Camping with ‘Talitha’

Testing the tent

Cosy with the Insul-A-Matic griptec mattress.


I have been able to sleep aboard previous home-built boats, but that’s not possible with ‘Talitha’; therefore, if I’m to sail her elsewhere over a period of days, camping ashore would be the next best option. To that end, I’ve looked out camping gear that’s been stashed away in my loft for a number of years.


Most importantly, I found a small tent given to me by one of my daughters. She borrowed it one stormy weekend and was full of praise, because it did not let in a drop of water, neither did it get blown away! The easily erected igloo-style tent comes complete with a purpose-made groundsheet.

The Khyam Eiger tent and groundsheet when packed

I was pleased to find my well-tested, self-inflating mattress upon which I’ve slept so comfortably aboard ‘Micro’, ‘Caleb’ and ‘Faith’.


Likewise, I found a single burner camping stove - yet another present from one of my daughters.

My Euro GT camping stove

I also came across my book, ‘Where to Launch Around the Coast’, by Diana van der Klugt, printed in 1994 by ESP, Crowborough, East Sussex – ISBN 1 898574 02 2. Okay, it is 17 years out of date, but no doubt the slipways are still there, and perhaps some of the information is relevant.


My old pressure cooker that has served me well on previous boats will come in handy once again.


Well, those are the main items I shall require for camping beside the water, and the book will come in handy when deciding where to launch ‘Talitha’.


All I need is a spell of good weather, and a timeslot when I can go adventuring.

At a Loss

The beginning of a new relationship. (Photo copyright of Peter Howard)

There is almost a feeling of bereavement with the loss of building a boat. I no longer have a task to undertake; no more do I have to solve a new problem, or overcome a difficulty. There is nothing to satisfy my creative urge. I can only look at the new baby that has been born and wonder what sort of life she will have. Will she spend most of her time tucked away in the recesses of a garage or will she delight in frequently dancing upon sparkling waters? Will she have many owners or just a few before her inevitable demise; for all things that come to life must eventually die? Will she enjoy her days and be cherished by those who possess her?


She is now my responsibility. In the past I have been a flirt who has had several mistresses - just one at a time, you understand! I do have some principles, after all. Those to whom I have sold my fleeting possessions may have been more faithful and caring than me.


Shall I keep ‘Talitha’ until I leave this life, or shall I run true to form and part with her to the next highest bidder? Who knows? But one thing is for sure; I want to explore my new mistresses’ potential. How capable is she at coping with the East Coast Rivers? How would she handle on a short coastal passage? Can she carry enough gear for lightweight camping?


There are many things to discover about her, and it is these that will give me pleasure while making me forget my bereavement, until perhaps an urge for a new mistress makes itself felt with a desire to start all over again.

Sailing ‘Talitha’

Launching at Burnham Yacht Harbour

There was a good wind, but little sunshine - ‘White Cloud’ was the official description, according to the BBC forecast. Today was my only chance for sailing ‘Talitha’, because tomorrow, I shall be otherwise engaged, and the weekend looks pretty grim weather-wise.


High water at Burnham was 12.28 BST which was ideal for a test sail. The plan was to have a good beat up the river to Bridgemarsh Island with the flood; heave to there and have lunch; then run back to the Yacht Harbour on the first of the ebb.


Launching the boat was quite easy. I transferred her from the trailer to a piece of old carpet laid on the slipway; shipped the keel, fixed the rudder and rigged her. Meanwhile, as I parked the car and trailer, the water steadily crept up the slipway to float her off on my return.

This photo is copyright of Peter Howard - please respect it.

Underway, I paddled her towards the Yacht Harbour entrance and hoisted a reefed sail. She effortlessly glided out to the River where I brought her on the wind. On the more exposed parts of the River waves were breaking, causing spray to fly back over the boat. She leapt off the waves and heeled until her leeward deck was close to the surface of the water. Under those conditions, more often than not, she tacked, but once in a while she needed a nudge with the paddle to bring her round.

This photo is copyright of Peter Howard - please respect it.

There were no other small boats about, but there was the yacht ‘Grey Lady’, and on the run back to the Yacht Harbour, her skipper took photos of ‘Talitha’. He later met me at the slipway and kindly offered to send them to me by email. I am extremely grateful for his thoughtfulness and the time he spent sorting out the photos.


The only change I shall make to ‘Talitha’ is to exchange her thin rudder downhaul bungee for a thicker one, because there was a tendency for the rudder to rise when the boat was running at speed, at times almost planing.


I was pleased with the trailer, which does the job of transporting the boat well.


Back at home, I hosed the boat and sail to rid them of sea water. The test sail had gone well.

Test Sail for ‘Talitha’

Fender in the making. A rope will pass through a central support tube made from plastic.

Paul left a message on the comments page enquiring when I might take ‘Talitha’ for her first sail. I replied that I hoped it would be on Thursday, 14th July, but tonight, the weather forecast looks pretty gloomy with drizzle and rain. So much for the long-range forecast! Well, I’ll have another look at the weather maps tomorrow morning, and make a decision to go or not to go.


Meanwhile, I’m sorting out loose ends and preparing for the event. The last thing I’m lacking is a small fender. A standard one is too large; even a mini one is a little on the large size - because I have to find stowage space for it. On the other hand, if the fender is too small, I might as well forget it, because in anything of a seaway, parts of the hull would come into contact with a pontoon or jetty to which the boat is moored.


Therefore I’m motivated to make my own fender, a bit smaller than the smallest available from the chandlers. I am making it out of spare foam padding, a plastic tube, and a piece of sailcloth held together with Marlow Whipping Twine stitched along the seam.


If the fender is ineffective, I’ve lost nothing, because all the items used in making it are buckshee from previous projects.


Apart from the fender, everything is ready for ‘Talitha’s’ test sail. I am dependent upon having suitable weather and a timeslot that fits with the tides for the River Crouch, Essex.

Friday, 8th July

'Electron', a classic East Coast Smack

Last Friday was for me a remarkable day, as time seemed to stand still, enabling me to cram a lot into it without feeling strained or hassled. In fact, the whole time was one of relaxation.


I rose early and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, packed myself a picnic lunch and drove the car to Tollesbury Marina. En route I reacquainted myself with the beautiful countryside through which the meandering road passed - a road that I frequently drove along when I kept a small yacht at West Mersea, by the Yacht Club.


The weather was not the most suitable for antifouling, because it was blustery with heavy showers. I came prepared for scrubbing the smack’s hull as the tide receded, and I expected to find her at the scrubbing posts, but instead, CK 36 was on the Marina’s slipway, slung between frames of a large launching trolley. All the hard work of scraping off weeds and barnacles had been done by her owner. She lay there chocked up, high enough for easy access to her hull.


Her owner was nowhere to be seen. While I waited for him, I took a few photos of the 32 foot ‘Electron’. This sleek classic workboat was built in 1909 by Aldous of Brightlingsea; more recently she was completely rebuilt. Structurally, I noted that she was in excellent condition with all her seams in tact and a fair hull.


Within minutes her skipper appeared, and we set about applying antifouling to the drier, leeward side of the boat. Between showers we managed to do the windward side, with hours to spare before the incoming tide would be high enough for launching the boat.

A pretty, simulated clinker dinghy seen at the Blackwater Sailing Club

After eating my packed lunch I took my leave and motored to Heybridge Basin, there to look at the yachts and to walk beside the canal, also along the path to the Blackwater Sailing Club which overlooks the tidal Blackwater, mostly mud at low water – but a glorious playground for local yachtsmen, either side of high water.


After a leisurely stroll and a chat with visiting yachtsmen I made my way home. Then it was time for a cup of tea and a session sorting ‘Talitha’s’ reefing gear, plus setting up her anchoring system.


Well before nightfall, and not in the least fatigued, I retired to my room where I keep my computer. There I prepared my Blog for the day.



Links


Sailing Smack Association
http://www.ssa-uk.org/


Photos of ‘Electron’ CK 36
http://www.ssa-uk.org/Smack_files/electron.html


Electron at Smack Dock, Brightlingsea
http://www.smackdock.co.uk/c3.htm


Blackwater Sailing Club
http://blackwatersailingclub.org.uk/


Heybridge Basin
http://www.seylec.com/id6.html


West Mersea Yacht Club
http://www.wmyc.org.uk/

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 141

Gap between infill and keel

Gap filled with putty

This must be the last lap of the race to make ‘Talitha’ ready for sailing this season. I think the boat is finished, but there may be a few minor adjustments - in light of experience gained from sailing her.

Chain fitted

The last two days I’ve been working on her trailer to make it roadworthy. I’ve probably achieved this, now that it has been fitted with a security chain. The lighting board, with its extension cable, clips onto the rudder fittings, and it is kept in place by ropes tied to the trailer frame.

Lighting board

Theoretically, all systems are ‘go’ for being on the road, except for checking that my car insurance covers me for towing a trailer.


Because I have a busy week, I can’t see myself getting away for the first sail until this coming Saturday, but if I can find an opportunity before then, I’ll take it.

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 140

Almost ready to go

My fears about the trailer coupling were unfounded. Today I had no trouble in linking the trailer to the car, but I noted that it lacked a security chain, which I believe is mandatory. Therefore I’ll rectify the matter and purchase one at the same time as I buy a lighting board. Attaching the board to the stern of the boat should be easy, because I can make a fitting that will latch onto her skeg.

Gear stowed, ready for the road

This is a better place than beside the keel box for the anchor and warp in its waterproof bag.

I tried a couple of straps for securing the boat to her trailer, and they worked well. In fact, apart from the lighting board, I’m ready to take ‘Talitha’ for her first sail. I shall be looking for suitable weather on a day when I shall be free for the sail.

Building ‘Sharpy’ 139

'Talitha' on her trailer back to front

I made good progress with the trailer by removing rotten wood and replacing it with pieces that have been hanging around since I built my Paradox. In fact, I recycled wood taken from ‘Faith’s’ mobile cradle. I found a piece of carpet in the loft, and cut two pieces to size for covering the wooden crossbeams upon which ‘Talitha’ will rest. Somewhere tucked away, I have straps for holding the boat in place. It’s a matter of finding them.

When I next have the boat outside, I'll turn her around so the her bow will face the way she will be going. I shall have the centre of gravity over the axle.

Altogether, the trailer has cost me absolutely nothing! However, I may need to get hold of a new or second-hand coupling to fit my car’s tow bar. The one on the trailer cannot be opened, despite being twice drenched with WD 40. That magic liquid normally shifts any rusted components. I’ll give it another day, before deciding whether to search for a replacement.


I shall also have to get hold of a lighting board for mounting a number plate and illuminating the trailer. I’ll spruce the trailer up a bit by painting the metal parts. The fact that the trailer is nothing special to look at is a good thing, because a thief on the lookout for one would not be interested it. The resale value would be zilch.


Finding a way of having ‘Talitha’ on her trailer with her keel in place, so far has defeated me. If such a system can be devised, it must take the weight of the keel. If her keel were not supported, the loading on her hull would be so severe that damage to the hull would be inevitable. Meanwhile, I shall use the trailer as it is, and transport the keel in the boot of the car. Sliding the boat off her trailer to the edge of the slipway will be far easier than taking her off my roof rack and getting her to the water.

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 138

Downhaul for pulling in a reef

Reef pendent - Note use of milk carton tops on each side of the cringle for securing the pendent

There are only a few minor things left to do to make ‘Talitha’ completely finished. Today I set up her reefing system so that I can put a reef in within seconds by pulling a single line and making it fast to a cleat on the boom. I can lower the sail if need be by easing the halyard, and if it is necessary, I can tie the other reefing lines at my leisure.

The anchor, chain and warp are stowed in a waterproof bag

This shows how the anchor is deployed, via its warp through a thimble attached to the painter

I also sorted out the anchor so that it can be deployed and retrieved without too much effort. This is done by passing the end of the anchor warp through a thimble which is permanently attached to the painter; then the warp is tied to the anchor chain which is already joined to the anchor. The anchor and chain are lowered over the side; then the warp is paid out until there is sufficient length for the depth of water, at which point the warp is tied to the thimble. Finally, the painter is paid out until the boat is lying to her anchor by the bow. The tail end of the painter is then tied or cleated to a fixture within reach of the cockpit.

To retrieve the anchor, the process is reversed. As the warp is taken in, it is flaked into a waterproof bag, and after the anchor has been scrubbed clean, it is stowed on top of the warp, along with its chain. The bag and contents are then tightly lashed to the starboard side of the keel box, to effectively become internal ballast.

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 137

Changing the bearings

As good as his word, my friend turned up this morning and replaced the bearings of ‘Talitha’s’ trailer. Furthermore, he gave me a 3.2 kilogram folding anchor and a length of galvanised chain for it. He also let me have two wide wheels, an axel and two narrow wheels for a trolley that will clamp onto ‘Talitha’s’ skeg. The wide wheels would be better for use on sand or pebbles, but they are quite large. The narrow ones look neater; however, they would not be suitable for use on soft surfaces such as sand or gravel. I’ll have to make up my mind, which ones to go for.

The anchor after cleaning

I tried the spray cover and it looked as if it will be O.K. I think I shall fit into it quite snugly and it should protect me from the wind, rain and spray.

Spray cover

Tie for spray cover

This afternoon I removed a rusted shackle from the anchor and I cleaned the anchor. I must set up an anchoring system and find a place for stowing it. Most probably I’ll put the anchor and warp in one of the side bins. I’ll also have a sponge and a small scrubbing brush for getting rid of mud and weed on the anchor and warp. One of my daughters gave me a folding canvas bucket that may be a suitable container for the anchoring gear.

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 136

Prep for bonding the sleeve to the weight with Araldite

Araldite left to set with weight in place

After epoxy was dribbled into the gaps. The bottom of the hole was sealed with putty.


The building side of my ‘Sharpy’ project is almost finished. Today I aligned the keel weights by enlarging a hole for the aft retaining pin and inserting an aluminium sleeve. To fix the sleeve before filling gaps with epoxy, I bonded it to the lead with Araldite. I may consider adding a sleeve to the forward hole, because then the removable weight can more easily slide on and off the retaining pins – as the threads of the pins run smoothly within a sleeve. Without sleeves, there is a tendency for the threads of the retaining pins to snag on the edges of the laminations of lead that comprise the weight.

Boat name

My boat has been given a name. She now has vinyl lettering either side of her bow. I have named her ‘Talitha’, after one of the words spoken by Jesus when he raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead.* ‘Talitha’ is Aramaic for the feminine form of ‘lamb’ or ‘youth’. He held the dead girl by her hand and said, “Talitha cumi,” which Mark, the writer of the gospel, translated as, “Little girl. I say to you, arise.” Immediately afterward, the girl got to her feet and walked!


In a metaphorical sense, my ‘Talitha’ has been raised from the dead, because now she has been brought to life as a viable creature. In her previous state she was a miscellany of inanimate bits of unrelated matter, without shape or form. She has become a harmonious entity, with a heart and spirit, looking forward to a relationship with her owner, the one who raised her to life for the prime purpose of shared adventures.


*Mark 5:41

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 135

Close-up of the keyhole retainer for the keel haul line

Today I could not find time to do anything on the boat, not that there is a lot to do, except for realigning the keel weights and attaching vinyl cut-out letters for ‘Sharpy’s’ name. I shall also try adapting a cycle cape to act as a spray apron for the boat. I shall have to make a hem for a bungee that will stretch around the coamings to keep the apron in place. Such an arrangement should be pretty watertight. I have the cape which is made of yellow waterproofed, reflective nylon – highly visible at sea. I bought the largest size I could, so that it would be long enough to fit the cockpit and to enable me to wear my buoyancy vest. I may find myself a bit hot when using the apron, but it has a ventilation flap at the rear.

A couple of days ago I had too many photographs for uploading, and I mentioned that I would publish the remaining four. Each has an explanatory caption.

Temporary stowage for the paddle, which may become permanent

I have since attached a line to the brass loop for retaining the mast in the unlikely event of a total capsize

The sheet would appear to work well, but I'll see how it goes when the boat is out on the water

The weather is not going to be too bright for the next few days, but I’ll endeavour to make some progress on getting ‘Sharpy’s’ trailer working. My friend who has promised to do the bearings should be able to fix them soon. I’m still trying to work out how I can get the boat on her trailer without having to remove her keel.

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 134

Bow shoe

Stern shoe

I’m going to leave you with a few photos without adding too much text. This is an exciting time because I’m testing the rig and keel. I was surprised how easy it was to insert the keel and add the second weight. Perhaps this was due in part to spraying the keel with silicone wax.

Inserting keel

I shall have to make adjustments to the lining up of the keel weights. How they came to be out of line, I cannot imagine. I feel sure they were in line when I was making the keel. A friend has suggested how I can get the weights to line up. That could be number one priority for tomorrow - if I can find time for boat building.

Full sail

Reefed

As far as I can tell, I’ve finished the boat, with the exception of sorting out a better reefing system and lining up the keel weights. I’ll probably opt for a leach downhaul plus independent sail ties through cringles along the reefing line.

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 133

Handles

The order of the day was ‘attention to detail’. I fitted the chandlery bits and pieces. These are crucial for making the boat work. I have selected four photos that illustrate some of them. I’m keeping four more in reserve, perhaps for tomorrow.

Keel haul line

The boat is more or less finished. Her keel haul system is in place; all her rigging bits are there; the rudder is operational, including the bungee downhaul, and I’ve even found temporary stowage for the paddle. The boat has a bow painter that will be part of an anchoring system. I shall not be fitting a stern painter; instead, I shall have a line that I can attach to a point in the cockpit. This will be useful when coming alongside a pontoon for quickly making the boat fast to it.

Keel retaining line fitted to aft end of keel box

If circumstances allow me to take ‘Sharpy’ outside tomorrow, I shall set everything up, including stepping her mast and inserting her keel.

Rudder bungee under tension

After that, I’ll concentrate on making the trailer roadworthy.

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 132

Topcoat

Final adjustments to the rudder

As I had hoped, I finished painting the deck. Apart from touching up, there’s no more painting to do. I also did the last varnishing of the keel weights. To make the weights more streamlined, I’ll fill the gap between the aft edge of the keel and the plywood infill with household putty. Anything more substantial would make it difficult to remove, which may be necessary in two or three year’s time for renewing the keel wire.

Hatch cover tie

Split pin for retaining the rudder

Toggle

So that I shall not lose the inspection hatch covers I have attached thin cords to them which I’ll tie to screw eyes within their relative compartments. Likewise I tied a small split pin to the rudder stock for retaining the rudder, by passing the pin through a transverse hole in the lower pintle. Another small job done today was tying on the toggle to the stem head.

Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 131

Bungee attached. Will it be powerful enough to hold the rudder down?

A good sunny, almost windless day helped me to move forward by painting the final coating of paint on the bottom of the boat, varnishing the keel weights, fixing the rudder bungee and attaching the sail to the spars.

Sail fitted to spars

I tested ‘Sharpy’s’ reefing system which consists of one reef that can be lashed to the boom. I’ll have to experiment when on the water to discover the easiest way of reefing the sail. At the moment I have a continuous reefing line, but it may be better to have two or three, or even have individual ties through each cringle. There is no facility for reefing the sail on the original boat; therefore the plans do not show how it can be done. Consequently, I have to experiment to discover the most efficient method.

Sail reefed.

The bungee that will hold the rudder down in the water may not be powerful enough to keep the blade totally submerged, especially when the boat is at full pelt. The only way to find out is to try it on the water. If it should fail, I can fit a thicker and more powerful bungee.


If the paint on the bottom of the boat has fully hardened by tomorrow, I’ll be able to set up her rig properly and attach cleats for the mast retaining line and one for the halyard. I may have to devise a fairlead for the main halyard where it passes over the port hand coaming. In practice it may be better to run the halyard through a hole in the coaming. On the prototype the halyard runs through a slot beside the keel wire pulley. I did not incorporate a gap at that position, but no doubt I’ll come up with a satisfactory solution.


I only have to paint the deck once more for her to be nearly finished. I must find a place for the paddle and perhaps add short lengths of brass strips to the foot of the stem post and the skeg. These strips will minimize damage when the boat comes into contact with a beach or slipway.