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Showing posts with label voyage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label voyage. Show all posts
Monday, April 25, 2016
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Rigging woes and possible solutions
Again, if youre a regular reader or are interested in the handling and rigging characteristics of the Goat Island Skiff, and some problems I have been encountering, I strongly urge you to read this thread.
Also, in order to solve some of my problems I have decided to go loose footed with my sail instead of laced. I have an album set up with before and after pics for those that would like to peruse them. They highlight some of the problems Ive been having with the rigging, and how I hope loose footed will help.
There are other great threads too, such as this one.
Tomorrow will be the loose footed experiment day, stay tuned!
Also, in order to solve some of my problems I have decided to go loose footed with my sail instead of laced. I have an album set up with before and after pics for those that would like to peruse them. They highlight some of the problems Ive been having with the rigging, and how I hope loose footed will help.
There are other great threads too, such as this one.
Tomorrow will be the loose footed experiment day, stay tuned!
Monday, April 11, 2016
Interior Work
After much deliberation, I have decided to use varnish on the inside of my Goat Island Skiff (sorry Clint).
Originally I was going to use paint, primarily for the durability, and also what I figured would be less sanding. However, after the exterior was painted I was acutely made aware that paint highlights every single defect. Varnish doesnt as much as paint. To make the paint look good, I would have to sand in strange and tight areas for long periods of time. This is not something that interests me. The lazy way out is to varnish so all the irregularities disappear into the grain. Then, all I have to do is lightly sand the varnish a few times to provide tooth for the next coat. I figure, 3 at a minimum for UV protection. This means my white epoxy fillets which were going to be painted are now going to take on a yellowy color. Im ok with this.
Not to mention that pretty much everybody who saw the boat pleaded with me to keep it wood. As the Aubuchon guy said, "Not enough wood boats in the world, you might as well show it off." My wifes excitement at keeping it bright sealed the deal.
And BOY if it doesnt look good!
The varnish I use is Interlux Schooner Gold 96. It goes on easy, I dont thin it, and it tips off really nice with a foam brush. In the interior I used a West System foam roller, its very thin and doesnt absorb lots of liquid. I found this at Goose Bay Lumber. The varnish went onto my sanded interior very easily. It took a little over an hour to varnish the entire boat. I then hit it with a little brush to make sure all the nooks and crannies got varnish too, primarily to protect the fillets and glue joints from UV exposure. Its only the first coat so there are a few small holiday and some areas with more varnish than others but all in all, it looks great. The best part is that you can only see the defects if you stare right into the glare, otherwise, it looks like a smooth surface! Yes laziness!
Much time was also spent on a myriad of other small tasks that must get done for this boat to be ready.
I have rudder gudgeons coming from Australia, my hitch will be installed next week, and hopefully before you know it, Ill be sailing! It cant come soon enough.
Originally I was going to use paint, primarily for the durability, and also what I figured would be less sanding. However, after the exterior was painted I was acutely made aware that paint highlights every single defect. Varnish doesnt as much as paint. To make the paint look good, I would have to sand in strange and tight areas for long periods of time. This is not something that interests me. The lazy way out is to varnish so all the irregularities disappear into the grain. Then, all I have to do is lightly sand the varnish a few times to provide tooth for the next coat. I figure, 3 at a minimum for UV protection. This means my white epoxy fillets which were going to be painted are now going to take on a yellowy color. Im ok with this.
Not to mention that pretty much everybody who saw the boat pleaded with me to keep it wood. As the Aubuchon guy said, "Not enough wood boats in the world, you might as well show it off." My wifes excitement at keeping it bright sealed the deal.
And BOY if it doesnt look good!
The varnish I use is Interlux Schooner Gold 96. It goes on easy, I dont thin it, and it tips off really nice with a foam brush. In the interior I used a West System foam roller, its very thin and doesnt absorb lots of liquid. I found this at Goose Bay Lumber. The varnish went onto my sanded interior very easily. It took a little over an hour to varnish the entire boat. I then hit it with a little brush to make sure all the nooks and crannies got varnish too, primarily to protect the fillets and glue joints from UV exposure. Its only the first coat so there are a few small holiday and some areas with more varnish than others but all in all, it looks great. The best part is that you can only see the defects if you stare right into the glare, otherwise, it looks like a smooth surface! Yes laziness!
Much time was also spent on a myriad of other small tasks that must get done for this boat to be ready.
I have rudder gudgeons coming from Australia, my hitch will be installed next week, and hopefully before you know it, Ill be sailing! It cant come soon enough.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow
Since Im on the road all the time, I tend to do a lot of reading to pass them time. This is good, but its also not-so-good as I get to daydreaming about my unfinished Goat Island Skiff. However, sometimes a book comes along that not only motivates, but helps embellish daydreams and pass the time.
I just finished reading this whimsical adventure book, and I highly recommend it to my fellow small-boat aficionados. The author takes his 11 Mirror Dinghy from Northern Wales in England, down to the Channel via rivers and canals, then crosses the Channel into France. Once in France he sails and rows his way across the continents surprisingly extensive canal and river system until he gets to the Danube and takes it to the Black Sea. Filled with fantastic literary references (hes an English Lit. teacher), sailing, rowing, high adventure, and out-loud laughing points, I enjoyed this book immensely.
This book gets me all the more excited for my Super-Secret Summer Adventure that I am planning in my Goat Island Skiff. Tally-ho!
I just finished reading this whimsical adventure book, and I highly recommend it to my fellow small-boat aficionados. The author takes his 11 Mirror Dinghy from Northern Wales in England, down to the Channel via rivers and canals, then crosses the Channel into France. Once in France he sails and rows his way across the continents surprisingly extensive canal and river system until he gets to the Danube and takes it to the Black Sea. Filled with fantastic literary references (hes an English Lit. teacher), sailing, rowing, high adventure, and out-loud laughing points, I enjoyed this book immensely.
This book gets me all the more excited for my Super-Secret Summer Adventure that I am planning in my Goat Island Skiff. Tally-ho!
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
MAIDEN VOYAGE
On June 12, 2010, I humbly presented to Poseidon my Goat Island Skiff along with the requisite champagne on the waters of Lake Sunapee, NH. I now present to you,
I Am Zinea, Pterodactylus
May you enjoy fair winds and following seas,
High adventure and times of quiet relaxation,
May you always find the port before the storm,
and may you never abandon your crew in their most dire moment of need.
What can I say, I enjoy long absurd names for my boats. Pterodactylus was part of the pterosaur family. Usually they were light, fast, small flying dinosaurs that have been widely hypothesized to live near the sea. Some larger pterosaurs were definite coastal cruisers, so close enough for me. I went to the American Natural History Museum in New York and spent some time enthralled with all the dinosaurs and pterosaurs. They were cool. My boat is cool. It all works out.
Under rainy skies and low overcast, and when most lakes were glassy calm, we were able to find a fairly steady light breeze, and do some sailing!
My lovely wife also got me a wonderful present for the launching of the boat, and it was full of Pussers!
A salty gift if I may say so myself!
HOLY BALONEY BATMAN! SHE IS LAUNCHED!
More posts detailing some fixes and other maintenance items, including sailing adventures are to follow.
I Am Zinea, Pterodactylus
May you enjoy fair winds and following seas,
High adventure and times of quiet relaxation,
May you always find the port before the storm,
and may you never abandon your crew in their most dire moment of need.
What can I say, I enjoy long absurd names for my boats. Pterodactylus was part of the pterosaur family. Usually they were light, fast, small flying dinosaurs that have been widely hypothesized to live near the sea. Some larger pterosaurs were definite coastal cruisers, so close enough for me. I went to the American Natural History Museum in New York and spent some time enthralled with all the dinosaurs and pterosaurs. They were cool. My boat is cool. It all works out.
Under rainy skies and low overcast, and when most lakes were glassy calm, we were able to find a fairly steady light breeze, and do some sailing!
My lovely wife also got me a wonderful present for the launching of the boat, and it was full of Pussers!
A salty gift if I may say so myself!
HOLY BALONEY BATMAN! SHE IS LAUNCHED!
More posts detailing some fixes and other maintenance items, including sailing adventures are to follow.
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