Saturday 16 February 2013

A Frame!

Dedicated readers may remember that I had used some aluminium* tubing (the leading edge of my old hang glider) to make a simple A frame which should make it a bit easier to raise Vagabond mast. This had lain unused all winter as Vagabond was snugly lying a barn whilst the snow and frost lay around.

A frame in position
This week has seen a marked change in the weather and yesterday was almost balmy at Little Kings Ash farm so Vagabond was brought out into the sunshine and the A frame assembled on the foredeck.
Various pieces of string were tied to it to hold it in place, the forestay and shrouds were attached to the mast and the forestay led through a block on the A Frame. A strong heave on the forestay showed that the device worked and the mast rose into position.
When the time came to lower the mast, it descended onto the rest under reasonable control. All that has to be done now is to work out how to store the frame whilst at sea!

.

















Voacabulary Notes:
US readers: Aluminum

Thursday 14 February 2013

Errors and Omissions

I was a bit hurt the other week, when out to lunch with the Insurer(Retired). He wanted me to start including details of the menu's at each pub I visited during the last trip. Clearly, he is finding the blog dull. A bit like the  recent weather then.

But things may be changing.

We've had some sun today, the first (it seems) for weeks and the temperature is almost warm. I'd better go and have a look at Vagabond tomorrow to see how she has weathered the winter. I'll ask the Owners Agent if I can have time off from putting up shelves and all the sort of stuff that is assoicated with moving into a different house.

As a bit of light relief, I've been preparing for the illustrated talk that I've got to give to the GXSA (see link) early in March. I've discovered that the blog was a bit economical with the truth. There was no mention of running aground in the North Haven of the Isle of Skomer!

All is revealed in this "clip" from the recorded track:
I was concentrating on where to park amongst the half dozen or so boats already nodding to their anchors. There was a scrunch and a lurch, and the line securing the centre board went slack for a moment or two. Then Freddie powered Vagabond over the outcrop and we carried with my pride and the centre board gel coat both hurting!
I retreated from the pack and anchored in 12 metres at the western end of the bay!