There is a certain tinge of sadness as I see ‘Minnow’ on the
driveway ready for her new owner to collect tomorrow. I am reminded of how she
came in a bedraggled state and of the work I did to bring her to her present condition. About this time last year she and I were to set off on an adventure, but
after a couple of days together I knew I was not up to the job. Things didn’t
go well, and I made several mistakes – bad judgments that could have resulted
in something serious happening. I won’t go into detail. Suffice it to say, I
made the decision to return home. From that time I’ve somewhat lost the desire
for long-distance solo cruising. Readers of this blog suggested I should not
sell ‘Minnow’, but give time for a change of heart. I took the advice and I did
not put her up for sale immediately. As the year went on, it became
increasingly obvious to me that I had made the right decision to sell. Several
people took an interest in acquiring ‘Minnow’ – some for sure were dreamers. I
had enquiries from as far as Australia, and others from Germany, France and Scotland.
Closer to home, there were those who came to see the boat, of whom one really
had it in his heart to have her. I’m pleased that he has succeeded. She has
been his for some time while she spent the last days of winter in the
garage. Tomorrow he is due to collect her.
Now a boat is not like a car. When you sell a car you say
bye-bye and that’s that. With a boat it is different. A boat has so many
characteristics and her owner knows how best she can be managed. He learns this
by association with her. Therefore, when she is taken by another, the previous
lover wants the very best for her and her new master. He cannot see her go
without telling how best to have a working relationship. To that end I usually
make a list of observations and advice for the new partner to help things get
off to a good start. Below, you can see these, ‘Thoughts Re. ‘Minnow’. They
apply to her, but some observations may be useful to owners of other Matt Layden Paradoxes.
Thoughts Re. ‘Minnow’
Trailering:
Periodically check that the lighting board is held in place by the turn screws.
They can vibrate loose. Taping them might not be a bad idea. Make sure the boat
is bow heavy before taking to the road. Don’t forget the bow lashing and the
aft strop.
Rigging: Do not
unhook the trailer when setting up the rig.
Alternatively jack up the aft end of the trailer before rigging. This will stabilize the trailer. Attach the
pennant to the top of the mast, unless you want a quiet night, because, if
there is any wind, it rattles.
Launching and
Retrieving: Make sure the lighting
board is removed before launching. Use the thick warp tied to the ball hitch
and the trailer to obtain sufficient depth for ‘Minnow’ to float off. You can
chock her on the slipway so that the trailer can be separated from the car.
(Make sure there is plenty of weight in the bow before unhooking, otherwise the
boat may fall back on her rudder.) Move the car up the slipway. Tie the rope to
the trailer and the other end to the ball hitch. Drive a short way up the
slipway; move the chocks, and slowly reverse until there is enough water under
the boat to float her off. Don’t forget to have the anchor line ready for
securing the boat before the trailer is withdrawn from the water.
Making Sail: Get
the furled sail topped up before hoisting it. When hoisting the sail, make sure
the yard does not get caught under the topping lift. Use gloves when handling
the running rigging.
Sailing: Try not
to allow the sheet to become too slack, otherwise it may catch on the aft
cleats or the engine. When tacking from starboard tack to port tack make sure
the boat has plenty of momentum to take her round. If the water is choppy it
may be better to wear ship. Therefore judge the situation in advance to make
sure you have room for wearing ship. When on the wind do not pinch – sail a bit
free. She sails best to windward when the windward chine runner is just clear
of the water. You’ll need a Force 3 for this.
Rudder: Unless
sailing in shallow water, always keep the rudder fully down. You might need to
push it fully down. Never use more than about 15 degrees of helm – particularly
when tacking, because she must be sailed around in an arc without losing too
much way.
Trim: Make sure
there is enough ballast up forward to submerge the foot of the stem about 3
inches. When trimmed properly the bottom of the transom should be level with or
just above the surface of the water.
Engine: When
starting cold, use about half choke. Start the engine in the raised position
for getting a good pull with the cord. Then immerse the prop to allow cooling
water to flow. Gradually reduce choke until the engine is running smoothly. It
may be possible to idle the engine so that the prop stops rotating. (I have had
difficulty doing this. Perhaps the carburettor needs cleaning.) Use unleaded
petrol with no oil. The engine can always be kept in the upright position –
either up or down. This way the sheet can be kept clear. Bungees can also help
prevent the sheet from snagging the engine. There is a plug spanner and a spare
plug in a tray in the lazarette.
Petrol: Take the
greatest care. Make sure the lids of the cans are secure. Use the funnel and
its bungee when filling the engine tank.
Yuloh: You can
use the little bungee to help keep the yuloh on the pin. Raise the rudder out
of the water when yulohing.
Aft Vent Hatch:
With the present sheeting arrangement, the hatch must remain closed.
Anchoring: It is
best to keep the anchor in a large bucket or watertight plastic container,
along with its chain and warp. Keep them out of the way in the cabin, forward
on the starboard hand side, ready for deployment. When deploying or retrieving
the anchor, lash the bucket or container to the aft deck by the yuloh blade.
From there the anchor can be lowered or raised. When retrieving the anchor, flake
the warp into the bucket, then the chain, and finally the anchor. Cleaning the
warp and anchor is best done with a loo brush as they are being raised. This
way, mud and weed are kept out of the boat.
Rough Water Sailing:
Before going to sea, I would advise you make a rubber or vinyl baffle for the
tiller port. (See attached photos showing how Jim did this for ‘Faith’.)
Battery: This is
excellent. It should remain charged by being topped up by the solar panel. It
is maintenance free.
Tiller Extension:
I sometimes prefer using it to the steering lines.
Safety: A fire
extinguisher would be good to have aboard. A loop of rope at the stern, long
enough for a foothold would be useful for getting aboard if one were to fall
off the boat. The rudder step is too high for getting a foothold.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Note: I’m looking
forward to transferring custodianship to the new owner -More about that
tomorrow.
