Rewards

Sometimes we just come to the boat to have a good time, and enjoy the view. I love it when my wife, Mrs. Arpex, comes with me. It is good to collect the rewards of all the work.

Maintenance work

Today I used the morning hours to get some of the necessary maintenece jobs done. Like continue the lashings for the forward netting. The net already feels much better, being tensioned and secured propperly. Frankly, the state it was in before, didn`t inspire much confidence.

The water was lovely and transparent, And since I was hot and sweaty, I used the opportunity for a swim.

When paddling back to the beach I was held up by strong gusts, and had to work hard on the paddle for my crossing. But was rewarded on the arrival by the clear water and beatuful beach.

 

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.

Streched view

I do enjoy these distorted panoramic images of Arpex. Somehow it seems like trying to catch the grand panorama in which the boat is inserted. 

Drying sails

I never thought I'd have to buy her nailpolish.

Yet here we are. I thought that nailpolish of the same red color could serve as an inexpensive cosmetic cover up of a few cuts and bruises acquired usually by the dingui or other docking maneuvers. And, yes, occasional blind collisions from unknown strangers. What I mean is that sometimes damage appears without me being aware of how it could have been produced. Well,... now there is a reasonable patch up, which will hold until the next refit.

Sunset Mood

RIP: Taylor Hawkins - drummer of Foo Fighters

From the Rolling Stone: "Taylor Hawkins, the jovial, ferocious drummer for Foo Fighters for more than two decades, has died at the age of 50". RIP

Relaxed Sailing

 

Your Love Gets Sweeter

Arpex has given me a lot of joy lately. I have worked a bit on sail control, improving the outhaul, and reinstalling the reef. I have done this in preparation of a race, this forst for Arpex. It proved to be a fun and even emotional experience, since I was lucky enough to sail with my wifem, sister and brother in law.
It was a tremendously gratifying experience, for all the fun we had, and for the opportunity to see Arpex preforming all the normal tasks that are expected when you have a boat, also also in close quarters, and in community with other boats.

Doing this and that

A national holiday made smoe time for boat maintenance. So, I got a little boat time. But no sailing. I took advantage of the overcast day, to do some jobs on the deck, which otherwise, in hot blazing sun, would have been more taxing. I have repaired the forward net lashings, and added a batten, lashed to the unserside of the central bowsprit beam, and thus further divides the loads on the netting.

In total, the whole thing gets more stabilzed. I also swabbed the wooden deck, and got the jib out, to dry it in the breeze. I had to store it half dampened after the last time out. 

I gave the interior some cleaning, and put out the cushins into the sun. Also scrapped off the algae on the waterline. Seems that the coppercoat is holding up well these days.

Fresh Sailing

Even After All

The last Tuesday was a national holiday, and I was lucky enough to be able to put in some good boat time, and sailing time in the extended weekend.

A new thing for me, was that I left the mooring at a relatively late hour, at 16:30, and still got a wonderfull saing time in. Retunring at sunset, with the fleeting light.  

At last a bit of sailing

 Got out late in the afternoon, at 16:30, with spontaneous crew built by Rogerio, and Claudia & Ashton, who are taking care of the James Wharram T30 TikiRio.

Yuloh development

From early on, I imagined to have a strong sculling oar on Arpex, or a yuloh, to move the boat for short distances when there is no wind. And also to support maneuverability in close quarters, when sailing in between other moorings, for example. I believe it would make a fine addition, and would increase the degree of independance from an engine. 

Years ago, ten years, actually, in 2011, I have already posted about this on this blog. Being able to learn from other people's experience is always a great benefit. Which is why I am happy to be in contact now, with Mr. Atushi Doi, from Yokohama, Japan, and who has built and used beautiful yulohs very sucessfully on his sweet 5 meter sailing outrigger canoe. I am very grateful for having his advice, and I find it very interesting to communicate with someone who also has a fine interest in sailing outrigger canoes.

Turks Head and Half Hitch tread

This will be coming up on Arpex'es wheel.

Arpex as seen from Space

 A new Google image shows a surprising level of detail, of Arpex sitting on its mooring. The boat is sheltered under the cabin cover, and the dingi sits on the deck. One can clearly see the forward and stern diagonal spectra tension lines, which are 0,8mm diameter.