Still looking for Tritonia, aka Cisne Branco

The search for Tritonia, formerly known as Cisne Branco in the Brazilian Navy, and later named Albatroz has now reached the Brazilian media. The leading sailing magazine Velejar has published a 4 page article about the yacht, which was designed by Alfred Mylen, and built in Scotland by Alexander Robertson & Sons, in 1910. I hope that this coverage might bring up some new information about the whereabouts of the yacht.

Arpoador Beach

The ocean water is freezing cold these days. And to top it off, Sunday came with rain. But that should't keep you from trying to get to the water. Specially Arpoador Beach is allways worth a visit.

The nice image of Arpoador Beach, with its calm waters and characteristic rock, was sent in by Christian Gaul.

Some days are better than others...

Some days are better than others...

Today, I spent the whole day cutting and choppping and sanding and fussing around. But the job was not a very rewarding one. I had to cut 4 wooden blocks to fit to the struts, which attach the ama to the transversals (akas). When the ama was produced, the struts received an unfortunate chamfer, which these block will do away with. Otherwise, the connecting bolts would have an ill fit. A frustrating job.

On the bright side I can count that Ivan gave me some good advice on how to properly finish my steering mechanism. I still have to cut the axle and fix the "drum".  I'm glad I can build on his experince in mechanical engineering, in this field, where I have got none. His no-nonsense approach is allways welcome.

On the ama front, Valmir has faired both sides of the hull. We are now sorting out some details regarding the    hatches, the struts, the deck finishing, and whatever else little jobs are involved in producing a workable ama. It is not enough to have the bare hull. You've got to work out the detail solutions...

On the picture above you can see the chamfer on the ama struts. Valmir is sanding them, so that the blocks I have produced can be glued on.

Some music before the working starts...

White bow

As I have mentioned, my last Saturday was productive and exhausting. And the hardest job was painting the bow. It is now all whintened out, and ready to be closed with the deck. I will soon focus on that job.

Red Jesus

The city of Rio is now introducing a new illumination to our Christ Redeemer statue, on the Corcovado Mountain. From time to time they illuminate it in a certain colour, to celebrate a certain day, or also with changing colours. I'm not sure yet what to think of it. But I might like it.

Steering

The steering mechanism is taking shape. It isn't completely finished yet, though. The axle still needs to be cut to lenght, and the "drum" needs to be fixed. But I'm happy to be closer to what I had in mind.

The top with the lid

One of the jobs I managed to bring a good step forward, is the removamble top of the steering console. However, it is not quite finished yet. But close.

I wanted it removable, in order to be able to access the steering mechanism and cables. In the event of a failure, I need to get to it quickly. Of course the whole thing needed to keep the water out. I also wanted to avoid screws or other metallic parts. What I came up with, is what you see in the video below. A lid holds the top in place.

Note also, that I have installed a "water-guide" on the cabin top, right above the removamble console top. It is supposed to guide any rain water or spray forward of the steering position. 

Developing these solutions is among the most challenging, and most fun parts of this project. Remember that I do not have plans for any of these parts. So I need to develop everything from scratch. And the result is very mach hand made. But it seems to work. Whether it will work in use, rests to be tested. 

Carnaval is comming back to town...

Yes,... carnaval is comming back to town. But I'm going to give festivities a wide berth. I'm focussed on building my boat. I'll enjoy virtually, from the distance.

From the files - Regata de Clássicos, Búzios

Standing on the podium is allways nice, isn't it? Great feeling. Even if you are 3rd in class. And only three boats compete in your class...

Thanks to Marco Teixeira for the great picture.

Valmir at work on the ama

Valmir is advancing with the ama job. He has faired one side, and is half way through the other side. By next week he might have primed the hull... It is good to see things advancing.

Arpex - 15 degrees

Boatbuilders do not only sweat in the shop on weekends. Well, at least not me. Sometimes a little refreshment in the sea is allowed, and recommended. This morning, my dip at Arpoador Beach, was refreshing, indeed. And at 15 degrees Celsius a rather short dip too... Phantastic, non the less.

Exhausted

Today was a very productive day. I've started early, and managed to get a lot of things done. And after 9 hours of sweaty work in about 40 degrees Celsius (~ 100F.), I'm finished, though. Wait for tomorrow, for more pictures, and a short description of what I got done.

Anti-skid

If everything works as agreed, Valmir should be fairing the hull by now. He will deliver is faired, painted and decked with anti-skid surface. He brought me samples to choose from, as seen below. I chose the smaller pattern grid, since it had considerably better grip.

Beauty before the storm

Máximo Silêncio - Praça Paris

I recommend a visit to the installation by Giancarlo Neri, on Praça Paris. It will stay until the 4th February. The 9.000 light globes slowly change colours in a variety of patterns and combinations. A mesmerizing spectacle, in acharming setting. Watch the video on the bottom of this post.

Steering console and other jobs

Good progress was made this week on several fronts. Firstly, I have installed the steering console. Before actual gluing I had to prepare the inner structure, which will stiffen the console and supply a point to support the steering mechanism (see bottom picture). The fileting of all parts inside will not win beauty prizes. It was a bit akward to work inside, due to the limited access.

Some thought also had to be invested in the top of the console. It is not glued on, but it is removable, in order to allow access to the steering cables, and eventual maintenance. And the top had to be built in a way as to avoid water ingress.

The other front I managed to bring forward, was the steering mechanism itself. It will be built of a stainless steel axis, with a nailon cilinder, which will receive the spectra cables. I was talking to Valmir, who has already helped me in different tasks, such as priming the hull, when I mentioned the difficulty in producing the parts for the steering, since I lack the adequate tools and skills to work with steel. Just when I said this, he laughed, and said my problems were over, because Tavares, a chap which works with stainless, was just comming around the corner. Few moments later, we managed to discuss the job at hand and agreed that Tavares would produce what I need. By next week I will know whether it will work. I'm not all too sure. But I'm taking the risk, since I really feel I must advance with this steering project.

My conversation with Valmir was also fruitfull, because we agreed on him finishing the ama. He will deliver it faired, finished and painted. Hopefully in about two weeks.

Inspection day

Yesterday was inspection day in the boatshed. The Admiral, Mrs. Arpex, came to survey the works on her fleet's soon-to-be new vessel, to be called Arpex. I'm happy to report that the inspection was a full fledged success, and that Mrs. Arpex was pleased with the accomodations which will be provided to her comfort.

Despite the limited spacious capacity, the ergonomic proportions and arrangements make for a pleasing environment, she says. And she says it looks pretty. And that is a more positive feedback than I could ask for.

In my opinion she displayed a tremendous amount of goodwill, since the copious heat and lack of a sea breeze, transformed the cabin in a very hot place to spend much idle time. Or maybe I was just sweating because I was nervous?