Boat Plans Pdf | Had a Brilliant Sail with ‘Pike’ – Part 2

Boat Plans Pdf

Greensleeves, Roy Harts Memory class gaffer entering the Yacht Harbour

Bridgemarsh Marina astern

Bridgemarsh Island to port

One of many yachts and motorboats that passed by while I was having lunch

A Squib heading upriver

A Rannoch two-man ocean rowing boat

Pike being put to bed in her boathouse

When it comes to having a sail, good weather makes a big difference. Yesterday’s was perfect, and the most important aspect was the character of the wind – its direction and speed. The wind was generally from the north and never more than a Force 2, which was ideal for exploring Bridgemarsh Creek, a backwater where I seldom sail, on account of it being shallow and because the prevailing wind is from the SW. It is best done when the tide is making, so that if the boat gets stuck on the mud she will float free.

Burnham high water was at 1140, and by arriving at the eastern entrance of the creek at 1015 I had ample time for a leisurely sail to the exit at the other end before the ebb. The flood tide enters at the eastern end, and on approaching the creek I felt the speed of water increase. ‘Pike’ was being lee-bowed into the narrow orifice from where I could see the masts of yachts poking up above the muddy bank of Bridgemarsh Island.

I was amazed at how quiet it was - the only sound I could hear was that of tiny wavelets slapping ‘Pike’s’ bow. These happy, chuckling notes, resonated by her bow chamber, lifted my soul; as did the dancing peak of her tanned sail that jigged to and fro before an infinite, azure, cloudless sky. Around the corner, two scruffy buoys marked the channel, and there ahead lay many yachts berthed at pontoons that straddled the creek. Uncertain if they were linked to the northern shore by walkways, I chose to glide through a gap to the south of them. I wove a course between clumps of motionless weed floating on the surface, and I occasionally glanced astern to see if any had lodged on the rudder.

This was an adventure. Having no chart and no GPS, it was back to basics. Deeper water was generally to be found closer to steep-sided banks, but I came to a point near the end of the creek where there appeared to be an island, one that I could not remember being there on previous excursions. To starboard and beyond it, I could see a high bank along which runs a footpath from North Fambridge Yacht Station to Bridgemarsh Marina. A choice had to made, which side of the island to go, and I chose the wider stretch of water to the SW, beyond which I could see what looked like the exit leading to the Crouch.

Once again, back on the river, I was free to take a break and to have an early lunch. I brailed the sail and left ‘Pike’ to her own devices. She very slowly drifted towards the Fambridge moorings while I relaxed, munched and took in the many comings and goings of yachts and motorboats. I was reminded that it was a Saturday, and like me, all of us were there seeking what pleasure we could find. Therefore I could not grumble when my little boat was tossed like a cork on the wakes of gin palaces, of which there were several, seemingly taking part in manoeuvres resembling a naval exercise. They proceeded down river in convoy to a distant buoy and returned to the Fambridge moorings.

As I made sail and got under way for Burnham Yacht Harbour the wind veered, causing ‘Pike’ to be close-hauled, but the sailing was delightful. I lay on the floor of the boat with my feet facing forwards elevated on the thwart; I held the tiller with my raised right hand and the sheet in my left. I felt the wind on my cheek, inhaled the fragrant air and thanked God for His love and kindness to me.

Back at the Yacht Harbour I skipped past the queue of motor yachts waiting for fuel, and the boat came to a gentle halt at the slime-covered slipway, the tide having fallen several feet. Getting ‘Pike’ on her trolley past the green sludge without sliding and landing on my backside required patience and tiny steps taken with caution.

Just before leaving the Yacht Harbour for the journey home, I had the privilege of meeting Charlie Pitcher who was there helping someone launch a two man rowing boat manufactured at Charlie’s yard.

Links

The Ocean Rowing Company

http://www.rannochadventure.com/

Charlie Pitcher

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/charlie-pitcher.html

Bridgemarsh Marina

http://marinas.com/view/marina/6691_Bridgemarsh_Marina_Althorne%2C_Essex_GB_United_Kingdom

Battlesbridge (Where I first saw ‘Greensleeves’, a Memory class gaffer)

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/battlesbridge.html

Do you find information about Boat Plans Pdf are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Boat Plans Pdf. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Yacht Boat Plans | First Sail

Yacht Boat Plans

Blink went out for her maiden voyage last night - light air, never much more than 6 knots and averaging 3-5 with large patches of glassy water.  We still dont have everything finished, so were a little limited for cant angle, a few temporary rigging solutions, and sails on their first hoist with a couple of small refinements possibly needed once we adjust the mast rake slightly.

With the masthead Code 0 at about 90 TWA, we were doing about 8 knots over ground (instruments not calibrated yet).  Upwind about 7 kts SOG but at a fairly wide sheeting angle (inboard tweaker not set up yet).

Glassy water, 4-5 knots breeze, code 0, 7-8 knots boatspeed.  We like.

Do you find information about Yacht Boat Plans are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Yacht Boat Plans. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Boat Plans Bolger | First two handed sail may as well make it a race

Boat Plans Bolger

RPNYC ran its two handed series today - a 17 miler around the cans in Wellington Harbour.  Forecast was dubiously big from the Metservice and didnt align with Windfinder, Windguru, Metvuw etc.  Started off with gentle zephyrs and blew 20s for some of the course.

We learnt the boat really fast today, including deploying the code zero, having a couple of great upwind legs, and using the A6 for a speedie run past Somes Island to Days Bay.  On the way back past Somes Island, the breeze had built and we tucked in a reef.  Lesson number 1 - dont assume the reef line has been run and check it at the dock!  Running a reef line took ages and cost us speed and distance on the fleet.  A good reach home and to our relief, we didnt embarrass ourselves by not coming first across the line.

Next challenge was pulling down that huge main two handed while it was blowing pretty hard by then and the gusts in the inner harbour were not helpful.

A great first sail - lots to learn.  She is a dream to drive and well behaved.  We didnt make her go as fast as she is used to fully crewed but we held a steady course to have a great day on the water in decent breeze.  She is running beautifully - canting properly and easily from the wheels.  Some two handed systems to sort out but that is easy.

Great first two handed day out -  many more to come!



Do you find information about Boat Plans Bolger are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Boat Plans Bolger. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Pontoon Boat Plans | Sail 2

Pontoon Boat Plans

Things are moving slowly, lots to set up.  So not much sailing at moment, this is the first time in 10 days and no more sailing for a while until more stuff is sorted...

The Lithionics battery guys are holding us up a bit, much of the electrics including PLC commissioning still awaiting a BMS (battery management system) box to arrive the from USA before they can be completed.  So we are still sending 1-2 people down to manually cant the keel. With the solution to our Lithionics battery problems taking a while to come from the US, we cant charge the battery bank except from shore, pretty much eliminating electric keel canting.

Our mast needs a bit of a re-tune for some more rake and bend.

But last Saturday, 10 days after sail #1 in almost no breeze, we went out for a bit of yachting.  This time a cool 13-15 knot southerly, we saw 20 TWS for a few moments.   Upwind with a main that was roughly half backwinded, and jibs not sheeted close in (rig tune is out and dont have the inhaulers set up either yet), we were sitting on just over 8 knots.  Reasonable, but I suspect not close to as high or as fast as the boat is capable of.  Our only useable kite (apart from the Code 0) was the A6.  The A6 looks great and will be a weapon on strong breeze but its not quite the horsepower that youd want in this sort of boat for ripping downwind in 15 knots..  having said that, we did average about 13-14 knots off the wind most of the time (at fairly hot angles) and peaked at 18 knots through the water in 20 TWS.

Thanks Mike for taking most of the pics ...

Do you find information about Pontoon Boat Plans are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Pontoon Boat Plans. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Boat Plans Bartender | Bitty Day but the prospect of a day sail

Boat Plans Bartender

Temagami

Gravel in bags

Gravel distributed

Joins before tidying

Joins after tidying

Because of having to do various things with my wife before she set off on her mini-break to Italy, this was one of those days when I could not set aside any length of time for working on the patio. I was able to collect more sand and gravel from B&Q and Wicks, and afterwards to lay down the gravel to make a more even surface at the correct height in preparation for laying sand for the next row of paving slabs. Hopefully I’ll be able to do another six slabs tomorrow, so as to bring me more than halfway through the task of laying about 65 in total.

Another little job done today was tidying a few remaining joins between infill slabs by the garden shed. The more such jobs done now, the less there will be to do later. I have a desire to finish the patio as soon as I can so that I can go sailing with Pike, but there is a chance that I may be able to have a day sail this coming Monday aboard ‘Temagani’ which would be a treat.

Links

‘Temagami’, a Lovely Gaff Cutter – Part 1

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/temagami-lovely-gaff-cutter.html

‘Temagami’, a Lovely Gaff Cutter – Part 2

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/temagami-lovely-gaff-cutter-part-2.html

Pike Skiff designed by Iain Oughtred

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/pike-skiff-designed-by-iain-oughtred.html

Do you find information about Boat Plans Bartender are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Boat Plans Bartender. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Boat Plans African Queen | Had a Good Sail with ‘Pike’ – Part 2

Boat Plans African Queen

Under sail

At anchor

Cliff Reach

The buoy

Fambridge moorings

Cleaning

As promised, here are more photos illustrating yesterday’s sail.

Altogether I was on the water for ten hours, not all of them sailing or rowing. I took two breaks, the first at anchor off Cliff Reach and the second tied to a buoy near the western entrance of Bridgemarsh Creek.

Shortly after setting out from the slipway at Hullbridge I noticed what appeared to be a long piece of string trailing from the rudder. This turned out to be a crab bait line, probably lost by some unfortunate child, who like many others gather at the end of the Up River Yacht Club’s slipway for a bit of sport, catching as many crabs as possible, before throwing them back into the water.

Apart from the crab line incident there was an event that could have been very significant. The wind was generally light, but as clouds began to appear, the wind became puffy. A stronger puff than the others heeled ‘Pike’ to a point where she was about to take water over her side. I was able to spill wind from the sail to bring the boat onto a more even keel. At the time, I was midway along Longpole Reach, which is a stretch of water to the east of Fambridge. Not many people walk the banks that far from Fambridge, and had ‘Pike’ capsized I doubt anyone would have seen me struggling in the water attempting to right her.

I had worked out a passage plan considering the possibility of capsizing. As a safety precaution I carried a whistle, and wore a buoyancy aid. In truth, a whistle may not have been of much use, but on returning to the same stretch of water later that day, I saw a man seated on the north bank who could have been birdwatching. (During the sail I saw two flocks of geese, many plovers and several lone egrets.) At the outset, I had my doubts about being able to recover the boat after capsizing, and yet I took the risk. Needless to say, I became more vigilant after the event.

Except for the happenings described, nothing else of note occurred. I sailed as far as Burnham Yacht Harbour and back to Cliff Reach where I anchored and had lunch. Later I made my way to the easternmost buoy of the Fambridge moorings for a nap while waiting for the water to become high enough for me retrieve the boat at Hullbridge. I chose to row the last 3 ¼ miles for a bit of exercise.

Things learned

The new sheeting points are good, but I do not have enough strength to pull the sheets really taught for long periods. I may have to revert to the previous single sheet system, despite its drawbacks.

Sailing ‘Pike’ on the River Crouch in more than a Force 3 would be too much for me. This definitely limits what I can do with her.

Do you find information about Boat Plans African Queen are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Boat Plans African Queen. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Kayak Boat Plans | Sail 3

Kayak Boat Plans

We had our A2 back so headed out in a dying southerly last Sunday.  Mike couldnt sail with us but could escape from work to take some pics from the shore... these are my favourites, more to come.

This is the A6,  unfortunately just before this the breeze dropped out here ...

And this is the freshly returned A2, again not much breeze in close to the shore but were still moving.

And a shot heading upwind.  Mainsail too deep, will be better (?enough) after mid-mast prebend increased to designer specs, its a bit straight at the moment and there might also be a bit too much material in the luff, well see.

And some video from Joerg ... (this is worth watching full-screen)

Do you find information about Kayak Boat Plans are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Kayak Boat Plans. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Boat Plans Arch Davis | Had a Good Sail with ‘Pike’

Boat Plans Arch Davis

High water neaps at the start from Ferry Road slipway

The weather forecast for today was accurate, and most importantly there was a light wind from the north. Conditions couldn’t have been better for a sail to Burnham from Hullbridge. Not counting tacks, ‘Pike’ did a total of 18 nautical miles - 3 ¼ of them under oar.

There will be more photos tomorrow, along with a brief account of how things went.

Do you find information about Boat Plans Arch Davis are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Boat Plans Arch Davis. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Boat Plans Wood | Had an Excellent Sail with ‘Pike’ – Part 2

Boat Plans Wood

Lunch Break at the Rice and Cole mooring

Back at the slipway

At home, nicely cleaned

Tucked in bed

I have recovered from my excursions of yesterday when I took ‘Pike’ for a trial sail at Burnham-on-Crouch.

Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect.

Unlike my other boats, ‘Pike’ is light enough to have a combination trailer with a piggyback launching trolley. Being able to launch and retrieve her on a trolley is a big advantage, because the business of reversing down a slipway is eliminated and she can be taken to slipways that are unsuitable for road trailers, or launched from a beach.

Launching and retrieving her at Burnham Yacht Harbour was relatively easy without the need for getting my feet wet.

I rowed her to the entrance of the marina, and made sail. I found that she rowed well. Because the sail was brailed up, all I had to do to make sail was to free off the brail and sheet in. Immediately she came to life, and I took her on the wind towards the Burnham moorings. A strong spring tide and a headwind made getting to windward a challenge, but I was pleased to find she did magnificently, while making about ten degrees of leeway. Her unique, hinged rudder worked as it should, with a bungee keeping the lower half submerged. The deep daggerboard showed no signs of lifting. She never failed a tack. I preferred not to use the tiller extension because I could sit far enough forward without it. The shipped oars happily remained in their rowlocks with the blades protruding slightly over her gunnels. Thus stowed, they were ready for instant use.

After two hours beating two and fro between the moorings ‘Pike’ arrived at Rice and Cole where I picked up a mooring for a rest and to have lunch. There I removed the sprit and rolled the sail around the mast to stop it from flapping and making a noise.

By the time I had finished eating, it was coming up to high water, and the wind had freshened. I therefore reefed the sail and got underway. Five minutes later, the toggle line that held the throat of the sail to the mast gave way. I could have continued sailing, but the sail was creased and extra strain was being placed on the next toggle line. I decided to take the sail down and to row back to the Yacht Harbour. By then the ebb was running swiftly in the opposite direction to which I wanted to go.

I found I could power the boat faster than the current because she slipped through the water with little resistance and I had a helping hand from the wind. The hardest sections of the row were when going past the outer ends of floating pontoons – all three of them - that extended into the river. By rowing close to the shore wherever I could, I was able to avoid the worst of the ebb.

Apart from the throat toggle rope giving way, there were no other incidents, but back at home I discovered there was a little quantity of water in the forward, so-called watertight locker. A close inspection in the region of the foot of the stem post revealed that there were thin cracks between it and the hull panels on both sides. Sealing them should not be difficult.

A noticeable outcome of yesterdays excellent sail became apparent this morning when I sat down for breakfast; I discovered that my gluteus maximus muscles were somewhat tender!

Link

Gluteus Maximus Muscle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluteus_maximus_muscle

  

Do you find information about Boat Plans Wood are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Boat Plans Wood. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Boat Plans Bolger | A Good Day

Boat Plans Bolger

Sand base for third slab

Seven slabs laid, ready for tidying

There was a considerable amount of rain last night – something unusual over the past few weeks. Anyway, after I made an early start at working on the patio, the sun came out and the weather became quite humid. That didn’t stop me from laying seven paving slabs, after which I had time for collecting more sand from B&Q before the store closed.

Tomorrow’s BBC Weather Forecast is for rain in SE Essex. That will give me an opportunity for taking things easy after morning worship at Provident Baptist Church, Southend-on-Sea.*

Unfortunately the proposed sail with ‘Temagami’ on Monday has been cancelled. Instead, she’ll be returning to Pin Mill tomorrow afternoon. She’ll be making her departure from Walton and Frinton Yacht Club Basin at about 2.00 pm, an hour before high water.  XCWeather.co.uk forecasts a SW wind of only 5 mph which will not make for exciting sailing, and doing it in the rain will not enhance the experience.

Links

*Providence Baptist Church Southend-on-Sea

http://www.providencebaptistchurch.org.uk/

XCWweather.co.uk

http://www.xcweather.co.uk/GB/forecast

Walton and Frinton Yacht Club

http://www.wfyc.co.uk/  

Do you find information about Boat Plans Bolger are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Boat Plans Bolger. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.

Boat Plans African Queen | The truth about sail twist

Boat Plans African Queen

WHEN WIND BLOWS over water there is, of course, friction generated at water level. Some of the energy generated by this friction is turned into wave energy. But what’s more interesting is the fact that the speed of the wind increases with its  height above water level.  Whereas friction slows down the wind at water level, there is nothing to prevent it reaching its full potential speed higher up.

That’s why, when a boat is sailing on a beat, the direction of the apparent wind changes by between 5 and 8 degrees from the bottom of the mast to the top. The actual amount of change will naturally vary according to the height of the mast.

Therefore, the rule of thumb is that the mainsail leech at the head of the sail should lie farther off the wind than the leech near the clew.

The reason for this is that if the true wind speed is higher up aloft, the apparent wind direction up there will be less affected by the boat’s forward speed. It will be nearer the true wind direction. Therefore, the top of the sail does not need to be sheeted as close to the wind as does the bottom.

I notice that your eyes have glazed over. No matter, if you find this fascinating fact very boring,  you don’t have to worry. You don’t have to take any action. Your sailmaker knows all about it, and has built the right amount of twist and camber into the sail for your boat.

There are times when you might be able to increase the efficiency of your mainsail by bowsing down the boom and hauling the leech very tight to remove the twist, but mostly only racers bother about that kind of thing, and they already know the difference between true wind direction and apparent wind direction and VMG and lee-bowing the tide and the meaning of telltales and all that other stuff, so you don’t have to bother your poor little brain with it. Besides, it’s comforting to remember that even if they are highly intelligent and do know it all, only one of them can win the race.  

Today’s Thought

Our knowledge is a little island in a great ocean of nonknowledge.

— Isaac Bashevis Singer. NY Times, 3 Dec 78

Tailpiece

When the admiral retired, he hired his personal orderly of over twenty-five years to come with him. The admiral explained that the orderly’s duties would be exactly the same as they were in the navy. On the first morning of the admirals retirement the orderly entered the admirals bedroom and woke him. Then he slapped the admirals sleeping wife on the backside. "Okay, honey, “ he said, “its time you got back onshore!"

(Drop by every Monday, Wednesday, Friday for a new Mainly about Boats column.)

Do you find information about Boat Plans African Queen are you looking for? If not, below may help you find more information about the Boat Plans African Queen. Thank you for visiting, have a great day.