Trying the spi out again, when sailing solo in little wind

We have been having only little wind. I don't mind sailing in slow conditions. It seemed like a good opportunity to check out how it works to set the asimetric sail when sailing solo. This video is from last Saturday, which was a pleasant day, with wonderful golden light. 

Flying the asymetric when sailing solo

So. Here in Rio we frequently have weak winds. Specially during winter times. Which else is a lovely time to be out on the water, due to the more clement sun radiation, and sheer heat, and the fabulous golden light conditions. The more angled light incidence brings out the lovely rounded shapes and volumes of the Rio de Janeiro montaneous landscape. The golden, yellow light also brightens the lush vegetation of the tropical rainforest, and shines the water in shades of blue. I just love to just be out there, and have a boat that allows tends to herself, and allows me to let my eyes take in the beauty and the grace of the far distant peaks of the Serra do Mar, which reaches 2.000 meters hight.  

If you catch my drift, I do not mind sailing in light winds, and do slow progress, relax, and have a generally good time on the water. Be it alone, or in company. 

However, I also do like to sail the boat at speed. For this, in generally light winds, a large asymetric light cloth sail, is a must. With only a little breeze, the asymetric gives Arpex a turbo boost. Which on the other hand makes the bay seem quite small, and maneuvering capability must keep up, to avoid hazardous situations. Which is why I haven not set the sail yet, when sailing solo. I have done it usually with more experienced crew only. 

This weekend I tried it solo for the first time. Conditions were very calm. There was just enough breeze to sail, perhaps 2-4 knots. We were sailing at 1 to 3, max 5 knots. Perfect for a first trial. To know how it feels to set the spi solo for the first time.

Setting all up and getting ready to fly the kite was actually quick and easy. It is a good thing that I can actually leave the helm for extended moments, to go get the sail, attach halyard, and sheets, while. I should put it in as a standard to prepare all, before going out sailing. When I did pull the halyard, the wind was almost gone. It was just enough to fill the sail, and give perhaps 1 knot. 

I didn't mind. The breeze was just enough to keep moving, steerage, and the sail set. So, I could do a gibe in all calm. For the next time, I hope to have a bit more of the pressure, to get the little red cracker moving as it should.

The other interesting aspect of this sailing day, was that the wind actually died eventually. Just before it did, I had the good insipration not to sail into the channel. Whcih was when I gibed. The channel is not a good place to be when the wind dies. If you sit like a duck in the channel, ship traffic will be unable to avoid you. Luckly I avoided that situation. But I was on the fringes of the chanel with an outgoing tide, when I noticed we weren's realy sailing any more. Only the end of the tide was pushing us out of the bay.  

That is when my little electric motor gave a helping hand. First in a motor sailing mode, and then only motor, we reached the mooring which is one mile distant (1.2miles). When arrived back at the mooring, I had spent 32% of the battery capacity.   

Heartless Bastards - "Only for You"

Sailing Day

Maintenance Day

Nothing like a properly maintained mooring for a good night sleep. Took a wonderful day, Saturday, to check and exchange the tackle, put the mainsail back on, change the "traveller" rope, put some teflon lubrication on blocks, and stuff, and general cleaning. Also took a fair amount of water ou of the ama. Good to have the boat in good order. 

Removing the mainsail for inspection

I do like to document my sailing activities, in video logs. Occasionally I do so also with maintenance activites. In this case I removed the mainsail, to give it an inspection.

Inside View from Arpex

My video blog uploads on Youtube seem to have gained some attention. Perhaps due to some linking? I don't know. But among the viewers seem to be some more curious persons, who have asked me to present the boat, specially the interior, the cabin. Of which there is not much, but,... nevertheless, it does have its charms and is worth a presentation. 

This is only a very preliminary take. As I try to learn how to actually make a presentation on video. Usually, my videos are made for my own use. They try to summarize a day's sail, so that I can later come back to it, to remember. And perhaps to learn. 

While viewing this video, I came to think that a relevant factor for comfort on Arpex, is the central steering and sailing position. Due to its peculiar laterlly oriented configuration, the crew is located where it has the most comfortable ride, in the buoyancy center of the boat. 

This is the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

Everything you need, nothing you don't.

Rachel Reis, Zamba, Cuper - Saudade

Deck tent

From the beginning of its conception, Arpex was menat to have a deck tent, to increase the sheltered living area. For a long time I have pondered how to produce it, customized, of course, out of UV resistant textile, to provide good sun protection. But all the pondering and thinking has only resulted in not having a deck tent for the past 8 years. 
 

Now I took a different approach. I went to a regular camping provider and bought a standard hexagonal camping shelter, and made it to fit. And I thought that the quick and cheap solution actually came out working ver well. I am very happy with how it looks, and works. For the small amount that I paid for it, it is well worth it (370 reais = 75 usd). It provides excellent shelter, with its double skin, where the outer layer is aluminum treated, and the inner, with a white ceiling. It can be installed just so that the deck is fully usable without any restrictions, and nicely open to the water, to provide good bathing opportunty. 

I have also bought a camping table, which can be used inside the cabin, as well as outside. With two foldable beach seats this greatly extends the liveability and comfort. 

 

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