Thursday, October 31, 2013

Loss of Momentum for ‘Minnow’


 
A distraction.

Various events have transpired against me maintaining momentum with the renovation of ‘Minnow’. Today, shopping, housework and tiredness sapped any enthusiasm I had for continuing the work. Rain and dismal weather contributed to my lack of motivation - even for spending a quarter-of-an-hour working on ‘Minnow’.

Winter is on the doorstep, followed by spring, but unless I can regain momentum, ‘Minnow’ may not be ready for an early outing next year. Weather plays an important part in my progress, because my garage is not insulated against the cold, and for the most part I require the door open for setting up my Black and Decker workbench. There isn’t enough room in the garage for the bench when the door is closed. Essentially, the majority of items I make for the boat are shaped and assembled on the bench which I place in the open by the garage doorway.

With cold weather approaching, my prospects of rapid progress are remote, but whenever I can motivate myself and conditions are suitable, I shall endeavour to carry on the good work.

7 comments:

photocurio said...

Can you write about why you sold the Potter? What were its shortcomings?

Unknown said...

Hang in there Bill! You have been making incredible progress! I have loved watching you bring Minnow back to life!!!

Sean

Steve Carey said...

The "want/need" to work on Minnow will be greater than the minus's of the weather. Mind over matter.

I'm about to start building my boat. Purchasing a small polytunnel greenhouse. House to finish the boat before it get too hot inside it. I'll then use it for growing seedling and then later, vegetables.

Steve

William Serjeant said...

Hi Photocurio,

On average I change boats every two or three years. I enjoy doing them up and sailing them. I have also built boats, but I've never owned them for long.

The Potter was a brilliant little single-hander, but she lacked useable internal space on account of her centreplate. She was also vulnerable because she could be capsized.

I liked 'Sandpiper' very much, but I had the opportunity of acquiring 'Minnow', and I could not keep two boats in my garage.

If 'Minnow' is ballasted correctly, she should be difficult to capsize, and she has more useable internal space. She will not point as well as the Potter, but I'm prepared to accept this shortcoming.

Being able to work 'Minnow' from within her cabin will be a huge bonus, because there were times when I got very wet and cold sailing the Potter.

Cheers,
Bill.

William Serjeant said...

Thanks Sean.

I've been following your progress with 'Scout' and I think you are doing wonderfully well.

I note that your enthusiasm for her is growing the more you sail her.

I very much appreciate your blog articles giving details of how you are equipping and modifying 'Scout'.

Cheers,
Bill.

William Serjeant said...

Steve,

I'm pleased that you are able to start building your boat. Which version will you choose? - Twin keel? And what rig?

Will you be keeping an account of the build at Steve's Stuff?

http://g4mjw.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=26

Cheers,
Bill.

Steve Carey said...

. . . . Yes I will be Bill. I need a new camera. I dropped my FujiFilm T500 a few weeks and although it still takes pictures, the LCD display has failed.

The short link to my blog:

<a href="http://g4mjw.blogspot.co.uk</a>

Steve