Arpex is back!

After an extensive refit, Arpex is in good shape back on its good mooring.

 

Before and After

It is lovely to see Arpex coming back to a good state of upkeep. Considering the very modest maintenance effort that the boat requires, and has received in the last five years, it even fared well. Afterall, Arpex was left in the water for 5 years and a half. Considerably little had to be done, except for all the priming and painting.

Getting ready for re-launch

Arpex is finally getting ready for re-launch. Looking nice and shiny. Even the inside floorboards have been sanded and coated. 

 

Finishing touches

Still working on the assembly and a solution for the netting. Also some wooden details will get coated next week. This wasn't planed. But a problem with the bottom coat, due to an untimely rain-shower, means that we will have to be on the dry for one more week.

The wooden deck has been disassembled in order to be sanded and to put some coating on the under-carriage.

Unlucky

I am not being very luck with my bottom paint. In general, not only this time. first time, priming mistakes led to the coppercoat falling off. Now I first didn't have enough, despite I had the same quantity as on the first coating. And now a unforseen rainshower... washed it down.

 

Deck painted new

So... now the deck is painted anew. The ant-skid has actually been painted in a sand, cream color, instead of plain white. As original. I find that more pleasing than the plain white color, and light gleaming deck. It is more work, for sure, but well worth it.  

Also the central platform has been painted. Now the main support beams between the hulls have also been primed and painted white. some weak spots in the central platform's wood have been repaired. te engine support pod has been modified, to reduce its draft, and has been coated and painted. 

Paint it Red

Work is ongoing on Arpex. Max, Buchecha, and boys have sanded, primed, painted, and several small repairs have been done. Topsides shine in vibrant red color, and the bottom is covered in CopperCoat. I have painted the Copper protection well above the actual waterline, covering the "wavelet line", thus giving better protection.

The Coppercoat which shines in a lovely color, will later become dark, black with a green tint. We will see how that suits Arpex. I found that preferable to having a waterline painted in different color, above the bottom anti-foul. Before I had a dark green waterline painted.

The rudder has been correctly positioned. It was sticking out about 2cm since the last repair on the rudder.

Also the central platform has been disassembled. Some repairs have been done to the bottom, which had some bad spots. The support beams have all been primed and painted in white now. 

The bowsprit has been sanded, primed and painted. For all the priming job we have used EPA, epoxi prime, and another layer of Galverete on the bottom, to obtain a smoother result.

Paintjob in Red

There comes the new Arpex Red color.

 

Changes coming on deck

In this ongoing maintenance the bottoms and hull will be painted, as well as the decks. The bottom will contunue with CopperCoat, now hopefully better applied, and the hull will continue in strong "Arpex Red". :-) 

However, the decks will suffer some changes, as an experiment. The wooden parts on the ama will be covered in white paint. And the sand colored anti-skid panels will be painted white also. We ill try that out. I am not sure it is a good idea. If I feel not, I will go back to the classic cream, or sand color. The wooden details on the cabin entry will be maintained, and will receive a coat of epoxi and varnish.

 

Structure

 

I love to stumble upon older images of Arpex during the construction time. This one showing the hull structure right after turning the hull and first coating all the inside panels with epoxi resin. I used some white powder,... forgot the name... it goes well in epoxi. The deck was later built over this.

Work started

Work has been started by Max, and his brother Bochecha. Arpex will be stipped down, sanded, and repainted from top to bottom.

 

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.