Sailing with Fernando, Regina and Luisa

We had fun sailing last weekend. My friend Fernando joined with his daughter Luisa and girlfriend Regina. Initially there was no wind at all, and we just floated around. However, towards the second half of the afternoon, a little wind came up and provided a delicious gliding over the water, on the magic carpet. We did 8,7 knots, which was surprising given the litte wind we had.
Picture taken by Regina. Thanks.

 

Destination Unknown

Magic Light Pictures

The last days of autuum have gifted us with magic light here in Rio de Janeiro. Despite not being able to go out to sail I have enjoyed to spend a few minutes on the boat, only to enjoy the sunset. From brilliant and colorful beginnings, colors go through all shades of gold and orange, to incredible deep red.

Stunning autuum light with Arpex on the mooring

 

In Magic Light

After travelling for 3 weeks, on a business trip, it feels good to come home, and check the boat. New floodlights on the beach bring a magic light to the scene.

 

Jovem Dionísio

Madrugada

Little Red Outriggers

 I saw this lovely bicicle on the internet, and obviously it couht my eye. Just as the little red car did, sometime back. Having them toghether with Arpex felt funny, since they all seem to have something in comon. I like the car, even though, I would rather have it as a two seater. I suppose the bike is strong enough to carry someone as a passenger. :-D

Cabin fever

I do enjoy just spending time inside the cabin. Possibly doing some work, or just enjoying the view, and the soft motion, and some music.

 

Starship Arpex

A friend commented, when I posted the picture on the left, that it looked like a starship out of a Starwars movie. ... He was not the first one, and in fact, I have posted the image on the right in 2016... :-D 
 

Fresh and lively sailing on Arpex in company of TikiRio

What a great day sailing. I was pleased to see Arpex performing in stronger winds. I was having thoughts of reefing since the gusts achieved the 20-ies. So, I took the opportunity, under the wind-shadow of a hill, and reefed. This was the frist time I did the operation. And all went well. I parked the boat with a backed jib, and reefed the main in all calm. And with the reef tucked in, the boat handled wonderfully, in good control and safety. I had no worries about stability or pressure on the structure. All was good. It was the first challenge in this wind strength. The measurements showed 30+ knots. But I rather think we had it in the mid 20-ies.

Great Lively Sailing Time

Today the forecast predicted a calm day, with winds, from 5 to 8 knots, with gusts of 12 to 15 in the afernoon. We left at 11am, in a moderate breeze. However, just as we left the wind piped up a few notches. And soon there was a stable stiff breeze, with strong gusts. Arpex was driving nicely, at a rate of 9 to 10 knots, estimated. With peaks of 11 to 12. 

We sailed in tandem with friends on TikiRio. Ashton and Claudia, the owner couple, and Roger, the builder, and two youngsters. And Celso, who joined Arpex as crew. I was not really happy and comfortable at first, but we soon got going. In the following stiff breeze it was good to have a second hand on deck. 

We sailed across the bay, crossed the channel, towards MAC Museum. Strong gusts cariied us there in no time. On one strong gust from BB, I felt the hull lift, and the ama, carried along well. My hand reached to the mainsheets, to release it. At the same moment the jib sheet got released. Not sure why. We darted forward until we had some wind shadow, and I used it to reef the main. After reefing the boat sailed in good control and balance, light helm. We sailed upwind and then surfed down towards Urca on a reach.... Very lively and exciting. :-) 

Keep it simple

 

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