Postponed Start

The weather forecaster said this morning that the outlook remains unsettled, and having consulted the weather charts for the next few days I’ve postponed the start of my cruise in ‘Faith’ until next Sunday or Monday, i.e., 1st and 2nd July.

I’ll resume the ‘blog’ around that time, or when the boat is on the water at the start of the proposed cruise.

Decisions

Decisions, decisions ……….. To go or not to go?

Here’s the Inshore Waters Forecast for Wednesday, 27th June between Lyme Regis and Lands End, including the Isles of Scilly.

Wind - West or northwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6.
Weather - Showers.
Visibility - Good.
Sea State - Slight or moderate, occasionally rough in west at first.

Over the coming weekend, a new low will pass over the British Isles, but I am hopeful the Azores High will move slowly to the north over the next week or so. If this turns out to be the case, the weather should improve.

My final decision whether to set off for Brixham on Wednesday morning will be taken after the early Shipping Forecast.

Best Laid Plans

“The best-laid plans o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft a-gley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain
For promised joy.”

Those are the words of Robert Burns in a poem ‘To a Mouse’, but what truth there is in his words! I’m not over keen on accepting the truth that events beyond our control, indeed fashion what happens to us. On the other hand, as I believe in a God who is Sovereign I am happy that He controls all things, including the weather. I can accept that what He determines is right – that’s not a belief in ‘fate’, but in providence.

Because of the weather, yet another day must pass before I can embark upon the ‘planned’ cruise westward from Exmouth, and, as there has been a delay, I would consider launching at Brixham, since it is that much closer to Dartmouth, the first destination for which I am aiming. Meanwhile, Richard, the sailing friend who also wants to make it to Dartmouth in his 40’ classic yacht is port bound in Dover.

Robbie Burns suggests that those who make plans best accept that they may reap pain, rather than the promised joy expected. I have learned to accept the truth that when sailing for ‘pleasure’, so often pain is experienced instead. Why then do I do it? The joy outweighs the pain, like that of a mother when she has her newborn child.


The Inshore Forecast

Lyme Regis to Lands End including Isles of Scilly
Issued by the Met Office at 1800 UTC on Monday 25 June 2007 24 hour forecast:Wind - Northwest 6 to gale 8 decreasing 4 or 5, occasionally 6. Weather - Rain then squally showers, becoming mainly fair later. Visibility - Moderate or good. Sea State - Moderate or rough, but very rough west of Lands End at first. Outlook for the following 24 hours:Wind - Northwest backing west or southwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6. Weather - Showers. Visibility - Good. Sea State - Moderate or rough

Prudence

Having taken a year and a half to build ‘Faith’, my Paradox micro-sailboat, and having tried her out on the River Crouch in various wind strengths I’m raring to go!

I hoped to make a start at a month’s cruise on Monday, 25th June by taking the boat on her trailer to Exmouth in Devon and from there to attempt a short cruise to Dartmouth and back before progressing further west, either by road or at sea. However, Prudence calls for a delay in the start because of an adverse weather forecast. Here’s the Inshore Forecast:

Lyme Regis to Lands End including Isles of Scilly

Issued by the Met Office at 1800 UTC on Sunday 24 June 2007

24 hour forecast:


Wind - Northwest, backing west for a time, 4 or 5, occasionally 6, increasing 6 to gale 8 later.
Weather - Rain or showers.
Visibility - Moderate or good, occasionally poor.
Sea State - Slight or moderate, increasing moderate or rough later.

Outlook for the following 24 hours:

Wind - Northwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8, decreasing 4 or 5.
Weather - Rain or showers.
Visibility - Moderate or good.
Sea State - Moderate or rough.

This would call for a start by road on Wednesday, 27th when the main series of ‘lows’ will have passed to the north east, but I’ll review the situation on Tuesday, 26th.

If you the reader are disappointed, you can imagine my feelings, and yet a delay of one, two or perhaps three days when seen in perspective is insignificant.

Photos of 'Faith' afloat

Some visitors to my blog have asked to see photos of 'Faith' on the water. Before I embarked on 'sea trials' I launched the boat at Burnham Marina where I took photos of her moored to a pontoon.

You can see two photos by visiting http://www.smallsailboats.co.uk/paradox/build5.htm which is a page at my Paradox web site.

Bill.

Back Home

13th June

I woke early to one of those clear sunny days with hardly a zephyr. As I ate breakfast I thought through the procedure of hauling the boat out of the water. I would lower the trailer by hand almost to the water’s edge where I would secure it with chocks. At the front support I would attach a strong piece of rope for lowering the trailer into the water by using the ball hitch of the car; this system would allow the trailer to be immersed with the mudguards covered so that ‘Faith’ could be floated above the trailer while being winched forward. My daughter would hold the boat steady as I drove the car slowly up the slip.

All this worked perfectly. Had I attached guide posts to the trailer I could have done it without the help of my daughter.

When the boat was home I considered what next to do for improving a few things before the ‘proper’ cruise in the West Country begins perhaps on 25th or 26th June. Exmouth would be a suitable departure port for Dartmouth where I would hope to meet my friend aboard his 40’ classic sail training yacht.

I’ll recommence the daily log as soon as the boat is on the water again.

New Lessons

Tuesday, 12th June

The 0520 Shipping Forecast for Thames predicted SW 3/4, occasionally 5, with fog patches, showers and occasionally very poor visibility. In the event, that was not a bad forecast for having a bash at reaching the Walton Backwaters. I needed to make 4 knots to ensure I would arrive at Stone Banks off Naze Point before the flood tide would sweep me towards Clacton; furthermore the long range forecast gave a South Westerly 6 for the 13th June when I planned to return to Burnham. A delay hanging around at the Backwaters would not give me the time I needed for personal things that have to be done before I take ‘Faith’ to the West Country later in the month.

As I had not fully tested ‘Faith’ in strong winds I decided it would be more profitable and more pleasant to sail against the SW4 or 5 on the River Crouch to Fambridge, but conditions were entirely different to those of yesterday. Initially the wind was SW 2 which was ideal for tacking through the moored yachts at Burnham. Everything went flawlessly and it was great fun sailing between the yachts, but as we neared Creeksea the wind increased and the tide strengthened which caused short steep breaking waves. ‘Faith’ was over-canvassed as she hobby-horsed without making a great deal of way. At first, attempts at tacking in those conditions were not always successful, but I soon discovered I needed to free the sheet to allow the bow to pay off, especially when changing to the port tack because the sail is mounted on the port side of the mast.

I soon learnt to reef smartly so as not to be over-pressed. All in all, I learnt a great deal about handling the boat and anchoring. I discovered I needed to raise the rudder before anchoring by the stern to prevent the rode from snagging the rudder; in force 3 I found it was necessary to reef the sail when going to windward; in choppy conditions I found I needed to sail freer. Generally, ‘Faith’ moved faster when the sheet was not pinned in.

My day had plenty of excitement as I sailed many different courses with variations of sail area. The fog did not materialize; instead there was sun for most of the day. For lunch I anchored off Cliff Reach then I had a snooze. It was very pleasant at the prettiest spot on the River Crouch. I noticed how badly the red clay cliff had eroded in the last couple of years. Suitably refreshed, it was time for more sailing before returning to Burnham Marina. I wanted to while away the time from 1500 until 1700 when it would be low water to make it ideal for sailing in the marina. There would be less wind because the banks of the marina would bring about a lee from the South West wind.

During those 3 hours I thoroughly enjoyed trying all sorts of manoeuvre before making my attempt at getting into the marina. As it turned out, everything was very favourable. I could steer ‘Faith’ on a reach with only two panels of the sail as I made for a pontoon near the slipway. There I nosed the boat to the pontoon so that she almost paused in stays, but it was not perfect; she gently hit the floating platform bow on, then started to fall back, but I just had time to step on the pontoon to make her secure with a painter.

I’m not overly keen on Marinas, but they do have their advantages: a shower and toilets for example, and electricity for charging my laptop computer. I can charge it from the ship’s battery, but mains power does it more quickly.

Tomorrow morning I’m hoping to take ‘Faith’ out of the water when my daughter will bring my car she has been using while I’ve been afloat; then I’ll see if I can retrieve the boat.

Testing Everything

This morning there was a bit of mist when I set off under sail from the marina berth at 0730. High water was at 0929, and with a light NE wind I made course up the river towards Fambridge. On the way I tried sailing ‘Faith’ on all points and I practiced reefing and using the yuloh. At first I didn’t have much success at using the yuloh, but on my second attempt it all came together and I managed about a quarter of a knot.

Just short of Fambridge drizzle came in which provided a good opportunity for testing the boat with her hatch closed. The forward window slightly fogged up, but I was snug and dry as the boat made her way east towards Burnham. Sailing through the trots was a drifting match, because there was little wind. Once past the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club the wind perked up. What was so pleasing was the boat’s ability to sail on any course for many minutes without me having to touch the steering line. Now I know that Al was telling the truth about having plenty of time to read books while underway.

After eventually reaching the Inner Crouch Buoy I turned ‘Faith’ to the west, this time to anchor on the west side of the River Roach near the entrance. I set the anchor at 1740 and although the wind sprang up from the south ‘Faith’ lay nicely to the incoming tide.

I took the opportunity to try out the pressure cooker which worked well, by providing me with well cooked potatoes, runner beans and carrots which I ate with cold sardines, followed by my favourite yoghurt. After clearing up I planned the navigation Tuesday, 12th June - that’s if the wind will have any southing to it.

As I type this log I do so to the accompaniment of skylarks singing chirpy songs, although the sun has not shone all day.

Maybe I’ll have a comfortable night.

Faith Afloat

Hi All,

‘Faith’ was launched today at Burnham Marina, Essex around 1900. It was not the most graceful of launches for a maiden event, but with a little persuasion by jigging the boat she slowly slid off her trailer.

The yuloh was not entirely a success, as the side wind made progress in the direction I wanted to go difficult, but I ended up where the wind took me, alongside the old Harbour Master launch. Maybe I need to practice handling the yuloh before I can learn to generate sufficient power for forward motion.

I first prepared a meal before filling up the water ballast tanks which made the boat much more stable.

As I write this, the first of my cruise logs, I have laid out my bed for the night. There’s just a light wind from the east, which may mean I’ll have a peaceful night.

Bill.

Anticipation

After a long slog to windward the sailor is rewarded; he reaches his home port and he is snug and dry, although exhausted. There’s a great sense of achievement because the battle with nature’s forces has been won. The solo sailor is the victor, but he knows there may be a time when the sea will win. What would be his fate? Better to die at sea than in bed with the pain of old age. Nothing ventured, nothing gained has been his motto. Take the opportunity when it arises.

Building a boat with substance is very much like a battle with the elements. Take that bit of obstinate Douglas Fir with variable grain; planing it was a nightmare; first this way, then that, but what a joy when it was finished, gleaming in varnish while displaying gorgeous patterns revealing growth over the years into maturity. The yuloh for which it was destined comes alive when wriggling to and fro at the transom at the behest of the Captain. His tiny craft silently edges along quiet waters as fish break the surface and the undulating moon path snakes towards the wooded river’s bank.

So the builder sailor looks forward in anticipation of excitements and adventures as he and his creation join together upon the water for the first time. Does the Master launch and christen his Dream Ship in solitude away from prying eyes, or does he make a show of it by throwing a party and festooning his Pride and Joy with bunting? Who would he choose to pour Champaign over her bows while asking for a blessing upon all who sail in her?

Anticipation is the name of the game. I have all but finished my Paradox micro-sailboat; she only needs a coat of antifouling before entering her element for which she craves, the environ where sea and sky caress one another and horizons beckon - vast oceans leading to countless havens, magnificent vistas, exotic islands where pearls of riches may be found, even if they are the grains of sand sifted and refined by centuries old currents and the crashing sea waves.

With anticipation there comes a little anxiety; will ‘Faith’ meet what is expected of her and will all go well at the launching? Those are questions waiting for answers. Anon, until I can provide replies.

Surprises

Boat building is full of surprises. The biggest surprise is when the boat is finished! You don’t ever expect the time to come when you look around and there is nothing left to do, but sure enough if you persevere until the end, there she is sparkling in radiant new colours, the varnish is gleaming and she’s pristine. She looks at you and says “Well. Why are you waiting? Get me in the water now, because that’s where I am meant to be.” She adds, “That’s my destiny – adventures galore, excitement and fun, besides those horrible times when nothing goes well, the wind is contrary, it rains and the Cornflakes get spilt in the bilge.” But you know every nail, every plank and remember how strongly you built her. She’s not going to fall apart and she’s ready for any gale, while you optimistically hope for fair winds and fine weather. Lazy days are what you want; sailing with ease, a soldier’s wind and beauty in the sky and sea. When you arrive at harbour after a gorgeous day you step ashore and savour those fish and chips, Cornish pasties, Indian take-away. Life’s never been so good, although you’re in your seventies, feeling like sixteen.

Cruising is full of surprises. You plan your day, but other forces are at work. There’s the unexpected delay leaving Ramsgate harbour because the Ostend ferry is due in. Outside in the offing there’s a choppy sea over the banks and the speed you expected is not there. The wind changes direction so you’re left in the lee of the White Cliffs of Broadstairs and all this makes your ETA impossible, so the ebb tide joins in your adversity. Darkness arrives when you should be snug in Dover Harbour and ahead are all those Channel Ferries coming and going. Permission to enter the Harbour is delayed and you converse with the Harbour Control saying you have no engine; you’ll need to get in under yuloh power because there is no wind. “Stay where you are. Hold your station. The Harbour Control launch will tow you in.” You struggle at the yuloh as sweat pours off you brow to hold firm against the current. Those lights in transit are gradually slipping. There’s a sigh of relief as you spot the black shape of the launch with her red and white pilot lights. Then in seconds a line is brought through your bow fairlead and passed around the mast. You’re away like lightning while the bow wave foams. When you are two cables from the Town Beach you are cast adrift and you set your anchor with ample scope for the expected rise of tide. The crackling voice of the Pilot over the VHF informs you the charge for the tow was £20.00. You take solace by swigging a glass of fruit juice and set about preparing a late night meal.

It was a day of surprises, and may there be many more of them for those who love the sea and boats.

Marathon

The London marathon is due to start on Sunday, 22 April 2007 with 56,500 runners hoping to make it to the finish. Some runners are deadly serious, wanting to finish in the top 10 of their male or female events, whereas others like Lloyd Scott will take days doing the impossible for raising cash for various charities. Lloyd was the one who ‘ran’ the marathon in a diving suit, and last year he was dressed in a suit of armour in the guise of St George who slew the dragon, but instead of killing the dragon he dragged his around the 26 mile course!

Those who build boats are a bit like contestants in a marathon. There are purists who want to achieve perfection by building a boat with a mirror-like finish, and there are others who simply want their boat to float, so as to get on the water as quickly as possible with the minimum of effort. Attitude brings a result; the deadly serious boat builder and the equally obsessive perfectionist marathon runner will study their craft to the full; they will utilize the tools of their trade, plan and practise every move before attempting the actual task.

I suppose the majority of amateur boat builders will be satisfied with a good working finish so as to provide a sound vessel for their enjoyment and satisfaction. These equate to most of the runners in the London marathon; they simply want to get around the course in a time that suits their level of fitness. If they raise the amount of cash they desire for their chosen charity they will be happy.

What category of builder am I? I’d like to think I am a perfectionist, but I know I can never reach that standard with my limited skill. All I can do is strive for perfection, while hoping to achieve a reasonable finish that will satisfy me. One thing I know, and that is building a Paradox micro-sailboat takes time and effort; she’s no ‘instant boat’. I need the patience and perseverance of the marathon runner if I am to finish the course.

Resolve

Do I have the resolve to finish building my dream retirement sailing boat? I started building her in August, 2005; that’s a period of 1 ½ years, and yet the exterior needs encapsulating in fibreglass and the cabin top has to be built. If I’m fortunate to have suitable weather during the spring of 2007 I may finish her by late June. During the winter of 2006/7 I was unable to make any progress whatsoever. As could be expected, the weather was cold and wet - neither condition was conducive for boat building, especially when of necessity I have to do it outside in the elements. My garage where the boat is being stored is too small for me to build her under cover. Bearing in mind these facts, it’s no wonder I question my resolve. Will the boat ever be finished? Furthermore, my body has been feeling the effects of many years of use and there are times when any real physical effort is required I find it hard to bring it about. I’m reminded of the verse, ‘Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn; at the going down of the sun we shall remember them.’ I have not yet been totally condemned by aches and pains, but they do make themselves known on a daily basis. I’m also reminded of the long distance runner who has to pass through the pain barrier before he feels his pain no more; for him pain becomes the norm, the elixir until the race is finished, and more solemnly I remember the saying, ‘Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.’ The same goes for old sailors; they get swallowed up by the sea. Davy Jones is there with ever open arms at the bottom of the ocean.

Well, poor chap. He’s really in a bad way. Let’s get the violins out and play the dirge, ‘But where there’s life, there’s hope!’

I am looking forward to the spring; even now daffodils, crocuses, polyanthus, snowdrops and primroses are in bloom, due to the slightly warmer weather of late February. Each day the sun remains above the horizon for another 3 minutes; at that rate I’ll soon be wearing my Panama hat and Gucci sunglasses. The Water Board will be imposing a hosepipe ban and the grass will be burnt to a frazzle by the sun’s rays. With a forever high pressure system slap bang over the UK there’ll be no wind for sailing my gorgeous new Paradox and I’ll have to toil at the yuloh to make any progress. No, really, there is a bright future, even for me, if the Lord sees fit. The Western Approaches beckon and sirens of the Scilly Isles sing their irresistible melodies. Onward and upward, I must press on resolutely with great resolve!

Odds and Ends

January for me can best be summed up as a time when little could be done towards making progress at building ‘Faith’; she’s a Paradox sailboat I have set my heart on. (I imagine sailing her in idyllic conditions on the open sea, perhaps on a cruise to the Scilly Isles, which is a beautiful archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean to the west of England’s Land’s End.) Days typical of this time of year bring fog, rain, sleet, and snow and last month was no exception which somewhat brought on a mood of listlessness. I must make a positive effort at changing my mindset so as to attend to those achievable ‘odds and ends’ unconstrained by climatic conditions. I could even boldly tackle ‘odds and sods’! Sods being those tricky jobs requiring ingenuity or sustained effort.

When building a boat awkward jobs always arise, but there is a tendency on my part to delay tackling them. This attitude is not a solution, because without addressing such issues the building project can not be completed.

While the weather is so uninspiring and restrictive I should put my mind and body into active mode for accomplishing tiny works such as attaching a strong rotating fitting to the outer end of the boom for the mainsheet and the topping line. I could strengthen the tack downhaul and I could make a box for stowing the kedge anchor. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t repair a small tear in the second-hand mainsail and why I shouldn’t make a large toggle for the rudder control line. I need to drill a larger hole in the rudder for a thicker and stronger support bolt. If I could really motivate myself, I might get around to reshaping the yuloh shaft so that it will fit snugly beside the cabin top. Although I have not yet made the cabin top, I know the dimensions; therefore it’s a matter of motivation. A day of warm sunshine might just be inspirational for me to tackle the job.

While I’m on the topic of ‘odds and ends’, perhaps I should be compiling a list of those things I could take aboard for making life afloat more enjoyable. I’m reading Charles Stock’s, ‘Sailing Just for Fun’ which is full of useful tips for the sailor of small boats. He recommends having a hot water bottle for those cold nights when sailing early or late in the season. Another of his ‘must haves’ is a toaster that can be put on the stove which adds a dimension to easily prepared food. I know there’s nothing better for restoring the soul after a hard passage than a toasted sardine sandwich with lashings of tomato sauce and plenty of melted butter!

Mistress

The archaic meaning of the word ‘mistress’ is a woman loved and courted by a man. Now many a boat has been named ‘Mistress’ and you can see why. Men may court and love their boats more than they do their real-life mistresses or their wives after the courting and the sound of wedding bells have ceased.

Back in the early nineteen-fifties Edward Allcard sailed his 34 ft wooden yacht, “Temptress” from New York to Plymouth, via Casablanca and Vigo, and if my memory serves me correctly, a beautiful stowaway revealed herself some days after his departure from New York. The tale of a hidden maiden aboard a yacht that was no more than 34 ft in length leads one to believe Edward was not entirely honest with his account. From memory, the story in English newspapers majored on the theme of a mistress who had no passport, no money, and was desperate to gain entrance to the UK. By her feminine charms Edward was bowled over, despite his superficial protestations, and instead of taking her back to New York, he willingly accepted her as a crew member.

Little of this may be accurate, but the theme of a link between mistresses and boats is certain. I for one know of the charms of the many boats I have owned, mostly small, and hence beautiful - if the saying, ‘Small is beautiful’ is true. My latest mistress is ‘Faith’; she’s a 14 micro-sailboat being built in my garage. Some would not describe her as being beautiful, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and to me she’s very beautiful and worthy of my adoration. I sense there is a major difference between ‘Faith’ and all my previous mistresses for I’m convinced she will be with me until my dying days. She has all I require of a sea maiden: cheap to keep, not too demanding and she knows how to handle stormy waters; when there’s a calm sea she’s patient and contented. She’ll look after and care for me until my need is no more.

Parts you don’t see

Stonemasons of the past, like those who built St Paul’s cathedral, took enormous pride in their work. After a long apprenticeship attaining the skills of their trade, a master stonemason would have given them their papers certifying they had carried out their indentureship, with an endorsement that they had gained the experience to fit them as qualified stonemasons. So the skills and knowledge of the profession were passed from one generation to the next.

Stonemasons specializing in church buildings would probably have been devout Christians with a calling to serve their God by using their hands to glorify Him. Having such a powerful motivation, it’s not surprising that they carried out their carving with enormous care, even shaping ‘secret’ gargoyles only seen by God to the best of their ability. Unless the mason did his job well he could not be satisfied when engraving his particular identification mark into the stone, just as a silversmith, with pride, embosses his registered hallmark into the silverware he has created.

Boat builders of note are not ashamed to attach their trade symbol and an identification number to any vessel leaving their yard. Their very reputation is stamped into each vessel. They have a double motivation to make sure that boats crafted by them are sound, because it’s not just their reputation that’s at stake, but they also have a responsibility to ensure the vessel will not let the crew down.

While I am building my own small sailboat, I am very conscious of doing my best to make her fit for her purpose – that’s to build her soundly, and to construct her according to the designer’s plan. For the derivation of the greatest satisfaction I press myself to achieve the highest standard of craftsmanship of which I am capable, and, like the church stonemason, I want those parts not seen by the casual observer to be of that same quality as those parts readily seen. I am not seeking my own glory in any of this, nor can I truly say I am doing it for God’s glory, but those parts of the boat hidden from view must be done well for my own satisfaction, and also for an assurance to myself that all will be well when boat and I are tested by the sea.

Comfort Afloat

Physical comfort is relative, but there can come a point when one is not at all comfortable. People will pay a lot to have comfort, and those who are in pain will make sacrifices to rid themselves of it so that they can have a measure of comfort.

What material comforts would you have aboard your ideal yacht? Standing headroom could be the most important requirement, but for some this would be well down on their list, because they would argue that most of the time when aboard their yachts they sit, rather than stand. In that case, comfortable seats would be their priority. When moving about the boat, being able to hang on to substantial hand rails or grips can add to the crew’s comfort and improve safety aboard. Any constraints restricting movement within a boat that can be removed will add greatly to the comfort of the crew - simple things like having floorboards that slope upwards either side of the cabin sole to compensate for the angle of heel when the boat is sailing to windward, and locating the galley near the centre of the yacht to reduce movement when in a seaway; and having a locker for the waterproof clothing at the entrance to the cabin so that wet items need not be taken into an area that should remain dry.

The Paradox sailboat that I am building is at the stage where the interior is being built and this subject of ‘comfort’ is high on my agenda. Although I shall not be have standing headroom, unless the hatch is open, I’m trying to make the boat as comfortable as possible. Perhaps a younger man would be more concerned about making his boat work with a minimum of comforts, maybe because of his limited budget or because he simply does not have the patience or time to make her more comfortable. For me, comfort is a priority, and therefore if I can build my tiny boat so as to be easy to operate with the minimum of effort, this will add greatly to my comfort. Fortunately, Paradox is well designed in the ergonomic sense; most items of ‘furniture’ within the cabin are just right, for example, the steering lines are at the correct height, so that little effort is required to hold them, and the transverse seat is at the exact height to enable the crew to see the horizon through 360 degrees, but there are touches a builder can add, such as providing a place for pots and pans so they can be within easy reach of the cook, and having pumped fresh water, rather than bottles with screw-on tops. I like the idea of being able to get at my crockery and cutlery without difficulty; therefore I have devised very simple racks for them within hand’s reach. I’ll be buying a comfortable waterproof cushion, similar to the sort provided with wheelchairs for their users who sit on them for long periods of time. I shall have mine, not just for sitting on, but for kneeling, especially when I’m preparing or cooking food at the galley. I’ve made a table that can be placed athwart the cabin for use when I’m seated on the transverse seat or when I’m lounging on the self-inflating mattress. This versatility means I’ll be able to use it as a navigation table, or for when I have a meal, or to support my computer, book etc.. My instruments, such as the compass, the echo sounder and the GPS, can be seen at a glance when I'm seated at the helmsman's seat.

Some boats are more comfortable at sea than others, and generally the comfortable ones are the heavy displacement craft, because their very heaviness cushions or reduces the effect waves have on the boat. For her length, Paradox is heavy, and the fact that she has a flat bottom lessens her tendency to roll - especially when sailing downwind, unlike narrow yachts with bulbous keels.

The fact that I’ll be able to operate my Paradox from inside the cabin when the weather is inclement, means I’ll be able to keep myself warm and dry, which will add greatly to my comfort. All in all, Paradox will be one of the most comfortable boats I will have had the pleasure of owning, although she’ll be my smallest 'proper' yacht.

Setbacks and Perseverance

To persevere is to continue in a course of action, in spite of difficulty or with little or no indication of success. My mother used to say, “Try, try again, and if you don’t succeed try again!” Sometimes that’s the lot of the boat builder, but for me, although I’ve had success with my latest project, building a Paradox trailer sailer, now and again, I have had to persevere until a particular item came right.

It is said that genuine Christian saints have this characteristic of ‘persevering’ with their faith - although they have their setbacks. Life for them is no bed of roses; indeed, because of their beliefs they can suffer ridicule and prejudice. Some would say that could apply to any person who practises a religion, and that atheists or agnostics also have their setbacks. The the rule of setbacks is universal,and perseverance may be needed to overcome them.

Boat building can become a sort of religion in which the rule of perseverance must be practised; without adherence to this rule it's unlikely a boat would ever be built. Without persistence, a boat builder is lost. He cannot be fainthearted. He must try, try and try again, until all problems are overcome. He has to be bold and confident. Once he doubts his ability to succeed, he is lost.

There can be little activity more stimulating for the boat builder than setting about his project. Whenever he tackles a new job, large or small, there is always a constant challenge. How best can each task be done well? He has to plan every sequence; then make available the necessary tools and materials before building that particular part. If the job goes wrong he must try again; perhaps by tackling it in a different way to achieve success. Perseverance is a fundamental characteristic of the successful boat builder.

By overcoming setbacks through perseverance the boat builder is richly rewarded. He has the satisfaction of seeing his progress, and, eventually, if he perseveres enough, he will have the greatest reward when he sees his finished vessel.

My Return Home

My last entry to this blog was about perfection and imperfection, and two months have passed since I considered the nature of these qualities.

While being in Australia, touring the eastern coastal margins by caravan, I have been challenged by the enormous variety to be found in nature - within the rainforests there are enumerable species of trees, plants, birds and butterflies, not to mention insects such as ants and termites, and, just to consider the variety of wonderful and beautiful orchids in the rainforests, is mind-boggling. All of these natural phenomena are marvellous to me, and so many of them seem perfect in their design and function, each being dependent on others for their survival. Take the shy cassowary as an example; this is a large bird that grazes on the fruit of the forest and unwittingly distributes seed via its droppings, thus sustaining the forest which the bird needs for its own survival and for the continuing existence of other creatures.

Travelling broadens the mind, so I’m told; although that may not necessarily be a good thing, particularly if one is easily influenced by harmful or bad practices readily accepted by those who live in foreign lands; for example, the white man through greed has decimated countless acres of Australian rainforest to replace it with sugar cane plantations and cattle ranches; in so doing he has virtually destroyed not only huge tracts of forests and the creatures within them, but the Aboriginal people who inhabited those areas for thousands of years without changing their nature significantly.

One effect my two month stay in Australia has had on me is to put things in perspective. It has shown me the vastness of the earth, and by contrast the smallness of man; yet despite his apparent insignificance he has wrought devastation on the planet. I confess I, to a degree, have by my boat building and travel by air to that ancient continent contributed towards man’s defilement of the earth upon which he depends for his future survival.

Imperfection and Satisfaction

Paul the apostle in the first book of Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 10, declares, ‘But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.’ This statement is within a dialogue about the gifts of faith, hope and love, where the writer explains that love is the greatest of the three.

That ‘which is perfect’ refers to the second coming of Christ, when Christians will be perfected, and the fullest understanding and experience of Christ’s love will be known by them.

That ‘which is in part’ is the imperfection of the present age, where Christ’s love is known in some measure, but not in the fullest sense; therefore, for the Christian, perfection will be achieved on that blessed day when Christ returns to the earth for His saints. Meanwhile, there is no perfection here on the earth, which is subject to decay, as a result of the curse placed upon it by God. (Genesis 3:17-19)

What bearing does this have on our lives? Well, it affects us at all times. We strive for perfection, but we are bound never to achieve it. Frightening, isn’t it? Just imagine, when we travel by car, aeroplane or boat, none of these means of transport is perfect, and yet we have faith in them. Fortunately, more often than not, they do function safely, enabling us to reach our destination - despite their imperfections.

When I am engaged in building a boat for my own pleasure and satisfaction I always strive for perfection, and yet I know I can never achieve it. There have been times of disappointment, because I did not reach the standard I desired. On the other hand, although I did not attain complete perfection, what I did achieve was a higher standard than I would have obtained had I not striven for perfection. If I had set a lower standard, I’m sure I would have fallen below it, which would never have given me satisfaction.

By always striving for the best possible standards in all that I do, I create for myself opportunities for satisfaction - although the result of my efforts inevitably fall short of perfection; therefore the boat I am building will not be perfect, but there is the possibility that I may derive satisfaction from her.