Afternoon sail with amazing sunset sky

Last Sunday I found time in the late afternoon for a really quick spin. I think it was past 16:30 when I finally left the mooring. Not all went to plan. In my haste I hoisted the main without heading into the wind, which caused one of the battens to get entangled in the shroud. So I had to lower it again, to sort all things out. While doing that the jib was flogging, and the jib seets got entangled. So, I couldn't sheet the sail in. With all that I couldn't really maneuver. Luckily I didn't bump into anyone... Was happy when I finally got under way. I was loosing daylight quite quickly, and it was a good thing I decided to head back, since the night barely had any moon, so, all was quite dark, and I still had to maneuver through the boats on the moorings, to get to mine. Which I evaluated was not a good idea to do under sail. So, I decided to start the electric engine, which has become a bit moody. Bad contacts prevented it to start. ... So, again     I had restricted maneuverability, now in the pitch dark. Well, in the end, after several efforts, the engine started, and I got back to my mooring. Happy. Even a complciated day sailing is a good day. 

Tally Ho floats

I have been following the reconstruction of Tally Ho. Tally Ho is a gaff rigged cutter, designed by british designer albert strange, and was launched in 1910. The beautiful wooden boat fell in disrepair, and was finally bought for 1 dollar, by the british sailor and boatbuilder Leo Sampson Goolden, who took on the massive challenge to rebuild it. And rebuild it he did, to a splendid condition. While doing it he documented the process and produced wonderful videos for his audience. 

My congratulations to Leo and his team, who did a really great job. Tally Ho is now in the water, floating on her lines. But work isn't quite finished yet. I am looking forward to the next steps and to see her sailing, and taking on new adventures.

Follow Leo's youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@SampsonBoatCo 

Last week's sail in calm conditions

Florence + the Machine - Free

Trying to reach Ilha Rasa sailing solo

With my wife being out visiting friends, I decided to have a boat weekend. The Saturday I spent putting the new motor mount together. Then I took it to the boat and slept there on saturday night, planning to install it early on Sunday, to go sailing right after. The forecast predicted only feeble winds, but I figured that if I left early, I could go out on an extended trip to Ilha Rasa. A bit more wind was predicted for the afternoon, which could bring me home from where I got.
However, the predicted wind didn't come. It stayed weak all the time. The result was a pretty slow way back, and a late return by 20:00hs.
However I had a good time anyway, sailing softly, with the boat well ballanced. 

New motor mount required

Last week, while leaving the mooring for a short sail with my uncle, the motor mount broke. This left me with a tricky maneuveing situation in my hands. The bottom of my hull was quite fouled, more than I estimated, which left me with precious little options. I chose the safe one, and droped the hook, which saved me from driving Arpex straight up Urca Beach. I tried to make it look like a dashing parking maneuver. :-D

Now I need a new support for the motor. The old one deteriorated after 10 years in sun and rain-water. I saw it coming. Fortunately secured the motor, which droped into the water, but stayed with the boat. 

Fortunately I do have some good wood stached at home, which I will use for the new construction. I started by cutting out the laterals from Cumaru wood, which is very resistant, and should stand the abuse. 
Below is a picture of the motor mount in 2020, when it received a coat of epoxi.

Here is the detroyed sledge after I rescued it.

Surprise sailing

It had been 4 months since the last opportuntiy I had to sail Arpex. And I wasn't counting with having anytime soon. Last weekend the forecast was belak, indicating rain and no wind. Bad combination to go sailing. So, since possible committment didn't turn out to happen, I went to the boat just to check if all was in good order. I also thought that the windless day wound be a good opportunity to check the outhaul on the boom. Once I opened the main, I thought I might just as well up the jib, and go sailing. Which I did, to good effect.

Relaxing on deck

Sometimes it is good just to be on the boat, and enjoy the sunset in good company. I put the mainsail up, just for the sake of it, and for "maintenance", you might say. And surprisingly I found that the outhaul had lost a knot, and was let loose. Good time to fix it.

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