More Goodies for ‘Minnow’

 

Inadequate screws

 

Suitable bolts

 

New block for the topping lift

 

Terylene topping lift

I had a bit of a shock when I checked the blocks for the furling line and the topping lift. In fact, only the furler block was there. A close inspection revealed that the block for the topping lift had been pulled free from the bulkhead and was no longer there. Two small holes revealed where the retaining screws had been. The furler block was similarly held in place by two tiny screws. Only by the grace of God was it still attached to the bulkhead.

This situation necessitated a trip to the chandlers for buying a suitable block for the topping lift and nuts and bolts for fixing both blocks. While I was there I also bought three fairleads for attaching fenders to the port side of the boat, and a 9 metre length of Terylene rope for use as the hauling part of the topping lift. The cheap Polypropylene one I initially set up was no good, because it kept slipping out of the jam cleat. I retained the fixed Polypropylene part of the topping lift and tied the new rope to the eye at the apex.

Those few goodies cost me £36.20 – amazing! Incidentally, back in the early 1970s there used to be four chandlers within the boundaries of Southend-on-Sea, Westcliffe and Leigh; now there is only one. Hard times and purchasing through the Internet are largely to blame.

Sunny Distractions

Yesterday the weather was blissfully sunny, so markedly uncharacteristic of what has been the norm over the past two or three months. Forecasters tell us that this winter has been the wettest since 1914/15.

Now, just as the sun uniquely shone on Sunday, I found myself indoors – at church in the morning and at a Salvation Army hall in the afternoon, but at both venues another brighter sun shone. In church there were therapeutic rays of spiritual light, and at the hall there were party lights and the sound of children’s laughter, but that was not all ……………..

Twenty-four children at a birthday party, all aged about seven, can make an awful lot of noise; add to that the party leader’s ear-splitting continuous banter, you have what sounds like a jumbo jet on take off.  Put fingers in your ears, and you can see the kids are having a fantastic time. If that’s not sunshine for mums and dads, what is?

I came away knowing I had been pleasantly distracted from the gloom of winter.

Links

Wettest ever winter

http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/454597/Wettest-ever-winter-goes-on-keep-your-brolly-handy

Waterworld: Britain’s wettest winter on record

http://www.channel4.com/news/uk-floods-storms-britain-wettest-winter-on-record

More Little Things for 'Minnow'

 

I was able to do a few small jobs for ‘Minnow’. I bought a waxed sash cord for wrapping around the mast to protect it from the boom and sail sleeve, and I sorted and assembled a number of ropes that can serve as mooring lines etc. There were some sharp pieces of metal at the front end of the road trailer, and as they were potentially dangerous, I covered them with the bottom of a plastic carton.

Because I shall on occasions sail ‘Minnow’ when I'm seated on the aft deck, I made a tiller extension to pass between my shins.

My mini IPad – Part 3

I last made mention of my mini iPad on Friday, 7^th February. Basically I was fed up with the online company from whom I bought it, because they were not playing ball. They had promised to pay UK import duty of 20 percent; instead, they invented numerous excuses for not doing so.

I could have given up on ever receiving what was rightfully mine; instead, I kept reminding them of their obligation to pay what was due. Eventually, I had to resort to saying I would reveal how they were mistreating me and others. Mention of my blog and Twitter did the trick. They realised I was serious, and shortly after the threat of global exposure I received an email saying they would indeed transfer funds into my account.

I really didn’t know if this was yet another delaying tactic, a lie or the truth. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, and last Tuesday, much to my surprise, they transferred the money to my account.

I was reminded of the story of the importunate widow who wanted justice, and in order to get it, she kept on and on to the unjust judge. (Luke 18:1-8) Jesus told a similar story of persistence about a friend who required a loaf of bread. (Luke11:5-9)

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again.*

Links

My mini iPad

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/my-mini-ipad.html

My mini iPad – Part 2

 http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/my-mini-ipad-part-2.html

*Try, Try and Try Again

http://www.answers.com/topic/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-try-try-try-again

‘Minnow’s’ Name Confirmed

When I first acquired ‘Minnow’ I was doubtful about retaining her name. Her second owner had given it to her.  I preferred it to the original one, which was ‘Enuf’.

At first, I couldn’t generate much enthusiasm for keeping the name, but I’ve not come up with a better one; therefore I’ve stuck with it. Another reason for calling her ‘Minnow’ is that the online Paradox sailboat community would appear to know her best by her second name.

Thinking about it, ‘Minnow’ is not a bad name for a tiny boat, on account of a minnow being a small fish.

As confirmation of my acceptance of her name, I’ve applied vinyl lettering to that effect on both sides of her bow. She is now, irrevocably, ‘Minnow’.

There is no reason for a naming ceremony, but all the same, may God bless her, and all who sail in her. Amen.

Links

Boat Names

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/boat-names.html

Signs and Graphics for Boats

http://www.boatvinyls.co.uk/  

Minnow

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

Common Minnow

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

Minnow Fact File

http://www.arkive.org/minnow/phoxinus-phoxinus/

Minnow Video

 http://www.arkive.org/minnow/phoxinus-phoxinus/#video-00.html

‘Minnow’s’ Galley

 

 

What galley? Does ‘Minnow’ have a galley? The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines a galley as, ‘The kitchen in a ship or an aircraft’. Strictly speaking ‘Minnow’ does not have one, but what she does have is the equivalent of a kitchen on a very small scale. The essential item in a kitchen is a cooker, perhaps an oven with a hob and grill.

My little boat has a removable single burner stove that slots into fold-down gimbals. I can boil, fry or even bake small things placed in an unsealed pressure cooker, although I doubt I would actually bake anything. Fresh bread and scones would be nice, however. Pots and pans are stored in the lazarette, as indeed is the crockery. Cutlery happily fits into a plastic bin that can be hooked to the side lockers.  Food and drinks are stored in containers, both under the floor and in the lazarette. ‘Minnow’s’ sink is a plastic bowl that can conveniently be placed on the floor between my feet when I’m sat on the seat, which makes washing up easy. The drying rack is the wooden slatted lid of the anchor locker. Her waste bin can be secured to side lockers in several different places.

A great advantage of ‘Minnow’ is that her ‘chef’ can perform his culinary tasks while sitting down. He does not have to move from his seat, nor does he have to spend a great deal of energy. Everything is to hand.

Who would want a bigger, but less secure galley? Not me. I have been there and know of the pitfalls. I’ve had to strap myself in to prevent being thrown to the other side of the galley, especially when beating and the cooker is to windward. Sometimes working surfaces and hobs have been too high, so that when the yacht heeled, the contents of saucepans, bowls etc have been thrown onto the cook and the floor. Scalding water, hot fat, scrambled or fried eggs are not the friendliest of projectiles.

Give me a small boat with a compact galley any time!

‘Minnow’s’ Waste Bin

 

Four years ago I visited the London Boat Show and out of curiosity I looked at a large and very expensive sailing yacht. There were several things that seemed odd, but two of them were very strange. She could only be steered from within her cabin, which meant the helmsman had restricted vision forwards and no vision aft, except by observing a CCTV screen. The other oddity was that she had no inbuilt waste bin!

‘Minnow’ can be sailed by her solo crew from within her cabin, and he has good all-round vision and a waste bin!

A waste bin for a cruising yacht is essential. What do you do with your rubbish if you don’t have one? Bung it in a plastic bag - but even a plastic bag must have a home. Most commonly, it is hung on a hook. When the boat moves the bag moves. If the bag develops a hole or splits, contents spill on the floor. Ideally, a trash bag should be contained in a box of sorts, preferably one with an easy to open lid. The box should be fixed, so as not to slide around or tip over.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a good waste bin as part of the equipment aboard a cruising yacht.

‘Minnow’s bin can be clipped to the side lockers in a number of places without impeding any moving or movable items such as the Autohelm, steering lines, locker lids and the helmsman’s seat. I grant you the bin is not large, but in my experience it is big enough to hold an average day’s rubbish generated by one person. At the end of the day the contents can be transferred to a plastic bag stowed in the forecastle.  

Painting the Kitchen

 

Yesterday, I said painting the kitchen should be a snip, but in fact, it was not. I underestimated the amount of work involved. Applying masking tape took a little over an hour-and-a-half. Altogether I had to paint three doors, one of which required doing on both sides, and add to that, door frames and skirting boards. Above one of the doors there was a window frame requiring paint, and there was a wide and long window sill.

Altogether it took six hours to complete; well, not quite, because I have yet to paint the radiator which I couldn’t do today, on account of it being hot. If I switch off the central heating tonight, I’ll be able to paint the radiator tomorrow.

My wife was pleased with what I had done, but she’s more than one step ahead planning the next job. Good for her, because she keeps me on my toes. I don’t tell her of my broken back, which won’t stop me sailing. Why should it stop me from doing jobs around the home? I’ve no excuses.

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/