Offshore Preparations, 2018
After the success of Jester Baltimore Challenge, JBC17, I decided to do more offshore sailing. Preparations this year are to get ready to sail to Norway.
The list isn't as long as before but includes the following
- Borrow liferaft
- re-wire auto-helm
- update vane gear
- victuals - 30 days food, water and diesel
Charts are bought and I am considering Navionics Norway module
Offshore Preparations, 2016
I have expressed an interest in entering the Jester Challenge next year. This is the single-handed event for boats under 30 foot but over 20 foot. It usually attracts serious hardcore sailors who have a limited budget. The ethos is to adopt seamanship principles in all decisions but don't make a fuss if you get into trouble. Next year is the feeder event; Baltimore in Ireland. The main event is the four yearly crossing to Newport in Rhode Island and the intermediate event is a four yearly run to the Azores. There are two starting points; Plymouth and Pwllheli in North Wales. While Ireland sounds easy, Baltimore is very close to the Fastnet Rock!
To get ready I have drawn up a list of jobs and it should keep me busy right up to the event. It includes:
Cabin
Iain Oughtred's Feather Pram
This winter I am going to build a 7 foot ply dingy. It is the Feather Pram design by Iain Oughtred. I'll try and post some pictures as I make progress and the odd cock -up along the way. First I need to build a workshop in the garden.
Workshop shed is a poly clad bow roofed structure. Very little wood and cheap. Tilly (tender to Chantilly) still needs to get wet but the project went pretty much to plan. The shed is now a greenhouse in which I grew tomatoes this year.
New Companionway Frame
This winter's project is replacement of the companion way hatch frame and possibly new wash boards.
Pictures and description to follow.
New Rudder
After five years of having problems tacking in light winds or when reefed I have decided to build a rudder with a larger surface area in an attempt to improve handling. The idea has been brewing for a while and when I read that 'the best improvement' made to a MacWester Rowan was a new rudder I decided to have a go. The standard rudder is slightly small by accepted design standards and many people have reported similar problems.
A couple of sheets of marine ply, the standard of which seems to have slipped with plenty of voids, some Recinol glue and use of the front room and away we go. When all was glued up, filled and sanded I tried a test fit.
Only a slight adjustment required to the upper gudgeon. All fixings are attached with stainless tubes through the plywood and the lower bearing is a through hull fitting. Next stage is to sheath the rudder in glass cloth and paint it.
After the success of Jester Baltimore Challenge, JBC17, I decided to do more offshore sailing. Preparations this year are to get ready to sail to Norway.
The list isn't as long as before but includes the following
- Borrow liferaft
- re-wire auto-helm
- update vane gear
- victuals - 30 days food, water and diesel
Charts are bought and I am considering Navionics Norway module
Offshore Preparations, 2016
I have expressed an interest in entering the Jester Challenge next year. This is the single-handed event for boats under 30 foot but over 20 foot. It usually attracts serious hardcore sailors who have a limited budget. The ethos is to adopt seamanship principles in all decisions but don't make a fuss if you get into trouble. Next year is the feeder event; Baltimore in Ireland. The main event is the four yearly crossing to Newport in Rhode Island and the intermediate event is a four yearly run to the Azores. There are two starting points; Plymouth and Pwllheli in North Wales. While Ireland sounds easy, Baltimore is very close to the Fastnet Rock!
To get ready I have drawn up a list of jobs and it should keep me busy right up to the event. It includes:
Mast
·
Radar reflector, echomax to be riveted to the mast
Used my beloved old wooden ladders and it all went quite smoothly, no HSE luckily!
·
Boom gooseneck jury rig, this is the main weak point in the rig - not done
Deck
- Jack stays, replace wire with webbing - done
- Cockpit locker security - not done
- Grab bag - sort of
Sails
- Rig storm jib and hank on jib, the storm jib goes on easily and may also be used for sheet to tiller steering. - done
Rigging
- · Boom preventer, rigged and stowed on-board - done and permanently rigged
Ground tackle
- · Sea anchor / drogue - done
- Strengthen foredeck cleat - not done
Engine
· Tethers, wire loops to stop engine coming adrift if boat rolls over, done, photos to follow - done· Spares - some
Hull
· New anode, old one looks OK but need to check earth strap inboard. It is deep in the bilge!! not done
· Survey (might be a show stopper!) - not done
· Bungs on lanyards for all through hull fittings - done
· Emergency leak kit - done
· Hand holds - done
· Locker security - done
· Lee Clothes - done
· Internal / manual bilge pump - done· Port light covers (in case the glass breaks) - done
Galley
· Waist strap - not done
Safety equipment
· Liferaft hire - not done
· LED flare - done but after the trip
· EPRIB Hire - bought one after the trip
· Fire extinguishers - all OK
Communications
· Iridium Orange Spot tracker Hire - not done
· HF Fax – home brew - sort of works
Navigation
· Charts - done
Steering
·
Sculling oar / spare rudder - not done
·
Wind vane gear, I have made a trim tab system but still need to get it working - done
So quite a list and as usual, how cost effectively can it all be done for? I will try and post before and after photos.
Iain Oughtred's Feather Pram
This winter I am going to build a 7 foot ply dingy. It is the Feather Pram design by Iain Oughtred. I'll try and post some pictures as I make progress and the odd cock -up along the way. First I need to build a workshop in the garden.
New Companionway Frame
This winter's project is replacement of the companion way hatch frame and possibly new wash boards.
Pictures and description to follow.
New Rudder
After five years of having problems tacking in light winds or when reefed I have decided to build a rudder with a larger surface area in an attempt to improve handling. The idea has been brewing for a while and when I read that 'the best improvement' made to a MacWester Rowan was a new rudder I decided to have a go. The standard rudder is slightly small by accepted design standards and many people have reported similar problems.
A couple of sheets of marine ply, the standard of which seems to have slipped with plenty of voids, some Recinol glue and use of the front room and away we go. When all was glued up, filled and sanded I tried a test fit.
Only a slight adjustment required to the upper gudgeon. All fixings are attached with stainless tubes through the plywood and the lower bearing is a through hull fitting. Next stage is to sheath the rudder in glass cloth and paint it.
Couldn't colour match the blue but not too bad. Here's to hoping it works! All bolt holes were lined with stainless steel tubing.
***Latest News***
The rudder worked brilliantly. Never missed a tack, even when reefed. Course holding properties weren't adversely affected too much. If anything safety has been improved as when heeled over Chantilly tends to round up more due to the weight of the new rudder blade.
