‘Minnow’s’ Compass

I have decided to abandon the old Bosun compass in favour of the Plastimo bulkhead compass. The latter takes up less room, and it is less vulnerable to damage.

I made two aluminium brackets for fixing the compass. I put one at the forward end of the cabin above the bulkhead, and another on a beam below the hatchway. When I’m sat on the aft deck, I’ll deploy the compass in the hatchway, where it will be protected from sunlight and spray.

When conditions require me to have the hatch closed, I shall be able to see the compass clearly, irrespective of where it is mounted.

Most likely I’ll sell the Bosun compass, despite being better for steering a more accurate course on account of degrees being marked in twos, which is better than fives, as with the Plastimo. The Bosun compass has a grid for more accurate steering, and the helmsman does not have to remember the required course.

Sometimes a compromise has to be made, and on this issue I’m prepared to accept the disadvantages of the Plastimo compass, mainly because it is not as bulky as the Bosun, and it is less likely to suffer damage.

Searching Bill’s Log and a New Format

The old Google search engine within the blog stopped working, but a new search box appeared in the top left corner of the home page. This does not provide a series of page links as did the previous one; instead, an entirely new page appears, within which there are articles related to the search words. Since last mentioning this topic, Google has markedly improved the facility.

Once again, I’m trying a new format – my third attempt at finding something suitable. The original simple presentation was pretty good, but I felt it was getting a bit stale and dated. So far in my quest for a better and more modern version, I’ve tried two different ‘skins’ - both having their shortcomings. Steve who has his own blog, ‘Steve’s Stuff’, quite rightly expressed his doubts about the background graphics of my blog, and I would agree that the colour and design were not the most attractive. Reading white words on a dull, brownish red background was not easy on the eye.

In this latest presentation all the content of the blog has been retained, and I’m hoping I shall not want to change it in the near future.

Going back to the topic of ‘searching’, please give it a go. Key your search words into the little box in the top left corner of the home page.

Blog Statistics

Posts                                     1,818

Followers                            153

Published Comments     1,215

Page Views                         793,026

Page Views Last Month 22,719

Links

Steve’s Stuff

http://g4mjw.blogspot.co.uk/  

‘Minnow’s’ Yuloh is securely stowed

Seemingly a disproportionate effort has gone into reshaping ‘Minnow’s’ yuloh and making stowage brackets for it. I do not know how much I’ll use the device.  Indeed, I do not know if it will function as it should. Al Law who owns Paradox, ‘Little Jim’, and Sean Mulligan who owns ‘Scout’, both depend on their yulohs for propelling their craft during calms. Al does have an electric outboard motor, but only uses it when it is imperative to do so.

‘Minnow’ is equipped with a Honda 3 HP outboard, and if the wind is from ahead, and I want to maintain an average speed of, say 3 knots, I shall have no qualms about turning the engine on. I used to be a purist sailor who preferred sail over any other means of propulsion, but today I see things differently. Safety is paramount, and being able to stem a tide, or bash into the wind, is helpful for keeping the boat moving in certain situations.

Well, at long last, I think I can say ‘Minnow’s’ yuloh and its stowage brackets are finished. The final fitting, a stainless steel u-bolt, was secured to the foredeck this afternoon. I’m very happy with the result. A piece of cord or a bungee tied to the bracket at the blade end of the yuloh will secure it to the side deck. Waves washing along the deck will not dislodge it, nor will it come adrift if the boat capsizes, which is most unlikely.

Now I can turn my attention to other things such as rigging the boat, fitting a strop to the bow for the anchor cable, attaching the compass to the forward end of the cabin, sorting out lights for the cabin and an anchor light. There are a few more paint jobs to be done, and I’ll have to install a satisfactory freshwater dispenser. The kedge anchor has to have a chain and cable, and the mast has to be protected by an anti-chafe rope at boom level.

Recycling ‘Minnow’

Christmas is over; the New Year has begun. Father Christmas brought an influx of items, all of which require space for storage. Of necessity, I’ve had to dispose of old, unused and redundant articles to make room for the latest arrivals. Yet more space has to be found.

Therefore the annual clearout has commenced. Things of value, but unwanted, I sorted into plastic bags and took them to a local charity shop – Fairhavens Hospices. Then I ceremonially conveyed a very old, defunct vacuum cleaner on the back seat of my car to a nearby Council Recycling Centre.  It was like saying farewell to a trusted friend who had passed away. My battered and dirty car was the hearse, and the Recycling Centre was the crematorium.

 Back at home, I disposed of smaller items with little ceremony. I stamped and crushed them into the recyclables bin.

The clearout has enabled me to gain access to ‘Minnow’s’ boathouse where she was hidden under a pile of rubbish.

All the get-up-and-go and the fine weather inspired me to spend a short time reshaping and varnishing ‘Minnow’s’ compass mount.  ‘Minnow’ is being recycled.  Bit by bit, she is being transformed into a desirable object for the pleasure of her new owner.

Looking Forward to the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta

In the account* of Lot’s escape from depraved Sodom, along with his wife and two daughters, one of the two escorting angels spoke to them saying, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”  The LORD was about to bring judgement upon the city by raining brimstone and fire upon it. Lot’s wife disobeyed the angel’s instruction and paid for it with her life. She was turned into a pillar of salt.

The story is a salutary lesson for us not to hanker after the past, but be grateful for God’s mercies and look to the future.

In my 80^th year I’m looking to the future, and I’m grateful for all of God’s mercies. I must listen to Him and be obedient to His word. That does not mean I am to deprive myself of innocent pleasures; therefore I can look forward to things and events that will give me pleasure. Jesus came to give us life to the full, a life of abundance; (John 10:10) not to be miserable and ungrateful. Our greatest fullness will be in the next life, where ultimately there will be no ocean, and yet there will be a ‘pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.’ (Revelation 22:1)

A possible future pleasure for me, DV, will be seeing something of The Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta at Greenwich between 5^th and 9^th September, 2014. These fine vessels will first assemble at Falmouth for shore-side activities between 28^th to 31^st August. From there they will race to the Isle of Wight; then they will cruise in company to Greenwich for five days of festivities.

*Genesis 19:12-26

Links

The Royal Greenwich Tall Ships

http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/tallships/site/index.php

 

DV - Definition

http://www.answers.com/topic/dv

The Enchanting, Seductive ‘Minnow’

The weather was ideal for working on ‘Minnow’ today, but I was called to paint the interior of a storage cupboard in the kitchen, and line its shelves with Fablon. Having done the job, I must admit the cupboard is better for it, and my wife is happy, and because she’s happy, I’m happy!

There’s always another day for continuing the renovation of ‘Minnow’ who lounges in the garage and sings like a siren whenever I open the door. Lying on her iron chaise longue she doesn’t have the appearance or beauty of a siren, but she has the cunning of a femme fatale who charms me with her irresistible call.

Her latest accoutrement is her curvaceous, almost flamboyant yuloh, with a blade painted in seductive orange and a golden, varnished shaft. This eye-catching, mystical object excites my imagination and rekindles my passion for water babies such as her.

I have been seduced, and the enchanting waves of the Channel beckon us both to join them in a tango of delight.

Links

Fablon

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Fablon

Siren

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siren

Femme Fatale

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femme_fatale

My Cruising Logs

Until today, the accounts of two cruises were missing from my Cruising Logs, both done with ‘Sandpiper’, my ‘C’ Type West Wight Potter. The first was a Poole Harbour Cruise, lasting just under a week, and the second was along the South Coast of England from Burnham-on-Crouch to Falmouth, lasting 66 days.

It took me 45 days to reach Plymouth!! This year, if I embark on a similar cruise with ‘Minnow’, I shall want to take no longer than a month to reach Plymouth. The aim is to be there before 11^th May, 2014 to watch the start of the Jester Challenge.

If that cruise becomes a reality, I shall hope to add the account to the others.

Links

My Cruising Logs

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/my-cruising-logs.html

Here are links to the added cruises:

Poole Harbour with ‘Sandpiper’ – Part 1

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/poole-harbour.html

Pottering – Part 1 (A South Coast Cruise)

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/pottering-part-1.html

Jester Challenge 2014

One event I am looking forward to is the start of the Jester Challenge which will take place 1400 BST, Sunday, 11^th May, 2014 at Plymouth. I shall not be there as a competitor, but as a spectator. Dreaming continues, but reality overrules! Most of my sailing these days is from the armchair. Nevertheless, if I can make it to Plymouth with ‘Minnow’, my Paradox sailboat, either by sea or by road, I shall be excited by the gathering and the send-off.

These tiny yachts between 20’ and 30’ will set sail for Newport, Rhode Island, USA.  There are no rules, only ‘guidelines’ which I’ve copied from the official Jester Challenge website:

The Jester Challenge is run on a ‘gentlemanly basis’ within the following guidelines:

• for sailing vessels between 20 and 30 feet (including multi-hulls)
• human power is the only acceptable alternative propulsion to that of the wind: rowing or clubhauling, for instance, are permissible
• single-handed to Newport
• one way
• stops allowed
• no time limit
• engines may be fitted but only used to charge batteries for equipment such as mobile telephones, steering and navigation systems. The sole exceptions to this, within the spirit of the Jester Challenge, would be the avoidance of an imminent ‘mayday’ situation; responding to a distress call from a fellow seafarer or when within the harbour limits of an intermediate port en route. If the use of an engine - or the acceptance of a powered tow from another vessel, whether a Jester Challenger or not - becomes necessary to meet, for instance, a personal time limit or, simply, to avoid a frustrating calm, then the details should be declared on arrival to fellow Jester Challengers. By common agreement - and using the co-ordinator as an arbitrator if there is no common agreement - the arrival order may then be amended.
• age of skipper to be over 18 years at the start
• no fees
• no inspections
• no regulations: skippers will be entirely responsible for the equipment they take, based on their own experience
• only hint of bureaucracy will be the signing of a form of indemnity accepting the skipper’s full duty of care for himself, his dependants and his fellow seafarers during his participation in the JC 2010.
• skippers should ensure that they have the correct visa for entry into the USA. Experience suggests that non-US citizens can not have too much lead time for obtaining this outside the United States
• entries (will be accepted up to twenty-four hours before the start

Recommendations:

• a 500 mile, non-stop voyage be made in the same vessel

at least third party insurance be obtained 

Links

Jester Challenge 2014

http://www.jesterinfo.org/index.html

‘Jester’ and Mike Richey

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/jester-and-mike-richey.html

Rory McDougall and ‘Cooking Fat’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/rory-mcdougall-and-cooking-fat.html

The Jester Challenge 50th Anniversary

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/jester-challenge-50th-anniversary.html 

Jester Challenge’s Sailing Purists (The Azores Jester Challenge)

http://www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/elaine-bunting/531739/jester-challenge-s-sailing-purists

Jester Challenge 2010

http://www.justplymouth.co.uk/events/Jester_Challenge.php

 

Trying a Different Format for the Blog

 

For the past few weeks I’ve tried a different format for presenting my blog, and I’ve been happy with it to a certain extent, but finding and reading consecutive articles by date order has not been possible. Therefore I’m trying yet another format, to see how it goes.

When I first set up the blog, the Google search engine within it was excellent, but for some reason it stopped working. Perhaps it was not compatible with the operating system I have on my desktop computer, which is Microsoft Vista; however, there is a good search facility at the extreme top left of the screen – simply key in your search words into the box.

Yesterday, I highlighted a link to the first page introducing my cruise with Bill Johnson aboard ‘Ishani’, his Eventide 26,* but having opened the link, I could not find my way to Part 2 of the series and sequential pages. Within this new format, I can find the link to Part 2 by referring to the date column and links on the right-hand side of the screen.

One thing I would like to be readily available is a link to my Cruising Log page from where people can access the logs. I’ll endeavour placing a permanent link on the Home Page.

 

*Cruise of the ‘Ishani’, a 26’ Eventide – Part 1

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/cruise-of-ishani-26-eventide-part-1.html

My Cruising Logs

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/my-cruising-logs.html

Beer Luggers

 

'Temegani', a converted Beer or Exmouth Lugger

My daughter’s partner recently bought a gaff cutter that may have started life as a Beer Lugger built by Lavis of Exmouth. ‘Temegani’ has a fascinating history. Amazingly and coincidentally, she was almost totally rebuilt by my friend Bill Johnson. I say ‘amazingly’, because what are the chances of such a coincidence happening? I saw the boat being planked …….. perhaps in 1981 when Bill was also building his own Eventide 26, the one he and I attempted to sail to the Azores.(* See link below)

‘Temegani’ was originally a clinker Beer Lugger, or so I understand, quite a large one at 26’ LOA. Bill planked her in double diagonal larch and increased her scantlings, replacing frames, keel and sternpost. He added external ballast in the form of a mild steel casting. There was 10 hundredweight of internal lead ballast. He built a new mast with crosstrees and fitted a horse for the mainsheet.

One anomaly would appear to be her wineglass transom which is not characteristic of a Beer Lugger. Another oddity is her original light build, because she would have been launched and retrieved off a steeply shelving pebble beach. Could she in fact have been an Exmouth Lugger? There on the Exe, she would have dried out on sand or mud while tethered to a mooring. Her shallow draught would have been ideal for sailing in the estuary and over the bar. I think her overall length of 26’ makes it unlikely she was Beer Lugger.** 

Links

*Cruise of the ‘Ishani’, a 26’ Eventide – Part 1

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/cruise-of-ishani-26-eventide-part-1.html

**The Southwest Maritime History Society (See paragraph re. Exmouth lugger)

http://www.swmaritime.org.uk/article.php?articleid=1219&atype=r

Beer Lugger

http://www.beer-devon.co.uk/BeerHeritage/BeerHeritageSite/VillageSite/BeerLugger.htm

Beer Luggers

http://www.beerluggers.co.uk/Beer_Luggers/Home.html

Beer Luggers

http://www.cornishluggers.co.uk/beer-luggers/

Bear Sailing Club - Luggers

 http://www.beersailingclub.co.uk/luggers.html

Beer Regatta – Bear Luggers

http://www.beer-regatta.co.uk/about/luggers/

Bear Lugger – Sold

 http://www.findafishingboat.com/beer-lugger-mahogany-on-oak/DB15809

Unique way of tacking lugsail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO6WA3fmr_E

Beer Lugger – Builder – Adrian Noyes

http://craftsmancraft.com/Beer_Lugger.html

Only Here for Beer ………. Luggers – Classic Boat Magazine , February 2011

http://www.nigelsharp.co.uk/pdf/CB%20272%20Beer%20Luggers.pdf

Model of a Beer Lugger for Sale

http://www.harbourantiques.com/MISC609.htm   

My Cruising Logs

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/my-cruising-logs.html#!/2013/03/my-cruising-logs.html

Joshua Slocum

I chanced upon a 44 minute film on YouTube featuring Joshua Slocum and his epic single-handed voyage around the world, and I recommend the film to readers of this blog. The film contains historical facts about Slocum not revealed in his famous book, ‘Sailing Alone Around the World’. 

Links

Joshua Slocum – Sailing Alone Around the World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iciZer5cbJ8

Sailing Alone Around the World (The Book)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_Alone_Around_the_World

Sailing Alone Around the World (At Amazon UK for £9.99 – Kindle Edition £0.77)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sailing-Alone-Around-Joshua-Slocum/dp/0486203263

Solo Circumnavigation Record Attempts

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/#!/2009/10/solo-circumnavigation-record-attempts.html

Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

For the life of me I cannot work out why apparently sane people would want to row across the Atlantic. Each participant must have their reasons. The cliché answer is because it’s there.

Charlie Pitcher took on the challenge for the reason of breaking the record, which he achieved. 

Links

Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

http://www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/the-challenge/  

Charlie Pitcher

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/#!/2013/03/charlie-pitcher.html

Charlie Pitcher Again

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/#!/2013/03/charlie-pitcher-again.html

Charlie Pitcher breaks solo rowing ocean record

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-21768962

Charlie Pitcher’s World Record finish

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/charlierowsatlantic/4840420/Charlie-Pitchers-World-Record-finish.html

Essex: Rower Charlie Pitcher smashes Atlantic Ocean world record

http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/braintree/10286730.Essex__Rower_Charlie_Pitcher_smashes_Atlantic_Ocean_world_record/

Charlie Pitcher’s Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/charlie.pitcher

Bremont to support transatlantic solo row

http://www.retail-jeweller.com/news/bremont-to-support-transatlantic-solo-row/5044374.article?referrer=RSS

Charlie Pitcher on Twitter

https://twitter.com/charliepitcher

Charlie Pitcher breaks world record for his solo row across Atlantic

http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Charlie-Pitcher-breaks-world-record-solo-row/story-18414226-detail/story.html#axzz2NX6H6Hcq 

Charlie Pitcher’s World Record finish

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/charlierowsatlantic/4840420/Charlie-Pitchers-World-Record-finish.html

 

Richard Guziewicz’s 50/50 – Part 2

As a very welcome start to 2014, Richard Guziewicz emailed me with warm greetings and more photos of his Paul Fisher 50/50 decked sailing canoe.

Richard has now given ‘Brina’ a batwing rig, as per Paul’s design, except he has increased the girth of the mast. He has yet to try sailing the canoe in anything of a wind.

I rigged ‘Caleb’ with a batwing sail which turned out to be pretty good all-round. 

Links

Richard Guziewicz’s 50/50

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/#!/2013/10/richard-guziewiczs-5050.html

‘Caleb’ 50/50 Canoe

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/caleb-5050-canoe.html

Photos of ‘Caleb’ Part 1

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/photos-of-caleb-part-1.html

Photos of ‘Caleb’ Part 2

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/photos-of-caleb-part-2.html

50/50 Sailing Canoe

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Sailcanoe.htm#ILI

A Happy Christmas

 

This comes to wish you all a Happy Christmas.

I’ll be taking a break from the blog for a few days – possibly until the beginning of January next year.

Cheers,

Bill.

P.S. Father Christmas wanted a keepsake ‘selfie’; so I obliged.

Links

Selfie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfie

Selfie

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=selfie

Slow Going for ‘Minnow’

Surprise, surprise! I only managed to find 15 minutes for ‘Minnow’, and during that time I applied a third coat of varnish to the yuloh. This cold and damp weather is not ideal for varnishing, but by keeping the varnish warm I was able to brush an even layer over the second coat. Somehow, the varnish dries and hardens by the following day. One more coat will see the job finished.

I’m still considering how I shall make a bracket for securing the shaft end of the yuloh to the foredeck. When I was at B & Q I saw a stainless steel hanger rail that had a curved piece of metal almost, but not quite suited to making a semicircular bracket. Another idea that appeals to me is utilizing a large curtain ring that could be modified for the purpose. I have two rowlocks that could be converted into semicircular brackets, one in plastic and another in alloy.

Coming up with satisfactory solutions for this sort of thing is rewarding. The challenge is to do it in the most effective way, which is often the simplest, and sometimes the cheapest. Everything on a boat has to be robust enough to withstand strains likely to be placed on them. In the case of stowing the yuloh on the side deck, the fittings have to withstand forces that may be imposed by waves washing over the side deck. In the unfortunate, but unlikely chance of a 360 degree capsize; the fittings must be pretty strong to keep the yuloh in place.

Intervention



 

Renovating ‘Minnow’ is a long term project; especially as many things intervene between working on her. Today, I could only find 10 minutes for varnishing her yuloh, but I tell myself that 10 minutes was better than no time at all.

Preparations for Christmas have suddenly become urgent; despite my wife’s tireless efforts over the last two months. She’s had loads of fun baking and decorating cakes; preparing and cooking pies and sausage rolls, plus buying and wrapping presents. Today was set aside for final decorations and last minute shopping. The tree was placed by the window; Father Christmas was stood ready with a bag of goodies at the front door; the Snowman wearing a top hat and stuffed with sweets took up station by the TV, and my wife made a decorative display on the sideboard.

We had planned that Christmas would be a quiet affair - a low-key happening. Instead, there will be jubilations as several family members get together. Mostly, the focus will be on our grandchildren and great grandchildren, but the adults will have fun too.

The real meaning of Christmas will not be forgotten; for the joy of Jesus will warm the cockles of our hearts. Divine intervention in staging His birth, where and when it had been foretold, was and is fortuitous to those upon whom His favour rests. (Luke 2:10-14)

Links

Bible Gateway – Luke 2:10

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%202:10&version=NIV

What are the Cockles of Your Heart?

 http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-the-cockles-of-your-heart.htm

Melonseed Video

Roger Rodibaugh who owns Melonseed, ‘Three Cheers’, got in touch to thank me for featuring  his poem ‘Shore to Shore’ on 15^th December. He has a YouTube Channel ‘Indianamelonhead’, where he has 30 wonderful Melonseed videos. The poem was inspired by his ‘2013MSMR (part 2)’ video, ‘Rompin’ and Stompin’’.*

Take a look at his YouTube Channel.** You won’t be disappointed – all free entertainment for the small sailboat enthusiast.

Thanks Roger.

Links

*2013MSMR (part 2) Rompin' and Stompin'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdEnHc1vagU

**Indiana Melonhead

https://www.youtube.com/user/Indianamelonhead?feature=watch

Melonseed, A Classic Modern Dinghy

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/#!/2013/12/melonseed-classic-modern-dinghy.html