Helicon

A new mobile from the Helicon series taking shape. This one is a gift to a friend. 

Associação dos Velejadores da Urca - AVU

All those who read this blog regularly know, that I keep my boat tugged in a small bay, under the Sugar Loaf. The bottom of the baylet, has a beautiful, white sandy beach, Urca Beach. It is on this beach that I keep my tender. The trustful nutshel, which brings me to my boat and back. Unless I prefer to use an available boat service, to bring me there and back. The view is phantastic under any circumstance. At any time of the day, the place is a pleasure to the eye and the soul. Blessed by the Christ Statue on the Corcovado Moutain, the sunset quadrant is pure magic at the end of the day. At any time of the day, the Sugar Loaf protects us, and warms our back with its rocky shoulders. I could also point out the Famengo Park, the skyline of the city center, the big Niteroi Bridge, the Channel, Niteroi and all the other bayside. 

But the best part is the friendship and camaraderie found in my fellow users of this special place. Together we have created the Associação dos Velejadores da Urca, Urca Sailors Association, aka AVU. The Association is the instrument to organize and solve our internal issues, so that we can all have a good time, and not create any distrubance to others. By taking care of each other we give a significant contribution also to our safety, and that of our equipment. 

On the 20th. august 2016, within barely 3 weeks, we will celebrate the first anniversary of our group of friends. We will do it with a commemorative "regatta", a cricuit rather, since we do have members who prefer power proulsion. ... ok. anyway... When we come back we will make a commemorative barbecue, which might just as well extened into a party. It will also celebrate the end of the Olympic games. 

This little heaven is located in close proximity to my home. I'm very grateful for having this. And I very much hope, that our multifacetted community can strive and grow togehter for a long time to come.

Fail Report

The other day, I managed to produce a big fail. I dropped my Torqueedo battery, which was damaged critically. These high quality lithium batteries have a water proof encapsulation, because lithium becomes instable when in contact with water. A quite explosive reaction can be expected. 

As a consequence of the drop, the encapsulation was damaged. A coin sized hole rendered the battery unusable on a boat, where water contact can not be avoided. 

Since those batteries are expensive, very expensive indeed, I thought that a home repair might be tried. 

First, I closed the punctured area with Durepoxy. Next I will cover it with fiberglass, and more epoxi resin. Then, I need to hope that no other internal parts have taken damage. But this I will be able to test only once I can bring the battery safely to the boat. 

Admiral on the helm

Outside view

My sister took this outside shot from onboard her 40 ft. Elan, Minna. 

Pure joy

This is how I like it. 

Sailin' away

My friend Duda took this lovely picture. I was starting into a lovrly sailing day. 

Yeah! Good day

A promising day. Even though the forecast does not foresay much wind. Thats just fine. 

I took advantage of my early coming, to give the baot in external shrub and deck clean. Also the wooden deck, wich was in need of some brushing. Some peroba oil would also be good. 

Coisa Bonita

You blame me. I'm guilty. I think my boat is the lovliest thing. Specially when I see it from a different aerial angle. 

I kindly thank Vladimir Veliz for the images. He took them with an impressiveling performing drone. 

Arpex From above

Arpex looking smart, when watched from the seagulls perspective. This weekend I started chatting to a Chilean visitor at Urca Beach, who was taking some video footage, with a high-performing drone. Vladimir gallantly agreed to shoot a few pictures from high above, to help the mapping for our Sailors Association, AVU. While at it, he also took some breathtaking video of Arpex, from all angles. Of course I am dying to see it. However I slso know it is an awful lot of work to ipload and all. But I revell just looking at the pictures, as seen from an unusual angle. 

Ûrca Beach from Above

Here is a lovely drone flight above Praia da Urca, showing the boats as they were a while back. It also shows Arpex very nicely, when the mast was still in repair.

Yesterday I had the good fortune to chat to a drone pilot, who took some sweet aerial footage of Arpex, and all the boats in the Sailors Association - Associacao dos Velejadores da Urca. Hope to be able to share it soon.

Cabin fever

Cleaning time

On Sunday Arpex recieved a big cleaning. It was long needed. It included the cabin, and also the external storage space in the ama. 

The anchor and chain was not orderly arranged. I had given little priority to it, since anchoring doesn't happen often. Actually only once yet. But still, it is a safety item. So I gave it some attention.  It is now easily accessible, unimpeded - and fixed to the boat. I admit. It had not been before. In my defense I can say that I was aware. Well, this is solved now. 

Another lovely sailing day

Sailing is now becoming more of a routine. And a lovely one too. So don't get me wrong. It is certainly not a boring routine. On the contrary. As skill and confidence improve, I do enjoy my sailing time more and more.

Last saturday with my Uncle Roland - again. I guess he is now my most frequent crew. He seems to enjoy it too. and I do enjy his company.

We sailed all the way to Saco de Sao Francisco, where we met a friend, on his lovely classic, Chestnut Tree..

Sailing with Kiko, Bruna and Leon

Finally I managed to lure my friend Christian and his wife to go sailing on Arpex. Along came their young son, Leon. He is such a nice chap! All, smiles. I was very happy, and so was the family.

Sailing with Luc

Sailing with Luc

Last weekend I had the good fortune to recieve my childhood friend Lucas Leuzinger for a lovely afternoon sail around the bay. He owns a farm where he also runs a well visited lodge called Barranco Alto, deep in the swamplands of the Pantanal. He enjoyed the sail, and I his farm stories and company. 

"Heliza" - For my sister Elisa

My new mobile, "Heliza", is birthday gift to my sister, Elisa, who is celebrating a new decade. She will have many, happy more. 

It is big mobile, with almos 3 by 2 metres. Assembly in my appartment presented a few interesting challenges.  It is a Heliconia series mobile. Guess y'all catch the wordplay. 

"Heliza" fits nicely into its intended location, under the veranda, where it interacts with its surroundings, and is to be seen nicely from the pool area.