Arpex is Inspected

Today Arpex has been inspected by the authorities. In Brazil, this is something which needs to be dealt with with much care and attention. Maybe all around the world. Well, around here, there are specific issues. Let's say all went according to the script. I am looking forward to have my documents in not too long a time. In the meanwhile I can navigate inside the bay. Which is good enough for hauling the boat to its own base, at Urca Beach. 

Preparing for inspection

One part of building a boat is to properly register it. This is a process I have already started, but not yet concluded. In some cases the authorities require an inspection, to check all the required safety equipment, and, I guess, the overall safety of the boat. Since my boat is out of the ordinary, I am a bit anxious at what the inspector might bring up - or not... I don't know. This week, Tuesday, it seems that we're going to receive the visit. So I spent a while bringing all the stuff together and making all things work. It is a necessary and useful exercise anyway. I mean,... the boat must be safe, and have all systems working anyway, doesn't it? Not for the authorities but for me and my crew. So I have been going through the checklist, getting lights on, navigation, top, cabin, but also pumps... I purchased a fog horn, a VHF radio. I had already life vests, flag, a flotation ring with a holmes light, ... marked the boat name on them, ... anchor, compass, tables with channel markings,... did I forget something? All seems to be     

To be quite honest, electrics has never been my strong point. There seems to always be an issue, weak contacts, oxidation, corrosion,... and so on. Therefor I marvel at the lovely lights when they do go on, and function properly. However, for now, the solar panel is not yet feeding the battery. I just topped the battery up, on an external charging unit, to do the inspection thing. I feared that problems could arise. I will fix that later.

 I have also installed the diagonal brace. If you look carefully, you will see the fixing points for the net, which will be installed on the rear, just for safety. In front I will have proper trampolin.

The cabin is a nice place to spend some time. Now even more than before, with open view to the outside and lights when it gets dark.

Lights on!

Getting the boat fully operational and ready to leave the dock also meant that I had to address the electrical system. A chore for me, since this is not an area where I feel very comfortable in messing with with. For some reason, all was dead, no navigation lights, pumps or interior lights were working. The top light had not yet been wired since the mast was stepped.

I started by giving the battery a full charge, during last week. Valmir was kind enough to top it up for me. For some reason the battery was down, I thought, and I suspected that the solar panel was not doing its job. With a full battery in place I could first wire the top light, and then check all the contacts. And sure enough lights went on! My theory that the issue was with the solar panel was confirmed. Now I need to trouble shoot this part of the system. Is it the control unit, or the panel itself? Or maybe the wiring in between. For now I am happy to have my navigational lights and top light working, so that I can navigate safely.  

 The other job of the day was to attach several fixing points for the trampolin which will be installed between the front and the mid beam.

Cleaning up and sorting out

Yesterday was a cleanup day. I gave the cabin, and actually the complete inside, meaning also the bow and stern, a good shrub. I made good use of the still available electricity, and used the vacuum cleaner to get rid of all the dist and debris that was left over of the adjustment work. Again the cabin offered the agreeable atmosphere. Now improved by the view to the outside.

And now something completely different - Off topic - Magic cuisine

And now for something completely different.I was flabbergasted this morning, when I saw the pictures from the manue of a restaurant called Geranium, in Copenhagen, Denmark. These dishes look absolutely delicious and amazingly fresh and different. 

While reading a column about the Danish Capital, Copenhagen, the author commented about this fabulous restaurant, which served magic cuisine. The comment startled my curiosity, so I went to the web, to see what was meant. And after looking at these pictures, I can see exactly what was meant. This Chef is an artist of a different kind. The arrangement of the ingredients on the plate is creative and unique. Absolutely lovely to look at - mixing flowers and playing with colors, and different textures. I have never seen something quite like it. The simplicity. And from the pictures I can imagine the scent of the exotic, Nordic ingredients. 

It made me absolutely keen on traveling to Copenhagen just to try that out. Visiting this restaurant, Geranium, is on my list now. 

Deep Water - What a great movie

Beams on

The two beams are now in place and secured. All looks good and strong.
Click on the image to get a full view.

Arara looking for adventure

My graceful canoe Arara is looking for a new home - preferably one that could provide action and adventure.

Arara was a great learning platform, and I had lost of fun designing, building and sailing or paddling the boat. She was a pleasure to paddle-sail when the wind was too weak to provide decent forward motion.

 Her canting rig took a short while to get used to, but then it worked beautifully.

He current keeper, Felipe Monsanto, will spend a while abroad, and therefore, Arara will return to me. I am still evaluating what I should do with her. Some ideas have already been discussed. Adri is suggesting to find a place in our apartment, and keep her visible. My preferrence is towards solutions that would keep the canoe in action, and even better if I could see her, or use her eventually. But as long as someone is enjoying her in sight or use, I will be happy. One thought was to leave her on Urca Beach, from where she could be well used. But whether I can keep her there safely, is still a question.  Another possibility is asking my sister, whether she would like to have Arara in her pool area.  

Arara provided me with a lot of sweet sailing and paddling action. It is great to have her moving again. If anyone has suggestions as to what course of action Arara should be following, then let me know.

Rio from the distance

Sailing proportions a perfect angle on the lovely landscape of Rio de Janeiro. When this gets into its festive decoration for the evening, then all you do is silence and awe at the display of fireworks. In this case the vehicle was my sisters boat, the 40 ft. "Minna".

Origins

All these images and videos that I have produced during the construction of Arpex, have been time spent worthwhile. I took a bit of time and effort. But today, I really enjoy looking at these documents.

The Tramp

I am really looking forward to have a tramp on the forward area. I will start installing the attachment points, on the beam and on the ama decks. The tramp will greatly improve the usable deck area, the safty during operation and also improve handling. One of the problems during operation, of having sheets falling into the water while sailing, can be solved with the tramp.

Bits and Pieces

A day that started slow and difficult, ended up as a productive time spent, getting some detail work done. The new beam and attachment seems sturdy and strong. The carbon braces give very good support to the external side of the pins. Tatoo has made a good job of polishing the poly-carbonate windows.It is great having them free of the white film, and enjoy the view to the outside. I am glad I chose the very dark version of the poly-carbonate. It keeps privacy from looks into the cabin from outside, and conveniently break the excess heat and light from the sun.

I finally managed to cut through the deck to install an inspection hatch, enabling me to install a cleat on the stern of the ama. The additional cleats on the beam ends also prove to be a very useful new feature.

Roger and I spent quite some time gluing the window which had been taken off. I have now bought the correct sikaflex, which is heat resistant, and is now being used to replace the previous specification I had used. It proved to melt in the intense summer heat. And contact resulted in a mess, which stained clothing - and what is worth: sails!

Beam Braces

Roger and Tattoo managed to place the front beam braces. But they are not yet full installed. But I think it looks good.

Unconventional rigs... from Maranhao, North of Brazil

Yesterday I was posting about the unconventional CrabClaw rig on Wakataitea. The Crab Claw is thought to be a rig originating from the Southpacific Islands. Minutes later I was reading a post about traditional boats from the North of Brazil, the State of Maranhao. I was astonished to suddenly note the resemblance between the rig used on the traditional cargo and passenger transport vessels, and the rig used on Wakataitea! Look at the lovely shot above, from photographer Emilio Russell.

These beautiful boats are used to this day to make transports between the Capital Sao Luis, and the town of Alcantara, and other nearby centers. Maranhao has a rich nautical heritage, with a variety of boat configurations and rigs. Also multihulls. ... These however, brought in later, by a Portuguese sailor who arrived there after crossing the Atlantic. Multihulls were widely accepted due to their advantages in these treacherous tidal estuaries.

Fotos: Emílio Russell.

Meeting Wakataitea

Last weekend I was so lucky as to meet Hans and Isabelle, from Wakataitea. Having arrived from their last stop in Santa Helena, coming from South Africa, they dropped their anchor in front of Urca Beach. Hans and Isabelle have built their Tiki 46, designed by James Wharram, in New Zealand, in 2009. They have since sailed together through the Pacific and Indian Ocean. You can find their story and lovely pictures on their website: www.wharramsailing.com 

After we met in Urca, I invited them for a tour, and so I had the privilege to introduce them to my town, Rio de Janeiro, and show them around a little bit. Hans who sailed out of Germany 16 years ago, and Isabelle, who also lived on a boat before meeting Hans, are very pleasant company, and have many a story to tell. Their boat, Wakataitea carries a unusual Crab Claw sail. People who read this blog for a while know, that I take a lot of interest in unusual boats, and specially in multihulls with unusual configurations and rigs. Hans carries beautiful carved proa models on his boat too... Due to this, we had an immediate starting point to chat away. 

Internal Braces

The main beams, which now will extend further into the cabin, extending the lever, will also be fixed with braces, instead of only with pins.The braces have been laminated with a sandwich of several layers of glassfiber and carbon, with epoxi resin. They have been laminated around the beams, therefore, they have a perfect fit. As soon as the beams are in place, they will be attached to the frame.

Hanneke Boon about her work with James Wharram

Room with a view

Finally Arpex'es cabin starts showing the look and feel that was intended. Roger and Tatoo managed to remove the white plastic film, which was glued to the outside of the cabin windows, and didn't come off. They used remover and a wooden wedge, and lots of patience. And now I can actually look out of the windows. Also from the outside the cabin roof now looks much better.