4th Anniversary

I'm not good at paying attention to dates. Which is why this date has escaped me in the last four years. For today marks the fourth year of existence of this blog. On the 31st. October 2007, I have posted my first post. In Portuguese, at first. Then a couple of posts in Portuguese, with an English translation... However, I soon realized that this was not a viable proposition, and settled to posting in English language only.

A good moment to make a short review, and a lookout to the future.

What has been started as a personal write up, a documentation of my boatbuilding and arts interests, for an imaginary public, has become something I have never really aimed for. What surprises me most, is the crowd that the blog attracts every day. Yes, you guys, who regularly drop in to check on construction progress, and what other stuff I have been cooking up. In these four years, this blog has been accessed almost 100.000 times! It'll be 97.700 hits sometime today, to be precise. Before the end of this year, I should greet the round number. More recently, the average has been around 70 to 80 hits per day. Sometimes even 100...

To be honest, I feel it as a great compliment. Your interest gives me motivation. And I often receive good comments, which help in the construction and in many ways. Therefore, I'd like to sincerely thank you all for sharing these four years with me.

I'm not sure what the future holds for this blog. For now, I have kept it as a very private affair, just as if it really still were my private documentation room. This means that I also have refused to install commercial advertisements, and other forms of income generation. I might not yet be ready for this, or maybe I just never found that this would add any value to the blog. Frankly speaking, I do sometimes reflect on the possibilities generated by the exposure of this space. Not financial ones, but rather related to the support of a different sort of project. Just haven't found the right model yet. And maybe I'll just stick to the current model. Or maybe all the posting will be over, once my boat hits the water. That will be the hit I'm really looking forward to. And I recon you guys do too.

Going classic?

My sister Elisa, and Mauricio, my brother-in-law, have seen the light of double hulled sailing. After chartering a 40ft. catamaran, they say multihull is the way to go. I enjoyed their visit, during which Mauricio demonstrated the navigation apps, on the iPad. We spent a comfortable time sitting down below the soon-to-be-finished cabin.

The iPad is a wonderfull, and elegant tool. I wonder who would use anything else for coastal navigation? You can have everything you need, at the tips of your fingers. Position, distance, heading, weather forecast, tides, whatever.... Great thing.

Yes. And work on the boat? Yes I did work. I prepared a wooden pice for gluing, and I test-started painting some finishing details with epoxi paint. ... and I varinshed some panels, which I didn't manage doing last time. I think this cabin will look very attractive with dark green upholstery and cushions.

I love the perspective of making a crossover of a "modern", "radical" multihull, dressed up in a classic Herreshof faishon... While I really think there isn't much radical in my boat, just for the record. Nothing new. Just old style.

 

Meet Alex and Taru

References to Alex and Taru's blog, The World Tour, have appeared in sailing oriented forums and discussion groups a while ago. The blog tells us the story of a couple who met, fell in love, and a year after, set off to sail around the world. The intention was to take a break of the fast, consumist world they were tied in. Alex being a sound engineer, and Taru a faishonable city girl, they both lived at a frentic pace, before they decided to change their way of life.

Now they sail the Caribean in style, on a 35ft. Halberg-Rassy. But they have just upgraded to a 43 classic, with awsome lines.

The nice thing about their blog, is that they make it all appear so simple, fun, relaxed and healthy. For a change, they blow a fresh, faishonable and sexy wind into the cruising lifestyle community. Check it out.

Sailing in style II

A stringent beep brought me back from my reverie.

Minutes before, I was enjoying the gentle, rolling motion of Cairú II. About a meter below the water surface, deep in the wineglassed-shaped hull, the world was good to me. Lying in the leeward bunk of the main saloon, I was in the center of the motion`s vectors, and feeling safe and mellow, like in a giant wooden womb. The creaks and groans of the wooden structure at first attracted my attention. But now, the sounds that alarmed me at first, were falling back, into a backdrop curtain of sonoplasty.

Following the captain`s recommendations I was trying to get some rest, to be fit for a night, which promised some hardships. The wind was on the nose, and Cairú was slowly working his way to windward. The clouds were flying low, and rain was an imminent possibility. The deck was cold and wet, from the slashing into the large, 3 meter rollers. And what would usually be a 12 hour crossing from Angra to Rio, was now estimated to transform into a 40 hour torture. Which is why I considered that the suggestion to get some rest was a quite reasonable one.

But now a second beep, and the following hoarse groan from the starting engine, made it clear that the regatta had just ended for us. Cairú II, and his crew, were turning back, into the safe port of Angra dos Reis.

About 5 hours earlier we had made a thrilling start, together with about 15 other boats. However, none within our class. The other 2 classic boats did not make it to the starting line, due to the adverse conditions. The wind was blowing at about 15 to 20 knots, exactly from the place we were going to, Rio de Janeiro, at a heading of 090^o. Waves and current were against us. Admittedly, not the best conditions for a classic, wooden boat, built in 1949, in the town of Florianópolis.

The long keeled boat, designed by Sparkman & Stephens crawled its way to windward – steady, but slowly. The more modern, fin keeled racers, were soon sailing away in the distance. I bet they were not enjoying the gentle motion, and the style of our wooden ship. But they were off and away. But that didn`t matter, we were not competing against them. And from a generous point of view, afterall, we were leading our class.

So we pressed on, all packed in our olies, and enjoying the wonderful scenery, and the wild clouds wrapping around the steep hills of Ilha Grande. Just watching the beautiful boat do its job was rewarding, with decks awash, and water sheets flying to the lee. Grand sailing.

But the cold and the waves took their toll. After 2 hours, with only a short warning, the first crew member hurtled to the lee-rail, and then paid his tribute to the sea. And another 2 hours later the second crew member calmly directed himself to the lee rail, looked down to the bottom of the ocean, and parted company from the contents of his stomach. … that second crew member, I humbly admit, that was me. What I have to say in my defense, is that I was not actually sick. I just didn`t want my lunch any more. And right after the unfortunate presentation, I was quite happy again.

I was still in good operative condition. However, I was warned, and therefore accepted the commanders advice to get some rest, so that I would be fit for the coming night. So I made myself comfortable in the saloon and started listening to the work of the wooden structure, with special attention to the sounds of our wooden mast. After some getting used to, I thought it would hold without problems. It had done so in the past 62 years, so why worry now?

But my rest was not long lasting, due to the decision to abort the regatta. I was not too sad about it. I was actually looking forward to the prospects of a lovely sail, downwind now, into the chariming light of a setting sun, through the breathtaking tropical scenery. I never get tired of it.

The captain was a bit frustrated over his decision. But the rest of the crew seemed to enjoy the ride back to the Yacht Club.

Later, sitting comfortably in the veranda chairs, eating a tasty steak, we were informed that many boats had taken the same route as we did, back to the point of departure. So we cheered to a caipirinha, and enjoyed the impressions of a lovely day out sailing.

Sailing in style

The sailing in Angra dos Reis, on the classic Brasil 40 Cairú II, was really nice. I enjoyed the sailing and the company. I should write up an report on the regatta, but I don't seem to find the time. Maybe later this week. Just hang on in there for a little longer...

Cairú II sailing into the sun

Cairú going to windward - Regatta Angra - Rio

Cairú working his way to windward, decks awash, right after the start of the regatta. The breeze was moderate, at maybe 15 to 20 knots true. Great 2-3 meter rollers , and the apparent wind, gave the scene a dramatic touch, which spiced the start of the regatta. The conditions did not provide a positive prospect for the next 60 miles to come, right into the teeth of the wind.

Gone sailing

Everything going right, I'm going to sail a regatta between Angra do Reis and Rio, on Cairu II.

Broadside

Bad rain day

The day started with rain, and things looked dark and sad. It went on with a permanent drizzle rain, and ended with continuous rain.

As usual, the climate has dampened my construction mood. I drove out to the boatshed, despite all the water and humidity. But, unable to paint (as was planned for today), nor glue (allways on the plan, there is allways something to glue), I ended up doing pretty much nothing, really. On those days, I end up comming home feeling frustrated.

But I did one good thing, that brought me forward. I used the rain day to go search for the material to build the steering drum. Nylon will be used to receive the cables. My fine drawing of the steering drum was well appreciated, to discuss the construction with the guys at the club, mainly Ivan and Mr. Palma. They gave me a couple of hints which will lead to changes in the project.

Arpex'es scale model sailing

The Yahoo discussion group proa_file has had some lively debate about several aspects of proas. Most of them were related to - Distribution of weight vs. buoyancy - Usage of unstayed vs. stayed masts - Usage of water ballast - Usage and working of a leepod and to a lesser extend - Forms of steering I have followed the discussions here and there, because all these are issues which also regard my own boat, even if it is a tacking outrigger, and not a shunting proa, which is in the center of the discussion of the group. Specially the working of the leepod and usage of water ballast interest me much. Therefore the experience brought in by people who have sailed boats with these traits adds to the discussion. When I was designing Arpex, before I started building, I tried to gain an impression on the dynamics involved, with the use of a scale model. The model was scaled 1x10, and made for an visually impressive instruction. At least, that is how I felt it. When working with models, one must allways remember that it is a model, and that several aspects of this modelled world do not actually scale. So things need to be taken with a grain of salt. Still today I enjoy looking at these videos.

Wing plans

My current plan is to build a true Wharram Softwing rig. However, I often catch myself dreaming up some modifications for it. First, because I'd like to mave a mast which is as short as possible. But I want a high aspect rig. Both items are a bit incompatible. Which is why I keep pondering the possibility to have Wharrams top yard a bit longer and steeper, but still equip the whole thing with a fat top main. Just as if the top part were a windsurfer rig.

Amateur Boatbuilding

The video by Sean Walker talks about the benefits of amateur boatbuilding. In a very laid back style.

Carretel do Leme

I finally produced the drawing for the drum, which receives the steering cables. Everything becomes easyer once you have a drawing. Quite obvious. But not quite evident when you are building a boat without detailed plans. So, it is tempting, sometimes, just to "save time", to actually skip the drawing part, and try to assemble things by just doing. And this approach is sometimes quite successful.

But for more complex parts, specially when involving work by third party, then it is difficult. Producing the drawing becomes necessary. And that, of course, is not just a question of paper and pen, it is a matter to fully understand how something should be assembled and engineered. This is the hard part. In the case of this drum, it was a challenge. The mechanism looks simple enough to think, why was it so difficult? But one still needs to get there somehow. Since I lack an education as an engineer, there was lots of learning involved. Mr. Palma, and the guys in the club helped me by talking through it, many times.

A day in the rathole

My back hurts. My arms are heavy. My neckmuskles are sour, and my legs are weak. Yes, that's what happens, after a day of working on your boat, if you strech its construction time for too long. After four years of building, I guess I'm aging.

That wouldn't have happened before. Sitting crouched, sweating in a hot, cramped space. Sanding, cleaning, and then filleting, and finally glassing, for hours, in an overhead, odd workposition, would not have bothered me much. I'd be fresh as new after a good shower.

Well. Not anymore.

But at least now I can say I made my first step. A job that I have been dreading for a long while, is initiated and well under way. I guess I can finish it in another 1 or 2 workdays. Another day tucked up inside the rathole, is not something I look forward to. But there is no way to avoid it. You can see the rathole in the picture below, under the "navigation table". The pictures above the the inside perspective, and some of the fileting.

The task is to finish the underside of the deck area, in front of the cabin. It needs finishing and painting. I'm not quite ready yet. Some minor fileting and then painting is still needed. Maybe a patch of glass reinforcement here and there.

I also sanded and applied a coat of varnish on the cabin sides and front "table". Also not an easy workpostion. I have used a varnish with UV protection, for I have often seen epoxi receive a yellow stain and cracts when exposed to UV light.  

After varinishing I called it a day, at around 5:30pm, because I couldn't raise my arms, and my legs didn't want to carry me up to the boat any more.

Exposed

Carlo Borlenghi is one of the most talented marine photographers. His website is very much worth a visit. Over the years, he has been allways improving his artistic drive, and the creativity to show new angles, and ways of looking at sailing sport. The image above is one of the most amazing I have ever seen.

Rudder doubts

The construction of the rudder is bugging me these days. The reason is that I have not yet developed a good plan on how to actually shape my ruder to an appropriate hydrofoil shape. Not to speak of the issue, that I have no clear idea of which shape to use altogether.

The usual would be to choose a NACA shape. The "National Advisory Commitee for Aeronautics" develops tables of airfoil shapes. Since aerodynamics are very similar as hydrodynamics, one can use these as a reference.

But how to pick one from the variety shapes available? Ok. Speed criteria can be defined. I would need a foil to perform in speeds of between 5 and 15 knots. But how would I find something suitable, the right one? And then build it? Not to speak that the project specifies a rudder shape. And I would have to adapt the profile to the shape, which has various chords along its lenght (see image).

Until now, my somewhat vague idea was to build a rude rudder block structure, and then shape it by hand, with the plane, the sander, and so on... But I know that the chances are, that I'll end up with a very poor rudder. The consequences can be flutter, vibration, cavitation and other nasty "ations".

The internet provides a couple of ideas. But none that has lighted my way yet. I know the whole thing should involve jigs, maybe routers, and what not...

And then you can ask yourself: "If he hasn't got a plan, why is he messing around with the rudder then?" Well, the reason is that I want to get some experience with it. I am playing around, to really appreciate and gauge the challenges involved. I might have to discard or redo whatever comes out.

Go dance!