Memory from a year ago... A lovely day sailing Arpex

It is not a year ago that I last sailed Arpex, but it sure feel like it. Despite what I had hoped for, the rudder has not yet been painted. Therefore, I won't be able to go sailing this weekend. But I am hoping for the next. ... Meanwhile I go through all my video files. I found this one, which I had eddited, but not posted. Well... now here it goes. You guys might find it boring and just too long. Well, I apologise - But I just like it.

Dear Lord! I miss sailing my boat!

Mall I need is the rudder been painted, in order to get back sailing on Arpex again. And the next weekend is the target date for that. The rudder shall be painted on Thursday. 

Yesterday I gave the boat a little TLC, by scrubbing the decks, and cleaning the interior. 

Roger sail his new Melanesia canoe - Alamoana

Yesterday my friend Rogerio watered his newly built canoe Alamoana. She is a smashing beauty. Roger did a great job. The black hull and wooden decks, cockpit and outrigger look wonderful. And she sails like a song. 

The bamboo rig comes from my Arara canoe. I am proud to see it on such a fine canoe. And it fits her wonderfully. After more than 12 years the bamboo spars look like new. 

Pablo goes Sailing

Today I went for a sail with Pablo, a Spaniard, who decided to sail from Rio to the Caribean, on a 18ft. sailboat. 

Pablo has spent the last 4 year on his bicycle, riding first from Europe to Thailand, together with his girl. From there they took a flight to Alaska, and finding it pretty cold there, they made their way down North America, all the way to Central America. Finding it pretty hot and humid in that place, they stretched their legs, and, after a while, they found themselves in Patagonia. Guess what, despite a favorable time of the year,it was pretty cold. Looking for warmer pastures, they change course for due North, and finally landed in Rio. It seems that continuing with the bike was not a favoured option. They wanted to reach the Caribbean. Going by boat seemed a good idea. His girl found a job as crew, and parted. Pablo will follow. He bought a 18ft. sailboat, which he will sail to the up the coast of Brazil, to Antigua. 

Not an easy task. And the first step is to learn how to sail! Turns out, that Pablos sailing experience is... well, its none, really. So, his adventure is a daring one. Specially, considering that his boat is less than suitable for the task. But, ... Hell! Who am I to tell someone who just spent the last 4 year reeling off 60.000 kilometers by bike, that he can't so something? I did tell him that he is crazy, and that he will he must take great care for his boat and his crew (himself). But else, I try to make my contribution so that he can make it, and meet his girl in Antigua. 

One of my greatest concerns, is that he does not have any means for self steering. No autopilot, no windvane... So, today I offered to go out, and see, together, how his boat could be made to sail itself for a while. We tried bungees on the tiller, and ... well... basic sail adjustments, to make his boat sail itself for a while on a given course. ... not much to my surprise, it turns out his short keeled boat is not really good in this... but, after a while we managed. Interestingly, we found it a lot easier with the mainsail reefed. Actually, it was a good thing we did reef. Actually, I teached him how this reefing thing goes... Considering his fragile rig, and the much better balance of the boat, I recommended this as his main sail configuration.

All in all, Pablo and I had a great day on the water. Strangely, I am confident this biker will be able to make it. He has the strength and the resolve to do it. And the courage. With a bit of luck,... But, he needs to hurry up. The weather window for winds and currents will not be open for much longer, I guess before the 15th of May he needs to go. And he is burning to do so.

Light in Urca

Time to go sailing again

It has been a long time since Arpex has been sailing. Not once this year! First some regatta activities on other boats, then the rudder damage. The rudder is now almost fit again. Unfortunately I am stuck to land these days. Hope to get to finish the job quite soon.

Fleetwood Mac Live in Concert

Spending time on the water

Arpex on the mooring

Arpex is still resting at its mooring, while I work on the repair of the rudder. Which is almost finished. The damaged part has been replaced, glassed and faired. And now it has been primed. All it needs, is to be painted with antifouling. 

Red or blue?

Mrs. Arpex enjoying carnaval. 

É Carnaval!!!

Carnival season is back again! Adri and I started early, on thursdays "Sarongue Ball". It was a lovely party, with everybody using creative phantasies. Hope I can manage to find a few idle timeslots to finish my rudder,... :-)

Beamed

The beam has been cut to fit, and mounted. I think it works quite fine. Despite some adjustments that are still necessary, I will first go sailing with it like it is, to see what I should do. 

Rudder coating

Today, Sunday, I gave the rudder the second half of glass and epoxi coating. I am quite happy with the clean result of the lamination. Hopefully I can manage to sand, and fair it. the prime and paint in good time to sail on carnaval!

Regular bottom maintenance

Getting work done

The current focus is on finishing the repair on the rudder, and in paralel, attack long heged project like the forward beam. Roger came to help, and we laminated one half of the rudder. 

Rudder Job

Work on the rudder has begun. Roger is supporting, and thus we have quickly sanded it all down. Now the rudderblade will be sealed in glassfiber. 

I also madd a funny test of hoisting an old kite. I playing with the idea to rig it one day. Just for fun. 

I aldo managed to glue an aluminum sheet to the keel of my dinghy. To reduce abrasion when pulling it on the beach. 

Rudder Split

My brother in law, Mauricio, helped me to remove the rudder blade safely from Arpex. I am now looking at the possibilities for repair. It will involve grinding, sanding, lots of epoxi and glass fiber. 

Maintenance Day - News from the Rudder

Yesterday, was a maintenance, organisation and cleaning day. I worked the deck and cabin, while Rodrigo scrapped the bottom. 

Unfortunatly, he brought bad news from the bottom. The rudder blade opened up its trailing edge. I grabbed flippers and mask, and confirmed the problem. 

The rudder will need to be removed for repair. Removing it will not be a big problem. I can easily do it in shallow water. The boat will wait patiently at its mooring, for the rudder to come back. 

I also made an assessment of my spares. I think I will try yo find someone who can actually use them.