Back to work...

Last weekend I finally found the way back into the boatshed, and back to work on Arpex. I started with some cleaning up, and then continued with some good old sanding. Just to redeem myself from the long absence. I need to finish the interior. So, that is where I've started. Finishing meaning basically that I need to sand it, and seal it with a layer or two of epoxy. Actually I need to cut out the rear window and re-cut the others... But that was not a task for this day. I'll work on that as of next week. I'll take a couple of days off.

I also had a friendly visit from Telmo, which has contacted me over the internet. He was very friendly, and said nice things about my boat. So I could book the time "spent" with him as good motivational boost. Anyway,... I kidding. It was nice meeting Telmo. Hope he shows up again one day, to help sanding, as promised... ;-)

A Weeki Wachee tacking outrigger

Will, from Weeki Wachee, Florida/USA, has left a comment, on a past post about the Specifications of Arpex. Interestingly, Will is working on a project for a tacking outrigger of similar dimensions.

I have to be honest, Mr. Will; I'm dying to hear more about it!!!

Unfortunately, your message was left as "Anonymous". Therefore, I can't reply to your e-mail, nor get otherwise in touch. I hope you're coming back to this blog, and tell us more about your project. I would love to learn more about what you have made out of it, the decisions that you have taken. If you prefer, just find my e-mail in my profile, and leave me an offline message.

Interesting side note: A quick "google" has tought me, that Weeki Wachi is mermaid land.

Inspiration and motivation for a boat project

Motivation is like a hot-air baloon. If you don't tend to it, keep it hot, and regularly give some busts of hot blast, the baloon slowly goes down, to crash on hard ground. The difference is that for motivation you need to find the fuel inside yourself.

In the last few 2, almost 3 months my dedication to the Arpex project has been sluggish. Christmas, tropical heat-wave, carnival, social-obligations, physical strain and simple lazyness have seriously dented my motivation.

More spaced posting on this blog is also a symptom of this.

The left side of my brain keeps sending alerts, and worries about this situation. The right side, however, knows that the ups and downs are a part of the game. That periods of rest are also not such a bad thing. If the body wants rest, it should be respected. Moreover, my intuition tells me this hiatus is ok. And I've learned to listen to it.

As you might see, my left brain side is overruled. But to keep a positive attitude it keeps consiciously looking for influences to fuel motivation. And, surprisingly, inspiration might appear from the most unsuspected corners.

Today it came, when I saw pictures of a project, which is growing from rendering to reality. Most have seen computer generated renderings in the press already. It is a gigant project developed jointly between extreme maxi boatbuilder Wally and luxury goods producer Hermes. Basically a floating villa. But now they have built a wooden mockup. Impressive! Funnily the image has sparked a great longing for my own project. It is a magical thing to give life to project, from first hand renderings to solid reality.

Nevertheless; if you think that the project is stopped, I need to correct this impression. Miguel is doing his job. He has built my 8 meter ama, and is already sourcing for transport possibilities. Therefore, I will soon have too hulls, and will be much closer to have a real boat.

Excurs

Another no building weekend. Sibylle, my long time friend (almost sister...) is going to celebrate her marriage to Martin. And I will party with them, with mucho gusto! So, again I'm driving up the hills to Teresópolis, where the party will take place.

Arpex will have to wait till next week...

Pictures were taken last weekend.

iPad navigation

Apple's launch of the new iPad, got me thinking about the possibilities of using this sexy equipment as a versatile maritime navigation tool.

Finding your ways around the waters around Rio de Janeiro is not to difficult, if you just keep away from bumping into the steep rocky shore, which is lined with high mountains too. There are no sandbanks, no ripping tides and such. Maybe there are some, but the fact is that I'm used to the place, and threfore have allways found my way allright. Therefore, I have sailed for years without much more navigation aid than a magnetic compass and paper charts. Didn't need more. On longer passages, I am a declared fan of dead reackoning. I just love the process of locating myself using simple brain-aided techniques.

A while ago, I thought that people using the iPhone for navigation had to put up with location via triangulation of antenna sinals. Which limited its use to regions where antenna signals were available. Which is not allways the case in the more remote regions - here in Brazil, anyway...

But now, I am learning that the iPad will be equipped with a real GPS chip (I suppose the iPhone might also have that). It works in a system called A-GPS, which stands for assisted GPS. It means that the positioning system works with GPS AND triangulation, and is thus even superior as a standart GPS. It also enhances positioning ability from inside buildings, where GPS has limitations.

This being so, I think that the iPad looks like a very versatile navigation tool, considering that you can check weather forecasts via internet, check Google Earth, install navigation applications. I've just learned that there is an application to use the iPhone as a compass and an anemometer too!

If you want to see more, click here:
http://gps.about.com/b/2010/01/27/apples-new-499-ipad-gps-maps-navigation-features.htm

Carnaval escape

This year we decided to escape from the canaval troubles and agitation. Adriana and I followed an invitation by Kiko, and spent a few very relaxing days up in the mountains of Teresópolis.

The company was great, the food outstanding, and temperatures civilized. What more can one ask for? Ok, being times of carnival, I know what some might think. But, you just can't have it all, allways, can you? There is lots to say in favor of alternation. This time, we thoroughly enjoyed the calm, the views, and cold baths in unspoilt waterfalls. Every morning and every evening I hiked up the hill in the "backyard", to enjoy the lonelyness and the panorama that you see in the movie above.

Tall ship sunk

The three masted tall ship SV Concordia, sunk about 300 miles off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The ship was comissioned as a sailing college, by Canadian Wet Island International College, and carried 64 crew, whereoff 48 students. The crew had to abandon ship and retreat into liferafts. A distress signal was receivd by authorities at 5 pm, on Thursday. Luckily, all 64 were rescued by the Brazilian Navy and by standing merchant ships.

The cause for the sinking of the ship is unclear.

Good news

It is refreshing to read good news in the papers.

In the News

What matters is: Who gave the best show? Who had most fun? What was most surprising? What shocking? ... And by all means! It was hot!!!

America's Cup 2010

To my slight surprise, the two teams fighting out over the America's Cup, came together to have a race today. And the American team, BMW/Oracle won the first match. Now it stands BMW/Oracle 1 x 0 Alinghy. Since they are sailing a best of 3 series, the Americans now have a significant advantage.

Tallships IV

This video has been compiled for my twin nephews, Mathias & Leonardo. I took both to see and visit the great sailing ships, during the Vela Sudamerica event last week. We had good fun. I'm not sure who was more excited about the ships though. Was it Mathias, or Leonardo? Or was it me???

Their mom, my sister Lisa, came along too. As did my mom, their grand-motter, Barbara. We all enjoyed it. Sadly, little Mariana, the youngest, didn't come along on this day. She preferred the swiming pool. And I understand that; afterall, it was a hot day. Some moments I thought I should have stayed in the pool myself! But Mariana, joined us to wave them ships goodbye, from the Morro da Dona Marta. She is the charming lady with the dark glasses, at the end of the video.

Thermal Sensation

Some might have noticed, that, in the last few weeks I have been moaning and whining about the tremendous heat we're experiencing here in Rio. Some might even be a bit irritated and impatient with my dwining progress, since I have even used the heat as an excuse for slacking on my boat building chores.

In my defense I`d like to say, that usually I`m not like that. I actually do like our warm tropical climate. But this year has been exceptional, and a little over the top. And now I have evidence for this. A news article today, backed up by our National Climate Research Center (CPTec/Inpe), stated that this summer has broken records, and it is already considered the hottest summer in the last 50 years. In terms of thermal sensation, an index which considers temperature and relative humidity in the air, it seems that Rio de Janeiro is currently almost the hottest place on the globe! Only Ada, the capital of Ghana, in Africa is slightly hotter…

But, think about this: If you take some more relevant aspects into this thermal sensation equation, like drum-beats per minute, and per inhabitant; exposure rate of hot female bodies on the beach, in the streets and on TV (yes, males too, btw); and general population infection rate of carnavalesque nature, then, I have no doubt, Rio de Janeiro IS the HOTTEST PLACE TO BE. At least during the next few days. No matter what Africa or Spain has to offer. Actually I read snow is forecasted for Valencia/Spain…

Considering all this, I`m sure you will agree that temporarily suspending boat building activity is only prudent practice.

Hatching III

Due to the heat, I've been working at home. I'm putting the hatch together. Good way not to stop completely. I just drove out briefly on Sunday, to check whether the glued hatch was fitting all right. I was there in the early morning - the heat was already stunning... I drove back home with a clean conscience.

The hatch will be painted white on top. Leaving only the sides varnished over the epoxi.

Tall ships II

The visit to the Tallships was great fun. Despite the copious heat.

We were lucky to visit the festival on a day with not too many visitors. so we could go aboard all of the 8 big ships. A unique opportunity.

I've ben locked out from internet these last few days...

Tall Ships in Rio

Carnival Beauty contest

Carnival is the time of beauty contests. Queen Paola Oliveira has been elected the most beautiful "Rainha da Bateria". Any objections?

Sunrise to another hot day in Rio

Here comes the sun, to greet another hot day in Rio, of 40+ degrees. This picture was taken yesterday. It ain't fresher today, and it won't be tomorrow. Nor Saturday, nor Sunday...

Tall ships in Rio - Vela-Sudamerica

Rio is hosting the tall ship regatta "Velas Sudamerica 2010". Nine tall ships, form different nations, arrived last Sunday. They will stay for a week, and leave on the 07th February. A regatta will be staged on the occasion of their departure. They are open to visitation from the public.

I've dicovered the ships by chance, last Sunday, while walking in the forest, up in the hills. I saw them parading in the distance, all along the beaches of Rio. A great sight. I had time enough to drive down, into the heat, and see them motor-sailing in very weak winds. They are now moored on Pier Mauá. I can enjoy their sight every early morning, on my way to work.

And tomorrow I took a day off. Actually to spend a quality day with my mother. But I'll find the time to attend to this rare spectacle also.

Look carefully at the picture, click on it if you like, and you'll see 4 big ships...