Test Assembled

Yesterday we, Roger and I, used the holiday to  assemble the boat. Some things are better tested now, before I have time pressure in the close confines of the ramp space.Like the engine sled, for example. The lift needed to be arranged. To figure out how it should work has required me a lot of thought. I was therefore very happy that it worked, just as I thought it should.

Not without a slight surprise, I took notice of the wonderful fact that all pieces seemed to fit, and together quite nicely. A very happy day indeed. For the first time I saw my boat (almost) fully assembled. A pleasing sight.

The forward section will receive a trampolin, while the rear section will receive a netting for safety reasons. Ergonomics seem to be agreeable.

What is to come

I am thrilled with the prospect of a boat launch. It will happen still within 2014. I had planned for a potential launch date on this weekend, since tomorrow is a public holiday in Brazil, and I thought about taking off Friday. A launch day on Saturday or Sunday was therefore achievable. However, it seems that this will not happen. A longer curing time is required for the recent structural additions, so the boat has to sit still for a couple of days more.

Launching the boat, getting it actually out in its natural environment involves a lot of energy in order to get actually done. You would be quite surprised. After 7 years of building time, the passage to the next phase means another step, a wide stride out of the comfort zone. As an antagonist point, one could point out the very start of the construction process. A similar mental step must be taken.

For one, there is the challenge of letting your creation out into a hostile environment, where harm is always a possibility - and deterioration is the program. My boat will stay out in the weather, unattended. Not in a boat shed. Deterioration from the sun, salt, use and weather is unavoidable. From now on, I will have to work against it. Maintenance is the buzzword of the future.

And then there is the surprise of finding out how the boat actually sails an works. Right? I mean, I have built the boat for the sake of it. I wanted to design and build a boat. And one for experimenting, and thinking out of the box. A learning process. And in that, I have had great rewards in all these years. A full success. An enriching experience all the way, and I can recommend it - if you are prepared.    

But I admit, that I am curious whether the sailing concept works out. The sailing performance, the usability under sail, engine and anchor. The durability. The structural integrity. ... There are so many surprises waiting for me. Breakages, disappointments... Yes, they will occur earlier than I expect. But not matter what. I have had fun, and I am still enjoying the ride. I want to have Arpex in the water. The sooner, the better.

Pre-Launch Admiral's Inspection

On last Sunday Adri, my lovely wife, made an inspection visit to Arpex. My intention was to move things in pre-launch order, to maybe put the boat into the water this week. She tested the ergonomics of the steering position.

However, my last minute addition to the project, the third beam, has crossed my plans. The construction is going forward quite quickly, with Valmir having prepared things. Lamination of the structural additions to receive the aluminum tube, has occurred today, or will occur tomorrow. The thing is, Valmir has recommended a few days curing time for the laminate. The idea had crossed my mind before, so I concurred easily. But I might discuss the possibility of just moving the boat in direction of the ram, in order to step the mast. But I will not yet, mount the complete boat, mostly the aluminum beam. 

Together for alignment

 I am quite happy with how things look now, with the third beam. I am also happy, that the production is going ahead quite swiftly. Now we just need Valmir to laminate the internal structures.

My plan is to get the boat to the water as of Thursday, coming week.

Third Beam coming up

Today Valmir and I spent the day, working on the third beam. Valmir had sourced the aluminum tube. We cut it to length, and made the perforations on side and deck, which will receive the internal structure. Valmir will produce it in glass and resin.

 To me the third beam looks right, and I will have more confidence in the structural integrity.

The third beam

I have often entertained thoughts about  structural solutions to increase the strength in the bow region.  Having such a long, free, unsupported bow, seemed to provide a potential breaking point. 

Now I have decided to implement a third beam, in order to have a sturdier boat, which will improve my confidence. I will use a aluminium tube of  >4 inches diameter.

Valmir will support me in the production of this new item. I have already talked it through with him. He will purchase the aluminum beam, and produce the fiberglass structural fittings to join the beam. Hope to have it done quite quickly. 

 Valmir and I mocked up a third beam, to facilitate the discussion of different possible solutions.

Position Arpex

Soon to come

Planting flowers for my rose

Sometimes the good ones win. In this case, it is all neighbors living in my street. After a long judicial battle, a big (illegal) parking lot has been dislodged, to give way to a green park. Led by Mr. Abilio, the guy with the green T-Shirt planting something behind us in the top picture, led the neighbor Community in this fight, and after years has won the battle. 

We took the good opportunity to contribute, by planting a couple of flowers, roses and bougainvilleas. The park will receive many flowers and fruit trees, in order to attract humming- and all other birds.

All the left hand side of our street will become a lovely park. Our apartment house is in the background of the lower picture, behind the trees.  

I'm very grateful to Mr. Abilio, who's tenacity and persistence have not abated in the 10 year + legal hassle. Abilio begreens the whole neighborhood, and due to his actions, I have had opportunity to plant many trees on the slopes of Morro da Babilonia.

Waiting for opportunity

The boat is gathering dust, while I wait for a window of opportunity, to take a few days during the week, to bring Arpex into the water.

Valmir is preparing the mold for the dingy, which will be built of glass fiber and polyester. It will be a very tiny dingy.

Panorama - Click on the image

I recommend to click on the image, in order to get a very detailed view.

Last week I requested Valmir to build me a small tender. It will be custom built, quite precariously designed, as being taken from a makeshift mold, provided by the green/yellow dingy. It will be very small indeed, but I would like to try and see if it works. Because it will fit nicely between the transversal beams. When stored up side down on deck, it will provide additional seating space, and effectively "close" the side of the cockpit, increasing safety on a potential passage.