Checking out

 This weekend doesn't seem to promise sailing activity. Unfavorable weather and other commitments. But it is a good practise to get on the boat, to check out weather all is ok. :-)

The Silencers

Sailing solo with asymetric, and reaching 11,4 kts

It is now getting into the routine to get the asymetric spi out. It is a very simple maneuver, when on port tack. The ample deck can be used for handling the sail and sheets. In this case I used only to zoom back into the bay. I didn't bother to attach the sheet for the other tack.

Sailing with my baby

Sweet sailing in balmy conditions, but still going at 8+knots, without using the asimetric.

Sailing in windy and gusty conditions, with top speed 11,9kts

Yesterday we had a splendid sailing day in windy and gusty conditions. I had my fried Lucas with me. The wind ranged between 8 to 15 or 20 knots. Accordingly we had a blast zipping across the bay into the Saco de Sao Francisco, Niteroi, and then to the Museu do Amanha, passing by the Commercial Center of Rio de Janeiro, its naval base and commercial port.

We clocked up to 11,9 knots.

When we first arrived at the boat, on the mooring, the wind was gusting up to 20-25 knots, and we chose not to leave the mooring until we had observed which was the tendency of the conditions. The forecast said there would be winds up to 27 knots. Lucas has a little sailing experience from the youth, when he sailed a Laser, and is keen to now acquire a boat for himslef, and come back into sailing. 

So we waited a bit. when the wind reduced a bit, and conditions stabilized, we went out. 

Unfortunately we didn't put the asimetric spi into action. The conditions seemed a bit strong to be handled by myself with unexperienced crew only. We had fun without it, too. 

At 16hs, the wind piped down, .... the calm before the storm, which was in the forecast. Threrefore, we came back to our mooring. This time with support form the trusted Torqeedo engine.

Sailing with Musa and Lüc

This week I had the good fortune to take out my friends Musa and Lüc to sail on Arpex. We had a wonderful day, with wind this time. Not much, but just so as to give us a lovely sailing time, while also giving opportuntiy for a dip in the water, and plenty of chatting and fun.

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.