Another step closer

Despite an alluring invitation for a sail on TikiRio on Saturday, I did drive out to the boatshed in the early morning. I decided I should go sailing, as I did, but I should also a little bit on my own boat.

I was surprised to see that Valmir had put the second coat on the decks. So my last phone call had worked. However, the job was not quite finished. Which is why I did not start with installation of deckware. In an objective conversation I told him I expect to be completely finished with painting by next weekend. ... Of course it has been raining in the last few days, which is inconvenient, since it gives him an excuse.

But what I did is I started on the windows. For a test, I cut the first one, which went pretty straight forward. I suppose it will be easy to finish the other 4 on the next weekend. Gluing them will be the next challenge.

 After that, I called it a day, and went for a pleasant sail on TikiRio. I did not regret it.

Sailing on TikiRio

TikiRio rests on his her mooring after a day of sailing in fantastic conditions. 

Yesterday we were graced with a warm winter day, with a lovely, golden light, and a nice comfortable breeze. I could not resist the invitation to join Roger and Fred on their second day of sail testing. We had a full complement of experienced sailors, so all felt confident to put the boat to some real test. 

Despite having to sacrifice a day of construction on Arpex, I was eager to see the Wingsail in action. And, of course I was keen on learning a thing or two about the rig, so that I could apply the lessons on my own rig.

We left around 1pm., the great bimini keeping all in comfortable shade. After picking the last crew up from Urca Beach, all started quietly inside the bay, with a soft breeze. Good enough to give us some time to get acquainted. All is very simple and sails are hoisted and operated without much fuss. The lack of a boom, is really a good and safe thing. As we approached the Bay entrance, we thought we might just as well benefit from the clear water and splendid views outside. The breeze also seemed better outside and increased as we slipped out of the bay. While inside we had 5-8 knots of wind, we found about 10-12 knots outside, with occasional gusts. We sailed along at 6-7 knots without effort. As confidence increased, and with a constant eye on rig, noises and hands on the sheets, we used the gusts to see what the boat is capable of. The additional pressure easily pushed to boat to a max speed of 12.2 knots. All in perfect order and quiet relaxation on deck..

In total we sailed 13.5 nautical miles, in 2 hours and 45 minutes, with 7 people aboard. It never felt cramped nor stressful.

Sailing on TikiRio - Video

Rogerio and Fred, the builders of the Tiki 30 named TikiRio, invited for a test sail on their new cat. And a lovely outing it was. One of the most pleasurable sailing days I ever had. The boat has a very nice motion, and reacts swiftly to the wind. Acceleration in gusts is quite lively. On the other hand, its swift pace could almost go unnoticed due to the peaceful way of sailing. No heel, no great rushing of a wake. Due to the double ended hulls, there is little fuss when the boat is going at 8 or 9 knots. Barely any squeaking.

My congratulations to the builders! Many thanks for the experience.

After the rain,... comes a cold

The boat is ready to paint the decks, and thus, conclude this step of the project. All it needs is a little work by Valmir. On last Saturday, it was the rain that put a halt to works. And now the reason for the frustrating standstill is a cold - that is what Valmir told me. And there is little I can do. He promised me conclusion for next Saturday. I almost recorded him saying so. Will he do?

Try to make it under water

Diving and ducking under waves; such a great, simple pleasure. To feel the energy and power of the Oceans, and at the same time the confidence of being able to cope. Fascinating images by Australian Mark Tipple show just this. If I didn't have a boat to build, I'd go NOW! But, maybe for tomorrow I should consider a little dive and play in the waves. Nothing better to wash the mind clean of  the weekly stress.

It could be painted by now...

If I had time, I would drive out to see whether Valmir has put on the final coat of white paint on the decks. He had all prepared to do it on Saturday, but the rain ruined the plan.

Democracy means work

Democracy in Brazil is still in an adolescent state. There is still a lot to learn. Which is why I think it is a good thing that Brazilians are going to the streets to protest against governmental phlegmatism. Today more about 100.000 citizens went to the streets in Rio - all in peace. Well, not all. A handful was more interested in violence, and they managed to create some noise. But they didn't manage to steal the show. 

Learning new things

Today my friend Ivan, the former ICR commodore, showed me how to produce the screw thread on a stainless steel bar. He has a good selection of tools, and he is very generous in offering help and advice, whenever it is needed. That is often the case when it comes to metal parts.

Regarding the boom I realized three things: One is that I produced it too long. Maybe 30 cm too long. But that is no big deal. I guess I can use it the way it is, or shorten it if need be. The other thing is that I guess it is too fragile. I don't know... I would probably prefer if it were 50% beefier. But now that it is there, I will test it. Possibly I will break it. Then I will build another. The last point is regarding the mainsail fall. Since it comes down from the top within the sail pocket, outside of the mast, it will also need to pass the boom. And it will do it similar to the gaff - through the slot, right behind the mast rider. I wonder how it will behave when sailing on beam wind courses... 

Fight the Power

Tired of the boom?

Project progress in the last few weeks has been odd, somehow. Sometimes I feel like there is nothing left for me to do, but wait for Valmir to finish painting. Of course this is an illusion. There is quite a lot left to do.

Every now and then, I laugh at myself. Specially when I remember a very silly moment a couple of months ago: I had just finished gluing the trampolin fixation conduits on the beams, and got carried away, and told Valmir: "Valmir, I think this is the last lamination I had to do. I won#t need to work with epoxi any more! No more rubber gloves for me! Hahaha! Talk about "whishfull thinking..."

Only the boom has demanded many rubber gloves. Its many gluing steps have made it a long and demanding job. But now it is almost done.

Nevertheless,the list of things to do is becoming shorter. And they are becoming more dependent from each other. Hence the feeling of waiting for Valmir. I need him to finish the painting so I can start putting things together. I' like to install the pulpit and pushpit, so I can install the navigation lights, and finish the electrics. And then install the ventilation hatch, the handrail.

Wear sunscreen

Yes, I know it is old. But it's true. Wear sunscreen. else than that, go and dare!

Tiki Rio is floating!

Tiki Rio, a Tiki 30 built by Rogerio and Fred, has found its natural element. Yesterday, around 12:30, it floated for the first time on the coming tide. A great moment, which made two proud owners and builders. The boat was later transferred to the Botafogo Bay, where the mast will be stepped, and last adjustments be executed.  

My congratulations to Rogério and Fred! They have built their boat in something more than 2 years, and they did a fine job. Tiki Rio is sensibely built, looks good, and will last for a long time.

I would have loved to joint the crew for its first transfer to Urca. However, I had an important family lunch to attend. On the other hand, my brothers apartment offered a vantage point to watch Tiki Rio approaching its first mooring, for the night in Botafogo Bay.

The lesser boat?

The ama: It clearly receives less attention than the main hull. It has no cabin, only holds. No rudder mechanisms, no steering; it does not give directions. Nor propulsion, because the mast and sails are also on the main hull.

But hey! The ama gives fundamentals contributions. It gives stability, it carries the load, and yes it looks good too. Lean and clean. And without it, Arpex would not be Arpex. So, lets give the ama some credit too. And it is almost complete.

Decks unveiled

So,... here we are... We can, for the first time, look at the boat with hull painted, deck painted and paper protections removed. Some finishing is left to do. So, the paper protection will come back on, after some fairing. Then the second coat of paint will follow.

But we can already get an idea of how the boat will look. At least very soon.

Teahupoo!... if you dare

Theahupoo is not a playground for the fainthearted. Surfing there must be quite something. But also just watching from close to the break-zone must be awesome. Amazing how the powerboats, jet skis and surfers gather there to look into the giant barrels.

But sometimes things do go wrong. These days a Brazilian photographer got injured when a powerboat lagged a bit behind and was almost carried away by one of the waves. It barely made it over the crest. You can see the scene in the first minute of this video. The injured photographer is ok, but she broke 3 vertebrae in the lumbar region. Luckily the medulla was not hurt, and she can still move her limbs.

I remember a similar experience, when I was a kid. Some boys too me and my sister out for a ride with a powerboat in breaking waves, back in Cabo Frio. They made fun of just barely making it over the breaking waves. A question of good timing. All went well, and we had quite some fun.

Mrs. Arpex On Inspection Day

Mrs. Arpex honoured the Arpex construction site with an inspection visit. Thankfully, she approved the hull color, and the state of affairs in general. Even if, I perceive that she is becoming slightly impatient with the now more than 5 years of construction time. My girl has given me incredible support in all this time. But I agree that it is time for an upgrade. I would prefer to spend Saturdays spending quality time with her, sailing. Just for a change...

Wa'apa going to sea

Here goes Joao Rivera's lovely canoe out for a sail. His Wa'apa is named "A Ilha". It is nicely built using a non toxic resin, based on the Mamona fruit.

Sailrocket too quick for the bird