Sanding House and ‘Minnow’

  

Sandpaper is for smoothing a surface, and yet the grains of sand or other abrasive material stuck to the paper actually create gouges in the surfaces being sanded. The rule of thumb for sanding is to start with a heavy grade paper and progressively move to finer ones, until finishing. At that point, gouged marks in the surface are so minute they cannot be seen by the naked eye, nor can they be felt though fingertips.

Parts of ‘Minnow’, the Paradox sailboat I am renovating, were extremely rough; especially woven roving patches along the gunwales. I was unable to completely eradicate them, but I was able to make them look less rough, and more presentable.

Yesterday I started sanding wooden surfaces in the kitchen of our house in preparation for painting them.  This drastic action came about at the behest of my wife who coerced me into being active with her in an early spring clean. Part of the task entails ditching dusty objects cluttering the loft, shampooing carpets and refreshing paintwork.

With not a great deal of zeal, I made a start to sanding at about mid morning, and at approximately 11.10 I noticed my wristwatch was covered with a film of dust. Only then did it occur to me I had not donned a dust mask. In fact, I did not have one, because I had thrown it away, on account of being worn out. Instead of stopping work to buy one, I improvised one from a handkerchief and a rubber band. For the record, I took a selfie in which I resembled a frightened cowboy who had lost his Stetson and who was about to enter a dust storm. Regarding the dusty storm, it was not a metaphor, but a reality.

The more I sanded, the more I entered into it, and by the time I had finished, I actually found myself enjoying the task. At the end of the day, I felt like complimenting myself, and found it hard to stifle a ray of pride by what I had achieved. Was my wife pleased? I think so.

Painting the kitchen should, by comparison, be a snip, and maybe I’ll have even more fun and my wife will be pleased. Oh, what joy!

Link

Finished Sanding ‘Minnow’s’ Topsides

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/finished-sanding-minnows-topsides.html

Fresh Water for ‘Minnow’

 

At 20 degrees Celsius, 1 litre of water approximately weighs 1 kilogram. I can store five 2.27 litre canisters of water in the starboard hand bilge locker. Each one when full will weighs about 2.27 kilograms, giving a total of 11.35 kilos which can be treated as ballast.

I also have a canister that contained 3 litres of concentrated Comfort, a fabric conditioner for use in washing machines. If I can totally eliminate traces of the liquid, including its smell, I shall be able to keep water in it for my daily needs. Being able to dispense water easily without spilling it is essential; therefore I intend incorporating a small hand pump into the lid by inserting it through a hole. I may have to drill a small hole through the rim of the lid to act as a valve to allow air to replace water that is drawn out. The canister fits perfectly into the port hand side bin, but I’ll have to devise a retainer for keeping it in place.

Making a hot cuppa should be straightforward. First, set the boat sailing under the Autohelm.  Then, light the gimballed stove with a gas taper; pump sufficient water into the kettle and place the kettle on the stove. As soon as the water boils, pour it onto a teabag in a mug while holding the latter by the left hand. Return the kettle to the stove – then turn it off. Remove the teabag and put it in the waste bag which is in the starboard bin. Reach into the lazarette for milk, and pour a little into the mug; stow the carton; find a teaspoon and stir the tea. Clean the spoon before returning it to the utensil container.

All of these things can be done while seated, because everything is within reach.

Links

3 Litre Carton of Concentrated Comfort (My container is different in shape to the one illustrated)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Comfort-Concentrate-Liquid-Fabric-Conditioner/dp/B003UUA9G2

My mini iPad – Part 2

On Wednesday last, I wrote an article extolling the virtues of my mini iPad, but I also told of my frustration at not being reimbursed money I was forced to pay for UK VAT custom import duty. The online company from whom I bought the tablet assured me they would pay, as it was their obligation to pay ALL delivery fees, including import duty.

The issue of non payment continued for over two months; therefore I challenged them with an ultimatum saying that if they failed to honour their agreement I would go online to reveal what had been happening, and is happening now.

The date and time for enactment of my ultimatum was today at 16.00 GMT, but yesterday I received yet another promise that the money would be paid. A representative of the company assured me that funds would be transferred to my account within 3 to 5 working days i.e., by late afternoon on Thursday, 13^th February, 2014. That gets them off the hook for another week!

As I wish to give them the benefit of the doubt, once again - despite their shenanigans, I’ve put on hold my promise to reveal the name of the company and how they have mistreated me - not only me, but other customers too.

Watch this space. If they run true to form by offering more delaying tactics, I shall definitely reveal details of the company to save others from receiving similar treatment, and, because of that sentiment, I almost feel obliged to tell all, even if they pay up!

Whatever happens, I would advise anyone buying online to first consult the Terms and Conditions of the company, so that you know what to expect, and details of your agreement with them.

I only wish I had bought my iPad mini directly from Apple.

PS (Added 8th February) Re iPad range with GPS, see Paul Mullings' comment.

Links

Apple new iPad mini

http://store.apple.com/uk/buy-ipad/ipad-mini?afid=p219%7CMSNUK&cid=AOS-UK-KWM-MS_UK_Sitelinks_Apple 

Boat Names

 

Last year when cruising ‘Sandpiper’, I did not have her name displayed on the hull. This anonymity caused a bit of a problem at marinas, because the staff had no means of identifying her.  This year with ‘Minnow’ I do not want that to happen; therefore I have purchased two sets of vinyl letters, one for each side of her bow.

They come from Signs and Graphics*, the same people who supplied letters for ‘Talitha’, my sailing sharpie. Hers were higher and lower case, but for ‘Minnow’ I have chosen higher case, because I think they will be more easily read at a distance. To keep them within the general colour scheme, they are bright orange - similar in colour to the mast and yuloh.

They should arrive in the post within the next two or three days.

Links

Signs and Graphics for Boats

http://www.boatvinyls.co.uk/

Building ‘Sharpy’ – Part 136 (Boat Name ‘Talitha’)

 http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/building-sharpy-part-136.html

My mini iPad

 

 One of the more expensive presents I had for Christmas was an Apple mini iPad. I’ve been exceptionally pleased with it. I particularly enjoy watching videos such as those produced by Sean Mulligan*, featuring his Paradox sailboat, ‘Scout’. By syncing it with my iPhone I’ve transferred a number of Apps, including a FlytoMap navigation system for use at sea and on land.

There’s a good chance that I’ll take it with me when cruising ‘Minnow’. Last year, I relied on my iPhone for all Internet viewing and for communication via emails and texts. If I take the iPad with me I shall be able to do these things on a grander scale when within effective range of a WIFI signal. I am told that if I make arrangements with my mobile phone provider I shall be able to link the phone to my iPad for access to the Internet.

One thing I am not pleased about is that I bought the mini iPad online from a firm that has not honoured their agreement to supply it free of charge, including an exemption of paying import duty. After receiving the mini iPad I was invoiced by the carrier to pay UK Vat at 20% of the price paid. The online company that sold me the tablet advised me to pay the custom duty, and at the same time, they said they would reimburse me. That was two months ago! I have been trying to get the money ever since.

Today, I gave them an ultimatum saying that if they didn’t’ honour their agreement to pay the VAT I would go global by publishing an article here at my blog and by Tweeting on Twitter. They got back to me with an assurance that they would pay me by the end of the week. They have until 16.00 on Friday, 7^th February.

If the cash is not transferred to my account by then, I shall do as I promised.

Links

*Sean Mulligan’s YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/nebwest2

IPhone Nautical Chart Navigator

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/iphone-nautical-chart-navigator.html

‘Minnow’s’ Fenders

When I acquired ‘Minnow’ she was equipped with nine fenders. They took up a lot of room in the forecastle. As I already have three blue fenders, I’ve put the unwanted off-white ones on Ebay for auction. Three of the larger ones are in very good condition. The others could do with a clean, and two of the small ones could do with more air. I’m starting the bidding at £5; therefore there’s a good chance that whoever wins the bidding will have a bargain.

On the starboard side of ‘Minnow’ there are attachment points for fenders, but on the port side there are none. I must get around to fitting three.

Link

Ebay listing of 9 used fenders for auction

http://www.ebay.co.uk  then enter this # 161217251468 into the search box

Odds and Ends for ‘Minnow’

The yuloh may work. I shall only know when I give it a go. To help keep it in place on the support pin I may have to loop a bungee over it.  I’m hoping this will not be necessary. To protect the blade when the yuloh is secured to the side deck, I’ve padded the stowage rack with leather.

In addition to the anchor bridle already attached to the bow on the starboard side, I’ve given ‘Minnow’ a port-hand bow line. To go with them, I shall have to find a stern line and two springs for when docking the boat

I already have a length of rope that will be suitable as a warp for the kedge anchor.

In theory I shall only set the tiny kedge anchor for short stops in shallow water, or when beaching to deploy as a second anchor.  ‘Minnow’s’ much larger bower anchor will be better for anchoring overnight, and when conditions require it.

I’ll be stowing bulk drinking water in plastic milk cartons in the starboard bilge locker. Tinned and packed foods will be kept in adjacent lockers.

LED Lights for ‘Minnow’ – Part 3

I took 40 minutes to securely fix three LED lights to their respective places. One went on the starboard aft panel of the coachroof. This was for lighting the main cabin. Another I attached to the underside of the aft deck for illuminating the interior of the lazarette, and the third I tacked to bulkhead two in the forward cabin.

All three lights should be adequate, but if they are not, I have several torches, and I have a spare Rolson 3 x LED light.

Now, I can cross one entry off my to do list, leaving 17 to go!

LED Lights for ‘Minnow’ – Part 2

Today, the Rolson 3 x LED lights I ordered from Amazon on Wednesday, 29^th January anonymously arrived on my doorstep. My wife and I were out at the time. Originally Amazon emailed me saying the package would be delivered the day before, but again, both of us were out. I checked my email and discovered a second one informing me that the package had been delivered to a house a few doors away. I went there to collect the parcel, but the occupant said it had not been delivered to her.

Perplexed, I got on to Amazon who made a note of what had happened, and the gentleman I spoke to said he would look into it. Sure enough, he emailed me today reassuring me that the delivery driver would be questioned on Monday. I was able to reply saying the parcel had turned up. I did not tell them that it was thoroughly sodden because of being left outside in the rain.

No damage was done to the LED lights or batteries, because they were encased in one of those impervious, transparent plastic, hot moulded packets that are so very difficult to open.  Scissors or a sharp knife is required for gaining access.

I was delighted with the lights, which are compact and reasonably robust. They throw out more light than one would imagine. I’m hoping they will not be too bright when I may be required to preserve my night vision.

All that remains for me to do is to fix them in the best places for optimum distribution of light. One in the main cabin should be sufficient, and perhaps another in the fore cabin, and a third in the lazarette.

Links

LED Lights for ‘Minnow’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/led-lights-for-minnow.html

The Bread of Life

Bread is the staple diet of countless millions. The basic ingredients are flour, sugar, yeast, salt, water and oil.

At Christmas we were given a surprise present, an Andrew James bread maker. When the demands of the festive season were over, we had time and energy to examine the gizmo. Understanding the instructions took a bit of doing, but we eventually overcame them.

As we had some wholemeal flour to hand, we thought we would have a go at testing the machine. After choosing the appropriate cycle, i.e., the programme for a wholemeal loaf, we added the ingredients, shut the lid and pressed the start button. The indicator showed that the total time for making and baking would be 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Inquisitively, now and again, we peered through the viewing window at the top of the machine to see what was going on. First it kneaded the dough by rotating it with an internal plastic blade. This action was followed by two short periods of inactivity for the dough to rise. Then the actual baking began.

Shortly before time was up, we took another peek through the viewing window. The bread looked wonderfully scrumptious, having a lovely, light golden crusty surface, and the smell was mouth-wateringly delicious.

Imagine our disappointment after removing ‘our’ creation from the pan, when the upper curved surface caved in to form a precipitous crater dipping deeply down into the centre. The object of our short-lived joy resembled a four-sided volcano!

We were well and truly deflated, just like the loaf.

Unlike the bread of disappointment made with outdated yeast, the true Bread of Life will never let you down.

(John 6:35) Then Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

Links

Ingredients in Bread

http://www.ehow.com/about_5379031_ingredients-bread.html

Making Bread

http://www.botham.co.uk/seed/bread1.htm

Andrew James Bread Maker

http://www.mrbreadmaker.co.uk/andrew-james/premium/  

Little Things for ‘Minnow’

Little things can make an awful lot of difference. Without them, big things are not complete. Unless a skipper has an eye for detail he can find himself in a pickle. If a small item fails, big happenings can result; for example, if a shackle connecting the mainsheet is not fully tightened and secured, the pin could fall out, causing the mainsheet to part from the boom at a critical moment, perhaps bringing about a broach which becomes a capsize. A capsize could be a matter of life or death.

A fortnight of so ago I recollect saying I had fourteen more jobs to do, but having done most of them I’m left with a new list of eighteen – fortunately, the majority are tiny.

Today, the rain is lashing down, and it is cold. I have no inclination to venture into the garage for working on ‘Minnow’. Instead, I’ve done a little job which on the face of it doesn’t seem important, and yet it could be. I applied a second coat of varnish to the newly made cover of the inspection hatch-cum-vent in the transom. If the plywood is not varnished properly it will in time rot, which could lead to failure, making the boat vulnerable in heavy seas. The varnished wood will make a better seal when in contact with the foam rubber gasket to which it will be secured.

Equipping the boat with little things that matter, always makes a difference for the safety and wellbeing of the crew. An oversight by the tyro Paradox sailor could be not having a stout pair of gloves on board. When you think about it, all handling of the boat, apart from working the yuloh, is done by pulling or easing ropes. The halyard and furling lines are respectively hauled and eased until the sail is set. Considerable effort is required to tension the luff of the lugsail. The most effective way is to exert downward thrust on the fall of the halyard.

One or two Paradox owners have fitted two block purchases to reduce the effort required. The halyard is firstly attached to the becket of a block at the head of the mast, from where it descends to pass though a block attached to the yard, and back to the upper block,  before returning to another one inside the vent box and into the cabin. There it can be handled by the crew and held fast by a jam cleat.

This tugging and easing of the halyards, furling line and steering line plays havoc with the hands. In no time at all, the sailor has painful blisters and open wounds on his palms and fingers. Had the tyro been aware of the likely consequences, he would have invested in a good pair of gloves, or like me, cheap ones, several pairs of which can be acquired for the same money as a single pair of better quality.

Little things can make a lot of difference.

Links

Boat Maintenance

 http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2005/02/boat-maintenance.html

Odds and Ends

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2007/01/odds-and-ends.html

LED Lights for ‘Minnow’

 

 

 

I inherited two small LED lights when I acquired ‘Minnow’: a silver coloured 3 x LED battery light and a yellow 3 x LED solar powered one. Each of them fits into the palm of my hand. The battery powered light is a Rolson and the other is an Osram DOT-it. Unfortunately, the latter does not work, but I am intrigued by it, because it was powered by light from the sun; hence batteries were not required. That’s highly attractive. However, I’ve not found a source where I can get hold of a replacement.

Yesterday, Richard Green commented that when he was in his local Aldi he found a LED torch-cum-light that can be charged from the mains or from a cigarette lighter. The price was £13.14. His comment probably came in response to me saying I may fit a LED light in ‘Minnow’s’ lazarette. When I tried searching for the Aldi light via ‘Bing’, I was presented with a bewildering number of choices, but as far as I could see, none of them matched the price tag of £13.14.

Amazon markets a multitude of LED lights; including many manufactured by Rolson - the cheapest being only £0.11 for a 24 x LED light!!

I’ve opted to buy a package of three 3 x LED Rolson push lights, plus 9 batteries from Amazon. The total price inclusive of batteries was only £7.36. That’s astonishing value for money, considering each light will operate for about 100 hours before new batteries will be required. I have alternative batteries that are rechargeable, and the means of recharging them on the boat.

Links

Rolson LED Lights by Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/rolson-led-light/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=rolson%20led%20light&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Arolson%20led%20light

Osram DOT-it LED Light

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Osram-Portable-DOT--4008321930491-Permanent/dp/B001CSPJGO/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391010118&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=osram++dot-it+solar

‘Minnow’s’ Aft Vent and Port Stowage Rack

Matt Layden primarily designed his Paradox for sailing in the Bahamas which are generally a lot warmer than the UK. One of his concerns was having a supply of fresh air flowing through the cabin. To achieve this he incorporated a forward vent box.  Air enters the box via a large circular opening in the foredeck, from where it is drawn into the cabin. To encourage the flow, Matt added an inspection-cum-vent hatch in the transom. If the hatch cover is removed, air can flow from the front of the cabin to the lazarette and out through the aft vent. In the original boat plans, Matt sited a gimbal cooker in the lazarette; therefore it made sense to build in a vent for dissipating fumes and heat.

I was always doubtful about the strength of the Perspex vent cover fitted to ‘Minnow’. A close inspection revealed small cracks in the Perspex where the retaining pin passed through a central hole. Repeated tightening of the retaining nut must have caused the cracks. To make a more secure hatch I cut one from plywood. Obviously, light does not pass through plywood as it does transparent Perspex, but Matt’s original design had a standard plastic inspection hatch through which no light could pass. In daylight I shall have sufficient light entering the lazarette from the hatchway, and at night I shall have a torch. I might get around to fitting a small led light there.

It is unlikely that I shall want to open the aft vent, because I seldom did when I owned ‘Faith’. Unlike sailors in the Bahamas, keeping the cabin warm will be the priority. I know of one UK Paradox sailor who has a small charcoal stove for this very purpose.

Before making a new vent cover I finished fitting ‘Minnow’s’ port deck stowage rack. Now that this has been completed, I feel confident that I shall be able to secure the whole rig along the side deck. As I pointed out yesterday, the big advantage of stowing the rig there, including the mast, is speed of setting it up.

‘Minnow’s’ Stowage Rails

Matt Layden’s Paradox building plans show two curved brass pipe stowage rails - one either side of the boat. They are strategically placed on the side decks for stowing the yuloh to starboard, and the furled sail with the boom and yard to port.

‘Minnow’ came without rails. Instead of making the standard ones, I adapted an alloy shelf bracket for stowing the yuloh, and I’m in the process of fitting a short stainless steel stanchion to port for securing the rig. If I’m on a canal or a river where I am unable to sail, I shall be able to bundle the whole rig on the port side. I’ve checked that the engine will not be in the way, and that I shall be able to lower and raise it when required.

There is an advantage to stowing the whole rig inclusive of the mast on the port side deck, because setting it up is faster and easier than if the mast is stowed separately within the boat. Matt thought it would be a good idea to stow the mast in the boat when trailering. This could be done by inserting it through the aft vent port, but the task was by no means easy, and the mast was in the way if you wanted to sleep in the boat when on the trailer.

Around Britain in a Wayfarer - Ludo Bennett-Jones

In 2010 I sailed my Seawych ‘Ladybird’ along the South Coast of England, and at Salcombe I met Simon Renton who was trying to sail his Wayfarer single-handed around Britain. (See 1^st link below) I knew he would be up against it, because the weather was unsettled and there was a succession of depressions. Nevertheless before being forced to give up, he raised over £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Last year Ludo Bennett-Jones completed a circumnavigation around Britain in a Wayfarer.  Unlike Simon, Ludo had the companionship of volunteers to help share the load. With the aim of raising £100,000 for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Sport Relief, he sailed from Cowes, Isle of Wight, on 28^th April, 2013, and after a 76 day epic adventure he returned there on 12^th July to a rapturous reception, and to be greeted by Ellen MacArthur. The 2,500 mile marathon was rewarded by generous donations to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Links

‘Ladybird’s’ 2010 Cruise Photo Selection – Part 2

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/ladybirds-2010-cruise-photo-selection_23.html

Simon Renton

http://simonrenton.co.uk/wp/

Simon Renton – Just Giving

 http://www.justgiving.com/sailingsimon

Ludo’s Sailing Challenge Round the Coast of Great Britain

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/164409/Ludos-Sailing-Challenge-for-Sport-Relief

Dinghy Sailor completes 76-day Circumnavigation of Britain

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/9395322/Dinghy-sailor-completes-76-day-circumnavigation-of-Britain.html

Love Ludo.com

http://www.loveludo.com/

The Best Bits so far

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnMEhx8FE9U

An Article by Angus who crewed for Ludo from North Devon to Wales

http://loveludoblog.weebly.com/life-at-sea.html

Round Britain in a Wayfarer

http://www.thedailysail.com/offshore/12/62561/0/ludo-bennett-jones-completes-round-britain-voyage-in-a-wayfarer

Love Ludo at Twitter

https://twitter.com/Love_Ludo

Ludo Bennett-Jones – around Britain in a 16ft dinghy

http://www.sail-world.com/CruisingAus/Ludo-Bennett-Jones---around-Britain-in-a-16ft-dinghy/97006

Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

http://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/

‘Minnow’s’ Reefing System

 

Incorrect

 

Correct

 

The axle centred

Characteristic of Matt Layden’s micro-sailboats, ‘Minnow’ is rigged with a lugsail furling system that he devised and perfected. Its main components are a furling drum at the forward end of the boom, a curved bronze axle around which the boom rotates, and a brass spacer pipe located between the axle and deck. Within the spacer there is a strop that exits from the lower end, from where it passes through a small orifice in the deck to a cleat within the vent box. When the halyard is hauled tightly, the strop and spacer retain the forward end of the boom. At the same time the boom can articulate from side to side to enable the sail to be sheeted.

‘Minnow’s’ furling system required attention; firstly, because the boom could not be raised sufficiently off the coachroof to facilitate rotation, and secondly, because the reefing line was not correctly aligned at right angles to the drum. Hence, the line bunched and came off the drum.

To increase the length of the brass spacer I inserted it into a longer piece of yellow MDPE piping.

 On a minor issue there was no means of centring the lower end of the axel rod on the bolt between the fork supports of the spacer; therefore I cut small pieces of copper pipe that I placed either side. From now on, the bolt will not be subjected to uneven loading, and the spacer and axle will stay in line.  Finally, I greased the axle.

As a result of these modifications I shall be able to make sail and reef more easily.

‘Minnow’ has a Topping Lift

 

Without a topping lift

 

With a topping lift

Today I fitted a topping lift. This simple rope contraption makes it easier to shorten or increase sail, because the boom can be supported by it, facilitating its rotation. Without a topping lift it is difficult to keep the sail from coming into contact with the side deck or coachroof. The topping lift can also support the furled sail, which can be secured to one side for keeping the hatchway clear. This is particularly helpful if mooring to port, because normally the sail is stowed along the port side deck, where it is in the way.

Anti-chafing for ‘Minnow’s’ Anchor Bridle

To prevent wear on ‘Minnow’s’ anchor bridle I made an anti-chafing device from a piece of leather and three small bits of cord. If one of them becomes worn, I can replace it without having to change the others. To avoid excessive wear in the same place I can readjust the bridle by retying it. The bridle will also act as a bow line or painter.