Arpex up and out for maintenance

Roger and I brought Arpex to the place where I have built it, 5,5 years ago, Ramos Yacht Club. It was a sort of homecoming, and the calorous reception by everybody was very rewarding. 

Getting there was a beautiful,   short trip, past some very scenic landmarks. There was absolutely no wind, and the little there was, was from the nose. So we motored, all the way, in smooth, glassy water. Being winter, the sun was pleasant, and not too burning hot. I tried to spend much time inside the cabin, in order to protect from the sun radiation. Fortunately, the cabin is very comfortable and well ventilated, with good view forward, and to all directions, so that there was no complaining to do. Roger and I took the helm, during the two hours, at 4,5 knots, until we arrived at Ramos. 

Getting past the Ilha da Escola Naval, the Airport, Ilha Fiscal with view to Candelária, and Corcovado, and then the Museu de Amanha, the Roda Gigante, the Rio - Niteroi Bridge, the port, Ilha do Fundão, the three bridges between the main land and Ilha do Governador,and finally Ramos, and the Yacht Club.

Arpex will receive a well deserved maintenance. I need to paint the bottom with CopperCoat, It has been badly used, and today, once out, I saw a few sports which need critical attention. I want Arpex to serve me a long time still. Painting the bottom and topsides is the priority. But adjustments to the engine pod, and changing of shrouds, and forward netting installations.

 

Testing the forward netting

 

The installation of the net doesn't seem to be as easy as I would have hoped. Seems I will have to relocate the fixed point of the diagonal "stay" which goes from the forward beam end to the bow. Also the "bowsprit" still needs some thinking about.

Asymmetric Aircraft

Sailing in Saco de Sao Francisco

Fresh Sailing

People often ask me; "Now, does Arpex sail better with the ama to lee or to windward?" 

and the truth is, I just don't know. Sometimes I am tempted to say that the ama to Windward gives a better performance. But then,... then I have sailing days like this one, when Arpex just creams along, like on rails, with ama to lee. Lovely sailing. 

August Winter Sail

Last weekend we had a lovely sail on Arpex, with fresh winds between 7-12. Arpex had a freshly cleaned bottom, and had a lively sail with speed averaging 7-10 knots. Despite the lively condition Adri was able to relax, either on deck, or inside the cabin. All in all a memorable day on the water.

Ramming Speed!

On last weekend we had wonderful wind for sailing on the bay. However, a daring ship decided to cross Arpex'es course. Such insolence would not go unpunished, and promptly we kept going on a collision course, firmly decided to ram the the offender midships, and sink it, without mercy. 

However, the sneaky lizard managed to evade punishment on the last second. A favoring tide helped him to leap into safety, and off Arpex'es deadly path. ... Lucky ship. Not sure he can pull it off next time! But in a benevolent mood due to the fair weather, and willing to show mercy since my girl was there, with me, I let him go.   

Wooden Ships

Back on the wet boat

Yesterday, on Saturday I finally came back to Arpex, after almost a month. Domestic commitments and bad weather kept me away. And, really, lots of rain. All the rain got down into the cabin, and as a result some drying out was called for. I pulled out all the cushions onto the deck, to let it dry in the sun. 

I am making plans to pull Arpex out of the water to do maintenance and paint the bottom. At that opportunity I will also have to address the water ingress in heavy rain... Not sure where it comes from. But it is no good, and will have to stop.

Meanwhile I tested a netting, which I plan to install on the forward section. Not quite as a trampolin, since the material isn't strong enough to support the weight of a person, but still it will improve the usability, preventing sail and ropes to slip into the water. And, maybe, it might give a bit more safety, since it could help a bit in case someone falls into it. Not that I think that not having the net makes that a great risk, considering my regular day-sailing activity. However, I always thought that for a longer crossing, this might represent a risk, and having some sort of tramp or net would be a good thing. Well, now I have the net, just need to install it.

Later today I might look at the installation. However, before that, I will go sailing. :-)

Arpex as a fisher

Seems that Arpex is a quite proficient fisher... Every now and then I find a fish on deck... usually in an advanced state of decomposition. Obviously, Arpex does fishing only for sport, and not for eating. Yesterday I found the biggest catch yet.. However, I suspect that Arpex doesn't work alone. My guess is that it receives help from birds. And whenever the catch is bigger than they can actually get down into their bellies, the catch ends up wasted, on deck. Ending there to rot, until I find it, and lay it to rest, in the deep of the sea. 

Moody Blues

Pictures from 2016

It has been almost a month since I have sailed Arpex. That very sad situation is caused by a focus on some domestic chores, which have been postponed for just too long... So, I reminisce, looking at old pictures, which I now share here. Love these pictures taken in 2016, when I went sailing with my cousin, and met my sister, on Adao e Eva beach. We joined for a lovely sundowner on Minna, my sisters boat. A perfect opportunity to get lovely angles of Arpex, with a perfect backdrop. Don't know why I have never printed these pictures, and put them to view at home... Here is another task for the weekend....

Rio Directions

I enjoy receiving friends from other places in my own town, and also in our safe haven of Urca Beach. and I found that visitors appreciate some basic directions of where to find what. Hope to upgrade these over time.

10000 Maniacas - Just Like Heaven (Cover)

Sailing with the crew of Wayan, Niko and Daniel

This weekend I took the crew of the Wayan, Niko and Daniel, out for a sail on Arpex. Unfortunately there was very little wind, so we only sailed slowly and comfortably across the bay, enjoying the lovely views and chatting away. I took the opportunity for a dip in the clean water.

Wayan is a James Wharram Tiki 26. Daniel came on Wayan crossed the Atlantic on it. He produced some lovely videos, like the one from the coast of Bahia. It would have been nice to show a little bit more action. But the wind died away, and we had to motor back home to the mooring.

Arpex Back on his Mooring

Arpex is back on its own mooring, safe, untouched, and sound. Just in case, I also inspected the underwater body of Arpex. Afterall it could have touched rocks or whatever else in its crazy unpiloted night drift. On saturday, I have supervised the installation of the new mooring equipment. 

 

Arpex Adrift

Bad start into the day, with a good ending. This morning came with a call at 5:15am. Arpex broke his morring, and was adrift, in strong winds, and a pitch black night. Short before dawn, I had to scramble together a rescue plan and team, in a matter of minutes. who can you call at 5.15am, in pitch dark, cold and wind, with prospects of going out to the sea, in search of a runaway boat???? 

Luckily I have good friends who did respond, either with my call, or even without, on own initiative, as I came to hear later. Thanks to these guys Aprx was under control and safe, about some 30 minutes later. all happened so fast! But I can tell you, it was frightening.

I was very happy to see Arpex, on a unusual location, but tied down, and safe. As light broke, winds abated, and could start to reclaim the boat, and assess the cause for such an grave incident. Especially considering that I had executed a mooring maintenance not 2-3 months before, as I do regularly! 

 

 Turns out, that one part broke which connects the chain to the rope, with a swivel. I should have been changed on the last maintenance. Lessons learned; change them in regular intervals, independently if the diver says it can still hold for a while....

Arpex could have been lost, winther on the rocks, of in any other way. nd I must say, the thought of it, caused be to experience great anxiety. But the positive outcome, and the support form my friends, gave me a warm and safe feeling.

 One of the root causes was also my lack of experience with mooring equipment. Now I know better. Last time I dived to check myself, I was the swivel, and I thought it would sill be safe. However, when I saw the new part, I immediately thought, Geez!!! the old part was in no way in operational order! It should have been changed - no question! I won't do that mistake again.