Concrete and Abstract Learning

Son-in-law

All of us learn in different ways, but there are two principle systems of learning: Concrete and Abstract.


Concrete learning is done through practical means within tangible, real situations; for example, if I bump my head on the corner of an open cupboard door I get hurt, and I very quickly learn not to do it again. In future when I’m near a cupboard door I visually check it to ascertain if it is open.


Abstract learning is an intellectual process that does not require tactile or practical situations to bring it about. One can learn through the experiences of others by what they say, write or do. I learnt from a brother that it is not good to smoke, because smoking is injurious to physical health. He explained how lungs are clogged with carbon deposits and that nicotine poisons the body. People who smoke are more likely to have cancer of the lungs, etc. Consequently, by simple logic, I decided not to smoke.

Job when almost done

When set, concrete is a solid material; with age it hardens and generally becomes stronger. I learnt about the strength of concrete when I tried demolishing a concrete path running the full length of my back garden. I had to strike the material repeatedly with a sledgehammer before minute cracks appeared. More percussion had the effect of making the cracks wider and longer, until eventually lumps of concrete parted from one another. After transferring several pieces to a wheelbarrow I learnt how very heavy the substance was.


Fortuitously, my son-in-law was to hand, and he volunteered to help; in fact, he practically demolished the whole garden path and transported the pieces on a wheelbarrow to a skip strategically placed at the entrance of the front driveway.


He learnt two lessons: never volunteer, and do no be around when there’s a big job that needs doing. No, that’s not fair or true, because he’s a great guy who will willingly help when assistance is required, and he actually enjoys labouring.



Concrete

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2011/08/concrete.html

Sven Yrvind Sails Again

Copy and paste this link to your browser's address box to see a photo of Sven sailing Yrvind.com:

http://www.yrvind.com/present_project/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_1438-400x266.jpg


In October, 2009 I did a full-length feature about the amazing Sven Yrvind who has clocked up many miles of ocean sailing, including thousands sailing solo. The elderly Swede is passionate about small sailboats, and he has been ingeniously creative with designing and building them. (See the link below ‘Yrvinden 4.1’ which outlines his theories as to why he believes small boats are safer than large ones.)


Sven set sail from Kinsale, Southern Ireland on Thursday, 11th August aboard his unique Matt Layden inspired micro-yacht, bound for Porto Santo, Madeira. His website, Yrvind.com, has a chart which shows his position via a ‘Spot’ GPS tracker. By clicking the ‘Present Project’ button at his website you can familiarize yourself with what he is attempting to do. In brief, after building and testing his boat for only 10 hours, he is bound for Florida, via Madeira and the West Indies. When he reaches Florida he hopes to meet Matt Layden and share information about the performance of his latest boat.


He also wants to consult Matt on plans for a new boat that will be a metre longer than ‘Yrvind.com’. At 5.8 metres LOA she will be more able to cope with the massive waves associated with Cape Horn when conditions are not at their best.


I hope all goes well for this adventurous sailor, and I shall regularly visit his Spot tracking page to monitor his progress. Meanwhile, it would appear that we shall have to wait for the next update to his online log. Maybe, if he calls into Porto Santo he will update us from there.



Links


Yrvind.com

http://www.yrvind.com/index.html


Yrvindaren 4.1

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2009/11/yrvindaren-41.html


Yrvind in Stockholm Archipelago - YouTube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K0OOxjii2U


Spot Satellite GPS Messenger

http://www.globaltelesat.co.uk/satphone/SPOT_Satellite_GPS_Messenger.html?gclid=CJHO9JmAzaoCFQJO4Qod33CTzA


Madeira

http://www.madeira-web.com/

Caravan Holiday

An American style caravan at the site

A couple of my boating pals gave up yachting and took up caravanning. They reached the stage where they no longer felt confident when cruising or racing their yachts because of lack of fitness and agility due to old age. They still had a desire to explore new places, but without the restrictions and discomforts of yachting, particularly if caught out in bad weather. Being tossed around on a yacht no longer had appeal.


On the other hand, they seemed quite happy to put up with queues and congestion on the roads, and accept being in close proximity with other caravanners crammed into over-populated sites.

Close-up of the aluminium caravan

Many years ago I borrowed a small caravan and took my young family to Devon for a holiday. In the early 60s there were few restrictions as to where one could park a van. Therefore we would find a free car park for the night or stop by the roadside. Petrol was cheap and food was also cheap. We had a whale of a time.


For the past few days my wife and I have been guests at a large caravan and camping holiday centre near Bournemouth. Our caravan was not big enough to accommodate us all, but by extending the sleeping quarters into the canopy we could manage.


The contrast between our experience in the small caravan and our recent holiday could not have been greater. At the latter there were hundreds of caravans and tents, and ‘thousands’ of children, most of them with bicycles or scooters. There were entertainments, activity centres, two swimming pools, a pub and a restaurant. You can imagine the mayhem, hustle and bustle created because of them - children on their cycles, pedestrians, cars and caravans all competing for space on narrow service roads. This was a recipe for disaster. I witnessed a girl who crashed her cycle into a parked car, and I saw a collision between two children on their cycles.


The Holiday Centre catered for families, especially those with young children. No doubt, many of the youngsters and their parents had a fabulous time. I certainly enjoyed being with my grandchildren. I saw delight on their faces when they watched a Punch and Judy show and when they cheered a clown as he juggled balls while riding a monocycle. I had fun being with the three boys when they did leaf printing and painted tee-shirts. I was happy to splash around with them in the swimming pool, and I was amazed how relaxed they were in the warm toddlers’ pool.


The thing that struck me most was the luxury accommodation of modern caravans – homes on wheels with built-in furniture, showers, loos, fridges and TVs. The large site where we were had several washrooms, toilets and a launderette. There was a shop with most necessities.


Would I go again? Yes, for the sake of the children, not for me, because it was not my scene. I prefer solitude, peace and quiet where I can be at one with nature. Give me a boat any time, along with discomforts, which is part of the fun - making do, getting by, improvising and being creative. That’s the life.


Links


Silver Bullet Caravans

http://www.silverbullet-caravans.co.uk/home/


American Caravans

http://www.american-caravans.co.uk/airstreams-for-sale.html


American Airstream Caravan

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/cars-motorbikes/2009/02/american-airstream-caravan-is.html

‘Talitha’ Snoozing

'Talitha' and 'Katie' meet on the Deben

Hi, Good People,


Thank you for visiting Bill’s Log. I appreciate your wonderful support and keen interest in my boating activities and other things that occupy my time.


For the coming few days until Friday, 12th August, I shall be away, not boating, but with my family on holiday together.


Meanwhile, ‘Talitha’ will also be taking a break. She will be snoozing in her boathouse until awoken by her owner who will want to dance with her again on sparkling waters. No plans have been made as to where the two us shall go and for how long, or even where; so much will depend upon extraneous factors, the weather most probably playing a major part.


So, until we meet again, fair winds,


Yours Bill, otherwise known as ‘Mind Drifter’.

Concrete

Ferro-cement 'River Dancer' seen at Burnham Yacht Harbour; now on a mooring at Fambridge

Concrete as a construction material was first used by the Egyptians when they built pyramids 5,000 years ago. Ancient Romans made the largest unsupported concrete structure when they created the Pantheon in the early second century AD. More recently, architects Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret designed the iconic concrete Villa Savoye at Poissy, which was built between 1928 and 1931. After renovation it was opened to the public. Today, concrete is considered to be a sustainable building material.


In the 1850s Joseph Monier invented the construction technique, ferro-cement, which is an application of Portland cement, mixed with sand to layers of steel mesh or rods, enabling the construction of compound curved structures such as those found in boats. Nowadays, this method of construction is known as ‘reinforced concrete’, and in some countries houses are built with it.

Now dangerous and dilapidated

When I moved into my house over 40 years ago, I had a concrete path made that extended the entire length of the back garden. It has seen better days, and after recent very cold winters, the concrete is failing, so as to become a hazard and a danger to anyone who may walk on it. My wife has decided the path must go, and be replaced with grass which will improve the appearance of the garden.

Path in the process of being removed

Today, I started demolishing the path which was not reinforced in any way when it was laid down. Nevertheless, destroying the path requires repeated blows with a sledgehammer and removal of the bits by levering them from the ground with a garden fork. I was reminded that I read somewhere that reinforced concrete is resistant to impact, and of such material many boats were built in the 1970s; several of them are still going strong today.


Links


Ferro-cement House Construction

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Villa_Savoye.html


Ferro-cement Yachts

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/08/ferro-cement-yachts.html


My Previous Article, ‘Ferro-cement Boat’


http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2009/09/ferro-cement-boat.html


The World of Ferro-cement Boats


http://www.ferroboats.com/


Ferro-cement


http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/709453

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


Hartley 32 Ferro-cement Yacht


http://www.hartley-boats.com/32.html


Hartley Norsk 35


http://www.hartley-boats.com/norsk35.html


12’ Keelboat in Ferro-cement by Jay Benford (An exception to the 25’ rule)


http://www.benford.us/scp/12keelboat.html


Concrete Ship


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


Concrete


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


Is this the earliest example of concrete housing?


http://freespace.virgin.net/roger.hewitt/iwias/concrete.htm


Egyptian Pyramids used some the Earliest Concrete Cast by any Civilization


http://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=7306


Pantheon, Rome


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome


Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret


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


Villa Savoye


http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Villa_Savoye.html


Sustainable Concrete


http://www.sustainableconcrete.org.uk/


Joseph Monier


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

Mishmash

Express Pirate; South Woodham Ferres Yacht Club on the other side of the River Crouch

Do you experience moments when very little makes sense? You have spare time and yet you accomplish nothing of note; time fritters away; you doodle and dose. You are left wondering what you did. You feel frustrated because apparently nothing was achieved. I would suggest that we all need rest and recuperation, and such seemingly useless experiences are essential for our physical and mental wellbeing. Well, at least, that’s a positive response when reflecting upon frustrations resulting from these experiences.


Yesterday I took my wife by car to my daughter’s place to feed her cats and to tidy her lawn with our strimmer. On arriving at her place, we discovered we had not brought a key for the front door! There was nothing for it, but to return home and come up with plan ‘B’. I won’t enter into details, but a plan was devised and executed without me being involved. I was free for cutting our lawns, doing my Blog, and later, having a walk beside the River Crouch at South Fambridge.

Although grubby, this dinghy could be much loved by her owner

A combined harvester was kicking up clouds of dust that drifted over the sea wall. I was therefore prevented from walking the whole length of the path, as far as a small creek that feeds the saltings opposite Longpole bank on the North Fambridge side of the Crouch. As usual, I was on the lookout for interesting sailing boats. There was nothing of note, but I noticed a well-kept Express Pirate 19, twin keel cruiser, and nearby there was a grubby dinghy, at anchor. The latter was perilously close to large rocks that become exposed at low water. There was a notable contrast between the tiny yacht and the dinghy, because one sparkled and other was grubby.


The thought went through my mind that each owner had his priorities. One took pleasure in maintaining and caring for his boat, while the other did not, but both possibly, equally enjoyed sailing their boats. Who was I to make judgements? Some boats hardly ever leave their moorings, or depart from a marina, and yet their owners derive pleasure from them. A yacht can be a second home, or the equivalent of a country cottage, a getaway, a hideaway, a place for chilling out. A luxury yacht can be a fine, water-based mansion for entertaining friends or family, or even serve as a prestigious headquarters of a successful business enterprise.


Therefore, let me not be judgemental, because not every boat lover owns or wants a sailing canoe. I am content with mine, and I know how fortunate I am.



Links


Express Pirate

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/09/express-pirate.html


South Woodham Ferres Yacht Club

http://www.essexinfo.net/southwoodhamferrersyachtclub/

Nautilus Sailing Canoe

My 'Caleb', a Paul Fisher 50/50 canoe

I was looking through the Yahoo! Small sailboat groups to which I am subscribed and I came across a reference to a new 50/50 canoe, i.e., a decked canoe that sails as well as she can be paddled. Followers of this Blog may know of ‘Caleb’, the 50/50 that Paul Fisher specifically designed for me, and subsequently made the plans available for anyone who wishes to build her.


Hugh Horton in the US developed 50/50 canoes and he came up with Bufflehead. She’s more demanding to build than Paul’s canoe, but from accounts she is easier to paddle and her sail has proven to be very efficient.


Talk of a new 50/50 from the board of John Welsford excited my curiosity. A little probing and I discovered two Internet discussion groups chatting about the canoe. (See the Wooden Boat Forum link below and the Yahoo! Group link, ‘New Welsford Design – Nautilus sailing Canoe’.) Both discussions were initiated by Brian Pearson who is really keen on sailing canoes. You can see a sketch of the new canoe on Brian’s Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27848841@N05/ - here’s a direct link to it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27848841@N05/5986622351/in/photostream (Just copy and paste the link to your browser’s address box.)


Contributors to the Wooden Boat Forum thread include John Welsford, the designer, Dan Miller of Dragonfly Canoe Works and Howard Rice who is an intrepid sailing canoe veteran who sailed and paddled a canoe around Cape Horn in 1991.


The new canoe based on Baden Powell’s Nautilus sailing canoe is quite different to Paul’s and Hugh’s canoes, in that she has water ballast and twin asymmetric boards. In fact, she is a sailing canoe that can be rowed. So technically, she is not a 50/50 in the defined sense as a canoe that can be paddled as well as she sails, or vice versa. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of interest in John’s boat , even before he has completed her plans.



Links



50/50 Canoe designed by Paul Fisher

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


Paul Fisher – My 50/50 ‘Caleb’

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


John Welsford’s Website

http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz/


Duckworks Magazine – good photos of ‘Bufflehead’


http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/08/designs/bufflehead/index.htm


Wooden Boat Forum – Nautilus Sailing Canoe by John Welsford

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?134468-New-Welsford-Design-Nautilus-sailing-Canoe


Yahoo! Groups - New Welsford Design - Nautilus sailing Canoe

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sailing_canoes/message/15020


Baden Powell’s Nautilus Canoe 1875

http://www.intcanoe.org/iclife/hist/dsc_m/nautilus_1875.html


Photos of Baden Powell’s Sculpture Portrait at Poole

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/07/tuesday20th-july.html


Dan Miller’s Dragonfly Canoe Works

http://dragonflycanoe.com/


Howard Rice

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


Howard Rice – ‘Sylph’ Sailing Canoe (Another thread of Brian Pearson’s)

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?30162-Howard-Rice-s-Sylph-sailing-canoe

‘Talitha’ Sails the Deben Part 2

Looking out to sea; note breakers on shingle banks

At Felixstowe Ferry Slipway

Yesterday I ended my account of ‘Tailitha’s’ outing on the River Deben as being ‘an excellent sail’. That was true – surely the best out of five.


When I set off from the Felixstowe Ferry Slipway the wind was fairly light, but by early afternoon it piped up to be around a Force three – that’s eight to twelve miles per hour, or twenty to twenty eight kilometres an hour. On the ebb the wind caused the water to break, typically with small foaming crests.

View into the Deben from the sea wall

There were a good many yachts sailing, and a handful of dinghies, among them a Topper, a Wayfarer and an open clinker boat similar to a Tideway. ‘Talitha’ could more than match the Wayfarer going to windward, but she may have been badly sailed by her crew. I didn’t have opportunities for comparing my boat with the others, as we were going in opposite directions.


For about a quarter of an hour the smaller boat matched a Shrimper tack for tack, but the cruiser was ahead from the beginning which enabled her skipper to foul wind for ‘Talitha’. Every time I tacked, he covered me to keep his advantage. Being ahead, he turned a corner and got clean away on a fetch.


My outing on the Deben was particularly satisfying because of varying conditions: a gentle downwind at the start; then a stronger gusty wind; the challenge of making over the ground against wind and tide to the anchorage by the bluff beyond Shottisham Creek. Then, after anchoring for lunch I had a demanding windward sail that saw me spilling wind now and again during gusts. When a motor yacht passed at speed, the top of her wake plonked onto my lap! I wasn’t prepared for it, because ‘Talitha’ normally rises to regular waves, even ones with breaking tops.

Keel in the boat when she was on her road trailer

There was an interesting situation at the slipway, because several people wanted to retrieve their boats and I didn’t want to be in their way. I did what I hadn’t done before at a slipway, and that was to pull the boat onto her trailer while her keel was in her. As soon as she was on her trailer I gently towed her to a nearby boat park of the local sailing club. I shall consider reversing the procedure for launching, because it would require less time on a slipway. All the preparation could be done beforehand, so that she would be ready for sailing. I would only have to park the car and trailer, and then set off.



Links


Beaufort Wind Scale

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


Shrimper 19

http://www.cornishbluesailing.co.uk/shrimper.html


Tideway Dinghies

http://www.tidewaydinghies.co.uk/


Tideway 12 Dinghies (Article on this Blog)

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/08/tideway-12-dinghies.html

‘Talitha’ Sails the Deben

Felixstowe Ferry Slipway

I took ‘Talitha’ to the River Deben by road, arriving at Felixstowe Ferry about 0930. That’s right at the mouth of the river opposite Bawdsey Manor on the far shore. It was about half flood when I pushed off from the Ferry Slipway. The wind was from astern as I progressed to a point south of Ramsholt Marshes. From there the River gently meanders in a north by west direction as far as Woodbridge. The scenery is low-lying farmland with occasional clumps of trees on both sides of the river until a small bluff before Shottisham Creek; there, the river bank is more densely wooded. It’s a popular anchorage, as the land provides a lee from the wind when it is from the south east or east.

Classic Atalanta

I sailed close to Ramsholt Quay to have a look at the red tiled building that serves as an Inn - the Ramsholt Arms. The pub is a favourite venue for DCA folk when they have their rallies on the Deben. I was reminded of my DCA cruise there aboard ‘Micro’ in June 2001.


Lowestoft Smack

There are a number of interesting yachts based on the Deben, and I managed to take photos of five of them.


By the time I arrived at Waldringfield, the wind had freshened to almost a Force 3, and the tide was flooding until 1330. I therefore thought it prudent to turn around, and attempt beating back to the sheltered anchorage south of Shottisham Creek. At first, I made little progress, but gradually, ‘Talitha’ clawed her way to windward between the moored yachts adjacent to Waldringfield Boatyard.

Dutch Yacht with Leeboards

At 1250 I anchored in the lee of the bluff, not far from a collection of yachts, one of which was a real beauty, with the name ‘Katie’. She was flush-decked, and she had a large dodger over the forward end of her cockpit. She looked a bit like an Albert Strange masterpiece with an unusual rounded taffrail. Her bowsprit featuring Wykeham-Martin furling gear looked just right. I liked her very low freeboard, which would present little windage when going to windward.

Beautiful 'Katie'

Other yachts I saw were a classic Fairey Atalanta, a Dutch yacht with leeboards, and a sleek wooden yacht with a very odd mast that markedly curved backwards near the top. I can’t say I liked the mast, but was certainly different.


Shortly before the ebb, I broke out the anchor and made sail, but not before putting on my sweater, in anticipation of being showered with spray from the occasional wave top that awkwardly catches ‘Talitha’s’ bow. In fact, it got a little wetter than I anticipated; so I hove to and donned my anorak. That kept me dryer and warmer than the sweater alone.

Odd mast

As it was getting on for top of springs, the ebb was rushing out towards the sea, and by the time I arrived at the Ferry Jetty there was a fair old whirlpool between the wooden jetty and the slipway. I hauled up the keel, and at the last moment, released the rudder bungee before ‘Talitha’s’ bow gently nudged on the sand beside the stony slipway. Hopping out smartly, I lowered the sail and stowed it on the side deck. A local catamaran sailor helped me carry the boat partially up the slipway.


Because it was a bit frenetic with people wanting to use the slipway, I quickly pulled the boat onto her trailer, with her keel in her; then slowly drove to the boat park of the sailing club where I made her ready for the road.


All in all, it had been an excellent sail in beautiful surroundings.



Links



‘Micro’s’ Deben Cruise


http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/11/micros-cruises-no-3-dinghy-cruising.html

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/11/micros-cruises-no-3-dinghy-cruising_09.html


Atalanta Owners Accociation


http://www.atalantaowners.org.uk/

Cost of Building ‘Talitha’ and Satisfaction

'Talitha' at Burnham Yacht Marina

As I came near to finishing ‘Talitha’ I did a mental calculation as to how much she must have cost to build, and it amounted to £1,500 approximately. The actual figure, including miscellaneous items associated with the boat, was very nearly £1,600. This figure includes payment for the road trailer lighting board and associated wiring. I paid nothing for the trailer, as it was a gift.


I only worked with the best materials, as usual, because I do not find satisfaction in making a boat that does not meet my standards of acceptability. A vessel correctly constructed with marine ply, if lovingly maintained, should have a working life of perhaps thirty years.


Timber and plywood amounted to £466.19; the sail cost £285.00, and surprisingly, chandlery items, including rope and paint set me back £460.42. Adhesives and epoxy worked out at £93.87. They would have been more, but I had epoxy in hand from when I built ‘Faith’.


Was she worth it? Of course she was. I’m very pleased with her, and I am looking forward to enjoying what she offers me by way of adventures, because every outing is an adventure, whether it is sailing on my local river, or a distant venue. That’s an advantage a small portable vessel has over a larger one that can only reach new places by sailing the long way, or by special arrangement overland.


My heart goes out to those who bog themselves down with ownership of large boats that drain their pockets, steal their time, cause problems and often bring little satisfaction. Whenever I visit a marina, I observe these ‘poor’ people maintaining their possessions, labouring, polishing, painting and often struggling with fixing the ship’s engine.


Take it from, me; sell your monster; go small and enjoy.

‘Talitha’s’ Fourth Sail

Very fast Powerboat

Fast Motor Yacht

Saturday on the Crouch during the summer holidays – I should have known what would happen. Sadly, over the years since I started sailing on the River Crouch in 1973, there has been a marked proliferation of power vessels. Today, there were a few water-ski boats, and a large number of motor yachts, some that moved at speed with disregard to other water users. Two vessels in particular made excessive washes that roared along the banks, no doubt causing erosion to the softer ones of Bridgemarsh Island.


I’m not a killjoy, and I’m not anti-motorboats, but I don’t understand the mentality of a few who ‘drive’ their boats at high speed past small craft. I could say derogatory remarks about such people, but that would be unbecoming and not at all helpful. I’ve come to the conclusion that whatever my views, theirs will not be changed. I therefore have to accept the situation if I choose to take my little sailing boat on the Crouch during the summer season on a Saturday.

GPS on new bracket

Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed my fourth sail with ‘Talitha’. The wind was light and variable, which made the sailing very interesting. I was frozen in the morning on my way to Fambridge because the wind was pretty cold. From about mid-day onwards the sun peeped out, and the clouds thinned to reveal blue sky by mid-afternoon. There were quite a few large sailing yachts making up river in the morning, and I found that ‘Talitha’ could not keep up with them, but she overtook a few of the smaller ones. Taller rigs, larger sails and longer waterlines ensured that the good, big yachts sailed faster and arrived at Fambridge before my tiny boat.

Anchored Yacht

I dropped anchor close to the north bank, to the east of the moorings. In deeper water, anchored nearby, there was a stylish wooden yacht that had an almost straight sheer. She had an unusual mizzen mounted on an upright rudder stock, similar to those on Thames barges. Francis Chichester had a self-steering sail on one of his boats, almost identical in appearance to the one on the nearby yacht.


After lunch I made sail and headed down river for Burnham. The wind was fickle when I arrived off Bridgemarsh Creek as a Burnham scow was entering the river. At first I could not catch her, but with perseverance I overtook the dinghy, despite having weed wrapped around ‘Talitha’s’ keel. There was an excessive amount of egg wrack drifting in clumps on the surface which had me taking evasive action to avoid them.


Back at the Yacht Harbour, I brought the trailer and car down the slipway to save time when making the boat ready for the road. This meant that I did not have to haul the boat on her trolley to the top of the slipway, as I did before.


Apart from motorboat interference, the sailing was very good.

Fambridge Riverside

'Moby Dick'

If I am looking for spiritual refreshment, peace and quiet, I can usually find them at South Fambridge beside the River Crouch. This Friday was one of those deadly dull, heavy motionless days when the sky is grey and there’s no hint of a ray of sunshine and very little colour. There was barely a ripple on the water and hardly any activity, at least when I took a walk along the path that runs beside the River, but my soul was lifted when I saw the amazing tangle of wild flowers, grasses and reeds that brushed my feet as I wandered along. Butterflies flitted here and there, and one couple of Large Whites were engaged in a mating dance, so touching to observe. Bees buzzed and hovered, alighted and took their fill of nectar, unknowingly pollinating in return.


Scanning the moorings for any vessel of interest, my eye alighted upon a small auxiliary clinker ketch named, ‘Moby Dick’. She looked rather homely with her jaunty doghouse, providing full standing headroom. With two foresails, a main and a mizzen, she had ample sail for a reasonable turn of speed. To me, she looked just right – possibly a genuine classic conversion of an old ship’s lifeboat, having an extra strake from amidships forward added to her gunnels. I liked her side decks and hand rails along her cabin top. She could so easily be reefed, simply by dropping her main, and when at anchor, her mizzen would keep her steady, headed into the wind. Generous topsides would make her a dry boat, and the doghouse would keep her crew snug and dry.

A Large White

A delightful tangle of weeds

The white plastic yachts surrounding her were not a bit interesting or attractive to me. Somehow, they did not have life; they lacked character, being deadly dull as the unwholesome weather. Despite these blemishes spoiling the scenery, I came away refreshed, recharged, re-energised, thankful for the flowers, the bees and butterflies and for the little clinker boat.

‘Talitha’s’ GPS

Etrex GPS

Ditto

I have two GPS units, one of which is being borrowed by my daughter; the other is a Garmin Etrex Legend that I keep for immediate access to waypoints, boat’s heading and speed. My other GPS is a Lowrance Expedition c model that has colour charts that I use for pilotage. The older and cheaper of the two GPS units is the Etrex; I initially mounted it at the aft end of the keel box, but I could not see the display clearly there, and when I was using my cockpit spray cover I could not see it at all.


To improve the situation I have made a bracket for the GPS near the front of the cockpit on the starboard hand side where it will not get in the way of the sail when it is stowed. In that position the unit is a little more vulnerable than in the cockpit, but I think the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages. At least, that is what I believe. I’ll have to give it a go when working the boat to discover if it works okay.


Link


Confessions of an Old Salt (Has more details of the two GPS Units)


http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/09/confessions-of-old-salt.html

Perfecting ‘Talitha’

Thicker rope for the handles

I hope this is the last time for doing the handles

There are several definitions for the word ‘perfect’ and one of them is, ‘having all the required elements, qualities, or characteristics’. In that sense, ‘Talitha’ is nearly perfect for the boat I thought she would be, i.e., an easily handled day boat for the single hander.


I have sailed her in various conditions, from very little wind up to at least Force 5, possibly more. She has behaved as expected, and I am very, very satisfied with her, but with use I have found that water comes through the holes in the deck for the rope handles. I take the blame, because I foolishly used rope that was too thin. To overcome the problem I inserted small lengths of plastic pipe into the holes, but they worked loose and slipped out. Today, I came to my senses and took the designer’s advice to replace the rope with a thicker section that matches the diameter of the holes. In addition to that, as an extra measure for keeping water out, I spread silicone sealant onto the rope where it passes through the holes. Maybe this remedy will do the trick?

Anti-chafe precaution

As I anticipated there would be, the mast, boom and yard show signs of wear where they come into contact with one another. To prevent further abrasion I have coiled rope around the mast and tacked both ends to keep the rope in place. Leather is the preferred material for protecting spars. In fact, I have a piece which I may exchange for the rope if it doesn’t perform well.


The weather forecast for the next two or three days is not looking too bad, which gives me hope that I may find an opportunity for testing the modifications to the handles and the mast.

12 Foot Smacks Boat

I was recently contacted by Doug MacEwen who fitted out a GRP replica of a 12 foot Smacks Boat. He sent me two photos that are reproduced here under copyright to him. Currently, every time I open my computer, I’m presented with a photograph almost covering the full screen of Doug’s beautiful dinghy. I simply saved the photo to ‘wallpaper’, and there it is for me to enjoy. The mainsail for his boat was sewn by Jimmy Lawrence, the old barge skipper and sailmaker at Brightlingsea. Doug made the white jib himself.



Links


Some thoughts on barge and smacks boats – a really good article by Gavin Atkin

http://intheboatshed.net/2007/11/18/some-thoughts-on-barge-and-smack-boats/


A good thread on Smacks Boats

http://www.classicboat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=210013


James Lawrence – Sailmakers Brightlingsea

http://www.jameslawrencesailmakers.com/index.htm

‘Talitha’s’ Third Sail

Youngsters Racing

I had a sneaking suspicion I would return to Burnham for my afternoon snack that I left on the fisherman’s launch.

Kite for scaring gulls

‘Talitha’ was afloat at the Yacht Marina by mid morning, roughly two-and-a-half hours after high water. The mud was very slippery, and I nearly went for a Burton as I boarded the boat. Tragedy averted, I gladly took up my position for making sail. Shortly, the boat was running before a gentle north-westerly, then on a broad reach past the Royal Burnham Yacht Club. Beyond the Corinthian Yacht Club I could see a mass of colourful sails. Youngsters were out racing again in a miscellany of small craft: Lasers, Toppers, a Cadet and several RS dinghies.

Roach Buoy

Lovely Gaffer

Turning to starboard, after passing the Branklet Spit Buoy, I steered south, into the River Roach. On my port hand I passed the Roach Buoy. I must say, all these local buoys are kept in tiptop shape. Well ahead, where the Roach bends almost at a right angle, a lovely gaffer was on the wind coming my way. In fact, there wasn’t a great deal of wind, almost zilch at times. At least, I had a chance to try the boat in those conditions.


So as not to get trapped in the Roach, I had to be back in the Crouch by at least and hour before low water, which I did with a half-an-hour to spare. Better to be sure, than take a risk in those rather calm conditions, because I didn’t fancy paddling the boat against the incoming tide that would, without question be against me after low water.


The conditions were perfect for trying the anchor; therefore I paddled the boat closely to the north bank of the Crouch. Seeing it was neaps, and only an hour before low water, there was hardly any current. The anchoring went perfectly. There I had a snooze for an hour, and when I opened my eyes, I observed a small trawler was heading my way, but the lone fisherman was hauling his net and swung his boat round in a ‘U’ turn.


On my return to the Yacht Harbour I had no option, but to pass through a mass of dinghies with their crews having water fights. I guess it was the end of the racing, and it was their way of letting off steam. One dinghy very nearly collided with ‘Talitha’. I was grateful that I was not showered with water from their paddles and bailer as we passed within touching distance.


It seems that wherever I go with ‘Talitha’ there are people who say the loveliest things about her. As I was making her ready for the road at the top of the ramp, a yachtsman who had observed her sailing expressed his admiration of the boat. That was so typical of others who could not resist coming to look at her close-up. Well, that certainly gives me satisfaction, and her performance likewise pleases me no end. Yesterday, on the run, she topped over 6 knots - in truth, it would have been 5 knots without the ebb in her favour.


Yet again, I had been blessed, and the sailing was good.

‘Talitha’s’ Second Sail

At Ferry Road slipway

Everything was just right: an early high water at Hullbridge and a pleasant Force 2 from the west, veering a little towards the north later in the day.


Launching went as planed at the Ferry Road slipway. There were no others using the ramp at 0700, apart from the swans that reluctantly moved aside for the creature with the big red wing.

Downwind from Hullbridge

I had an uneventful run to a point above Cliff Reach where I tried various manoeuvres, including having a go at putting in a reef. The wind picked up a little and the clouds thinned to provide blue spaces between them.

Burnham Yacht Harbour, tied to a fisherman's launch

Morning coffee time drew me into Burnham Yacht Harbour where I duly parted with £2.40 for a small Latte. The waitress was intent on killing a wasp that she had imprisoned in a beer glass on a newspaper. As she lifted the glass with her left hand, she held a rolled-up newspaper in the other, but the wasp would not oblige by making an exit. Running out of patience, she took the poor creature to an insect zapper that was hanging on the balcony nearby. I waited for the inevitable zipping sound. Satisfied and grinning, she triumphantly returned to her otherwise mundane duties.


Off for another sail, I drifted out of the Harbour and made my way east to Rice and Coles to have a look at ‘Ladybird’ and have a chat with the boatman. He always has wise words, particularly when it comes to watercraft. I wish I could manage a motorboat, as he does.


Soon it would be time for lunch, which I determined to have ashore at the Yacht Harbour. On the way there I had an interesting sail to windward through the moorings and the racing fleets. The Optimists are the ones to avoid, because some of the youngsters can be unpredictable. Quite a few of them are learners, but it’s great to see so many young people enjoying themselves.


I sat on a patch of grass beside the slipway, my eye glancing now and again at ‘Talitha’, to admire her lines.


It wasn’t until later when beating to Fambridge, that I realised I had I left my afternoon snack and a bottle of orange juice on the fisherman’s launch, and unless I return there tomorrow for more sailing, I think the gulls may take a liking to the salt and vinegar crisps and the Mr Kipling, exceedingly good Almond slices!


There were only three ski boats in action to the east of Fambridge, so there weren’t too many wakes to contend with.


Tacking between the moored yachts along the Hullbridge reach proved interesting, but not once did ‘Talitha’ fail to come about.


The Harbour Master’s launch was moored off the Ferry Road slipway, and I felt his piercing eyes watch my every move. Fortunately, things went reasonably well; the sail came down in a bit of a jumble, and the keel came up after I shoved the top of it from behind.


Within minutes I had the sail and mast off the boat, and shortly afterwards, her trolley was attached to her skeg. I couldn’t immediately trundle her up the slipway, because a ski boat was being launched.


At the car park it was a matter of following the rehearsed procedure of laying the boat on her side while on her road trailer and removing her keel; then we were off for a short road journey home.


It had been a splendid day.

Checking ‘Ladybird’

'Ladybird' at her Burnham mooring

My daughter is sailing towards Holland, not aboard her Seawych 19 ‘Ladybird’, but as crew on a much larger yacht. She asked me to check out her boat, because she had not seen her for a while. There were two things that required attention: the mooring rope had jumped off the bow roller and her rudder had been forced off the transom fittings. The Rice and Cole boatman had kindly put the rudder in the cockpit and he explained that there had been a strong southerly wind that coincided with a big spring tide; the combination of wind and low water set the boat in shallows over a mud bank. That explained why I found caked mud on the rudder.

Ditto

Everything else was fine. I enjoyed being aboard my old faithful little ship that had looked after me so very well when I sailed her to Falmouth and back from the River Crouch last year.


I was reminded of Dylan Winter of ‘Keep Turning Left’ fame when he looked at a similar Seawych laid up in a barn. She was in a neglected state, but with a bit of tender loving care it was possible she could be brought back to life. Dylan had been having a spot of trouble with the diesel engine in his Mirror Offshore 19; in fact it more or less gave up the ghost and came adrift from its mountings. For a fleeting moment he thought he would have to ditch his much loved boat and get hold of another at a rock bottom price – the Seawych was going for free! Guardian angels came along and repaired Dylan’s engine and he was as happy as a sand boy, but only a few weeks later the engine’s gear became stuck in forward. The last I heard was that he was looking at some old outboard motors that may help out.


Because my daughter is crewing on three other yachts, she has little time for sailing hers, and consequently she has advertised the boat at Apollo Duck. If you are looking for a cracking little sailing cruiser, she might be the answer. You could try making an offer.



Links

‘Ladybird’ for Sale at Apollo Duck

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=205166


‘Ladybird’s’ Summer Cruise Review

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/08/ladybirds-summer-cruise-review.html


Dylan Winter – Keep Turning Left

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/

Launching ‘Talitha’

Trolley attached

On her side

Ideally I would like to be able to launch ‘Talitha’ directly from her road trailer when her keel is in place. To do this I shall have to modify her trailer or buy a purpose-built one. Meanwhile I’ve come up with a system that I think will be satisfactory.


It goes like this: Firstly, on arriving at the top of a slipway, attach the trolley to her skeg and position the boat on her port side while she is still on the trailer. Do not unhitch the trailer from the car. Re-position the boat so that her keel box is slightly aft of the trailer’s rear support beam, and the port side of her transom rests on the ground, while being protected from damage with a soft pad. Slot home the keel and add the starboard weight; then lock them together and attach the keel haul wire to the pulley system, making sure it is taught. Set the boat upright before gently pushing her astern until more and more weight is taken by her trolley. Continue moving her astern until she is completely free of the road trailer. You are now ready to walk her down the slipway, but take care, because some slipways are very slippery! When the boat has been launched, remove her trolley and put it in a secure place, perhaps the boot of the car.

Weight being taken by her trolley

Ready for launching


I have found it is generally better to rig a boat before launching her. The alternative is to accept a fair amount of wading around the boat to get the job done. The rudder may need attaching after the boat has been launched.


I have carried out a ‘dry’ run of these proceedings on my driveway, but the acid test will come when I do it for real.

Trolley for ‘Talitha’ Part 2

Trolley parts

Assembled

I completed making wooden parts for ‘Talitha’s’ trolley and I assembled them, along with an axle and wheels salvaged from an old wheelie bin. I also painted the trolley with an undercoat, so that I’ll be able to apply the first upper coat tomorrow.


The trolley slots onto ‘Talitha’s’ skeg and it is held in place with a pin that passes through a hole in the skeg. I have yet to make a pin, preferably from a rod of a non-ferrous metal. I have an iron rod that would suffice, but in time, rusting could be a problem. The axle has been anodised.

Attached to the boat with an improvised rod passing through holes in the trolley and a hole in her skeg


I’m assuming the trolley will work, and until the paint has dried, I shall not know how good or bad it is. If there is a dry spell of weather tomorrow morning I’ll be able to give it a test run along my driveway.


In time I may make a frame that will slot onto the trolley for transporting ‘Talitha’s’ keel. Because it may not be always possible to take the car to the water’s edge, this device could be handy.