems to be little alternative.