Sunday Sailing on Arpex

It is a lucky weekend when I get to sail twice, on Saturday and Sunday. Quite unusual, but it did happen this last weekend. And with lovely conditions, too. Wind was between zero, to 2 and up to 10 knots. So it was gentle, but fun sailing. And quite ideal for single handling.

Saturday's Sailing on Arpex

Saturday's Sailing day. I took off a bit late in the afternoon, only after 16hs. But it was still worthwhile with a wonderful breeze, and lovely sunset, with amazing colors. Got a lovely run just over 10knots of speed.

Arpex Rating

For fun I have calculated a rating for Arpex, based on an AVEMO rule. 
the result is as following: 0,95714 using:
L = 9,27m - Total Lenght
V = 30m2 - Sailarea

P= 900kg - Total weight

Possibly weight is more towards a ton.

Arara - In loving memory

The lovely canoe Arara has come to the end of this her life. She has rested for quite a few years on my sisters pool veranda. And there has brought joy to me, every time I saw her. But the exposure to sun, rain, and abuse by the infants have taken a toll. Arara had rotten through on a few spots, and needed to be put to a final rest. 

Without much sentimentality I took the task of chopping up the once fine canoe, so that she could be disposed of. However, following a long hedged plan, I took with me the central section, and the bow. After some TLC, with sander, epoxi and paint, both will serve me to keep the memory of the canoe, and bring it to my appartment. 

Arara was a fine sailing canoe. Its simple sideboard, and tiltable rig made it a joy to balance out. Also paddle sailing was an efficteve way to advance even in very weak winds. 

I took Arara out many times. However, id did take 45 minutes to set her all up. And she was not the safest for two. I took my girl out on her, but only in very controlled conditions. That was ultimately the reason to build a larger boat, Arpex. But for sailing alone she was a blast. I took her out of the bay to Praia Vermelha, which was very nice. And when the wind picked up, she would fly like the wind.

Nautilus - The mind is free

 

New plans are popping up. 
the thing is, when you start designing and building a boat, is that you do so according to your current expectations, specially in regards to comforts. As time goes by, these requirements thend to increase. So, you need a bigger boat. 

The mind is free. Mobili in Mobile, from Jules Verne. 

Great day sailing on Arpex

Yesterday I managed to get a great sailing day. The forecast was a bit mixed, with likely occurrance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. So, I left early, and sailed out of the bay. Winds were weak to moderate, with the occasional gust towards the end of the day, with growing clouds. In one of the lulls I got to swim a bit. 
As usual, I got to pick up my mooring under sail. :-)

The Black Crowes

In 1991 I was doing my civil service in Germany, as a paramedic, working on emergency rescue. In summer we were included in the safety service for an open air festival, which had The Black Crowes as their main attraction. It was a memorable show!

KHRUANGBIN VIBES VOL. 9

Quite a few days ago

 

Jim Brown talking about proas

Fishpeople

Next steps

So, here I am, spinning thoughts for a bigger boat. Which is probably unreasonable, and unwise, too. But i can't help it. And while looking at the first sketches for Arpex, I realize I allways thought it as a 40 footer. And the sketches shows that, I think. The cabin structure will fit in better into a longer hull. I remember looking at these images, when I made them, and I remember I thought; Damn! The boat should be >40 foot.

So, I have been talking to a few boat designers. I would wish to have professional support for the development. Out of a long list of designers with recommendations, and some which I contacted directly, I am trying to filter out two or three, to get to a final selection.

Also, looking at these old sketches from 2006, I thought how crazy I was to produce these images in Power Point! :-D 

New plans

So,... that is how it all starts. ... I ended up making a first drawing of how I would imagine a boat configured like Arpex, but offering more cabin amenities, like a good toilet, and a double bunk cabin, dedicated naviagtion area, and cabin seating, working station. Also an outside, decklevel seating and table are should be provided. Which would be complemented with a deck tent, which could add sigificant sheltered area.

I literally used the very same lines of Arpex to give contour to a 40-44 ft. version. :-)

Eventhough I came pretty late to the boat, I somehow animated into going for a quick spin across the bay. I left at 15:40hs and came back at 18:00. A fine workout, to get the boat operational, and to get everything back into storage, afterwards. But I enjoyed it thouroughly. Also to see how quick and practical Arpex is, to get some fun on the weekend.

Despite some gloomy light, and ominously heavy clouds overhead, the breeze was gentle, and provided chilled sailing. Arpex was a joy to sail, as usual, with a ballanced helm, and gracious performance, with ease of handling.

Sunday Afternoon Sail with Adri

I do enjoy a short, afternoon sail. We left the mooring at 15:00 and came back at 17:00. Only two hours, to cross the bay and enjoy the wind, the waves and the view. Adri was tired, and preferred to chill inside the cabin, while I sailed the boat.

I picked up the mooring undre sail, which is now becoming more of a routine, lately. 

Sunday Sail

Surprisingly good weather gifted us with a short but pleasant sail on the bay. Adri came along, but being quite tired, she enjoyed the ride from the cabin, mostly.

We came back early, and enjoyed the sunset from the mooring. It is becoming a routine to pick the mooring up under sail. Yes,... I find that quite satisfactory.

Daggerboard Brace

I started to laminate the daggerboard brace which will be attached to the ama hullside. After the initial lamination further shaping and quite a bit reinforcing will follow. Even if this is a rapid prototyping approach.

Arpex sailing to Ilha Rasa